First thought was front axle assembly off a zero turn mower. But wasn't sure it could handle the weight, and idea of suspension kicked in too.
The UTV version would want to come off a 2wd version.
BTW, got the idea from a kid I grew up with that built a hay monster from scratch. He converted an old 2 ton farm truck. Under the front snout, he used an axle off some type of vehicle........I always assumed it was off a VW beetle.
On a long straight run on flat ground, the skids work fine. But I have to turn a lot, which always puts a sideways bind on the snout mounting. A lot of strain. The "float" idea comes from a lot of towed implement that use a remote lift cylinder. If the cylinder is able to retract a bit, the implement will "float". Not unlike a front end loader in "float" position. Without the float, when going over a high spot, it digs.......or a low spot......it comes up off the ground. Since it is fixed, you have to constantly raise and lower it. My plan is to lower it to the ground and just let if float. Most versions also had an elevator extension that mounted on top of the snout. When you got to the barn, you folded it over and could then run bails up into a barn loft. For those that can remember them, similar to the way the old drag chain elevators used for ear corn and hay worked......the lower part that folded up for transport, then folded down. It was the pan or tray you dumped the ear corn or grain onto from back of truck or wagon.
All combined, I am thinking of fabricating a whole new front end.
For hay this year, managed to round up 5 kids.......and they actually seemed to be enjoying the work. A couple of them in FFA, so took a real interest in the whole process. There are a few of them still out there.
Edited by modirt - 01 Aug 2022 at 12:39pm
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