Small jeep from riding mower

[projectdiy]

I am planning to build my 7yr old grandson a jeep from an old riding mower I have sitting beside the shop. I have a pretty nice guide for the body I downloaded from rogi888.com. I believe I can adapt my plan real well from this one. A little welding and fitting but nothing major.

My thoughts on the drive.is still coming together. With the mowers 5 speed trans and the braking and all I am thinking of using the trans and brake as they are now but put a clutch on the drive of the engine where when he decrease the gas it will slow and come to an idle. It would eliminate all the shifting if I put it in a relatively safe gear speed where he can just take off and come to about a 10-15 mph. Somewhere in that range where he will not get hurt if something goes wrong.

Any ideas from u guys who have probably done something similar????

 

[OzFab]

Welcome to the forum, loving the username

The brakes on riding mowers tend to be a bit on the small size, making them a bit inadequate, you may want to check that out.

As I understand it, the clutch system is usually incorporated with the brake pedal but, I can see why you'd want a centrifugal type system; centrifugal clutches are available for V belt applications

 

[zbuck]

Good idea on the clutch. They are belt driven centrifugal clutches, I guess the problem would be getting the pulley diameter close to the engine pulley diameter. Then what would you do with the current clutch set up? As I am not sure you could use both.

 

[OzFab]

Nothing wrong with having a built in redundency

 

[projectdiy]

I am still going thru the "thinking" process on how to put things together. But I certainly appreciate the replies.

 

[projectdiy]

Good idea on the clutch. They are belt driven centrifugal clutches, I guess the problem would be getting the pulley diameter close to the engine pulley diameter. Then what would you do with the current clutch set up? As I am not sure you could use both.

I will explore everything before I jump off into the fire. I have a good git of fab work to do and i can be working thru all the possibilities as i work. Thanks again as i am sure I will get much help here as i go along.

 

[zbuck]

You are Welcome. Another problem might be with a belt clutch is the clutch I.D., as most vert shaft rider engines have a 1' shaft.

 

[projectdiy]

You are Welcome. Another problem might be with a belt clutch is the clutch I.D., as most vert shaft rider engines have a 1' shaft.

Yeah ZBUCK, I probably will run into a situation there. Thanks for mentioning that spec as I had not thought that thru yet. I am sure you guys will hear from me again and thanks again for your input.

 

[zbuck]

You are Welcome, keep us informed and good luck on your endever.

 

[bbuckler]

have you seen the Roof riding mowers that was made to look like a jeep

 

[projectdiy]

have you seen the Roof riding mowers that was made to look like a jeep

Im not sure if the one you refer to is the one i plan to use as a guide but I found it on I think it was something like rogi888. It is the definitely a nice project.

I could read the necessary specs on the copy I downloaded but I got the jest of it. For instance I had to find the minimum thickness of sheet to fable the body...etc.

 

[redlinemotorsportts]

For 10-15 you probably want a 1:1 pulley ratio, 18's or lower should be around the range your looking for. the cvt will make it a lot easier for the younger kids operating it. Gas petal, and brake, easy to work. stock brakes should be ok, i have some on my mud mower and i do just over 15. As long as you dont lock them up, it shouldn't be a problem at low speeds. if you do get a transaxle, crack it open, replace grease, and check the gears out, might be rusty and what-not. Any way this build goes, i wish you good luck! -red

 

[projectdiy]

For 10-15 you probably want a 1:1 pulley ratio, 18's or lower should be around the range your looking for. the cvt will make it a lot easier for the younger kids operating it. Gas petal, and brake, easy to work. stock brakes should be ok, i have some on my mud mower and i do just over 15. As long as you dont lock them up, it shouldn't be a problem at low speeds. if you do get a transaxle, crack it open, replace grease, and check the gears out, might be rusty and what-not. Any way this build goes, i wish you good luck! -red

Thanks for that info. The more I gain now will certainly help when I start putting it together. For sure the info I have picked up here in a short period of time will keep me from making mistakes.

For instance, I assumed I could weld 12g mild steel with a stick welder only to LEARN that i would burn through. Another lesson learned.

 

[projectdiy]

have you seen the Roof riding mowers that was made to look like a jeep

Where could I get a look at these???

 

[johhnyx]

I tried seaching for rogi888 and found nothing, not even with the wayback machine's internet archive. Any chance on sending those files?
Thanks,
John

 

[itsid]

He took down his site and as far as I know sold his jeep a few month ago on ebay.

But he was kind enough to attach his plans here
in even better resolution than the little he showed on his website.

'sid

 

[xXPhasemanXx]

He took down his site and as far as I know sold his jeep a few month ago on ebay.

But he was kind enough to attach his plans here
in even better resolution than the little he showed on his website.

'sid

Wow, thanks for that link. I have a couple lawn mowers and would love to transform one into a mini jeep. With my lack of knowledge though that probably won't happen for years :C

Can't wait to see pictures on your build though!