6 Best Sickle Mowers for Tall Grass

That back field you let go for a season is now a wall of thigh-high grass, thick with weeds and damp at the soil. Your trusty lawn tractor or zero-turn would choke and die in the first ten feet. This is where a different kind of tool, a machine from a different era of farming, proves its timeless worth: the sickle bar mower.

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Why a Sickle Bar Excels in Overgrown Fields

A sickle bar mower doesn’t use a spinning blade to hack at vegetation. Instead, it uses a scissor-like action. A series of triangular blades reciprocates back and forth against stationary guard fingers, shearing through stems cleanly and at their base. This design is fundamentally better for tall, dense, and wet material that would wrap around and stall a rotary deck.

Because it cuts without creating a powerful vacuum or mulching effect, a sickle bar lays the grass down gently in a neat windrow. This is a huge advantage if you plan to rake and bale the cut material for animal fodder. It preserves the quality of the hay, unlike a rotary mower which shatters leaves and stems, reducing its nutritional value.

This tool also shines on uneven ground and steep slopes where a conventional mower would be unstable or scalp the high spots. The cutter bar can often be angled, allowing you to easily trim along pond banks, under fence lines, or in ditches. It’s a tool for reclaiming land, not just maintaining a lawn.

BCS 660 Hydrostatic: Ultimate Power and Control

When you need the best and have the budget, the BCS 660 is the answer. Its defining feature is the hydrostatic transmission. Instead of shifting gears, you control your speed with a simple lever, allowing for infinite and seamless adjustments on the fly. This is a game-changer when navigating obstacles or working on treacherous hillsides where precise control is a matter of safety.

The 660 is built around a powerful engine and a heavy-duty chassis, designed for commercial use and serious homesteads. It’s not just a mower; it’s a two-wheel tractor capable of running dozens of PTO-driven implements, from tillers to snow throwers. This machine is an investment in a complete land management system.

The main tradeoff is, of course, the price. It’s a significant financial commitment. But if you’re managing several acres of challenging terrain and value efficiency and safety above all else, the power and fluid control of the 660 are unmatched. It’s the kind of tool you buy once and rely on for decades.

Grillo G110: A Versatile Two-Wheel Tractor Base

Grillo is the other major Italian player in the two-wheel tractor market, and the G110 is their heavy-duty answer to the top-tier BCS models. Like its competitor, the G110 is a versatile power unit designed to be the heart of your small-farm operation. It boasts a powerful engine and a robust, gear-driven transmission with a differential lock for superior traction.

What many old-timers appreciate about the Grillo is its straightforward, rugged engineering. It’s built for hard work and feels incredibly planted and stable on the ground. The range of available implements is vast, making it a true year-round machine. You can go from mowing overgrown pasture in the summer to tilling your garden in the fall and clearing snow in the winter, all with one power plant.

Choosing between a Grillo G110 and a comparable BCS often comes down to local dealer support and personal preference in controls and handling. The G110 is a formidable workhorse that provides a powerful and reliable alternative for the homesteader looking for a single machine to do it all.

DR Power Self-Propelled Sickle Bar Mower

Not everyone needs a two-wheel tractor that can run a dozen implements. Sometimes, you just need an excellent mower for tough jobs. The DR Power Sickle Bar Mower is a dedicated machine that does one thing and does it exceptionally well: cutting overgrown fields.

Because it isn’t burdened with the heavy-duty transmission and PTO system of a two-wheel tractor, the DR is often lighter, more maneuverable, and more affordable. It’s a self-propelled walk-behind with a wide cutting bar that makes quick work of tall grass, weeds, and even light brush. It’s the perfect solution for someone with a few acres of pasture to maintain, trails to clear, or a large pond bank to keep in check.

Think of this as the specialist. If your primary challenge is overgrown vegetation and you already have a separate machine for garden tilling, the DR offers a powerful and cost-effective way to solve that specific problem without investing in a larger, more complex system.

