Chain striping kit I made for my mower

[Jason Rose]

I took the idea from another member, don't even recall WHO now, I wrote down the notes MONTHS ago and just now got the bug to make the thing. Used about 24 feet of 3/8" chain (cheapest grade, still $2.79 a foot!), 1/2" square tubing, and 5/16" threaded rod. Also fabricated the "brackets" to attach it to some factory holes in the frame, how convienient! Some 5/8" old garden hose made excellent spacers between the lengths of chain on the tubing.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/26jason79/4-24-07004.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/26jason79/4-24-07006.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/26jason79/4-24-07005.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/26jason79/4-24-07011.jpg

[Jason Rose]

Oops, as you can see, I used 3/8" threaded rod, not 5/16"...

[FearThisDeere]

Looks good. How well does it work?

[TheLawnBarber]

Looks good. I plan on making one of those.

[Harrington Landscape]

can you post some pic of the strips it makes I am intrested in see it.

[duke99]

i know this is gonna sound dumb ... but what purpose does striping kits used for except for design reasons ?? ..

[ChadsLawn]

you answered your own question.

[mcwlandscaping]

i know this is gonna sound dumb ... but what purpose does striping kits used for except for design reasons ?? ..
you said it........makes it look good/even better

[LindblomRJ]

you said it........makes it look good/even better

Its more a matter of preference. Strictly cosmetic.

[DiyDave]

Looks good! if it were mine, I'd shorten it up a little, I'd be worried that the links might get caught in trailer floor or ramps. Mine are made from woods mower chain shielding, and hang about 1" off of the trailer floor-still stripe good, though!:waving: :waving:

[Jason Rose]

Thanks for the comments! Iv'e used it 3 days now, so far so good. Hasn't fallen off or destroyed anything. Nice thing about the chain that size, it really can't catch on stuff (yes yes, never say "can't").

The point in this deal? well, basically it's the same as everyone else trying to make their stripes more "defined", it's to make yourself happy and impress the other lawn guys, lol. Not too many homeowners care, but the ones that do are usually the "high end" sort, that I want as customers.

As for pics of the stripes... Well I don't carry my camera with me, I just can't find the time to be running around a lawn, when I'm done, looking for the best angle to take a pic. Iv'e got too much to do each day! Trust me, Iv'e wanted to take pics MANY times when certian lawns look awesome, but I never do it.

[Jason Rose]

Looks good! if it were mine, I'd shorten it up a little, I'd be worried that the links might get caught in trailer floor or ramps. Mine are made from woods mower chain shielding, and hang about 1" off of the trailer floor-still stripe good, though!:waving: :waving:

Shorten it? Actually the pics with it on the trailer are a bit deceiving, with the mower on the grass there's about 4 to 5 inches of chain on the grass dragging! I really can't see how having it hanging above the ground level would be enough to do anything... I'd bet that 99% of your stripe you are getting is natural from your mower deck.

No worries about the chain getting in the gate, ect. It's just too large to fit and get stuck. (yes I see that in the pic one link was inbetween the deck boards. Hasn't been a problem though. I'd feel it tug if it got cought.

[DiyDave]

Shorten it? Actually the pics with it on the trailer are a bit deceiving, with the mower on the grass there's about 4 to 5 inches of chain on the grass dragging! I really can't see how having it hanging above the ground level would be enough to do anything... I'd bet that 99% of your stripe you are getting is natural from your mower deck.

No worries about the chain getting in the gate, ect. It's just too large to fit and get stuck. (yes I see that in the pic one link was inbetween the deck boards. Hasn't been a problem though. I'd feel it tug if it got cought.
Jason- not trying to dis your ingenuity, when a mower hits turf it sinks a little, making the chain drag more. All I am saying is that by the time you feel a tug, its maybe too late if one of your links has attached itself to say, an old electric or telephone co grounding rod. Mine's on a Dixie chopper that goes 15 mph, and I wouldn't want to take that 15-0 mph ride!:laugh: :laugh:

[Jason Rose]

Well, you can look at MOST other chain striping kits and they all drag the ground...

[LawnGuy73]

Lets see some pictures of how it stripes.

[topsites]

I have a strikingly similar design on both of my Wb's, and even thou they're slower than the Z, I assure you that a 6-0 mph ride is just as devastating. However, in just over a year of using this design, I've never had them catch on anything.

I've been over the handlebars more than once, but never from this, if it happens so be it, but I don't think the design increases the chances, while going for the ole' flight over the bars is just a sucky fact of being an Lco.

The worst part is on my latest design the chains are a bit too long and like to get caught up under the rear tire but it is only a problem when 0-turning or backing up, so just have to be careful, it's more annoying than anything else.

[LindblomRJ]

I have a strikingly similar design on both of my Wb's, and even thou they're slower than the Z, I assure you that a 6-0 mph ride is just as devastating.

I've been over the handlebars more than once.

It must be interesting to watch you work.

[Mr Priceless]

how long is your cutting width? does anyone have a chart of reference of recommended chain links to cutting width?