Lawn mower with engine from washing machine– sounds more than strange at first glance. But if you think carefully, there is nothing strange about this. A lawn mower is inherently quite simple device, which, however, is incredibly expensive in the store. Yes, it’s not even a matter of money, but of principle. If you are an experienced DIYer or want to become one, then why pay someone for a ready-made lawn mower when you can make it yourself, especially since you have a garage full of the necessary spare parts.
About the functionality of the homemade product
Some will say: “ugh, a homemade lawn mower, it’s not safe, and it will be less useful than a branded product!” In fact, these statements are nothing more than the prejudices of slackers who are afraid to once again take a screwdriver and pliers in their hands, not to mention more or less serious instrument. If you do everything correctly, a homemade lawn mower will be no worse, and in some ways even better than factory models - for the price, that’s for sure.
The power of the lawn mower will be enough to mow the grass without any problems, and the body can be made very compact, so that in the future it will be easier to store such a self-made unit. Issues of operational safety can also be called into question, because even when using a factory lawn mower you can get hurt. Much here depends not on the device, but on the person who uses such a device.
A homemade lawn mower, the design of which we will propose in this publication, is no more dangerous than equipment from the world's leading companies.
Required parts and tools
So, if you are determined to DIY your first lawn mower, you need to remember that you first need to assemble necessary details and tools, and only then tinker with your plans. First let's talk about materials.
- A commutator motor from an old washing machine. This is the main part of the lawn mower. Experts advise taking the engine as powerful as possible. Better not even from a washing machine, but from a Soviet-style centrifuge.
If you don’t have a powerful engine, it doesn’t matter, the lawn mower will still be quite functional.
In addition to the main parts, you will need a certain number of fasteners: studs, bolts, nuts, washers, well, everything as usual. Now let's say a few words about required set tools.
- Various open-end and socket wrenches.
- Electric welding.
- Drill.
- Measuring tools.
- Multimeter.
- Bulgarian.
- Marker.
- Hammer.
- Pliers.
- Screwdrivers.
- Soldering iron.
Progress
Well, let's get started. If, in the process of making a lawn mower with your own hands, you realize that some parts are missing or it is better to take others instead of some parts - it doesn’t matter, this is normal. After all, when you make something with your own hands, you get involved in creative process and you don’t even notice how you are improving the original project. The exact same thing will happen in your case. But let’s not “go deep into philosophy,” but let’s get down to business.
The first thing we will do with our own hands is to make a cart chassis to which we need to attach wheels. The chassis should be located low from the ground, we are making a lawn mower, not a cart for removing garden waste.
Cut out in the center of the platform round hole, such that the motor shaft passes through it and some gap remains. We place the engine with the shaft down so that the shaft fits into the prepared hole. We mark a place on the platform for the engine frame.
When the engine is installed on the platform, it is easier to mark the place for its frame.
We fold the corners into a frame and weld them to each other. To ensure that the engine sits securely in this frame, you can additionally screw it special clamp– There is no need to weld the engine housing to the frame. Next, install the lawn mower handle. It can be welded, but it is better to bolt it to the corners so that the lawn mower can be disassembled later if the need arises.
Now we need to connect the motor. IN in this case, it is better to install the starting capacitor and other electrical components in a special plastic box. If you don’t have a box at hand, you can take a regular one plastic bottle. Such a bottle can be attached to the engine itself, but it is better to place the switch on the handle of the mower for greater convenience.
Now we attach a suitable bushing to the motor shaft, put a knife on it or cutting disc and secure it. In this case, it is important that the knife is located at the desired height and is securely fastened. In order for the knife to fit onto the sleeve, you may have to drill a hole in it - see for yourself. That's it, the electric lawn mower is ready, now all that remains is to connect it to the network and arrange the first mowing of your lawn.
Security measures
When using a homemade lawnmower, be careful. Do not turn on the device in the rain or when the grass has not yet dried. Factory lawn mowers have everything electric wires reliably insulated, and the engine is enclosed in a waterproof casing. In our case, if we decide to mow the grass in the rain or after it - defeat electric shock can't be avoided.
