Would this mower config. work?

[BAMARED]

I'm thinking about designing/creating a 33" w/b pusher - "yes," a 33" w/b pusher. I'll be using older, spare parts from various mowers except for the engine which is an almost new Honda GX3, 4 cycle 8 HP. For the deck, I'm cutting and modifying a deck off of a Snapper rider and have our machine shop fashion the crank shaft of the motor to the existing drive on the Snapper as well as making the axles. The rest is basically bolt on spares from other mowers.

I have access to this Honda motor for a VERY good price. I always wanted a wide-bodied pusher because most all of my accounts are mostly flat and really too small for a rider or one of the mid-sized stand ups w/ velkie. Thus, a larger cutting path than the little narrow 21" mowers should greatly cut down on time, but there is the extra weight and bulk to consider on the bigger mower/eng.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

BAMARED

[Esby]

I know I wouldn't even think about touching what you are talking about. Now I am not saying you can't do it, or that it won't work, I'm just saying its a lot of hassle and money to put into something that is less than guarantied to work, and work well. I would look into a 32" Exmark Metro. They really aren't that heavy, (even my 48" Metro HP doesn't weigh that much) and you would be way better off with a machine that has been know to give a great cut, and is very dependable. Good luck with your endeavor.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[CLM1103]

I have a 33' Troy-Bilt that I have tried pushing in neutral..lots of work. I don't think I would want to do it all the time.

[gogetter]

WHY?????????

[BAMARED]

Originally posted by Esby
I know I wouldn't even think about touching what you are talking about. Now I am not saying you can't do it, or that it won't work, I'm just saying its a lot of hassle and money to put into something that is less than guarantied to work, and work well. I would look into a 32" Exmark Metro. They really aren't that heavy, (even my 48" Metro HP doesn't weigh that much) and you would be way better off with a machine that has been know to give a great cut, and is very dependable. Good luck with your endeavor.

Just my 2 cents worth.

As far as costs go......I'm getting the eng. for a song and the other parts needed (deck, axles.etc.) are coming off of several scraped units for free. I'll do the torch work myself and a machinist friend of mine will not charge me anything.

Now as far as time, that will be the kicker. But I've always loved a challenge and working on "project ideas."

I've looked at the Exmark Metro and you're right, it's a real sweety. The local dealer had a demo'd unit that he said he would sell me for $1986 - tax included. He said the the sulky/velkie would run another $200. Rather pricey for my partime/small scale operation.

Thanks,

BAMARED

[BAMARED]

Originally posted by CLM1103
I have a 33' Troy-Bilt that I have tried pushing in neutral..lots of work. I don't think I would want to do it all the time.

What's a 33" Troy-Bilt? I'm mean is it a w/b, rider or what? I've never heard of it. My only real concern with this idea of mine is the weight and it's distribution. I know it'll work as far as cutting grass is concerned.........just wondering about it's efficiency vs. narrower and lighter pushers.

Thanks,

BAMARED

[BAMARED]

Originally posted by gogetter
WHY?????????

Like I had said earlier, to cut down on mowing time. Also the ultra-low costs associated with carrying out this project make it tempting as well as the fact that I'm a tinkerer that's always thinking of better ways.

Thanks,

BAMARED

[klite]

http://www.troybilt.com

[kerr lawn]

DON'T BUY THAT TROY-BILT POS. i had one and sold it 4 years ago, in one week i had a brand new problem every day. Back then it cost me 1200, if you gonnna spend that mower just go get that exmark.
peace
bryan

[MuskTurfKing]

Well if you really want to, (I don't know why), go ahead, but if you want to have a heavyduty piece of equipment that will last you for season after season, get you a commercial 32". Toro, Exmark, Scag, etc.

Hank

[Brickman]

"Pusher"

Maybe I am too lazy. But I won't buy even a 21" that isn't self propelled. If I can't mow it with the Walker I don't want the yard. But then some do have to be mowed with a 21"

As for the challenge I think that most of us could understand that.

[Grass_Slayer]

y dont u scavenge parts off a self propelled 21 and try to work it that way

if i had the equip, i would do stuff like this all the time!!

[lamblawnscaping]

What if something went wrong and someone got hurt, would your insurance company possibly deny a claim because you were using a homemade mower?

[cantoo]

Hmmmmm, I would consider starting with a self propelled 21" and adapt another 21" offset to the front of it at least then it would move itself.

[eslawns]

A 32" commercial w/b puts less pressure on the ground than a 200lb man standing on it, and you don't push it, you chase it. Why in the world would you ever want to push any mower you use in this biz?

[kerr lawn]

i know this is gonna sound crazy, but my guys hate pushing a lawn with a self-propelled mower. We only have a few spots, 4 backyards, and 1 lawn that need it a week. I don't care either way.

The guy trying to make the mower PLEASE use the knoging (brain) that god gifted you with at all times.

peace
bryan

[toby]

You're nutz. Ever try pushing a 21" Honda or Toro com? Why the h$^% would you want to push a 33" mower?
Waste of time & effort.

