Horse drawn sickle bar mowers were a major step forward in farm mechanization before tractors became common. Farmers rode the machine as horses pulled it across the field, with the mower’s wheels turning a gear system that powered the cutting action. This allowed large areas of hay to be cut efficiently while reducing physical strain compared to hand scything. The cutting system relied on a reciprocating steel sickle that slid back and forth through stationary guards. As the machine moved forwar