Sickle Bar Install

[Don B.]

I was looking at fitting up my sickle bar this weekend and had a few head-scratchers. The manuals I have read say that you do not need to remove the drawbar. But on mine, the rear bracket interferes with the drawbar.

Even if the bracket cleared the drawbar, the curved belt cover would seem to hit it anyway.

In both of these pictures, I have the bracket hanging on the implement bolt.
I don't think the belt cover will clear the drawbar using the top implement bolt (which would require a shim anyway).
Having to remove the drawbar is not the end of the world since installing the sickle bar is a bit of a process anyway. It sure would be nice if I didn't have to.
Another issue I had was with the front hanger bracket. Apparently somebody hit something HARD with the front end of the sickle bar shaft and bent the hanger bracket back far enough that the pulleys were misaligned by more than an inch. I don't think I would not have wanted to experience that without a seatbelt and airbag. I was able to wrestle it around on my press and get it bent back where it belongs. Actually, I thought that was what was wrong with the rear bracket but it wasn't.
Any ideas I haven't thought of?

[Our Pass Thyme]

I remove the drawbar when I hook up my 22. You may need to add a few washers for spacers. What do you have on the end of your blade for a knife. I have a triplett blade to help prevent clogs. Not made any more but you can get a duplex knife that works almost as well. -Tom

[tmays]

It should fit with no problem. Haven’t studied your pics, but something is out of whack or installed incorrectly

[Cubfriend]

Try turning the drawbar upside down on the brackets. The twist in the drawbar may give you the clearance you need. Good Luck! If you are having trouble look at the Drawbar pictures on TM’s site under implement installation. The one on the pallet is like yours but the one mounted on the tractor is what I’m talking about. The twist goes the other way.

[Larry in WNY]

The front hanger (square bar) installs from the left side as viewed when sitting on the tractor. It goes in hard if you try putting it into the right side. Make sure the bolts are backed out enough. That may explain your alignment issues.
Larry

[Cubfriend]

Don, Some of the rear mounts had a shim welded to the back of the bracket. It may mount to the upper bolt. On TM’s site the Cub 22 has two bolts and the top one goes to the upper hole.

[Don B.]

Thanks for the help so far, guys.
Frank, I can see how turning the drawbar over can give me some clearance and it may be enough. (And that's a way easier fix than leaving the drawbar where it is and turning the tractor over. )
But the bracket will still extend a little too low and hit the drawbar. Maybe I could trim the bottom of the bracket and then add a shim at the bolt?

[tmays]

I realize now why the mounting bracket struck me as odd. It only has one hole, I’ve only used ones with two holes. The ‘47 manual does not show mower hooked up with drawbar. In fact, it says to take the two drawbar bolts off and use them on the clutch housing pads. So maybe this bracket was not meant to be used with drawbar? Manual does not state whether it can used with drawbar

[Don B.]

Thomas, That is what I am thinking may be the case. Many variations with Cubs and their attachments along the way so this one is conceivable.

[tst]

they made 3 different brackets, the one you have was the 1st version, designed to fit with out a drawbar, 2nd had 2 holes that works with drawbar, 3rd was made to work with a fasthitch

[Don B.]

Thanks, Tim. That makes sense. I can deal with that.
It helps knowing that I have not totally lost my marbles yet.
I do think this one could be modified to work with the drawbar as I said, but I don't know if I will bother.
By the way, did the early ones have the 4" PTO pulley and then the later ones had the 4 1/2" pulley?

[tst]

correct

[Glen]

Hi,
IH used the 4 1/2" PTO pulley first, and then changed to the 4" pulley in the mid 1950's, is what I have read on here in the past.
Below is a listing at TM Tractor, they say that there also.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/sm/589fp.htm

[KETCHAM]

I have to pull my drawbar when I put mine on....WATCH YOUR FINGERS!!!!! kevin

[Don B.]

As an update, I turned my drawbar over and still couldn't mount the sickle bar correctly. I took it off and everything went together okay as expected.

I have to say I'm intrigued by the design of this contraption.
And, yeah, I know. Everybody else is talking about plowing snow. But I do have my blade mounted on my other Cub ready to go.