On Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:07:55 +0800, giovani wrote:

snip

Failing that, the 44 gallon (sorry, 200 litre) drum sounds reasonable.
That is, provided you cut a slice from a second drum which could be
re-joined to provide a lesser cyclinder - and then to be inserted inside
the first drum. Concrete could be poured between the two. This would
lessen your weight problem.

All the other provisos on axle manufacturer and attachment of spikes do,
of course, stand. Bit of tack welding would get you through ... though
solid welds would be preferred ;-)

Would take time, effort and money (the quantity of the latter depending
of coure depending on your Steptoe qualities and hussling teqniques ;-P
.... and of course availability of materials in your locality.)

Bingo on your last comment. One of the few downsides to living where I do
is the scarcity of materials, both new and used. Around this area,
nothing gets thrown out, and even scouting the recycling places in
Launceston, you won't see a whole lot.

So to an extent, the design will be limited to the materials I can come
across. The two 44gal drum idea is a good one though - this part of the
design is the main issue - depends on what or if I can find something
better than 44gal drums. The width would be just about right for the
mower or ATV though.


PS: the strength of the equipment and that of the spikes (needed) would
of course depend on the soil make-up of your 1.5 acres of lawn. If
soft-ish, you may get way with spikes of reinforcement rod, or better
still, 1/2 inch (oops, should that be 12mm?) pipe. With the hollow
cylinder described above, pipe could be made to allow plugs of soil to
pass through. (Trust that makes sense?)

Yup, sure does

If "solid clay,a rethink may be necessary; you may need a ripper (or
rippers)

A further consideration would of course be the ultimate proposed use of
the 1.5 acres. Will it be for production of grass for grazing animals,
just to look good .... or perhaps a nice ground for tennis ... or
perhaps even ... croquet?

Pretty much all of the above. I have no intention of turing it into a
manicured, perfect lawn. I just want it to be healthy and vigorous.

As mentioned, I only bought the property last July and the house itself
is approx. 12 years old, so that more or less dates the lawn. I wouldve
been pasture previously. I'd say they used a catcher the whole time
instead of returning the cuttings to the soil (blasphemy IMO).

PPS: plse stop picking on Cliff ;-) He's as straight as they come! :-P
(However cannot confirm his skills in relation to internet access or his
use there-of. Would suggest however, that he does not glitter)

LOL