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Sickle bar mower pitman arm

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Guyzoo

01-05-2007 19:33:24

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Hi, I have a new holland model 45 46 47 MOWER semi mounted that I use with my 1950 Farmall H.

The pitman arm (the wooden stick) is deteriorating on the mower and I would like to replace it before it brokes... My question is: What kind of wood should it be? hard or soft wood? I would like to make my own and I would like to know if cutting one in a 2x4 would be good or should I take a walk in the woods with a chainsaw to find something more hard??

Thanks for all your help and opinions... It is really appreciated!!

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Gary_N_WV

01-06-2007 11:28:16

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

Lot easier to get one at tractor supply or somewhere, but if I was making it, I would use straight grained hickory, oak or ash.
Season it, but not to the point it is rock hard, and then use linseed oil or other protective coating to keep it from absorbing moisture or drying out completely.
I think the harder it gets, the more prone to splitting it will be and the wetter it gets, the more apt it is to deteriorate and get soft.
I�m only guessing, but I think the pitmans were made from wood for several reasons. Being made from wood, they absorbed the shock and vibration and would also break if you happen to catch them on a stump or rock, plus they would be cheaper and something the farmer could make easily on the farm�no need to fire up the blacksmith�s shop to straighten one.
I read somewhere once that if you soak wood in kerosene that it keeps it a little flexible.

My two cents worth!
Gary

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Dave Sherburne NY

01-06-2007 10:50:40

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

Why not try your local New Holland Dealer??

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Guyzoo

01-06-2007 07:12:58

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

THANK YOU VERY MUCH... I really appreciate your help...And I wont cut a tree just for one pitman arm, I will use the rest of it as firewood for the shed lol
THANKS AGAIN

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teddy52food

01-06-2007 06:37:34

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

I had trouble with them breaking until I glued 3 thin pieces together. (laminated) I used white oak. Just make sure to get it the right length so the points are under the guard at top dead center.

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IaGary

01-06-2007 06:25:30

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

After looking over the old new one I have here I sure it is Oak.

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MattofVinings

01-06-2007 05:08:22

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

My choice, if I could afford it would be walnut.

It will take little or big impacts and not split apart thru the grain.

Oak will dry rot in front of your eyes outdoors, and splits like crazy when dried. Try to nail or screw an old piece of pallet-wood.

Straight-grained is probably most important, my second choice would be the SPF that comes from the Home Dee.

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Jim in NC

01-06-2007 03:32:02

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

Local blacksmiths have made them from hickory. They would use a dry block of wood from the tree trunk cut to proper lengh, split off a square piece and work it down. I have seen them make various hand tool handles the same way. They had different lengths of wooden blocks for different handles. I have seen pitmans at TSC.

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Pale Rider

01-06-2007 00:31:36

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

It is my understanding that they are deliberately made of softer wood with the intention that they shatter should the sickle action become bound up instead of causing more extensive damage to the metal linkage. I simply used a straight grained 2x4. I don't use mine very often but I haven't hade any trouble with it holding up.

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Marty Johns

01-05-2007 21:51:25

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

Why not LOCUST, is is a harder than OAK and would last a lifetime, forewarning! locust will be tough to work with, almost like trying to bend cast iron!

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old

01-05-2007 20:55:38

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

NH still has them I got one a year or 2 ago for the one I have. Now if you want to make your own what I have done in the past was cut a hicory tree down that was about the same size as needed for it and squared the ends off and left the rest round. It worked real well and because of the grain the way it is in a stick like that its very strong

Hobby farm

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Tom Windsor

01-05-2007 20:55:38

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

I got a sickle mower and i do not know how it is mounted on the H I have. I was wondering if it can be attached with the 3 point hitch some way?

Do can you post a picture of how yours is mounted.

The pitman arm, I think I would make it out of oak.

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Guyzoo

01-06-2007 07:04:34

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Tom Windsor, 01-05-2007 20:55:38

I'm sorry, I didn't have a camera but I will explain it as best as I can since it is pretty simple. The model I have has a wheel at the rear and does not require a 3 point hitch... it is only mounted on the u shaped draw bar(you will need to remove the swigning draw bar). The mower does not lift: it is only the sickle bar that lift about a feet high using an allis-chalmers hydraulic cylinder
Hope this help
THANKS Guyzoo

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DADDY E

01-05-2007 20:18:03

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

I have made a few using ash for an IH mower.[It weathers good and is tough enough to last]. I understand the reason wood is used as it will withstand the vibration. Metal will not handle the vibration and develop cracks [metal fatigue]. Eldon from Ont.

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Wardner

01-05-2007 19:55:51

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Re: Sickle bar mower pitman arm in reply to Guyzoo, 01-05-2007 19:33:24

I have always wondered why Pitman arms were made of wood. Are they meant to be like a fuse or shear pin in order to prevent damage to other parts?

Anyway, it seems to me that ash was used. It is a wood that splits easily.

I can't imagine cutting a tree for one Pitman arm. Perhaps you should think about making at least a thousand or so.

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