Sickle Mower Pitman Arm

ricky racer

ricky racer

501 Club
Dang it, I broke my mowers pitman arm. I guess you can't mow down trees with them. :headbang
What wood is best to use to make a replacement?
 
Don McCombs":1800us7s said:
So, Ricky. What did you end up doing?
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Well, I got to looking at the one I had and noticed it was made from pine or some other soft wood. It held up well and only broke when I hooked a small tree about as big around as my thumb. So it failed as it should have to save the rest of the mechanical components. The guys here suggested using oak, ash or hickory so I went to our local Lowes to see what I could find. The only hardwood that looked like it would work was oak but it measured 1.5"x1.5"x 36" long. The pitman arm I broke measured 1.25"x1.25" but I figured I could rip it down to the correct width. Then I saw the price! :shock: They wanted $22 each for them!! :shock: :shock:

I kept looking around and found some 2"sq.x 42-in (which actually measured 1.3"x1.3" which was close enough for me) Pressure Treated Wood Square Deck Balusters with good straight grain and no knots for $1.98 each! :wink: All I had to do was cut them to length, transfer the holes for the 8, 5/16" diameter bolts (making sure to run the bolts across the grain and not with the grain), drilled a hole in the end for the spring using a spade bit and cut a 6-1/2" slot for the bearing plate starting with a table saw and finishing up with a hand saw.

I'm pretty sure this was a good way to go, not only for the cost but after breaking my old pitman arm, I'm not so sure that using a hardwood would be the way to go. It took a lot to break my original one, which was a softwood. I'd almost think that if I used a harder wood, I might be repairing more damage besides a pitman arm. Anyway, I'm back in business and have a $1.98 spare hanging in the barn!

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Webb's sickle service has one for $29 and change with free shipping, I think I'm going to order another one to have on hand. I like making things in the shop but shop time is awful scarce lately :?
 
hi all. brand new member that just bought a 47 or 48 cub with a c22 sickle bar mower. the pitman arm is suspect but it measures 30 1/2" not 25 1/2" like others have said. what am I missing? thanks Doug
 
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