Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Edge of water grass control solution.

Now that my pond is full, I have had the joyous task of weed eating the bank. I had a spare push mower that I used for a solution to this problem. Here is what I came up with:

Bracket mounted


Boom attached. I did away with the shocks. It made the pivot a little stiff.




Stored position takes up no more floor space than a push mower.


Here is a video of the first test:

That's a great idea and good fab work! Maybe one shock and a worn out one at that. You can find struts that lift up hatches on cars that are rated for different weights, that may be an option.

The only thing that I could see happening is if you were to hit something solid with the mower and it might bend the arm backwards. Maybe some sort of break away device that would let the mower and arm pivot backwards if "X" amount of force was exceeded? I know that they make something like that for spray booms on ag sprayers.

Great job. That looks like something Dwight would make - that's a compliment!
Do you have any problems with sticks or rocks being shot back at you?

Thanks, I guess I should mention how it is being driven. If you look at the top of the last picture there is a piece of 2x2 tubing that makes a "t" at the end of the boom arm. This plugs into receiver hitch on a 3 point trailer mover I made for the back of my tractor and allows me to adjust the offset from the side of the tractor. I use the lift arms to raise and lower the boom so that it follows the slope. I don't have a picture handy at the moment.

The chain is to limit the angle of operation to 10 degrees off horizontal, I have a turnbuckel to add for a finer degree of control. The reason to limit the angle is because this push mower, like most residential grade mowers, uses a splash lubricated engine, that if tilted too far, will starve the bearings of oil. Briggs recommends a maximum angle of continuious operation of 15 degrees. I allowed 5 degree of sidehill of the tractor. Next time I use it I will put an protractor on the hood an see if I am even getting 5 degree of angle.

I have not had anything shot towards me, that is why I have the side discharge chute closed. In the really thick grass it would be nice to have a discharge so I plan to build a chute that hooks to the rear bagger chute and discharges the clippings to the rear and slightly away from the water to keep them out the pond. This was just a test run to see how well the idea worked so I could change the bracket if needed before I paint everything.

Esshup, that is a great idea about the break away. A pivot point with a shear pin to hold it closed it one possibility. I have a few different length shocks that I may try by using just one to see how it reacts. It has done pretty good without them though.

another idea would be to suspend the mower by links or chains so it could float with the ground.
Think your idea is pretty cool though

Alternatively use a large spring inline with the boom rather than a breakaway. Thinking one of the playground springs where several stiff sections are separated with springs that the kids run across.

I'm all for hiring the college kid though. Then you can sit back with a beer and enjoy the show. "Hey watch out for that... ! um, slippery spot. Let me get you a towel."

How about switching to a two cycle mower.... no further worries about the angle?

Used Lawn-Boys can be found pretty cheaply.

I thought about that and even saw some pictures of that method, but was afraid that it wouldn't track very well on a slope. This way the mower follows the contour of the ground and adjusts to the angle (within the limit of the chain).

I was that college kid just 4 years ago... I don't think I will trust a college kid with my weed eater, especially around water.

That was my original plan, to use a two cycle, until I was given this mower for free. It was headed to the scrap pile because it would not start. A good carb cleaning and proper installation of the air filter and it was running great. If I do run across a 2cycle I will go that route. I will mount the gas tank to the boom arm that way I do not have to worry about sloshing or spilling of the fuel when tilted.

I take it that you simply disabled the operator presence control? (The brake handle that you have to hold in order for the engine to run) That system also incorporates the ignition kill... what are you doing for a kill switch, especially in case of emergency stops?

For the test I simply removed the cable from the bracket and zip tied the lever in the 'run' position. For a permanent solution I am going to run a throttle cable to the governor arm for engine speed control. When idled all the way down it will stall the engine. The throttle will be bolted to a clamp that I can secure to the hand rail on the fender of my tractor.