Racing mower MTD chassis

Hutchmachine

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I need help with direct steering setup on a racing mower. I used an mtd chassis. The plan is to make it look like a lawnmower, but be very fast. I have a solid 1 1/4 rear axle with hubs I made. I have a front steering axle that almost fully adjustable Ackerman and kingpin inclination. One problem is I welded my front axle on thinking I would be able to work out steering. When I put the engine on to see how it worked together, I realized there is no room to build the direct steering the way I knew how. The engine can’t be moved without major modifications (weakening) to the chassis. I can’t move the front axle because it would be under the engine, or way to close to the rear end.

I would really appreciate some help with this cause I’m stumped.
 

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Hutchmachine

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Further forward meaning toward the rear axles? Or extending the frame longer?
If you’re talking about toward the rear axle it’s because the engine is pretty long and has holes cut out underneath for pulley placement. There is also the tunnel that is in the way. I’m not sure I could get it to work well with my skills. I would have to cut it way too much out of the mower.

this is my first build btw.
 

Functional Artist

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Howdy & :welcome2:

Are you trying to connect & use the stock MTD steering set up
...or convert it to a go kart style steering set up?

Maybe, post a pic with the spindles oriented correctly
...& also, what steering components your working with ;)
 

Hutchmachine

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Howdy & :welcome2:

Are you trying to connect & use the stock MTD steering set up
...or convert it to a go kart style steering set up?

Maybe, post a pic with the spindles oriented correctly
...& also, what steering components your working with ;)
Not the stock steering, go kart/direct drive steering. Sorry… These are the only pics I have. The mower is at my work, but I will take some in about 30 mins. I have four 3/8 heim joints, 3/8 heim joint/rod end ball joints. I was going to use a tie rod with the heim joints to tie both spindles together, then somehow use one aluminum piece attached to the steering column rod. I don’t know what I’m doing, so forgive me. I’m learning about all of this as I go.

I will buy/make anything I need to get it working.

edit: below are updated pictures with correct spindle positions.
 

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BaconBitRacing

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Cars and Cameras just made a racing mower, maybe you could check out their steering setup. Steering is the hardest part of a mower build.
 

Hutchmachine

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This could work, right? With a tie rod out front. Idk how both spindles connected to the steering rod/column would work? I guess I just need one side and a tie rod out front. This would put my steering on top, instead of underneath the mower near the pulleys.
 

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Hutchmachine

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This video might help
I’ve watched all of jantic journals videos. Where the tape measure start on his thumbnail is about where my mower frame stops. I didn’t want the steering to be that close to the ground, but that may be the only solution to my problems. My front and rear tires&rims are wide and tall. They are the same size front and back. That was my other mistake. I bought rims and tires that were expensive to handle the speeds I want, but not be super expensive like custom go kart rims and tires are.

I’m gonna have to put the steering underneath and close to the ground right below the belts and pulleys, like this setup on heymow. This is an mtd mower as well.
 

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BaconBitRacing

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Do you have a thread for your mini keep. I would love to build something similar next. Not a jeep, but like a metal power wheels type build
 
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