DIY Remote Controlled Electric Lawnmower

This is a rebuild of an RC lawnmower i built several years ago,
but using an electric mower this time. It pretty much operates
the same way an RC car / battlebot type vehicle does with just
two opposable motors and casters for front wheels.

In the future I plan to outfit the mower with FPV so that i can
drive it from inside the house, and possibly do automation even
further down the road.

Here's a list of my hardware:

- (2x) 35 A-h 12V lead acid batteries

- 275-Amp battery disconnect switch

- Turnigy 9x 2.4 GHz transmitter / reciever (100 mW tx power, i think)

- Sabertooth 2x32 dual brushed ESC (32 Amp / 33.6V max.)

- 1" x 1" x 1/16" thick square tubing, welded with 0.030" flux cored wire

- (2x) 80mm 12V fans

Music:

Kevin MacLeod - George Street Shuffle
Heatley Bros. - Dimension Drift
Heatley Bros. - Sunset Beach

[shankarmohan]

One of the best and well thought through remote mower with adjustable height for clipping. well done.

[danrex]

You should look at the Open Mower project. Making this autonomous would take it to the next level.

[TheNatedgreat]

Thanks a lot for filming and putting this very informative video together. Definitely one of the best DIY rc lawn mowers I've seen hands done. The diagrams and parts list is extremely helpful.

[LabCoatz_Science]

This is something I've wanted to build for a LONG time. Glad to see you did it, I'll definitely have to try this build someday!

[templerea]

A reliable system without any unnecessary design or build feature.

[AndrejSpilevoj]

Amazing, thank for the idea. I was thinking about building one but did not think that I could re-use existing pushed loan mower and motorize it.

[LG-yuyx]

Great build!! I think if you get your nozzle between 1/4-1/2 inch away from where you are welding you’ll see a dramatic change for the better. Not busting your balls, just trying to help. Good job and I might try your exact build.

[Bob_Adkins]

Well engineered, excellent quality, should be more durable than some of the robot mowers I've seen. Now, marry it to a Roomba controller and you have something that even I'm not too lazy to use!

[GoatZilla]

Wheels are attached with M8 (?) lock nuts. Axles are 11mm. Rear wheelbase is 17.5in, front wheelbase is slightly shorter (like 16.75in).

[pranavramesh]

Great video! This channel deserves way more views than it gets.

[terrydarling]

I built my 2nd 1 about 3 years ago, the 1st one was 1 of their original 16 inch decks and had swivel casters on the front, the second one I left the original front wheels because I needed to get it running in a hurry and discovered that it is so much easier and tracks better just mowing forward and reverse. Not as fun to drive much more efficient. When I wear these plastic wheels out I am going to try a set of omni wheels.

[Oxygentleman]

7:37 i started readying my hand to skip because i thought you were going to say "-word from our sponsor". maybe the internet has conditioned me too well.

[CookeCraft]

Brilliant video! Great guide to building one of these, thank you.

[thekaduu]

I've done similar thing in 2016, a broadcast spreader. I push mow for the exercise :) but not willing to push around 100 lbs of Milorganite in an incline!!! Kudos for not cutting the St. Augustine down to 2" like some do in my neighborhood. On the other hand, you are cutting more than 1/3 of the grass which is not good for any grass. I guess the build took some extra time :)

[fourknotsnowhere]

awesome build. this is exactly what im putting together right now but the 18v mower deck

[xxycom]

YouTube it is a shame that my version 15.6 Beta 4 of iPad OS the comments are not showing. Update YouTube. The video is definitely very interesting. But I find comments, always informative, people sharing their thoughts and experiences.

[scottsherrard]

I wish I could be ok with that level of craftsmanship. Would definitely save a lot of time

[noworriesmate]

Now just find some kid in the neighborhood that likes to play with RC cars.

[dogcreek-customs]

Apply a webcam and a screen and you could sit in the house watch tv and mow the yard at the same time. lol

[vsknwvz]

Great detailed instructions and wiring diagram we all appreciate but hard to find. The dog ppl will surely pester you.