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

[Pete Smith]

At 12:16 PM 4/12/04, Jim Lux wrote:

>At 08:47 AM 4/12/2004 -0700, Dan Bookwalter wrote:
>>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
>
>Maybe you could modify the design shown in "Low Band DXing"? Does the 
>mower have a 3 point hitch to attach to?  Attaching to the vehicle is 
>probably the most challenging aspect, because you need the downforce from 
>the weight of the vehicle.  If you've got a three point hitch, then it's 
>probably a matter of some of that angle iron with the predrilled holes and 
>some turnbuckles. (and some baling wire and chewing gum, too!)
>
>I built something to slit my lawn to install subsurface irrigation 
>tubing.  The real challenge is the knife.  It needs to be remarkably 
>strong.  I wound up with something made from a chunk of 2"x1/4" flat 
>stock, with some work on a grinder.
>


I think if I were doing this I would start with an inexpensive dethatcher, 
which uses cinder blocks to provide weight and avoids the need for a rigid 
connection to the tractor.  I have one, and with a single cinder block on 
it the downforce on the dethatching wires is quite substantial.  Really 
tears up the lawn!

73, Pete N4ZR
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