Showing a Sickle bar

I was going to take my B with the Belly Sickle Mower to a heritage show this weekend and my brother told me I should take it off, or at least remove the sickle so that I won't be liable if someone hurts themselves.

 I have seen them at shows  covered in cardboard or plexiglass to keep people from getting to the blades.

Our club uses pieces of black plastic 4-6" field tile sliced on one side.  Just cut one side, don't really need to slot it like pvc.  They will stay in place without any help if you have regular rock guards and not stub guards.  If fact they can be a pain to remove. 

Two 1x4's with bolts clamping them together work as well. 

The pipe insulation and cardboard is a no no.  Any one, especially running kids hit it, the points will go right though the foam or cardboard.  Have seen it happen. 

Smaller PVC pipes protect people from the points but they still can get their grubby little fingers into the knife. 

The boards or drain tile covers the whole shebang.  If you use something to cover just the points, remove the knife. 

The plexiglass is a novel idea, protection but still allows for people to see how it works.  I imagine quite expensive however. 


Edited by firebrick43 - 05 Oct 2010 at 11:57am

I have seen plexiglass used at shows.  IMO it is the best way to go.  It keeps people safe and still allows them to see how it works.

Let me play devil's advocate here for a minute. What about all the other stuff that can hurt someone that's not covered up. Everything that we show has some inherent danger. People should know that, gee, it's a sickle knife, it must be sharp. The step on that tractor is wet, it might be slippery. It's a shame that society is so litigious that we have to protect people from themselves.

I'am kinda with JohnC things are getting out of hand. I don't think I've seen any covered up around here. I think the liable one is the people putting on the show. But I can't argue against someone being safe.It does take away from the looks but at least if a little kid runs into he will have both eyes to enjoy the show.

Can't blame folks for not realizing the sickle bar is dangerous.  Lots of people are at shows to learn about such things, that is just part of it.  I don't like seeing implements and buckets left raised either.  Accidents are sad,  I have been hurt plenty, usually after doing something dumb.

Forget about the litigation part of it. It should be safe. How would you feel if a 3 year old curious kid got seriously hurt?

like the guy`s are telling you
this is what i used when i put
mine on display sorry about
the color HTH
  B:-)    Dnoym

it's sad that our society has gotten like it is but there are many people that don't respect others property or know the dangers of it' It isn't only the younger people.last year at hutch some elderly man sat there & watched his grand children ,I believe, climb up on daves super restored A. I walked over and told them to get off, the old guy looked at me like what will they hurt? I looked over at him & said these tractors are here to be looked at, not to be played on.

JohnCinMd wrote: Let me play devil's advocate here for a minute. What about all the other stuff that can hurt someone that's not covered up. Everything that we show has some inherent danger. People should know that, gee, it's a sickle knife, it must be sharp. The step on that tractor is wet, it might be slippery. It's a shame that society is so litigious that we have to protect people from themselves.