Mowing Overgrown Ditch Banks! Turbo Subcompact Tractor + Sickle Bar Mower!

[@jimstruve3602]

I used a sickle mower for many years for hay, ditches and general weed control. I suggest you try removing the tail board on the end of the sickle bar. We only used one when mowing hay, where the bar is relatively flat. When the bay is extended down into the ditch, the board will cause bunching. In addition, removing the weight from the end of the bar made it easier to control the height.

[@court2379]

Do you think they are driving too slow as well? My experience is you want that grass to go over the sickle faster so it doesn't bunch up on top. It all falls back instead of multiple directions. Took me while to learn to drive faster as you tend to think, slow down, when it is not working super well. The other concern I would have is ditch banks tend to get debris from the road in them, and sickles don't handle debris well. Perhaps they inspected it first though.

[@Lackieestatesfarm]

I think extending the top link would help a lot here. I find if the cutter bar is tilted too far ahead it bunches. By pitching the front upwards it keeps the bar clear and it rides up over rocks better. But this one is a double action cutter. So almost impossible to plug

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I was driving slowly because I was trying to get the end of the mower right in the ditch without filling the knife with mud. Probably would help to take the tail board off.

[@court2379]

@@TractorTimewithTim That makes sense. And sticking way out like they do, a small error in direction gets amplified. You definitely don't want to jamb it up as it takes a couple hours to dismantle and bend straight again, and sometimes breaks a blade off. Though my experience is with one from the 60s that was all I could justify for a 5acre plot (I have since bought a drum mower and found due to cutting closer I get a lot more bales and should have done it sooner). I hope the modern ones you can pull the whole blade out without taking off all the hold downs.

[@court2379]

@@Lackieestatesfarm I had a lot of issues on the old one I had in tall grass. Particularly at the outside end. Grass would get in the hole in the plate at the end (whatever the thing that tips the grass inward to leave a space to cut the next row is called). Once it got in there, other grass would hit it and gradually it would cover the whole blade. I was considering cutting that hole open at the back to let the grass out, but never did before I sold it last year. A drum mower is much less trouble. Though has its own issues of being noisy, using twice the fuel, and throwing stones if you hit them. But it is faster, cuts tighter to the ground, and can handle debris with relative ease that would have ruined the blade on the sickle mower. You win some and lose some.

[@4-LOW]

PERFECT for that application. You don't have to put the tractor on an incline, you're not throwing grass onto the roadway, and there's no fear of throwing objects at oncoming cars. Very nice.

[@bryanschwertner3585]

Enjoyed this. Memories. In the 60s before Daddy got his swather, we watched him cut hay as tall as he sat on the old DC Case with a belly mount sickle bar. We were kids and loved watching it lay down, folding over itself. Thanks for the memories and the reading at the end (sure seems appropriate). God Bless y’all!

[@mehmetvarolTS61]

PERFECT!!! for that application. enjoy your work.

[@Kcolby47]

Love the Springtime! A neighbor of mine lost 2 fingers when he was a kid, just the way you described. It was a lasting lesson for me. The hydraulic lift for the bar is a great feature, and quick hitch compatible is a plus. As you point it, they are handy when you need it. Blessings.

[@BG-vq9fd]

It has it's uses. I mowed for the first time yesterday. I think one of my neighbors was more excited than I was.

[@RCPSU4]

That sickle bar just continues to be something unique to watch. Seeing the grass lay down like hay or alfalfa was different.

[@timziegler9358]

That sickle bar mower is very, very nice! I learn a great deal watching your videos trying out differing tractor attachments. Thank you.

[@carrichard]

Many years ago when I was in High School. For a summer job, I got a job mowing ditched for the Couty. I used a Case tractor of a smaller design. and what you have a cycle mower I also had a box made up on the side of the mower with more blades in it. The hard part was on ditches that were really steep and dropoff into a stream, where the mower could roll over so I would just roll off the tractor from behind it. The best way to do this was to have another tractor alongside of me with a rope latched to it on its frame to prevent it from tipping. Still, it was tricky.