Do not share the lawn mower with children or use it near children or pets playing. Before mowing the lawn, make sure that there are no foreign objects in the grass: children's toys, stones, garden hoses, etc. If the blade jams during operation, do not touch it until you have turned off the power to the mower. Be reasonable and everything will be fine!
A do-it-yourself lawn mower is made from a washing machine, drill, vacuum cleaner and other units. When choosing a device, the type of mower is taken into account.
Simple design
To assemble a homemade brush cutter, a drawing is prepared and the diagram is studied. A metal sheet is used to make the frame of the unit. Corners for installing wheels and a control handle are welded to the side of the frame. If a homemade lawn mower is equipped with a flange motor, then it is attached to the frame. For simple engine You will need to weld additional fasteners onto the frame.
It is recommended to equip the device with an asynchronous motor (power 1 kW). You can remove the motor from the washing machine. A 3-phase motor is connected using capacitors. Before you make a lawn mower with your own hands, you will need to buy steel (thickness 2 mm, width 20-50 mm). From of this material knives are made. In this case, the type of cutting element is taken into account:
- the strip is fixed symmetrically to the frame, the length of the knife varies between 30-50 cm;
- 2 short knives (length 5-8 cm) are attached to the side of the frame.
Bolts are used to secure the cutting elements. Next stage consists in making a casing - a metal ring. Experts recommend cutting the casing out of the body washing machine. The resulting structure is installed on 2 or 4 wheels removed from the stroller. You can make the wheels yourself. For this, plywood and bearings are used. This takes into account the diameter of the wheel and the location of the knife.
Complex design
A homemade lawn mower from a vacuum cleaner is made using welding machine, sheet steel, baby stroller and hacksaw. For convenient operation, the device is equipped with stroller handles. To install the engine, you will need sheet steel and angles. Using these items, a surface for the motor is constructed. In this case, the direction of the shaft (down) is taken into account.
To protect the engine from damage, a casing is made (thickness 1.2 mm). When installing the engine, the distance to the ground (more than 3 cm) is taken into account. To make the legs, use sheet steel 4 mm thick. A circle with a radius of 20 cm is cut out of the material. A hole for the shaft is drilled in the center of the circle. The last element is welded to the circle.
A DIY lawn mower is equipped with knives made from sheet steel. 2 holes are cut out of the material (taking into account a distance of 2 cm from the edge). To fix the knives to the circle, M6 bolts are used. You can make cutting elements from a saw or hacksaw (length 60 and width 30 mm). The bolts are fixed so that the knives rotate freely around their axis. This manufacturing technology protects the brush cutter from damage.
The next step is to install the unit's starting mechanism. To do this, you need to run a cable to the engine from the toggle switch. Using the resulting gas mower from a vacuum cleaner, you can do a small amount of work in the country.
Using a chainsaw and grinder
- The standard design is moved to a frame (dimensions 50x60 cm). The frame is pre-made from 25x25 corners. Wheels of the appropriate diameter are installed along the edges of the resulting device.
- Then the tire and “steering wheel” are disconnected from the chainsaw.
- A mechanical lawn mower is equipped with a handle made of water pipe. A “steering wheel” is attached to the handle. Then it is recommended to lengthen the fuel supply hose and the throttle cable.
- The motor is attached to the frame.
- To regulate the height of the mowed grass, it is recommended to weld a pipe (length 8 cm, diameter 5 cm) onto the chainsaw sprocket. The last product is mounted in a pipe with a diameter of 5.8 cm and a length of 8 cm.
- The blades and disc are installed according to the principle of a lawn mower from a vacuum cleaner.
Using a similar technology, you can assemble an electric lawn mower from an angle grinder. Such a device is characterized by low power and small dimensions. The blades of the unit can be replaced with a special fishing line for cutting grass. The advantage of this design is that it can be easily dismantled for its intended purpose.
Electric model
To use the lawnmower as a cultivator attachment, you will need:
- make a drawing;
- study the operating principle of a walk-behind mower;
- buy a welding machine.
The proposed model has the following advantages:
- simple assembly;
- high reliability;
- efficiency;
- convenient operation;
- low energy costs.
