project Agri-800??

[callum12 256]

hi all,

i know the A-800 ranger is not a popular horsey, runt of the herd if you like!

but.. in a previous topic i asked about using my A-800 for some light ground engagement, the implements would be converted from pedestrian operated colwood mono tractor. it was suggested that the tranny wouldn't like that (as expected really). i did mention this project in the "what sort of ground engagement work could i do??" post but trying to keep posts on topic i thought id start a new one, also going into more detail about my big idea.

 so, here's my pitch:

i'm thinking about turning my A-800 lawn tractor into the all new Agri-800 garden tractor! what does this mean you may be asking? well, i will be putting in a beefier tranny (i have one in mind), the popular front spindle to 4 lug hub mod, lifting clevis hitch, larger front and rear wheels, front weight block and many other little bits and bobs. 

so what do you think? I'm sure some of you will think it's not worth it but i like the A-800 rangers personally, they deserve a place in the WH community.

thanks for looking and ALL opinions gratefully received,

Callum

 

[953 nut 56,080]

Few, if any of us, could come up with a reasonable justification for owning numerous   and doing what we do with them; other than our personal desire to do so. Don't worry about what others will think, just do it and share your journey with us.

 

PS   

[callum12 256]

don't you worry! there will be plenty of picture! might not happen for a while yet, just tossing ideas around at the mo. got to finish my colwood first.

anyone got any more mods to suggest? I'm already doing lights and a stack

callum

[callum12 256]

has anyone added a horn to their horse before? 

i might do that just for fun! would be useful around rallies too, some sort of vintage comedy horn.

[KevinG 5]

I'm thinking about putting an ooga horn on my suburban 400... just cause... why not? That or a dixie horn

[callum12 256]

that would be cool, there are also horns that work like an air raid siren, 

[meadowfield 2,614]

Go for it Callum

[callum12 256]

thanks meadowfield, I'm getting my lathe back tomorrow from its winter storage i might make a start on a few bits. just the larger wheel will improve the looks no end! 

[callum12 256]

Hi all,

well, The Agri-800 project is under way,

there is now a stack (have a look at my other post for that) and i now have proper C-series wheels fitted, I will get some box section to raise the height of the seat pan, this will give me clearance for the wheels, but already it looks soooo much better when compared with the golf kart wheels it have before!!

unfortunately i found some damage, this had been done a long time ago as the crack was all rusty so i know it wasn't me!! i am on the look out for another hub but to be honest it is only one stud and it still looks fine as the piece can be fitted and bolted on to the wheel.

 

heres some pictures for you all:

 

 

 

thank you all for looking and the next task is to get some new rear tyres as these ones are completely shot,

 

Callum

[callum12 256]

so today I looked at raising the seat pan, I found that i only needed to to raised a small amount and i didn't want to alter the riding position too much. I have actually moved the seat back a small amount and braced it. This was done using a bit of 8 X 30mm mild steel bar that runs under the seat pan, this helps to support the cracked mounting holes and raise the pan. It was really easy to do with only two holes being drilled. 

there isn't much clearance so I may still use a bit of box section as I don't want sticks and other debris getting caught up.

 

the cracked mounting hole can be seen vaguely here:

 

you can see what I did here, much stronger now:

 

 

and damn it! half way through writing this update I realise I haven't got a picture of the finished article!! tomorrow then. I haven't properly fitted it yet anyway, as it needs to be off of the next phase of project Agri-800. I have also taken that random tray thing off as well. 

 

thanks for looking, 

Callum

[C-101plowerpower 1,606]

looks a whole lot better with those C series wheels, i'm starting to like them like that

[callum12 256]

me too, with some larger wheels on front the tractor will look really good. I don't see why more people don't do it, I think its the B-111 that also has the same golf kart wheels. for the front I'm thinking 9"?

thanks for looking 

callum

[callum12 256]

UPDATE:

today I fitted the 50mm tow ball, I cut off the old hitch thing and drilled two 10mm holes to mount it. to get the hitch plate off i had to cut off two stripped coach bolts. they must have been over tightened at the factory or something as they had never been off (as far as I'm aware). 

 

the cut doesn't look straight here but it was corrected with a bit of filing:

 

the drilling was done with a 1940's union pillar drill:

 

and here is the mounted hitch: this will come in very handy I'm sure!

 

[callum12 256]

Finally finished wiring the lights today, the LEDs look really cool inside the lamps. only able to test them with a drill battery though  

since i now have the lights should i go for a proper car sized battery or stick this the motor bike size one?

[callum12 256]

Hi all,

quick update, lights wired (see other post for that) more pictures tomorrow.

just ordered some new rear tyres, agri pattern of course!

had to disguise the shop name, i don't think the mods would have liked that!

 

 

thanks,

Callum

[callum12 256]

testing of my lights, very happy 

I've written more about them i a different post.

Callum

[callum12 256]

sorry for the delay, here are the tyres fitted. only £10 for the pair:

 

 

callum

[C-101plowerpower 1,606]

a tenner for 2 tyres? where did you get those? looks good by the way

[callum12 256]

I meant that the tyres were fitted for a tenner, the actual tyres where £120 for the pair, they are made by duro and from fleabay.

[meadowfield 2,614]

Looks good, I have same tyres on bendy

[callum12 256]

thanks, I really like ol' bendy! amazing build.

the biggest modification that will really put the agri into agri-800 is in the planning!

Callum

[callum12 256]

right then!

I think it is time for the main lawn tractor to garden tractor mod, i think I've heard someone saying "turns a cob into a clydesdale" who ever said that credit to them! a great expression in the world of WH that really sums up my project. 

anyway, look at what I've got my self:

 

 

 

i'm picking it up next sunday so in the mean time i will draw up some rough sketches, measure and refine my big ideas.

stay tuned 

callum

[callum12 256]

Just got a clevis hitch for when its complete, I got it for £65 not too bad really. i will deal with that once I've got everything else done. 
my new and improved design consists of three belts, I have one going from the motor through the clutch pulley and powers an idler pulley. this is a stacked pulley with one below that powers the countershaft, the twist in the belt will be here and finally a belt from the counter shaft to the tranny. But i was thinking maybe a chain between the counter shaft and tranny?? less chance of slipping then, what do you make of this?
here are the near final designs, it's not in scale or anything:


and this is the original set up, as you can see the stacked idler pulley will be where an existing pulley is:

hope you find this interesting and please let me know what you think,
callum

[callum12 256]

hi all,
while I'm getting my stuff together for the transaxle i am starting work on the front hub modification, the trip rib tyres came today they are size 4.00x8. 




I also wrapped the exhaust, I used fibreglass wrap so i was all itchy after!



thanks for looking,
callum

[callum12 256]

Hi,
the rims came along with the hubs, the hubs are really nice. i'm going to take them to the tyre place so they can get their air gun on the big nut that holds the hub to the stub axle. once that is off should the hub slide off the spindle with the bearings? i'll post some pictures when I've got a moment. i'm thinking of starting a youtube series following my build, would anyone be interested in that? I've got a 1080P camera   ! 
thanks,
callum
(PS: could a moderator please change the title of this topic to just 'project agri-800' or 'agri-800 build'? i can't seem to do it from my computer. thank you very much )