cpy911
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2020
- Messages
- 75
- Location
- Oregon City, OR
- Tractor
- John Deere 445, Craftsman GT 6000, Yanmar YM186D
I did some looking online (Youtube) for what people had done for a front mount ATV mower. I just started hacking this together and making up the design as I went along. I am not a fabber, not a welder, just like DIY (or being cheap) and try to learn what I can by making mistakes and improving.
The primary purpose of this machine is to quickly knock down the pasture weeds that grow taller than the grass and grasses that are going to seed that the cows don't get to. Right now, it is at a fixed height of about 6" cut for "pasture topping". I find that the ATV is faster for light duty stuff like this than the tractor. It would probably fail mowing tall thick fescue...that is not what it is for though.
The secondary purpose is to mow down light brush/grasses on some sloped areas on the property that I am not comfortable with using the tractor. These areas are easy with the ATV without a problem, that includes a small sloped part of the pasture that is easy to ride on with the ATV. Every summer, I thoroughly mow the pastures by knocking down all the dead stuff the cows left.
I literally built this out of stuff I had sitting around and the mowers were purchased for about $50 from craigslist. I consider it a prototype and will work out the bugs and rebuild it out of complete steel (or use as is, until the deck and side frame rots out and the mower engines no longer stay "mounted")
I am not quite finished, need to make the hitch on the front of the ATV, add some more cross braces and cinch everything down.
I would do it completely different, knowing what I know now, but had to go through the first iteration to learn. Wanted to keep it simple and cheap: direct drive with two proven technology mower engines (no belts, etc). The most expensive item is the castors form Harbor Freight at $18 a piece. They are heavy duty greaseable at least.
Which way is front? The motors are mounted so I can easily pull the cord...so they are technically backwards. Honestly, this could be pulled or pushed any direction and it should matter. I could pull it with my riding mower if needed.
I am posting this to help others with their ideas and like similar projects...not as an example of quality fab work as it is not that great.
Regards,
cpy911
The primary purpose of this machine is to quickly knock down the pasture weeds that grow taller than the grass and grasses that are going to seed that the cows don't get to. Right now, it is at a fixed height of about 6" cut for "pasture topping". I find that the ATV is faster for light duty stuff like this than the tractor. It would probably fail mowing tall thick fescue...that is not what it is for though.
The secondary purpose is to mow down light brush/grasses on some sloped areas on the property that I am not comfortable with using the tractor. These areas are easy with the ATV without a problem, that includes a small sloped part of the pasture that is easy to ride on with the ATV. Every summer, I thoroughly mow the pastures by knocking down all the dead stuff the cows left.
I literally built this out of stuff I had sitting around and the mowers were purchased for about $50 from craigslist. I consider it a prototype and will work out the bugs and rebuild it out of complete steel (or use as is, until the deck and side frame rots out and the mower engines no longer stay "mounted")
I am not quite finished, need to make the hitch on the front of the ATV, add some more cross braces and cinch everything down.
I would do it completely different, knowing what I know now, but had to go through the first iteration to learn. Wanted to keep it simple and cheap: direct drive with two proven technology mower engines (no belts, etc). The most expensive item is the castors form Harbor Freight at $18 a piece. They are heavy duty greaseable at least.
Which way is front? The motors are mounted so I can easily pull the cord...so they are technically backwards. Honestly, this could be pulled or pushed any direction and it should matter. I could pull it with my riding mower if needed.
I am posting this to help others with their ideas and like similar projects...not as an example of quality fab work as it is not that great.
Regards,
cpy911