[FrankenScagMachines]

Looky what I got! It started out as a tow behind castering vac for a lawn tractor, got it for $125. Working shape, starts 1st pull runs strong. Well I re-worked it to mount to my 52" TTHP. I cut off the bin tray and welded two peices of angle iron on, it mounts on the deck by just sitting on it then you use the thumb screws on the angle iron mounts to clamp it on. The deck boot I modified to mount like an Accelerator side bagger. The engine I cut the frame away from it leaving a bottom peice on it, then to that welded square tube and drilled a hole in it for a hitch bolt. Then made a mount for the mower frame as a receiver for the engine mounting arm. Then switched places with the hoses (both 6") to get the right lengths and added a stovepipe elbow for extra length on the deck to blower hose. It all hooks up quickly (under 5 minutes easily, probably closer to 3) and without tools. Anybody could use it. It holds alot (around 75 gallons total since it fills up higher than the hoppers inside the net). I also made a handle for the engine unit and a dust/debris sheild for the mower's engine to keep debris that falls out from the back of the unit from getting right on the mower's engine (would clog the cooling intakes and the air filter quickly w/o this). Has a 5hp B&S engine, not bad. Only complaint is that it is not the easiest to see around, but it beats emptying a side bagger every 10' in heavy leaves. You can also line the bins with a trash bag if desired.
Mowed 1/2 acre of somewhat tall and very moist grass with it at 4.5mph no clogs and emptied it twice, packed full each time. Only time it clogged yet is if you don't empty it when full (duh!)
I'm pleased with it and cannot wait to play in the leaves. I can also mount it to the trailer tongue to use as a truck loader to get piles into my truck (high sides yet to come )

Total investment: $155 and about 3 1/2 hours' labor.

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Sorry camera must be dirty and me not holding still enough, light not perfect either.

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Like I said, it's great on grass, can't wait for leaves

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Oh one more thing- it's very dusty in dry conditions!

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

different angle- notice I had to cut out part of the hopper and replace it with tin sheet metal, the muffler was melting the hopper

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

This project went together very smoothly, no problems (unusual haha)

If you are not familiar with Accelerator bagger mounting, this is the same thing pretty much, a rod or bolt to go in the hole in the deck and a lip to hook on the deck, slick setup.

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Any questions?

 

[Team Gopher]

Fantastic Job!

 

[Darryl G]

Originally posted by FrankenScagMachines
Any questions?

Yeah. Now what's the family gonna put their garbage in...or do you just run the intake hose in through the kitchen window?

 

[wriken]

I think I would weld a curved exhaust extension on the muffler. will get hot, might even start a fire. I know when I dump my leaves I sometimes come very close to setting them on fire from my hot exhaust.

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Thanks Gopher.
Darryl, those are the hoppers that came with the vac. But running the hose through a window would definately work well
wriken, Good idea, might just do that. I'm probably going to rework the exhaust on my truck so it does not come out behind the right tire, instead it will have duals one on each side with a chrome tip slanted aimed at the front of each rear tire. And taking off the cat. converter, adding glasspacks, this will not be right by a leaf pile as it currently would be. Oh and I will get a fire extenguisher (sp?) for on the mower.

 

[rvsuper]

Looks good, Eric.

$125 well spent.

 

[PeterA]

Pretty neat. Could you use flatter, wider containers so you could see over the top? I've seen some rubbermaid containers at target that are low and wide and have a pretty big capacity.

Peter

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Thanks Alex.
Peter, flatter would sacrifice capacity and wider would only worsen the problem. Also, this net for on top is the right size for these containers. I don't care about seeing over them, it's around them that is difficult. But it is worth it, and not a major pain if you don't go over 4-5 mph or so. Which you won't be in leaves, so it's bearable...

 

[tiedeman]

looks good, but my questions is, how do you see where you are going?

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

tiedeman, thanks. Just lean out to either side alittle bit and it's not too bad.

 

[The Lawn Boy Pro]

Make it so it fits a pin like so

 

[The Lawn Boy Pro]

I dont even think i would have honestly bought the engine for 125

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Why make it mount like that? This way is faster and nothing to drop and lose, don't have to take off my OCDC either. Why do you only criticize? All you ever do is put down everyone just to try and make yourself look better. I could rag on you all day long for using an Encore but I don't do I?

 

[The Lawn Boy Pro]

Man, I dont know what planet youre from. I'm just looking at how you have it mounted now. I just dont understand. Dont you care about apperrance? If you can make it work, cant you make it look good too? If the muffler was really melting it, why didnt you just put a 90 on the muffler? Whatever floats your boat I guess.

PS- I could rag on you all day about buying machine after machine, then selling it. You go through mowers like toliet paper. And just becasue I use an Encore doesnt make you "special". I take good care of my equipment and keep it in top notch condition. Have you even used an older encore? much less a new one? Theyre crap. BUT, not anymore. Thanks to all the SCAG stuff i put on it, it works better than ever. so you could call it a scagcore.