Making Hay - Cutting Hay With a Sickle Bar

[@joncorklin]

This is actually one of the best sickle bar mower tutorials out there. Thanks.

[@stephensaasen8589]

Sickle mowers are quite entertaining to watch. My dad had a Ford 9N and an Oliver sickle mower. He sold it around 1978 or so and I was maybe 6 years old so I don't remember much about it. He told me later he had a hard time with jambs and too much grass laying over. It rained a lot in Western Washington so grass laying over was a problem. He was a lot happier when he got his rotary drum mower. The sickle mowers are more entertaining.

[@JamesCouch777]

Watching brings back memories of cutting hay growing up. Those sickle bar mowers were all we had back then. Looks like yours is in good shape 👍

[@bige.3474]

I just bought a 7 foot ford for $400 to maintain road ditches and a big pond. Used it once and loved it. Installed a 12 volt winch to raise the bar and love it even more. I don't know how I survived all these years without one.

[@MIgardener]

It was so satisfying to watch that sickle bar at work. Fun video!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Thanks! Sneak peek of the pumpkin patch in the next video, unfortunately it looks like most of them are pretty small:(

[@fergusonman7940]

I Just bought a ford 501 sickle bar mower yesterday w, wood pitman rod , Got it all lubed up & ready to go except I have to put an adapter on pto so should have it going in a couple of days , music is awesome, Bible verse at end of video is double awesome , Thankyou for sharing & May God Bless

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Good luck with the new sickle bar!

[@HustleMuscleGhias]

Regarding oil on the pitman arm - I usually buy two at a time so that i have at least one hanging around when I the inevitable breakage occurs. What I've done in the past is a light sanding job to break that waxy coating that usually comes on the ones that buy and put four coats of Thompson's water seal on the wood ( including forcing into the holes ) to seal the wood from moisture. I feel that it would do you a much better job that drizzling or rubbing oil into wood would ever do.

[@DanielleWhite]

I remember the time my father decided to get a sickle bar mower for trimming ditches but cheaped out, getting a very light-weight Cat I model while our tractors were midrange Cat II. I refused to use it after the first hour because I couldn't get it adjusted well, particularly as had a cutter bar lift mechanism that worked by a lever catching the underside of one of the lift arms which did not align correctly. Our main hay mower was a Hesston 1071 for a time, until I wrecked it. I was mowing an unfamiliar farm and found the 10" high outcrop of a boulder that was covered by vine-y undergrowth dead-center on the swath. We then had a 1070 for a while and, later, a 1090. Something I remember of those was that a symptom of the crimp rollers being too close (contacting) was they would throw gib head keys from the sprockets, usually at the drive end (rarely the other end, where one drove the reel.) The field procedure the shop gave me for setting the gap was to remove the chains, spin the rollers by hand, and ensure a hacksaw blade could cleanly pass through the gap along the entire length.

[@frrapp2366]

we have a jd 15ft swinger that we put most of our hay down but we also have an old versitile 400 selfpropeled swather with a draper head (drapers or canvas conveyors move the hay into a windrow) you can pick up the older (no cab) sp swathers pretty cheap. our old 400 paid my college tuition loan. we still use it to cut our alfalfa for seed and pick it up with an old AC A combine.

[@joejoebus8814]

Nice sickle mower, I always had a moco (mower-conditioner). You can adjust how much pressure to put on the rollers so you don't ruin the alfalfa leaflets and just crack the big stems. You actually loose more leaflets when baling too dry. When cutting hay my biggest problem was the mole hills or ground hogs hills of dirt. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidj.mackinney6568]

We enjoy your farming and building videos immensely. We always form a bond with the homesteaders we follow and the bond is stronger with those homesteaders we will spend eternity with.

[@foster3316]

dont forget how important sharp sections and proper clearances with rock guards are.

[@mikemerkweki6949]

Nice job on editing,I was just trying to explain to my wife about this old cutter,I remembered it from when I was a kid, a farmer neighbor had one, I worked for him doing bale pickup on occasion. Thanks very interesting and fun!🌱

[@carsofold]

I have started square baling for the first time this year with 50 yr old plus equipment and we have gotten really close but I do really enjoy doing it. Have fun and stay safe. shalom

[@danieljuarez-ln7sn]

I’m thinking of purchasing one with a caddie mount system.. What’s been your experience with it so far

[@yellowdeer7163]

Looks like you've got it finely tuned. Great job. Average price per bale in west Tx. goes for 13.00 to 15.00

[@SSLFamilyDad]

wow, I should ship some hay down there!

