Building a Ball Picker 5/8/2015

Had a guy on Turfnet asking about better ideas for a ball picker . This was ours . What  a hard time trying to find it so I made it into it's own blog post . 

First fabrication project at The Links at Brunello. I learned a few things about the Mig welder set up and can make pretty good welds actually very good welds now . This is an old fairway unit . First thing I had to do is remove all the unnecessary lines and plug them . Console had to be opened up to take out lift /lower lever and PTO lever .  

Took a little doing to get an easy access to the fuel tank fill .

Mounted the wind shield and continued filling areas with mesh . 

Custom door .

Had to remove the steps to get the bracket down low enough so it could pivot up or down evenly . 

Turned out OK for a 3 day project working around a routine . A  little paint , grease and engine oil change it should last a long time as a range ball picker .

 coming up on its fourth season . pretty much zero problems and reliability .This winter I made a bump out front for more foot room and more lighting .

And screened in the hydro fill cap for obvious reasons

Having issues accessing control arm and replacing ignition switch etc . They are fiddling with key while ball picking eventually snapping it off .So I moved ignition to a different location . Bumping this section out and placing a removable panel will solve the access problem .I also removed more unneeded hydraulic lines and wiring .

Getting ready for park brake service .
Oh an old fairway or rough unite is the way to go for ball picking with these new mods I wont see it again till mid season or for a flat tire .