Doc Sprocket
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A more recent pic-
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20131012_132130(1).jpg
Project: UTLT(Utility Lawn Tractor)- thing...
- Thread starter Doc Sprocket
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souperman000
New member
A cup holder... very good
Doc Sprocket
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It's a must-have. 
tractor guy
Big Lou's custom junk
I've spent a lot (hole lot) of time googlin mud mowers, monster mowers, racin tractors, custom lawn tractors and so on and so on but have seen very few that were built to be usefull for more then offroadin. This things got me rethinkin my next tractor build. I already wanna do duel tanks. Im thinkin 12v power supply for my air compressor, spotlight, so on. And how cool would it be to to use the deck pully to run an onboard generator. of course the generator would pack on the pounds but for a utility tractor who cares. Last time we had to drag out the generators here they had sat so long we had to battle them through the night on acount of carb problems. On a tractor that gets regular use that would be an issue.
of course the generator would pack on the pounds but for a utility tractor who cares. Last time we had to drag out the generators here they had sat so long we had to battle them through the night on acount of carb problems. On a tractor that gets regular use that would be an issue.
Doc Sprocket
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You got some good ideas there.
MULE stands for Mobile Utility and Light Extrication. It is quite capable offroad, but it's purpose is to be a useful tool, not just a toy. It can tow, boost, air up tires and more. I've already started work on MULEII, a machine that will be bigger, better, more capable, and more useful. It will address MULE's weaker points.
MULE stands for Mobile Utility and Light Extrication. It is quite capable offroad, but it's purpose is to be a useful tool, not just a toy. It can tow, boost, air up tires and more. I've already started work on MULEII, a machine that will be bigger, better, more capable, and more useful. It will address MULE's weaker points.
souperman000
New member
Have you though about a crane? Then it would be really useful. I just put one on a utility truck today. Looked pretty BA when we finished. 
Doc Sprocket
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Have you though about a crane? Then it would be really useful. I just put one on a utility truck today. Looked pretty BA when we finished.
As a matter of fact, I have. I've got so many really interesting ideas for II that I can't use them all, and have to try to prioritize. I am able to use the other end of the crankshaft (horizontal engine on II) for an auxiliary PTO drive, and I may use it to drive a hydraulic pump. From there, I may use a ram for a lift arm, crane, tow apparatus, etc. I may use the aux PTO to drive an alternator, rigged to an invertor for portable AC power, or maybe an onboard welder.
Of course, I only have one aux PTO shaft, and I only have so much space on board, so I am not yet sure which way it's going to go.
machinist@large
Active member
Decisions, decisions,........
The alternator and the hydraulic pump itself can be fairly compact installation if you keep things modest; what will get you is if you decide to go for the welding capable alternator over just a simple 30~60 amp one wire Delco install. It's been a long time since I read 4Wheel & Off Road's review of one of the welding units; if I remember correctly the pro's were that it worked exactly as advertized. The con's were that the powerhead of the unit was HUGE (duh, it's a welder) and the cables and other paraphernalia took up a lot of space.
That's also the main issue with the on board hydraulic system. Like I said, the pump that you could run with a small engine will be one of the smallest parts of the setup; a two spool valve rig (like your front end loader) will probably need more space. The big one will be the actual oil tank itself. Using a typical log splitter as an analogy, you'll need between 5~15 gallons of capacity to keep the system from overheating, and to compensate for the required volume fluctuation you will get using the unit for more than one type of operation.... And don't forget how much space the hoses will need. You can overcome that if you use hard lines (hyd. pipe), but that's a bit of a leap for your first project. It's also kinda difficult for me to teach over the internet, because that would require me actually knowing how to use the internet....
Just some food for thought. Hope it helps!! Pat
The alternator and the hydraulic pump itself can be fairly compact installation if you keep things modest; what will get you is if you decide to go for the welding capable alternator over just a simple 30~60 amp one wire Delco install. It's been a long time since I read 4Wheel & Off Road's review of one of the welding units; if I remember correctly the pro's were that it worked exactly as advertized. The con's were that the powerhead of the unit was HUGE (duh, it's a welder) and the cables and other paraphernalia took up a lot of space.That's also the main issue with the on board hydraulic system. Like I said, the pump that you could run with a small engine will be one of the smallest parts of the setup; a two spool valve rig (like your front end loader) will probably need more space. The big one will be the actual oil tank itself. Using a typical log splitter as an analogy, you'll need between 5~15 gallons of capacity to keep the system from overheating, and to compensate for the required volume fluctuation you will get using the unit for more than one type of operation.... And don't forget how much space the hoses will need. You can overcome that if you use hard lines (hyd. pipe), but that's a bit of a leap for your first project. It's also kinda difficult for me to teach over the internet, because that would require me actually knowing how to use the internet....
Just some food for thought. Hope it helps!! Pat
Doc Sprocket
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Right you are on both counts. I was a 4WOR subscriber, too- and I bet you're talking about the Premier Power Welder!
I've got a couple aces up my sleeve for the hydro stuff. Do keep in mind this is lawn-tractor based, and therefore "fullsize" parts are waaay overkill.
I've got a couple aces up my sleeve for the hydro stuff. Do keep in mind this is lawn-tractor based, and therefore "fullsize" parts are waaay overkill.
machinist@large
Active member
Yep, that's probably the one. I never got to far into it because there really isn't anywhere on the family farm that I can't get to with the front end loader (carrying the welder and supplies) with the PTO generator on the back.....
Agreed, but unless you can source a clutch type pump that won't run all the time (like the power steering pump on a car), you're going to need the tank capacity just to keep from roasting the lube. You could add a stand alone cooling system, but that kind of throws the KISS rule out the window....
Also, you might want to keep the parasitic losses of a constant pump in mind; depending on what style of system you scrounge up, it could easily cost you a couple of hp even when you aren't using it.
Pat
Doc Sprocket
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I don't plan on running the pump when not needed. I have the option of an electric PTO clutch formerly used to engage the mower deck blades, or maybe even a simple belt tensioning pulley system.
machinist@large
Active member
I was hoping you were on top of that; just for grins, I hit Surplus Center's web site; pump with clutch, pushing $600.00 US, depending on the shipping......
I could see it for a major service rig or a doodle bug build, but as a follow on for the MULE? How many #'s did you say you hit on the power ball again?
Doc Sprocket
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Umm. None. Many of the required parts, I already have. Or it wouldn't happen.
fowler
New member
Have u thought about pto
What do u intend to run withdraw hydraulic
But pto is going to be way Easter to run mowers and post hole diggers and stuff
What do u intend to run withdraw hydraulic
But pto is going to be way Easter to run mowers and post hole diggers and stuff
machinist@large
Active member
Hydraulics let's him use it as a mobile power unit; also, while not as efficient as direct drive, hydraulic hoses are much easier to swap around than drive shafts and belts.
redlinemotorsportts
Professional mower nut
Hmmmm. Entrusting. Just read the whole thing.... twice you could say.
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