Boom Mower

[SnowRidge]

I have never found a cut on any of my hoses before. Perhaps I have just been lucky.

I have a tree timming chap that I can use to protect my right leg. The knee cap is my main concern on the leg. I have already taken a 1 1/2 inch long hunk of 1 inch sapling there, and it hurt like the dickens. Leather gloves and the face shield protect the other areas that concern me. I'm not too worried about anywhere else.

I am considering swapping it over to the left, and replacing those hose straps with round stock at the same time. I just haven't decided yet if it would be worth it with the control still on the right.

I am considering a counter weight, but I have yet to convince myself that I can do it without adding more problems than it would solve.

 

[Grrrr]

I am not normally scared of things flying around but that thing would scare the crap out of me

I have used a flail boom mower on the back of a cabless tractor before and that was pretty scary. You had sticks flying at you from all over. And the flails don't even chuck things that much.

But that thing with a spinning blade and very little operator protection mounted in front of the operator must be crazy!

I can't believe they can sell them and not be worried about people suing them for the loss of eyes and the like?

I have seen someone with a hedgecutter that had what looked like three circular saws with no guarding at all for cutting down trees along a hedge row. But he uses a semi armoured tractor with full cab and had to be very careful with flying debris and cars.

 

[RegL]

And some folks on here thought it was dangerous to lift their brush cutter up a foot. That thing reminds me of a story I heard once about a guy that picked up his rotary lawn mower to use as a hedge trimmer. Now that you have bought it, I guess you have to use it, but I would find a way to attach heavy plexiglass, or something, to the front and right side of your rops.

 

[stray]

Here are 2 things that if one is willing to do helps stability when side mowing.
I have done a right smart of side mowing with mine and a counter weight if sticking out gets in the way (very aggravating to me).
Number 1. Reverse the front wheels but you might won’t to put them back to normal before lifting heavy loads with other attachments. I just try to do all my side mowing before doing anything else. It’s a little bit of trouble to swap wheels.
Number 2. Buy a spare tire and rim, fill it with tractor tire fluid and put it reversed on the opposite side of the mower. I wouldn't want to run it anytime but when side mowing though, hence the spare.

Another thing. If you haven’t modified the quick attach to come out high on the other side easily reached with the left hand You would really like that. A few PT owners have done this and I can’t even imagine having it back the original way!!!

Another thing. I have been thinking of putting an orifice in the side mover cylinder hoses to slow the up and down movements.
Using a schedule 80, ¼ inch nipple. Tap the inside so a set screw will fit. (forget what size but that should be hard to figure out) tighten it inside the nipple and drill a hole in the set screw( Don’t know what size, guess I’ll will have to figure it out trial and error)
Maybe someone can help with the drill size?

 

[SnowRidge]

Another thing. If you haven稚 modified the quick attach to come out high on the other side easily reached with the left hand You would really like that. A few PT owners have done this and I can稚 even imagine having it back the original way!!!

Is there a thread on doing that mod? I looked, but could not find one. What am I missing?

 

[SnowRidge]

Here are 2 things that if one is willing to do helps stability when side mowing.
I have done a right smart of side mowing with mine and a counter weight if sticking out gets in the way (very aggravating to me).
Number 1. Reverse the front wheels but you might won稚 to put them back to normal before lifting heavy loads with other attachments. I just try to do all my side mowing before doing anything else. It痴 a little bit of trouble to swap wheels.
Number 2. Buy a spare tire and rim, fill it with tractor tire fluid and put it reversed on the opposite side of the mower. I wouldn't want to run it anytime but when side mowing though, hence the spare.

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, right now I don't have any place to work on anything at the property I use the boom mower on. I would hate to get into changing or reversing wheels over there.

 

[stray]

Here is the tread on the side mower. Its all I know of. Reversing the wheels are as simple as unbolting the wheel, turn it around and put it back on. When i do the orfaces I will post that experince.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/64961-side-mower.html

 

[KentT]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, right now I don't have any place to work on anything at the property I use the boom mower on. I would hate to get into changing or reversing wheels over there.

Not going to recommend it to anyone... but I've been running loaded tires and reversed wheels for over 200 hours now with no problems...

I'm willing to "risk it" but I won't recommend it...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1317/690037545_8aaaa9818f.jpg?v=0

 

[MossRoad]

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.

 

[3238dpw]

As far as a counter weight how about the wheel weights in this thread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/95167-snowblower-conversion.html?highlight=snow+blower
Just slap that bad boy on the opposite side.