Pictures from a skid steer mowing contractor

[Rustyiron]

PTSG have you ever seen a 2 spindle "chain" mower before? From your experience do you think it would work?
Thanks for the list of names.

 

[ptsg]

PTSG have you ever seen a 2 spindle "chain" mower before? From your experience do you think it would work?
Thanks for the list of names.

Yes, those do exist. Both Herkulis and Bermathor make one with two spindles. These are very nice as it makes for an even more compact setup.

A video of one working. Just be aware of loud music. I wish they would just keep the engine sound.

 

[scootr]

Found a couple of DIY chain blade conversions. I'm encouraged by their success.
The Model 12 BH has a 7g deck and 1/4" sides. Should be safe enough there is chain skirts are in order.
The blades are listed as 1/2" x 12". I read to cut 3/4 of the blade off and attach that length chain. (8 " in this case)
Does that sound right to you guys or would a 12" chain be better assuming we can maintain the cutters pivot mount.

 

[ptsg]

Found a couple of DIY chain blade conversions. I'm encouraged by their success.
The Model 12 BH has a 7g deck and 1/4" sides. Should be safe enough there is chain skirts are in order.
The blades are listed as 1/2" x 12". I read to cut 3/4 of the blade off and attach that length chain. (8 " in this case)
Does that sound right to you guys or would a 12" chain be better assuming we can maintain the cutters pivot mount.

I wouldn't trust that setup too much, mostly because of the weld. It will make a weak spot either on the link, the actual remaining of the blade or both.

If you could somehow attach the chains directly to the hub (?) with a connecting link.

Don't go too long on the chains as those will stretch with use and may hit the sides of the mower.

 

[scootr]

Another conversion I saw the guy drilled a 1/2" hole and used a hardened bolt to attach the chain (possibly) allowing a swivel attachment?

 

[two_bit_score]

Lol - I am gonna try to do that. Maybe pick it up this long weekend.
Model 12 brush hog specs look pretty good. Nice thick steel housing incase my experiment goes bad. Chains fly off at 12k fpm
Gearbox 540 RPM (65 HP) Blades 1/2” x 4” Blade Tip Speed 12,193 fpm Blade Holder Round Top Deck 7 Ga. Steel Side Bands 1/4” x 6”
Looks like it will only take 12" of chain. Hopefully we can do this without F-ing the model 12 up.

Thanks for taking on this project in the advancement of the study of physics at TBN University.

 

[Rustyiron]

Found a couple of DIY chain blade conversions. I'm encouraged by their success.
The Model 12 BH has a 7g deck and 1/4" sides. Should be safe enough there is chain skirts are in order.
The blades are listed as 1/2" x 12". I read to cut 3/4 of the blade off and attach that length chain. (8 " in this case)
Does that sound right to you guys or would a 12" chain be better assuming we can maintain the cutters pivot mount.

This is an approach that I was thinking about. I do have some old bent up blades, and it wouldn't need any major re working of the spindles, T bar and stump pan for "proof of concept" testing for results.

 

[4570Man]

I didn't say people would buy a skidsteer just for mowing. I said people pay crazy prices to have a skidsteer doing mowing for them.

Obviously, you're a contractor and run a skidsteer for other types of work. That's about the only time I've seen skidsteers mowing in this side of the pond, only because there was like 10% mowing on that job and 90% dirt work.

As far as shields go, for a cab tractor, sure. It may need some more protection to push branches away and possibly a skidplate, definitely not tens of thousands of dollars. For a ROPS tractor, maybe a simple skid plate at most for those guys that like plowing through everything with the tractor.

With that $6k you say, you could buy one of the best chain cutters here and still have $3k to spend in shielding. If the guy operating the tractor knows what he is doing, he will hardly need any shielding though. That chain skirts on the mower will be plenty enough.

It's pretty obvious that some folks here have never seen a chain cutter working, let a alone a tractor working in the woods with it and how well it will actually move, probably because they think its needs an huge tractor with an oversized cutter to get anything done. That's perfectly fine. I'm just gonna say, you would be surprised.

Some companies use tractors for pretty heavy duty ROW maintenance here. Those tractors have foam filled tires, skid plates, push bumpers, side guards, mesh panels on the whole cab and limb risers on the front. Doing all of that definitely cost tens of thousands. All of that obviously isn’t necessary to carefully mow one weekend a year but for a machine that’s being ran commercially in rough conditions it is. We also have dedicated mulching units as well as converted dozers and skidders to carry mulchers. The compact track loaders are really more of a stop gap solution for companies that aren’t ready for a $300k or more dedicated unit. The dedicated units also get you into the class 7 or 8 trucks to transport where they haul the skid steers with pickups.

 

[logixjock]

Found a couple of DIY chain blade conversions. I'm encouraged by their success.
The Model 12 BH has a 7g deck and 1/4" sides. Should be safe enough there is chain skirts are in order.
The blades are listed as 1/2" x 12". I read to cut 3/4 of the blade off and attach that length chain. (8 " in this case)
Does that sound right to you guys or would a 12" chain be better assuming we can maintain the cutters pivot mount.

Don't you dare think about leaving us hanging now that you've "started" this project. It looks really interesting.

 

[scootr]

Don't you dare think about leaving us hanging now that you've "started" this project. It looks really interesting.

Just came back from a BBQ party - saw the old mower. Agreed on a price that suits me - free. Will go pick it up tomorrow.
Went to visit my machinist buddy today. We talked about that was needed = So I may just bring it straight to his place instead of mine... We will have it running this week. No worries