dangeroustoys56

I came down with the tractor collecting bug back in the 90's - my wife knew about it, but had no idea what she was getting into. Shed rather have me buy em and turn around n sell em- but i see em as saving em from the scrap yard - some of my tractors are ornery and have certain quirks - probably something noone else would put up with.

Since im basically self taught in repairing my stuff, i like to share some info ive gained over the years.

The majority of my 'fleet' is regular mowing tractors- i mow with a different one every week to keep them 'fresh'- at least every month or so i drag em all out and run every one of them around ( that run)- its an all day affair .

I do have a few 'modifeds' - tractors built to do things other then mow( due to deck issues, other tractor problems they became mods). Being older im more wise about saftey with my mod machines - a few are 'speed machines' ( ill have 3 when theyre all done) - ones being made into a go kart, one is a mild 2wd offroader/trail rider ( rear tires on the front for more clearance- sometime ill add a rack for the back)- the 4x4 tractor will be a while in the making.

Bamataco

Those modifieds sound very interesting. Do you have any pictures of them?

TeamCheap

I just scrapped a bunch of tractor stuff but it was mostly the chassis's that were cracked/rusted and the decks that were really rusted out bad.

My wife was so happy to see them go that she even helped a little in taking them apart but I had to send her to the house when I seen some good parts on the trailer headed to the scrap yard.

I will sell off or scrap the other parts I have once I have my main tractor project mostly done.

I still have five runners but will be thinning out the group over the next year or so.

I dont think I'll ever make a racing tractor but they are interesting.

dangeroustoys56

Ive tinkered with making tractors faster over the years- a few ive taken apart, due to not being safe enough, however i do have a couple i am going to be building safe as possible- i dont call mine 'racers' because therye not built according to any sanctioned event guides - mine are for personal experementation only- how fast safely can a governed engine make a tractor go ( on private property and wearing proper saftey gear).

This is my current 'speed machine' - a '91 MTD - lowered front axle, low profile rear tires, lower seating position- reminds me of driving a 'big wheel' trike when i was younger- it handles excellent, currently goes around 10mph ( trying with all stock stuff ) , made a foot throttle for better control - a 18.5HP twin engine swap is next in line, with possibly a 6 speed shift on the fly manual trans from a 94 murray, aftermarket brakes and more lowering will also be on the list:




Future rebuild to mild modifying- 1994 Murray ( 1991 MTD hood) - originally was my main 'speed machine' - after a few trial runs, i deemed it to be too unstable for its near stock configuration and i took it apart till it can be rebuilt safer - it wont be as fast as before, itll get some lowering, better brakes, upgraded steering and smaller motor:



Experement tractor- 1996 MTD chassis with a 1985 MTD mastercut hood - combining a stock variable speed pulley setup with a 3 speed manual trans from a 70's simplicity - no speed here- just seeing how many different ratios i can get from the setup:



Offroader - 80's agway ( murray) ive had for years- used to run thru a swamp with it behind my folks house back north ( stock with a 10HP briggs) - just 'updating' it a bit with larger tires, larger motor, foot throttle and eventually a rack to carry stuff ( like an ATV) - eventually id like to get some ATV or AG tires for it :




A couple future projects:

2003 MTD bolens chassis under 1969 wheelhorse sheetmetal - my 'rat rod' of tractors - will be low, fast and definitely safer then my murray - heres a pic of the 'original wheelhorse' before disassembly:



1990's GT6000 craftsman made into a true 4x4 lawntractor - itll be running the wheelhorse trans up front, some lifting to fit rear GT tires up front, horizontal twin - purely for offroad use only :




Ill post updates for these projects here in this thread when i get some shed time.

dangeroustoys56

Bamataco: I have a thread on the wizard go kart- its at a stand still till after the holidays - heres the link:

http://www.tractorforum.com/f209/go-kart-built-80s-mtd-wizard-15332/


TeamCheep: Between rebuilt runners and spare parts, i have like 28 tractors total - i hate selling stuff and keep spare parts like crazy.

I dont call my 'speed machines' racers- mainly because theyre not built to racing specs ( or intended to race) - mainly building for personal use on my property (safe use) to see what thier limitations are.

country Gent

Hay guys and gals. About ready to hit the hay and was reading my email. I really enjoy watching the mower races, but being that I will be turning 70 years young next year, I don't feel like I want to break any bones needlessly. I too have a collection of garden tractors and I opted 5 years ago to get into a more safer and slower motorsport of Garden Tractor Pulling. Been very successful running the 1050lb and 1250lb stock class here in FL. Our 2011 pulling season kicks off the last weekend in January with a Triple Crown, 3 weekends in a row. (2 and 3 day pulls) Here's a couple of photos of my "Joe Deer" puller and my "Resurrected Roper" slightly modified everyday mower. Found the Roper at the landfill missing the hood and grill and a wore out deck. Adapted a Craftsman GT hood and grill to it and adapted a 46inch deck in place of the 42inch. It's a hydro and drives like a Cadilac. Toys for big boys!! Country Gent

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dangeroustoys56

Nice machines - if i hadnt moved south, pop and i wouldve started building puller tractors. I like that GT style hood on the roper- i havent been able to find any tractors like that that around.

dangeroustoys56

Mini update: got some cool Christmas presents to help my projects out- a 3/8" air ratchet and sockets along with a 3" air cut off tool and a 3000lb remote controlled winch, also got a couple sets of step drill bits those are THE best thing since sliced bread, ive had my original set now for about 3 years and theyre finally wearing out, cause ive drilled alot of metal with em - after the holidays ill be working on the wizard project here soon enough.

dangeroustoys56

Finally an update: I picked up a 1:1 right angle gearbox off ebay for $10 ( $23 total) - screeming deal all it needs is a good cleaning and regreasing and a bent pulley ( looks like someone got too tight with a puller) - feels like all the berings are tight.

This opens a door on the MTD- its getting the 18HP twin, the new gear box, straight axle and a disc brake setup along with 4 golf kart wheels and plenty of lowering - im thinking a 'stage 2 ' to it will be the addition of the '69 wheelhorse sheetmetal .

From You Tube i got the idea of a 4x4 tractor using a noma all wheel steer rear transmission - cept up front - sounds like i might home make a steering front trans for the agway as a 'stage two' - i need to put a motor on the thing first.

The other tractors are still sitting......

dangeroustoys56

Update : got my wheels for the agway - a set of brand new atv wheels with 9" rims for the front ( will work good when i set it up for 4 wheel drive) - tires were $20 for the pair . I bot a pair of 25x13.00x9 wooly booger atv wheels with rims for $25 at a flea market for the back recently - other then a lil cleaning , theres not a thing wrong with em.

It pays to scour flea markets for stuff cheep. Now if i can locate a complete noma rear steer trans ill be all set.....

BelarusBulldog

Man you keep finding the deals, looks like you're right into it now! Don't forget pictures as you move along.

__________________
Plowing, it's snow much fun!

dangeroustoys56

I have pics of those wheels on my phone, just havent gotten around to downloading them yet - work has kept me busy .