bighead
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Thats good fun. would lov to see the pics and vid.
Mow-Kart
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aidantandy
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Here are a few videos.
One shows me coming off, another shows the kind of speed the bike powered mower was getting (or how much I was struggling with the hill depending on how you look at it). The last one shows that it wasn't all doom and gloom, some fun dicing through the corners with a 6hp Murray kart that was brought along as a backup for anyone whose kart wasn't able to run. An ultimate dishonour/punishment in the style of Top Gear and the VW Beetle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad6viLgPXqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu6IdkSOoXA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zDNUyIjufE
I've also included a couple of pics of the other 2 vehicles.
One shows me coming off, another shows the kind of speed the bike powered mower was getting (or how much I was struggling with the hill depending on how you look at it). The last one shows that it wasn't all doom and gloom, some fun dicing through the corners with a 6hp Murray kart that was brought along as a backup for anyone whose kart wasn't able to run. An ultimate dishonour/punishment in the style of Top Gear and the VW Beetle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad6viLgPXqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu6IdkSOoXA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zDNUyIjufE
I've also included a couple of pics of the other 2 vehicles.
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aidantandy
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Mow-Kart update
Hi everyone,
It's been about a year since my last lawn mower race and after a weekend of working I thought I'd share the progress made.
So as some of you might remember or can read from the thread above I'm involved in a cheap and cheerful annual lawn mower race with a couple of mates. Our only two rules are that each vehicle had to originally have been a lawn mower and that the cutting deck must be removed.
Last year I was onto a winner by finding a great little mower that was in essence a go kart but I fudged up my pulley ratios after putting on big wheels and had lots (too much actually) of top speed but no torque.
Anyway after lots of planning we're just about ready for the 2012 race. Competitors are being pretty cagey about whether they'll be ready for it so it's hard to know how many racers we'll have.
As for me, well I've included a few photos and will take more tomorrow when it's light but I've ditched the old vert shaft 6.5 tecumseh and installed a new 6.5 honda clone with a Chinese copy TAV 30. I've got a ten tooth sprocket on the TC leading to a 60 tooth sprocket on the axle. As you can see we've majorly increased the wheel base of the vehicle, by about 60cm. We also opened up the diff and welded it all together which actually went better than I thought it might. The throttle stop screw has been taken out and the air filter will be replaced by a motorcycle filter. The exhaust will probably be some sort of straight pipe, depends on what they have in the scrap bin of my local metal shop. We have also tapped and threaded the axles so the wheels are now held on by bolts rather than circlips. Keen eyes may also notice my fav modification, the octopus strap used as a throttle return spring, works like a charm!
We were all ready for a test drive just as we were losing light on Sunday but sadly the bolt into the drive shaft hold the TC on isn't quite long enough so the torque converter fell off. No real drama as I was only going slowly at the time. Boy welding the diff up really does make it harder to turn!
So yeah that's about it really. I'm really hoping that my kart is fast enough to be competitive this year - I've spent a lot of time youtubing "6.5hp plus torque converter" and there seems to be some encouraging results. The speed estimator on this site suggests something in the 60km/h range but I'd be happy with 50ish I think.
Still a few things to get done with 2 weeks to go. The air fiter and exhaust as mentioned and I'd like to find a new seat to mount lower in the frame. Most importantly I'm off to the motorcycle wreckers tomorrow to try to source a brake solution. I also need to fine tune the TAV - I've started searching this forum for advice on changing the spring setting.
Hi everyone,
It's been about a year since my last lawn mower race and after a weekend of working I thought I'd share the progress made.
So as some of you might remember or can read from the thread above I'm involved in a cheap and cheerful annual lawn mower race with a couple of mates. Our only two rules are that each vehicle had to originally have been a lawn mower and that the cutting deck must be removed.
Last year I was onto a winner by finding a great little mower that was in essence a go kart but I fudged up my pulley ratios after putting on big wheels and had lots (too much actually) of top speed but no torque.
Anyway after lots of planning we're just about ready for the 2012 race. Competitors are being pretty cagey about whether they'll be ready for it so it's hard to know how many racers we'll have.
