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Which Sickle Mower

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farmallboy15

Member
Well since I learned my lesson on *cheap* disc mowers, I'm thinking a sickle mower is the answer for me until the right disc mower comes along. I'm looking at the New Holland 450-456 series and the International 1300's. What would be your recommendation as well as should I go 3PT or pull type? There seems to be quite a few around in the $800-1200 range.

I'm leaning towards NH for parts convenience and the IH for easier 3pt hookup. I also like the idea of 3pt for getting around my awkward fields and mowing around the pond but at the same time, pull type would be much easier to hook up....
 
I have New Holland 455 and 456 trailer mowers,both are good mowers but the 456 is the best.I much prefer a trailer mower over a 3pt.Good thing about the NH mowers is all parts are available.I quit using AC mowers which are good mowers because of the parts deal.
 
Have no experience with them but many amish guys around here run the 456's year after year after year etc. maybe one of them will be along shortly to comment LOL.
 
It's a horse a piece when it comes to parts. NH still has parts available for those mowers & Rowse has parts for the IH AND NH mowers. They are both very good machines. I too, prefer the mounted or semi mounted mowers. So the IH 100 & 120 would also be an option for you. The balanced head mower line went to NI after a while & then to Rowse. CaseIH still has some parts, but not all like Rowse.

Mike
 
I would try to go with a balanced head style instead of a pitman style sickle bar.I think you are on the right track as far as models to look at. Another possibility- I have a 3 pt Sitrex brand dual action type mower where both guards and knives reciprocate. It is less prone to plugging . There are several brands of this newer style sickle bar , most are made in Europe . JD dealers sell a Frontier branded one. They are very expensive new but if you keep your eyes open you may find one for not much more money than a real good NH 450-451 or IH 1300. Although I use a haybine to mow my hay I have used the Sitrex mower to mow some hay and it does a good job. I also own a Ford 14-92 pitman type mower which is pretty much retired now. If you dont need to hook-unhool the mower alot (enough tractors to keep it on thru hay time) a 3 point mower is good, if you will need to hook/ unhook the mower alot a trailer type might be handier.
 
JK I'm also watching one of those frontier mowers on an auction. It's one year old and just 5 minutes down the road. I think its made by Maschio, only thing scaring me away from that is basically no aftermarket or used part availability. Good to hear they are less prone to plugging!
 
Im running a number 8 John Deere I rebuilt it with new style guards it does a good job for me a lot more relaxing to cut hay with than anything Ive used because there is really nothing to go wrong on it .
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I much prefer a mounted mower. The NH is a good mower, but I found the mounting way too complicated- once you get it adjusted to fit one tractor, you don't want to even think about trying to put it on another.
 
I grew up running a Case pull type,when I worked for the neighbors it was a Dyna balance MF 3 point. I liked the pull type because we pulled it with the 70 JD. It sat up nice and high and you could see good. The MF was pulled by a 65 MF and you set low. The Dyna Balance was smooth running.
 
If you have any steep ground, you won't want a pull type cutterbar. They slide off the hill and don't cut well while being pulled sideways ! The 1300 is top-notch. One of the later New Idea mowers as well as a later Ford mower were all the same as the Int 1300.
 
I have an IH 120 mower - bolts up tight and stays directly behind the tractor. I mowed hundreds of acres a year growing up in the 70s and 80s with a 120 and an H. Now decades later I'm using one with a lot less wear behind a Farmall 350. They work good, not as good as a disc mower but still a good solid mower.
 
I bought an IH 120 balanced head at auction for $450. I had to replace a few guards and all of the sections, plus add a homemade swath board. It has been a great mower. I also have a hesston 1014 hydroswing. It works great on second cutting but tall first is a no go. It leaves too big of a windrow to dry even after it has been crimped by the mower. This year with all of the rain we received and continue to get, the 120 has been the better mower. I am like you and want a disc mower for speed and dry time but for right where I'm at, it's hard to beat a good sickle mower.
 
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