Cub-22 Mower height wheel

[WaMoo]

Hello,
I know some companies have offered caster wheels that attach on the ends of their sickle-bar mowers, in order to cut higher, such as clipping pastures. I'm curious if anyone on this forum has fabricated this for their Cub-22? And if so, how did you do it?

Thanks!
Wamoo

[Scrivet]

If I want to cut higher I raise the hydraulics.
If I want to cut even higher I set the inner shoe on a block and take a couple links out of the lift chain.
I don't see the need for a guide wheel but it shouldn't be to hard to bolt something on if you so desire. There's plenty of things bolted onto the bar, just get some longer bolts and add to what's there. Just be aware of wheel placement. If the cut grass falls on it you may have to unwrap it frequently. If you stick it to far out the end of the mower you'll be running over what you'll be cutting next time around.

[WaMoo]

If I want to cut higher I raise the hydraulics.
If I want to cut even higher I set the inner shoe on a block and take a couple links out of the lift chain.

I've thought of that, but then I consider that the outer shoe sole is there to support the cutter bar. With bar end just hanging out in the air, that's a lot of weight cantilevered out there.

I do plan to use the chain to support the inside. I only ask about the wheel because I've seen a John Deere one that was a factory option, and I know others have fabricated them. I was just curious if anyone here has specifically fabricated one for a Cub-22.

[Scrivet]

That sickle bar is pretty tough and "springy". I wouldn't worry about the weight. If the far end gets to bouncing up and down you're going to fast.

If you want to do a wheel, that outer shoe is probably your best bet. Remove it and install a J hook in the hole in front. Take a flat bar and bolt it to where the shoe height adjustment used to be and sticks straight down. Bolt your wheel onto the lower end of the flat bar. Connect the J hook to the flat bar to provide support against the flat bar twisting to the rear.

Or remove the whole outer shoe, grassboard and all. If you're clipping up in the air you wont need it. Make a bracket that fits the holes on the end of the bar that used to hold the outer shoe.

[WaMoo]

Remove it and install a J hook in the hole in front. Take a flat bar and bolt it to where the shoe height adjustment used to be and sticks straight down. Bolt your wheel onto the lower end of the flat bar. Connect the J hook to the flat bar to provide support against the flat bar twisting to the rear.

I like this idea! Thanks!

[Glen]

Hi,
Here are some pics from an IH mower brochure from years ago. IH had wheels available for some of the sickle bar mowers. The 3rd pic shows them. The inner wheel was for the number 28 mower, which is for some other model of tractor, but a similar thing could be made for the Cub 22 mower. So could the outer wheel.

[WaMoo]

Well, here's what I came up with. I used the ideas here, as well as some vintage illustrations in Lynn Miller's Horse Drawn Mower Book ( A sickle bar is a sickle bar... The bar on my IH #9 horse-drawn mower is the same as my Cub-22). It'll be spring before I test it out, but should serve my needs ok.

[WaMoo]

I got the mower re-mounted, and took it for a spin. I have to report that so-far, so-good. The wheel works just like I wanted it too.

As a side note, I really like Ace Hardware's "International Blue" paint... I can't say I'm a fan of their "International Red" though. The coverage is terrible. My favorite IH red in a rattle can is Van Sickle. The hue and coverage is real nice.

[LeeC]

That is a pretty slick set up. I am not a fan of how low mine cuts, even with the shoes set to cut as high as possible. I always wondered how a sickle mower set up high with a caster wheel like yours would cut. I would think it might push some material over before it was cut. Of course, we are not talking about finish mower. --Lee

[WaMoo]

That is a pretty slick set up. I am not a fan of how low mine cuts, even with the shoes set to cut as high as possible. I always wondered how a sickle mower set up high with a caster wheel like yours would cut. I would think it might push some material over before it was cut. Of course, we are not talking about finish mower. --Lee

I didn't have any problem with material being pushed over, but the grass was already pretty tall. Also, I usually don't go too fast, second gear with half throttle or less. Sharp knife, good ledgers, and tuned up probably helps as well.