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Convert lawnmower into lawn / pavement vacuum (?)
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Home Guy
Mar 16, 2014, 6:41:27 PM3/16/14
to
Would this work:
Take a lawnmower, mount a plate (steel, plywood, etc) under the entire
deck, effectively creating a sealed cavity inside which turns the mower
blade. Seal around the edge where the deck meets this plate.
Cut a slot across the center of this plate, from left to right. Maybe
an inch wide.
Take a brisle broom that's as wide as the mower, and mount it to the
underside of the plate, just in front of the slot. A broom with short
bristles - say, 1" long. Possibly add second broom on the back side of
the slot - or a rubber flap in contact with the ground to act as a seal
to help concentrate the vacuum effect.
Take the mower blade and give it more of a twist - make it look more
like a fan blade.
Adjust the deck height so the broom is in good contact with the ground,
but you can still push the mower reasonably well across the ground (or
pavement).
Main purpose: Clean pavement and nearby grass of small sand/gravel put
down over the winter to combat snow and ice.
Secondary purpose: Pick up debris on grass left behind after a brutal
winter. This includes a ton of sunflow shells, bird seed, other
"grunge".
A lawn mower aught to be able to generate quite a vacuum given a
properly-constructed housing.
Would this work as imagined?
PS: Lowering the mower so that the deck skids across the pavent does
pick up road sand, but it's very messy, throws a lot of it back at the
operator, must wear face shield and long pants, etc.
I've not seen anything like this on youtube.
Take a lawnmower, mount a plate (steel, plywood, etc) under the entire
deck, effectively creating a sealed cavity inside which turns the mower
blade. Seal around the edge where the deck meets this plate.
Cut a slot across the center of this plate, from left to right. Maybe
an inch wide.
Take a brisle broom that's as wide as the mower, and mount it to the
underside of the plate, just in front of the slot. A broom with short
bristles - say, 1" long. Possibly add second broom on the back side of
the slot - or a rubber flap in contact with the ground to act as a seal
to help concentrate the vacuum effect.
Take the mower blade and give it more of a twist - make it look more
like a fan blade.
Adjust the deck height so the broom is in good contact with the ground,
but you can still push the mower reasonably well across the ground (or
pavement).
Main purpose: Clean pavement and nearby grass of small sand/gravel put
down over the winter to combat snow and ice.
Secondary purpose: Pick up debris on grass left behind after a brutal
winter. This includes a ton of sunflow shells, bird seed, other
"grunge".
A lawn mower aught to be able to generate quite a vacuum given a
properly-constructed housing.
Would this work as imagined?
PS: Lowering the mower so that the deck skids across the pavent does
pick up road sand, but it's very messy, throws a lot of it back at the
operator, must wear face shield and long pants, etc.
I've not seen anything like this on youtube.
philo
Mar 16, 2014, 6:43:24 PM3/16/14
to
On 03/16/2014 05:41 PM, Home Guy wrote:
> Would this work:
>
> Take a lawnmower, mount a plate (steel, plywood, etc) under the entire
> deck, effectively creating a sealed cavity inside which turns the mower
> blade. Seal around the edge where the deck meets this plate.
Not a good idea. You'd have to put ten locks on your garage door to keep
> Would this work:
>
> Take a lawnmower, mount a plate (steel, plywood, etc) under the entire
> deck, effectively creating a sealed cavity inside which turns the mower
> blade. Seal around the edge where the deck meets this plate.
the neighbors from stealing something that utterly amazing.
Sheesh
<shakes head>
Home Guy
Mar 16, 2014, 7:02:26 PM3/16/14
to
philo wrote:
> > Would this work:
>
> Sheesh
>
> <shakes head>
Is that your insightful analysis on the aerodynamics of such a
construction?
> > Would this work:
>
> Sheesh
>
> <shakes head>
Is that your insightful analysis on the aerodynamics of such a
construction?
Stormin Mormon
Mar 16, 2014, 6:57:24 PM3/16/14
to
Perhaps a leaf blower would work better? Push the
dirt and debris in one direction. Broom and dust
pan when it's more localized.
I've seen folks at store parking lots using a ride
on vac cleaner, but that would be a bit pricey for
one residence.
--
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
philo
Mar 16, 2014, 7:04:21 PM3/16/14
to
The blade way too fast to use it the way you had planned...
plus...sidewalk sweepers exist that were specifically made for that purpose.
The range from $50 to $2000
Home Guy
Mar 16, 2014, 7:16:59 PM3/16/14
to
philo wrote:
> > Is that your insightful analysis on the aerodynamics of such a
> > construction?