[@waynesmith5738]

SSLFamilyDad just a little hint if the strap a piece of wood with a chain attached to the bucket of your tractor and line the chain up with the inside shoe you can look forward and know your shoe is in the clean swath

[@jimlashbrook5429]

Sorry Dad but I have to correct you on a few comments. First let me say there is nothing wrong with cutting hay with a sickle bar mower. Farmers have been doing that since McCormick's reaper. A hay bind works much faster in heavy hay without plugging up. Also not all hay binds are equipped with a "crimper". Horse hay is usually grass and is not crimped. Since most hay is made by dairy farmers, most hay binds crimp the hay. As you say the reason to crimp is to crack or crush the stem so moisture can escape. This allows the hay, alfalfa or clover, to dry out faster. Getting it "in" before the next rain. And a crimper does not squeeze out the nutrents. As for leaf shatter, this occurs in alfalfa when the leaves get too dry. Thus tedding and raking should be done while it is still damp or "tuff". Like you say the leaf is high in protein so one should strive to get the leaves in the bale. When you cover two hundred plus acres of hay ground a hay bind with a crimper is a must. Keep the vids. coming. I would like to see how you are coming with your new heating system. Do you think a single wood burner will be enough to heat the whole house? Sorry this is so long. I'll quit now.

[@maineiacacres]

Haybine. ;)

[@hairymanonetwo]

@@maineiacacres Disc bine is far faster ! Can cut up to 20 miles per hour. Cut 20 acers in an hour and half..... closing the time frame when the hay is dry. But forget about getting hay " dry" Bale it as balage ! Here in the USA.....most farmers still live in the primitive era. Other countries have been wrapping hay for over 30 years. Rather sad farmers here are so stubborn ! Cut and bale and wrap the hay the same day ! Almost no leaf loss...... the highest quality feed a farm can get !

[@paullundell8009]

you've come along way on this sickle bar!!! fantastic work

[@boywithlottatoys7039]

Very satisfying to see a finished field of cut hay .

[@augustreil]

Nice video ! If ya have a spare 2-3 gallon sprayer around, you can fill it with some type of oil or diesel, thin with kerosene and spray your implements to keep them from rusting.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I thought about doing something like that using a spray bottle and some used motor oil, good idea on the sprayer

[@karenhernke281]

Nice job!! Love watching all the work you do!! Great farm you have.

[@PatEm10]

Utterly fascinating for a city boy like me to watch. I wish we were neighbors, I'd love to help with this kind of work!

[@ThatFijianGuy]

I used one of those for cutting weeds underneath electric fences...loved it

[@clarkrobinson3084]

I watched your first year and really enjoyed it. Grew up working with my Grandpa with the same style equipment. Have you thought how many more seasons you have in your hayfields before your overseed or otherwise cultivate and replant? I like the farm videos the most. Animals, hay, corn, pastures, fencing, barn, greenhouse, etc. But also your wood stove in the house, the outdoor woodburning in the greenhouse/sugar house?

[@mic7735]

This is timely for us as we just purchased a property that has a hay field. It had been rented out but the guy is no longer interested and we are. We have plans to reclaim part of the field for gardens and fruit trees and have been wondering about haying the rest. Hubby is looking at older model small tractors that will fit out budget as well as his capability of repairing as needed. I will be sharing this set of videos with him. He may have questions for you.

[@horseblinderson4747]

8n and MF135 are probably some of the most common for parts availability.

[@ridgerunner106]

I had a couple of sickle mowers, nobody liked them. So we bought a disc mower. It is a real headache to put o. the tractor. I mean, a real headache. Leave it on concrete, have blocks and pry poles, truck with a winch handy. I mean, each and every time. Went to another farm to fix something, theirs was on blocks, same situation. So, it ain't just us. I've seen them put a piece of square tubing on place of Pittman arm. Mowers been going all my life, I'm 50. But, with the sickle mower, can use a lot less tractor to cut hay.

[@JamesCouch777]

I used to have a hard time hooking mine up until I started storing it vertical. I use a chain to hold it up against a tree or a truss in the shed. It makes it so much easier to hook up.

[@ridgerunner106]

@@JamesCouch777 This is our second one. Bought first one used, this one new. Still a monumental pain to hook up. Especially going around cutting 20 acre fields at different times. A lot of hooking and un hooking. It's just a pain. Dad bought it and I'm sure never looked at instructions.

[@maineiacacres]

Looks like you got that mower dialed in pretty good Brother. I just scored an older 6 ft. JD No 8. Hoping it'll fit on the tractor I end up buying early summer. Still shopping for now, but it'll be compact like the LS XR3135 or Kioti CK3510SE, etc. I plan to run a mini baler so I'll have plenty of PTO HP.

