Prototype sod cutter

[Sprocket1]

Hopefully these pics will post for me. This is only a prototype. The next one will be made as one detachable assembly.

 

[Willl]

Awesome idea.

 

[have_blue]

Sprocket,

Appears to work great!

 

[Runner]

Outstanding work!

I need one of those for an upcoming yard project, but probably couldn't get it fabbed up soon enough.

Nice, simple, effective design.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Sprocket1]

Thanks for the compliments. I hope someone sees the pics and improves on the theory. I am open to suggestions. It occured to me that it would mount on a bucket just as easily as forks. The discs are salvaged from my son-in-laws grain drill. I think new cost is around $20 per blade. He replaced all 46 blades. Needless to say I have a bunch of spares. Maybe I can find a use for some of them on other projects.
My intention was to roll up the sod with my big tractor and dump the roll into my loader bucket on my 2305. It would be able to get into tighter places.
If anyone builds a sod cutter similar to this be sure and remember that cut sod gets really heavy quickly. It doesn' take very many square feet to weigh a bunch.
Thanks again.
BTW, if you leave the curved bars off the cut sod will actually slide over the back of the fork frame and lay back down in the trench. One might be able to pick sections of sod up with a regular loader bucket.

 

[mcd176]

Nice design work, you could make some money!

 

[radioman]

nice idea! sometimes the best working implements has fewest parts but heavy duty moving parts that lasts and lasts. I can envision having hydralics to push the sod off, a cutter to cut the sod when finished cutting a roll. I have a question though- can you acutally see whats happening from your seat, but just see the top of the rolling sod ?

 

[Sprocket1]

Thanks. It is a little hard to see. I have to lean over slightly. Ground speed is very slow so it is really not a problem. I think my 2305 would be able to handle this contraption with no strain. That would make visibility better.
One could keep adding options to make this work even better. Fun project to think about and fabrication costs shouldn't be much.

 

[myyaz33]

If anyone builds a sod cutter similar to this be sure and remember that cut sod gets really heavy quickly. It doesn' take very many square feet to weigh a bunch.

It appears you are taking more soil than necessary if the use is intended for normal sod harvesting. If you have it set for that depth for another reason such as cutting a flower bed then it may make sense.

Oh yeah what very slick idea!

 

[Sprocket1]

I yanked out some big shrubs in front of my mothers house. I needed to add dirt to bring the sod level up to the height of a short retaining wall. It was easier to leave the dirt on the sod rather than haul in and level more loose dirt.
I also wanted to assure that the sod would live. I mowed it before cutting. That was last week. Durn stuff needs mowing already.
Because it is a prototype I didn't slot the mounting holes to adjust the thickness, but you are right. I took more dirt than necessary.