How to Replace Sickle Mower Ledger Plates

Start the tractor and extend the sickle mower to its cutting position. Make sure no one is standing near the mower.

Turn off the tractor and remove the ignition key to prevent inadvertent starting while working on the sickle mower.

Position a small anvil or other hard steel surface under the cutting bar of the sickle mower where the ledger plate to be removed is located.

Remove the two ledger plate retaining rivets using a 3/16-inch punch and a ball-peen hammer. Place the tip of the punch over the flat end of the rivet and strike the punch with the hammer.

Remove the worn ledger plate from the guard.

Countersink the rivet holes in the guard using a drill fitted with a 5/16-inch drill bit. This provides a solid seat for the new ledger plate rivets.

Install the new ledger plate. Align the plate holes with the holes in the mower guard.

Insert a rivet through the ledger plate and guard from the bottom. Set the head of the rivet on the anvil or other hard steel surface being used.

Strike the exposed end of the rivet with the ball-peen hammer. Make sure the rivet completely fills the countersunk seat of the guard.

Remove any excess rivet material using a file until the peened rivet end is flush with the surface of the guard.

Repeat Steps 3 through 10 on the remaining ledger plates.