Another Farmer Engineering Project.

[PHPaul]

I have a pull-behind lawn roller I made out of a 100# propane tank. It's okay, but even full of water, there's not a lot of weight there.

I got to thinking (which rarely ends well... ) that if I mounted it to a QA plate, I could use the weight of the tractor.

I chose to bolt it to the plate vs. welding it as A) I wasn't sure it would work and wanted to be able to reuse the plate for my next hare-brained scheme, and B) there will be times when towing it makes more sense, so I can unbolt it and bolt on a tow hitch.

The loader hydraulics easily pick up the front of the tractor, which puts something like half the weight of the tractor on the roller. Works MUCH better. There is some concern about bending the rods on the curl cylinders, so the less stick-out the better but I really don't think it will be a major issue.

There's also the benefit of the QA. Drop the bucket, pick up the roller, do the job, switch back. Easy-peasy.

NOTE: The roller appears to be off center, but due to the shape of the tank and the way I welded the axles on it, the rolling surface is centered on the QA plate.

 

[Oleracer]

Lo

I have a pull-behind lawn roller I made out of a 100# propane tank. It's okay, but even full of water, there's not a lot of weight there.

I got to thinking (which rarely ends well... ) that if I mounted it to a QA plate, I could use the weight of the tractor.

View attachment 140926

I chose to bolt it to the plate vs. welding it as A) I wasn't sure it would work and wanted to be able to reuse the plate for my next hare-brained scheme, and B) there will be times when towing it makes more sense, so I can unbolt it and bolt on a tow hitch.

View attachment 140927

The loader hydraulics easily pick up the front of the tractor, which puts something like half the weight of the tractor on the roller. Works MUCH better. There is some concern about bending the rods on the curl cylinders, so the less stick-out the better but I really don't think it will be a major issue.

There's also the benefit of the QA. Drop the bucket, pick up the roller, do the job, switch back. Easy-peasy.

NOTE: The roller appears to be off center, but due to the shape of the tank and the way I welded the axles on it, the rolling surface is centered on the QA plate.

Looks good

 

[The Evil Twin]

Crazy enough it just might work!
The extended curl cylinders are a concern though. Maybe less stress going in reverse.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Works if you always want to roll straight ahead.

 

[PHPaul]

Works if you always want to roll straight ahead.

True, but that's why I retained the option of putting a hitch back on it. For small patch jobs like shown (filling in after removing a tree and stump) the extra weight outweighs (see what I did there?) maneuverability.

Also, @ The Evil Twin, it never occurred to me to roll in forward, MUCH easier to see in reverse.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Works if you always want to roll straight ahead.

Well according to the Kubota engineering department, I could use my brakes to steer.....when I grow another right leg.