Recent content by RedDirt

The photos here are for a fairly easy and cheap-to-build front loader brush forks. The "L" tine support is 3x3x3/8 and the fork rebar is 3/4", doubled every other fork the back guard is 1/2" and 3/8" rebar alternated. All stock was in the scrap pile so it just cost me fabrication time and a...

Arnie, The general consensus at TBN seems to be to look at impeller tip velocity rather than a catch-all RPM. I chose a 4000ft/min tip velocity which calculated to 1090 RPM for my 14" dia impeller. Some guys use as high as 5000ft/min velocity and I've calculated some commercial units to be...

I am gardening in rows. I understand I can plant starts in holes or X's cut into plastic mulch but can you plant seeds too? How? Just cut a hole in the plastic (what diameter?) and plant the seed there? As an alternate to plastic I have a few hundred feet of geotech felt filter fabric on a...

Here is my DYI pan from 11ga sheet metal (1/16"+/-). Built it in an afternoon. I does not protect the hydro filter like some but does extend far enough forward to protect the fuel filter. This is for a bx 23. Before protection: After protection: Back and front attachment: Details:

Here is that failed belt drive design drawing. Notice the contortions the belt needs to traverse to change speed and direction. I found it unworkable. The botom portion of the drawing is a top view where I was trying different idler positions to keep the belt from apparently jumping the...

I realize I never posted any finished pictures of the converted blower so here are a few. It was finished several weeks ago and I've been waiting for snow to test it out. We finally got a little snow; a measly 3". With the blower set two inches above gravel I had to blow the stuff that...

I'm buying a lathe to upgrade my shop capability from rudimentary tractor implement fabrication to being able to fab precision parts for the implements. I want to bore, turn a shaft, cut threads, etc. Actually I am looking at 3 in 1 machines (drill, mill, lathe) so I can cut keyways slot holes...

In review I see I forgot to show an important step in making the chute motor pulley. I can't see a way to add an attachment in edit mode. I needed to cut the recess for the cable in the outside diameter. I don't have a lathe so I chucked up the blank in the drill press and used a makeshift...

The original blower used hand crank to a wire screw drive. I had thought to use this while testing the blower then convert to a powered rotator later. The screw drive had a terrible fit and would have taken considerable work to have it run well so I went ahead with the power drive. Borrowing...

I ordered parts and started on the TPH conversion while awaiting their arrival. Once gears and bearings arrived it was time for the milling. My good friend and former college shop instructor graciously offered me his fine machine shop and services. I mostly watched. We needed to lengthen...

In November's CraigsList I found a $250 snowblower built for a garden tractor that I thought I could convert to a TPH for my BX23 for a couple of hundred more. I bought it and, long story short, more than a couple of hundred, but once committed I had to continue. The conversion has worked...

I'm looking for a tough and durable equipment primer paint. What new metal primer do you use on your implement fabs? Over the years I have used many different primers and frankly I'm not pleased with any of them. Adhesion to the metal is my normal problem even though I consider I do a a very...

This is a question for those getting the new digital TV signal over the air via an antenna and specifically addressed to those in deep fringe areas. Many, many times we get decent signal and viewable reception for the first 3/4 of a 1 hr show and then the signal fades in the last 10-15...

Tom, Welcome aboard. I have not used a landscape rake for pine needles because I thought it would create too much damage. Perhaps they work fine. As an alternative to a heavy rake I built my own lightweight version. As light as it is it still leaves tine marks. But they are small and...

I am converting a garden tractor snow blower to a rear PTO tph. I have a couple questions regarding setting up the PTO shaft. I will be using a Surplus Center 15HP PTO shaft with 1 3/8 x 6T spline on the tractor end and a 1 1/4" dia smooth bore with shear pin at the blower. Ive kept the...