RF Smoker On A Riding Lawn Mower Cart

[bluecatfish]

Been working on this project for a while. Finally making a little progress. Started with a 100 gallon propane tank 66" x 24". Cut the tank to 44". Cut the bell off the cut off part, leaving the rest to fabricate a FB. Stripped an old riding lawn mower down to the frame, reinforced the frame with 2" x 1/4" angle iron. Then I reversed the front axle so the steering would be on the front and made a tongue to steer the cart when I pull it around with a yard tractor. My thinking is that the wider wheels on the old mower will be easier to move on grass. I removed the lawn mower trans-axle and made a straight axle for the rear wheels. I have the FB fabricated and ready to cut out the door and make hinges and latch. I welded a 3" wide piece of 1/4" plate to the FB and then 2" x 1/4" angle to the FB to make a rectangular door opening. I have a FB that is 18" deep.After making the FB door I will fit the BP to the CC.

Tank with end cut off and door cut and framed

Piece cut off to make FB

Door cut out

Door

Using trailer jack to take warp out of door

Riding mower cart

FB ready to cut door

Plate to attach FB to CC with one air inlet

Plate clamped to CC

This where I am at in the build.

[forty_creek]

Strong Work bluecat!


Drankin, Smokin and Dreamin

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[Dirtytires]

Awesome....I have owned a5th wheel for 14 years and never thought of using if for a press. Truly ingenious.

[Rodcrafter]

Good work


Making memories.

[Mo Smoke]

To be honest I'm jealous... Not only is it going to be a nice cooker, but flat out...it was a genius idea to mount a cooker on a riding lawmower frame so you can just drive your grill wherever you want to park it!!!


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[bluecatfish]

I thought about leaving a motor on it so I could just drive it around but decided I had better put a tongue on it and pull it around with my other riding mower!!! Ha! Ha!

Dirtytires you can get a lot of press from a 5th wheel trailer jack. I came up with the idea a long time ago when I needed to straighten something an didn't have a press. I call it my "redneck press."

[Mo Smoke]

So the first Riding Smoker is still up for grabs. Somebody has to build one !


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[Big T]

It looks like you're off to a great start.

[Pete Mazz]

I'm still wondering if it'll handle the weight. Hope so, it looks cool!

[bluecatfish]

Pete, I thought about the weight and decided to go with it. If I have a problem I will build a small trailer to put it on.

[Squiggle]

[Pennywise]

Riding mower frame....love it.

[bluecatfish]

Making a little progress. It is so hot that I only work 2 or 3 hours in the morning when it is cooler in my "air conditioned shop"! FB welded to CC and BP and drain welded in the CC. FB door made and next I will make hinges and attach the CC door.Working on the SS.

Smoker in "my shop"

CC and BP

FB welded to CC

FB with one air inlet in back

[Rodcrafter]

[Big T]

[Mo Smoke]

Man I would pay to see a motor attached to that thing so you could drive it around ! I can't wait until somebody does that.


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[bluecatfish]

Making progress! Hinges welded on CC door and FB door and latch in place. The CC door is a little heavy and tall to open so I am making a counter balance out of a 24" piece of 4" pipe. Is there a formula for how long to make the attaching arms to get the right balance? I am thinking of making them 12" long which would be one half the length of the 4" pipe. Any advice or suggestions?

CC door

CC door hinges

FB door and latch

[Rodcrafter]

The best way I know to do it is, install the stand off then the pipe, fill it with long pieces of re bar or other cheap steel until it feels like you want then wend the ends on it.

[Mo Smoke]

That's what my guy did.. I picked the size pipe I wanted for the arms and crossbar. He tacked it all together, Then he kept putting scrap metal inside the crossbar and opening the door until it felt good... Capped the ends. That's all she wrote.


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[bluecatfish]

Made the counter balance and welded on. Made the standoffs 14" long. Worked out good; filled the pipe with scrap iron pieces and welded them inside the pipe to keep them from rattling before capping pipe. Door opens easy but still heavy enough to stay closed tight. Thanks for the advice.

[Big T]

Looks great

[Squiggle]

[bluecatfish]

Smoker has been on hold since August 29 when we found out my wife of 61 years had lung and bone cancer. She passed away on November 22 and I laid her to rest on November 25. I will soon get back to working on the smoker.

[Pete Mazz]

Very very sorry to hear. I've lost too many to that awful disease. Just buried an old friend a few weeks ago.

[Squiggle]

I'm very sorry to hear dude, I too have lost loved ones to that unfair & indiscriminate disease.