Experts recommend equipping a lawn mower with 4 wheels to mow uneven areas of the lawn. The design in question can be easily manufactured within a day. This will require asynchronous motor power 180 W. The motor with a starting relay and capacitor can be removed from a simple washing machine. The motor is mounted on the frame (in the upper part) so that it does not protrude beyond its limits. A casing of appropriate dimensions is installed on the motor.
During operation, the grass rises no higher than 3 cm from the ground when spreading. Experts recommend making ventilation holes in the casing. They will ensure cooling of the motor during operation of the unit.
The frame of the device is made of metal sheet 3 mm thick and 300x500 mm in size. A protection made of metal 1.5-2 mm thick and 40 mm high is screwed on both sides and at the back. The wheels are fixed to two corners (length 40 mm). On one side, the corner is welded to the frame, and on the other, a hole is made. You can cut a groove for the axle using a grinder. This technology allows for height adjustment.
Additional work
To make the front removable grille, steel wire and a soft strip (40x4 mm) are used. Experts include the following functions of this part:
- protection of the motor from damage (if the cutting element breaks);
- preventing the knife from slipping off the motor shaft;
- fixes the grass for quick and easy mowing.
The grille is made so that it can provide a gap from the knives of 1 cm in front and 2 cm at the bottom and top. The cutting element is cut from a steel strip (length 400 mm, dimensions 4x30 mm). The strip is welded to the pipe, inner diameter which must match the diameter of the motor shaft. 2 holes are cut in the pipe (for M6 bolts). The knife is then sharpened and balanced. To do this you will need to post cutting element for the axle. Excess metal is removed.
Since the working knife has great inertia, vibration occurs when there is an imbalance. Significant inertia is required when a thick tree knot gets under the cutting element. If the knot diameter is 5-8 mm, then the lawn mower will work without problems.
To fix the knife on the motor shaft, use locknuts and lock washers. Due to the low power of the power unit, the cutting element will jam and the motor will stop. To protect the latter device, a thermal switch is provided.
Half-inch water pipe is used to make the lawn mower control handle. The shape and parameters depend on the operator’s build. The handle is attached to the frame with bolts. It has hooks for winding the cable.
During operation of the device, it is recommended to ensure that the cable does not get caught under the cutting element. Otherwise, the operator will be shocked. To protect the user from such a situation, it is recommended to install rubber tips on the handle (additional electrical panel).
Regular lawn care stimulates the growth and development of green cover, making the grass thicker and more uniform. Mowing the lawn without additional accessories difficult, especially if we are not talking about a patch around the house, but about a spacious lawn. In order not to buy ready-made equipment, you can assemble a lawn mower with your own hands. In this article we will tell you in detail how to make one from a broken washing machine.
How does a mower work?
Electric mowers are quite simple in design. All mechanisms are connected to in a certain order, which ensures stable operation.
Rotor mechanism drawing
Design of a homemade lawn mower: 1 - knife; 2 — support frame; 3 — protective visor; 4 — wheels; 5 — motor mounting rack; 6 — electric motor; 7 - switch; 8 — handle; 9 — flange for mounting the lawn mower blade; 10—grid
The package includes the following items:
- electric motor;
- frame;
- knife elements;
- chassis;
- control handle.
The motor is fixed on the wheel frame, the deck is attached to its lower area, and a handle is installed on one side.
Unlike a self-assembled lawn mower from an angle grinder, factory modifications comply with safety and convenience rules; in addition, they may have the following components in their design:
- grass catcher;
- mulching mechanism;
- protective device from wear of knife elements;
- handle with height adjustment function.
Before you make a lawn mower with your own hands, you need to understand the principle of operation, which in this case is the same for all devices. The motor drives the output shaft, which also produces revolutions and transmits them to the cutting parts. This is exactly how lawn mowers from a Druzhba chainsaw, washing machine or factory devices function.
VIDEO: Tips for assembling a car with your own hands
Which engine to choose
The type of power unit directly depends on the area planned for processing and its relief. As a rule, home craftsmen do not go through the options and use any motor that is available in electrical engineering or household equipment. The following options are suitable for a DIY lawn mower:
- washing machine motor;
- trimmer motor;
- vacuum cleaner;
- electric drills;
- Bulgarians.
A gasoline power unit from a chainsaw will also serve as an excellent basis. The most optimal motor is an asynchronous type, capable of producing more than 3000 revolutions per minute. The higher it will be given value, the better a homemade lawnmower using a chainsaw, trimmer or other equipment will cut the lawn.
For an electric drill, a drill with a speed of 1500-3000 rpm is quite suitable
The larger the width of the bevel, the worse it will affect the uniformity of the resulting surface. For example, a working width of 50 cm will require a power unit of 1.5 kW and 1500 rpm.
Knife device - material and shapes
The easiest to produce and effective option A two-bladed horizontal type knife will serve.
Knife fastening unit: a) - bushing; b) - single knife; c - double when installing the engine at least 2850 rpm.
For correct operation, it is necessary to observe the dimensions and proportions of the knives, as well as center them so as not to create play when beating.
To make it you need:
- prepare a steel bar with dimensions corresponding to the grip of a homemade mower - 300-500 mm and width - 2-5 cm;
- on the front part you need to sharpen it yourself at an angle of 60°;
- the back part is bent a few millimeters.
This design of the lawn mower will allow you to create uniform cutting and laying of the cut grass.
Body part and mowing shield
The frame of the device will simultaneously serve as a frame for the knife element and a housing for all equipment. Most in a simple way To equip a homemade lawn mower with a body, a ready-made option will serve as:
- large frying pan;
- basin with small depth;
- bottom of the pan.
In the prepared lawn mower blade, you need to create a hole for mounting the motor shaft.
Wheel and handle sizes
The diameter of the wheel setup directly depends on the topography of the plantation and required height haircuts. Masters landscape design They claim that the most optimal value for a lawn is 50-60 mm. It should also be taken into account that when setting a large parameter, the grass is cut unevenly, and otherwise, the passage of a lawn mower with small wheels will be difficult.
As for the number of wheels, they are chosen solely at the request of the master. But here are some important factors to keep in mind:
- 3-4-wheel modifications are the most stable on different terrain, while they provide the same cutting height, which makes the lawn equally trimmed;
- a homemade lawn mower made from a chassis with two wheels is a maneuverable option that allows you to mow grass in difficult areas, but here you need to create special drawing a frame that will protect the knife from contact with the ground;
- The 3-wheel variation, where two wheels are closer to the operator and one in front, is less stable, but more agile.
The handle is also made by hand. It is enough to weld pipes with a diameter of 2-3 cm. You can also borrow a handle from an old cart.
There is an option on how you can make your own lawn mower from a washing machine. The converted model can easily cope with a plot of up to 5 acres. But here it should be taken into account that such a device cannot withstand increased loads, so during operation it must be periodically disconnected from the network.
What details are needed:
- asynchronous electric motor - a motor from a Soviet washing machine with a power of more than 200 W is perfect;
- semi-automatic washing machine switch;
- wheels with a diameter of 100 mm;
- steel strip with a width of 5 cm and a length of 300-500 mm, depending on the width of the coverage;
- steel sheet with parameters 30x50 cm;
- profile pipe for handle;
- steel corner for frame;
- 3-wire electrical cable with plug;
- fasteners - nuts, bolts and studs.
As a washing machine, it is assumed that only an electric motor is used together with a start relay
In addition to the parts, to create an electric lawn mower with your own hands, you will need to prepare the following tools:
- keys of all types and sizes;
- electric drill;
- welder;
- multimeter;
- pliers;
- Bulgarian;
- soldering machine;
- hammer;
- level, etc.
Stages of work
- Making a frame for a trimmer with your own hands
From metal corners you need to weld the frame taking into account the width of the blade element. Make a hole in the platform through which the engine shaft will come out.
You need to fix the running posts on two parts of the frame and attach the platform to the base. Next, an arc is mounted on the front side of the case, which will act as protection for decorative garden plants from an accidental cut.
