Leaf Catcher Built For Walk-Behind Mower
“For years I’ve been trying to come up with a larger leaf catcher for my Exmark walk-behind, 48-in. mower. Thanks to an article in FARM SHOW (Vol. 36, No. 5), I was inspired to try the method shown in these photos,” says Philip Whitmoyer, Leesport, Penn.
“The bagger I built has more than 3 times the volume of the commercial one that came with the mower and was made entirely from salvaged material I already had,” says Whitmoyer.
He used 2-in. angle iron to build a frame and bolted two 5-in. rigid caster wheels underneath and added a plywood floor. A pair of pins welded under the frame fit into holes in the mower frame and are secured underneath with cotter pins, allowing the unit to move freely over uneven ground.
He then built a 3-sided “catcher box” that friction fits into the angle iron frame. The box measures 30 in. wide by 32 in. long by 19 in. high. He made the box as lightweight as possible – about 16 lbs. – by using a wooden frame, 6-in. wire road mesh, and some pieces of 1/4-in. thick plywood. Screens from old storm windows on 2 sides “allow plenty of air flow which really packs the box full,” says Whitmoyer. “Half of the top is also covered by screen, which provides an excellent view of how full the bagger is getting.
“To empty, I simply park next to my garden or over a tarp, lift off the box and fork the leaves and grass off the frame. I was amazed how well the unit pivots on tight turns, even with the rigid caster wheels.”
Whitmoyer says he thought the leaf catcher might drag to one side, but that hasn’t been a problem. He also thought he might need swivel caster wheels, but that hasn’t been a problem, either.
“It was one of those projects where I was amazed how well it worked the first time. I didn’t have to rebuild anything,” notes Whitmoyer.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Philip Whitmoyer, 236 Ziegler Rd., Leesport, Penn. 19533 (ph 610 926-1014; pewhitmo@epix.net).
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Leaf Catcher Built For Walk-Behind Mower FARM HOME Lawn Mowers 31h 38 “For years I’ve been trying to come up with a larger leaf catcher for my Exmark walk-behind 48-in mower Thanks to an article in FARM SHOW Vol 36 No 5 I was inspired to try the method shown in these photos ” says Philip Whitmoyer Leesport Penn “The bagger I built has more than 3 times the volume of the commercial one that came with the mower and was made entirely from salvaged material I already had ” says Whitmoyer He used 2-in angle iron to build a frame and bolted two 5-in rigid caster wheels underneath and added a plywood floor A pair of pins welded under the frame fit into holes in the mower frame and are secured underneath with cotter pins allowing the unit to move freely over uneven ground He then built a 3-sided “catcher box” that friction fits into the angle iron frame The box measures 30 in wide by 32 in long by 19 in high He made the box as lightweight as possible – about 16 lbs – by using a wooden frame 6-in wire road mesh and some pieces of 1/4-in thick plywood Screens from old storm windows on 2 sides “allow plenty of air flow which really packs the box full ” says Whitmoyer “Half of the top is also covered by screen which provides an excellent view of how full the bagger is getting “To empty I simply park next to my garden or over a tarp lift off the box and fork the leaves and grass off the frame I was amazed how well the unit pivots on tight turns even with the rigid caster wheels ” Whitmoyer says he thought the leaf catcher might drag to one side but that hasn’t been a problem He also thought he might need swivel caster wheels but that hasn’t been a problem either “It was one of those projects where I was amazed how well it worked the first time I didn’t have to rebuild anything ” notes Whitmoyer Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Philip Whitmoyer 236 Ziegler Rd Leesport Penn 19533 ph 610 926-1014; pewhitmo@epix net
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