Please report back on how it works for you.

 

Nice job on the build but I’m not sure how good of an idea it is. The ZTR transmission wasn’t built to handle it and the front end isn’t built to carry a load.

 

Nice job on the build but I'm not sure how good of an idea it is. The ZTR transmission wasn't built to handle it and the front end isn't built to carry a load.

My thoughts exactly. Plus, it is built on a junky Cub Cadet.
Pretty clever idea really, but very poor choice of the machine to build on.

 

Let’s see more pics, how much it cost you?

 

Nice work . How much counter weight is on the rear ? And I hope you dont lose a leg lowering the bucket

 

Do the swivel tires move freely with the bucket down?

 

new for the 2020 season, this will make mulch and stone jobs much easier and faster.
This was fairly easy to build,

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look at you:weightlifter::weightlifter::weightlifter::weightlifter::weightlifter:

well done brother!!

what hydro pump did you use? I'd love to see how you mounted that in the back sir

 

Looks dangerous.....too much weight on the front end.

 

Impressive engineering! Well done! I look forward to more info on how you did this.

 

If this guy is smart enough to engineer this he's definitely smart enough to understand the risks and the why not to do it blah blah blah. He had an idea and executed it, fantastic! Looks as if he can drop the bucket and disconnect it, by pulling four quick connect pins and be back to mowing quickly.

I can't wait to see more pics of the back as well as hear more in depth, how he integrated the hydraulics, as well as anticipated lift capacity etc.

 

how he integrated the hydraulics, as well as anticipated lift capacity etc.

You need the area of the cylinder bore x the working pressure for the strength of the cylinder x 2 since there's 2 of them. Figuring the exact lift at any given point in the range of motion is pretty complex since it's not a simple lever. The simplest and fairly accurate method would be to measure the travel of the cylinder and the travel of the bucket so you can figure the mechanical disadvantages it's working at. Say 2 inch area ( not diameter ) per cylinder and 2000 psi maximum pressure. That's 8,000 pounds combined lift. And say the cylinder travel is 10 inches and the bucket travel is 80 inches. 8-1 mechanical disadvantage. Appropriate 1000 pound lift since the cylinders push 8,000 pounds. Note every value in my example was made up and not intended to represent his loader. Also note as mentioned the ratio of lift is not the right way of doing it but it's the only way I know how. For the hydraulics it appears to be an electric pump commonly found on dump trailers. The hurdles to work through is those pumps are huge amp hogs and the mower doesn't have any meaningful charging system. You'll probably have to add a second battery and a real alternator that's easily disconnected to not rob power when mowing.

 

Maybe you need to start a fabrication shop.. even it it doesn’t work as planned it looks like you have some solid fabrication skills...

 

It’s possible there’s a reason aftermarkets haven’t touched this. Lol

 

 

how much of a load to you would be to much? and why would the tranny suffer?[/QUOTE] You said mulch and stone. That bucket would hold a few hundred pounds of wet mulch. Think it's harder to push a bucket into a pile of mulch and carry loads around vs cut grass?

 

this cost about 1500 and i have tested it at my buds landscape supply yard for hours on end with no problems with mulch, stone or top soil. all i can say is no wheelbarrows for me.

 

Pretty neat!! Kudos for the quality of work.

is that a half yard bucket? Are you thinking of taking the scoops of mulch to the beds vs using a wheelbarrow?

 

ts a 6 cubic foot bucket 48" long 16" tall & 22" deep. About the same as a wheelbarrow load.
and yes right to the beds

 

What does one of these cost?

 

Cost me about 1500 for the build

 

Now for all those who complain about running over dog poop.... problem solved, lol !

 

Curious as to how long the mower frame and casters will last with the added weight that they were not designed to handle...

 

I like how the video had a senior citizen operating the machine, it looks very easy to use. I don’t think there will be any problems with mulch but I can see topsoil causing some strain on the transmission. Very impressive build!

 

I like how the video had a senior citizen operating the machine, it looks very easy to use. I don't think there will be any problems with mulch but I can see topsoil causing some strain on the transmission. Very impressive build!

Everyone gets old bud. You will tooThumbs Up

 

I laugh at the guys thinking this tiny bit of added weight is going to trash the hydro's or the front castors. shot anybody ever consider what a bagger puts onto a mower, or the weights that are made to go on front with baggers, non issue if you ask me.

THe one gripe i would have is one handing the steering the whole time you try to operate the bucket, that's annoying.

 

I laugh at the guys thinking this tiny bit of added weight is going to trash the hydro's or the front castors. shot anybody ever consider what a bagger puts onto a mower, or the weights that are made to go on front with baggers, non issue if you ask me.

THe one gripe i would have is one handing the steering the whole time you try to operate the bucket, that's annoying.

Didn't you say you were an engineer, although you wouldn't specify what your area of expertise is?

 

@JLSLLC I didn't mean it in a bad way! I just thought it was smart of him to have that guy operating it for the video, shows that it can be operated by anyone

 

well, that is me and i am only 50 just been gray for 20 years but dont let that fool you i am in great shape

 

let's stay on topic please...thank you!

 

Is it set up so you can swap attachments? Pallet forks, a small grapple, or auger would be sweet. Also could be useful to move trailers