>
> Yes.
>
> The blade way too fast to use it the way you had planned...
The blade is not in contact with anything.
> > Is that your insightful analysis on the aerodynamics of such a
> > construction?
>
> Yes.
>
> The blade way too fast to use it the way you had planned...
All the blade does is generate the vacuum.
Go back and read the description.
> plus...sidewalk sweepers exist that were specifically made
I have an old lawn mower. It ranges from $0 to $0 in cost for me.
philo
Mar 16, 2014, 7:19:07 PM3/16/14
to
debris off the sidewalk etc.
Home Guy
Mar 16, 2014, 7:28:04 PM3/16/14
to
philo wrote:
> You don't have to do anything with the mower, it will work as-is to
> blow debris off the sidewalk etc.
I don't want to blow the debris.
> You don't have to do anything with the mower, it will work as-is to
> blow debris off the sidewalk etc.
I want to collect.
To VACUUM it up.
Walk-behind lawn mowers (with bag attachment) are collection devices -
not blowers. But their efficiency at picking up dense material (like
sand, grit, gravel) is dependant on how much (or little) space there is
between the deck and the ground surface. Too much of a gap, and even
with a bag attachment they will throw more of the sand/gravel to the
side instead of picking it up and putting it in the bag.
philo
Mar 16, 2014, 7:27:27 PM3/16/14
to
The whole idea of cleaning up the outdoors seems a bit weird to me.
Stormin Mormon
Mar 16, 2014, 7:42:12 PM3/16/14
to
On 3/16/2014 7:19 PM, philo wrote:
>>
>> I have an old lawn mower. It ranges from $0 to $0 in cost for me.
>
> You don't have to do anything with the mower, it will work as-is to blow
> debris off the sidewalk etc.
Walking mowers and salt or sand, tends to
>>
>> I have an old lawn mower. It ranges from $0 to $0 in cost for me.
>
> You don't have to do anything with the mower, it will work as-is to blow
> debris off the sidewalk etc.
throw much out from the center. From what
I read, HG wants to send it all in a specific
direction.
HG, did you want to bag the debris, or just
move it aside?
Stormin Mormon
Mar 16, 2014, 7:45:46 PM3/16/14
to
On 3/16/2014 7:28 PM, Home Guy wrote:
> I don't want to blow the debris.
>
> I want to collect.
>
> To VACUUM it up.
>
> Walk-behind lawn mowers (with bag attachment) are collection devices -
> not blowers. But their efficiency at picking up dense material (like
> sand, grit, gravel) is dependant on how much (or little) space there is
> between the deck and the ground surface. Too much of a gap, and even
> with a bag attachment they will throw more of the sand/gravel to the
> side instead of picking it up and putting it in the bag.
I should read the next message, eh?
> I don't want to blow the debris.
>
> I want to collect.
>
> To VACUUM it up.
>
> Walk-behind lawn mowers (with bag attachment) are collection devices -
> not blowers. But their efficiency at picking up dense material (like
> sand, grit, gravel) is dependant on how much (or little) space there is
> between the deck and the ground surface. Too much of a gap, and even
> with a bag attachment they will throw more of the sand/gravel to the
> side instead of picking it up and putting it in the bag.
I suspect your grass catcher bag will
rapidly be clogged with dust, and that
will choke off the air flow.
If you get the mower deck too close to
the ground around the edge you won't have
any air coming in.
The sealed bottom deck (with slot and brush
as you describe) might allow air inflow, while
reducing scatter.
I've never built one, but it sounds like
it's got merit.
Tekkie®
Mar 16, 2014, 10:07:06 PM3/16/14
to
Home Guy posted for all of us...
And I know how to SNIP
I used to have a lawn sweeper. It didn't work well, which is the reason
they can't be found anymore.
--
Tekkie
And I know how to SNIP
they can't be found anymore.
--
Tekkie
nestork
Mar 16, 2014, 11:51:29 PM3/16/14
to
The problem with trying to convert a lawn mower is that it's blade has
been optomized to cut grass. It provides only enough suction to lift
the grass blades up for a trim of uniform height.
To vaccuum up sand, dirt, dung, popsicle sticks, twigs, beer bottle caps
and stuff like that, you need a powerful vaccuum, and that means the
blade has to be optimize to move air, not cut grass.
Also, the machine has to be designed to deposit the rubbish in some sort
of receptacle without clogging up with dirt, sand and dust, and that's
another engineering challenge if you start with a lawn mower.