As for me, well I've included a few photos and will take more tomorrow when it's light but I've ditched the old vert shaft 6.5 tecumseh and installed a new 6.5 honda clone with a Chinese copy TAV 30. I've got a ten tooth sprocket on the TC leading to a 60 tooth sprocket on the axle. As you can see we've majorly increased the wheel base of the vehicle, by about 60cm. We also opened up the diff and welded it all together which actually went better than I thought it might. The throttle stop screw has been taken out and the air filter will be replaced by a motorcycle filter. The exhaust will probably be some sort of straight pipe, depends on what they have in the scrap bin of my local metal shop. We have also tapped and threaded the axles so the wheels are now held on by bolts rather than circlips. Keen eyes may also notice my fav modification, the octopus strap used as a throttle return spring, works like a charm!
We were all ready for a test drive just as we were losing light on Sunday but sadly the bolt into the drive shaft hold the TC on isn't quite long enough so the torque converter fell off. No real drama as I was only going slowly at the time. Boy welding the diff up really does make it harder to turn!
So yeah that's about it really. I'm really hoping that my kart is fast enough to be competitive this year - I've spent a lot of time youtubing "6.5hp plus torque converter" and there seems to be some encouraging results. The speed estimator on this site suggests something in the 60km/h range but I'd be happy with 50ish I think.
Still a few things to get done with 2 weeks to go. The air fiter and exhaust as mentioned and I'd like to find a new seat to mount lower in the frame. Most importantly I'm off to the motorcycle wreckers tomorrow to try to source a brake solution. I also need to fine tune the TAV - I've started searching this forum for advice on changing the spring setting.
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photo-1.jpg
I have always liked this kart of yours, and I followed your progress closely. I think you are going to be really quick this year.
I was just wondering about the bolt holding your driven on. I see it is close to the frame. Is there enough room there to thread that bolt on.
I was just wondering about the bolt holding your driven on. I see it is close to the frame. Is there enough room there to thread that bolt on.
aidantandy
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Yeah that's just the camera angle Landuse - in reality there's a good sized gap.
After working all day on the thing we really wanted a test drive so didn't even think to put on the torque converter's plastic cover. We were very lucky not to lose anything important when it all shook it self loose.
The real issue is the amount of clearance the rear sprocket has off the ground. Not a whole lot as you can see from the very technical jam jar measuring device pic.
Hopefully I'll have time to rig up some sort of shield thing for it, 4WD diff protector style. Not exactly sure how though. Suggestions very welcome.
After working all day on the thing we really wanted a test drive so didn't even think to put on the torque converter's plastic cover. We were very lucky not to lose anything important when it all shook it self loose.
The real issue is the amount of clearance the rear sprocket has off the ground. Not a whole lot as you can see from the very technical jam jar measuring device pic.
Hopefully I'll have time to rig up some sort of shield thing for it, 4WD diff protector style. Not exactly sure how though. Suggestions very welcome.
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photo-5.jpg
If you are going to be racing aon a reasonably level track with no bumps or holes, then I think you should be fine with the clearance that you have.
You could always make some sort of cover that would bolt onto your square tubing that your axle is connected to. Sort of like a chain guird for a bicycle, but this will wrap around the bottom of the sprocket as well
You could always make some sort of cover that would bolt onto your square tubing that your axle is connected to. Sort of like a chain guird for a bicycle, but this will wrap around the bottom of the sprocket as well
aidantandy
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Hi everyone,
Well it's the night before the big race and I'm just logging in to say thanks for all the advice and pointers. The two guys I'm competing against have years of know-how that I don't have so without the collective knowledge, ingenuity and helpfulness of the people on this forum I'd be completely sunk. I really appreciate all the help.
We had a family dinner tonight and it was good fun trying to weasel info from each other about the mowers. Cards are still being played pretty close to chests but it sounds like there will be some very interesting entries.
We're up 100% on racing mowers from last year (4 instead of 2!!) and the Murray go kart will be racing again to help make things interesting even though it's not eligible to win since it was never a mower.
As far as mine goes well I got the brakes mounted ok but they aren't super effective. Strong enough to stop 2 grown men from pushing the kart but not strong enough to really grab and lock up at speed. Maybe since it's a front brake from a scooter it's not designed to lock up, maybe it needs new pads. I don't know. Still it's safer than before, one of the many things to work on for next year. By nature I'm a pretty competitive guy but to be honest if I don't win that's ok because based on testing so far I'll be going pretty much as fast as I want to with the kart in it's current spec. Having said that I bought some fluffy dice to hang from the steering wheel this afternoon so that's obviously good for a 4-5 km/h boost.
So wish me luck, I'll be back on here tomorrow night with lots of stories and pics and videos.
Thanks again,
Aidan.
