Tiller Need to fabricate a lift assist for rear tiller

[docrocky]

I have 2 old Sears SS10 and SS15 tractors which I desperately need to surface cultivate/scrape down newly emerging weed seeds, between my garden row crops. Tomato,potato, peppers, etc. I do a 1.5 Ac. food Bank garden (church kitchens etc.) for the past 10- 15 years. In the past I would use my walk behind rototillers or weed whackers but because I am 83ys + now i must ride (can't walk or stand more than a few feet with out my wheeled walker). I prefer the 2 SS tractors because I need only about 32 or 36 inch wheel base between the plants. I do have a Cub Cadet 129 Hydro static with a rear tiller but as is the SS15, the spacing requires 36 inches and is a bit bulky. The SS10 only scratches the surface (duck foot sweeps)and is very less cumber-son. The problem now is my shoulder can't tolerate the stress I need to lift the cultivator from ground contact. I added a "cheater" bar extension to give me mechanical advantage but I need to improve.

Is there a small hydraulic cylinder 12 volt pump and control avail able or is there only the Glideforce electric actuator.. It appears that the linear act. only helps lift but does not show to return the attachment to ground contact. Or any other suggestions such as a manual ratchet mount on the side of the seat instead of posterior and then a quick release.

I am enclosing pictures of the "lift arm" as it now stands to give you a rough overview of my dilemma.

 

[seville009]

A non-mechanical suggestion would be to soak all of the moving parts of the lift mechanism with lubricant (like wd-40).

It may be that doing that will make the movement much easier with your existing set up. Your pictures look like the moving parts are really dry

 

[aczlan]

I would probably look at a electric linear actuator, you'd want to connect it to the handle right before it starts to curve (about where the red mark is in the picture below), then somewhere foward (probably underneath the seat by the blue dot):


Something like this might work: 15N Linear Actuator 5mm-45mm 12mm/s IP54 Low Noise ≤42 db Waterproof | eBay

Aaron Z

 

[DJ54]

Sears actually made an electric 3 point hitch, for some of their garden tractors. I have an ST10 with it on it, and I love it..!! The bad news is, the linear actuator is not available through them anymore, but, Surplus Center does carry some, that may work. DC Linear Actuators | Linear Actuators | Electrical | www.surpluscenter.com . There are over 14,000 listed on ebay, for a lot better prices. Just have to decide on which one will work for you. I can measure mine today, to see what the length of stroke is, and maybe get a few better pictures, on how it is mounted. Looks like there is plenty of room to mount/weld a bell crank to the cross shaft, or, attach to the lift arm as mentioned. It most definitely has me spoiled. I have a Brinly planter I do most of the direct seeding with as far as Peas, beans & corn. It really works well, and allows me to keep my 30" row spacing, being it is so narrow.

I have no idea how it is wired in. I bought this low hour tractor at an auction several years ago, and the 3 pt. worked, and has ever since. Being I too am getting more dependent on this tractor in the garden, I have no idea what the longevity of one of those motors is, and have been thinking of maybe looking for a back-up unit for it, just in case it bites the dust on me. It is controlled by a toggle switch on the dash, so I'm assuming that switch goes to a relay, the feeds power to the actuator. As long as you could find a relay heavy enough to carry the max. amperage the motor would draw, and wire heavy enough to carry the amps, hooking it up shouldn't be too difficult. An inline fuse would probably be a good idea too.

 

[Sonny580]

go with linear act. and never look back!---My cub cadet 147 had one from the factory on it, Dads 112 Deere had one on it and flippin a 2- way toggle switch is a lot easier than fighting manual levers!
All my AC and Simps. are newer and have hyd. lifts on them.
If you had room to mount a real small light hyd. pump, that would also work. Check both options and see which might be the most feasible for your pockets!