mike_o 35 Posted May 17, 2011 Obviously, I need brain surgery, but apart from that, can you guess what this is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Falcon#5 594 Posted May 17, 2011 A powered jinker? *EDIT* I just noticed there is no drive to the wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadInventor 3884 Posted May 17, 2011 Obvious It's going to be a lawn mower to tow behind your RC. Hence no drive to the wheels, wide wheelbase, motor facing down (ready for prop / blade) , and a tow loop. What do I win ?????? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TWINSET 1793 Posted May 17, 2011 Bunny hacker; assembly is pushed in front of vehicle in order to 'clear' rabbits from road 5 Gillette Mach 3 razor heads are attached to rotors, direct driven from motor Probably Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Falcon#5 594 Posted May 17, 2011 MadInventor probably right. TWINSETs idea is much more fun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr crispy 2293 Posted May 17, 2011 R/C lawn mowing? The wife wont be able to complain about that one eh? "Yes love I know I've been at it for hours but Im just being thorough! Now put the kettle on" You might need a little suspenion on the wheels though or it'll ground out when it lands after the jumps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TWINSET 1793 Posted May 17, 2011 MadInventor probably right.TWINSETs idea is much more fun! Could easily be adapted for cane toads too, with simple splash guards bolted on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_o 35 Posted May 17, 2011 Oh, you guys are too clever. Or just in need of same type of brain surgery as myself. It is indeed a lawn mower. With directly mounted scalpel blades below. Inteded to cut the grass sufficeintly low in tracks for buggy racing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TWINSET 1793 Posted May 17, 2011 Would it not have made more sense to have the motor plate larger than the blade assembly's diameter? At the minute it looks like you could do yourself some serious damage picking it up anywhere but the ball-hitch. All joking apart, that thing needs some guards on it, not least to stop a chunk of scalpel blade shooting off into your eye when it eventually shatters Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TA-Mark 195 Posted May 17, 2011 All joking apart, that thing needs some guards on it, not least to stop a chunk of scalpel blade shooting off into your eye when it eventually shatters There's that suggested brain surgery Obviously, I need brain surgery I agree though, make up a cover for that blade. Be crazy safe You might find that the motor won't work so well as a direct drive. 3:1 ratio reduction (a pinion and spur gear) might work a bit better and still spin fast enough to cut effectivey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadInventor 3884 Posted May 17, 2011 I agree with twinset about the guards, if one of the blades hit a bit gravel or similar and shatters it will fly out at high velocity, possibly sticking into something soft and squishy. What about using a plastic model aeroplane propellor. The blade does not have to be that sharp to cut grass and will have a much wider cutting disc (You will be there all day cutting a course out with a cutting width of 2inches. You really want 2 more to tow behind that one in 'vic formation'... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waterbok 1282 Posted May 17, 2011 have look at some of the pics here mowers this is the setup that is used on 'rougher' terrain. No fixed blades, U could use rc helicopterparts for that. and be carefull with rocks or perhaps in this case pebbles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DooBeDooBeDo 0 Posted May 17, 2011 A strimmer manages to cut using plastic string - that looks lethal. I'll take bets on how long it takes before you lose a digit or worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_o 35 Posted May 17, 2011 Thanks for all your comments - I laughed a lot! But seriously, those comments about security are spot on; I will fit a cover. First, I may just want to add a second motor to increase cut width :-) Also, I did consider a reduction gear, but since the diameter is so small (8 cm) and I run the motor on 4,8v only, it seems to work quite well. Here is a picture of the (appropriately chosen) Wild Dagger with the mower mounted: Adds a new meaning to the name "Wild Dagger", doesn't it? The Dagger is running with the two silver can motors in series to slow things down and make it more controllable. And the test result (difficult to photograph): Next step will be to figure out how to operate the unit via the 3. channel on my Graupner XS-6 transmitter and a second ESC. That way I can also stay out of harms way when turning on and off the thingy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadInventor 3884 Posted May 17, 2011 Next step will be to figure out how to operate the unit via the 3. channel on my Graupner XS-6 transmitter and a second ESC. That way I can also stay out of harms way when turning on and off the thingy. What about a simple 'Weight on wheels' switch. You could use a microswitch with a paddle on that closes the switch when the mower is put on the ground, which in turn powers a relay to turn the main motor on and off. No need for an esc or multi channel RC, and if you roll it will automatically cut the motor. Cheap and safe . Alternatively, put the switch on a extending tow bar. When the mower is pulled by the RC it pulls the swtich closed, reverse slightly and it shuts the mower off. Or use both for safety and control. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
commiedoor 18 Posted May 18, 2011 '' idle hands are the devils tools '' comes to my mind straight away ! you should rename the dagger to the '' wild scalpel '' !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin_Mc 411 Posted May 18, 2011 '' idle hands are the devils tools '' comes to my mind straight away ! idle hands may soon be removed i really like it, it's a good idea and could be really good with some small improvements. Looking forward to seeing it evolve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_o 35 Posted May 19, 2011 There's that suggested brain surgery idle hands may soon be removed i really like it, it's a good idea and could be really good with some small improvements. Looking forward to seeing it evolve Haha, thanks! Well, not only have I taken the project to the next level, I have also maintained enough eye vision and finger tips to post an update: and from below: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr crispy 2293 Posted May 19, 2011 Ok so next up it'll be needing a grass collection box and a cup holder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_o 35 Posted June 14, 2011 Latest update: powering up the device was getting on my nerves, so I decided to try out the third channel on my Tx/Rx. I added another ESC to the empty channel (the TEU-101's separate power wire (=powerless receiver wire) is quite useful here so you don't have two ESCs fighting over the receiver/servo power delivery). Small demo video here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mb_c11 0 Posted June 14, 2011 Does it include great rivers of blood? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_o 35 Posted June 14, 2011 Does it include great rivers of blood? The neighbor's cat is very interested in the device, so I'll keep my camera at hand... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr crispy 2293 Posted June 14, 2011 Nice! When it powered up I was half expecting it to start hovering. I certainly wouldnt want to be within touching distance when its going full speed. I cant help thinking flashing yellow warning lights would add to the look and be practical. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites