model 39 JD sickle mower

[Tony L]

I put in a new sickle adjusted and shimmed it out and it cuts good. I am balling up on the end in grass hay. I was told to put a double knife on the end. I mowed thicker hay in the spring with the same mower and did not have a double on the end. I did change tractors but I am at the 540 rpm notch on the rpm gauge. Just weird I guess. Does a double knife make that big of a difference?

 

[msb]

Yes, it does in tough grass.

 

[Hoosier Pete]

It made quite a difference on my old #38 mower. It's not a double section though it is a section and a half.

Pete

 

[James Howell]

Yes, the section-and-a-half on the end of the knife eliminates grass clogs at the outer shoe.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/39N%20Mower/?action=view&current=IMG_0042.jpg" target="_blank">

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There is also a stripper plate that can be adjusted on the outer shoe.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/Nelson/?action=view&current=IMG_1499.jpg" target="_blank">

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Hope this helps and good luck with your <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLND2DifdD0">39 JD sickle mower</a>.

 

[Tony L]

Ha Ha I don't have a stripper plate or at least one that is wore completely out. I can make another one, Mine is not touching the knife and that is where the grass is catching. There is no adjustment left. I found this mower cutting hay for a friend that bought a farm and it has been an adventure. It is a good mower and now it will be even better. Thanks

 

[James Howell]

Good deal; sometimes it's the simple things that can be fixed.

Good luck!

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a JD #38 mower. One other thing to check is the leger plate on the outside shoe. I was having the balling up trouble and the leger plate had gotten lost. I put a new one on and now it works great.
Hope this helps Jeff

 

[EcountyDave]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the ledger plate?

 

[Anonymous-0]

My spelling may have been wrong but the ledger plate is the cutting surface under the sickle section to make a shearing action. it is on all the guards and both shoes. Hope this helps Jeff

 

[TimPa]

nice stripper plate, but i think i'd turn the bolts around so the carraige head is on the cutting side.