--
nestork
Bob F
Mar 18, 2014, 6:01:07 PM3/18/14
to
the thing picks up all over the place. The air at the center of the blade is
going strongly down.
A curved slot around the front of the blade edge might work. Use a Snapper "Hi
Vac" mower
I've got a gas powered vac I'll sell you for $50 if you pick it up in Seattle.
Tim Paige
Jun 29, 2016, 5:44:05 PM6/29/16
to
replying to Home Guy, Tim Paige wrote:
I completely understand what your Trying to do .I was concidering the same
thing .I first thought maybe just modify a buffering pad or an actual sweeper
pad to fit on the mower instead of the blade creating suction . Maybe open the
front of the mower more and close off the rear and both sides useing some kind
of rubber and then modify the bagger pick up section so that the debree is
just swept into the bag rather then sucked into it . Maybe find a cheaper push
sweaper and see how its designed to sweep it into the container take some
pictures and stuff then go home and put it to work . I belive it could be done
a heck of alot cheaper then what a powered sweaper would cost you . Dont let
smart ass idiots discourage you from putting your ideas to work.many many
inventors have been laughed at. Because others were to stupid to see the
usefulness.
--
posted from
http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/convert-lawnmower-into-lawn-pavement-vacuum-789528-.htm
I completely understand what your Trying to do .I was concidering the same
thing .I first thought maybe just modify a buffering pad or an actual sweeper
pad to fit on the mower instead of the blade creating suction . Maybe open the
front of the mower more and close off the rear and both sides useing some kind
of rubber and then modify the bagger pick up section so that the debree is
just swept into the bag rather then sucked into it . Maybe find a cheaper push
sweaper and see how its designed to sweep it into the container take some
pictures and stuff then go home and put it to work . I belive it could be done
a heck of alot cheaper then what a powered sweaper would cost you . Dont let
smart ass idiots discourage you from putting your ideas to work.many many
inventors have been laughed at. Because others were to stupid to see the
usefulness.
--
posted from
http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/convert-lawnmower-into-lawn-pavement-vacuum-789528-.htm
Tim Paige
Jun 29, 2016, 5:44:05 PM6/29/16
to
replying to philo , Tim Paige wrote:
Man why you giving this guy beef he's got a ligit question and he may just be
wanting to be creative . I made a redneck air conditioner just because . I've
made a lot of things just because. Hes looking for advice not some dumb jerk
that doesn't even understand the purpose of his project .you must be really
stupid if you don't understand the reason for his design
Man why you giving this guy beef he's got a ligit question and he may just be
wanting to be creative . I made a redneck air conditioner just because . I've
made a lot of things just because. Hes looking for advice not some dumb jerk
that doesn't even understand the purpose of his project .you must be really
stupid if you don't understand the reason for his design
bb
Oct 17, 2016, 1:44:05 PM10/17/16
to
replying to Tim Paige, bb wrote:
I think it might be a great idea. I'm considering something like that also,
but I would first go to a retail store and look underneath a lawn vacuum that
looks similar to a mower, just to note the differences. Good luck.
--
for full context, visit http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/convert-lawnmower-into-lawn-pavement-vacuum-789528-.htm
I think it might be a great idea. I'm considering something like that also,
but I would first go to a retail store and look underneath a lawn vacuum that
looks similar to a mower, just to note the differences. Good luck.
--
for full context, visit http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/convert-lawnmower-into-lawn-pavement-vacuum-789528-.htm
Popeye
Jul 22, 2017, 8:14:11 AM7/22/17
to
replying to philo , Popeye wrote:
You could turn the throttle way down to almost idling, but I like your idea
better.
--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/convert-lawnmower-into-lawn-pavement-vacuum-789528-.htm
You could turn the throttle way down to almost idling, but I like your idea
better.
--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/convert-lawnmower-into-lawn-pavement-vacuum-789528-.htm
Rhonda Webster
Sep 16, 2018, 12:44:07 PM9/16/18
to
replying to Home Guy, Rhonda Webster wrote:
I agree, I have dropped my John Deere Tractor Mower deck to low position to
blast sand off sidewalk and it does work but I agree, it IS a very dirty
process for the operator. I suggest you go look at a few vacuum type sweepers
and stay creative! :)
I agree, I have dropped my John Deere Tractor Mower deck to low position to
blast sand off sidewalk and it does work but I agree, it IS a very dirty
process for the operator. I suggest you go look at a few vacuum type sweepers
and stay creative! :)
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