Garden Tractor Disk Harrow - Progress 3

Made some more progress on the disk harrow for the Garden Tractor. I re-enforced the tongue with angle iron welded to the back of the tool bar and, under the tongue on the front side. I wanted the keep the bar as open as possible so the clamps can be positioned along the bar to accept other implements if desired. I decided rather than building a frame to accept cement blocks for weight I would just use a weight I made for the front of the tractor that I rarely use. (Tractor progress - 5, April '10) It's made to slide in a receiver. I added the tabs so the weight can be set on top, and held in place with a pin. This will also make it easy to remove. The disks need to be cleaned up and painted then it will be complete.

I have notice a number of Google searches for building a Garden Tractor Disk Harrow. I have watched for a small used Sears, or Brinly harrow for sometime. Unfortunately in my area they are not plentiful. I was lucky and these disks were part of a "lot" I bought last fall. They are 12" tall and are in excellent condition. I have included a photo below that shows how they are held together. Instead of bearings they use oak carriers that go around a 1" rod and are held in place by clamps. It's simple but works fine. I am going to replace the wood on these since they are weathered. I will also add grease fittings. I added links in the side bar for Agri-Supply which is a good source for parts (Look under tillage), and Brinly who manufactures Garden Tractor implements. AH

Light Stand - Finished / Indoor Seeds Arrived

Finished the light stand. Just in time the seeds to be started indoors arrived with the mail today. I hope to get them planted in containers by weeks end. I have Supersweet Cherry's, and Big Beef tomato's. I had ordered a grape tomato as well, but it was discontinued. I wish they had just substituted another variety rather issuing a credit. I am also starting Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Straightneck yellow, and Zucchini squash.

Garden Tractor Disk Harrow - Progress 2

I got some work done on the tongue, and hitch for the disk harrow. It needs some bracing where the tongue meets the tool bar. My schedule is full this week so I'm not sure when I'll get to work on it again. We are having another snow storm this evening. It's dropped about 6" in the last couple hours, and is still coming down. AH

Building Disk Harrow for the Garden Tractor

I'm putting together a disk harrow for the Garden Tractor. I pick up these disks last fall cheap. I believe they are from and old David Bradley walk behind tractor. They are 12" in diameter. I will mount them on a steel bar with clasps. I want to be able to adjust the angle of the disks from +20 to -20 degrees. It will be 38" wide to match the width if the tractor. I will build a tonge and hitch to fit a standard garden tractor sleeve hitch. I want to make the tonge long enough that it will follow the tractor through the sharpest turns without making contact with the rear tires. This will also make it possible to be pulled with a ATV as well. Most small harrows need extra weight to dig. I'll make a tray on top so weight like cement blocks can be used. Well time to get busy. AH

Building a Light Stand

Another project I started is building a simple light stand to start plants indoors. I have tried starting plants inside from seed with only limited success. The biggest problem is the stems will grow long and spindly trying the reach the light source such as a nearby window. This make the plants a target for failure. So I decided to try using a fluorescent light that can be adjust above the plants and be raised upward as they grow, until it's warm enough to move them outside. The goals is starting good strong plants that will survive. The light I have to work with is 48" long and two lights wide. A shorter wider light might be a better choice for space reasons. But I'm working with what I have. The stand will be made from old bed rails. With a little cutting and welding I have found old rails to have many uses. In the photo below you can see I have cut the necessary pieces to get started. Hope I can find some time this weekend to work on it. I can start the indoor seeds six week prior to the last freezing temperature. April 17th is the average last frost for my area. AH

Building a Wheel Hoe Progress - 3

I got the attachments for the Wheel Hoe put together. A 6" furrower, a sweep for weeding, and the tines for cultivating the soil. Now it just needs to be cleaned up, painted, and the handles water proofed. When the snow melts, and the ground is thawed out I'll post some photos of it working. More snow on the way for the next three days. Will spring ever come. AH : (

Building a Wheel Hoe Progress - 2

I made some progress on the wheel hoe this weekend. As you can see I have built the handles. They are made from a 1" x 6" x 5' pine. I used the pistol grip design which seems the best suited for pushing, and pulling. I used a scroll saw to cut out the handles, and the table saw to cut the length, and make the cross brace. I used a router to round all the edges so splinter won't be a problem. I'm happy with how they turned out. Sorting out the details for the attachments is next. AH

Building a Wheel Hoe Progress - 1

Here is my progress so far on the wheel hoe. You can see where I cut scores in the metal to make the bends. These will be welded for strength later. I want the back wider so the attachments can be set off center for chores like hilling.

Here you can see I added a brace behind the wheel and extended the sides to make room for the attachments without interfering with the wheel.

Here you can see the basic design. Everything is tack welded for now. I like to make sure everything square and I'm happy with the design before the final welds. You can see the attachments will be adjustable right to left, and up and down. Next I need to add mounts for the handles.

Building a Wheel Hoe for the Garden

I went out to the garage and looked through my scrap to see what I had that I could be used to make a wheel hoe. Now I know your thinking what a pack rat I must be. Well, I'm not that bad. I do have two five gallon buckets filled with bits and pieces of scrap metal that I have collected. I have managed to build a few things over the years with scrap that was free.

So here's what a gathered up; A lawn mower wheel a little dirty but in good shape. It has a ball bearing center so it roll easily. Its solid rubber so no flats from those nasty little sand burrs. I have a small field sweep, hilling blade, Three small cultivator tines, and somewhere I have a small v-plow. I found a clasp from a old tool bar that will hold the attachments. The rest is flat stock that will use to build the frame. I chose pieces that would be strong but light as possible since I want the hoe to be easy to use.

Wheel Hoes

I have been wanting a wheel hoe for my home garden for sometime. It's not a item you see at the box stores. It's something I never really think about until my back is hurting from making furrows, or weeding the garden with a hoe. I started looking to see what's available. There are several designs to chose from. They all look like they would do the job. The one thing they all have in common is that they are pricey. If you have a garden of any size they would save a lot of work. So the price maybe worth it in the long run.

This is the Planet Wizbang model. It can be purchases as a kit or complete. The web site also give information on how to built it your self. The already finished model it is $199 shipped less the handles which are $60- $75 depending on the ones you want. www.plantwhizbang.com

This one is just for fun. It's also the low cost leader. Sometimes you just got to work with what you have. I do it all the time.

This the Glaser model. Swiss made. Goes for $349 with a oscillating hoe attachment. www.johnnyseeds.com

This the Hoss. Designed after the original Planet Jr. model from a century ago. I must be a good design to still be the standard today. It costs $189-$239. It comes the the cultivators. Other implements are available. www.easydigging.co

This is the Oak Valley model. It sells for $265 and comes with either a metal wheel or inflated rubber tire. www.valleyoaktools.com

This is the Earthway big wheel. Sells for $105-$130. www.earthway-outlet.com

These all look like they will do the job. I like the smaller wheel design and the handles more to the rear look like they would do a better job of digging. I have used the big wheel model and they work fine but they feel wobbly. The big wheel is difficult to use around larger plants, it just gets in the way. I think the wheel needs to big enough to roll over the soft soil with minimal effort. I would like to be able to use different attachment to accomplish as much work as possible. Most of these manly come with the oscillating hoe (hoop) which is used for weeding and breaking up the soil. I grow corn so making furrows, weeding, and hilling are all important.

After looking I think I will try and build one. It all boils down to time, money, and desire. My Dad once told me deciding whether one should buy something or do it yourself, comes down to time and money and which you have more of. I think he was right. Like most people I find both to be in short supply most of the time. I enjoy building things so desire is not a problem.