JD 350 sickle mower

[Chris830]

Greetings
I recently purchased a JD 350 sickle mower and have encountered some problems. I am a novice at this, so bear with me. Once connected to my 830 and set according to the operators manual all seemed well. After making one pass about my 3 acre lot and multiple pull bar separations(?)the knife jammed. I discovered the inner non-clog guard had broken and I assumed was the cause for the incident. So I replaced it and tried again. This time the knife broke almost in the middle. My question is how difficult is it to replace the knife( I assume it is the "knife" and not the "cutterbar"-I cannot really make heads or tails from the parts manual) and sections ? It does not look like it would be a major job. According to the JD Parts site the guard and knife repair block listed in the parts manual is not available. OR should I just take it to the John Deere dealer and let them fix it ? What about the Dura-Cut sections ? Thanks for your input...CDM

 

[haymaker421]

I just got rid of a 350. I couldn't make heads or tails of anything about it. Nothing seemed to be easy with that &%$# mower. I even reworked the wobble box and it lasted about 1 hour! Do yourself a favor and pass it along to some John Deere fan who thinks green can't be beat.

 

[James Howell]

Take a look at the photos below showing one way of replacing a sickle knife on a JD 350 mower.

Remove the bolt that secures the knife head.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/?action=view&current=IMG_0029.jpg" target="_blank">

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Remove the pin that has the grease fitting.

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Remove the knife hold-down clips.

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Remove the old broke sickle knife and install the new sickle knife.

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Replace the wear plates while you have it apart.

The wear plates fit under the knife hold-down clips.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/Nelson/?action=view&current=IMG_1419.jpg" target="_blank">

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Replace the pin with the grease fitting and replace the bolt that secures the knife head.

Replace the knife hold-down clip nearest the knife head.

Move the sickle knife by pulling on the belt that turns the two pulleys.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/Nelson/?action=view&current=IMG_1412.jpg" target="_blank">

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Check the clearance to make sure the knife hold-down clip doesn"t bind/restrict/rub on the sickle knife sections.

Replace the next knife hold-down clip and repeat the process.

Once you have all the knife hold-down clips replaced, run your mower very slow and look and listen for noises.

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You can also spray a fine mist of water or WD40 on each knife clip to check for heat build up.

Adjust the knife hold-down clips if you see and "steam" while the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS9J7EouBhI">mower is running</a>.

Hope this helps.

 

[Chris830]

James,
Thanks for the help. How many hold down clamps should there be on a 7" mower? There are two holes vacant on the cutterbar; I assume there should be a clamp there. CDM

 

[James Howell]

Take a look at the photo below of "Nelson" our 7ft JD 350 mower.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/?action=view¤t=IMG_1432.jpg" target="_blank">

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Notice there are 2 yellow OEM knife clips.

There are 5 universal knife clips bought at Tractor Supply.

There should be at least 7 knife clips on your mower.

Take a look at the photo below of the non-clog guard and the knife clip designed for it.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/Nelson/?action=view¤t=IMG_1418.jpg" target="_blank">

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This knife clip did not work on our mower because the knife sections were installed with nuts and bolts.

The nut was too high to clear the knife clip.

The non-clog guard should work OK without a knife clip.

You mentioned 2 vacant holes on the cutter bar.

Install a rock guard at the 2 vacant holes if one will fit; knife clip will be optional.

We have 3 JD 350 sickle mowers and there were no vacant holes on any of the 3 cutter bars.

Hope this helps.

 

[EcountyDave]

(quoted from post at 13:48:54 07/28/09) Take a look at the photo below of "Nelson" our 7ft JD 350 mower.

&lt;a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/?action=view¤t=IMG_1432.jpg" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/IMG_1432.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;

Notice there are 2 yellow OEM knife clips.

There are 5 universal knife clips bought at Tractor Supply.

There should be at least 7 knife clips on your mower.

Take a look at the photo below of the non-clog guard and the knife clip designed for it.

&lt;a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/Nelson/?action=view¤t=IMG_1418.jpg" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/Nelson/IMG_1418.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;

This knife clip did not work on our mower because the knife sections were installed with nuts and bolts.

The nut was too high to clear the knife clip.

The non-clog guard should work OK without a knife clip.

You mentioned 2 vacant holes on the cutter bar.

Install a rock guard at the 2 vacant holes if one will fit; knife clip will be optional.

We have 3 JD 350 sickle mowers and there were no vacant holes on any of the 3 cutter bars.

Hope this helps.

James, Where were you able to find the knife and how expensive are they? Just in case. Remember mine is a 9'.

 

[James Howell]

You should be able to order a 9ft knife from the Tractor Supply in Ennis.

Plan to spend over $100 for a new knife.

Be sure to measure it before you take it home.

Hope this helps.