Scarecrow Lawn Mower
Man
Want To give the neighbors a fright?
Well picture this... You are driving by the house and you see the bottom haft of a man sticking out from a lawn mower and the legs are kicking to beat the band. Once more there is a scarecrow floating behind it pushing the lawn mower. One of the neighbors kids told there mom "did you see where "Mr. Matt" ran someone over with the lawn mower. Ha ha ha that was good for a good LOL.
Skill Level
Please do not be afraid to attempt to assemble this kit! It is very easy to do, even if you are an electronics novice! Work in a well lit area, and make sure you have plenty of time to complete the project.
What you will need.
1- 8 Ft 2x4 from Lowes (that's where I work sorry for the shameless
plug )
1 -
3/4" x 1/8" aluminum bar from Lowes
1 - Motor made by Trico (their part #23000387) for Saturn
Automobiles. It is widely available and inexpensive. Sources include
MECI
(part #420- 0578, $12.95),
American Science &
Surplus (part #33048, $14.95) and
All Electronics
(part #DCM-171, $15.95).
1 - 12-Volt 1500mA AC-to-DC Power Adapter From
RadioShack
1 box - #10 screw with a locknut and a washers
1 - Hardwood
Table Saw
Hammer
Drill and bits
Wood Screws
Instructions:
Remove Z bracket from Motor
Remove Ball from end of Z bracket. If anyone knows what type of connection really attaches to the ball please let me know.
Take a 2x4 and cut it 16'' & 22'' Long. Next Cut the 2 pieces Down the middle thus making your 2 legs.
Round off the bottom of the Lower Legs
Cut the Cross Piece 12''
Cut 2 Hip Plates 12 1/2 '' long
Cut the Feet 8'' long and one side at a 45deg angle. (yea yea I know it says legs... so I goofed )
Attach the Upper legs and the Cross Piece From the bottom.
Cut Rocker Arm out of a Piece of hard wood. I used a
Piece of Oak 1''x2'' Then drill a 1/4 hole in the dead middle!
and a 1/4'' hole 3/4'' from either end (not in photo).
Cut the leg linkage 16'' From the 3/4" x 1/8" aluminum bar. Once again drill a 1/4'' hole 3/4'' from either end (not in photo).
From this point on I need to make a
modification to the motor hook up. The way I first took Photos of it did work
but was not liner motion for the linkage thus it did not hold up very well. I
had to make emergency modifications to it in order to get it working for
Halloween Thus no Photos Yet. No reason to pass on my headache to you. Once I
get a chance I will post the photos but here is the text to help you out.
Next place one end of the bar in a vice and with a pare of pliers give the bare
a 1/4 twist.
Cut the motor linkage 6 1/2 '' long and drill 1/4 hole 3/4 from both ends.
Now connect 2 led wires to the motor. I used the low speed and the common and ran them to a wire block where I could hook up the power supply with ease.
Mount the motor to the right hip with 2 pieces of stiff iron shelf brackets and metric screws into the motor so that the Connection face toward the cross piece and the shaft of the motor faces up. Next beat the bracket flat then bent the over hang over the 2x4. Screw in to hold tight.
Put the Z bracket on the motor and tighten down the nut .
Drill a 1/4'' hole in both bottom legs 1 1/2 '' from the rounded end, dead center. and another one 3/4'' from the rounded end.
Now drill 1/4'' hole in the bottom of the Upper legs 3/4'' from the edge.
Connect the Upper and Lower legs in this order Screw-Washer-Upper leg-Washer-Lower leg-Washer-Nut-Nut. The second to the last nut should press up against the washer loosely so to allow motion. the last nut should be TIGHT against the other one. This will keep the nuts from backing off or tightening down on the legs.
Next, Attach the both Leg Linkage to the Bottom Legs in this order Screw-washer-Leg Linkage-washer-Nut-Nut. The second to the last nut should press up against the washer loosely so to allow motion. the last nut should be TIGHT against the other one.
Drill a 1/4'' Hole in the dead middle of the 12'' Cross Piece.
Now, Put a Screw thru both end of the Rocker Arm from the bottom side in this order. Screw-Washer-Rocker Arm-Washer-Leg Linkage-Washer-Nut-Nut. The second to the last nut should press up against the washer loosely so to allow motion. the last nut should be TIGHT against the other one.
Run a long screw thru the bottom of the Cross Piece and connect the Rocker arm in this order. Screw-Washer-Cross Piece-4 Washers-Rocker Arm-Washer-Nut-Nut. Once again, The second to the last nut should press up against the washer loosely so to allow motion. the last nut should be TIGHT against the other one.
And Finally, Connect the Rocker Arm to the Motor Z bracket. In this order. Screw-Washer-Z Bracket-Washer-Motor Linkage-washer-Nut Nut. I will not bore you with the Nut thing again. On the other side use this order. Screw-Washer-Motor Linkage-Washer-Leg Linkage-Washer-Nut-Nut.
Now add the helper Spring. Use a fairly strong one. Trial and error on this. The helper spring is used to make the legs move more smoothly. In the above photo you see the Leg Linkage attached to the side and not the top. This was the original design and was not dependable. Yours should be attached to the top of the Rocker Arm. Hey what do you know no washer-nut-nut :)
Now put the Feet on.
Now the Butt Shield. It's a piece of roofing flashing 10'' tall and 23'' wide screwed to the side of the Hip Plates. this protects the motor from the blue jeans and also make a fuller Behind.
Put some packing Foam on the Leg Linkage and Bottom Legs to fill out the legs.
Put on the Old Pair of jeans. The holier the better. looks like the Lawn mower got it. and your wife will not flip over you using you best pair on a Halloween display. :)
An old pair of shoes with 1 screw in the bottom to hold them on.
and your done.
Get out the lawn mower and prop one side with a brick.
Place the legs
use a piece of rebar to stick the K-mart scarecrow (or any variation IE ghost, skeleton ...)
Hook up the power supply.
Your Done.