Adapting a hydraulic sickle bar mower to my loader

[Old Machinist]

This is my latest hair brained idea. So far it looks like it might work.

 

[Paul Allwood]

No such thing as hair brained if it works....even if it doesn't work.

 

[TheOldHokie]

This is my latest hair brained idea. So far it looks like it might work.

I could use that!. Might want to consider making the mounting tube telescoping so you can move it out and in a few feet.

Dan

 

[Old Machinist]

I could use that!. Might want to consider making the mounting tube telescoping so you can move it out and in a few feet.

Dan

The ability to adjust it in or out a little was always the plan. It is pretty heavy and I don't want a bunch of excess hose so I don't think I will need to move it much.

I have changed my mount idea. I have a blank plate I made into light duty pallet forks I seldom use so I now plan to clamp the 2 inch tube directly to that. I hope it has enough hose on it to not have to add any.

 

[D2Cat]

This is my latest hair brained idea. So far it looks like it might work.

How long is the bar on the mower?

 

[Old Machinist]

How long is the bar on the mower?

58 inches.

I got the mount 90% finished today. Should be able to test it out by Friday.

 

[Old Machinist]

It's getting closer. Hoses aren't long enough so I will have to have some extension hoses made. The motor connections are oddball so I'm stuck with that. I had the ends cut off and JIC ends put on at the tractor end.

 

[Daferris]

What is the make/model of that cutter? I've been looking for something that my LX can run. But is more durable than the Samurai one that is on the cutthat.com site

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Looks good.

I like the fact that it can be used both horizontally and vertically.

 

[Old Machinist]

What is the make/model of that cutter? I've been looking for something that my LX can run. But is more durable than the Samurai one that is on the cutthat.com site

It's a MIVA. I don't know how durable it will be or even if it's going to work yet. There is one video on the tube showing one that broke and a couple of repairs it's owner has done.

I am going to look closer at my mount before getting extension hoses made although hoses would be the simple solution. If I made the mount a couple inches higher I could probably move it closer to the tractor although I don't know if I want to do that either. Where I have it in that last photo if I lay it down flat it comes within a couple inches of hitting the plate.

 

[D2Cat]

It's getting closer. Hoses aren't long enough so I will have to have some extension hoses made. The motor connections are oddball so I'm stuck with that. I had the ends cut off and JIC ends put on at the tractor end.

View attachment 166120

Might be less cost to go to a farm store and purchase pre-made hose.

 

[Old Machinist]

I decided to leave the mount as is and extend the hoses. The hoses are unique and can't be bought off the shelf but I have a Carquest in the next county that can make anything I want pretty much.

It works!

I did consider the weight hanging off one side. I weighed it and it only weighs 132 lbs even with the fabricated mount. What I forgot to consider is I run my tire pressures low for comfort and I didn't increase the pressure for this. The RF bead came off the rim when I tried to turn left away from the work. I had to put jack stands under the loader to lift it and pump the tire back up but the bead reseated easy.

I'm not going to try it again until I add a counter weight to the other side of the loader. Even at 132 lbs I am concerned about the uneven weight on the loader and tires.

 

[barts]

I've looked at the Samurai; it would work well w/ our little Kubota. https://agrishieldllc.com/product/hydraulic-sickle-bar-cutter/ would be better suited to our JD 100TLB.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I think a counter weight is an outstanding idea.

A 130 pounds, that far out, will certainly add a significant amount of torque to those forks.

 

[Old Machinist]

I think a counter weight is an outstanding idea.

A 130 pounds, that far out, will certainly add a significant amount of torque to those forks.

I just looked up the specs on these 23x8.50-12 tires. They are rated for 1230 lbs @ 34psi.

I have some 4 to 1 frames for measuring corner weights so I think I will go all the way and try to balance the front end on it. I don't want something hanging that far off both sides and I have a couple of 100 lb suitcase weights so I think I will make a bracket to hang those on the left side of the loader and see how close it comes. I can probably make that adjustable so they slide in or out as needed.

Edit: With just the forks on the left side it is 84lb heavier at the right tire. I might get by with just one 100lb suitcase weight.

Thankfully this LA535 loader has the through frame torque tube design so hopefully it will hold up.

 

[D2Cat]

I decided to leave the mount as is and extend the hoses. The hoses are unique and can't be bought off the shelf but I have a Carquest in the next county that can make anything I want pretty much.

It works!

I did consider the weight hanging off one side. I weighed it and it only weighs 132 lbs even with the fabricated mount. What I forgot to consider is I run my tire pressures low for comfort and I didn't increase the pressure for this. The RF bead came off the rim when I tried to turn left away from the work. I had to put jack stands under the loader to lift it and pump the tire back up but the bead reseated easy.

I'm not going to try it again until I add a counter weight to the other side of the loader. Even at 132 lbs I am concerned about the uneven weight on the loader and tires.

View attachment 166140

When you weighed the sickle bar at 132#, isn't that sticking out there 3' or more? That is like putting a cheater bar o your lug wrench. multiply the weight by the length equals the weight out there! Be careful to not twist your loader frame.

 

[Old Machinist]

When you weighed the sickle bar at 132#, isn't that sticking out there 3' or more? That is like putting a cheater bar o your lug wrench. multiply the weight by the length equals the weight out there! Be careful to not twist your loader frame.

That is why I am going to put a counter balance on it.

 

[Old Machinist]

It worked fine until it didn't. The actuator arm broke and I found the inner bearing at one end missing. I saw an online review from a guy that had both of these issues. I had already installed a spacer on the outside of the bearing but I now know it needs one inside as well. That guy had welded his and it had broke again. I think the arm might be contacting a guide at the end of it's travel so I will address that when I attempt my repair.

In other news I added weight to the other side of the mount and according to my scale readings it is almost equal side to side. I used a 3/4" bolt and a plate to bolt two 100lb suitcase weights to the forks. Also according to my scale readings this all maxed out the rated tire load at 1220 lbs each. I know this scale setup looks sketchy but I have tested it against a set of certified scales and at 1220 lbs it was only 3 lbs off. The tractor felt good and balanced on the final test and at 34 PSI the tires stayed on the rims.

Here is an area I trimmed before it broke. I managed to trim abut 300 feet worth in 30 minutes or so. That would have taken me all day with my hand held pole hedge trimmer and my arms would have been sore as all get out. I plan to soldier on and try to repair it.

Being a gluten for punishment I also ordered a mini ex hydraulic auger today. Stay tuned for more follies and wasted money.

 

[D2Cat]

As long as you can determine what caused a failure and have a method to repair/improve you'll get it worked out. It could be a branch/limb a bit too big got past the section where the bar broke?

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Looks like it did a hell of a lot of work, in a short amount of time.

That is definitely an idea that just needs some “tweaking”

Nice job!