dkg520 509 #1 Posted May 4, 2019 (edited) Can anyone please tell me if there is a specific horsepower necessary to operate the Wheel Horse sickle bar. I have a opportunity to purchase one and is there anything specific I need to look at for wear or be aware of? Thank You for any information. Edited May 5, 2019 by dkg520 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,280 #2 Posted May 5, 2019 I've not had one and I'm not familiar with them but I don't recall seeing a minimum hp rating by the factory. In fact, they've been around since the early days and there weren't any engines over 8 or 10 back then. Others could help more here... @Stepney @953 nut @pfrederi 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,354 #3 Posted May 5, 2019 Don't be shy, the opportunity to buy these type of attachments doesn't come around all that often. I believe your biggest concern may be in the length of the tractor frame. (short frame/long frame) The worst case scenario would be that you may have to buy another tractor to put it on. We have all done it. You know the cart before the . 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,045 #4 Posted May 5, 2019 Sickle bar mowers do not need much horsepower. I don't recall the exact horsepower that was on my dedicated 1963 model but it wasn't over 8. Even then I ran it at less than 1/2 throttle. You'll quickly learn that full throttle isn't the was to go. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,280 #5 Posted May 5, 2019 12 minutes ago, Herder said: worst case scenario would be that you may have to buy another tractor to put it on Oh yeah... That'd be terrible. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razorback 1,035 #6 Posted May 5, 2019 I bet it will only fit and run on MY C160. Just sayin’. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 8,666 #7 Posted May 5, 2019 Agreed, 8hp I believe would be enough unless you are going to cut very thick/tall grass or hay. And yes you will quickly find out they do not like to run fast. That’s how you blow up the wobble box. I have mine on a C-121 8 speed and mainly use it to look at 😂 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #8 Posted May 5, 2019 Our neighbor up the road used to sickle mow with a 1970 Sears Suburban, that had a 1.5hp Continental U.S. Army single cylinder motor in it. My old walk behind Jari has a 1/2hp B&S from the 40's. 6+hp would be way more than enough. Don't let the size fool you. Just DO NOT run it too fast. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,088 #9 Posted May 5, 2019 put sickle bar mowers on the RJ and Suburbans and they were 4HP! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