[FrankenScagMachines]

I do designing, creating engineering type stuff all the time, here's a few thoughts I had while reading this thread.
1) I don't think a SP push mower drive would work with a big 33" deck very well, just because it's so small and lightweight designed.
2) If you want to make one, why not use the drive unit from the Snapper or other rear engine rider? To steer, just let off the clutch (push mode) and turn it manually unless you wanna rig up individual wheel clutches and brakes.
3) If you're gonna go ahead and push it, use large diameter, skinny lightweight tires like bike tires. This will be much easier to push.
4) If you wanna push it, maybe get a smaller Snapper deck like 28" or so? little less weight.
5) A double push mower side by side, slightly off set would work, but the mounting must be just right to get the right heights, and the second one needs swivel castor wheels. If you did this, make sure the second deck is ahead of and to the right of the main deck, so you are never discharging into each other, since this is just an extra strain on the engine and mower and will clump the grass, etc. Definately use plastic or aluminum deck mowers, preferably a SP model.

Sounds like a good idea if you get it all worked out, but me, I would not push a 33" deck anywhere, unless you're from "The World's Strongest Man Competitions" on ESPN!
The Honda should be a good engine in all aspects, and it's lightweight too compared to some engines like Briggs and Stratton or Kohler. I'm guessing it isn't electric start since you need to be weight conscious?

good luck with whatever you do,
Eric

[Toroguy]

BAMARED,

Back when all I had was a Target brand mower I considered attaching a second mower alongside it as cantoo stated. I like unusual ideas, let us know how it goes.

Flex deck was created with a weird idea, and it worked out.

[FrankenScagMachines]

I've been thinking about it, and i'm thinkin' i'd like to try to make a 30" single blade self propelled walk behind from scratch. It would be real lightweight. My idea is this: I've got a 30" single blade deck and blade, now i'm gonna take a 5 or 6 hp engine (yes it will be enough) just for the blade only , like a push mower, but then i've got a 3hp B&S with an 18:1 gearbox on it, this will be hooked up to the rear fork/chain/sprockets/shifter/wheel assembly from a 24 or 26" bike. It will have a single rear wheel, and will be 5 speed chain drive shift on the go. There will be a full length deck roller for striping and stability since it's single rear wheel, and there will be no need for individual brakes and clutches on the back wheels. It'll have two casters on front. Fixed deck design. Push mower type handles. To clutch, you will pull the lever on the push mower handles, which will lower the full length deck roller on back, raising the drive wheel off the ground. This will clutch and let you pull it backwards manually. Will be for when maneuverability and space is tight. Then I plan on making a flex deck type thing for my Toro rear engine rider so it'll be 50" cut overall. That will be for big areas. Will let you know and update with pictures if these ever get off the ground. The flex deck should be done in a week or less (haven't got all the components yet) and the walkbehind it may be a long time, cause I need to work on the engines, both are freebies I got from friends but need alittle work, Then after that it may not be too terribly long, but I only have so much time and money per week for these things too. Later,
Eric

[Toroguy]

BushHogBoy,

This contraption is going to be a peddle-powered 30"deck bicycle mower?

[FrankenScagMachines]

Originally posted by BushHogBoy:
but then i've got a 3hp B&S with an 18:1 gearbox on it, this will be hooked up to the rear fork/chain/sprockets/shifter/wheel assembly from a 24 or 26" bike.

Well this afternoon I was digging around and found a rear axle/differential/tire wheel assembly from a rider mower I had this thing layin' around and decided to use it instead. It might be belt drive instead so I have that for a clutch. I already welded the differential so it will go straight. I doubt it will be too hard to steer with casters on the front. We've got a walk behind self propelled tiller without a differential and it isn't too hard to steer. It has lug tires, and this will have turf tires, so it might be easier, but it will also be farther apart, so that will make it harder again. Anyhow i think it can work. it will still use that 3hp engine with 18:1 reduction box. All I need to do now is figure out my pulley sizes and get both engines going. This would mean that it will be just one speed though, so it needs to be a good general speed, but it can be changed a good bit by engine throttle, since the drive engine will be seperate from the blade engine.
later,
Eric

[Esby]

Toroguy's comment about attaching two mowers together brings back memory of a post in which someone posted a video download of 2 people mowing a lawn and each controlled 2-21" mowers. It was a hell of a sight....let me tell you they had practiced it quite a bit, or so it looked.....I wonder if anyone can find that thread.

[Flex-Deck]

BushHogBoy - You may want to know that the Flex-Deck is Patented, and if you may want to consider purchasing that part of your idea. You have a great idea by the way, and we would like to help in any way we can

Thanks, Brad

[FrankenScagMachines]

I didn't mean to infringe on copyrights. Sorry for stepping on your toes! :rolleyes:

I just meant it will look and work similar to that. It will not say Flex-Deck anywhere on it at all nor will I sell it to anyone, only making this one for myself and I may make more in the future for other mowers of mine. I will not mention anything about Flex-Deck, ok???
If I have any questions I'll email you but as of now i've got it all figured out, I think. Mine probably will not flex up and down, but just be stationary. I don't need it to flex for what I'm doing, and since my main mower is single blade, the belt will go up under the frame of the mower and it will be a tight squeeze for the belt. I'll post pictures when i'm done.
Eric