Sickle mower section clearance

[David M]

I've been rebuilding my 7' Cockshutt mower. The sections, ledger plates, shims and hold downs are all new. I've hammered the guards to be fairly even in height. How much clearance should there be between the ledger plates, sections and hold downs? It probably has .030" clearance now. It seems that if I have the hold downs keeping the sections on the ledger plates its going to make quite a rattle and the drag is going to get higher. Some advice from someone with experience would be appreciated.

 

[OlMax]

(quoted from post at 14:25:24 07/29/07) I've been rebuilding my 7' Cockshutt mower. The sections, ledger plates, shims and hold downs are all new. I've hammered the guards to be fairly even in height. How much clearance should there be between the ledger plates, sections and hold downs? It probably has .030" clearance now. It seems that if I have the hold downs keeping the sections on the ledger plates its going to make quite a rattle and the drag is going to get higher. Some advice from someone with experience would be appreciated.

would guess the clearance would not be too critical as the pull of the crop against the fingers will cause the ledger plates to cut well as long as they are sharp. Wet crops cut harder, grasses cut harder than stem plants etc. Good luck.

 

[Bob]

Typically, sickle mower owner's manuals will tell you to set them with almost NO clearance, but NOT binding.

Having them set up this close is particularly important when cutting short, wirey grass, not as important when cutting a crop such as tall brome.