Hydraulic angle landscape rake?

[dirtworksequip]

Hydraulic cylinder arrived one day early. 3 inch bore is more than adequate......maybe over kill. 2 inch bore probably would have been heavy enough. Looks like I'll have to rework the mounting brackets to get everything to work out. Going to try and get the hoses and fittings tomorrow. Welder friend coming Friday to weld the mounting brackets.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[3RRL]

Dirt,
3" cylinder is probably a good call. What diameter is the rod on that one. I'll bet it's what ... an inch and a half or so? That's what you want anyway, a good size rod, right? that didn't sound right?
What I mean is you want as much stability and durability from that cylinder since it will be taking all the shock load when you hit something. I know it's a rake, but stranger things have happened in case you snag the frame somehow.

 

[dirtworksequip]

3RRL, 3 inch bore is beefer than I thought. The FedEx guy was growning when he delivered it. (30 lbs)Yes, it has 1.5 inch rod. I think a 2 inch bore would have been plenty for the rake. I don't plan on changing the angle while I'm moving.
Anyway should have the mounts welded up Friday and we will see how it works. I had to completly reconfigure the brackets as everyone here was saying that they did not think the brackets would work as I had them. They didn't. So hopefully the reworked brackets will be okay. My welder friend may have some input on what he thinks.
Thanks again for everyones input. I'll post some pics as soon as I can.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[kennyd]

I look forward to seeing the completed project

 

[dirtworksequip]

See Kennyd, I said you had a good eye for what would or won't work and you were right.The way I had the brackets before didn't work. The geometry was wrong as you said. I hope my redesign works okay. If not I guess I'll have to start from scratch and make some new brackets. I should have some pics posted sometime Friday night.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[dirtworksequip]

After getting the hyd. cylinder it was evident that how I had the mounting brackets layed out wasn't going to work as good as I had thought.

The below pic is of the 3 in bore 12 inch stroke cylinder and hoses. I used one 36 inch hose and one 48 inch hose.

This is how the reworked cylinder brackets came out. We welded the rear bracket first since there wasn't much in the way of adjustment and position that could be changed.

Below pic is of the front bracket.

After the front bracket was welded in place we placed the cylinder on it to see what the range of motion of the cylinder would be and that would determine whether the rear bracket would need to be changed or not. After testing the cylinder to see how everything worked together, we tacked the bracket in place to see if it still worked okay. Everything seemed to be okay and had the correct range of motion and maximun angle both right and left. Then we welded up the brackets,cleaned and painted then and reinstalled the hyd. cylinder.

Below pic is of the front and rear brackets welded in place.

Here are some pics of the finished hyd. angle rake. Every thing seems to work okay. I'll probably eventually tweek the rear bracket so the the piviot point is a little more level with the front bracket. As it is......... the rake pivots to right and left really smoothly. I was suprised at how smooth it works. NO more jumping in and out of the cab to change the position of the rake.

Below pic is of rake angled to the left.

Below pic is of rake in the straight position.

Below pic is of the rake angled to the right.

Below pic is a view from the top of the hyraulic cylinder and finished brackets installed .

I'd like to thank everyone that gave me input on this project. It always helps to see how someone else looks at the same problem. Thanks again.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[kennyd]

That my freind looks great! Sorry to be a PITA before-but I think you understand where I was comming from now

 

[dirtworksequip]

Kennyd,I never looked at you as being a PITA. The reason I posted the layout of the brackets in the first place was to see if anyone thought they would or would not work. As I said before you were able to see the problems I would run into by just looking at the pics. That takes a special person to see what will or will not work from just a photo. I appreciated your input.

Thanks again.
Sincerely, Dirt

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Looks good! Easier to see what your doing once you have all the pieces on hand. Now I need to get my but in gear and get mine done.

Job well done.

 

[dirtworksequip]

MtnVRanch, Thanks. It turned out well and I am pleased at how it works. Thanks again for everyones input. Like I said it still could be tweeked a little to get the rear bracket in the same plane as the front bracket,but it still works very smoothly. Take the time to do yours...........you will love it. Last night I felt like just going out in my tractor and running the rake back and forth,left and right just to watch it operate. lol.
If I had to do over again I could have gone will a slightly smaller bore cylinder, but the 3 inch really does'nt look all that out of place once it was on the rake. The 12 inch stroke worked out perfectly to give the rake full angle left and right.
All in all I had $100 in the cylinder with shipping, about $80 in the hoses,fitting and quick couplers. My welder friend only wanted $20 for welding it up,but I gave him $50. So, my cost would have been $250. Well worth the satisfaction and not having to get in and out of the cab when I use the rake.

Sincerely, Dirt