Remote Control Robot Mower

superfly611 · Apr 2, 2013

My father and I built a robot so that I can pull my flail mower around to cut the grass. We used some scrap steel we had lying around and I bought a tracked snowblower for $200 that I took the tracks off of. I plan on putting wheels on the snowblower and selling it.
the robot has 2 350 watt wheelchair motors and its controlled with a sabertooth 2x25 motor controller. we've been having trouble with the motors getting hot within 45min of running but it is working hard pulling that flail mower. also its been kicking the circuit breaker alot. it also does a wheelie as you see in the video because of the weight its pulling and the hitch being so high. we were trying to go for a fifth wheel type setup and make it so i can turn the robot 180 degrees and drive the robot forward which would mean it would be facing the front of the mower and the mower would follow the robot around making turn around easier and quicker. hopefully you understand what i am trying to say. it works good for the most part and we are building a larger model that we will mount the flail mower to the front of. we took the tracks from a honda power carrier hp400 and i have a trike golf course mower i am salvaging the motor and hydraulics from. i will try and document the progress.
i am ordering a Plasmacam table this week so hopefully that will keep my dad motivated to keep on working on the project. i can't wait to get it and start making things

Track Robot with Flail Mower - YouTube
Track Robot with Pull Behind Flail Mower - YouTube

creekbend · Apr 2, 2013

Unique idea. :thumbsup:Best wishes regarding the completion of the Project.

GolfAddict · Apr 2, 2013

Really cool. I love the curved road sign for the bottom!

Looking forward to seeing your new version. I'm sure you guys learned a lot from making the prototype.

davedj1 · Apr 2, 2013

Superfly, I dig your projects man!
I think the wheelie can be overcome by moving the hitch location lower and rearward on the tracked vehicle, close to the ground. Kind of like a truck pulling a load. As far as heat of the motors, maybe some aluminum finned heat sinks? Or even fans? Just throwing ideas out there.
Where are you that you could find an old Honda dumper? I never see any old equipment around to pick up for parts.
keep up the cool projects and keep us posted on your plasmacam table, I would love to have one of those.
dave

Lou66 · Apr 2, 2013

I like your idea,, That would work great out in the pasture mowing under trees.. would save on mirrors on the tractor.. believe me I have knocked a few off,, Lou

Bob77064 · Apr 2, 2013

Good job, lots of good uses for that.

94BULLITT · Apr 2, 2013

Cool project. It looks like it would be excellent for mowing on a steep hillside. I wish I new how to build something like that. If you could get your hitching point lower it would help keep it from wheeling.

DarrylH20 · Apr 3, 2013

That thing is awesome. great job:thumbsup:

superfly611 · Apr 3, 2013

davedj1 said:
Superfly, I dig your projects man!
I think the wheelie can be overcome by moving the hitch location lower and rearward on the tracked vehicle, close to the ground. Kind of like a truck pulling a load. As far as heat of the motors, maybe some aluminum finned heat sinks? Or even fans? Just throwing ideas out there.
Where are you that you could find an old Honda dumper? I never see any old equipment around to pick up for parts.
keep up the cool projects and keep us posted on your plasmacam table, I would love to have one of those.
dave

Yeah was a really big mistake on our part as to where we put it. I originally had it mounted in the very back on a bumper. it works a little bit better but then I wouldn't be able to swivel 360 degrees around which I can't do anyway because the hitch gets caught on the mower. we will lower it but I believe I'm going to try to keep it in the center like a fifth wheel hitch. I believe it will work once it's lowered. Really stupid mistake... I know all hitches are mounted lower than the axle on vehicles. I don't know what we were thinking. I will have the bumper to pull my nephew and nieces around in a wagon

. I will only be able to go so low with a center mount hitch because of electronics. We're going to have to relocate the electronics which I want to straighten up a little bit anyway So that might fix some of the problems with the clearance of the hitch.

I found the Honda dumper in North Jersey. I live in central Jersey so it worked out perfect. I really lucked out. I will look at my records to get the exact location if you would like. I believe the guy has a bunch more. It wasn't running at the time. It had no compression so we were sure it was a valve problem which it was. It was a bent valve which my dad was able to fix easily. Runs great now. I have the motor and gearbox assembly which it all works if anyone wants to buy it for parts or whatever you want.

I can't wait to get the plasmacam! I have all sorts of projects I would like to do. It'll keep me busy. I believe were going to order it this week. hopefully it won't take too long to get in and set up. My friends are all lining up to use it to make parts for their trucks.

superfly611 · Apr 3, 2013

GolfAddict said:
Really cool. I love the curved road sign for the bottom!

Looking forward to seeing your new version. I'm sure you guys learned a lot from making the prototype.

LOL. Someone knocked over the road sign where we live so we picked it up and put it in the scrap pile. It worked out good to make a base for my robot.

The other project is going to take longer but I will keep the progress documented. I'm hoping the tracks are going to be big enough lengthwise. The mower will be mounted to the front. I plan on putting three-point hitches on the front and back. Probably just category one. I want one on the back to be able to use it for other things. plus I might need to put a counterweight in the back.