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Reel Mower Design Help Needed
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- Rudi
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- Twitter ID: Rudi Saueracker, SSM
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Reel Mower Design Help Needed
Guys:
I have been talking to another Cubber who had figured out how to put 5 push type reel mowers into a 2 row ganged setup belly mounted on the Cub. Unfortunately, I still have no clue what that design looks like as the file has not been sent... and I haven't gotten any responses to my emails. Still hoping but I fear he may have moved or something. Summer is gone for this year now, so I am kind of hoping to build it for next summer.
I think I just blew my 12.5 HP Craftsjunkman mower (blowing a lot of blue smoke out of the muffler) which means I am gonna need Ellie or Granny to take over the bulk of me mowing chores. Belly mounted finish mowers such as a Woods or a Danco are as plentiful as hen's teeth around these parts, so a self built reel type is probably my best bet.
I am not all that good at designing things in metal, and I am still kind of a greenhorn when it comes to understanding how things move up and down and ACTUALLY WORK
So, I need some help from those of you "Ralph, George" and others who are far more skilled than I to get this thing off the ground.
I was looking at the Sunflower setup:
and I really like the idea of being gang assembly to turn with the tractor instead of skidding through the turn. That would result in a real crappy cut (fixed version)and I would much prefer the smoother version that would actually turn with the tractor.
The mowers I have been able to aquire (I now have 7 or them!) are the 15" reel type (15 inch cut) although the actual outside dimension is approx 19-1/2". I would like to have 3 mowers in the front gang and 2 mowers in the 2nd gang, spaced so that they cut the areas between the front 3 mowers so that there is no ridging. Course, I am thinking maybe it would be better to have 2 in the front gang and 3 in the 2nd gang?
How do I build the frame and how does it lift? How do I make it turn? I had it figured out I thought for a tag-a-long, but that principle will not work for a belly mount.
It appears that the pin is offset in the pic above. Also the adjustable "riser" that allows the mower to freewheel over bumps and stuff, could use a little clarification.
As for the stock to use, I think either 1"x2" tubular steel stock might be a good candidate or would it be better to use channel? With the tubular, I can actually drill the stuff and cut it with what metal working equipment I have on hand. Not so sure about how square the cut would be with channel. Round stock is out of the question due to the limitations I have with vises etc.
How about it guys? Can ya help?
I have been talking to another Cubber who had figured out how to put 5 push type reel mowers into a 2 row ganged setup belly mounted on the Cub. Unfortunately, I still have no clue what that design looks like as the file has not been sent... and I haven't gotten any responses to my emails. Still hoping but I fear he may have moved or something. Summer is gone for this year now, so I am kind of hoping to build it for next summer.
I think I just blew my 12.5 HP Craftsjunkman mower (blowing a lot of blue smoke out of the muffler) which means I am gonna need Ellie or Granny to take over the bulk of me mowing chores. Belly mounted finish mowers such as a Woods or a Danco are as plentiful as hen's teeth around these parts, so a self built reel type is probably my best bet.
I am not all that good at designing things in metal, and I am still kind of a greenhorn when it comes to understanding how things move up and down and ACTUALLY WORK
So, I need some help from those of you "Ralph, George" and others who are far more skilled than I to get this thing off the ground.
I was looking at the Sunflower setup:
and I really like the idea of being gang assembly to turn with the tractor instead of skidding through the turn. That would result in a real crappy cut (fixed version)and I would much prefer the smoother version that would actually turn with the tractor.
The mowers I have been able to aquire (I now have 7 or them!) are the 15" reel type (15 inch cut) although the actual outside dimension is approx 19-1/2". I would like to have 3 mowers in the front gang and 2 mowers in the 2nd gang, spaced so that they cut the areas between the front 3 mowers so that there is no ridging. Course, I am thinking maybe it would be better to have 2 in the front gang and 3 in the 2nd gang?
How do I build the frame and how does it lift? How do I make it turn? I had it figured out I thought for a tag-a-long, but that principle will not work for a belly mount.
It appears that the pin is offset in the pic above. Also the adjustable "riser" that allows the mower to freewheel over bumps and stuff, could use a little clarification.
As for the stock to use, I think either 1"x2" tubular steel stock might be a good candidate or would it be better to use channel? With the tubular, I can actually drill the stuff and cut it with what metal working equipment I have on hand. Not so sure about how square the cut would be with channel. Round stock is out of the question due to the limitations I have with vises etc.
How about it guys? Can ya help?
Confusion breeds Discussion which breeds Knowledge which breeds Confidence which breeds Friendship
- Ralph
- Cub Pro
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Rudi
Just some thoughts
I looked at that under belly contraption and it would take a little on site engineering but it should be something possible.
It looks as the reel units have a adjustable stabilizer to keep the unit level to the ground.
It also looks as though the units are pulled by a king pin sort of a set up so they will steer (probably the hardest thing to engineer).
The hight of the entire unit is set by the front pins and the chain on the lift.
Now I don't know anything about this set up never seen one . But iIf I had some of them reel units and a pile of scrap I think I could make it work.
Just some thoughts
I looked at that under belly contraption and it would take a little on site engineering but it should be something possible.
It looks as the reel units have a adjustable stabilizer to keep the unit level to the ground.
It also looks as though the units are pulled by a king pin sort of a set up so they will steer (probably the hardest thing to engineer).
The hight of the entire unit is set by the front pins and the chain on the lift.
Now I don't know anything about this set up never seen one . But iIf I had some of them reel units and a pile of scrap I think I could make it work.
Shoot low Sherriff they are Riding Shadows
4 Wheels move the body.....
2 Wheels move the Soul .....
Ralph in ky.
4 Wheels move the body.....
2 Wheels move the Soul .....
Ralph in ky.
- George Willer
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Rudi,
The pitfall of this setup may be traction for the drive wheels. When the units were used as hand mowers, the thrust of the handles increased the apparent weight on the wheels. Before I spent a great deal of time building, I would do some experimenting towing a single unit to assure that it would work as planned.
The pitfall of this setup may be traction for the drive wheels. When the units were used as hand mowers, the thrust of the handles increased the apparent weight on the wheels. Before I spent a great deal of time building, I would do some experimenting towing a single unit to assure that it would work as planned.
George Willer
http://gwill.net
The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. Ambrose Bierce
http://gwill.net
The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. Ambrose Bierce
-
- Team Cub Guide
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Just to add to the reel mower discussion, my Dad restored the reel push mower they had as kids back in the early '50's. I tried it not too long ago, and, as George said, traction could be a problem. Seems you had to push down AND forward, then once you got it going...it had some momentum. Plus, I remember it ratcheting when dragging it backwards. They may be better made these days, as a mowing implement. I sorta got the impression you were going to take several of the pusher types together as a home made gang. I think the Updike book has a picture of a front mounted gang. Couldn't tell if it pivoted.
Seems it would skid when turning.
HR
Seems it would skid when turning.
HR
- WJ
- 10+ Years
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- Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 10:18 am
- Location: Weatherford, Ok
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- WJ
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 382
- Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 10:18 am
- Location: Weatherford, Ok
- Contact:
- WJ
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 382
- Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 10:18 am
- Location: Weatherford, Ok
- Contact:
The ratcheting sound you remember is like a differential that helps control skidding while turning.hr's49cub wrote:Just to add to the reel mower discussion, my Dad restored the reel push mower they had as kids back in the early '50's. I tried it not too long ago, and, as George said, traction could be a problem. Seems you had to push down AND forward, then once you got it going...it had some momentum. Plus, I remember it ratcheting when dragging it backwards. They may be better made these days, as a mowing implement. I sorta got the impression you were going to take several of the pusher types together as a home made gang. I think the Updike book has a picture of a front mounted gang. Couldn't tell if it pivoted.
Seems it would skid when turning.
HR
If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use duct tape.
- Lurker Carl
- Cub Pro
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Rudi,
Before you spend too much money and effort trying to recreate the reel mower unit, consider adapting a riding mower deck to the Cub. Gravely, among others, used shaft drive mower decks for several decades and could use existing Cub components with modification. Use angle iron to attach the deck to the rear finals and sickle mower components to power the deck. I'm sure someone out there has already done a conversion.
Just a thought.
Carl
Before you spend too much money and effort trying to recreate the reel mower unit, consider adapting a riding mower deck to the Cub. Gravely, among others, used shaft drive mower decks for several decades and could use existing Cub components with modification. Use angle iron to attach the deck to the rear finals and sickle mower components to power the deck. I'm sure someone out there has already done a conversion.
Just a thought.
Carl
- Jeff M
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'61 Ford 641
Kubota BX 2370 - Location: ME Raymond
Rudi, I mowed for years with a Toro 3-gang towed behind our Ford. The reels were/are very heavy, traction was never a problem. HOWEVER, the one thing I dont like about reels is that they don't cut long stuff, like dandelions, although I guess they're supposed to be "better for the grass". It's frustrating to finish the job and an hour later see all the dandelions standing up again. HAVING SAID THAT, the project is intriguing. You could probably mow at a lower engine RPM than with a pto-powered rotary which might add life to the engine. And, you'd have a rig like none other. Keep us posted (I'm sure you will!).
Care and feeding of family's Ford 641 ('61)
Kubota BX 1860
Kubota BX 1860
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Hey Rudi,
Don'twant to stop you on your mission, but if a gang reel mower is what you want check out this web site, http://www.4apromow.com/flex58.html it might help with design or you might just want to tow the reels like in the movie. They also go up to 7 gangs wide, which is almost an 8 foot cut with a Cub WOW!!!!
Don'twant to stop you on your mission, but if a gang reel mower is what you want check out this web site, http://www.4apromow.com/flex58.html it might help with design or you might just want to tow the reels like in the movie. They also go up to 7 gangs wide, which is almost an 8 foot cut with a Cub WOW!!!!
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- Team Cub Guide
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think I just blew my 12.5 HP Craftsjunkman mower (blowing a lot of blue smoke out of the muffler) which means I am gonna need Ellie or Granny to take over the bulk of me mowing chores.
Rudi, I'm sorry to hear that you'll have to use the cubs for mowing now.
It's going to be hard to park the craftsman.
- beaconlight
- 10+ Years
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- Location: NY Staten Island & Franklin
Wouldn't the weight of the iron used to rigg this up give you enough traction for the reel mowers to do their thing? From the pictures of the mowers posted all the weight of the hardware past the pivot in the lead mower is on the mower wheels. The adjusting rods to the rear of each unit keep the backs from rising off the ground. This is a problem that I remember happening from when I used to cut lawns for 30 Cents ( American)per hour. I don't remember if it caused a problem, but I do remember the rear rollers rising off the ground.
Bill
Bill
Bill
"Life's tough.It's even tougher if you're stupid."
- John Wayne
" We hang petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office."
- Aesop
"Life's tough.It's even tougher if you're stupid."
- John Wayne
" We hang petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office."
- Aesop
- WJ
- 10+ Years
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