golf ball picker

[hennydamule]

I'm looking to use my tractor as a golf ball picker like they have at the driving ranges, but my wallet doesn't agree with the $2,000 price tag of one of those pro models. Anyone ever create anything that could work like this? I'm thinking of just trying one of those old tow behind leaf sweepers to see if that works. Any ideas? Golfgar? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Av8r3400]

Neighbor kid? $.01 per ball, $1 per bucket? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm thinking of just trying one of those old tow behind leaf sweepers to see if that works. Any ideas? Golfgar? )</font>

Guess you figured right that I'd just HAVE to respond if I saw the word GOLF in the title, huh? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I don't think I've ever seen a leaf sweeper used to collect golf balls at a driving range. Are you going to be doing this at a regular driving range, or just use it for your personal use in a yard? If it's for personal use, I think I'd just walk out and hit the balls back towards where I started from. Double your pleasure so to speak. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif If it's towards a house or people, I might take 1 or 2 less clubs so that I'm not causing a bunch of hate and discontent. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If this is going to be used at a driving range, I think you'll need to make sure that the rotating drum/sweeper thingy (technical golf term there!) is stiff enough that it will push the balls back toward the catcher. If you have seen the regular ball pickers at a driving range, they generally are made of rubber discs, so that as it gets to a ball, the ball is kind of squeezed between the discs and held there until the rotation flips the ball out in back. A lawn sweeper might work if the bristles are stiff enough and long enough.

To be honest, I've never really paid that much attention to the design of one of those things. I'm always having too much fun trying to hit the guy sitting in the little cage driving the cart/tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SPIKER]

we used to build them for a company in Medina Ohio, called SGD (they SGD) aws bought out about 6 mo ago and since changed the setup I belive my old company MAY still have some of the parts laying around? you can give them a call & see I forgot to look where u are in ohio. http://www.haynncorp.com/forsale for some of the photos
gerold@haynncorp.com to see if he has any left. I don't work there any more but often still stop by & chat or fix something of mine at the shop...

MarkM

 

[Freds]

Check out this website. You might be able to adapt something.
pickers

 

[texbaylea]

I just recently bought a used EZ-GO Workhorse that had been used on a golf driving range. It is obvious that it was a moving target. I can see "skid marks" on the windshield from the golf balls but it suffered more from the treatment from the operators.

Vernon.

 

[edski]

You mean I'm not the only one that "aims". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[notamustang]

Thats about the only thing I can hit /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Besides I thought it was a rule to aim at the moving targets /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[boustany]

Years ago I worked on a course. I was a mechanic, not a ball picker, but I had a chance to inspect the ball picker attachment. It was quite ingenious: just a bunch of 8 or 10" diameter wheels on an axel. They were spaced apart such that the space between the tires was slightly less than a ball diameter. Balls would get 'stuck' between tires and rotated topside where a fixed finger would pry them loose. Freed balls would roll off the finger into a basket placed in front of all the wheels.

You could probably make one for a hundred dollars or so.

 

[hennydamule]

Just wanted to thank everybody for the terrific input that I've always come to expect from those here at TBN. Even the funny suggestions are helpful, as they put a smile on one's face! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As of right now, I've actually got the 14 month old picking up all the golf balls and throwing them into the bucket that I walk around with. It's hysterical! The only problem is the lack of speed with the little guy doesn't allow for more than one bucket of balls until it gets dark. Of course, it does allow for more than one martini, but I'm not sure that's a good thing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The idea of making one with tires is very intriguing! Thanks boustany!

And thanks to everyone else for taking the time to post links and such. I love this site!