John2189 521 #1 Posted Tuesday at 07:46 PM How fast do you run the engine? I run about 1/2 throttle but the tractor speed in first seems too fast. The mower plugs up. how tight should the hold down be ? And the rock guards? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,170 #2 Posted Tuesday at 10:38 PM 2 hours ago, John2189 said: I run about 1/2 throttle 1/2 throttle or maybe a little more is as fast as you want to run with a sickle mower. 3/4 to full is way too fast & will eventually cause damage. If the mower is on a dedicated tractor, you could install a larger pulley on the tranny or a smaller one on the engine to slow it down. 1" bigger on the tranny and 1" smaller on the engine and you might be able to run the same belt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,312 #3 Posted Tuesday at 10:47 PM Any more than 5/8 you shake it apart captain. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,160 #4 Posted Tuesday at 11:14 PM (edited) 35 minutes ago, Achto said: 1/2 throttle or maybe a little more is as fast as you want to run with a sickle mower. 3/4 to full is way too fast & will eventually cause damage. If the mower is on a dedicated tractor, you could install a larger pulley on the tranny or a smaller one on the engine to slow it down. 1" bigger on the tranny and 1" smaller on the engine and you might be able to run the same belt. I respectfully disagree with your calculation in the last sentence. The contact area on the larger tranny pulley when increased greatly outweighs the decrease on the smaller one. It might not be a good idea to decrease the drive pulley - that already is asking the belt to conform to a tight raduis to provide drive... Edited Tuesday at 11:14 PM by ri702bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,520 #5 Posted Wednesday at 01:33 AM Swap in an 6 or 8 spd 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John2189 521 #6 Posted Wednesday at 02:56 AM 1 hour ago, pfrederi said: Swap in an 6 or 8 spd I have a c165 8 speed, but I don’t think the mower will fit it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,408 #7 Posted Wednesday at 02:14 PM I put a larger pulley on my 953 to slow he sickle down: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