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

When I was a kid I operated a horse drawn sickle bar mower that was being pulled by a tractor. It was a neighbor’s set up and his kids grew tired of it. It was great fun until we mowed a yellow jacket nest!

[@boilerhand1]

Just always check the edges of unknown drop offs carefully. It's very easy to flip over if you get too close on some areas. Number one, be safe. God bless. .

[@JaredJanhsen]

My grandfather had a couple Sickle mowers to pull behind his D and A John Deere tractors. The D didn't have a rear PTO (just the pulley) and pulled a ground-drive mower. The A had rear PTO so it could run a rear PTO driven mower.

[@BackyardMaine]

I've always wanted a sickle mower but I just don't have enough work for one to justify the cost. I used one many years ago and I loved it.

[@billfenner7084]

I am glad to see that you are using the warning lights on the tractors when you are on the road.

[@sxxkkllmmmclean7894]

Great video tim we got alot of rain here in West Virginia so much my disc mower might have problems cut my hay meadows keep up the great work.. Steve

[@martineastburn3679]

My late Uncle [big Dairy farmer] grew all sorts of feed for winter in Wisconsin and used it with Alfalfa (what a word) and then collected it for the Silo. It was a big operation. Nice job - it would cut anything in the way. Tricky at best. He must have had a 10' blade.

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

Looks perfect for what my wife was thinking of. Because of all of our rock, we will be employing Hugelkultur, which will produce banks. Lots of banks. The ability to have the bar offset and angled up means I can stay in the valleys between the mounds and mow from the flats. It also means the mounds themselves can be thinner and more closely spaced, since I won't have to cross them all perpendicular in order to mow up and down hill.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Agfolks.com use code ttwt for a five percent discount:-)

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

@@TractorTimewithTim Thanks for the reminder Christi! Many thanks in general, y'all produce wonderful content and sound advise. I bought my 1025r on basically two factors, 1) it's a John Deere! And 2) Tim showed me that the little tractor would do big things, if I do my part properly. Our "Joan of Snark" has made short work of projects we'd put off for years, and finally brought my wife's dreams of farming into reach. We cannot thank you enough.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for the kind words. You may find that you need to step up to a 2038r for that much work eventually. However, the good news is that your 1025r will retain most of its value.

[@erice9536]

I could certainly use one of those, but....... can't justify it for my few times a year of ditch mowing. The county comes along 3 times a year. :)

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Sickle bars are so cool! They make one that goes on the tractor bucket. Would love to have one, but just something else to maintain!!

[@plutosrealm4594]

Best mowing technique around roads because it eliminates flying debris.

[@NotMuchHere]

Thats just sickle ....you have the neatest toys

[@FelipeColby]

Looking forward to seeing the modifications to Johnny X to make it stand out more from its brothers!

[@carlstrohm3785]

So by the looks of it, you could put the sickle mower vertical and use it along the driveway or for hedge trimming. Have any projects like that you could show? I also agree with another comment I saw that the top link should have been adjusted longer. It just looked rakedforward a bit too much. The results speak for themselves though. Keep the videos coming. I always learn something or see something I "need". 😁

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, probably tilted a bit too forward. Cutting a bit too low.

[@ohiofarmer254]

Perfect timing. I am going to an auction tomorrow that has a similar sickle mower that I hope to bring home

[@naterife8871]

I use to have one on an 8N ford years ago while in Il. Was a great mower! It would cut with blade straight up or at a 30° down past level. Was a belly mower ran off the rear pto. John Deere needs a belly mounted sickle quick hitch like the mower with electric control for bar control. Lol.

[@pedrofuster6458]

I have a Rossi that I use for the same purpose. My biggest complaint is that it is not fun to install on the 3 point. Mine doesn't fit on the quick hitch so I have to remove it every time. Also, it's a hassle to get the "counterweight" chain adjusted just right. I do have mine on a dolly to help me align it with the 3 point hitch. It might be interesting to see how you go about it.

