Prototype sod cutter

Sprocket1 · Aug 15, 2009

Hopefully these pics will post for me. This is only a prototype. The next one will be made as one detachable assembly.

Willl · Aug 15, 2009

Awesome idea.

have_blue · Aug 15, 2009

Sprocket,

Appears to work great!

Runner · Aug 16, 2009

Outstanding work!

I need one of those for an upcoming yard project, but probably couldn't get it fabbed up soon enough.

Nice, simple, effective design.

Thanks for posting.

Sprocket1 · Aug 16, 2009

Thanks for the compliments. I hope someone sees the pics and improves on the theory. I am open to suggestions. It occured to me that it would mount on a bucket just as easily as forks. The discs are salvaged from my son-in-laws grain drill. I think new cost is around $20 per blade. He replaced all 46 blades. Needless to say I have a bunch of spares. Maybe I can find a use for some of them on other projects.
My intention was to roll up the sod with my big tractor and dump the roll into my loader bucket on my 2305. It would be able to get into tighter places.
If anyone builds a sod cutter similar to this be sure and remember that cut sod gets really heavy quickly. It doesn' take very many square feet to weigh a bunch.
Thanks again.
BTW, if you leave the curved bars off the cut sod will actually slide over the back of the fork frame and lay back down in the trench. One might be able to pick sections of sod up with a regular loader bucket.

mcd176 · Aug 17, 2009

Nice design work, you could make some money!

radioman · Aug 17, 2009

nice idea! sometimes the best working implements has fewest parts but heavy duty moving parts that lasts and lasts. I can envision having hydralics to push the sod off, a cutter to cut the sod when finished cutting a roll. I have a question though- can you acutally see whats happening from your seat, but just see the top of the rolling sod ?

Sprocket1 · Aug 17, 2009

Thanks. It is a little hard to see. I have to lean over slightly. Ground speed is very slow so it is really not a problem. I think my 2305 would be able to handle this contraption with no strain. That would make visibility better.
One could keep adding options to make this work even better. Fun project to think about and fabrication costs shouldn't be much.

myyaz33 · Aug 17, 2009

Sprocket1 said:
If anyone builds a sod cutter similar to this be sure and remember that cut sod gets really heavy quickly. It doesn' take very many square feet to weigh a bunch.

It appears you are taking more soil than necessary if the use is intended for normal sod harvesting. If you have it set for that depth for another reason such as cutting a flower bed then it may make sense.

Oh yeah what very slick idea!

Sprocket1 · Aug 17, 2009

I yanked out some big shrubs in front of my mothers house. I needed to add dirt to bring the sod level up to the height of a short retaining wall. It was easier to leave the dirt on the sod rather than haul in and level more loose dirt.
I also wanted to assure that the sod would live. I mowed it before cutting. That was last week. Durn stuff needs mowing already.
Because it is a prototype I didn't slot the mounting holes to adjust the thickness, but you are right. I took more dirt than necessary.

sparc · Apr 7, 2013

Sprocket1 said:
I yanked out some big shrubs in front of my mothers house. I needed to add dirt to bring the sod level up to the height of a short retaining wall. It was easier to leave the dirt on the sod rather than haul in and level more loose dirt.
I also wanted to assure that the sod would live. I mowed it before cutting. That was last week. Durn stuff needs mowing already.
Because it is a prototype I didn't slot the mounting holes to adjust the thickness, but you are right. I took more dirt than necessary.

I know this thread is old. I came across it while searching for ideas on cutting up some sod in my yard so I could do the same thing, that is raise a section of the lawn up by lifting the sod and placing about 6-8 inches of fill, then lay the sod back down again.

I wonder if this idea might work better as a 3 point attachment and just let the sod lay back down, then go back and cut to 10 foot lengths which is about as much as you would want to carry. Any time I have bought sod it has been in 10 foot lengths. You would have better visibility too I think than you do working up front of the tractor. On a compact or sub this would seem to be the way to go. Also have better depth control.