[AT] Question on Haybine (Swather?) knives

[carl gogol]

Ray-
When we had the NewHolland pitman mower, it had smooth knives and they were 
sharpened every 10 acres or so.  When my dad traded, he got one of those 
newfangled IH balanced head mowers that had serrated blades.  They would 
pickup smaller stones and somehow cut most if not all of the guard off 
before snapping.  I don't remember if they were top or bottom serrated and 
my dad was ready to take the new mower back and get his old one.  Dealer 
ended up trading the spare knife set for the other type and giving him a 
complete set of the other type of serrated blades and rivets to switch the 
blades on the cutter bar in use.  The cut guard problem went away and I 
don't remember having to sharpen blades any more.  I don't think the spare 
knife set was ever used and it went with the mower when he traded for an MC 
rotary scythe.  -- now that's another story!  I guess the point is the right 
type of serration is a real gem, your dealer might have an opinion in this 
matter that would be useful for your local conditions - which aren't all 
that distant from our old place in Jordanville.
Carl Gogol
Manlius, NY
AC One Seventy diesel
(2) AC D-14, AC 914H
Simplicity 3112 & 7116
Kubota F-2400