Roof 60 show cruiser

[wallfish 16,999]

Here's something different. This is an unintended project that fell in my lap as I wanted the Roof Palamino but that was sold out from under me. Still, these Roof 60 tractors are very cool machines and somewhat rare. It's worth putting the time in on it. I've been pecking away just a little at a time and looking forward just to the point it can driven.

These were made as high end commercial mowers and most were sold to municipalities and places like that. They use a 60" mower deck that's built like a tank.

Here's the tractor

 

The Ross steering box bearings were toast but found a rebuild kit on epay. The race surfaces aren't great either but the advice from the experts over on Roof Riders said to clean them up and it should be fine. Had to cut the tube and shaft just to get it apart. The box is back together with the new parts and the steering shaft welded back together but still waiting on the new metal tube to arrive to finish it.

 

 

Removed the Onan B48 (from the first pic) which was on it and loaded on a big Kohler K532 20 HP which is more of a correct engine for these. Man those engines are HEAVY! Just about blew a nut getting it on there. LoL. I'll cut a hole in the debris screen once the drive shaft adapter ic completely sorted out.

 

 

It was missing the engine adapter to connect the drive shaft. These were made specifically for the single speed roof 60 one at a time so unobtainable. Found some adapters for the engine on epay to make something fit and work. Luckily the a Jacobson shaft is long enough to reach the drive shaft so that made it fairly easy.

 

The adapter shaft is 1 1/8" and the hole in the end of the drive shaft is 1" so I had to spin down about 1/2" of the shaft end to fit inside the hole. I barely know how to use that lathe but was able to do this. Still need to make sure it's lined up perfect and then weld it together.

 

That's as far as I got so far.

[Achto 27,571]

Awesome project !!!  Will be looking forward to seeing the finished product. 

 

I too have been keeping my eye out for a Palomino. Some day the opportunity and my wallet will line up.

[Pullstart 62,854]

Cool project, no more tugging a wagon when you have room for a trunk and a buddy!

[squonk 41,104]

You're really going to have to clean out that van John if you expect to haul that anywhere! 

[oliver2-44 9,747]

4 hours ago, wallfish said:

but still waiting on the new metal tube to arrive to finish it.

cx

As your aware the tubing is an odd size. When I rebuilt the Ross box on my Cade 180 I used tubing from kids round trampoline legs.  It fits almost perfectly, just a little emery work on the outside and it tapped right in. 

[seuadr 488]

why do you guys insist upon showing me stuff i didn't know i needed?! 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

6 hours ago, seuadr said:

why do you guys insist upon showing me stuff i didn't know i needed?! 

Mr. 'Fish is particularly good at that. 

 

Do NOT show up at his house. 

You'll end up with a trailer full. 

[Handy Don 12,217]

13 hours ago, wallfish said:

 

The adapter shaft is 1 1/8" and the hole in the end of the drive shaft is 1" so I had to spin down about 1/2" of the shaft end to fit inside the hole. I barely know how to use that lathe but was able to do this. Still need to make sure it's lined up perfect and then weld it together.

 

 

That's as far as I got so far.

I see the one end of the universal, is there a universal at the other end, too?  If yes, make sure they are "matched" so that the drive train is constant length.

[wallfish 16,999]

14 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

I see the one end of the universal, is there a universal at the other end, too?  If yes, make sure they are "matched" so that the drive train is constant length.

It needs 2. The trans is a little offset to the engine. Not sure what you mean by "constant length"

[Handy Don 12,217]

16 minutes ago, wallfish said:

It needs 2. The trans is a little offset to the engine. Not sure what you mean by "constant length"

The actual term is "phasing". This (and similar) articles explain it. I think you are ok because your shaft is already assembled with both joints properly attached. It's trickier if you have a spline that comes apart.

https://www.beldenuniversal.com/knowledge/technical-information/universal-joint-phasing

 

and this: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt69zYAcXME

 

 

Edited May 13, 2021 by Handy Don

[8ntruck 7,002]

A u joint is not a constant speed device when it is running at an angle.  The output speed varies a bit as a function of rotation angle and shaft angle.  When using 2 u joints, the yokes of both joints must be in proper angular relationship (phased) with each other so the variation in rotational speeds of the various sections of the drive shaft cancel each other out.

 

If a drive shaft is not properly phased, vibrations and bearing failures can be expected.  

[wallfish 16,999]

Took some time after work today and finished up the steering box, welded the drive shaft adapter to the drive shaft, a bunch of little odds and ends and was able to set up temporary for a drive. The exhaust is just an open pipe so couldn't let'r rip since it's kind of late. That big Kohler sounds pretty good without a pipe!

 

Edited May 16, 2021 by wallfish

[ebinmaine 67,484]

Excellent.