Winch-Operated Lawn Tractor Service Ramp

Winch-Operated Lawn Tractor Service Ramp FARM HOME Miscellaneous 33-6-6 Using scrap lumber, 84-year-old Val Otis, Rolla, Mo., built his own "service lift" for riding mowers and ATV's. "It provides me with a safe and easy way to clean the deck and sharpen the blades on any riding mower. It also makes it easier to change oil, install belts, and do other routine maintenance," says Otis. "Once the riding mower or ATV is on the service lift I can pull up a chair and do all my work from a sitting position." The 4-legged service lift is built mostly from 2 by 4's and 2 by 6's. It measures about 10 ft. long and rides on a pair of 8-in. high wheels. An 18-in. dia. steering wheel at the back end of the lift serves as a winch. The steering wheel is attached to a -in. dia. shaft that's held in place by couplers. A length of cable that's attached to the shaft hooks up to the front or rear of the mower. The operator raises the back end of the service lift until the front end is on the ground. Then he turns the steering wheel to slowly pull the tractor onto the table. Once the tractor reaches the service lift's balance point, the lift slowly tilts back down until all four legs are on the ground. "It's a simple concept but it works," says Otis. "I used the steering wheel off a Farmall tractor because it's big. The ratio between the big steering wheel and small diameter shaft makes the steering wheel easy to turn." Otis is willing to provide plans for a fee if there's enough interest. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, In care of John Boldrey, 15621 Private Dr., No. 1063, St. James, Mo. 65559 (ph 573 578-7753; boldrey@centurytel.net).

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