[@darkwinter6028]

That setup is downright sick…. lle. 😜

[@billweaver3114]

Always enjoy spring as always enjoy your videos stay safe and God bless

[@Thecowboy1950]

Yep I got a old IH Sickle mower a seven footer works good on my little tractor

[@fondy44]

TTWT safety video idea: what a sickle bar does to a hot dog finger. Just kidding, nobody can afford to waste hot dogs at these prices lol.

[@shanesherwood343]

Might sound strange to some but that looks like a relaxing way to spend a Saturday afternoon after a long work week

[@MuhaloTube]

Hauling a few Gator beds full of green hay/mulch would be a great task for a summer intern. Got any 4-H kids nearby raising some county fair livestock? I like the moving guard design, seems less likely to plug up. Nice job.

[@turdferguson5300]

I would love to have one of these bar mowers but I would be mowing the road as a public service so folks in the neighborhood could see to pull out. As you mentioned they are very expensive. I have a Gator (Wally) on the farm with a spray tank in the back for fences and structures. I bring it home twice a growing season with Cornerstone in the tank. It isn't as pretty as a mower but we can see to pull out. I'd rather look over brown than be blinded by green, the folks in the hood seem to agree. I'm almost 60 and I'm one of the young ones so I don't want these people to get hurt or hurt someone else. lol

[@harmab2]

We have 2 IH sickel 7ft mowers. One thing you didn't mention is they are alot more fuel efficient

[@RustyCarnahan]

Dad's ditch bank mower is a John Deere 730 LP with a No. 10 mid mount sickle bar mower.

[@Lumber_Jack]

That was fun to watch. I almost bought a lightly used sickle mower about 10 years ago and have been kicking myself ever since passing up that deal. It would have been handy even though I don't need to use one very often.

[@johndernberger1961]

Mowed many ditches with a cub farmall sickle bar.

[@marksullivan57]

I’ve also seen people use those to mow fence rows.

[@tommyordoyne7461]

How often does your county or state mow along roads in your area or don't they? Have a productive day.

[@richardwilkens4577]

Works well for trimming under barb wire fence

[@beezie22dub]

Sheesh I broke a sweat 😅 watching this, this beats the old fashion way of doing it. Thanks for yet another great video.

[@mcinkyt]

Now stand the sickle bar straight up and square up the carraganna hedge. Then, a PTO pump on a 3 point hitch w/ the bar mounted to your loader

[@toolsandtrucks]

That grass looks great!

[@davem5370]

How about the sickle bar on the front of Vinnie compared to this one? Thoughts?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Vinny’s sickle would work too!

[@FarmRanchHomestead]

@@TractorTimewithTim Tim, can you think of any significant differences between this sickle bar mower and Ventrac's boom mower? Do they both perform similarly?

[@Chris-pb3se]

Looks like a great way to clear snakes

[@bethanyjaggi316]

so the verse at the end today made me think about Pastor Time with Tim, I bet a bunch of us wouldnt mind that at all.

[@lawnguy3267]

Only way to go around roadsides. Safe for operator, safe for motorcyclists, bicyclists and motorists as most debris stays in the ditch or on the ditch bank, where it belongs. As sue happy as people are nowadays, this eliminates TONS of liability versus using a rotary or flail style mower as there is virtually ZERO flying debris.

[@carrichard]

Also, the secret to the whole thing is you must have very sharp blads. The first thing I would do before going out was the sharpen the blads.

[@TallTexasGMan]

Tim how about letting some cattails grow in your pond and let us know how well that does to mow them down.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Ugh. I HATE cattails!

[@TallTexasGMan]

@@TractorTimewithTim could you find a property to demo on?

[@tiffanyburge6557]

It needs a small wheel on the end to keep it up just high snuff to keep it from digging into the Mudd or dirt

[@MarkJohnson-pm6cx]

Great video, I could almost use that but the weedeater will just have to do for now! Have a great weekend you guys!!

