build you own bank mower?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 16, 2002

I need a side cutting mower to maintain some pond banks. I've looked at used sickle bar mowers, but everything I see is pretty worn out, and they still go for around 1k or so in this area. (hay country) So, I got to thinking, why not build my own. I've got an old 42" mower deck laying in the "might be useful some day" junk pile, and a 5hp Briggs vertical shaft engine I can tansplant from a worn out tiller. Mount the engine to the deck, (belt drive the cutting blades), pivot the deck off a frame that attaches to the 3 point and extends to the side 3' or so. Use the 3 point to raise & lower, and the tractor's external hydraulics to power a ram to adjust tilt. Has anyone ever done something like that? Any pitfalls evident in what I'm thinking of doing?
The tractor is around 6k lbs., so weight shouldn't be a factor. I have welding & machine shop equipment available. Any advise, comments, criticizisms appreciated.

chim · Jun 16, 2002

Discussion in progress. See "Side Arm Cutter" under the Build it Yourself room below. One thing to consider is the lubrication of a tilted gas motor. Tip it too far, and it may not get oil where it needs it.................chim

Anonymous Poster · Jun 16, 2002

Re: opps

Well,,,I see this subject is being covered very well in the "do it yourself forum" Shoulda finished reading the site before taking keyboard in hand. Sorry for the redundant post, just ignore it. My questions are being answered in the other post.