Front Weed Wacker

[JN4310]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

You can see the return spring that lets it follow fence posts. The white plastic guide on top is an HDPM plastic cutting board. I use the original Ariens belt clutch as a spring load belt tensioner. The belt doesn't have a lot of tension, but it takes a lot to make it slip.

BTW, I had originally mounted it off the 3 point hitch on my 4310 (using the original 6HP engine). That was a disaster. This setup works really well and is very easy to use. It works better than I ever thought it would. Highly recommended.

 

[jinman]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

That's a very clever design. I'd bet you could sell all of those you could build. With a vertical adjustment, you could call it the "deluxe" model and get a premium price. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Great job! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[trailertrash]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

one of the best and most original ideas that I've seen in a while. I personally would like to see more detailed pics, as they say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery (or something like that) Might not be a bad idea to check on patent or at least maybe approach someone who would know of these things.Probaly would not be too hard to manufacture, or at least sell the basic design to an implement man. co.

 

[UncleAl]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

Very slick! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
BTW, I also like the flagpole visible in the backview. Be a great place to stick my UNC Tarheels flag for victory laps around the yard! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RonR]

I think that\'s for his Umbrella!

But you could put a flag there too.

I might borrow that idea to mount an umbrella holder on my rops...........

 

[JN4310]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

The 'flagpole' is a John Deere umbrella mount. They make a bunch of different mounting styles with a nice quality folding umbrella. I mounted this one to a tab I welded onto the little Class 1 receiver hitch. The umbrella lifts out easily when trimming under trees or doing silly things like converting your tractor into a weed wacker. I you live where the sun shines, I highly recommend it.

 

[JN4310]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

This is my third iteration, and the first one that actually works as well as I had hoped. Here's a shot of the mount that hangs from the stock JD mower attachments with two hitch pins. It is really quick and easy to switch from mower to trimmer.

 

[JN4310]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

Here's a shot of the front end of the mount. It hangs on the stock JD front mower hanger, and is made from a 2x2" cross tube, with 1/4x2" rails. It weighs very little. For the trimmer spindle, I used an Ariens big wheel trimmer head, without the handle, wheels and engine (anyone need any spare parts, I got em!) It pivots on the bolt visible just ahead of the return spring so that it folds out of the way when you come up to a building or fence post.

 

[Knute]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here's a fence trimmer I build from a large wheel gas powered string trimmer. It clips on to the mower deck mounts with two pins in about a minute. The original had a 6HP engine, so I geared it up a little and usually cut at about half throttle. The mower height lever raises and lowers it, although it could use more range than the mowers 4 inches. Sure does cut great though. It's spring loaded and pivots around fence posts. )</font>

That's just about exactly what I need to trim the sides of my driveway. I think Jim is right, you likely could sell as many as you could build.

John

 

[JN4310]

Re: My 16HP riding weed wacker

I need to find some sheet rubber to make a flexible top belt cover. The spindle and the orange part is all that is left of the Ariens, and I'll probably get rid of the orange part next, so buying a new trimmer was kind of an expensive way to get to where I've ended up, but the results are worth it. I've got about a mile of fence and ditch trimming, plus two buildings to trim around, and it's great to sit in the shade of my umbrella instead of hacking away with a hand-held.

If you'd like any more info, let me know.

John