OzFab
Well-known member
Someone's feeling better 
Project: UTLT(Utility Lawn Tractor)- thing...
- Thread starter Doc Sprocket
- Start date
- Status
Excellent!!
Doc Sprocket
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Thank you. I'm travelling the recovery road, but the low speed limit is killing me. 
It took quite a bit of effort to pull off all the bodywork and do the paint, but I really felt the need to. Plus, I've got 3 unfinished projects (2 tractors, 1 kart) and really would like to use my time off work to actually accomplish a thing or two.
It took quite a bit of effort to pull off all the bodywork and do the paint, but I really felt the need to. Plus, I've got 3 unfinished projects (2 tractors, 1 kart) and really would like to use my time off work to actually accomplish a thing or two.
OzFab
Well-known member
Slow & steady wins the race... Of course you feel the need to tinker, that's a natural state; just take it easy, don't push yourself...
MULE looks great by the way...
MULE looks great by the way...
Kelly Wood
The Mad Kartist
me likey Mule. 
Doc Sprocket
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Thanks! In the last couple days I have done some more fiddling with it. The factory throttle control is a lever on the dashboard that controls not only the throttle, but the choke. I hate that! So- I separated the controls. The dash lever only actuates the choke now. I bolted on the rear brake pedal from the now-becoming-infamous 1989 Yamaha XV250 Virago that regularly donates part for my projects.
That Virago brake pedal just became MULE's gas pedal! It's nice and stout, has a built-in return spring and adjustment screw. Sold! The other thing I did was to get rid of the factory shifter. It comes up through the floor between your legs, and moves side to side. Yuck. Uncomfortable to get at, and the action just isn't natural. So- There's a lever in the dash that was originally intended to engage the PTO drive belt for the mower deck. I fabbed up a new linkage and connected it to the PTO lever. Much better. Lever is easy to get at, and moves up and down. You can see the magic marker on the dash indicating the gear locations, and the choke positions too. After all controls are finalized, I will repaint the dash and make "nicer" markings.
That Virago brake pedal just became MULE's gas pedal! It's nice and stout, has a built-in return spring and adjustment screw. Sold! The other thing I did was to get rid of the factory shifter. It comes up through the floor between your legs, and moves side to side. Yuck. Uncomfortable to get at, and the action just isn't natural. So- There's a lever in the dash that was originally intended to engage the PTO drive belt for the mower deck. I fabbed up a new linkage and connected it to the PTO lever. Much better. Lever is easy to get at, and moves up and down. You can see the magic marker on the dash indicating the gear locations, and the choke positions too. After all controls are finalized, I will repaint the dash and make "nicer" markings.
Attachments
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pedal.jpg -
newshifter.jpg
machinist@large
Active member
Nice!! The family farm has two tractors with only hand throttles, one that has both hand and foot throttle control. While foot control is a bit more intuitive for most just "running around" type work (AKA go karts, etc) the reason almost all lawn & garden equipment ( as well as the real stuff) comes with the fixed type throttle is because they are designed to have the throttle lever opened all the way, so the governor can take over and do it's job.With the Mule most likely never going to have a mower deck ever again, it's a moot point whether or not you'll miss having the fixed throttle; personally, I can think of some scenarios on the farm where it could still be handy.....
It sounds like you're feeling better; that's way more important than what we might think the correct throttle set up is supposed to be......
Patrobbie
New member
Your tractor looks great. Nice work!
I really need to build something like this. I carry firewood, pig and chicken feed, potatoes, watermelons, etc. When we butcher pigs we always shoot them at the pigpen and then carry them at least a hundred yards up the hill for butchering. It would be nice to have a 4 wheeled cart with wagon-style steering, and a small tractor to pull it, for all of these jobs. I also have a large leaf vacuum for making compost piles, and it's too heavy to drag around by hand.
Local auction listings frequently include riding lawnmowers. Maybe I could pick up something for cheap. Also, the big local scrap yard has a lawnmower section that's open for harvesting salvage parts. You can buy an entire machine for pretty cheap, but there's no way to know what problem led to it being scrapped. I'd like to get one with a running engine, but it's hard to tell... There are a couple of old tractors there with 14 horse Briggs horizontal shaft engines. I think they date back to around 1970. I'll bet you could substitute one of those big Harbor Freight engines without too much trouble.
I really need to build something like this. I carry firewood, pig and chicken feed, potatoes, watermelons, etc. When we butcher pigs we always shoot them at the pigpen and then carry them at least a hundred yards up the hill for butchering. It would be nice to have a 4 wheeled cart with wagon-style steering, and a small tractor to pull it, for all of these jobs. I also have a large leaf vacuum for making compost piles, and it's too heavy to drag around by hand.
Local auction listings frequently include riding lawnmowers. Maybe I could pick up something for cheap. Also, the big local scrap yard has a lawnmower section that's open for harvesting salvage parts. You can buy an entire machine for pretty cheap, but there's no way to know what problem led to it being scrapped. I'd like to get one with a running engine, but it's hard to tell... There are a couple of old tractors there with 14 horse Briggs horizontal shaft engines. I think they date back to around 1970. I'll bet you could substitute one of those big Harbor Freight engines without too much trouble.
