When people look at my lawn they often comment on how flat and smooth it is, but they are wrong and a short ride on that mower would prove it to them. I’m mowing about 5 acres and want to reduce the time it takes AND make it more tolerable. Last year I was talking to a farmer and he told me he rolls his hay fields every other year and he can cut hay one gear higher (faster). My theory is that I can build this roller and use my SxS to pull it. If it’s too heavy, then I’ll use the Jeep. I think it would be pretty effective after a good rain. I have a derelict 250 gallon propane tank and a local fabricator has quoted me $400 to make it look like this pic, minus the paint. The other part of this plan is to add seat suspension to my mower since the seat bolts directly to the frame. Air suspension is too spendy but spring suspension is about $150’ish. Am I on the right track? Any other suggestions?
Thanx in Advance
2O2S
Add aeration spikes and it is a gopher be damned, lawn loving item for sure.
Use greaseable sealed bearings on it, "bushings" won't last the year.
My lawn roller is 470 gallons and I had to change the bushings out to bearings and reinforce the frame after it broke.....
I'm looking at a new seat for my mower as well. My back hurts for a week after mowing the last few times. This weekend I used one of the wife's cheap blow up pool floats, and just put enough air in it, so when folded up to fit the seat it was about 3" thick. Made a huge difference. I'll be getting a seat soon...Probably today.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200268424_200268424
BrianL I bought that seat a year ago. My first impression was as I was mowing that it was still rough. but then I realized I was mowing a lot faster. My wife enjoys mowing so she does a big share of it with me doing only some of the slops. It has made mowing much better. I have a Zero turn and they seem to ride rough but this certainly helped. They are a bit spendy but to feel better after the mowing is sure worth it.
Good purchase.
Dave
I have the optional Grammar suspended seat on my Bad Boy Outlaw XP and it makes all the difference in the world. And the XP has suspension already on all 4 wheels.
I have threatened to make a bracket to put one on my JD3038E tractor, as it also has a minimal seat suspension.
The Grammer is a good seat.
After the third back operation my doctor told me to get a new occupation and he did not want to see me back. The next operation would not be near as much fun as the last three. I did not get a new occupation but did learn to be more of a manager rather than laborer. A good seat is cheap compared laying in bed for a month waiting for an operation while your wife changes your adult diapers. One good thing about it. You find out if your wife is really dedicated toward you.
ESSHUP: The quote from my fabricator does include bearings, but I had to ask him to be sure, thanx.
I have looked at several seats, suspension as well as air and that Michigan seat at NT would be my first choice. The stock seat that came on my Husqvarna zero turn is a decent seat, not quite as stout as the Michigan seat but pretty close. I figured I could add the suspension kit to my existing seat for less than half the cost and have the same thing, or pretty close to the same thing. Hope I’m not wrong.
I forgot to mention that I have reduce the tire pressure and it makes a big difference too.
I just learned that my neighbor has a roller and he offered to let me use it. It’s supposed to rain all seek in South Ga so I may give it a try when I go down to mow this weekend.
Good to hear about the MILSCO seat, but going to look at Grammer at local Bad Boy mower shop today as well. Grammer is an air ride and about 200.00 more for same seat with armrest. I realized this weekend that I do use armrest to help stay in seat when mowing inclines.
Well I bought a Grammer air ride. They had one with arm rest and without a seat belt. $100 more than spring, but got to set in both. The air ride is nice!
Your back will thank you.