The old pastures that I mow here in the Adirondacks have lots of brush and boulders. I have hooked into some roots, etc., that have bent my sickle bar a bit. In the past I have just put some wood blocks under it and hammered it back as flat as I could.
I bought some of the new adjustable hold downs, and thought it would be a good time to remove the guards and maybe take the bar to a shop to have it straightened.
Can this be done with a press, or will there be tempering required as well?
It currently works pretty well, but I would like to get a better cut, especially after this wet summer, as my hay and brush is really heavy this year.
This site uses cookies to maintain login information on FarmallCub.Com. Click the X in the banner upper right corner to close this notice. For more information on our privacy policy, visit this link: Privacy Policy
NEW REGISTERED MEMBERS: Be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folders for the activation email.
Straightening a sickle bar
Forum rules
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:27 pm
- Zip Code: 12853
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2019 9:01 am
- Zip Code: 03227
- Tractors Owned: '49 Farmall Cub
'83 Kubota B7100 - Location: Sandwich, NH
Re: Straightening a sickle bar
I'd guess that tempering would not be to your advantage. Besides being an additional expense, the tempering process would make the bar more brittle and more prone to breaking when you snag your next root. Getting "off-the-shelf perfectly straight" is a pretty high bar [sorry for the pun], but a careful hand on the press might take enough of the bend out so that you could move on to worrying about something else.
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2018 9:57 pm
- Zip Code: 22958
- Tractors Owned: 5 Cubs
1952 100
1960 460 Utility - Location: Central Va.
Re: Straightening a sickle bar
If there is a decent machine shop nearby they should have a set of rollers for rolling steel in an arc. This device will work nicely to straighten the "bar". Shouldn't take more than three passes through. One to barely curve it one way, a second flipped over and a final adjusted to straight. Or a ball peen hammer and vice or rail road rail or something hard and straight. Takes a little time, but it will work. It took me about 45 minute to an hour to straighten mine last month. Its not "perfectly" straight but for the Cub-22 sickle bar it is okay.
You don't want it make from hardened steel. It will break something. Maybe something more expensive.
I have a press. It just takes to much space and time, my experience is tapping it with a ball peen is the best for me.
I'm surprised one of the guys with a lot more experience than myself haven't responded yet.
You don't want it make from hardened steel. It will break something. Maybe something more expensive.
I have a press. It just takes to much space and time, my experience is tapping it with a ball peen is the best for me.
I'm surprised one of the guys with a lot more experience than myself haven't responded yet.
Walter
-
- Team Cub
- Posts: 17293
- Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 2:59 pm
- Zip Code: 55319
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: MN
Re: Straightening a sickle bar
Nelson 634 wrote:. . . my experience is tapping it with a ball peen is the best for me. . . .
I have a feeling you are talking about the knife and sevy is talking about the cutter bar.
My first choice fix for a bent cutter bar is to find another one. It isn't one of the parts that gets lost. There should be one with every parts mower.
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2018 9:57 pm
- Zip Code: 22958
- Tractors Owned: 5 Cubs
1952 100
1960 460 Utility - Location: Central Va.
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:27 pm
- Zip Code: 12853
Re: Straightening a sickle bar
Yes, it is the main bar. Another member has generously offered me a used one for parts.
Thanks for the replies!
Thanks for the replies!
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:37 pm
- Zip Code: 00000
Re: Straightening a sickle bar
The main cutter bar should have a slight 'smile' curve to it when standing up right.
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:27 pm
- Zip Code: 12853
Re: Straightening a sickle bar
Spent the day driving to MA for another sickle bar generously offered to me by Ed. Just needs a little rust clean up, but otherwise looks like it was rarely used. Much better shape than my current one!
I really enjoyed seeing all of Ed's cubs, but I enjoyed talking with him even more. What a great asset to this forum!
Many thanks Ed, I will post some pictures when I get things cleaned up and installed!
I really enjoyed seeing all of Ed's cubs, but I enjoyed talking with him even more. What a great asset to this forum!
Many thanks Ed, I will post some pictures when I get things cleaned up and installed!
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 4
- 218
-
by tmays
Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:19 pm
-
- 1
- 217
-
by tmays
Thu Oct 26, 2023 7:05 pm
-
- 7
- 321
-
by KETCHAM
Wed Nov 08, 2023 2:53 am
-
- 6
- 167
-
by Dale Finch
Fri Oct 06, 2023 10:30 pm
-
-
Cub 22 sickle bar mower Attachment(s)
by jimodekerken1985 » Sat Jul 08, 2023 12:09 am » in Farmall Cub - 17
- 1023
-
by staninlowerAL
Wed Aug 30, 2023 7:36 pm
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests