mrmomo
Active Member
Ok, so for quite a few years I have wanted to make a micro grader. The intended use would be that of a grader of course, however, the reason for the micro is multi-part.
Grading two track roads (cottage roads with grass in the middle). I want to be able to grade one track at a time, without disturbing the center grass.
I have envisioned hacking apart an old riding mower that I have. Moving the engine behind the drive wheels and making a whole new front end for it. (it's an old 13HP craftsman (I think!).
Currently for the road I use a tow behind blade grader that I made. It has a very narrow blade (somewhere between 18" and 24") and I tow it behind my ATV. My dad stands on the grader frame to steer it and for downforce weight. It works really well, but I want to go to the next step and make something that can be run by one person. There are other problems with the tow behind, like turning around, and there is very little blade adjustment (3 set positions)
So... My thoughts at this point;
Please excuse my lack of proper knowledge of the correct terms - I'm new to graders!
-Start with the mower as a base, reconfigure the important bits
-Weld up a fwd frame
-use a 2" hitch ball as the attachment point for the blade rig. I would like to be able to have a few different attachments, and I figure a hitch ball makes a nice quick release, though I would have to make quite a few moldboards...
-I'd like to keep many of the linkages mechanical, but if something proves that it would be much better off hydraulic, I would run a power steering pump off the 2nd pulley on the crank (where the mower deck used to get power)
My questions?;
How important is the ability to have the wheels lean? I could do it on the front, but it would be impossible on the back.
Is a 2" hitch ball a bad idea? I figure it will be able to swing to one side or the other (controlled) as well as pivot side to side (controlled). Should be strong enough! This would also allow for me to use any of the attachments behind my ATV if so desired. (not controlled!)
I have most of the stuff to make this, so it shouldn't cost much (until I get into the hydraulics!)
Am I crazy?
Has anyone done this, or seen it done already?
All input is welcome!!
Thanks!
Grading two track roads (cottage roads with grass in the middle). I want to be able to grade one track at a time, without disturbing the center grass.
I have envisioned hacking apart an old riding mower that I have. Moving the engine behind the drive wheels and making a whole new front end for it. (it's an old 13HP craftsman (I think!).
Currently for the road I use a tow behind blade grader that I made. It has a very narrow blade (somewhere between 18" and 24") and I tow it behind my ATV. My dad stands on the grader frame to steer it and for downforce weight. It works really well, but I want to go to the next step and make something that can be run by one person. There are other problems with the tow behind, like turning around, and there is very little blade adjustment (3 set positions)
So... My thoughts at this point;
Please excuse my lack of proper knowledge of the correct terms - I'm new to graders!
-Start with the mower as a base, reconfigure the important bits
-Weld up a fwd frame
-use a 2" hitch ball as the attachment point for the blade rig. I would like to be able to have a few different attachments, and I figure a hitch ball makes a nice quick release, though I would have to make quite a few moldboards...
-I'd like to keep many of the linkages mechanical, but if something proves that it would be much better off hydraulic, I would run a power steering pump off the 2nd pulley on the crank (where the mower deck used to get power)
My questions?;
How important is the ability to have the wheels lean? I could do it on the front, but it would be impossible on the back.
Is a 2" hitch ball a bad idea? I figure it will be able to swing to one side or the other (controlled) as well as pivot side to side (controlled). Should be strong enough! This would also allow for me to use any of the attachments behind my ATV if so desired. (not controlled!)
I have most of the stuff to make this, so it shouldn't cost much (until I get into the hydraulics!)
Am I crazy?
Has anyone done this, or seen it done already?
All input is welcome!!
Thanks!