Doc Sprocket
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Thanks guys!
Yes- there certainly are circumstances where a fixed, set-it-and-forget-it throttle is called for, and those purposes are not lost on me. At some point in the future, I will be working on a method of holding a throttle setpoint for times like that.
Meantime- I guess I AM feeling a bit better. Here was my yesterday:
I went for an extended run. I was off the property and a mile or so down the road. Found a nice spot to goof off and see the sights. I was trying to climb a bumpy, steep slope. Mid-climb, the arse-end shot up in the air, and came down again HARD. *BANG*.
Yeah- Wrench, Wheel, Wreck, Repeat. All motion was halted. Nothing in any gear including reverse, except for some ominous noises. I walked the long walk home, grabbed my quad, and towed MULE home. THIS was what I found-
Yes- there certainly are circumstances where a fixed, set-it-and-forget-it throttle is called for, and those purposes are not lost on me. At some point in the future, I will be working on a method of holding a throttle setpoint for times like that.
Meantime- I guess I AM feeling a bit better. Here was my yesterday:
I went for an extended run. I was off the property and a mile or so down the road. Found a nice spot to goof off and see the sights. I was trying to climb a bumpy, steep slope. Mid-climb, the arse-end shot up in the air, and came down again HARD. *BANG*.
Yeah- Wrench, Wheel, Wreck, Repeat. All motion was halted. Nothing in any gear including reverse, except for some ominous noises. I walked the long walk home, grabbed my quad, and towed MULE home. THIS was what I found-
Attachments
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cracked2.jpg -
broken.jpg
Doc Sprocket
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Yup. Blew the crap out of it. When I removed the mounting bolts it fell apart. Yeesh!
I paid a visit to a fellah down the road who constantly has lawn tractor parts for sale. I bought a similar gearcase with some bad gears it in for cheap. Spent a good chunk of last evening swapping parts around, and later today I will be installing it.
Wrench, Wheel, Wreck, Repeat...
I paid a visit to a fellah down the road who constantly has lawn tractor parts for sale. I bought a similar gearcase with some bad gears it in for cheap. Spent a good chunk of last evening swapping parts around, and later today I will be installing it.
Wrench, Wheel, Wreck, Repeat...
fowler
New member
Pushin too much torque man
Better plug the laptop in, lower the boost and turn the fuel pressure down
What's the next upgrade
Less right foot
Or...
Trans axle from a beetle
Who knows
Hope your getting better now
Better plug the laptop in, lower the boost and turn the fuel pressure down
What's the next upgrade
Less right foot
Or...
Trans axle from a beetle
Who knows
Hope your getting better now
Doc Sprocket
*********
I am feeling better. Thank you.
I just took a test ride with the new gearcase, all good. For now, it's a little less right foot. Later? We'll see...
I just took a test ride with the new gearcase, all good. For now, it's a little less right foot. Later? We'll see...
OzFab
Well-known member
It seems appropriate to say OH SNAP! 
Good thing you were able to find a similar case
How was the walk?
Good thing you were able to find a similar case
How was the walk?
Doc Sprocket
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The walk was looooong, but manageable. I wanted to hustle for fear that someone may spot MULE and drag it away in my absence. I was relieved to find it where I'd left it. Not that I'm paranoid or anything, but there's a lot of open fields in the area and it was in view of at least one house.
fowler
New member
Ha I always wonder that when I pick stuff off the side of the road
Did it fall off 1 minute ago or 1 day ago
Did it fall off 1 minute ago or 1 day ago
tractor guy
Big Lou's custom junk
Pretty cool tractor build. Ever get the transaxle fixxed?
Doc Sprocket
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Yes- I just neglected to update the thread. The next day, I contacted a guy nearby that always has parts for sale. I bought a cheap "broken" Peerless 930 that was similar engouh to mine. It had some bad gears in it, so I swapped in good parts from my shattered case.
A few days after that, I got inspired and tore it apart again. I took out the differential gears and spider gears, and put in a solid 3/4" shaft. The rearend is now fully locked (no differentiation) and stronger tan ever before. I also converted it to run gear oil instead of that evil bentonite grease.
It's been performing flawlessly since.
A few days after that, I got inspired and tore it apart again. I took out the differential gears and spider gears, and put in a solid 3/4" shaft. The rearend is now fully locked (no differentiation) and stronger tan ever before. I also converted it to run gear oil instead of that evil bentonite grease.
It's been performing flawlessly since.
tractor guy
Big Lou's custom junk
Cool. I love the onbord air idea and the trunk is sweat too. Think its possable to put a car cigarette lighter/power port on a tractor harness?
OzFab
Well-known member
If the tractor uses a 12V elec system, I don't see why not...
Doc Sprocket
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No problem at all. Wire it like you would for any other 12v, negative ground system.
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