Project: UTLT(Utility Lawn Tractor)- thing...

[Doc Sprocket]

Still working on that...

I'm going to be permanently installing one of those little 12v automotive emergency air compressors- the type you'd plug into your cigarette lighter socket. I've picked up one of those cheapie coiled plastic air hoses, a couple of quick connects and a chuck. it'll be hardwired to the tractor, the switch installed in the dash, and the quick connect mounted next to the Anderson connector (thanks RMM727) for easy access.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Onboard air to go!

I gutted one of those little 12v air compressors you plug into your car cigarette lighter socket. Fabbed up a quickie mounting bracket and buried it under the dash. I cut a hole in the dash for the pressure gauge, and drilled another for a toggle switch. I wir ed the compressor to the battery, through a fuse and the switch. I cut the factory tire chuck off and adapted in a quick connect, mounting it just below the booster cable connector. I got a coiled PVC air hose, putting an air chuck on one end, and a male qc on the other... Done.

While I was at it, I copied a trick from a fellah that calls himself Fearlessfront, a real lawn tractor guru. Basics- bolt a spare pulley to the top of the crankshaft and grind a notch in it. Wrap a rope around it, and you've got a low buck emergency pull start...

 

[B.M.800]

While I was at it, I copied a trick from a fellah that calls himself Fearlessfront, a real lawn tractor guru. Basics- bolt a spare pulley to the top of the crankshaft and grind a notch in it. Wrap a rope around it, and you've got a low buck emergency pull start...

Something I want to do. Got a 10hp tec crapsman lawn tractor to play with.

How centered does it need to be though? Maybe not a big deal for these engines, but I would think if its too offcenter it might create some mad vibrations or something?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Close would be good. I got lucky. The pulley I selected pretty much self centered on the hub that's there.

 

[B.M.800]

I see. Now, what do you suppose would be a good size pulley to use? I recon something like 6-8in? Maybe 10?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Well, its like this... alarger pulley makes for an easy pull, but you need a longer pull. A small pulley makes a tough tug but you don't have to grab the rope and run...LOL

I used a 4" because its what I had. It's not a bad size overall.

 

[exenos]

I have a 4.5" pulley on my 18hp twin and probably would have gone with a 5" if i had the choice but I would definitely not go with anything larger than a 7"

 

[B.M.800]

I got one about 6 3/4 that plan to use. The tec doesnt have the 3 holes like the briggs though, You can see what I assume is the crankshaft sticking up. I think I could get one of those long nuts(I dont know what they are called) that are threaded the whole way through and get a bolt to put through the pulley.

Oooh... highjacked much?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Oooh... highjacked much?

I don't mind- it's related.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The Reader's Digest condensed version of the last week's ups and downs-

After stitching up the compressor, and burning in all the exhaust and winch welds last Sunday, I took it out for some testing. I drove it, beat on it, used the onboard air to fill my younger son's DB30 tire out in the field, and played with the winch.

I backed into the pond until I was down to the floorboards, and winched myself out. Winched myself up a steep slope, and used it to slowly lower myself down another. All was well, until-

ToyJr was eager to try it out. I demonstrated the winch and let him have some fun with it. Then as he was just driving around having a good time, the engine started acting up, and stalling out. It didn't take me long to notice it was insanely hot!

Fast forward through some troubleshooting, and I found the oil to be all shimmery-like. Kinda pearlescent. F!

Short version- I still haven't sorted out why, but the engine ate a bearing. To make matters much, much worse, it's a plain-bearing engine. When a bearing bore gets chewed out, the block must go to a machine shop. The bearing bore must be bored oversize, and a bearing pressed in. Or, replace the block (or sump). Not having machine shop access, any spare blocks, or a pile of money made this a death warrant for this engine. Figures, it was running like new.

I put an ad in Kijiji for an inexpensive 12+hp engine, and got a couple responses. Tonight after work, I made a deal for a 15hp Briggs OHV single. I/C, iron sleeve.

On the plus side, I've now got a 5-year-newer engine, with 3 more hp, and OHV architecture. On the minus side, I now have to completely redo the exhaust (wrong side of the engine) and move the winch mount 3" forward to accommodate the much larger cylinder head.

Two steps forward, one step back...

 

[machinist@large]

Ouch!!!!!!!!

Man, that sucks. There are days where it seems like you just should have stayed in bed......

Pat

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You're dead right- but here's why it's worse than you think-

About a year ago, I sold a 15hp, exactly like this one, and in perfect working order. Yup- The engine was too small for my racer, and I had no other vertical shaft applications... D'oh!

 

[machinist@large]

You're dead right- but here's why it's worse than you think-

About a year ago, I sold a 15hp, exactly like this one, and in perfect working order. Yup- The engine was too small for my racer, and I had no other vertical shaft applications... D'oh!

2 questions; A] don't you just hate when that happens (my hands in the air right now, my friend) and B] was it hard to explain the boss?

Pat lolgoku:)

 

[Doc Sprocket]

2 questions; A] don't you just hate when that happens (my hands in the air right now, my friend) and B] was it hard to explain the boss?

A) Yes. And it seems every time I get rid of something, I seriously regret it later. I'm a pack-rat by nature and have a lot of stuff that sits for years- and then ultimately gets used for something.

B) Sorta. See question A). The boss has observed this phenomenon, and used to be the driving force behind getting rid of things. Also, the boss considers this toy to be hers, I had to solve the engine issue one way or the other!!!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The operation was a total success. I'm very pleased. I didn't even have to clean the carb. Once I had everything istalled, wired, and plumbed in, I turned the key and she lit right up!

The engine (as expected) was not a simple bolt-on in this case. Going from a flattie to an OHV presented some fitment issues. The exhaust dumps on the right side of the cylinder head, not the left- so I had to cut up and reconfigure my exhaust system. With the larger head, the winch had to be moved about 3" forward. I used the old front winch mount holes for the rear of the winch, and basically extended to platform with some 2"x 1/4" angle, and a hunk of 3"x1/4" plate.

While I had things apart, I swapped over the emergency pullstart mod, too. The unforseen part was the drive pulley location. The new PTO shaft/pulley combination located the drive pulley an inch or so too far down, with no way to move it up the shaft. I grabbed the original pulley off the 12hp and that did it.

Cleaned the air filter, changed the oil, and drove the snot out of it. Performed beautifully, and I had a ball!

 

[B.M.800]

I thought you said you had a twin to pout on there? Or am I confused? (wouldnt surprise me lol)

Just got a riding mower with a twin, 15 or so hp. Im excited.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Nope. You're delusional. No twin. LOL...

Got any freaky-deaky plans for yours?

 

[B.M.800]

Nope. You're delusional. No twin. LOL...

Got any freaky-deaky plans for yours?

Figures.

Not sure yet, the mower has a rather wimpy looking transaxle, so I dont think Ill be using it for an offroading mower.

I might be able to get another rider here at some point, depending on the transaxle, maybe swap engines, or swap engine on the sears craftsman...

I dunno, Ill figure something out. I would like to keep one for mowing though, a wider deck will come on handy.


{EDIT} Also contemplating some sor of suspension for the front. I imagine the front will come off the ground somewhat often, taking some hard hits coming down. Probably not the best for the engine?

I need to get this stuff sorted out, them start a build thread at some point...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Have a good, close look at the transaxle, and see if it's got some numbers on it. If it's a Peerless, the tag may be hiding behind the brake caliper.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Some 1 1/2" Sch40 gas pipe, and a coupla bent sections from an old hockey net, and VOILA!I will cap the open tube ends, clean it up and paint it later. Had to stop- Hockey game's on!