Double-Action Cutter "Sickle" Bar for Walk-Behind Tractors: Service & Maintenance

Joel at Earth Tools walks through a complete service on the BCS Double-Action (also called "Duplex") cutter bars, covering everything that generally would be replaced, serviced or adjusted in normal use.
**NOTE: We also have a video specific for SINGLE-ACTION cutter bar servicing & cutter bar blade sharpening**
Learn More at www.earthtools.com
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
1:00 Accessing Guard
3:33 Blade Coupling
07:18 Gear Box & Lubrication
09:09 Needle Bearing
11:25 Removing Blade Assembly
14:04 Rivets & Inspection
16:45 Removing Teeth (Guillotine Method)
21:19 Straightening Bar
23:19 Prepping Bar
25:20 Adding Teeth
29:06 Replacing Center Teeth
30:48 Mixing Various Style Parts
32:40 Blade Coupling Adjustment
35:14 Removing Needle Bearing
37:35 Blade Couling Adjustment (Take 2)
46:09 Other Adjustments
50:57 Lower Bar Assembly Note

[@KestrelBlais]

Joel is THE MAN.

[@98304587]

This video just saved the day! There is no way I would have attempted to change and tooth and without this absolutely nothing in the hand book. Nice one mate saved a repair bill and lengthy wait. Much appreciated from Essex England!

[@ronbell7920]

Joel, just used my sickle bar mower, hay rake, and baler for the first time early this month. I mounted the new cutterbar on my unit and went at it! I will repair the old bar when time allows, thanks for the video! BTW I was amazed at how well everything worked together and I got 4 days of a great low impact workout!

[@brianphilbrook5262]

I like just how much detail you go into on these machines.

[@mpolaj]

Holy cow, that's a long video (and I've been waiting for it for a long time)! :) Thanks; I'll watch it soon.

[@caspermaul7583]

The domed spring washer is known as a belleville washer

[@FILIPFROMSALMO]

yeah. the rivet heads were larger than the space on the vice and that was what was making it harder

[@branchingtraditions9220]

Just fantastic. Thanks for all the details. Getting the sickle bar out and in action and need to give it a good run through and this all helps. Any details on how often to change the gear oil? And does it also need to be yellow metal safe?

[@hu_b]

Thanks Joel. Lots of good info. Any tips on changing the transmission oil on these? The biggest sickle bars are kind of unwieldy and I believe there is only a single fill/drain hole.

[@peter.s-yt]

Hi Joel. I have a single action oil bath bcs transmission. I put grease on the zerk so it libricates when the bar goes on slopes. However, when I went to see the oil level, I out it was full of grease! I think i put way to many pumps that the pressure from the grease went through the bearing in the back(pto). Can I remove those big 4 bolts from the back to clean it out? Will the bearing need replacement even though it looks in perfevt condition?

[@y.elkadiki1955]

Hello. I have a Ford 515 sickle mower. Do provide support rebuilding or repairing the Ford 515?
Thanks.
Joe