Offset Brush Hog

[trbomax]

We need one this year on the trail system,but I was haveing difficulty finding onr for less than $8000,which is not acceptable.Then I got to thinking about the really tough one I had out in the woods.A few hours later a plan came together and I was hammering out new bracketry.This will offset the mower 14" to the right while keeping driveshaft geometry at accepatble angles. Here it is tacked up,tomorrow I'll get it welded and mounted for a test mow!

 

[nate379]

Snowmobile trails?

We just run teh tucker and drag right over all the junk that is in the way

 

[Rockford514]

Nice fab work

Why not make new tabs and move the stock brackets over?

 

[larry_g]

The only thing I see that may be a problem is that the right lift point is very near the center of the mower deck and may cause the deck to 'flop or rock' side to side. Consider two rear wheels spaced near each side, or a counter weight near the left side.

 

[trbomax]

Snowmobile trails?

We just run teh tucker and drag right over all the junk that is in the way

Michigan is funny about that,we are paid to brush every year,they want NO brush or punji sticks within the trail ROW,which is 15' BTW,how many hrs on your tucker toy? We had one 2 yrs ago that was the biggest pos on the trail. We spent over 15 grand keeping it running the last year we had it,mostly track and driveline related.It broke springs on a weekly basis.


To ands the other question,it wont rock because we drag it right down on the ground,pretty brutal,but it works.

 

[trbomax]

Nice fab work

Why not make new tabs and move the stock brackets over?

I want the option of returning it to a center pull by rebolting the brackets.

 

[nate379]

One we have looks alot like the one in your photo actually. Don't remember the model #, though it is a JD.
Called a "Tucker" because in the 80s and real early 90s they used an actual Tucker brand machine. Worked really well but it had a 600-700 cu in gas engine and it was hard on parts... and gas!

Michigan is funny about that,we are paid to brush every year,they want NO brush or punji sticks within the trail ROW,which is 15' BTW,how many hrs on your tucker toy? We had one 2 yrs ago that was the biggest pos on the trail. We spent over 15 grand keeping it running the last year we had it,mostly track and driveline related.It broke springs on a weekly basis.


To ands the other question,it wont rock because we drag it right down on the ground,pretty brutal,but it works.

 

[trbomax]

One we have looks alot like the one in your photo actually. Don't remember the model #, though it is a JD.
Called a "Tucker" because in the 80s and real early 90s they used an actual Tucker brand machine. Worked really well but it had a 600-700 cu in gas engine and it was hard on parts... and gas!

That tucker toy we had was so bad they bought it back. The one in the avitar is my trusty 8120t,5400 hrs and still strong.Sadly its up for repalcement so this might be our last season together!


Did get the mower on and tested,had to steal the driveshaft off of my auger because the mower one was 25" short!Seems to work good.

 

[trbomax]

Couple pics of the finished product.Saturday it will get to mow about 35 miles of trail edge.It looks like its crooked with the 3 pt,and it is,only because the arm extensions were not retracted and latched.After looking at it and useing it a bit,I could have moved it over another 6 inches.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You could rotate the gearbox several degrees, and reduce the driveshaft angle. Then you could offset it even more, since the angles you have are already acceptable, right?

 

[trbomax]

Yep I could,but it is what it is for this year. What I'd REALLY like to do is mount it on the side of the loader (up front),drive it with a hyd motor off the pto,and hinge it up/down.That way I'd have 4 axis control, up front where I can see!.

 

[fergus]

Nice work man. Thanks for sharing. Its great when you can tweak something you already have for another purpose.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Yep I could,but it is what it is for this year. What I'd REALLY like to do is mount it on the side of the loader (up front),drive it with a hyd motor off the pto,and hinge it up/down.That way I'd have 4 axis control, up front where I can see!.

Sounds like a plan to me! Ever seen this wood splitter?

 

[trbomax]

THATS a wood spliter.Youd need a conveyor belt under it with 4 mexicans at the other end stacking!

 

[DaleK]

Nice! If you do have to leave it where it is next year, I'd get another gearbox at a wrecker and turn that one 90degrees, put the new one straight behind the PTO shaft.

 

[fourfeathers]

THATS a wood spliter.Youd need a conveyor belt under it with 4 mexicans at the other end stacking!

Can't say that dude.

 

[Torque1st]

Driveshaft angle concerns go away when you use hydraulic drives. But then leaks and hoses become a problem...

 

[trbomax]

Driveshaft angle concerns go away when you use hydraulic drives. But then leaks and hoses become a problem...

Hydraulic IS the way to do it,I just didnt have time. I think I'll just build one next summer that will attach to the loader arms,swing up/down 90 degrees,and slide out 2 or 3 feet. Drive the whole thing from a pto pump /tank mounted on the 3 point. I'll build it to mount on the JD 7730,that tractor just sits all summer anyway.

 

[Torque1st]

Get one of those bolt on backhoe attachments and mount a mower instead of the bucket.

 

[trbomax]

It has to be on the front of the tractor,that way you can swing it in around signs or trees, and always see what you are doing.

 

[Torque1st]

I have seen backhoe attachments for loaders but none that swing, -yet. Maybe you can build the first!

 

[Spencer Was Here]

I have seen backhoe attachments for loaders but none that swing, -yet. Maybe you can build the first!

Here is one that swings: http://www.lackender-fab.com/boomer-hydra-swing.php

 

[Torque1st]

That is cool, -thanks!

 

[Busted Bolts]

Another idea next year is to fab it up like a mower conditioner, instead of hooking it up to the bars, make a center pivot link with an arm and use a hyd cylinder to pivot the offset. you wouldn't have to worry about the weight offset as you are only towing it. If you could add dual rear caster wheels, and carry it down the road straight and angle it when you do the trails. Look at the JD 625 MOCO for ideas. I'll look for a pic

 

[trbomax]

The wife and I were out replaceing signs a few days ago and the club to the south of us was useing this. I think I'm in love and got to have one!Same tractor as mine,but what a kick-*** brusher!!He let me give it a run,joystick controled and will run right down in the dirt,never leaves a punji stick.At $13000 its a sweet deal.I have a 3 pt power unit,if I could pick up a hyd driven mower,I could fab the rest, but I'd like it better on the front end.

 

[Flathead Youngin']

do a search for a mott/alamo offset flail mower...you can find a cheap used, municipality one for pretty reasonable prices.......