[TowerTalk] Using riding mower to run radials (2nd Try)

[Mike Fatchett]

What the landscape people use is an edger that they tilt to cut a trench
where they place plastic or metal edging.  It is only a couple of inches
deep. 

You might want to consider renting such a machine if they are available.  

Mike
W0MU 

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of n8de at thepoint.net
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 10:15 AM
To: N8DCJ at yahoo.com
Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Using riding mower to run radials (2nd Try)

Dan,
Yes.. but I haven't photographed it yet.
It's in my garage right now, but, as I won't be home for two weeks, let me
try to describe it easily for you:

The 'bed' is made of 2X8's .. four of them .. with 2x6's making a frame
about the edge.  Overall size is about 36x30 [wider than long].
There are two eye-bolts at the front edge [for attaching to the lawn
tractor] .. and it has three pieces of tubing which go through the rear
board of the 'bed' .. 3/8" .. 1/2" .. and 1" diameter [smallest diameter at
the front].  These pieces of tubing slant slightly to the rear and have been
bent [circular arc] to the rear .. they extend about 4" below the 'bed' ...
in front of these is a 'blade' [sharpened] of thick aluminum which cuts the
groove when the 'bed' is pulled by the tractor.
Through these tubes, I can lay radials, rotor control wire, and even coax!.
Above the bed, there are two mounts which hold a spool of whatever I want to
'lay', supported on a rod, placed through the center of the spool.

There are some 'extras' .. like wheels which allow me to move it about
without having the blade cut the soil .. and handles which allow me to
maneuver it into position before beginning a 'lay'.

When I am using it, I place four 'cinder blocks' upon the bed for added
weight, to insure the blade will cut through small roots, etc.

Laid 100 radials for my 80m vertical in about an hour .. and will be doing
that again this summer ... in addition to putting four long lengths of coax
and control cable in the ground, also!

Good luck
73
Don
N8DE

> Anyone have a good design for an attachment to fit a riding mower to 
> slice the ground, put the wire down and cover it back up ???
>
> yes i am lazy :-)
>
> Dan N8DCJ
>
>
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_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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