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**jhngardner367** · 06-29-2011, 05:37 PM

Well,I pulled the transaxle apart,and it's done for.Apparently someone had it apart,before I got it,and had left out a shim,as well as dropping something into the gearcase.It ended up lodged between two gears,and they broke .The fluid was rusty brown,and several parts were rusty.You may not see it in these photos,but the medium-sized gear At the top,is broken,as is the one it meshes with. I guess I'll put the 3-speed back in,until I can find another dual-range.Such is life!

**jhngardner367** · 08-25-2011, 06:16 PM

Today I started to work on the sheet metal,and control panel,as well as changing the mount location for the front blade. This thing sits 4" higher than the JD 317,next to it.

**jhngardner367** · 08-30-2011, 07:35 PM

Had jury duty today.Wasn't able to get to work. BUGGER!!

**dangeroustoys56** · 08-31-2011, 03:46 PM

Looking at your frankenmower - Ive had an idea going thru my head for a while - about making a true 4x4 tractor ( well sort of) - i have GT6000 chassis behind the shed - has the 6 speed still in it. I also have my 69 wheelhorse trans as well still ( needs new trans bushings) - so i planned on mounting the wheelhorse trans under the front, bolting 4 GT rear tires on it ( same bolt pattern as the wheelhorse wheels) , mounting the motor sideways and using the factory electric clutch.

The clutch side would run the front- with a jackshaft ( input pulley on right side) - rear would just run straight back.

Using the electric clutch id be able to either run in 4 wheel drive , with multiple speeds or two wheel ( with front in neutral and clutch off) - steering would be setup with large ujoints on the axle ends, with sort of a noma rear steer setup ( bolted to chassis) . Front trans would need to mount in same orintation as in the back, and shift levers lengthened - plus would be my wheelhorse has the same style high low trans as the original GT trans ......

The front would need to be unlocked ( to steer) the rear could be locked ( if i wanted to)

Think what something like that would go thru - mud, water, snow..... i just have too much stuff going on to build one now - ill be lucky to get my 2 wheel drive offroad agway going ( with an eventual 4x4 setup also).

**jhngardner367** · 09-02-2011, 09:39 PM

I love imagining what COULD be,and then trying to do it!Today,I mounted a 3000# electric winch to the front of FrankenWheels,to lift/lower the blade .Now,I'm setting up a belly blade attatchment,for leveling.Some -what like the road trucks have.But,that's not a priority,right now.First,I've gotta replace a leaking tire,and finish the wiring.Then,I can start thinking about paint.

**jhngardner367** · 09-03-2011, 03:54 PM

I picked this winch up at Harbor Freight for $60, a couple of yrs ago.It had remote,but I removed it,and hard-wired it to the 3-way switch,just below the ign.sw.It has power-in&power-out,plus freewheel,so it works really well for lifting/lowering the 42" blade.

**jhngardner367** · 01-31-2012, 02:37 PM

After running into a problem with the engine turned sideways,( required 2 belts,and no room for leg),I turned the engine back,put in a driveshaft to a mid-frame cross-drive,and ran a belt from the cross-drive to the trans.Thanks to the on-line v-belt calculator,I got a 5/8x37 v-belt,and "Frankenwheels" LIVES!! I'll post some pics,later,but right now I'm having fun with it!!!

Cublover · 01-31-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhngardner367

After running into a problem with the engine turned sideways,( required 2 belts,and no room for leg),I turned the engine back,put in a driveshaft to a mid-frame cross-drive,and ran a belt from the cross-drive to the trans.Thanks to the on-line v-belt calculator,I got a 5/8x37 v-belt,and "Frankenwheels" LIVES!! I'll post some pics,later,but right now I'm having fun with it!!!

Did I mention that I hauled the plazma cutter home last month?? Sat night, we did 90% of the ceiling insulation in the 'in town' shop! It's SHIRTSLEEVES temps off a woodskid, all day!!
I get boored some evenings, so PLEASE post pics!
Frank was saying that a certain 16 hp briggs needed more. I have a 1.8 VW diesel under the bench and a PLAZ!!

**jhngardner367** · 01-31-2012, 10:07 PM

Know what ya mean! It hit 53,today,so I played with the "frankenwheels" project. That diesel might be fun to play with!!LOL I plan on gettin' some pics this week. It's just about ready to strip it for paint.

**jhngardner367** · 02-01-2012, 12:52 PM

These are the latest pics. I used the driveshaft to connect to the x-drive,and a belt from the x-drive to the trans. A simple mouse-trap clutch,and it works great.I still want to find a dual-range trans,though. Now,I'll strip it for paint.

**Country Boy** · 02-02-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangeroustoys56

Looking at your frankenmower - Ive had an idea going thru my head for a while - about making a true 4x4 tractor ( well sort of) - i have GT6000 chassis behind the shed - has the 6 speed still in it. I also have my 69 wheelhorse trans as well still ( needs new trans bushings) - so i planned on mounting the wheelhorse trans under the front, bolting 4 GT rear tires on it ( same bolt pattern as the wheelhorse wheels) , mounting the motor sideways and using the factory electric clutch.

The clutch side would run the front- with a jackshaft ( input pulley on right side) - rear would just run straight back.

Using the electric clutch id be able to either run in 4 wheel drive , with multiple speeds or two wheel ( with front in neutral and clutch off) - steering would be setup with large ujoints on the axle ends, with sort of a noma rear steer setup ( bolted to chassis) . Front trans would need to mount in same orintation as in the back, and shift levers lengthened - plus would be my wheelhorse has the same style high low trans as the original GT trans ......

The front would need to be unlocked ( to steer) the rear could be locked ( if i wanted to)

Think what something like that would go thru - mud, water, snow..... i just have too much stuff going on to build one now - ill be lucky to get my 2 wheel drive offroad agway going ( with an eventual 4x4 setup also).

How about this?

**jhngardner367** · 02-03-2012, 06:31 PM

Good Lord,that looks AWSOME!!!

**Country Boy** · 02-03-2012, 09:43 PM

Just got to get a mini chisel plow for it and you can work your garden!

**jhngardner367** · 02-11-2012, 05:13 PM

Plowed snow today.Got almost done,and the x-drive came loose.After checking it,Ifound I had only tack-welded the mounts! After I re-welded them,(properly,this time)it works great!

**Country Boy** · 02-11-2012, 06:17 PM

Sounds like fun! You must have gotten more snow that we did. There really wasn't enough to bother plowing it. Glad to hear your frankenwheels works great!

**jhngardner367** · 02-11-2012, 10:49 PM

Yeah,me too!Now,I can concentrate on pulling it down for paint. I'll try to post pics as I do it. We had a 3" snowfall,last night,but I don't expect any more great amounts.

**jhngardner367** · 03-09-2012, 04:04 PM

Well,with warm weather fast approaching,I find myself looking forward to working on "Frankenwheels",again.
After a few adjustments,I wondered how well it would pull.So,I ran a chain from the hitch,on Frankenwheels,to my '85 Chevy longbed. I put the truck in neutral,took up the slack,and let it rip!
Result: It never slipped,nor spun....it just PULLED !! So,this year,I'll get it painted,and think about adding a pto,and a cab. I'm also thinking of a rear light,for night work.
I also want to add some width (4" per side)to the rear wheels.

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