WIRL 9 July 2024 PWD monster trimmer

Many of you will have seen the Weed slasher built by Melbournesparks - see his video at • Winter weed slashing t...
Todays contribution from WIRL is a prototype weed slasher for the vegetation at WIRL - less vigorous than in Melbourne but still time consuming to trim by hand in spring when Forget-me-nots and Primroses invade the permanent way. The WIRL PWD monster is a 3d printed motor and battery mount on a plywood pallet that can be screwed to a flatbed when required. The printing took about 12 hours (in total I think) and a couple of hours on the lathe to make the hubs for the slashers. This prototype has a simple switch (DPDT slide switch) enabling the motor to be reversed and "borrows" the LIPO from the lawn mower and Strimmer when required.
Unfortunately, during the first 20 feet of the first run - cutting the thickest bit of vegetation - I had my finger over the lens (duh!) trying to juggle the loco radio, film the event, and watch for any problems with the LIPO. However, all was well and the PWD monster worked round the entire WIRL track.
Some revisions to the fixtures are required (not least to make it a bit prettier) and hopefully I'll add a radio control for the slasher motor.

[@Dudeface167]

For inside the rails you could just use a big spinny brush thing.

[@ianwm]

I was thinking along those lines, but worry about how it would deal with the points, i.e would it throw the point as the train approaches etc? Hence the idea of a blower which would not catch the point. Some experiments to come I guess.😅

[@a41wilde57]

How about those things to clean glasses with at the pub. You can cut one to size for the tracks.

[@ianwm]

@@a41wilde57a possibility indeed.

[@Dudeface167]

@@ianwm Get a little turbojet and make one of those jet snowblower things 😆

[@ianwm]

@@Dudeface167 not sure about a turbojet - may be a bot warm for the LGB sleepers. I am looking at a bilge ventilation fan - 24 volts and about diameter of 4inches (in old money). The directional snow blower is an idea.

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

How about a spinning wire wheel like a bottle brush flicking most pcs off the track mounted up front... Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@ianwm]

@@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877 I think there is a danger that a spinning brush (wire or otherwise) would reset/half-set the points as the train approaches resulting in derailments. That's why I think a blower may work better.

[@LordPhobos6502]

I got a silly question... 1:08 - those lovely bevel gears - where did you get them from? I have a few projects (train and other) that could really use those! 😊❤ EDIT: definitely interested in a parts list if possible, and thankyou for a lovely video 🙂

[@ianwm]

@@LordPhobos6502 hi. The parts are from evil bay - I’ll get a full list up later in the day, but the gears are eBay # 394207424009. There are other suppliers too. I am impressed with the bevel gears - mesh nicely.

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

"Oh, oh, oh," said the trucks. "We want a proper engine, not a Red Monster." Recognise this phrase and storyline? Which Season 1 Thomas the Tank Engine story does it come from?

[@drewzero1]

Not sure the TV episode, but it's from the RWS book "James the Red Engine" and the story is "Troublesome Trucks".

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

@@drewzero1 The TV episode is Troublesome Trucks, same as the RWS story.

[@ianwm]

I promised a parts list - so here it is: Wallingford Industrial Rail Ltd. Weed Slashing Monster (WSM) parts-list. 1. Motor of your choice - I used a 24v scooter motor I had bought for another project (converting AC mini lathe to DC). 2. Pillow bearing blocks - 2 off - 8 mm (www.4bearings.co.uk/) 3. Bevel gears - one pair - 1:1 Bevel Gear 1 modulus 20 8mm shaft (eBay seller => worldwidelectro) 4. 8mm silver steel axle - (source: gwr-fasteners - www.gwr-fasteners.co.uk/) 5. 3D printed mounting block for motor and bearings to suit motor and bearings. 6. 3D printed battery housing to suit chosen battery 7. Assorted switches, fuse, and wiring to suit your selected control system. I am planning an upgrade to radio control at some point - to save having to bend down to switch the beast on. Or more importantly, off when the strimmer wire is whirling close to the switch! 8. 12mm plywood (base to mount 3D printed mounting and housing) to be used as a skid that can be bolted/screwed to flat-bed truck. Items 1-4 purchased through eBay, various sellers (other suppliers are available). I am happy to share the Sketchup and/or stl files if anyone wants to make or modify the WIRL-WSM in exchange for suitable acknowledgement to Melbournesparks, for the inspiration) and WIRL for the files.

[@rosswoolley2854]

Should get your wife to pull the weeds.