451 Sickle Mower - Bent Bar?

[MOMule]

Hello everyone. I am looking at a 9ft 451 and the sickle bar that the guards bolt on is bent. Can this be straightened or is it better to find or buy a new one. The rest of the machine is in pretty good shape. Thank you!
 

[Harold Hubbard]

Just bowed, or is it kinked, or twisted?
If it is just bowed evenly for more than a quarter of the length, it can be straightened easily in a press. If it is kinked or twisted, it can still be straightened, but it is harder, will take longer, and may not be perfect when finished. If there is a sharp bend right at the base where it bolts to the yoke, check carefully for cracks.
 

[old]

If your talking that is is bowed just a bit that is normal so it will lay flat when laying down other wise it would not cut flat
 

[MOMule]

It is bowed opposite of what it should be. When you lay the bar on the ground it has a good 2 - 3 inch bow in it towards the sky. You could easily slide you hand underneath the bar. The bow is from the knife head extending out about 3ft or so from there. It does not appear to be twisted. Will having it pressed make it fragile or easier to break if it is hung up?
 

[Leroy]

Would that bow be right at the spot that the transupport bar hooks to that holds it up. Sounds like with the over length bar somebody hit a bump traviling way to fast and that extra 2 foot over the normall bar would realy wipp around. Also how would you lift that bar for transport or storage? I have all I can do with a normal 7 foot bar.