[@ShaneZettelmier]

Are used to live on a lake and that would’ve been perfect. At the edge it was all rift rap Stones so we couldn’t even have used a regular mower or a rough cut or flailing mower and we would get cats tails and long grass and some things with thorns on it and it either have to wait till it dried in Burnet or get out there with the weedeater which only really worked when it was small, if you let it go for a few months it was too thick for a weedeater and it was always a hassle. We also had fields across the street so it was incredibly fertile because that water flowed back across our property so everything grew like crazy. That’s pretty much the only machine I can think of that would cut it. I suppose the rough cut mower on a boom where I could suspend it above the rocks maybe but that’s a pretty big risk because the blades are spinning so fast. The set up would’ve been perfect for that and it reaches out far enough to do a good job. Even with the weedeater I can only reach so far and the cats tails and weeds went out further than I could reach so I had to go wading or just wait till it dried out enough where the water level was low enough to where I could get out there and burn it. Of course I just had a little John Deere riding mower so it wasn’t an option but this is the set up I used to dream of. 😂

[@m9ovich785]

Our Property tax $$ pays the county to Mow the Ditch Banks around here. At least between the road and the bottom of the Ditch LOL Thanks Tim..

[@darkwinter6028]

Can’t say I’m enjoying a green spring right now… we’re under a red-flag fire weather warning right now. It’s supposed to get better over the weekend, though…

[@mercurymangarage6186]

I could see that being a useful attachment for some. Had trouble hearing most of the video. Might have been a good idea to do a voice over. Still a great video. Keep them coming.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Sorry. We simply ran out of time.

[@benjaminclingaman7551]

The Sickle bar mower Looks like a hedge trimmer.

[@lornethornhill8452]

So could you use it the same time as a finish mid mount mower to knock down the tall grass and then mow over it with the mid mount?

[@pgg0024]

I really need to get one for my ditches

[@talanpomeroy4475]

Something like that on the front end loader would be interesting. Dual purpose mower/hedger?

[@toddjacobs5660]

That thing works perfect

[@violethill4813]

Why don't all townships have these to maintain their deep ditches in front of properties?

[@kengoldbeck6363]

Can you cut that ditch with the belly mower when its dry? I have a 1025r (no weights) and I can't get comfortable with even smaller grades that I previously mowed with a riding mower. Would love to see some real limits in a safe environment, and how weights and loader effects it.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

We showed cutting it in our 1025r vs bx comparison.

[@wink9970]

no triangle on the back? I see hazard lights

[@ranger5721]

you need a mini hay rake to pick up the grass out of the ditch

[@fullers1966]

Don't remember did you ever show a disc bind for a compact tractor I was wondering how one of them worked on a compact been watching a lot videos on them just wondering if they worked well on them or not and how short of grass they cut

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Good idea. I should look for one.

[@preformancemustang]

Tim. You need to get that blue painters tape off you tractor before it’s Permanent. It’s designed to be removed within a few days. Once the glue on it sticks to long it will NOT come off. And if it gets wet it’s even worse.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

No worries. Blue tape has now been removed. It removed easily. I think you’ll like the ‘new look’ better!

[@ricknarehood8966]

i wonder if it would handle a New Holland 451 Sickle bar mower?

[@HomesteadEngineering]

Pretty cool!

[@denissimoneau8273]

Would love to know where to get one, been looking for one for years.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

agfolks.com use code ttwt for 5% discount.

[@kencotton4645]

I would love for you to find an offset flail mower on an arm for your larger tractors and demo it here

[@TractorTimewithTim]

If it weren’t for supply chain issues, I think I would have already had one.

[@Bill-hd2cx]

Can you mow pond bank with it? How far down will it lay

[@TractorTimewithTim]

45 degrees, yes

[@collinslawnmaintenance]

Do you still have the boom mower for the ventrac? That would of worked well in that ditch too.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yep, and yep.

[@conanruisi]

Tim, I think I’d like to see you get a couple pigs or goats, and grow your own hay! Hell, goats are too much for me and I have a weak spot for pigs, maybe chickens would be good for you if you want a smaller livestock. Mostly I just want to see you plant, spray, and harvest your own straw hay…

[@Gooditalian]

Isn’t that the county’s job to mow that?

