Hello -- my 10 year old and I need help :)

[metulhed01]

Hello,
My son and I picked up an extra (functional) lawn mower, and we are looking to use this 6.5 hp engine to make something that moves. We have pretty low expectations, if it goes ~15 mph and doesn't explode, I would call it a success!

Can you suggest a very simple, low-budget plan for us to work on as a first-time build? I have patience and some tools, but will have to call a friend if it involves welding.

Thanks in advance, so far looks like a great forum.

Cheers,

Shea

 

[Kennycash12]

Post some pics I might have some ideas for you


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[Texan]

Lawnmowers have vertical shafts, will not be easy to use on a kart. Look for a horizontal shaft engine to start with.

 

[Kennycash12]

If you are talking about a riding mower it might be possible but will take some fab work


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[Hellion]

A vertical shaft can give you some possibilities. There's been factory karts made with vertical shaft engines in the vertical orientation, that is.

If it's a riding mower possessing a drivetrain already, you can fabricate a mud tractor or rock crawler among others.

 

[anickode]

Another possibility is a 90° twist V belt drive to a jackshaft, and then a chain drive to the axle. It's a good cheap way to reorient the drive axis, and you can get some gear reduction before the jackshaft so your axle sprocket needn't be so big.

Lawnmower engines can prove difficult though. They often have very short shaft stubs, and fixed throttle engines frequently don't have an idle jet in the carb, so they like to stall when you try to make it idle down. Some of them also use a very light flywheel since it only runs high speed and the rotating blade acts like a flywheel.

 

[bob58o]

Man you guys have much better ideas than me.
I was going to suggest riding on walls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4h1rYoxcqA