Well it's the night before the big race and I'm just logging in to say thanks for all the advice and pointers. The two guys I'm competing against have years of know-how that I don't have so without the collective knowledge, ingenuity and helpfulness of the people on this forum I'd be completely sunk. I really appreciate all the help.
We had a family dinner tonight and it was good fun trying to weasel info from each other about the mowers. Cards are still being played pretty close to chests but it sounds like there will be some very interesting entries.
We're up 100% on racing mowers from last year (4 instead of 2!!) and the Murray go kart will be racing again to help make things interesting even though it's not eligible to win since it was never a mower.
As far as mine goes well I got the brakes mounted ok but they aren't super effective. Strong enough to stop 2 grown men from pushing the kart but not strong enough to really grab and lock up at speed. Maybe since it's a front brake from a scooter it's not designed to lock up, maybe it needs new pads. I don't know. Still it's safer than before, one of the many things to work on for next year. By nature I'm a pretty competitive guy but to be honest if I don't win that's ok because based on testing so far I'll be going pretty much as fast as I want to with the kart in it's current spec. Having said that I bought some fluffy dice to hang from the steering wheel this afternoon so that's obviously good for a 4-5 km/h boost.
So wish me luck, I'll be back on here tomorrow night with lots of stories and pics and videos.
Thanks again,
Aidan.
exenos
Project Nut
Wheres the race taking place?
I'm also eagerly waiting on the results. I doubt that a 6hp with a torque converter will be able to stand up to a 250cc bike engine, but you might be able to beat it on maneuverability since this is a kart frame and not a mower frame.
I'm also eagerly waiting on the results. I doubt that a 6hp with a torque converter will be able to stand up to a 250cc bike engine, but you might be able to beat it on maneuverability since this is a kart frame and not a mower frame.
crashed1prox
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LOLOL! Do it up man!!!!!!
Doc Sprocket
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Good luck Aidan, and "May the forum be with you!"
aidantandy
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This year the race is taking place in a 20 acre front paddock. I haven't seen it yet but I'm told it's a lot flatter than last year. The property belongs to the parents of one of my competitors and he's left his father in charge of track creation.
You're spot on that handling should hopefully be my strong suit rather than speed. Having said that I'm hoping there's a bit of a straight so that I can stretch my karts legs. I've had it up to 43km/h (about 27mph I think) still accerlating and then I always run out of driveway. So if they're able to run way faster than that sitting up on a ride on frame then good luck to them I reckon.
exenos
Project Nut
I agree with the speed thing. Mowers start to get sketchy above 30km/h and downright terrifying above 50km/h. Props to your buddy if your buddy gets his 250 powered mower anywhere near top speed. :arf:
aidantandy
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Hi all - an update on yesterdays 2nd annual great lawnmower race for those who are interested. (I'll write more when I have photos and videos)
It was a really great day, probably even more so than last year. The new location for the race was fantastic, a nice long track (about 600m in all) with a long sweeping straight, a couple of hair pins, a chicane and some essess. The track was mown into a fairly smoothish paddock on the side of a gentle hill with old tyres and cones marking the corners. So much fun to drive it made me wish we did it more often than once a year.
We did three races. The first one was a 2 lapper with standard style start, the 2nd race was a straight drag up the 1/4 mile drive way and the final race was a four lap handicap race with the starting order based on the first race. i.e. the person who came last in race 1 got a straights length head start and so on.
The results were a lot more even than last year. The uncle with the ride on with the 250cc (codename Hornet) bike engine left it fairly unmodified from last year and it was still far and away the fastest in a straight line but cornering was a bit dicey and it still had some reliability issues. He had another entry but sadly it snapped a couple of belts and wasn't able to start.
The other uncle who was unable to get his entry (codename The Mighty Bean) sorted for last year thankfully managed to get racing yesterday. He had also fitted a motorcycle engine (185 cc 2 stroke I think) and he did ok but had trouble all day getting power to the ground and constantly looked like he might tip over at the mention of a corner.
My little beast went well. Sprung a puncture in final testing with about an hour before the race which was annoying. But during the same final tests the brake suddenly decided to start working. I can't tell you how much fun the mow kart is on gravel. Just an awesome combination of tail out opposite lock drifting and handbrake turns, so great. In the end I stuck a screw into the puncture in the tyre and that kept it from deflating too quickly. It was easily the most reliable on the day but you could really notice the lack of revs in a race against two bike engines. Hmm have to do something about that.
