2013 Build Off Entry: Go Kart from Tractor Parts

[j.concepcion54321]

Hey guys, figured id jump in on the contest before it was too late... Well its pretty late now but im gonna build it anyways

INTRO: As most of you may know i have a john deere lx188 tractor that i started to part out. Well i got to the point that i sold most of what the people wanted and i doubled my money on the tractor so i figured why not use the rest of the parts to build a kart! A buddy of mine had an old metal fence that looked like it would make a decent frame so we said "hey why not make a kart out of that!" So thats where the idea came from.

On to the actual project.....
-Started with the lx188 and took off the engine, and the spindles on the front. The engines junk so its gonna be scrapped, unless i can mod the carb to fit on my 5.5hp clone... then ill keep it

-Then we chopped the frame up and removed about a foot from each side to shorten the weelbase a little because we want it to be a 1 seater. (although even after we cut it down i think its the same size as my old manco 2 seater )

-Next we cut the front steering rack from the tractor so we could weld it into our frame.

-After that we cut slits into the frame so that the spindle mounts would actually sit inside the frame and be more stable than just a butt weld on the end.

-Finally we welded up the front end, and sleeved the tubes to have a little extra support in the frame.

PLANS: Im planning to cut the whole steering tower out of the tractor. That way i have the wheel, dash, steering mechanism with gears, and a floor panel for it. Just gonna cut that whole section out of the tractor and weld it on to the frame. then im gonna use some of the metal from the tractors frame to make a swingarm, and mount it using some bushings and rods that are on the frame now.

Besides that i really have no clue how this build is gonna go so well just play it by the ear and hope we finish in time!!!!

Thanks,
Josh

EDIT: I just realized how poor my welds look but thats because i first threw a straight bead down and then i waited a little and then welded over and around the bead to make sure i got good coverage. So thats why it looks really bubbly on top. If you take a close look you can see the heat marks on the metal so you can tell it penetrated. Didnt have my grinder with me so i couldnt clean them up. After i grind off the welds then i may re weld over that to make sure its good.

 

[landuse]

Glad you could join the competition. I am not however too sure how strong it will be where you butt welded pipe together. Did you use inner sleeves there? I would rething some support in those areas. I have circled them in red on your pic below

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Your sign is supposed to be photographed WITH the parts! This way, we know that you're not "starting" with old pics to give the impression that you have less done than you actually do... I think you're on the level though, so go for it. Good luck!

 

[j.concepcion54321]

Glad you could join the competition. I am not however too sure how strong it will be where you butt welded pipe together. Did you use inner sleeves there? I would rething some support in those areas. I have circled them in red on your pic below

The green pipe that you have circled is slightly bigger than the pipe of the whole frame. The 2 are not butt welded, those are sleeves that go outside the pipe. Inner sleeves would look better, but outside is all we had at the time and im not too focused on the asthetics. Outer sleeves are still pretty strong i would assume. Theres a pic on the original post of the pieces of pipe i cut as the sleeeves. Then in that final pic you can see how it came together.

Your sign is supposed to be photographed WITH the parts! This way, we know that you're not "starting" with old pics to give the impression that you have less done than you actually do... I think you're on the level though, so go for it. Good luck!

I know... its just that i didnt think to sign it up for the competition until after i got home and since all the things were at my friends house i couldnt grab another pic with the sign.... I figured what i did would suffice!! And it did!!

More updates on the kart to come on sunday... thats when i go over his house again.

 

[landuse]

The green pipe that you have circled is slightly bigger than the pipe of the whole frame. The 2 are not butt welded, those are sleeves that go outside the pipe. Inner sleeves would look better, but outside is all we had at the time and im not too focused on the asthetics. Outer sleeves are still pretty strong i would assume. Theres a pic on the original post of the pieces of pipe i cut as the sleeeves. Then in that final pic you can see how it came together.

As long as they aren't butt welded I am happy

 

[MZ 500]

You will want to grind off that Galvanized coating and paint where you are welding your welds will come out nicer and it's not good to breath in the fumes from that galvanized coating...