boom mower on backhoe... electric motor?

[sikboater]

I would like to make a small boom mower for my backhoe but don't have enough hydraulic flow to run a mower...

I was thinking you could put a generator in the bucket and convert an old 20 inch mower to use an electric motor to run the cutting blade. Then run an cord from the generator to the motor...

Of course it would not cut real fast or thick grass or brush, but might work well for off angle mowing the ditches.. Was thinking of trying an old washing machine motor...

Any thoughts? What would be a good electric motor for this?

Thanks

Tim

 

[not2old]

If I was considering this, I'd look into using the original gas motor. I assume you are trying to do this on the cheap. Where are you going to get an electric motor and generator anywhere near the power of one of the gas engines? 3.5 to 7 HP.

 

[sikboater]

I originally thought about using the motor on the mower, but was worried about the angles and a 4 stroke motor (oil starvation).... I thought (and probably wrong) that even a 1 HP motor that had a high enough RPM might do the job. The torque on electric motors is pretty high....


Just kinda throwing it out there to see about opinions.... Thanks!

 

[PapaPerk]

You may look into a lawn boy mower engine. I know they are 2 stroke so angle would not bother there oiling system... because there is none! :laughing: The carb may have trouble though... not sure.

Have you thought about using a heavy duty weed eater and just mount that to the bucket? They make them that turn metal blades.

 

[J_J]

Just how many GPM does your tractor provide?

These grass cutters use about a 3 to 5 cu in hyd motors.

How about something like this.

 

[Kevin M]

This isn't impossible, But I got some questions for you ? #1 Is your backhoe using the power beyond , or does it have a separate PTO pump ? If its using the power beyond your in luck ! Just use the PTO to run the system for your hydraulic mower. Those parts aren't gonna be cheap though.

 

[sikboater]

I have a woods ground breaker 6500 and it runs with a PTO pump (~10 gpm from what I can find) and the tractor (MF 1240) has one that is only ~6.5 gpm. I know I can add remotes and probably run the Backhoe from there but it is not currently set up, would have to buy the parts. Could be done, not sure if it is worth the cost.

I looked online for a 2 stroke motor lawn mower and have not been able to find one (even used). I was thinking if an electric lawn mower can cut grass, why not put one on the end of the Backhoe (with a larger motor) and try it.

Thanks for everyones ideas!

Tim

 

[LBrown59]

The only problem with your idea is you have to lower the
stapleizers to operate the BH.
How do you drive the tractor with them down on the ground

I have a woods ground breaker 6500 and it runs with a PTO pump (~10 gpm from what I can find) and the tractor (MF 1240) has one that is only ~6.5 gpm. I know I can add remotes and probably run the Backhoe from there but it is not currently set up, would have to buy the parts. Could be done, not sure if it is worth the cost. Tim

 

[slowzuki]

Yeah I was gonna say, driving next to a bank with the backhoe boom extended downhill is bad news. The electric motor won't cut very fast, even the electric lawnmowers are about 2 hp and they barely cut lawns. You need about 3500 watts of generator to run a big electric lawnmower.

You can buy old mowers on craigslist for 25-50$, just overfill with oil and use em.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would like to make a small boom mower for my backhoe but don't have enough hydraulic flow to run a mower...

I was thinking you could put a generator in the bucket and convert an old 20 inch mower to use an electric motor to run the cutting blade. Then run an cord from the generator to the motor...

Of course it would not cut real fast or thick grass or brush, but might work well for off angle mowing the ditches.. Was thinking of trying an old washing machine motor...

Any thoughts? What would be a good electric motor for this?

Thanks

Tim

I would be inclined to build something along the lines of JJ's post. Notice the lighter boom and counterweight setup.

Have you considered a used sickle bar? Might be the easiest and cheapest way to go.

 

[5030]

The whole idea (electric motor/generator/backhoe boom) is scary. You have an electrocution hazard, an off center weight distribution hazard and an operator hazard.

I'd get a bigger tractor and a sidemount if you need to mow ditchbanks.

 

[sikboater]

I was thinking of putting a counter weight on the opposite stabilizer and could lower it close to the ground when using the mower on the backhoe..


But this is all just an idea. I do agree the best solution would be to get a real boom mower but it is fun to think about using what you have....


Thanks again for everyone's input!

Tim

 

[LBrown59]

I have a old barn foundation at my place, parts of it I could not mow since the sides were so steep. I got tired of thinking about it and went to a yard sale. When I saw a cheap push mower there for $30, I found a solution. I bought the mower, brought it home, and took off the wheels. Then I bolted it to wood frame. The frame has 2 long "forks" that slide into my tractor bucket. And I also ratchet strap it as well. On mowing day, I start the push mower, then keep it running by tying the handle down with a wire. Then I lift the bucket over the weeds, and lower it. (I do all this in low gear, at idle) On some areas, I roll the bucket back to match the slope, then back up the tractor, while lowering the bucket. Make sure you have a heavy weight on the 3pt. On bad hills, it helps to lower the weight to the ground. I can't say it is easy, but it does work, I can get the weeds maybe 3-4" above ground level. The only other way to do it would be a string trimmer, but thats why we have tractors

1*A friend had given me a Box store push mower .
Last fall I took it to a small engine shop who fixed it for 25 or 45 dollars and it runs and starts great.
2*I bolted the mower to a 5 or six foot pallet so i can pick up the pallet with my bucket forks .
This gives me about a 9 to 11 foot reach out from the front of the front wheels of the tractor.
3*I ratchet strap the pallet to the loader bucket .
4*I use a bungee strap for this.
5*I do the same thing.
6*I use the BX23 BH.
7*Beats a srting trimmer all to pieces.

That's brilliant.

*****