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Tell us about yourself: “I’m a retired safety engineer. I love to tinker in my workshop.”
While a frozen pond makes an ideal skating rink, the ice beneath the snow covering it is hardly silky smooth. Paul came up with this brilliant attachment for his garden tractor to give the skating surface that Zamboni touch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7_esZsIbfg
Great project, Paul! Thanks for sharing it with us!
What is it? An aluminum hitch-mount cargo carrier supporting a 15-gallon sprayer tank. The pump is attached to 3/4 inch pipe with several spray nozzles. Behind the unit is a board covered with a bath mat attached with bungee cords.
What is it used for? For resurfacing my pond rink in the backyard. I clear off the snow with the snowblower, then I resurface the rink with my homemade Zamboni.
How do you control your project? (e.g. hydraulic control valve(s), electric switches etc.) Speed is controlled by the tractor. The sprayer pump is controlled by a switch in the cab.
What components are used to perform the work for your project? (e.g. hydraulic cylinder(s), hydraulic motor(s), sprockets, pulleys etc.) 15 gallon sprayer tank, 1 GPM sprayer pump, Hitch mount cargo carrier, Wiring harness with DC plug, Round boom clamps, Spray nozzles from a fountain kit, Bungee cords.
What design/build challenges did you come across and solve? The nozzle pipe was too long and kept hitting the gate when going in the rink. I had to adapt the board and bath mat several times. I tried rubber mats, but they didn’t work very well. The tank was too far back on the carrier. I had to move it forward as it was bending my 2-inch hitch.
If you had to build it again, what would you do differently? I would put a larger sprayer pump, at least 2 GPM. I would like a bigger tank, but it would bend my hitch.
Which Princess Auto location do you visit most? Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB.