McD No.9 Mower Copy

[hardpan99]

There would be millions of dollars of business for someone to start producing copies of the McD No.9 Mower. Yes the original had mostly castings, but I’m sure a smart shop could make something with bolts and welds with the same weight and balance. Any comments?

[jac]

Thats an interesting idea.. A few years ago I asked the local engineering college if they wanted a horse drawn mower to use as a project for the students to try and design a new mower with modern materials. The teacher was keen on the idea but as soon as he tried to take it further the government “letsmakelifeawkward” brigade stepped in and kyboshed the project… The No. 9 was never exported over here to my knowlege, we got the No. 7 I think ?…Anyway.. from what I hear it must be the Rolls Royce of mowers.. One thing about castings is the noise and vibration absorbsion qualities you dont get with steel. There seems to be a few new parts being made now for the old mowers . Youre right tho, a good fabricator could make a frame with the right gearing, there has been a few farmer built mowers over the years. I have a friend in Poland who is trying to find if there are any manufactuers in Eastern Europe who might make a horse mower.. Im afraid it boils back to the old ££$$ again.. amount of money to make the relevant jigs and such, against units sold…
John

[reb]

I don’t know anyting about it. Here is the link to the site minprom
Sorry if you all have see this already, but just in case you havn’t I thought I would share it.
Richard

[Gabe Ayers]

Where on this site did you find information about this little mower? Great looking light machine that would have lots of uses in this country. Now just to inspire some Amish manufacturers to produce it in the states.
~
Jason

[jac]

That little mower looks the business !! now we just need a translator. Thanks Richard.. perhaps some of these emerging ex iron curtain countries might have some new ideas…
John

[reb]

Try this link minprom
Look on your browser toolbar under “page” Windows has a translater.

[jac]

That worked Richard .Thanks.. Some interesting stuff on there for the small farmer..
John

[Marshall]

What is that pipe going across the front that sticks out in front of the cutter bar?

[jac]

Marshall I wonder if that the bracket on the extreme right of the foto that looks to be concave with 2 holes, is for the pole ?? I know that it may seem odd because its a one horse machine but I seem to remember an article about some of these eastern bloc countries hitching a single horse to one side of a pole ?? .. unless its for taking a stub that has the shafts on it but the foto makes it look as though the horse would be walking in the crop. Perhaps Bivol can chip in if he see’s this..
John

[Joshua Kingsley]

I would love to be able to build mowers like that.

I went to school for design and development with the idea that I would start a shop and build equipment for the horses, and now that I am out have no place to work on projects like the fabrication of new equipment. I was going to try to build a mower for my shetlands this year but they have since found a new home so that project is put on hold. I have been in the design phase of a few larger mowers for the horses and haflinger sized animals. I was hoping to get a prototype together and test it this summer and fall.
Joshua

[Marshall]

John, that could be. Maybe there is some sort of offset pole or shafts or something.

[hardpan99]

Here’s another link direct from the manufacturer:

http://www.zlin.gomel.by/en/Kosilka-konnaja-kt0300000kt-1/

[firebrick43]

I am sorry but in this country or in western europe making a new horse drawn mower is not economical. Using my engineering and manufacturing back ground I thought about using rear truck axles, shortening one side and fabricating the rest. The problem is where do you get a good supply of axles, an individual can get a few from a junkyard but to manufacture them you need a constant supply so that means going to a company like dana.

Small foundries that could cast something like this are dead for the most part in this country, epa regulations forced all but the large manufactures out and even alot of them left. So if you wanted an all cast machine, you would have to make patterns(There is a lot of money right there as patterns have to be specifically designed to flow right and allow for shrinkage of molten metal. Ship them over seas, send a representive over seas to ensure quality(if you don’t you wont get good work) and have them shipped back. Port fees are outragoues for small scale items, so you have to have the capitol to cast at least a container load.

You still have to manufacture some sprag clutches, and fabricate/cast the head, bar, and general support system.

Now you have a machine that cost 4000 dollars or more in material/labor, that doesn’t take into account any profit, transportation, or marketing, so you would be north of 6000 dollars.

Don’t belive me, look at the price of a new tractor sickle bar mower, they are that expensive with less complexity as they don’t have a ground drive system.

Now who out there is going to pay 6000 dollars plus for a new mower. There will be a few I am sure, but drafters are notorious scroungers and cheapskates, even if they have money.

Sorry, but millions are not to be made.

Even the big three in horse equipment, Pioneer, I&J, and White horse are not making millions and they are selling products with more demand.

[hardpan99]

Right. Castings are out of the question, unless the original forms still exist somewhere. I disagree that there is no money to be made.

A simple, welded steel frame design would be the only approach as the russians have obviously already done.

[jac]

Hardpan there is moves in Europe regards building new horsedrawn mowers. I’ll keep you posted when I get more info. Ive gave one of my old mowers to our local college with the remit to design a 21st century version with emphasis on friction reduction,vibration and weight. The teachers and students are really excited by the project… BTW can anyone give me the dimensions of the evener atachment point on the mower pole..a foto would be great.. mine has been messed with over the years and I want to return my 19th century mower to original :D..
John

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