I.H. #9 Mower, Now Improved

2019 - Volume #43, Issue #4, Page #29

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A new one-horse mower based on the classic IH #9 mower was recently introduced by Farmer’s Equipment and Repair. The mower is in field-testing with planned introduction for the 2020 season.
    “We developed this mower for Amish and non-Amish who prefer mowing without the sound of an engine,” says company owner Vernon Hershberger. “It also fits the growing number of smaller acreages that can’t afford an expensive team of draft horses. Our mower can be pulled by a team of light horses or a half-draft horse or Haflinger type.”
    Hershberger patterned his mower after the #9, but improved the lifting mechanism to raise the bar easier. He notes that the lift kit is available separately and can be used with original #9 mowers.
    In keeping with his goal of a one-horse mower, Hershberger limited the bar length to 42 in. The #9 was available in 5 to 7-ft. models.
    “We were unable to duplicate the axle going through the gearbox,” says Hershberger. “Instead, we mounted the gearbox behind the axle with a chain drive off the axle.”
    Hershberger also limited the mower to a single gear. The #9 had 3 speeds - high, regular and trailer gears.
    “Trailer gear was for use in heavy hay, as it has a lot more torque,” says Hershberger. “With only one horse, we went with the trailer gear for more torque and easier cutting.”
    Hershberger also designed the mower with the high tongue/shaft hitch he uses on his manure spreader. By attaching them farther back on the main beam of the mower, he shifts more weight to the mower wheels. Less weight hangs on the horse or light team of horses.
    Unlike the spreader, there is no clutch to engage and disengage the ground drive. The mower uses a more conventional in-gear/out-of-gear gearbox. While technically still under development, Hershberger is satisfied with the current design.
    “We worked on the mower this past winter and pulled it into a field this spring, and it worked great,” says Hershberger. “It does take a horse with a bit of draft blood. It would be too much for a single light buggy horse.”
    One way to use the mower with a single, larger buggy or all-purpose horse is to order it with a 5 1/2 hp. Honda engine. The motorized version also comes with a 5-ft. bar for a wider cut.
    Hershberger is sharing the prototype with other Amish farmers this summer to get their input. He hopes it will be just the first of a line of hay handling equipment for small farmers.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Farmer’s Equipment and Repair, 3589 State Route 643, Baltic, Ohio 43804 (ph 330 897-1106).

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I H #9 Mower Now Improved HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Mowers 38 A new one-horse mower based on the classic IH #9 mower was recently introduced by Farmer’s Equipment and Repair The mower is in field-testing with planned introduction for the 2020 season “We developed this mower for Amish and non-Amish who prefer mowing without the sound of an engine ” says company owner Vernon Hershberger “It also fits the growing number of smaller acreages that can’t afford an expensive team of draft horses Our mower can be pulled by a team of light horses or a half-draft horse or Haflinger type ” Hershberger patterned his mower after the #9 but improved the lifting mechanism to raise the bar easier He notes that the lift kit is available separately and can be used with original #9 mowers In keeping with his goal of a one-horse mower Hershberger limited the bar length to 42 in The #9 was available in 5 to 7-ft models “We were unable to duplicate the axle going through the gearbox ” says Hershberger “Instead we mounted the gearbox behind the axle with a chain drive off the axle ” Hershberger also limited the mower to a single gear The #9 had 3 speeds - high regular and trailer gears “Trailer gear was for use in heavy hay as it has a lot more torque ” says Hershberger “With only one horse we went with the trailer gear for more torque and easier cutting ” Hershberger also designed the mower with the high tongue/shaft hitch he uses on his manure spreader By attaching them farther back on the main beam of the mower he shifts more weight to the mower wheels Less weight hangs on the horse or light team of horses Unlike the spreader there is no clutch to engage and disengage the ground drive The mower uses a more conventional in-gear/out-of-gear gearbox While technically still under development Hershberger is satisfied with the current design “We worked on the mower this past winter and pulled it into a field this spring and it worked great ” says Hershberger “It does take a horse with a bit of draft blood It would be too much for a single light buggy horse ” One way to use the mower with a single larger buggy or all-purpose horse is to order it with a 5 1/2 hp Honda engine The motorized version also comes with a 5-ft bar for a wider cut Hershberger is sharing the prototype with other Amish farmers this summer to get their input He hopes it will be just the first of a line of hay handling equipment for small farmers Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Farmer’s Equipment and Repair 3589 State Route 643 Baltic Ohio 43804 ph 330 897-1106

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