Farmall Cub sickle mower

[oakley86]

Hi: My first time on the forum. I have a 1947 cub #22 with sickle mower. Just hooked it back up after many idle years. It works, but I have a missing part that I cant find. That is the stay rod. My question is what is the purpose of the stay rod, other than maybe the obvious. To make the mower stay in place.
Is it really needed.

[Don McCombs]

The stay rod holds the cutter bar in the upright position for transport. You can accomplish the same thing, on a limited basis, with a ratchet strap. Don't get your fingers between the rock guards when working with the cutter bar. I believe Tim Talleur (tst) makes a repro stay rod.