New Idea Sickle Pitman Problem FIXED

[Ed S.]

A few weeks back, I posted about my New Idea 7' sickle with the pitman arm that kept jumping off the cutter bar, and then the head plate at the other end broke in two.

Well, in hopes that my ignorance helps someone else, what appeared to be my problem all along was that I had replaced the original (to me) pitman with the wrong size replacement (too short, but was the only already drilled out pitman at the farm store). Even though the length was wrong, I just moved the pitman out one set of bolt holes, which actually put it in correct register.

What tipped me off that this was an unacceptable 'fix,' was when I replaced the head plate (thank you AGCO for still carrying this part!), it almost immediately bent into an "S" shape when I tried the mower out. Thankfully, it didn't break like the original, and when I looked at it, it bent right at the end of the short pitman, which told me I really needed that extra length to support the head plate.

Since I had also purchased a 'blank' pitman as a backup (no holes, but same length as original), I dug out the original broken pitman and used it as a template for drilling all the holes and cutting the kerf for the head plate. Put it all back together, and the mower is running like a sewing machine now!

So, what I learned is: use the right replacement part and don't try to make something close work instead.

And the hay is down as of this evening!

es

 

[DaveK(IN)]

I am getting ready to do the same thing with an old IH sickle bar about 6.5-7' long and a C to mount it on. I have the blank but I have lost the original. Do you know how to calculate the length? I thought just match it up with the arm at max extension and the cutter bar at the outboard position. I'll be sure to use the full length of the bar as you suggested. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Ed S.]

If you can wait a day, I'll measure mine and post back...

es

 

[Ed S.]

Dave,

Sorry for the delay. My pitman is 36" long, and has a slot cut down the center of one end to receive the flat head plate that mounts to the flywheel end with four through bolts. At the clasp end, there's an 11/16" hole drilled into the end about 1-1/4" deep, plus four through bolt holes to mount the clasp, and one additional hole that runs top-to-bottom 2-3/8" from the end of the pitman.

I can draw all this up if you need, but it might be a few days before I can squeeze in time to do it (hay down right now).

es

 

[DaveK(IN)]

Ed- That seems to be the dimensions on the blank I have so I will try that on my mower. Thanks for your help with this. Dave K

 

[Ed S.]

Dave,

Before you drill your holes, you might want to 'dry fit' the pitman to make sure your sections are in register (the points of each blade should align with the rock guard to either side as it moves back and forth. If you test fit with the pitman at it's farthest reach and the blade tips aren't centered, then you'll want to adjust your holes so they do. Hard to describe in words - post back if not clear.

es