Jump to content

Unofficial Home of Old Simplicity & Allis-Chalmers Garden Tractors

Converting FDT Sickle Mower to Heim Joints...?


B110guy

Recommended Posts

Last year my FDT sickle mower broke the sickle drive bolt and the 2 halves of the drive bearing went in opposite directions. I've read of people converting them to the later style ball joints. Jacks wants a small fortune for those joints. Is there anything special about them, or can I source it all from McMaster Carr or Fastenal? Needing to get the mower running again to mow the pastures.

B110guy

Edit to change heim joint to ball joint. I can buy them from McMaster for $8 a piece, Jacks wants $52 each.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have mine converted.

The drawback is the heim joint does not have the inherrent mass-balance that the oem design does. This places a good bit more lateral forces on the mounts, which may or may not be an issue for your usage level.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this the part you need to replace?

link.jpg

I bought the ends from McMaster, used cold rolled steel for the center section.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is exactly what I'm replacing. Did you cut threads in the center section? I was thinking if just getting one of those long nuts to use. Or look through the McMaster catalog long enough to find one. I take it it holds up well?

B110guy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes I tapped the center rod to match the threads on the heim joints.

Works fine, I only use it once or twice a year when the township gets behind on their roadside weed mowing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...