Trimmer rack questions

[Phil's Lawn Care]

I am in the process of welding/designing a trimmer rack. It will hold two trimmers and is 42 inches tall. I am looking for advice from people who have trimmer racks.

1) How do you lock the trimmers.
2)How far apart do you place the 2 uprights
3) are they welded or bolted to the trailer or both
4) do they bounce around a lot when driving and if not how did the company you bought them from solve that problem

Thank you in advance, and will post pictures of the finished product

[J&R Landscaping]

I am in the process of welding/designing a trimmer rack. It will hold two trimmers and is 42 inches tall. I am looking for advice from people who have trimmer racks.

1) How do you lock the trimmers.
2)How far apart do you place the 2 uprights
3) are they welded or bolted to the trailer or both
4) do they bounce around a lot when driving and if not how did the company you bought them from solve that problem

Thank you in advance, and will post pictures of the finished product

I have a green touch 3 place trimmer rack on my trailer. They are bolted to the trailer, not welded. I can measure how far the uprights are. I had the trailer shop install them when I bought the trimmer. They do bounce a little bit but nothing to bad. I just check the bolts torque every now and then to make sure they are still tight.

[LawnTamer]

Here are some pics of mine- very easy to make, they work perfectly. A little banged up, but they are a few yrs. old. It is a simple concept. The front end is spring loaded. The back is designed so that the shaft can't come out so long as the front is in. Once the front has been released, you just lower it a little and the back slides right out. It literally takes about 1/2 a second to get them in or out, and I've never had 1 come out on me.
PM me if you want more details.
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Rack

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Rack front closed

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Rack front open

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Rack back

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[Phil's Lawn Care]

do you think 42" tall is too tall for only two trimmers. I planed this out that the fist one would sit 12" from base and the second trimmer would be 24" above that

[LawnTamer]

do you think 42" tall is too tall for only two trimmers. I planed this out that the fist one would sit 12" from base and the second trimmer would be 24" above that

Yes. I think that is a little high, but if your trailer has low sides then it doesn't matter. Lay it out on the floor and see how much space you really need.

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Here is one we made it pad locks and there is rubber in one end to keep it from moving around.

[nmez21]

Lawntamer- that looks like a great design. I think I might give that a shot this yet this winter.

[Triple L]

I'am very happy with my Jungle Jims rack. One good tip, Make sure you double or triple bolt your mountings where it is almost impossable to get to the nut without taking something else off. A couple of days ago I was looking at my trailer and noticed that a nut and bolt were laying on the floor. Stupid Me I left my Stihl trimmer out there for almost a month locked up. Those buggers took the mounting bolt off and were gonna steal the whole rake but they could not get to the nut because it is moreless inside the square tubing. Kinda hard to picture but they gave up farting around trying to get the trimmer. I was soo happy, already had a blower stolen and a trimmer attempted to be stolen before a cought them the first time. Just a thing to think about?:confused:

[brosko]

the buyers racks are the best. they have a spring loaded clamps that clamp the trimmer down so it doesnt bounce around at all. and to take the trimmer off you just push down with your thumb and remove. takes a split second and you can do it with one hand. well worth the money. it almost just doesnt pay to make your own rack. the buyers racks are only like $150

[Phil's Lawn Care]

I am making these for less than $10. I have an agriculture mechanics class. (Junior in high school) They provide the metal, welder, bolts, etc. I just need to get springs and paint. So I would say yes it is worth it to make my own.

[dekalb lawn man]

I am making these for less than $10. I have an agriculture mechanics class. (Junior in high school) They provide the metal, welder, bolts, etc. I just need to get springs and paint. So I would say yes it is worth it to make my own.
Maybe I am miss reading this but are you in middle school and have all those items listed. If thats the case good job man. But how do you drive your truck.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

Maybe I am miss reading this but are you in middle school and have all those items listed. If thats the case good job man. But how do you drive your truck.

Yep, you missed it by a little, he said he was a Jr. IN High School. Should be 16 and able to drive himself.

[dekalb lawn man]

Yep, you missed it by a little, he said he was a Jr. IN High School. Should be 16 and able to drive himself.

Oh yea I see that now. Oops. Thanks for pointing that out to me. That is still a lot of stuff for a 15-16 year old so congrats on that.

[Phil's Lawn Care]

This spring will be my fifth year mowing. Started out just in my neighborhood and now traveling up to 15 miles or so. Getting ready to make up 300 color flyers to hand out in early april. Just bought a new stihl blower and already getting accounts lined up. Will post pics of the racks. Should be done welded by Thurs nad mounted by the end of the weekend.