- Making a knife for a homemade design
The boundaries of the cutter should be marked on a piece of metal, after which the blade cutter needs to be sharpened according to the drawing. Next, a hole is drilled in the center for fixing to the motor shaft.
- Making a handle
Select the most suitable height, approximately 90 cm, and based on this data, cut the metal pipes and weld them into a U-shaped handle. It is recommended to wrap the working part with insulating tape or put on a rubberized casing.
- We connect all the components
The wheels need to be secured to the sides of the chassis. Power unit mounted on a platform, with the shaft coming out through a hole to the base of a homemade lawn mower. The blade element is fixed to the shaft; it must be carefully centered and balanced so that as a result of work it cannot become distorted.
The motor is covered protective casing, in which several holes must be made to prevent overheating. Connect the electrical wire to the engine, check all connections for integrity and try the first start.
VIDEO: How to assemble a unit from a washing machine
Today the market of electric and gasoline lawn mowers can provide a large number of various options and models. But in the case when there is no budget for a mower, and you don’t want to mow by hand, you can make a lawn mower with your own hands at home from scrap parts and materials. A do-it-yourself lawn mower will significantly save money, unlike factory-made analogues.
Required materials and tools
A device such as a do-it-yourself electric mower is not an essential item. But having such a tool at home will significantly save labor costs when mowing the grass. Very simple lawn mowers can even be made from an electric motor. They include the same parts and functionality as their factory counterparts.
Electric lawn mowers include:
It is necessary to maintain safe operation at all times, and therefore it is necessary to install an element of emergency and automatic shutdown of the electric mower.
All electric mowers operate on the same principle. After voltage is applied to the electric motor, its shaft begins to rotate. And since the knives are fixed to the shaft, they cut the grass at high speeds of the electric motor.
Choosing the right engine
The following engine can be used as a motor for a lawn mower:
- from a vacuum cleaner;
- from the washing machine;
- from a grinder;
- from the trimmer.
If you need to mow small areas, then the engine from old drill. You don’t even need to disassemble it, you just need to fix it in a vertical position.
You can make a DIY lawnmower from a washing machine or Soviet-style vacuum cleaner without special effort. They have all the necessary parts. The best option for mowing grass near the house, an electric motor with a power of 0.5 kilowatts is considered, and the recommended speed is about three thousand. The quality of work and grass cutting depends on the speed of the motor, and accordingly its blades.
The longer the blades of the device, the lower the number of revolutions it can be used due to the increase in linear speed. But its power must increase in order to cope with the increasing load. In practice, it has been proven that for home needs a device with a power of one kilowatt and an engine speed of one and a half thousand is sufficient. Moreover, the working plane is half a meter. In the case when the engine power is less than these indicators, then you need to regularly sharpen the blades to obtain the desired result.
If the farm only has a three-phase motor, then starting capacitors need to be added to this design. They must match the engine capacity. Drawings of a lawn mower from an angle grinder or others starting materials can be easily found on the Internet or specialized literature.
Additional materials for construction
Knives are designed for direct cutting of grass. In order to make them yourself, you need to prepare steel plates up to 45 centimeters long, 3-4 centimeters wide, and 2-3 millimeters thick. Thin knives cut grass better and better, while thick knives are more durable.
They can be manufactured in three variations:
- One strip that has holes exactly in the center and sharpened edges on the right sides. Its length should be from thirty to fifty centimeters.
- The structure, consisting of two parts, which are mounted on a solid rib, is fixed with bolts.
- Sharpened disc.
To save money, wheels and material for handles can be taken from an old baby stroller. When choosing the diameter of the wheels, it is necessary to take into account that the distance between the ground and the blade should be no more than 5 centimeters. If possible, you need to adjust the ride height of the lawn mower. When cutting part The device consists of two elements, then maneuverability indicators are improved, and if from 3-4 - then reliability. Such wheels can also be made of plywood and mounted on a shaft with bearings.
The blade guard can be made from plywood, a steel barrel, or the body of an old washing machine. Moreover, holes must be made in such an element of the lawn mower for the normal functioning of the electric motor and for air to enter the closed part of the lawn mower.
