DIY robot lawn mower

[touree]

I concur with you; I have not quite an advanced knowledge of computers and electronics but this has not deterred me from getting the flow of the whole discussion. Very informative! :thumbsup:

 

[Tommy]

picture of my mom's first try with George. she said she like it and would use if I can figure out the depth perception issue.

Tommy

 

[Two-Stroke]

picture of my mom's first try with George. she said she like it and would use if I can figure out the depth perception issue.

Tommy

Was she able to clear some snow with George? Can't she just look out the window to get depth perception?

Thanks for the update.

 

[Tommy]

Can't she just look out the window to get depth perception?

Two-Stroke
At my place I can sit in the kitchen and watch everything George is doing, but not at my mom place,
she is going to need the cameras or something.

Tommy

 

[Tommy]

Now that spring is here, Its time to get serious about the mowing issue.

First try is going to be with three reel mowers.

picture of the first one temperately mounted.

Tommy

 

[Two-Stroke]

Now that spring is here, Its time to get serious about the mowing issue.

First try is going to be with three reel mowers.

picture of the first one temperately mounted.

Tommy

Tommy, it's good to hear from you.:smile:

Was the snow plow useful for your mom? Please fill us in.

The newest project is looking good. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[Tommy]

Was the snow plow useful for your mom?

Two-Stroke, yes and no. useful only in she didn't have to do it or have it done, because
I used george to do it. truth be told I was watching the weather very closely for chances
to use the plow on george this winter, and having great fun while doing it.
Winter was not all that generous with snow this year, with only eight opportunities to test
weights and controls, George still does not give me a warm & fuzzy feeling.

but on the plus side, I do have a warm&fuzzy feeling about the PC control of the drive system,
I feel comfortable enough to removed the springs from the motor mounts.

this morning I got the other two mowers temp. mounted

Tommy

 

[Two-Stroke]

Two-Stroke, yes and no. useful only in she didn't have to do it or have it done, because
I used george to do it. truth be told I was watching the weather very closely for chances
to use the plow on george this winter, and having great fun while doing it.
Winter was not all that generous with snow this year, with only eight opportunities to test
weights and controls, George still does not give me a warm & fuzzy feeling.

but on the plus side, I do have a warm&fuzzy feeling about the PC control of the drive system,
I feel comfortable enough to removed the springs from the motor mounts.

this morning I got the other two mowers temp. mounted

Tommy

I imagine that it would be fun to wait for snow to have an opportunity to test George.:biggrin:

Basic (probably obvious) questions about George as a mower:

The reel mowers go in front of the main unit -- correct? (As opposed to being towed.)

Does George steer by varying the speed of the large wheels? To turn left the left wheel would slow down relative to the right, for example.

Thanks again for posting.

 

[Tommy]

The reel mowers go in front of the main unit -- correct?

Does George steer by varying the speed of the large wheels?

You are thinking correct, with the current test mowing deck the smallest turn radius
the Mule can make with the mower down(in contact with the ground) is @200ft. in
practice George is going to be mowing straight lines. when it's stopped the mower
deck will be up for zero radius turns.

I'd give this approach an 40% chance of lasting longer then four weeks of testing before
I scrape it and move on to plan B.

but I do love how compact the mower deck is while raised.


Tommy

 

[Two-Stroke]

Tommy:

On the subject of turning with a mower attachment: did you consider a rotary mower with a couple of caster wheels? That's how many if not most "zero-turn" mowers achieve their ability to mow close to obstacles.

I might add that a lot of high-end mowers (used on golf courses, etc.) use a "gang" of reel mowers. You get a nice, clean cut - some of the posts I've read on this forum have changed my mind somewhat on the merits of a reel mower.