[@WillE454]

Tim what are the blue x’s on the tractor for?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Welcome back! Take a look at our “a Johnny X” playlist for the full story.

[@jameslucas7550]

Whats the blue tape X's on the tractor for ?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Welcome to our channel. Check out our “Johnny X” Playlist. This will provide the details of the X’s

[@jonathandevoe70]

Had trouble hearing why this is the last episode for the blue x on johny x.

[@warrior4-u]

He said it is going to get a makeover and hopefully next time you see it, it will be all dressed up.

[@angus4202]

i wonder if it could handle the 6 ft tiller

[@randyanderson9077]

Tim, what’s your take on wheel spacers like good works tractor uses on some of his tractors?

[@ztpoutdoors662]

Could quite make it out. What are the blue x's about?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

sorry about the audio. Embarrassing! Anyway, welcome back...apparently you have missed some of the recent episodes. The blue X's are indicating that this is not an 'ordinary' 1025R. It is our upgraded "eXtreme" 1025r. We have added a turbo, an upgraded hydraulic pump, and will be adding more to it in the future. Check out our Johnny X playlist for more details.

[@ztpoutdoors662]

@@TractorTimewithTim ah ok. Yes I've been off KZbin all together pretty much for a minute. Still enjoy your content! Thanks

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Appreciate your return!

[@RealTylerBell]

and now you need an mini bailer

[@seansysig]

Tim why is the hydraulic pump surging so much?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not sure I know what you mean?

[@danyoder3534]

I think if you drive faster it will do a better job of cutting and the bar will not bunch up like that

[@frankdrahos8569]

Mowed many acres of hay with one of those !

[@steve-arlenejacobucci7329]

I like my sickle mower

[@WDunkin]

No ventrac with boom mower?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not today. Could use it.

[@richardstevens3461]

Ditch hay!

[@MJF40]

I vote replace R with B for 1025B for boosted 😜

[@TractorTimewithTim]

X for eXtreme or eXperimental.

[@sethcollins3313]

As far as safety, there has been many a three legged dog because of the snake in the grass called a sickle mower. Also, I wonder if a hydraulic center link would help in changing the angle of the bar to get a better cut.

[@darkwinter6028]

Hmm… I guess you could come back with a vacuum bagger and pick it up. I don’t think I’d want to feed that to horses, etc; because it came from right beside the road and it’s going to be contaminated with chemicals from all the passing cars & trucks. However, there are several processes being developed that will take excess plant matter and turn it into fuel… heard about one last weekend that takes the lignen (I probably misspelled that - it’s the stuff that makes plant cells rigid and able to stand upright) and turns it into jet fuel that is more energy-dense (so, better fuel economy and climb performance from the same aircraft) and better for the turbines & pumps than petrochemical based fuel… and IIRC burn cleaner also.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Ah, it would be fine for horses.

[@jimpalmer1944]

Hey Tim, the background noise drowns out the audio.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Really? Never noticed! ....yes, the audio is horrible in this episode. Sorry about that. We typically do a decent job with audio, but failed on this episode. Sorry.

[@jimdessenberg3761]

Could you get Vinny down in there

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, but it is too wet right now.

[@danshearer2689]

My country mowes the ditches up to the public right a way, so no need for a sickle mower for me.

[@Legalmachinist]

Missed which size of mower this was.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

69 inch.

[@Legalmachinist]

@@TractorTimewithTim Thanks. Could use something like that at the community farm but resources are too tight but I wanted to keep it in mind

[@timshipley1708]

Lol don’t stick a finger in that blade to funny

[@acanadianineurope814]

Hi Tim, the audio issues were bad enough to make this video kind of unwatchable. We know you usually put out high quality work, and we will catch you in the next one !

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for your patience!

[@davidchapin8297]

I wish I had a dollar for every acre that I have drug a John Deer #5 sickle bar mower over. I could afford to retire. 😄

[@carlellison9430]

👍❤️

[@alexthomas637]

🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜😎😎😎👍

[@rickm4938]

think a flail would be more versatile, could not hear you over the tractor, enjoy the video's keep em coming

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Sorry