So anyway like I said I'll post some pictures and videos once I get them from all the friends and relatives who were there. The final score tally went something like this.
Race 1 (2 laps, normal start): 1st Hornet, 2nd Mow Kart 3rd Mighty Bean
Race 2 (1/4 drag): 1st Hornet, 2nd Mighty Bean 3rd Mow Kart
Race 3 (reverse grid handicap) 1st Mow Kart 2nd Mighty Bean DNF: Hornet
So based on that since last years race I've gone from distant 2nd to equal first (hooray for his DNF in the last race!) which is good. Winning outright would have been better but I didn't fall off this year so I'm not complaining.
Already started planning for next year. Noticed in another thread exenos talking about the fun of gearing for acceleration rather than outright speed and I think that's exactly what I'm going to do. So I think I'm about to enter the world of the Jack-shaft. That and order a clone hop up kit and kiss the governor goodbye.
I've ranted on long enough, thanks again for all the help and I really encourage all of you to get into this sort of thing with your mates if you aren't already. It's so much fun.
It was a really great day, probably even more so than last year. The new location for the race was fantastic, a nice long track (about 600m in all) with a long sweeping straight, a couple of hair pins, a chicane and some essess. The track was mown into a fairly smoothish paddock on the side of a gentle hill with old tyres and cones marking the corners. So much fun to drive it made me wish we did it more often than once a year.
We did three races. The first one was a 2 lapper with standard style start, the 2nd race was a straight drag up the 1/4 mile drive way and the final race was a four lap handicap race with the starting order based on the first race. i.e. the person who came last in race 1 got a straights length head start and so on.
The results were a lot more even than last year. The uncle with the ride on with the 250cc (codename Hornet) bike engine left it fairly unmodified from last year and it was still far and away the fastest in a straight line but cornering was a bit dicey and it still had some reliability issues. He had another entry but sadly it snapped a couple of belts and wasn't able to start.
The other uncle who was unable to get his entry (codename The Mighty Bean) sorted for last year thankfully managed to get racing yesterday. He had also fitted a motorcycle engine (185 cc 2 stroke I think) and he did ok but had trouble all day getting power to the ground and constantly looked like he might tip over at the mention of a corner.
My little beast went well. Sprung a puncture in final testing with about an hour before the race which was annoying. But during the same final tests the brake suddenly decided to start working. I can't tell you how much fun the mow kart is on gravel. Just an awesome combination of tail out opposite lock drifting and handbrake turns, so great. In the end I stuck a screw into the puncture in the tyre and that kept it from deflating too quickly. It was easily the most reliable on the day but you could really notice the lack of revs in a race against two bike engines. Hmm have to do something about that.
So anyway like I said I'll post some pictures and videos once I get them from all the friends and relatives who were there. The final score tally went something like this.
Race 1 (2 laps, normal start): 1st Hornet, 2nd Mow Kart 3rd Mighty Bean
Race 2 (1/4 drag): 1st Hornet, 2nd Mighty Bean 3rd Mow Kart
Race 3 (reverse grid handicap) 1st Mow Kart 2nd Mighty Bean DNF: Hornet
So based on that since last years race I've gone from distant 2nd to equal first (hooray for his DNF in the last race!) which is good. Winning outright would have been better but I didn't fall off this year so I'm not complaining.
Already started planning for next year. Noticed in another thread exenos talking about the fun of gearing for acceleration rather than outright speed and I think that's exactly what I'm going to do. So I think I'm about to enter the world of the Jack-shaft. That and order a clone hop up kit and kiss the governor goodbye.
I've ranted on long enough, thanks again for all the help and I really encourage all of you to get into this sort of thing with your mates if you aren't already. It's so much fun.
exenos
Project Nut
Good to hear that you did good this year. You really should get a bike engine or a sled engine (not sure if you can find one in Australia). If you did that then you would be unbeatable. The fact that you did as good as you did is amazing considering that you were up against two bike engines easily putting out over 4 times the amount of power you are.
Doc Sprocket
*********
Awesome! Good on ya! I really wish there were some impromptu races available to me. Since you guys had such fun, can you not do it more frequently?
exenos
Project Nut
I agree, it's too bad that there's not many karters around here. I'd gladly drive two hours for a day of racing.
Doc Sprocket
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exenos
Project Nut
About a half hour east of Peterborough
Doc Sprocket
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Dammit!
exenos
Project Nut
Too far I'm guessing?
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