Instructions for making a do-it-yourself lawn mower from a washing machine
Content
Description of construction
Lawn mowers come in different capacities with gasoline and electric motors. Gasoline units are usually used on large areas, they make a lot of noise, they are able to process large volumes of grass, they are not tied to power supply, that is, they are mobile. Electric lawn mowers are usually used on household plots and summer cottages, they are very convenient for a plot of up to 12 acres in size. The only drawback of such a lawn mower is the need to limit movement to the length of the cable.
The device of a lawn mower is not complicated. It consists of a body, knives, a motor and a control lever. An engine is installed on a platform with wheels (there can be 2, 3 or 4), under the platform there are knives, handles and a control lever are attached to the platform. Some models of factory lawn mowers are equipped with a container for the cut grass, they can adjust the cutting height, they are self-propelled. Our do-it-yourself lawn mower from what was lying around in the barn from the “sorry to throw away” cycle does not possess such qualities. After that, you will have to remove the grass with a rake, you will have to carry it around the lawn yourself, using some effort, the mowing height will be the one that we set during assembly. But it may well keep our lawn in perfect condition, not inferior to expensive models.
What does it consist of
There are not so many things you need to make a lawn mower with your own hands:
- engine from an old washing machine,
- wheels from an old baby carriage or trolley,
- metal sheet 2–4 mm thick,
- tool steel knives,
- thin water pipe for the handle,
- electric cable,
- fork,
- switch.
A 180 W motor, taken with a starting relay and a capacitor from a simple washing machine, is quite suitable, you can also have a Soviet model - its weight will come in handy here. It is better if the motor is asynchronous - there is less noise from it.The wheels need to be picked up (or made by hand from plywood and bearings) so that the knives are at a height of 5–6 cm from the ground - this will be the height of mowing the grass. The number of wheels depends on the wishes of the owner: 4 - guarantees stability and the same height of the grass, 3 (with 1 wheel installed at the rear of the frame) - the same, but more economical, 2 - will provide mobility and maneuverability, the ability to work at different angles. A two-wheeled car is easier to handle among bushes, trees or some decorative elements installed on the lawn.
The metal sheet for the frame should be approximately 30 by 50 cm, usually the width of the frame is made at least 30-50 cm, and the depth is such that the engine and the casing covering it do not crawl beyond its borders. Knives are usually made by hand from mild steel 2-3 mm thick and 20-50 mm wide, steel should not be fragile, a hacksaw blade for wood is well suited. The cutting edge should be slightly curved downward to keep the motor shaft from winding up the grass.The handle can be made by bending the water pipe so that it is comfortable to hold it without bending over. The handle is welded to the mower's frame and must be provided with space for winding the cable.
Video "How to make a lawn mower with your own hands using a motor from a washing machine"
Video instruction on how to make a mower yourself using a motor from an old washing machine.
Manufacturing plan
Having picked up all the components, you can start making a lawn mower with your own hands, this can be done in one day off. If there is a ready-made chassis from a stroller or trolley, then a platform from a metal sheet must be installed and welded onto it. If this was not found, then first from a metal corner (preferably 25 by 25 mm in size) you need to weld the frame, weld the wheel stands (2, 3 or 4) from the same corner, weld the platform to it. From the pipes, you need to make a U-shaped handle of a convenient height in accordance with the growth and weld it to the platform.
After that, a hole is cut in the platform for the motor shaft. A roll bar or mild steel grill must be welded in the front of the frame. The lattice is even preferable, it will extinguish the energy of the knife if it suddenly breaks off, protect the knife from sliding off the shaft, fix the stems of plants for a more even mowing. The upper and lower grille strips can be bolted and preformed wire can be welded to them. This grate must provide a clearance for the knife of at least 1 cm in front and 2 cm below and above.
The electric motor is installed on the platform, the shaft must pass through the prepared hole. A prepared knife with sharpened cutters is installed on the motor shaft; a hole must be drilled in the middle in advance. The knife must be balanced and centered. You can check this by turning the knife by hand - it should turn easily and without distortions. The engine must be covered with a special casing to protect it from grass, but we must not forget that it must be cooled during operation, which means that it is advisable to make holes in the casing.
After that, you can connect the cable to the motor; the cut with the switch and the plug must be fixed to the handle. During operation, it is necessary to ensure that the electric wire is not damaged, otherwise you can get an electric shock. To reduce the risk, it is advisable to cover the metal handle with a rubber casing.
Device advantages
A do-it-yourself lawn mower has a number of advantages over a factory one. Her creation freed the barn from the old washing machine, wheels, wire and other lying things that were waiting in the wings. The final cost of the lawn mower will seem ridiculous compared to what is offered in stores, even taking into account the purchased parts. Among other things, a self-made device can be repaired with the same hands if necessary. A person who has managed to assemble such a device can always improve it, modify the design, replace parts.
Video "Ready-made lawn mower from a washing machine"
In this video, you can see how a finished lawn mower works from an old machine.