[J&R Landscaping]

IMHO, your wasting your time only putting out 300 flyers. I don't know your community that well but I would imagine the minimum amount to distribute would be at least 1000 flyers and even that is lowballing it. If you search it on LS, many on here say the response rate is only 2-4% if I remember correctly!

No trying to put you down, just giving you something to think about. Good Luck and can't wait to see the finished product!!

[Phil's Lawn Care]

Remember this is my fifth year, so I am only looking for a few new clients INCLUDING the ones I have from previous years. Thank You for the advice though I am always looking to hear from more experienced people. Really, I am looking for no more than 10 new customers because then I will have no social life. I still need to do other things while school is in session april may june september oct and nov. Phil

[Runner]

Hey, WAIT a minute! I was 16 and driving when I was in Jr. high....Yep, 7th grade...the best 3 years of my life! :rolleyes: :laugh:

[lordmaximus240]

Hey, WAIT a minute! I was 16 and driving when I was in Jr. high....Yep, 7th grade...the best 3 years of my life! :rolleyes: :laugh:

yeah I was also on the sixteen year plan, in tennessee thats called the fast-track. High school was the best 7 years of my life!!:hammerhead:

[fiveoboy01]

Are you making some sort of mechanism to lift up to release the trimmer?

If so, just drill a hole right above the part that moves. You can then just put a padlock in there to keep it from releasing.

At least that's how my trimmer trap racks are designed.

[Phil's Lawn Care]

I am not quite sure about what you mean about the locking system, If you get some time could you take a picture of it. Thank You

[fiveoboy01]

Well i would, but my trailer is in a barn about 35 miles away right now.

If you go to trimmer trap's website I'm sure there is a picture on it there.

[Runner]

Phil,
I have some pics of mine somewhere around here. I'll dig up the thread and put the link to it on. I can also send you some pics of them if you like if I have you email address. You had mentioned keeping them simple...that is exactly what I did. The material used? It was the stuff they used for awnings - those supports that have those "S" shaped scroll braces. I used the 1" sq. tube for the framework, and cut pieces from the scroll pieces and bent them into J (actually closer to U) shapes to hold the trimmers. On the front end of the racks, the U's are bent wider to to hold the larger end where the engine meets the shaft, and at the other end, the U's are bent narrower to hold the shaft down toward the end. I made sure I made these long enough so the shaft wouldn't be flexing and bouncing while in transit. I then used old garden hose to cushion ride and keep the trimmer from getting beat up. I welded these "D" rings (any sort of half loop bent steel rod would do) onto the upright posts to accommodate rubber bungy straps. A strap runs vertically over the shafts at the motor end, and down toward the head end (only about 3 ft. down the shaft). I then run a strap horizontally from hook to hook and run it through the handle. This keeps the trimmer from turning and spinning - dumping gas all over like most of the manufactured racks do. These racks are bolted down to the trailer floor via a piece of flat stock that is butt welded to the bottoms of the square tubing. They are also bolted through the side of the trailer to hold them tight. I have two racks - each holding two trimmers (actually, one is a stick edger on one side, and the one is an extended hedgesaw on the other). Anyway, I have never seen a set of racks that hold the trimmers more snug and secure. They don't rattle around and get all beat up like with others. Here is a thread that you can get a slight glimpse of what they look like. I can send you some better pics and measurements if you like. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=53539&page=2&highlight=pics

[Phil's Lawn Care]

I sent you my e mail address runner so you can send me the pictures thank you for taking the time to write all that out. Also, If I weld a piece of atright steel to a square upright. Is it necessary to weld on the inside of the 45 degree angle . My teacher says I should but i jumped up and down and the weld didnt break. But I guess it is better to be safe than sorry (or safe than trimmer less)

[Envy Lawn Service]

the buyers racks are the best. they have a spring loaded clamps that clamp the trimmer down so it doesnt bounce around at all. and to take the trimmer off you just push down with your thumb and remove. takes a split second and you can do it with one hand. well worth the money. it almost just doesnt pay to make your own rack. the buyers racks are only like $150

Well, here's to hoping you are still around and maybe have e-mail notification.

I'd like to ask you more about those Buyers racks.

[teamoneoutdoors]

Check out www.bushhogman.com. His racks are great! I have two for my enclosed trailers.:clapping:

[Phil's Lawn Care]

Here are the pictures of my trimmer racks I finally bolted on the trailer. I still need to weld them to the trailer and figure out how I am going to keep them in there. With bungee cords or the spring loaded bolts?? Take a look!!

[Cut n Edge Lawncare]

great racks good prices
http://www.precoparts.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=104

[Envy Lawn Service]

great racks good prices
http://www.precoparts.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=104

The one on top don't look too bad...

A lock for every unit isn't ideal... but still not bad.

Do you own that one by chance?

If so, can your trimmers spin in it as you drive?