I need a sickle bar mower

I need a sickle bar mower to put on the back of my D-17 SerIV,3pt.w dual hydraulics.I want to use it to mow ditchbanks and a small field of hay(1-2 acres max).I really want a good one that will operate at most angles with a hydraulic cylinder to control the angle.I would love to own an original A/C but I don't have the skills or time to rebuild one or drive half way across the country to find one.I would be willing to buy a new one.Wanted to know if anyone out here has bought one recently.Would buy one at auction if I could find one close enough.Money is not as important as close to home,reliable and able to find parts for.I do not have time for breakdowns and repairs.I do understand that these things wear and will need to be repaired but need to keep it to a min.Do any companies still manufacture them.Any info would be helpful before I make a purchase.Thanks ahead of time.

Edited by Pat the Plumber CIL - 24 May 2010 at 10:42pm

I would not be opposed to buying a disc mower but I do not know the first about them.Would need one that the D-17 could handle.I have only ran sickle bar mowers.Back on the farm we had an AC model that mounted on the back of the D-17.Pain in the but to mount but worked well.It would only lift up and down,you had to lift and hook it to transport(if you did not lose the hook).Never worked well for ditches and banks.Thanks Brian

Lan pride, JD, new Holland still make 3pt mounted sickle mowers

I wouldn't consider a disc mower in your situation.  They are great for fast hay mowing but spending time in the ditches is hard on them and your tractor doesn't have a cab.  A disc mower has killed people in cabs by throwing rocks on them so tractors mounted with them should have a wire mesh on the back window.  I doubt your d17 has a cab at all.  I would personally look for an international or Case IH 3 point or trailing wheel mower.  Should be 120, 140, 1200, or 1400 in model number.  Parts are easily available, the woble boxes that drive the sickle are the best made, really simple mower. 

If you still decide to get something like a disc mower, and don't care about the safety, look at drum mowers, they are cheaper and the belts survive better in road mowing/ditch bank conditions than the disc mowers gear boxes.  Price a gear box for a disc mower and your jaw will drop.