Building an Off road Mower

[ebinmaine 67,420]

1 hour ago, BairleaFarm said:

Fuel tank

What's this tank?

Something from a generator?

 

[BairleaFarm 340]

20 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

What's this tank?

Something from a generator?

Generic honda tank.      Not autr how big of tank I'll want.     I assume bigger than this but this will at least get me started.      

 

On a side note I got some paint down.    The body is really rough but I couldn't stand the orange.    I feel WH need to be red.  

 

 

[BairleaFarm 340]

Now to find some rear tires.  🤔 

[BairleaFarm 340]

Still need footboards and to figure out a fuel tank.     Wonder how much fuel this engine uses.     Should I try to put a big tank? 🤔     a seat.    I need a seat as well bit she's coming along nicely.   

 

 

[BairleaFarm 340]

Dash is done.  Choke, lights, start, and stop.    

 

 

[BairleaFarm 340]

Got some floor boards.     Bent them a bit and mounted them to the fender(mines hard mounted)    .    Added a idler pulley and got a drive pulley.    Looks like a 88" belt will need to be picked up tomorrow.    The 6 fender mount bolts will either be cut flush with the nuts or cut down the accept acorn nuts as covers.       Electrical is done.    I'll drove it around tomorrow after I get the belt to be sure all is good.    After that a seat and a throttle cable and I'll be ready to hit the trails.

[BairleaFarm 340]

 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

I watched that video this morning and I'd like to offer two comments.

I'm fairly sure you're aware of both but just as a reminder.....

 

1. That exhaust. It concerns me some that both cylinders come up and slam into each other headlong. I'm wondering if that engine would run a little smoother and more efficiently and also quieter if you channeled the exhaust cylinders both going the same direction.  

 

2. Belt GUARD is also your belt GUIDE.

Remember that transmission should never be shifted while the vehicle is in motion. These transmissions have square cut gears with no synchros and no bevel and they're not made to be shifted while in motion.

 

On the same line of thinking, it can't be put into gear while the engine is running if there is no belt GUIDE.

 

I do like that lower pulley you installed to get more wrap around the transmission input.

[BairleaFarm 340]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

1. That exhaust. It concerns me some that both cylinders come up and slam into each other headlong. I'm wondering if that engine would run a little smoother and more efficiently and also quieter if you channeled the exhaust cylinders both going the same direction.  

2. Belt GUARD is also your belt GUIDE.

3. On the same line of thinking, it can't be put into gear while the engine is running if there is no belt GUIDE.

4. I do like that lower pulley you installed to get more wrap around the transmission input.

 

1.  I think so and both pipes should be the same length before they connect to one.  I have to research exhaust flow.

2.  It wont be - new guides will be added (hopefully this weekend).

3.  Ive heard this and call BS.   Belt guard or no belt guard doesn't matter about shifting as long as the belt isnt moving.  

4.  Thanks - Pulley routing and pulley mods are done to prevent slippage.  Its also getting a 1/2 belt conversion.  

 

Belt guard and guides are no biggie as i know how to modify them.  The exhaust is my current concern.  That and a seat lol.  

[ebinmaine 67,420]

2 minutes ago, BairleaFarm said:

 

3.  Ive heard this and call BS.   Belt guard or no belt guard doesn't matter about shifting as long as the belt isnt moving.  

 

 

I agree that the belt should not be moving while shifting. Definitely an important point.

 

But ......

also remember that while the tractor is in motion, the interior of the transmission IS MOVING.

The bull gear that wraps around the pinions and axles will transfer some motion throughout the interior system.

 

2 minutes ago, BairleaFarm said:

 

   The exhaust is my current concern.  That and a seat lol.  

 

A seat? Yeah I guess that could be handy.

[ebinmaine 67,420]

FWIW. 

 

I'm not saying shifting while moving CAN'T be done.

 

I also couldn't look you straight in the face and tell you I've never done it.

 

I drive truck for a living so I understand better than most about moving through 10 or more gears without touching the clutch.

 

I just want to make sure you're aware of both sides of the equation .. 

