Attachment for mowing a pond waterline....

[number9]

Guys, I have an idea about a contraption to mow the water edge of my pond bank with.

Something on the 3pt like a carryall or pallet forks, but with a frame of square tubing that extends out to the sides of the tractor XX Feet. Attach a push mower deck on one side and counter weight on the other side. This would allow driving along the water edge 2 or 3 feet up on the bank and mow the grass right at the water line.

Was thinking that I could use differnet size of tubing and drill holes and use a pin to allow sliding the mower / weight in and out for adjustment. Also, this would allow to switch sides with the mower if needed - or also to collapse to narrowest width for storage while it wasn't being used.

I don't need some big elaborate contraption, as it would only get used maybe every other mowing or even if it was every mowing, it would only be a max of maybe 10min use each time. Plus, a used push mower should be able to be found cheap.

What do you guys think?

Here's a crude sketch of what I am thinking of.....

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[MagKarl]

If it were me, I'd dumb it down to just the basics and see how it works. Like attach something like a pipe scrap to act as a side reaching boom onto an existing implement like a blade, and then run two chains off of the boom end to the front of a push mower deck. Let the mower roll and get pulled along. Take pics and video if you can.

 

[hodge]

If it were me, I'd dumb it down to just the basics and see how it works. Like attach something like a pipe scrap to act as a side reaching boom onto an existing implement like a blade, and then run two chains off of the boom end to the front of a push mower deck. Let the mower roll and get pulled along. Take pics and video if you can.

If I understand the need, a rolling mower won't work- it sounds like he wants to get right to the edge, so the mower needs to be suspended out of the schmuck and water.
If you are using a push mower deck, I doubt that you would need counterweight. The 3 point would definitely handle that kind of weight suspended to the side, depending on what type of frame you come up with. That could easily weigh more than the mower.
I would think simple, too. Maybe even consider a frame to hold a rolling string trimmer, or have an small engine in the center of the frame, with a string head driven on the side by belt.

 

[number9]

I would want the deck to hang out over the waterline to be able to cut it all, so I can't drag it along on it's wheels

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[Kubota Newbie]

String trimmer???
If you really wanted you could build a belt driven string trimmer head like DR style walk behind trimmers.
You could also just spray the broadleaf weeds/woody's with Garlon 3A and let the grass grow.

Aw heck, someone already had the string trimmer idea! Always a day late and dollar short.

 

[ipz2222]

You would have to come up with this idea today. I just hauled off 3lawnmower engines this am with my shop scrap. I like the idea, Yes , it would work . My wife does most of the mowing and she has to use the push mower on the pond edges in the front yard.

 

[stuart]

I would suggest going supercheap on the prototype. Before you fabricate a mount, just attach a push gas mower to the end of a 4' rear blade, handle facing to the centre of the 3 point, and a suitcase weight on the other end of the blade for balance.
You have your up/down control, and most back blades have a tilt to get the angle close, the adjust the lift link to get it perfect.
If you like it, the mower handle is the raw material for a proper mount.

 

[chip812]

What's wrong with one of these?

Besides being a way too big picture... *sorry 'bout that*

 

[Burtonbr]

Yea, sickle mower would be cool, but man are they expensive, even one of these DR 3 point trimmers might work
http://www.drpower.com/prdSell.aspx?Name=FT1-3PT-Fence-Line-Trimmer But for around a pond but for $1000 I bet you could rig up a cool boom to hang an old push mower from, and I see plenty of them around for sale cheap.

 

[m32825]

I would want the deck to hang out over the waterline to be able to cut it all, so I can't drag it along on it's wheels

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How about replacing wheels with pontoons? Then it could float on the water and skid across the top of the muck, etc...

-- Carl

 

[olthumpa]

This will do it.

 

[ipz2222]

OK, 3 hours later and I have it built. Allmost. Just need 1 piece of round solid bar. Can pick it up in the am. Used a 22 inch push mower. It can mount either side for blowing the grass in the pond (I have 2 three foot grass carp, they vacumn it off the top), or mount the other side for throwing the grass away from the pond. Only have to tighten 2 nuts and it hooks up to my 3ph quick hitch. Pictures tomorrow, maybe.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Seems to me you'd have to creep along real real slow with a push mower mounted to a tractor. As all of us know push mowers do not work well at a fast speed, espically in the thick stuff.

 

[number9]

I creep along slow anyway around the pond

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[Bulldog]

My pond mower is slow but works pretty well.

 

[number9]

Here's a couple pics of what I have to mow. It's mostly just the weeds I can't reach on the tractor. I don't want to spend $$$ on something to do this with, like was mentioned before, it'd only be about a 10min job each time I mow. I think it would work really good and plan to build one. It may not be right away as I've got rear remotes and TnT to install and that's gonna take a bit of mockup and fitting.

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[ipz2222]

number9,,, that looks like my pond. I tried to post last night but my token had expired.. what ever that means....

 

[ipz2222]

I'll try to post pictures of what I made. This can be hooked up fromeither side and the bar can move in and out 13 inches.

 

[Bulldog]

Need to mount 2 side by side so you can make a wider pass.

 

[ipz2222]

Darn, only 1 picture came thru, try again.