[Mike in Ohio]

Welll, I went and did it. Bought one of these puppies to mount on my 8n. I had been hoping to get a belt driven rather than a pittman type but the price was right and it is in good shape.

My question is whether there are any tips or tricks about using it. I'm hoping to pick it up on Tuesday.

TIA

Mike

 

[agmantoo]

You may need to ask the seller how to mount the 501 to the Ford. As I recall there is a cable and a bracket that is a little awkward if you do not know how it mounts. Other than that, the 501 should marry up to the Ford like a glove to a hand. Keep the tractor reving good and run in a slow gear until you get the hang of operating the device. Good knives and good guards also contribute to the overall performance of any mower.

 

[Ducks limited]

Hi. I am going through the same deal with a IHC 2-point sickle bar mower. It has been setting outside for quite a while. If your pitman arm (wood?) is good, you need to loosen the bar clamps and drizzle some used oil on the bar while running it very slow so it can "scour up". I found out the hard way and will need a new pitman arm.
Most sickle bar mowers have a trip on the bar side that will release in case you hit a stump or something the sickle can't cut through. This needs to be checked to make sure it will work if needed. Otherwise you will rack your frame and it will not mow right without major straightening.
Check the gear cases! Just because they look good does not mean they are full of lube. Happy haying, Dave

 

[Ross]

I could never make a sickle mower work at low speeds, the hay wouldn't strip off the guards; but perhaps the knives weren't sharp enough. Maybe our old Cockshutt wasn't much of a mower........ Simple machines and the above advice is about all you need to know about them.

 

[Mike in Ohio]

Thanks for the replies. I'm fortunate in that I have an excellent mentor who has worked on (professional mechanic) and worked with (farming background) with equipment all his life. I was over today and asked him to get me started the first time.

Weather permitting I'm hoping to get some cutting in later this week. I'd love to do some tomorrow but I will be spending all day driving (picking it up and driving it to the farm and then driving back to the house).

Mike