[BairleaFarm 340]

5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I agree that the belt should not be moving while shifting. Definitely an important point.

A seat? Yeah I guess that could be handy.

 

Correct - I think we are on the same page just different words lol.   I need to find a seat thats hinged.   My fender pan is hard mounted to ill have to drill a hole and and access the trans dipstick from under the seat. 

[BairleaFarm 340]

Just now, ebinmaine said:

I'm not saying shifting while moving CAN'T be done.

 

Yeah I thought we knew that. 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

Would it be easier to make a bracket with a pivot point in the front?

Bolt the pivot to your seat pan...?

 

I know there's a bunch of machinery out there like zero turns all over the place that have forward lifting seats.   

[BairleaFarm 340]

14 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

A seat? Yeah I guess that could be handy.

Found a seat for 50 bucks.    Had to get the whole mower to get it lol.    Also picked up a correct pulley for the trans.    It should be driving again tomorrow afternoon.    🙄 

 

 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

On 10/27/2023 at 4:58 AM, ebinmaine said:

. Belt GUARD is also your belt GUIDE.

Remember that transmission should never be shifted while the vehicle is in motion. These transmissions have square cut gears with no synchros and no bevel and they're not made to be shifted while in motion.

 

On the same line of thinking, it can't be put into gear while the engine is running if there is no belt GUIDE.

 

@ebinmaine

 

The mud mower guys go down to 1/2" belt to lay down in the pulley more and build an elaborate set of belt guides with cover on them to help in the water and mud. He is a pic of one from youtube. 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

10 minutes ago, RandyLittrell said:

 

@ebinmaine

 

The mud mower guys go down to 1/2" belt to lay down in the pulley more and build an elaborate set of belt guides with cover on them to help in the water and mud. He is a pic of one from youtube. 

 

Oh I know. 

I've saved that very video for reference on my own future builds. 

 

But whether the guides are factory or home shop built.. they still have to be there.   

 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

But whether the guides are factory or home shop built.. they still have to be there.   

 

[BairleaFarm 340]

1 hour ago, RandyLittrell said:

 

@ebinmaine

 

The mud mower guys go down to 1/2" belt to lay down in the pulley more and build an elaborate set of belt guides with cover on them to help in the water and mud. He is a pic of one from youtube. 

 

 

 

Correct.   That is close to my setup.    

 

Anywho have been stealing parts of the parts mower.     Air filter housing, seat, and muffler are pretty much done.    

 

 

[BairleaFarm 340]

Since this was pulled from a scrap pile all kinds of body panels are twisted.     The hood was one of them.     I switched to a spare hood and did a hood raise in the front.     It now cleares the air intake, muffler, and fuel tank.     Hood closes and latches so I'll consider it done.    

 

Also have some temp differences between front and rear but don't know what's acceptable and haven't investigated the issue yet.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by BairleaFarm
Add words

[Handy Don 12,212]

48 minutes ago, BairleaFarm said:

Also have some temp differences between front and rear but don't know what's acceptable and haven't investigated the issue yet.

 

Using a gauge like that be VERY sure that you take into account what it is seeing--check its manual.

The laser dot is the center of the “cone” of its vision, not the exclusive range. The second reading is almost certainly including part of that fuel tank and giving you the average.

[ebinmaine 67,420]

1 hour ago, BairleaFarm said:

muffler

How's the engine run with that different muffler?

 

[BairleaFarm 340]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

How's the engine run with that different muffler?

 

Seems fine.     Muffler is off a 18.5 oppy briggs.     

[BairleaFarm 340]

4 hours ago, Handy Don said:

 

The laser dot is the center of the “cone” of its vision, not the exclusive range. The second reading is almost certainly including part of that fuel tank and giving you the average.

 

Thanks for the jnfo.    I also went off color of a temporary exhaust.   

[8ntruck 6,998]

How do the front and rear plugs compare after running?  I'd guess that the front one looks 'normal' and the rear onewill look different - which might give you a clue to what is going on.

 

Any parts interchangeably between that vertical shaft engine with your horizontal shaft engine?

Edited October 30, 2023 by 8ntruck