New Wheel Horse for the kids to ride around at shows!

[fireman 1,022]

Just got done spending a few hours working on the tractor. Haven't had a ton of time the last 2 days because I've been working lots of overtime. Have to go back in tonight for another 14 hours and possibly another 14 hours tomorrow night. I have to work my 24 hour shift on Saturday so I probably won't be back at it till Sunday. I cut a radius in the hood so it will clear the air cleaner. I need to find a piece of rubber edging to go over the radius to make it look clean. I also mocked up the exhaust to see what it would look like with a stack. The muffler only has a 1" O.D. piece coming off it so I used 1" copper fittings and a piece of 1" brushed steel pipe. The second to last picture shows a longer piece that comes up to the top of my head when I am sitting on the tractor. The last picture shows a shorter piece of pipe and comes up to my neck while I'm sitting on it. Not sure which looks better. I also ordered the complete recoil start assembly and it should be here next week some time. The recoil is black. I'm trying to decide what color to paint the flywheel cover. Not sure if I paint it red there will be to much of it. It is like a dark silver right now as is the entire engine.

[Jake Kuhn 1,573]

like that stack! Seems like I'd be worried about it being that close to the driver though? Jake

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

I agree with Jake. You may want to run it further up to the front of the tractor and then turn it up.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

I think the shorter of the two pipes looks better myself. I do tend to agree with the others that the pipe should be moved further forward for both the saftey of the kids, and I think it would look better as well.

Matt :flags-texas:

[dclarke 4,051]

Jeff, check out Mcmaster Carr for the rubber edging for your hood, part number 8507k14. I just bought some for a hood and I think it works well.

[Ken B 3,165]

Flywheel cover might look cool painted a satin black. Kinda 520ish.

[whfan74 2,068]

Job well done Jeff! :bow-blue:

[fireman 1,022]

Well, been working so much I got my days all screwed up. I worked last night and had today off and go in tomorrow for my 24 hour shift. I was going to spend the day with the kids but they were off with their friends, then the wife took all of them to our beach for the afternoon. That gave me about 10 hours to mow the lawn, continue working on my tractor lift and the Ranger. The recoil assembly actually showed up today in the mail. I just ordered it on Thursday afternoon! Installed that and soldered up the 1" copper fittings so I can try out the stack. I went with the longer pipe figuring I can always cut it down later. I hear what you guys are saying about moving the stack forward but we drove it around today and there was no problem with the distance from the operator or the fumes. I can always change it later. After everything was installed I rolled it outside and figured I give the pull start a try. Turned on the fuel, set the throttle lever and yanked. She immediately fired up on the first pull. I have to find a small muffler style clamp to tighten the copper fitting onto the muffler nipple. It's just a snug fit for the time being. I'll order that rubber edging along with the clamp from McMaster Carr tomorrow. Hopefully Monday I will repaint what needs it and finish up a few things like hiding the fuel line and installing the wiring for the battery. Here are some shots after todays work:

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Looks really good! Sounds like you've been really busy, your making me tired just listening to you. Fantastic Work!

Matt :flags-texas:

[whfan74 2,068]

Great job Jeff! You have been a busy guy lately..........I know the time will pay off seeing the kids riding on it non stop!

[grnlark 489]

Sweet machine Jeff. I like the silver blower cover. It makes the motor stand out and makes you take a second glance. I wouldn't touch it.

[AMC RULES 37,144]

Ditto on the silver Jeff.

[Jake Kuhn 1,573]

Looks really good Jeff! ~Jake

[fireman 1,022]

Spent another marathon afternoon in the work shop today. Was going to do some painting but decided to work on the foot controlled throttle instead. I wanted to use ball joint ends but couldn't find any locally so I fabricated up some other things to work temporarily and mocked it all up. Welded up a pedal out of some flat stock and steel tubing. It seems to work fine but I just ran out of time and didn't actually get to fire it up and drive it. I just used some parts I had around the shop but will replace everything once I confirm it really works and I'm happy with it.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

That looks great, especially considering its just a mock up! That will be a very nice setup when its done.

Matt :flags-texas:

[fireman 1,022]

Well it's a little more than a mockup but I really want to use the ball joints and make a new pivot. The foot pedal is staying as it is.

[fireman 1,022]

Had a class this morning till noon. Got home and rolled it outside and fired it up. It worked as I expected it would. The only problem is on these diesels, when you let the throttle return all the way, it shuts down the engine. I had to come up with a way that it won't shut off when I relax the throttle and still have a way to shut it down. I came up with a little bracket that I welded to the bottom of the tube on the pedal. I drilled and tapped a hole in it and added a bolt and jam nut for adjustment. This will stop the pedal from returning all the and allow me adjust the slow speed of the engine. After looking at the linkage on the engine I realized how it actually shut the engine down. You will see me push down on a lever at the end of the video. This is the same thing that the throttle does when it returns to shut it down so this all that I will do.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Nice work!

Matt :flags-texas:

[Jake Kuhn 1,573]

Very nice Jeff! :bow-blue:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

Jeff,

The link says there is a problem playing the video?? I cannot open it?

[fireman 1,022]

I just clicked on it and it worked fine. I'm pretty sure Photobucket is having problems.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

It just worked. Very nice set up Jeff. It will take some getting used to with the sound of that diesel. Sounds like the rod is about to go through the block... Very nice !

[fireman 1,022]

I spent the first half of the day working on the tractor lift. Just two more pieces to sand, primer and paint and then I can assemble and use it. Was out running a few errands when SteveBo texted me an image of some ball joint ends that he had laying around and asked if they were what I was looking for. Well heck yah I'm looking for them. Ran over to his house and picked them up and talked for a while. Headed home for dinner and then right down to the shop to install them. I didn't really want to use the threaded rod and just happened to have some steel rod stock that was the exact diameter to thread to 10-32nds which is what the ball joints use. Had to re-drill all new mounting holes as I had used 1/2-20 bolts on the original design. Got everything drilled and taped then put it all back together. It works smooth as glass now with the ball joint ends. No binding at all. It looks so much cleaner than the first ones. Now all I have to do is make a new one piece pivot out of some aluminum stock at that will be finished. Then maybe I can get the painting touch up done, wiring, and re-route the fuel lines. Here are some pics (Right on time Steve!):

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

LOL Jeff. What happened to "I'm shot tonight, not sure if I will get to it" ??? I am glad they worked for you! Looks great and can't wait to take that rig for a ride at the show in Kent. :auto-swerve:

[AMC RULES 37,144]

Anyone have a link to the Kent show to share?