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Is this a dumb idea?

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Leon

04-12-2000 10:59:04




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I want to add front wheels to my bush hog to make it more closely approximate a finish mower until I can afford to get one.

I now have some suitable wheels from an old riding mower. I just want to know if there is some reason why I should not attempt this. I have never seen a bush hog with front wheels, so I am wondering if there is a reason.

I figured I would have these wheels outboard of the mower deck, much like on a finish mower. I'll weld up pivoting yokes and an adjustable height mechanism.

Ideas? am I wasting my time?

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Ward

04-13-2000 08:54:25




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 Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 10:59:04  
You already seem to have some money and certainly some time involved in your mower. I think you might be wise to try to convert it to a pull type mower. Wheels and brackets could be welded just behind the widest curve in the deck and adjusted for heighth. I think this will give you the cut you want and will increase safety. Stability may be a problem if the wheels are not heavy enough.



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john d - SAFETY FIRST!

04-13-2000 06:25:29




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 Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 10:59:04  
Are you going to let these wheels act as "scalp preventers", or gauge wheels to regulate cutting height? Are the wheels going to actually support the weight of the machine? If the wheels are going to support the weight of the machine when cutting, don't be stingy on what you use for brackets, or on tire size. In that case you will have to make them so they swivel, or they will either tear up the grass or the tires.

One other point to consider....think about SAFETY when designing these changes. You can rig the thing so it approximates a finsish mower, but DO NOT REMOVE THE TOP LINK OF THE 3pt HITCH! The thing may operate perfectly well running around on its own wheels, but if you catch the front of it on something, your tractor will keep moving and flip the mower up onto the seat with you!

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Leon

04-13-2000 06:48:28




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 Re: Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to john d - SAFETY FIRST!, 04-13-2000 06:25:29  
I was planning on the front wheels supporting the weight and I will make them swivel. I will rig an adjustment system so I can set the height.

I certainly would keep the top link attached.



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john d

04-13-2000 12:32:28




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 Re: Re: Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-13-2000 06:48:28  
If you can rig a heavy-duty threaded adjusment system to individually "dial in" the wheels, you can make it cut to exactly the height you want.



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RonMC

04-12-2000 22:52:16




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 Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 10:59:04  
Hi Leon, Sounds like a good idea. I used a hog to keep a 1/2 acre part of my yard down until I bought a riding mower. It worked well, except for the odd gouging, mostly on turns. If you could set them off the body enough, and make them pivot, it should be a pretty smooth cutter. Just be sure everything is built bullet-proof, as a caster wheel missile into the wife's car would probably not earn you any extra points !

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Leon

04-12-2000 21:08:07




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 Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 10:59:04  
I have been debating whether I need the wheels to pivot or not. If they don't swivel, then they won't have to poke out so far to the sides, and will be simpler to make. But they might drag sideways when making turns. I wonder how much of a problem this would be. The tires are 6" rim riding mower type and are quite wide- about 6".

The bush hog (I don't know the brand) is quite heavy duty, and has been modified already, so I don't feel bad about doing a little more. I'm pretty sure it could handle the stress.

Somebody mentioned filling the tires with foam- where would I get this?

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Tim(ny)

04-13-2000 05:55:17




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 Re: Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 21:08:07  
I put a pair of small ones (maybe the size of front wheels on the smallest riding lawn mower you can think of)on the front of my 6' pull behind. They didn't swivel, were too small to help much, and the side load of turning tore them up the first year. I'm thinking of trying some kind of skid shoes next, if I ever get time.



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bbott

04-12-2000 16:56:49




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 Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 10:59:04  
Had them on mine... My uncle fabricated
them onto the front a long time ago. It
worked pretty well. Lots less gouging.

Have 'em off right now.. he used industrial
caster wheels and the rubber eventually chunked
out. Make sure to leave room between them and your tractor tires...

bbott



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bbott

04-12-2000 16:56:43




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 Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 10:59:04  
Had them on mine... My uncle fabricated
them onto the front a long time ago. It
worked pretty well. Lots less gouging.

Have 'em off right now.. he used industrial
caster wheels and the rubber eventually chunked
out. Make sure to leave room between them and your tractor tires...

bbott



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Aaron

04-12-2000 11:40:01




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 Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Leon, 04-12-2000 10:59:04  
Sounds like a good plan to me. Just make sure they will not get tied up in any trees or other obsticals if you mount them outside of the deck. Also make sure the mower can still flex properly. If you do it, let us know how it turns out.
Aaron



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big fred

04-12-2000 13:03:39




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 Re: Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Aaron, 04-12-2000 11:40:01  
You might consider getting the tires foam-filled. That way you could still use it as a bush hog without worrying about puncturing a tire on a sharp stick. If it just going to be used as a finish mower, don't worry about it.



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Tim(nj)

04-12-2000 15:59:51




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 Re: Re: Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to big fred, 04-12-2000 13:03:39  
My neighbor had a 6' Bush Hog brand rotary with factory front gauge wheels. They didn't pivot, though. Guess they assumed you'd pick it up to turn. He used it to mow the cow pasture with the wheels on, but took them off when cutting brush. Unfortunately, I can't go look at it, because he traded for a bigger one, and the bigger unit doesn't have the gauge wheels.



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SCOTT

04-12-2000 16:35:09




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Is this a dumb idea? in reply to Tim(nj), 04-12-2000 15:59:51  
FRONT WHEELS ON THE FRONT OF A ROTARY CUTTER ARE FINE. BUSH HOG NEVER HAS OFFERED ROTARY CUTTERS WITH FRONT GUAGE WHEELS. THE OPERATOR HAD TO FABRICATE THESE HIMSELF. TODAY ALL FINISHING MOWERS HAVE FRONT AND REAR GUAGE WHEELS.

THE ONLY THING TO BE CAREFUL IS THAT SOME LIGHT-DUTY CUTTERS MAY NOT BE STRUCTURALY CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING GUAGE WHEELS.



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