Work Car 1009 ("ROWMOW1") - Official Work Thread

[Mike Fox]

I mounted one of the shafts today.











I also recieved a used Honda motor I had purchased. Starts easily and Runs perfectly.

[Dale Reynolds]

hi mike, this may be late since you have made so much progress on the car, but i just saw a posting on the NARCOA website for a Fairmont sickle bar mower car that might give you a few ideas. there is also a wanted ad for one. keep up the good work, dale

[John McNamara]

For anyone interested in the engine used, here's some information from the Honda website:

http://engines.honda.com/models/model-detail/gc160

Looks like a real winner!
-John

[Mike Fox]

Another day I have had time to work on this. I modified my plan and am going to eliminate two bearings and a shaft. This will be accomplished by running the belt from the position of the motor in the picture below to the pulley and shaft I installed yesterday. I did a little decking to get things in proper alaignment.

[Mike Fox]

This mower is the same I have installed. Hope it only works as well and as fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Oy50ni5AYw&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XVwkhzoyCw&feature=related

[John McNamara]

I've noticed that many sickle bar mowers seem to handle horizontal and upward slope operation quite well. In our railroad application, we would need downward slope operation. Can ROWMOW 1 do that?

[Stephen Hussar]

That's awesome, Mike!!

Stephen

[Mike Fox]

John, I don't know how far it will go down. I have mounted the mower at an angle to help with this. the 1 to 1 slopes will be hard to mow with this as is.


I am already thinking of modifications for this if it works. More of design for Jason to assist with.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Ready to assist...

Looks great Mike!

Jason

[Mike Fox]

Almost ready for a test run. The mower counterweight was taken apart and cleaned. I thought the shaft was bent, just turned out to be a bent pulley. Going to pick up some belts and the pulley and possibly give it a try.

[Mike Fox]

Reached a milestone with Rowmow1 today. 30 hours of labor and figuring so far. Oh, and I test ran it today. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-v5ScKA7Kc

Here are some more photos. A few more hours of work should do it, then I'll clean it off and get some good pictures.

[John McNamara]

VERY impressive!

-John

[Stephen Hussar]

AWESOME, Mike!!!

Stephen

[Dave Buczkowski]

Christmas came early this year! Nice job Mike!
Dave

[Bill Reidy]

Nice, Mike, very nice!

Once it's at the museum we'll have to put a cushioned seat on it so KD can mow in comfort.

Thanks!