Mower Built From Old Combine

Mower Built from Old Combine COMBINES Conversions 16-5-2 B.L. Uhnken, Jacksonville, Ill., has 101/2 miles of road banks and 37 acres of water-ways to mow and he wanted a mower that would make the entire job easier. That's what prompted him to build a self-propelled, articulated front-mount mower using parts that, for the most part, came from old combines. Uhnken started with a stripped-down Deere 7700 combine, building an almost totally new machine around various salvaged components. He built his own chassis, designing it to carry an in-line 276 T John Deere engine. He says the engine is ideal for the mower because it's short yet has plenty of power. Akey component of the concept is articulated "bend in the middle" steering. He positioned a large 2-in. dia., 20 in. long king pin between the two halves of the machine, equipping it with bronze bushings top and bottom. John Deere header cylinders (from a Deere 4400 combine) mount on either side of the pivot joint to provide the steering. Uhnken froze the original steering knuckles in place on the rear axle. Hhe left the center pivot point in place on the axle so the machine would oscillate on rough ground. The gearbox that belt-drives the hydro-static drive came from an old John Deere 10A combine. It has three drive belts. Five belts drive the pto which powers the new 101/2-ft. Woods mower mounted on front. Uhnken uses an air cylinder t.o engage and disengage the pto. He notes that in some cases, air pressure is easier to work with than hydraulics. To provide air pressure, he mounted an air compressor from an automotive air conditioner on the side of the engine. It pumps air into a tank mounted just ahead of the mower's pivot point. Uhnken designed his own front-mount hitch for the mower. It not only raises up and down but also allows the mower to oscillates back and forth to stay on the ground regardless of the terrain. Uhnken also built the diesel fuel tank, which mounts on the rear half of the mower. The original Deere 7700 cab is mounted on the mower for air conditioned operator comfort. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, B.L. Uhnken, 25 Westfair, Jacksonville, Ill. 62650 (ph 217 472-3851).

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