[@acanadianineurope814]

I just love that sickle bar.. it's so old, and yet keeps on thumping along.

[@JAY-cw1zi]

Very informational. Thanks from a fellow Michigander!

[@Submanca]

You are getting very good with that. I bet you can remember the first time you cut and how much you learned since then. It's all about the fine adjustment.

[@fundsfordad]

nice video ! I mow with an old international balanced head mower ! yes they are a pain in the butt to keep working nice , but so much fun !

[@solidwoods6999]

Maybe do the grease at the end of the job ? The joinery will be warm also the joinery will be freshly packed with grease and help resist water entry.I have some pieces that I have to store outside and I'm going to spray them with outdoor deck preservative . Using a bug sprayer.

[@salmonhunter7414]

Boy have you learned a lot in a short period of time. Thanks for sharing. Stay Safe and Warm.

[@peanutsmith1462]

My grandpa use peanut oil on his sickle bar to lube it up he said the motor oil will kill the land nothing will grow thanks for sharing

[@jball9609]

Yes, love it. This is one of my favorites to watch

[@fergusonto-2032]

Could you do a video on how to hook up the sickle bar mower ? Thankyou

[@casto-]

Strangely I do enjoy watching a sickle bar mower. Thinks it's like watching a waterfall. I guess you guys don't have drum mowers? It would be perfect for you.

[@leedawson8301]

Is kicking necessary after the sickle bar mow? Seems to me it lays it down rather than bunching it up like a drum mower. In my uneducated opinion, lay it down, two days later rake it and bail it. Idk

[@Smittyschannel]

How much hay do you lose each pass by running over it with the tractor tires? Is it saveable?

[@neriksen]

I have a Massey Ferguson 531 sickle mower that works just fine but I’m going to need to replace the teeth sooner than later, problem is nobody seems to have the right ones there 3 inch wide but the ones that were given to me were not serrated and the holes weren’t in the right spot so I’m just wondering whether you have a part number for your teeth been trying to find somebody with a parts manual but everybody wants to charge you for the smallest of information. Over to you. 🍻

[@jessieblanton9547]

Best way to cut hay.

[@williamdecamp7343]

Intentional rotational grazing of your cattle eliminates the need to cut/buy hay thereby reducing your overall cost and also makes better soil for your farm.

[@nancygoerlich8526]

I've been wondering if you've been able to have a produce stand this harvest season. I hope that worked out and would love to see a video of it!

[@lazio7495]

Great video! 👍 I just bought a Ford 501 7ft sickle bar mower. It's in pretty decent condition. It seems to be frozen up. Meaning it won't turn freely by hand. Any suggestions why it won't turn? Where can I find your videos on raking and baling?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I have videos on raking and bailing. Soak the teeth in oil and the main flywheel and mechanics. You may have to pound on everything a bit igniting rusted together. Good luck!

[@paulpaul8953]

I have a question. When you are mowing and drive over the hay from the previous pass does that hay dry much more slowly in the wheel track?

[@jeffmardling]

Great job Todd - sure enjoying the channel. Wondering if you addressed the Maple bush - will you have to kayak again? 🛶

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Man, I just haven't been able to really do anything with it this year. I did figure out the drainage and contacted the drain commission, I may follow up with them this week actually, thanks for the reminder!

[@donmartin7728]

I just found a sickle mower sitting in a barn rotting away. I have never messed with any of the hay process. How well does this work with thick, sweet grass, orchard grass, clover, and Timothy? Field is only about 7 acres.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

great, but there is a learning curve

[@elizabethhicks9696]

Really liked this video too lol I hope you keep making these kinds of videos too lol. I have to say the wide shot of you cutting it down REALLY appealed to my OCD lol it gets annoying most of the time but this was great for it lol. God bless and keep up the amazing work!!!

[@johannesatlidkoping]

Finally caught up with a year or so worth of videos, i love your content and you inspire me to get jobs done around my own estate when motivation is on the lo or when my energy insn't on par. Alot of respect from me and i will keep following along with all the adventure and enjoy the progress. Good luck and cheers // J (Btw i'm from Sweden).

[@tristanculpepper5627]

Looking great man. Whats the plan for fertilizing the hay fields?

[@oldtimeengineer26]

Just FYI Alfalfa usually only lasts for about 4 to 5 years and will need reseeded looks like your is thinning out. I used a cycle mower all my life and I am in my 70's

[@dougdickey7381]

I was gonna ask on a previous video if you had made any hay this year....do you use a tedder on the alfalfa or just rake it and bale it?

