some use the sickel section that looks like a double section and it works. I use the double guards the throw away guards and do away with the end shoe then I make a grass board attachment that fastens on the last two bolts on the bar. If you use a grass board ok. A lot of the time I don't use a grass board you can get away with it if the hay is not real heavy. I use this on tractor mowers and horse drawn mowers as we use both. we mow with #9, #7 and a John Deere big 4 horse mowers also the tractor drawn KOCH double mowers some have grass boards some don't this probably is not clear without pictures.


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Scott, I will attempt to load a photo of my #9 sickle that shows the end section that I think kc was talking about. That "second" extra should reach past the last ledger plate to cut that material near the grass board. Perhaps this helps? johnR


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Thanks KC and John for your input. This gives me some ideas to work with. My mower has the smooth edge sickle sections and serrated guards. Have you converted yours? Which is better?
Thanks again,
Scott


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Scott, sorry for the long delay. Just don't check in much when we're busy with harvest. Yes, I have converted the bar on my mower, basically for two reasons:
1) As the ledger plates dull, I find it a hassle to deal with rivets to replace. I grew up with rivets, I can do rivets, but I just don't care for them with guards. I would rather do rivets on sickles.
2) When I changed to smooth guard / serrated section, I also began using the adjustable hold down. I really like being able to easily adjust the clearance between hold down and sickle to keep accurate clean cutting without too much drag. johnR


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum