Tool Talk

Farm and Implement Wrenches and Tools => Farm Implement Wrenches and Tools => Topic started by: Stoney on September 24, 2011, 11:56:17 PM

Title: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Stoney on September 24, 2011, 11:56:17 PM

In response to Fflintstones "McCormick What is it" thread, here is a display I show at tractor shows to show how a sickle bar sharpener was used in the field.  Since a sickle mower is hard to haul around I made the display using one wheel off of a McCormick-Deering mower.  You would loosing the pitman arm bolt and using the pry on the pitman wrench you would spread the pitman fork to remove the pitman fork from the ball.  loosen the slides and remove the bar from the guards.  This was much easier and quicker than taking the mower back to the barn.

(http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr40/plantshepherdplus/DSC_0096-1.jpg)


(http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr40/plantshepherdplus/DSC_0095-1.jpg)
Close up showing how the bar is clamped to the grinder

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Papaw on September 25, 2011, 08:35:51 AM

That certainly helps me understand how the sharpening is done, good job!!

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Stoney on September 25, 2011, 01:31:31 PM

Thanks Papaw.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Stoney on September 26, 2011, 07:55:17 AM

Found a better view showing how it clamps to the wheel and how the sickle bar moves in relation to the grinder. I guess, I need to change those plated hex nuts and washer to black square nuts and washer.
(http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr40/plantshepherdplus/DSC_0003-1.jpg)

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: gibsontool on September 26, 2011, 08:37:15 AM

A change to square nuts would be better yet

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: amertrac on October 03, 2011, 06:56:41 AM

Quote from: gibsontool on September 26, 2011, 08:37:15 AM

A change to square nuts would be better yet

My first tractor restore was a 1947 tiger and i wanted it to be perfect in every way/ The very first tractor show I was so proud untill the judge cane to my spot and said, I can not judge your tractor because you replaced all the bolts and nuts with the wrong pieces. They were square headed feom the factory, A real letdown but a realy good lesson  for me . bob w.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Aunt Phil on October 24, 2011, 12:28:14 AM

For the man who didn't like to crank and wanted to sit a spell this model was available.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: fflintstone on October 24, 2011, 05:43:37 PM

Thanks for posting up the picture. I always wondered what it did and how it worked. I had disposable income back then and enjoyed mechanical stuff.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: fliffy42 on October 24, 2011, 06:42:45 PM

I need a smaller version for my hedge trimmer

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Stoney on October 24, 2011, 06:52:36 PM

Thanks Fflintstone.  When you pick them up they are as loose as a goose.  They want to go in all directions at once.  But when we hit a rock while mowing with our mule mower they were worth their weight in gold.

Fliffy42 I don't know of one but it sure would be a handy dandy tool.

Aunt Phil I have a small grinder that I've not started restoring yet that you bicycle to run the grind wheel.  I'll post pics tomorrow.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: fflintstone on December 02, 2011, 05:02:37 PM

Unfortunately that crank grinder and all my other hand crank grinders were victims of the second fire.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Stoney on December 02, 2011, 06:13:55 PM

I' sorry to hear that Fflintstone.  I always worry about fire.  I've seen too much lost that way.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: wrenchguy on December 10, 2011, 06:23:05 PM

Here are some pics of a gaggle of sickle grinders. they were featured at winamac ind show jul 02.  i had 12 different ones there, but some serious guys had 20 some there.  Maybe u guys know these wrench and tool collectors. 2 of them are ih tool guru's. It was a great showing.  Stones are real hard to find.
thanks for looking.
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/wrenchguy49/MVC-014F.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/wrenchguy49/MVC-013F.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/wrenchguy49/MVC-011F.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/wrenchguy49/MVC-009F.jpg)

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: Stoney on December 11, 2011, 05:38:24 PM

Great shots Wrenchguy.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: wrenchguy on December 12, 2011, 08:02:58 PM

Quote from: Stoney on December 11, 2011, 05:38:24 PM

Great shots Wrenchguy.

Thanks.
Gil Irps is in a tee with his hat on his knee and Dick Blough is in red shirt w/ straw hat.Both are icons in the ih tool world.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: OilyRascal on April 12, 2012, 05:24:43 AM

wow - what an amazing collection of sickle grinders - and great to put a face to the name of Mr. Irps and Mr. Blough.  Thanks for this thread.

I must find my way to at least one of these tool shows.

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: john k on April 14, 2012, 09:26:39 AM

That is more grinders than I've ever seen at once, wow.   You can always tell the semi-pro guys, they bring their own shade.    Stoney I dug one of those out of the back of the old cattle shed, just slightly rusty, another ten years soaking and it would free up.  I thin JD had one too for the sickles.  Clamped across the mower frame.  I do collect hand crank grinders, if the price is right. 

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: wrenchguy on April 14, 2012, 10:20:36 AM

in 35 year collecting tools i never seen a jd hand crank sickle grinder,  i do believe they came out with a electric model mid 50's.  i have been know tobe incorrect now and then though.  lets see one!!!

Title: Re: Sickle bar sharpner
Post by: HeelSpur on June 11, 2012, 06:37:50 PM

This is a really cool thread with some great old tools, thanks.