Mini CarryAll for my X380

   / Mini CarryAll for my X380 #1  

DennisFolsom

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
427
Location
Central Maine
Tractor
John Deere 4600, John Deere X380
When I mow along the roadside, there is always some trash to pick up. There are other times that it would be nice to be able to carry something on the lawn tractor with me. I cooked up an idea for a small carry-all. I worked on the design in my head for a week or so before I started to build it. One of my criteria was to still have a hitch, for towing a cart or a fertilizer spreader. I had some steel on hand, from the crate my chipper came in, though I did have to buy a couple of pieces. I have the equipment for flux core welding. I haven't done any welding for a few years, so I am teaching myself again. Here are some pics of the frame I produced.
 

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   / Mini CarryAll for my X380 #2  
Nice work. That is a pretty heavy duty bracket to support a small box to put some discarded trash that you find on the side of the road.

But hey, if you had the metal, I guess it is just use what you got !

Richard
 
   / Mini CarryAll for my X380
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I looked in Home Depot for something to make the panels out of. I found a 2 x 4 sheet of fiber board that is finished for chalkboard on one side and dry erase board on the other. I forget the price, but it wasn't too expensive.
 

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   / Mini CarryAll for my X380
  • Thread Starter
#4  
I finished cleaning up the frame yesterday and got a heavy coat of primer on it. I didn't have the best light and I was in a hurry. Consequently, I got some runs. I will work on them a little and try to be more careful with the final coats. I have to remind myself that I am not building a show piece.
 

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   / Mini CarryAll for my X380
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Nice work. That is a pretty heavy duty bracket to support a small box to put some discarded trash that you find on the side of the road.

But hey, if you had the metal, I guess it is just use what you got !

Richard
I always like to make things heavier duty than they need to be. However, part of the strength is due to the fact that it doubles as an extended trailer hitch.
With this thing hanging off the back, my departure angle is changed significantly, but I don't anticipate doing anything where that will be a problem.
 
   / Mini CarryAll for my X380 #6  
I see you have it bolted on. Could it be pinned on for easy on/off?

If it was me, I would probably forget it was there, and back into something expensive when mowing
 
   / Mini CarryAll for my X380
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I see you have it bolted on. Could it be pinned on for easy on/off?

If it was me, I would probably forget it was there, and back into something expensive when mowing
I could use a rod that spans the frame, with pins in the ends of it. However, I think that would be as hard to get in and out as the bolts. The bolts, tightened with lockwashers (or locknuts) should prevent rattling.

I store my walk-behind snowblower behind the lawn tractor in the shed. I have already put in a scrap piece of particle board, leaned up against the snowblower, to prevent damage from me backing into it. My lawns are such that there is not much to back into. I will need to be aware of the extra length, though. Unless I don't like it for some reason, I plan to leave it on the tractor full time.
 
   / Mini CarryAll for my X380
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Other activities and priorities have intervened, but today, I got a good coat of gloss black on my carry-all frame and have mounted it on the tractor. Now, I can start using it and confirm whether or not it was a good idea. Note that the 5 gallon bucket fits well. I can also carry my little electric chainsaw, if I choose. Here are some photos:
 

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