[@mountainviews5025]

Hey Dad WE really enjoyed this video and you got that old equipment really working good again great video

[@keithkuckler2551]

You always want to be careful when lowering or raising the sickle bar, those sections move as the bar moves, could lose a finger pretty easily.

[@grosseileracingteam]

Looks like you could use a new u-joint on that PTO shaft. Wouldn't a vegetable oil be a better lube for the sickle bar as far as using the hay for feed?

[@augustreil]

What's wrong with the U-Joint ?

[@JacksonJohnson-jv7rn]

Nice tractor

[@fergusonman7940]

Hello Family Dad , I mentioned the 501 ford sickle mower to you that I bought Friday but I can’t find info on what year it was made it has this number 14-92 & serial 36970 and series , it looks like the number 2 after series but I’m not sure , I’ve searched on google for info but haven’t come up w/ anything very helpful yet , any advice on where I can get help w/ this would be appreciated, thanks Michael

[@HustleMuscleGhias]

I've got a one owner 501 series model 14-92 ( 6 foot bar ) that according to the old man who sold it to me was purchased sometime in the early 1970s. Serial number is 66632. Unfortunately, Ford did not publicly release any manufacture date on most pieces of equipment especially when it came to implements. Any major design changes were called out specifically by serial number and model designations in the parts book only. The best and only way you would be able to tell what year it was made or originally acquired would be to trace it back to the original owner and hope they are still alive and still cognitively with it.

[@debrabarnes4980]

Farmer Says! First you need to rebuild & adjust your divider’s ; both outer & inner!! U have missed pieces on both sides!! On overdry alfalfa ; the solution is raking when dew is still on in morning!! & bale not long after!! After all the best of alfalfa is the leaves!!!

[@debrabarnes4980]

Not trying to tell u how : only to advise!!! Farmer Says!!

[@DaybirdAviaries]

I was wondering today about you and hay.

[@warny835]

I do it the same way.Looks good.

[@andrewhoggett8148]

awesome how old tech still gets the job done

[@donaldmack7213]

I suggest that you build a storage shed and keep all your equipment out of the weather.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Agreed! It's on the list

[@09vrodz]

is there a certain kind of lubricant for the blades ? or are we just putting motor oil on the livestock food ?

[@bobtedford7620]

hay is usally around $4 to $6 you should be getting that in times thousand, 4 to 6 grand

[@frankiefasthands3207]

How much alfalfa seed do you plant on that field?

[@duckdarkness2642]

Great video, I am just starting a farm, how to I start a hay field

[@SSLFamilyDad]

plow it, add some manure, disc it, broadcast a hay mix (can be found online) and it should provide hay for you for many years

[@antman-uc9hh]

Great video.. cant wait for the raking

[@Smittyschannel]

what kind of oil do you oil the sickle bar blades with? If it's motor oil or similar, that would poison / contaminate the hay until the oil dried / cleaned off, wouldn't it?

[@Dambo96]

Like a pro !

[@thecynic807]

Why do you let it dry. I see those big round bales around me that are really green.

[@dailylife6432]

If you don't let hay dry and bale it wet or to soon it will begin to get hot spots in the middle of the bales because it can't breathe. I have seen them get so hot as to ignite into flames. Seen many farms loose barns to hay fires.

[@jeremymeyer8800]

Wet hay bales also get moldy

[@thangquocnguyenmdp]

Goats, horses, cows eat hay, but pigs, really eat hay too? Thank you for your kindly respond.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Yes they do! We have American Guinea Hogs and they are known for being great converters of grasses to proteins

[@robertlovesdogs4824]

Hi 👍✌

[@loganjohnson4584]

Most people use discbines now

[@skeets6060]

Ya gota love used motor oil

[@Toadhill1957]

Ware do you get parts for it

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Online or at local parts places they still sell parts

[@AutodidactEngineer]

Land is super expensive here in Kosovo 800€ per 1/100 acre 😩

[@larrya.mccloskeysr298]

YOU NEED A PTO GUARD IT IS SO EASY TO GET HURT WITHOUT ONE AND KEEP YOUR ANIMALS ANYWAY WHEN YOU ARE USING IT EXPECTANCY DOGS THEY LIKE TO CHASE RABBITS GROUND HOGS ETC

[@bobtedford7620]

your getting 600 to 800, maybe a 1000 and you profit is a $1000 you sell it for a $1 a bale! damn dude

[@SSLFamilyDad]

We also have to feed all our animals for the year. We can only sell about 200 bales

[@jennawest1701]

First

[@ShawnBauer]

isn't all that oil gonna transfer onto some of the finished product? I wouldn't want my animals eating that.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

There is not enough oil to cause any issue, anything that gets to the grass is in the first 2 or 3 feet of cutting