Project Sickle Bar

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

Finally, after missing my other one I sold a few years ago, I bought one at the big show today. Looking forward to gettin it in top shape. 

[8ntruck 9,018]

I've always wanted one.  Don't know why, 'cause it do not have a use for one.

[ri702bill 12,365]

Gopher Grinder....

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

I haven’t had any use for one but it’s always been that “one piece” that I’ve been missing since I sold my other one like a fool. 

[adsm08 4,735]

I don't even know what they are good for.

[8ntruck 9,018]

I've got a ditch on my Ky. property where a sickle mower that could angle down would be really handy - except for the rocks that are in the ditch.....

[Racinbob 13,016]

I had one for 20-25 years before the move to Florida in 2000 when it was sold in the auction. After coming back up here in 2017 I started looking for another one. Finally, after running an ad, I found one less than 15 miles from here. A guy bought it in an auction and after realizing seeing that it was so rusted solid he must have figured it was unsavable. I didn't see it that way. Here's the thread.

 

 

Sickle Bar Finally - Implements and Attachments - RedSquare Wheel Horse Forum

 

8 hours ago, adsm08 said:

I don't even know what they are good for.

 

If ya need one you'll know. Mine runs at about a 45° angle about 90% of the time. I keep the briars that intrude on the paths out back clear. 

 

 

7 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

I've got a ditch on my Ky. property where a sickle mower that could angle down would be really handy - except for the rocks that are in the ditch.....

 

The Wheel Horse model doesn't angle down but a very few degrees. I've heard the Haban will go more but I can't verify.

[gt14rider 1,223]

Haban 414 for GT14.

[sqrlgtr 3,143]

Sickle mower has been on my bucket list for at least 20yrs now but just haven't been able to connect with one. @cafoose has one and its the only one Ive eve seen in the wild around here. Wished he would hurry up and get bored with it and pass it on to me.

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

Here’s a better pic of it, when I get time I’ll be starting on it. 

[peter lena 9,928]

@Thegearhead0324   would love to go thru one of those . massive example OF COLLECTIVE DRAG , every stage is another handoff . typically  starts with pto lever  , needle cone bearing drag , that  hi heat  intense , spot , cooks  regular grease , black , cracking debris  shows you  that , lucas x tra hd green chassis grease , after a total  bearing clean out , 550 deg flash point , polyurea  , none of my  bearings  squeal / or whine , every stage , needs to be , verified / enhanced for movement ease . when I  pull back on my  pto lever , the  spindle  spins down on its own , what is that showing you for  movement ease ? never  wore out a  clutch disc . experiment /  try  . test  / try .  pete  

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

@peter lena , my tractor is all lubed/greased up. My other sickle I sold a few years back I stripped and painted, greased all points, etc. Fluid film is my favorite lubricant and undercoating, I use it yearly on my vehicles and other things. 
 

On this one, everything seems to move freely and nothing is seized. I’m going to keep its original look and just clean it up real good, check inside the wobble box, and grease it up, new belts, etc. 

[peter lena 9,928]

@Thegearhead0324   if any of that is too  intense for you  ?  try SOMETHING  on a smaller scale , to  inspire / encourage you , i,m on the other end of this , been doing this  for decades , ex  ever add a  pull spring to  a choke  / throttle  end lever point ? that  lubricated slide is always  smooth easy  . spring  pull assist TO CLOSE , POINT . that way  any of your   throttle  INCREASE  , is lightly spring  pull assisted , make the penetrating oil  run / drip  out of the end  spring  pull point ,  also touch up any related linkage movement  spots . all of mine are  free and easily  move , most of the stuff I see is faded rust , so easy to start a reversal  of that . pete

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

While the warden took an overnight trip to Buffalo, I made a bit of progress on the unit. I took it apart, gently washed all the pieces with soap and water, then rubbed in my favorite juice and keeping its “patina.” Greased and lubed what was needed, and started putting it back together. It has all the original decals in good shape. 

[peter lena 9,928]

@Thegearhead0324  had to put on a bib , was having a  lubrication meltdown !  a regular for me , is to clean out and ENHANCE  EVERY RELATED BEARING  , WITH  LUCAS  X TRA HD  GREEN CCHASSIS GREASE ,  specs are awesome for  trouble / failure areas . 550 deg flash point , polyurea rated , every pulley  , movement point , will actually move with ease , DETAIL , MAKE SURE YOU  CLEAN OUT AND LIGHTLY  REGREASE  THE  PTO CONE INNER  NEEDLE BEARING ?  typically  dry / cooked  used to be grease  , is like a drum brake on your  initial  lever engagement , ?  once you  try that , you will  want to  enhance every / any  movement spot  . every  bearing stage I have has this improvement , years in , no whyining noise or failures , more than worth a try, , dare to experiment , walmart $ 8 , never  burned out a  clutch disc , what does that tell you about drag reduction ?  doing a good job , sending you  good ju ju .  pete  

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

Here’s the ol 1257 with the 1311 50” sickle bar. The assembly has original decals and original “patina” paint. Works as it should. It has a “new old stock” wheel horse belt I put on it. Everything’s lubed, 30 weight oil in the wobble box, etc. 

[c-series don 12,042]

On 6/26/2026 at 6:31 PM, 8ntruck said:

I've always wanted one.  Don't know why, 'cause it do not have a use for one.

I have one, don’t know why ‘cause I do not have a use for one! I guess I bought it for the coolness/rarity factor! 

[WHX?? 57,270]

WOW  not enough 

Edited 2 hours ago by WHX??

[WHX?? 57,270]

1 minute ago, c-series don said:

I have one, going to sell it to WHX when he comes picks up a planter don’t know why ‘cause I do not have a use for one!

There fixed that for ya ... 

[c-series don 12,042]

Planter AND the sickle bar? That might be too much for you Jimbo🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

@c-series don Same for me, I have no need for one right now. I had one prior and sold it, regretted it. Couple years later I saw this one for sale and picked it up at the big show couple weeks ago. My old one was beat up so had to repaint it and replace parts. This one I just stripped apart, cleaned, wiped down and greased up with new belts. 

[sqrlgtr 3,143]

2 hours ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

I have no need for one right now.

If you get to thinking someone that needs should have it I will gladly come and get it if you will split the fuel bill with me 

[Thegearhead0324 1,644]

4 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

If you get to thinking someone that needs should have it I will gladly come and get it if you will split the fuel bill with me 

Someday me and the warden will afford a nice piece of land to enjoy and I’ll be out there with a smile just “sickling” around and pretending not to hear her yelling to me to come inside. 

[sqrlgtr 3,143]

1 minute ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

me and the warden

Dont you get to feeling special I got one of them to…..

[c-series don 12,042]

6 minutes ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

Someday me and the warden will afford a nice piece of land to enjoy and I’ll be out there with a smile just “sickling” around and pretending not to hear her yelling to me to come inside. 

I honestly could not have said it better myself! That’s exactly what I’m thinking!! I’ve said it before here, sometimes when I see a wheat or hay field I think to myself “ I’d like to cut that with my sickle bar!” Then I think about all the sneezing and itchy watery eyes I’d have! And by the way, “sickling around” really cracks me up!