- Joined
- Mar 24, 2005
- Location
- Stanley, NC
Did a mod on the brush cutter for my mini-ex today. Mine just has the normal backend, with nothing to complement the thumb or scrape dirt and brush around.
They make a heavy duty version with a grubbing edge and much beefier construction, but it weighs 250lbs more and cost $2500 more. Ignoring the excessively higher cost, 700lbs vs 450lbs makes a huge difference in stability when the arm is fully extended, and I wanted to keep it as light as possible. When I bought mine, I got em to throw in this piece of 3/4” Ar400 plate so I could build it how I wanted.
First step was to cut some slots in the plate so it would sit right and I’d have a nice point to weld into the existing framework.
Then I could start dialing in the position. It needs to line up with the thumb and also not hang below the bottom edge.
Next step was to grind a whole bunch of steel off the edge. Ugh. Definitely the worst part of the job.
Then I had to go hi-tech to make some gussets.
Week before last, I brought home some scrap 4x4” steel tubing that some contractors at work were gonna throw in the dumpster. Lo and behold, the ends that I needed to cut off anyway were damn near a perfect match.
The piece that was still boxed was perfect for the center to provide solid backing behind the thumb.
Got it all laid out, then tacked and welded the gussets.
Then burned it all in.
Shot some paint on it and called it done.
Worked out perfect and only added about 50-60lbs.
They make a heavy duty version with a grubbing edge and much beefier construction, but it weighs 250lbs more and cost $2500 more. Ignoring the excessively higher cost, 700lbs vs 450lbs makes a huge difference in stability when the arm is fully extended, and I wanted to keep it as light as possible. When I bought mine, I got em to throw in this piece of 3/4” Ar400 plate so I could build it how I wanted.
First step was to cut some slots in the plate so it would sit right and I’d have a nice point to weld into the existing framework.
Then I could start dialing in the position. It needs to line up with the thumb and also not hang below the bottom edge.
Next step was to grind a whole bunch of steel off the edge. Ugh. Definitely the worst part of the job.
Then I had to go hi-tech to make some gussets.
Week before last, I brought home some scrap 4x4” steel tubing that some contractors at work were gonna throw in the dumpster. Lo and behold, the ends that I needed to cut off anyway were damn near a perfect match.
The piece that was still boxed was perfect for the center to provide solid backing behind the thumb.
Got it all laid out, then tacked and welded the gussets.
Then burned it all in.
Shot some paint on it and called it done.
Worked out perfect and only added about 50-60lbs.
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