Waterloo in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Case #5 Horse Drawn Sickle Mower

Photographed by Thomas Smith, February 14, 2026

1. Case #5 Horse Drawn Sickle Mower Marker

Inscription.

Case #5 Horse Drawn Sickle Mower. . , A Case #5 horse-drawn sickle mower was a farming implement used to cut grass and other crops before being replaced by tractor-powered versions. The horse's movement would turn the wheels which were connected to a primitive drive train with gearbox that drove the reciprocating blade. The operator rode on a raised seat located between the wheels. They were once a staple on farms in the late 1800s and early 20th century. Known for their durability and effectiveness, some are still being used today for smaller operations. They are highly prized by collectors. ,

Key Features , . Cutting mechanism: A long bar with a series of small, sharp sections (the sickle bar) moves back and forth to cut the forage , . Power source: A single horse or team of horses provided the power which was transferred through a drive system to move the sickle. , . Gearbox: A gearbox with open gears (or oil bath system in later models) translates the rotary motion of the horse-drawn wheels into the reciprocating motion of the blade. , . Pitman Arms: Often made of wood in original designs, the Pitman arm is the connecting rod that transfers power from the flywheel to the sickle bar. , . Guards and clips: Rock guards and hold-down clips ensure the sickle bar cuts properly. , . Cutter bar control: The operator lifts the cutter bar to an upright position for transport, a position that often required a manual lever or foot pedal. , . Traction: Optional spiked wheels were sometimes added to improve traction in soft conditions.

How it Works , . The horse pulls the wheels forward, and the wheels drive at gearbox. , . The gearbox converts the rotational motion into a side-to-side reciprocating motion for the cutter bar. , . The sharp sections of the sickle bar move back and forth, cutting the grass or grain as it's pushed against the guards. , . As the operator lifts the cutter bar for transport, a mechanism disengages the gears, stopping the blade.

, When returning to mowing, the operator needs to re-engage the mechanism to lower the cutter bar into the crop. The horse-drawn sickle mower was a powerhouse on the farm-the primary tool for haying and harvesting, as it could cut wide swaths of forage crops efficiently. With the advent of the modern tractor-pulled and self-propelled versions, horse-drawn models are now mostly seen as a reminder of our agricultural heritage, and are admired and sought after by collectors. However, they are still used by those who need a simple horse powered implement. They are particularly useful for cutting grass on slopes or in fields with difficult terrain

A Case #5 horse-drawn sickle mower was a farming implement used to cut grass and other crops before being replaced by tractor-powered versions. The horse's movement would turn the wheels which were connected to a primitive drive train with gearbox that drove the reciprocating blade. The operator rode on a raised seat located between the wheels. They were once a staple on farms in the late 1800s and early 20th century. Known for their durability and effectiveness, some are still being used today for smaller operations. They are highly prized by collectors.

Key Features
• Cutting mechanism: A long bar with a series of small, sharp sections (the sickle bar) moves back and forth to cut the forage
• Power source: A single horse or team of horses provided the power which was transferred through a drive system to move the sickle.
• Gearbox: A gearbox with open gears (or oil bath system in later models) translates the rotary motion of the horse-drawn wheels into the reciprocating motion of the blade.
• Pitman Arms: Often made of wood in original designs, the Pitman arm is the connecting rod that transfers power
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from the flywheel to the sickle bar.
• Guards and clips: Rock guards and hold-down clips ensure the sickle bar cuts properly.
• Cutter bar control: The operator lifts the cutter bar to an upright position for transport, a position that often required a manual lever or foot pedal.
• Traction: Optional spiked wheels were sometimes added to improve traction in soft conditions.

How it Works
• The horse pulls the wheels forward, and the wheels drive at gearbox.
• The gearbox converts the rotational motion into a side-to-side reciprocating motion for the cutter bar.
• The sharp sections of the sickle bar move back and forth, cutting the grass or grain as it's pushed against the guards.
• As the operator lifts the cutter bar for transport, a mechanism disengages the gears, stopping the blade.

When returning to mowing, the operator needs to re-engage the mechanism to lower the cutter bar into the crop. The horse-drawn sickle mower was a powerhouse on the farm-the primary tool for haying and harvesting, as it could cut wide swaths of forage crops efficiently. With the advent of the modern tractor-pulled and self-propelled

Photographed by Thomas Smith, February 14, 2026

2. Case #5 Horse Drawn Sickle Mower Marker

versions, horse-drawn models are now mostly seen as a reminder of our agricultural heritage, and are admired and sought after by collectors. However, they are still used by those who need a simple horse powered implement. They are particularly useful for cutting grass on slopes or in fields with difficult terrain

Erected 2026 by Monroe County History Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 38° 19.555′ N, 90° 9.063′ W. Marker is in Waterloo, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is on Elaine Drive 0.1 miles east of Library St, on the right when traveling north. Monroe County History Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 724 Elaine Dr, Waterloo IL 62298, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Deluge Gun (here, next to this marker); Sears Roebuck Handiman Jr. Walk-Behind Tractor (a few steps from this marker); Twin City Thresher (a few steps from this marker); John Deere Two Bottom Plow - Model 49C (a few steps from this marker); International Harvester Horse-Drawn Hay Tedder (a few steps from this marker); James Moore Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Bellefontaine House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Flag Flies for Capt. Moore (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterloo.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 134 times since then. Last updated on February 17, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 14, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Verification of the exact geocoordinates of the marker. • Can you help?