First up – for those who say we should just hire a mini-digger/excavator/bull-dozer, please send money along with your suggestion. Do you know what those things cost to hire? We live on a shoe-string, remember?! And the same applies to bringing in more gravel for the lane – we’ve spent many hundreds already. We’re not short of gravel/fill, it’s just that it’s now in the wrong places.
But it’s not just about the money – repairing our lane is an on-going, never-ending job, so it would be good to have our own machine to do that work with. And I hope this thing will get into places bigger machines just couldn’t go. And I like making things.
And, no, a garden rotovator would not do the same thing. Especially when it comes to harder conditions which I hope we will get to later.
These are my thoughts on the design after this first test –
It would be more stable if the wheel hub was set lower in the trolley.
The leveling wheel worked really well, but the flat plate that it rides on was too narrow (and not fixed) so it ran off the sides. Needs improvement..
The engine/shaft/reducer/chain/sprocket arrangement worked surprisingly well. But ideally I would replace it all with a hydraulic motor. That way, the power source (pump) could be sitting on the ground and just two pipes would attach to the cutting head. Big money though.
Of course it needs a second cutting head on the other side of the beam – but I’m having trouble getting matching bullet points…
Potential uses for this sort of machine..
These would cost a fraction of the price of any kind of track-digger, so that’s the biggest advantage – but they are more limited too, of course. They may be good at leveling sites/lanes/lawns/gardens though. Also clearing rough ground, laying down new railways, and trenching. (And maybe even some light tunneling!).
Lastly – it needs a better name. The Long-Armed Mangolator isn’t exactly elegant, is it? Any suggestions gratefully received!
Tim
Ok, here are some important website links. Please check them out..
Here’s Tim’s amazing guitar machine..
http://www.chordelia.com
here’s our online store where you can see some of the craft things we make and sell..
http://www.wayoutwestemporium.com/
and here’s our Patreon page where you can see more of our plans and dreams. (Remember even 5 dollars would make a BIG difference to us and we’d be very grateful.)
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2761318&ty=h
and finally our FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/way.outwest.524/ (Not quite sure what to do with this but we put photos and extra comments when we get around to it..)
Thank you!
Sandra & Tim
blowinblog@gmail.com
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First up – for those who say just hire a mini-digger/excavator/bull-dozer, please send money along with your suggestion.
Do you know what those things cost to hire? We live on a shoe-string, remember?! And the same applies to bringing in more gravel for the lane – we’ve spent many hundreds already. We’re not short of gravel/fill, it’s just that it’s in the wrong places.
But it’s not just about the money – I hope this thing will get into places bigger machines just couldn’t go. And repairing our lane is an on-going, never-ending job, so it would be good to have our own machine to do that work with. And I like making things.
And, no, a garden rotovator would not do the same thing. Especially when it comes to harder conditons which I hope we will get to later.
These are my thoughts on the design after this first test –
It would be more stable if the wheel hub was set lower in the trolley.
The leveling wheel worked really well, but the flat plate that it rides on was too narrow (and not fixed) so it ran off the sides. Needs improvement..
The engine/shaft/reducer/chain/sprocket arrangement worked surprisingly well. But ideally I would replace it all with a hydraulic motor. That way, the power source (pump) could be sitting on the ground and just two pipes would attach to the cutting head. Big money though.
Of course it needs a second cutting head on the other side of the beam – but I’m having trouble getting matching bullet points…
Potential uses for this sort of machine..
These would cost a fraction of the price of any kind of track machine, so that’s the biggest advantage – but they are more limited too, of course. They may be good at leveling sites/lanes/lawns/gardens though. Also clearing rough ground, laying down new railways, and trenching. (And maybe even some light tunneling!).
Lastly – it needs a better name. The Long-Armed Mangolator isn’t exactly elegant, is it? Any suggestions gratefully received?
Thanks, Tim
When I was a small boy, when we had pounds, shillings and pence and my pocket money was sixpence a week, my hero was Mr Heath Robinson, whom you remind me of……!
I like the way the depth stop inadvertently bends to create a camber.
lol! i love her
Tim, the design is perfect. But given the attention the goose was paying your Mangolator, you should call it the "Goose Necked Mangolator"
Chain sprocket and shaft neef more material or support. IMO LOVE THE VID!!
I love the Mangolator Tim DID you ever work in a coal mine .
A big success!
Time to throw four wheels on it tracks went out with the invention of the automobile!!!
It's kind of obvious that you were born to be an inventor, and I can only imagine what you might come up with if you had unlimited supplies. But what counts is that your prototype works, and I'm sure you'll only refine it from here out. Great video.
does the chain get loose if the ground it tough?
Some say necessity is the mother of invention but I say it's father is described in this line: "Set a lazy man to a task and he'll find an easier way to do it."
Not saying you're lazy, just that all smart humans are looking for an easier way to do things since we've found out we can make machines to do our work for us…
…and you are one smart human.
Great engineering! I once rented a Trench digging tool which was very similar in design. I bet it could also be fitted with a head that would mulch up tree stumps!
You could go opel mining in oz
Well done ??
The cutter head probably should have had a straight/center facing cutter, then a left, then a right. Dont think you would need the teeth if not cutting rock. Tons of things i could suggest, The cutter head shaft should be supported on both sides like a Y or U. Would think about ditching the chain for something less likely to pop off or break. For leveling out your driveway you can make a box grater, Square or rectangle frame with teeth to drag behind a vehicle. They make some kind of DR trimmer mower grater brand grater. Dont have to buy one but shows the design if you google it.
A complete waste of effort and your valuable time. All that effort for a useless contraption. You’re a nut
necessity is the mother of invention well done
It has a kind of beauty in its crudity if that makes sense. Long reach rotorvater maybe? Think you need a tensioner on that chain as I thought it was going to jump the sprocket. Looks like it could do some work to me.
Interesting chanel. As a German I like espesially your English pronouncian, but the railway and the other constructions too. Have fun.
hey man. a cheap rototiller will do the same thing with much less work…..
Looking real good..just keep at it and u will have a very nice driveway and no pot holes…
Just thought but would it not be better on tyres rather than rails? That way you won't have the problem of having to move the rails to suit the length of the arm and might save time? Will we be seeing this in use to help lay the 15" gauge railway around the farm?
I just built a 12 foot rail for a sliding gate…. I haven't seen the execution yet, but I like the budget design.
Apart from using a rotivator with straight tynes on it, a small digger would've been better. Mind you if you really are as poverty-stricken as you appear, a pick and shovel as used by Isambard Kingdom Brunel to build railways with would have been cheaper than the welding used, twice as physically productive and 50 times more effective in total than that heap of (unkindly) shite! Will you be attending the mad-video-makers club next tuesday or are you still taking the stoat to music lessons? . . . . .. Salvador Dali
You could find gold
Another 8 mins. of my time wasted.
I’m thinking you could mount fly swatters and have a power fly swatter. Or corn cobs and use it to wipe peoples ass. Seriously man if you have the money for this and are having fun that’s all that matters. But don’t tell us it is practical