Micro motor grader (not mini...)

[roddyo]

Originally Posted by Grader4me

Well, you have my attention now. Honestly at first, I thought you were crazier than hell to attempt to convert a lawn mower into a grader, but now I'm not so sure. Good luck with your project and keep those pics rolling in.

+1

It's official. You now have fans.

Is there anyway we as a group can keep up with your progress on Twitter?

[stock]

Originally Posted by roddyo

+1

It's official. You now have fans.

Is there anyway we as a group can keep up with your progress on Twitter?

What a twitter ? well apart from a bird that is,keep the pictures coming roddyo .

[JAK5]

Has anyone ever seen a Saukville Tractor. It looks a lot like your micro grader. www.saukvilletractor.com

Anyways, your idea looks like a good one. Keep up the good work!

[mrmomo]

Thanks guys - I'll definitely keep you posted!!

Unfortunately, I'm away for the rest of the week so all I can do is think about how I'm going to do the next bits...

I'm thinking foot pedals would be the best for articulation - push left to go left, push right to go right. Linked up with bell cranks and ridged rods. Similar to a tail wheel on a taildragger airplane.

I have a set of hydraulic cylinders and two 12V trim pumps for the moldboard tilt/lift/lower. I'm sure they are beefy enough to be up to the task! If they do prove strong enough, I could also get a set for the articulation (1 trim pump, two cylinders hooked up opposite)

For rotating the moldboard I'll probably go with a manual system, pull a pin, lower one side with the hydraulics and drive forward - that would swing that side of the blade back. Not sure if I will be able to make the blade swing 360 for back dragging... but it would be neat! Other method for rotation would be with cord, similar to how steering used to be hooked up on Outboard motors. (cable wound around a drum, routed through pulleys for a pull/pull system) Might even be able to find an old cable steering system from a boat for the steering. (could flex with the articulation)

The steering is definitely going to be the hardest part!! it's a long way up there and I have to deal with the articulation. If I can't get a marine cable steering system easily, I might have to set something up with a u-joint and bellcranks to get around all the corners!!

Stay tuned - I'll update with pics when I can!

[mrmomo]

Originally Posted by JAK5

Has anyone ever seen a Saukville Tractor. It looks a lot like your micro grader. www.saukvilletractor.com

Anyways, your idea looks like a good one. Keep up the good work!

That's gotta be about the closest I've seen!! (no blade though!)

Can't wait to get this thing all done up & painted yellow!!

If only I had a couple grand floating around to go all hydraulic controls!

[decee]

Away next week eh? Must be Deer Hunting

[smoothoperator]

It looks like a fun project. One thing you may want to think about-and I don't know how important this will be- whenever you alter the wheelbase on a vehicle (excluding track type, unicycle, or pogo stick) you will be changing the steering geometry. We don't know how well it was designed or manufactured on your original riding mower, but in theory, in turns, all tires should circle around a common point. If they do, your steering tires will not be fighting with each other, turns will be made tighter, and tires will scuff less. Even with your articulation, think about the geometry. It may or may not be worth the trouble, but this is how the big companies do it, and this is how I would do it, too. If you search Ackerman steering geometry, also called toe out in turns, you will find lots of useful information on this subject. I've had experience with altered wheelbase trucks used for short hauls, with lots of turning, and they seem to develop some strange wear patterns compared to unaltered similar wheelbased trucks doing the same work. Best of luck with your project.

smoothoperator...didn't write the book, but I have read a few

[plowking740]

We have this TV show here in Canada called Prairie Farm Report. its all about farming inovations and inventions, and how they do other things to supplement life on the farm. A few years ago they had a retired who made a grader just like you are, and if I remember right, it had all the functions except wheel lean that a larger machine has.
I do remember it had a ripper as well.

I have looked through all the videos that they have for sale, and although there is a lot of really cool inventions, I cant find any mention of it. I will keep looking and try to find more information

[mrmomo]

Originally Posted by decee

Away next week eh? Must be Deer Hunting

Nope, actually in Baltimore doing training on fixed fire supression systems for Marine applications.... (sounds more fun than it is!)

[mrmomo]

Originally Posted by smoothoperator

We don't know how well it was designed or manufactured on your original riding mower..... If you search Ackerman steering geometry, also called toe out in turns, you will find lots of useful information on this subject.

Yup & Yup... Steering on the mower is very tight... it was designed to be able to turn very sharp! I believe it is ackerman steering, the inside wheel turns sharper than the outside wheel. Somewhat familliar with that - understand the concept. I don't think there would be much I could do to improve the steering radius, I know it's not going to be as good as the mower was, but I hope it's better than my crew cab long box. (61' turning radius!) I have not modified the steering on the axle, but I will have to modify how it was connected to the steering wheel.... need some flex in there!

[mrmomo]

Originally Posted by plowking740

We have this TV show here in Canada called Prairie Farm Report.

I've seen that on the guide a few times but never watched it. Usually on HGTV right?

Would love to see what someone else did - if you find any info please let me know!

Thanks!

[plowking740]

i get it here in calgary sunday mornings on a CTV, but it could be on hgtv. should git it a watch some time. the farm inventions and shops are interesting, but in not a big fan of the livestock stuff.