Boom Mower

[sandman2234]

I can appreciate the questions that this boom mower brings up. I have a boom mower on a Ford 7710 with duals that will reach anywhere around the rear(180 degree circle)within 25'. If I stretch it out, I can pick up the front end and it has more than 1200 pounds of weight up there.
Has anyone considered adapting dual wheels to the PT to make them more stable when boom mower is in use, or are the axles too light for that? A Steiner boom mower uses weights to offset the boom, but duals tend to help. My tractor has a Lexan shield to prevent flying debris, but only on one side, as most cutting is done there. Chains to help with the flying debris would add unwanted weight to the mowing deck, but maybe rubber tire strips could be added without too much additional weight.
It appears that PT mounted the offset weight bar to the front lift. This raises the weight when the boom mower is raised. Is there an advantage to this? Seems like added weight up high just makes it more subject to bad handling characteristics.
Why are the wheels so hard to reverse on the PT? I don't remember what they look like, but seems removing and replacing lugnuts shouldn't take long. Probably more to it than that.
I would consider making a change to the straight arm, by either making it telescope or add a knuckle as in their more expensive mower. It will allow for a much more versatile mower, as you can't always control just how far you need to be away from what your mowing. My boom mower is knuckled like a backhoe, plus has the extendable feature like an "extendahoe". Works great, adding a lot of versatility to the mower.
Since the PT has a lot of hydraulic capacity, why not add an idler wheel with a hydraulic cylinder pushing down on an extra tire, on the side where the arm is overhanging? Seems a little downward pressure would help, especially if the idler arm extended a foot or so past the existing drive tire. It wouldn't take much design work, and could be made to remove when not needed. Maybe mounted somewhere on the frame near the front tire.
David from jax
David from jax

 

[SnowRidge]

Have you thought about installing an electric solenoid valve in place of the aux PTO valve? You could then put the electric operating switch on the joystick and operate the boom mower lift with the joystick. It might make it easier on your back.

I'm not sure that would work, Moss. The control needs to be feathered carefully to prevent wild gyrations. The solenoid valve would be on or off. I think it would be pretty scary.

At a minimum, some sort of flow limiter would be needed as well.

 

[SnowRidge]

I can appreciate the questions that this boom mower brings up. I have a boom mower on a Ford 7710 with duals that will reach anywhere around the rear(180 degree circle)within 25'. If I stretch it out, I can pick up the front end and it has more than 1200 pounds of weight up there.
Has anyone considered adapting dual wheels to the PT to make them more stable when boom mower is in use, or are the axles too light for that? A Steiner boom mower uses weights to offset the boom, but duals tend to help. My tractor has a Lexan shield to prevent flying debris, but only on one side, as most cutting is done there. Chains to help with the flying debris would add unwanted weight to the mowing deck, but maybe rubber tire strips could be added without too much additional weight.
It appears that PT mounted the offset weight bar to the front lift. This raises the weight when the boom mower is raised. Is there an advantage to this? Seems like added weight up high just makes it more subject to bad handling characteristics.
Why are the wheels so hard to reverse on the PT? I don't remember what they look like, but seems removing and replacing lugnuts shouldn't take long. Probably more to it than that.
I would consider making a change to the straight arm, by either making it telescope or add a knuckle as in their more expensive mower. It will allow for a much more versatile mower, as you can't always control just how far you need to be away from what your mowing. My boom mower is knuckled like a backhoe, plus has the extendable feature like an "extendahoe". Works great, adding a lot of versatility to the mower.
Since the PT has a lot of hydraulic capacity, why not add an idler wheel with a hydraulic cylinder pushing down on an extra tire, on the side where the arm is overhanging? Seems a little downward pressure would help, especially if the idler arm extended a foot or so past the existing drive tire. It wouldn't take much design work, and could be made to remove when not needed. Maybe mounted somewhere on the frame near the front tire.
David from jax
David from jax

I'm not sure what you are looking at David, but there is no "weight bar" on the PT-425 boom mower. Duals would place an unacceptable load on the wheel motor axles. Reversing the rims alone does that, in my opinion. The mower can be positioned where the operator wants it by raising the lift arms and lowering the boom. The combination functions somewhat like the knuckle on the knuckle boom mowers.

 

[sandman2234]

I understand what the duals would do, just not familar enough with a PT to know how they are built, and if strong enough to withstand the added stress. I leave that to you, and if you say they won't stand the stress, then I understand. I got the idea that the boom mower has a weight bar, from ksimolo 's posted link to the picture of the one he says is on PT's website. I knew yours was different, just didn't notice it didn't have the weight bar also.
If the drive motors won't stand the added weight, the only thing I can offer is to fill the tires. That load isn't carried by the axle/motor, so probably wouldn't hurt.
David from jax

 

[MossRoad]

I'm not sure that would work, Moss. The control needs to be feathered carefully to prevent wild gyrations. The solenoid valve would be on or off. I think it would be pretty scary.

At a minimum, some sort of flow limiter would be needed as well.

So you're required to operate the joystick and aux PTO levers at the same time? If so, have you seen the modification that moves the aux PTO lever to the left side of the steering wheel, right about where a turn signal blinker would be on a car?

Here's one by KentT

And here's one from mckat that I would really like to do to mine. Here's his description of it and a link to a photo of the parts in greater detail....

Attached is a more detailed picture as requested. The only parts are a piece of 3/8 All-Thread rod with 2 nuts and flat washers and a short rubber utility tie down strap secured with a ｼ-20 X 1 bolt. This thing is childishly simple. What makes it work is the elastic properties of the rubber providing support yet allowing off center movement without binding. I consider this a crude prototype hastily assembled with materials I had on hand. I am moving from Downingtown, PA to Florida next week and will be without internet service for some time so please forgive my lack of response for the next few weeks. When I get back online I will be curious to learn of any experiences other PT folks have with this design idea.
Attached Images

330804-detail.jpg (62.5 KB, 297 views)

 

[SnowRidge]

So you're required to operate the joystick and aux PTO levers at the same time? If so, have you seen the modification that moves the aux PTO lever to the left side of the steering wheel, right about where a turn signal blinker would be on a car?

Here's one by KentT

And here's one from mckat that I would really like to do to mine. Here's his description of it and a link to a photo of the parts in greater detail....

I find it is a bit like one handed juggling. Which control is used the most depends on whether I am cutting grass or brush.

Thanks for the photo links, Moss. For some reason I was not able to pull those up with a search.

 

[MossRoad]

For some reason I was not able to pull those up with a search.

I found a few links to threads that would not work. But I had some time to kill last night and dug DEEP.

 

[KentT]

I think once you've moved the Aux Control lever to left-hand operation, where you can use your fingertips, you'll find it works MUCH better for lots of things, especially the mini-hoe. With the grapple bucket, for example, it allows you to easily smoothly close the grapple while driving into the pile of brush.

For a "professional" job, you can get cable-operated control levers that you could mount on the left side of the dashboard. Surplus Center had the Prince Brand earlier for $30, plus the cable, but I can't find them now. They must've sold them all...