Edger/trimmer for a mid-mount deck

RPM · Jul 12, 2001

I was responding to an earlier post about BX vs ZTR when I had an idea for a gadget.

Suppose that a string trimmer could be attached to the edge of one side of the deck (opposite to the discharge). It could be extended / retracted on some sort of arm - and could even have a device that would allow it to follow, say, along a wall or around a tree trunk.

Haven't thought much about it - but it could be driven electrically - or off the belt drive on the deck (wouldn't take much extra power) - or both.

What do you think? Crazy? Or just too lazy to get off the tractor!!

JonLeonard · Jul 12, 2001

I think its a great idea. I have been working on a trimmer design myself, but it hangs off of the 3ph.

On the deck has its merrits though. As long as it is easily removed and doesnt restrict the removal/setup/maintenaince of the deck.

Might want to consider a hydraulic motor to drive it, so that the hole thing could come off as a unit instead of attaching it to a pulley.

Send pictures/plans when you get it working!

Knight9 · Jul 12, 2001

Price is completely unreasonable....but wouldn't one of these babys do the trick!!! (top right hand corner)Perfect Fence Mower

Kevin

RobS · Jul 12, 2001

I know this doesn't relate to the edger, but in your link there is a picture that solved a mystery for me. I saw a future neighbor using one of these the other day...

Pretty impressive, but for $13K it ought to be! I don't know it it's his, but if so maybe I'll be able to work out a "borrow" /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

RPM · Jul 12, 2001

That looks like just the ticket! I've included the image below so others can see. Now to think of a way to design a different version - I already have the mower deck (my mid-mount) - I just need the extra trimmer!

skent · Jul 12, 2001

Thats more than I paid for my Bota/fel/mmm/box blade and I would need twice the HP just to meet the minimum!

Steve

RPM · Jul 12, 2001

FYI - just did some research - 'Perfect' is based in the Netherlands - their home page is here (yes, it's in Dutch) and the link to all the good stuff (takes a while - be patient) is at this URL:

http://www.vanwamel.nl/html_nl/fruit_wijn.htm

Sounds like there are a few resellers in the states - but this is all bigger stuff (and more expensive) than I had planned. I mean, you can get a cheap string-trimmer for $60 -- there must be a way to do this more economically ...

PBMAX · Jul 12, 2001

Funny,you should bring this up...I've been trying ti figure a practical way to mount one to the front of my 18hp scott riding mower for a couple of years....I thing I may have found something...I saw what amount to a cheep vershion of the DR trimmer.It was a weed eater mounted on wheels..But it had a short shaft and looked like it wouldnt be easy to adapt. plus sense it has its on motor all you would need to do is set the throttle to full....I'm going to Home Depot 2 MAR O'. I'll try to remember the camera.I figure the riding mower would be less of a hassle to work out the details with.Plus that way It wouldn't be in the way on the tractor.Only draw back..It's $200...Also considered buying cheep weed wacker and having a machine shop cut the shaft housing and the drive shaft down to a more managable length...Although if you leave it long you have the aption of a quick mount/dissmount bracket so you can still us the weed waker by hand....

What ya'll think...I bet we can come up with some thing...

Lil' Paul
Proud owner of TC21D
Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

JonLeonard · Jul 12, 2001

I saw one of those at Equitana a few years ago, it is very heavy duty. It would be heck on posts that arent as large as the ones in the photo though.

Sure once or twice would be fine, but cut with that year in, year out and I would definately need to consider much larger posts for my fences.