Self Propelled Rake/Lawn Sweep

[Greg_Phillips]

I have been thinking about putting together a self propelled unit that could be used with an Acreage Rake from Northern Tool and also as a self propelled lawn sweeper. I already have the Acreage Rake, a pull behind lawn sweep, and a Snapper hydro lawn tractor. I have been thinking about reversing the lawn tractor so that it runs big wheels forward, and steering wheels in the back, then pushing the rake. Then using the sweeper "head" and a blower unit off a bagger/vacuum and building a hopper with either a lift mechanism to dump into a trailer or something that is mounted higher with a walking floor bottom to unload. I would like to add power steering to the lawn tractor, and a better seat, I have been looking at some og the seats at TSC. I am going to try to get started on the conversion next week.

 

[jimgerken]

What are you picking up?

One suggestion: I see these little special purpose self propelled rigs running around doing dry broadcast lawn weed-n-feed, and they have a spot sprayer on-board too. Neat deal. So I was thinking, once you go to the trouble of reversing the Snapper, think about making the sweeper an "attachment" that goes on and off easily, so you can use the "Back-Snapper" for other things, like spraying or dethaching, or ?????

 

[Greg_Phillips]

Picking up lawn debris, mostly mowed grass. I have a large spot in my back yard that was once part of a cattle pasture that was fertilized every year, so it really grows, I have to rake it and sweep it about every other time I mow it. I like the idea of using it as a power unit for multiple tools, thanks. I think once I get the tractor reversed, and the hopper and lift built I will look at other attachments that could be used with it. I am thinking of using some linear actuators to raise and lower the attachments and dump the hopper (unless I go with a walking floor system).

Did some more looking and planning this afternoon. Looks like I will be able to accomplish power steering by finding a small power steering box from a car and hooking the steering shaft from the mower to it. All that leaves is to figure out mounting the power steering pump and pulley system.