The Vintage Gravely L: A Homesteader’s Favorite

You can’t talk about equipment old farmers swear by without mentioning the Gravely Model L. These two-wheel "convertible" tractors, built from the 1930s to the 70s, are legendary. They are gear-driven, cast-iron beasts with an all-gear drive and no belts to slip or break. A well-maintained Gravely is practically indestructible.

These machines are the definition of simple, repairable technology. With a basic set of wrenches and a bit of mechanical sense, you can keep one running for a lifetime. They can be found on the used market for a fraction of the cost of a new Italian tractor, and their sickle bar attachments are incredibly effective.

The catch? They are old. Parts can require some searching, and they demand a hands-on owner who isn’t afraid to get greasy. They also lack modern safety features like an operator-presence control. For the mechanically inclined homesteader on a budget, however, a vintage Gravely is a fantastic and deeply satisfying tool to own and operate.

BCS 732: A Mid-Range, All-Purpose Workhorse

The BCS 732 hits the sweet spot for many serious hobby farmers. It’s a step up from entry-level models, offering more power and features without the premium price of the hydrostatic 660. It’s a versatile and incredibly capable machine that can handle the core tasks of a productive homestead.

The 732 typically features a reliable Honda engine and a gear-driven transmission with more speed options, including a transport speed for getting around your property faster. Crucially, it includes a differential lock. This feature locks the two wheels together, forcing them to turn at the same speed, which provides a massive traction boost on slippery slopes or in muddy conditions.

This model can run a wide array of implements, including larger tillers and wider mower bars than smaller BCS units. It’s the right choice for the person managing 1-5 acres who needs a serious, all-purpose tool for mowing, gardening, and property maintenance. It represents a balanced investment in capability and long-term durability.

ESM Bidux Cutter Bar: A Superior Cutting Upgrade

Here’s a piece of wisdom many people miss: the tractor is only half the equation. The quality of the cutter bar itself is just as important, and the German-made ESM "Bidux" system is the gold standard that experienced users upgrade to.

Unlike a standard sickle bar where only the top blades move, the Bidux is a double-action system. Both the upper and lower blades reciprocate in opposite directions. This cancels out most of the vibration, allowing you to work faster and more comfortably. More importantly, it provides a much cleaner, more efficient cut with far less potential for clogging in thick, wet vegetation.

Upgrading a BCS or Grillo with a Bidux bar transforms its performance. It’s a significant investment over the standard bar, but the reduction in frustration and the increase in cutting speed make it a worthwhile one. If you’re serious about mowing, don’t just focus on the tractor; invest in the best cutting system you can afford.

Key Features to Check Before Buying Your Mower

Before you pull the trigger, focus on the machine’s core components. Getting these right for your property is more important than brand names.

• Transmission: Hydrostatic offers ultimate speed control but is expensive. Gear-driven is simpler, more robust, and better for tasks requiring a fixed speed, like tilling.
• Differential Lock: For anything but flat, dry land, this is a must-have. It dramatically improves traction on hills, wet ground, and uneven terrain by preventing a slipping wheel from spinning freely.
• Cutter Bar Width: Wider isn’t always better. A 45-inch bar covers ground quickly on an open field, but a 30-inch bar is far more maneuverable for clearing tight trails or working around trees. Match the width to your landscape.
• Power Take-Off (PTO): This is the spinning shaft that powers the attachments. Ensure the tractor’s PTO is compatible with the implements you plan to use. A standardized system like on a BCS or Grillo gives you the most options.
• Ergonomics: You’ll be walking behind this thing for hours. Check for anti-vibration handlebars that are adjustable for height and can be offset to the side. This allows you to walk on cleared ground instead of in the tall grass you’re about to cut.

Choosing the right sickle mower is about honestly assessing your land, your tasks, and your mechanical aptitude. Whether it’s a new hydrostatic BCS or a 60-year-old Gravely, the goal is the same: to own a durable, effective tool that tames the wilder parts of your property. Invest in good steel, and it will pay you back with decades of reliable service.