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Sickle Mower: An Old Time Haymaker
from: Maxx Home GuidesGenerally, a sickle mower is a handy machine or device originally made for cutting cereal, but was later adapted for cutting grasses or plants off the ground -- in what might be considered a ‘revolution' that was achieved and extremely popular in the 1960s.
One very useful job it was mostly used for was that of cutting grasses, which were later treated as nutritional food, called "hay" for farm animals, such as sheep, goats, rabbits, cattle, and pigs among others. Haymaking was mostly done throughout the winter months when grass would die anyway.
Although, there are other mowers like reel mowers, rowse mowers, rotary disk mowers, professional mowers, and others; the sickle mower (also called reciprocating sickle) -- partly due to its simplicity -- was widely preferred in the eastern hemisphere like India, where it could only be used for much smaller jobs.
The sickle mower is affixed with a piece of sickle bar (where it probably derives its name), and has 5 - 7' cutting bar blades meant to grasses. Though quite small, arduous and ineffective for large or commercial haymaking, it nevertheless had a few positive points for haymakers in those early days.
It was quite effective in cutting and dropping down hay still in original shape and condition -- it does not break or sprinkle hay. Also, when improved with the pittman arm, which pulled it back and forth while sliding in a fixed position, it could cut crops much easier on smooth surfaces.
However, while for bigger jobs, such as haymaking, it was economical, the sickle mower was no longer desirable. So with time, it was further improved upon, and that little ‘revolution' was known as sickle haybine. This one generally combines the BAR technology of the ‘old' sickle mower, but was strengthened with a frontal reel, that has ability to haul up strong and even bent stalks at a much faster and efficient work rate.
Also, it has an internal device, specifically designed to break stems of thick grasses, thereby condition the hay ready for faster drying. This was a benefit the earlier sickle mower couldn't do.
Notwithstanding, the sickle is not dead, but readily alive. It's still being used, but mostly by homemakers and small farm owners. And they are widely regarded as pieces of antiquity, thereby becoming a great delight of antique collectors and people looking for old and cheap materials. If you pay visit to any popular auction websites like Ebay, you might even be able to find one for cheap.
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