Sickle Bar vertical bush triming?

[coachgeo]

can a sickle mower be run in the vertical position to trim bushes? My drive has about 8 feet tall bush on both sides. A good 1000yds of it.

 

[Bulldog]

A belt driven type probably could be but you would have to modify the blade to be held straight up. I have seen several different one that are boom mounted, hydraulic driven but they are pretty expensive. Might look at the VMC brand. I have a boom flail mower and have been very pleased.

 

[bcp]

If it has a pittman arm, usually a wooden bar about 2 feet long that drives the cutters, even if belt driven it won't cut if raised or lowered much from horizontal.

The end of the arm would be going left-right-left-right while the cutter would be trying to go up-down-up-down.

Bruce

 

[Bulldog]

Don't remember the model number but we had a IH sickle that was belt driven (no pittman arm) that would cut at any angle. I found a picture of a VMC mower that was mounted on the FEL but I can't find any info about it. You might contact them directly and get something though.

 

[olthumpa]

In the winter I volunteer to groom snowmobile trails. One of the constant chores is cutting the branches and brush on the side of the trails. We use a setup very similar to the pic below. It is hydraulic raised and driven capable of cutting 2 1/2 inch branches.

This is where it was purchased - I do not know what they paid for it but it works great.
http://www.mountaingrooming.com/

 

[Diydave]

Coach, an IH 100? or AC 80 or 82 have balanced head gearboxes, that will cut at any angle. Also hydraulic driven Haban, Triumph and others. There are other brands that have either hyd drive or balanced heads. I just have experience with the ones mentioned. Sorry, no pics...

 

[Tooljunkie]

Imagine taking the whole apparatus and turning it 90 degrees.if its custom fabrication for a specific use,it can be done. If we can make one run under water for weeds, and drive it with a electric motor above water with a long belt, the possibilities are endless.
Cant get anymore redneck than that...