The body of the washing machine can also be used to create a casing around the blades. Spars for the motor are made of plywood or sheet steel. The cord for connecting the device to the network must be selected taking into account the power of the motor. Alternatively, you can take it from old devices.
In order to make a lawn mower blade with your own hands, as well as all other structural elements, you need to prepare the required materials in advance:
As an alternative to a grinder or jigsaw, you can use a hacksaw for metal or wood, but with small teeth. And also, experts always recommend making a drawing of the device being manufactured in order to have an idea of the future design.
Principles of operation of an electric motor
Such a motor can be either single-phase, which operates from a regular network, or three-phase, which requires additional electricity. When connecting an electric motor, you must always remember personal safety. For a motor operating on one phase, RCD protection must be installed, and a three-phase motor must have appropriate capacitors.
For a home lawn mower, you can also use a drill with speeds of up to three thousand. When assembling the structure, it is necessary to correctly select the power of the mower for its swathing. Mounted on a base or platform, battery or electric drill will perform its tasks efficiently, and the grass will be mowed.
During operation, you should not forget about operating intervals, since you need to give the motor time to rest in order to avoid overheating. This tool will easily clear the area of grass and give the lawn an attractive look. The platform on which the engine is installed must be optimal sizes so that you can cut the grass near the wall.
Step-by-step assembly instructions
Depending on the source materials for the electric lawn mower, these steps will differ. One of the most common options is to assemble a mower from an old washing machine. It will be useful to consider step by step instructions precisely to create such a device.
Actions should occur in the following sequence:
To do this you need:
- install the switch and switch in convenient location near the handle of the device;
- connect the power cable with plug;
- installation of RCD.
The container for collecting grass should be installed at the very end. It is made in the form of a box or bag.
Covering the knives with a casing is mandatory as this will increase safety during operation. Such protection must also be done for the motor in order to avoid debris and its durability, as well as durability.
Construction from an angle grinder
There are quite a few ways to create such a device. The simplest is to bolt it to a pre-prepared platform or base.
The most common option is to assemble such a homemade product using a baby stroller.
To do this you need:
- Disassemble the stroller, but leave the base with wheels.
- Prepare a board that will rest on the wheel axles.
- Secure it.
- Attach the grinder to the board with ties or clamps.
- You need to install blades or fishing line on the grinder.
- Attach the switch to the handle.
This design can be equipped with a protective cover to prevent grass from flying to the sides, or with a container for collecting waste.
Self-taught craftsmen have already come up with a lot of models throughout history. homemade cars. They differ in the form of assembly and the complexity of the design. More advanced models have the function of adjusting the mowing height, etc. You need to make a mower with your own hands so that safety is paramount. The mechanism activation button must be installed in such a way that the device turns off immediately after it is released.
In order to learn how to make a mower with your own hands, sometimes good ingenuity is required. At scrap metal collection points you can always find discarded frames made from corners. Less commonly, but you can still find wheels on a hinge, preferably at an angle of 180 degrees. But even if you couldn’t find such a frame, it can be easily welded from scrap materials.
The working shaft moves due to belt drive from the saw itself to the pulleys on which the fishing line is attached. This design will serve for many years without the need for additional maintenance. This option is more difficult to manufacture, as it has a two-wheeled frame and two rotary cutters. On the other hand, it also has its advantages, since its productivity is much higher than that of conventional self-propelled vehicles.
Self-manufacturing of the device and ingenuity are, of course, a reason to be proud of your invention. But we must also remember that collective Constructive decisions will always reflect better on the quality and safety of the design.
To the benefits homemade devices can be attributed:
- savings on purchases necessary materials at a low price instead of a new tool;
- using a tool that is not marketable, but has not lost its functionality;
- Self-assembly allows you to always improve the invention, as well as know its design perfectly.
In this model, the height is not adjustable, and due to this, it is not always possible to cut the lawn evenly. Another disadvantage is the lack of a container for collecting grass, which automatically increases human labor costs. Heavy tool self-assembly sometimes it can ruin the lawn with its weight. This is an objective factor in favor of choosing a factory model instead of self-assembly.