Sickle Bar Rock Guard 7/16" - Fits Ford New Holland 44 45 46 47 450 451 455 456 501 502 505 507

What It Is

The Sickle Bar Rock Guard 7/16" is a replacement wear guard designed to protect the sickle bar sections on Ford New Holland hay mowers and mower-conditioners. It prevents rock damage to the cutting edge and helps maintain clean, even cuts in brushy or rocky fields.

Fitment & Compatibility

Before buying, verify your machine model: this guard fits Ford New Holland models 44, 45, 46, 47, 450, 451, 455, 456, 501, 502, 505, and 507. Check that your existing guard uses a 7/16" bolt hole diameter (measure with a caliper or test-fit a 7/16" bolt). Measure the guard length and width against your current one—aftermarket dimensions can vary slightly. If your sickle bar uses a different hole size (e.g., 3/8" or 1/2"), this guard won’t work. OEM part numbers for reference: Ford New Holland 307610, 307611, or 307612.

Key Things to Know

• Quality concerns: With a 3.5/5 rating, some users report the guard is slightly thinner or softer than OEM steel—expect shorter lifespan in heavy rock conditions.
• Installation difficulty: Easy—just remove the old guard, clean the bar, and bolt on the new one with a 7/16" wrench. No special tools required.
• Common gotcha: The bolt holes may not align perfectly on all models; you might need to file or ream them slightly for a snug fit. Also, check that the guard doesn’t interfere with the knife drive or hold-down clips.
• Quantity: Sold individually—you’ll need multiple guards for a full bar (usually 2–5 depending on bar width).

Should You Buy It

This is a budget-friendly option for light to moderate use on older Ford New Holland sickle bars, especially if you’re replacing a single damaged guard. It’s not ideal for high-volume commercial cutting in rocky terrain—expect to replace it more often than an OEM part. If you need durability over cost, stick with factory guards.