Hydraulic version of Troy-Bilt Flex

[bsaint]

I was in Lowe's the other day looking at the Troy-Bilt flex system. Seems like a good idea but not very heavy duty. I was thinking of building a similar system but all the accessories are ran off hydraulic PTO instead of a direct drive system.

I laid out some features I want
- Walk behind zero turn with Hydro-gear drives
- 18x8.5 drive wheels
- 15+ GPM PTO pump
- 20+ HP EFI engine
- Twist grip controls instead of lever
- 61" wide and a 42" wide fixed decks that can both be changed out in 15 mins or less

All the metal and laser processing will be free. Im doing all the welding. I will only have to pay for the engine and running gear.

Ive never designed a mowing deck, I will copy the one I have which is also fabricated not stamped. The snow blower attachment will probably be trial and error.

Im gonna use this thread to show progress.

 

[ishiboo]

Even if you do hydraulic drive motors, I would still consider running the decks and most accessories off an independent PTO. One of the reasons 3-point PTO-driven attachments are less expensive is because they do not require the expense if hydraulic drive motors, and decks are so easy to belt drive it's not even funny.

You could still use the hydraulic power on attachments where you needed it, if you found any

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[toplessHO]

hydraulics are very inefficient in terms of power in vs power out
I looked into making a bush hog for my JD backhoe and it was lucky to get 60% efficiency.
You may also need a reservoir and a cooler

 

[bsaint]

Yea planning on doing a 5 gallon reservoir and cooler. Im not too worried about efficiency its more of a crazy project. Im looking to pick up a used variable capacity piston type pump which will help with efficiency.

Also I am planning on building all my attachments within my capabilities. I wouldn't mind buying a hydraulic chainsaw or impact wrench. I also found a company that makes hydro driven genset.

 

[bsaint]

Went to one of my laser cutters I barter with today. I think I am going to manufacture the deck out of 300 series stainless steel. I can cut wet grass without worrying about corrosion.

I also have come up with a semi fixed deck idea Ill have to post CAD pics up when I complete them.