MF 238 sickle bar mower

[gary sanders]

I am sending a couple of pics of my mower. Hopefully you more experienced guys can identify. S/N is 238 032673. If you can, thanks and
let me know what tipped you off.

 

[MF#1]

Looks like a MF 31 to me, cast head on the dynabalnce. I think it takes a C103 or C106 belt. The last pulley I bought at TSC even though it was a larger diameter than original. Get a manual and keep it greased it should be fine.... unless it is already worn out then you may have issues getting parts :-( I have three, two of which grenaded after too much use;-)

 

[gary sanders]

Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered manuals from ebay. Maybe I will be smarter after looking them over. This thing does have a bunch of grease zerks. That is a good thing for sure. Again thanks. I'm sure I will be back in touch as I get down the road on this old girl. Want to use it on about a 5/6 acre field like my Pop did in Iowa.

 

[Hay hay hay]

Yep, looks like a MF31. They were very good mowers. Maybe one of the best sickle mowers ever built. The manual can help a lot with setting it up to cut properly. Be sure you grease the gear box every time you mow, because if that fails, you have scrap iron. Just never try to mow when it is wet (rain or heavy dew).

 

[MF#1]

There is no better sound than a finely tuned sickle mower slicing through grass like a hot knife through butter
You will find that the guards are MF specific, sometimes TSC has them, or try shoups or webbssickleservice.
Don't EVER try to lift the blade by hand with a finger near the blade, it will be sliced off.
Good Luck with it!

 

[FinnMD]

MF made some good sickle mowers, I still use my 31 for Orchard grass hay cutting. You can get manual online. Remember to not mow over grass that was just cut, it will clog up.