Old Toro Reelmaster Project

[Robert128]

Thanks Forester2
I took a look at some and that might be just what I need. If they are not too expensive..

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=153528&stc=1&d=1264784185

 

[forester2]

There's a commercial 42" too that is multi bladed

 

[kebo]

Those gravely 30" decks would work but I'm guessing there is probably about 2" from blade tip to the adacent blade tip. Unless you can figure a way to actually "marry" the decks together with some overlap like you did in your sketch, you're going to have two narrow strips of uncut grass on each pass. I'm pretty sure it can be done.

Btw, I was cruising my local craigslist's and came across an old Toro reelmaster with NO reels for $500. It had the 38hp diesel motor in it as well, and it also still had the hydraulic motors in it to run the reels. That one would be a great candidate to do something similar to what you're doing but I just don't have a need to conjure up something that would cut that much grass. If I did, I'd go buy a 6ft 3pt finish cut mower and be done with it.

This is an interesting project, I hope you keep us informed on how it goes.

 

[ray66v]

WHO PAINTED A REELMASTER GREEN????

I own one of these, and have kicked this idea around myself.

The cost estimate seems to kill the project every time I consider it.

I think I will make a fork lift out of mine, when I retire it from mowing.

 

[Robert128]

When you've got a couple of gallons of John Deere Green Paint Around - Who can resist - ha ha
Assuming I can get the 3 cutting decks to work, I have some other things I would like to add to it. One is a side mounted arm with a hydraulic tree trimmer that I could control with the Joy Stick. Kind of like an extended arm that goes up about 15ft with a large Shear, that could be closed and opened by a hydraulic cylinder. - But, I am getting ahead of myself.
I've got a question. Does anyone know if you can switch the hydraulic lines on a motor to make it spin the other way = Or does it have to be made to specifically do that.

 

[ray66v]

Does anyone know if you can switch the hydraulic lines on a motor to make it spin the other way = Or does it have to be made to specifically do that.

I don't know about any motor, but I do know the ones on the reelmaster will go in reverse. That's how you backlap the reels. Hence the 3rd hose.

 

[Robert128]

What I am considering doing is running the hydraulic lines from the back two reels (which I have removed) to the front cutters. The hydraulic schemata shows that 2 of the four pumps run the reels @ 7gpm each. I am wondering if I can use the extra capacity from pump 2 to spin the front motors faster. Do you know anything about that?

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=153841&stc=1&d=1264989550

 

[ray66v]

Sounds like a plan. it should work, volume is volume.

 

[J_J]

When you've got a couple of gallons of John Deere Green Paint Around - Who can resist - ha ha
Assuming I can get the 3 cutting decks to work, I have some other things I would like to add to it. One is a side mounted arm with a hydraulic tree trimmer that I could control with the Joy Stick. Kind of like an extended arm that goes up about 15ft with a large Shear, that could be closed and opened by a hydraulic cylinder. - But, I am getting ahead of myself.
I've got a question. Does anyone know if you can switch the hydraulic lines on a motor to make it spin the other way = Or does it have to be made to specifically do that.

Some hyd motors will turn either way. A valve called motor spool valve will do this, either manual or solenoid valve will work. Some manual motor valve have detent. The motor circuit is also used to allow the motors to coast to a stop.

On the third hyd hose on those motors, is that not a case drain. Trace it back and see if it goes to tank/reservoir.

I have never seen a hyd motor with three hoses to control direction. That don't mean that don't exist.

Due to the size of the hose on the third hose, I am almost postive about this being a case drain.

 

[Robert128]

Thanks J_J and Ray66, - I checked the Hydraulic Schemata and there are two high pressure lines coming out of the Selenoid valves for the back reels. Those valves open in sequence with the front selenoid valves when you drop the reels. - It automatically starts the reels - slight delay on the back reels.
So I would have 5 lines going into a some kind of convergence block or something - and then going to the 3 front motors (spinning the blades) - 5 lines going in, 3 lines coming out, and that 3rd motor line - which I am not sure where it goes yet. This is a great site, I really appreciate the help!