artfull dodger
Gold Member
As the OEM's seem only fit to put diesels in the larger machines, both to large and to expensive for my needs, I decided to build my own smaller diesel powered GT. Starting point was an old AC B1 garden tractor, able to rototill my garden, plow snow and mow my small yard with its 32" tri blade mower deck. Its the perfect size but suffers from an old design B&S engine that has little to no parts support anymore, espicaly for daily use. I had a chance to pick up an English built Petter 6.6hp air cooled diesel engine really cheap as it wasnt running. I contacted a friend in the UK, where these engines are "dime a dozen" so to speak, and he hooked me up with the needed parts and conversion supplies. This engine was originaly used on one of those flashing arrow trailers on a road construction zone years ago prior to the solar powered ones common now. So it was set up for fixed (2200) rpm driving an alternator to charge batteries. I got a factory variable speed conversion kit, as well as an engine mounted fuel tank, new injector, new injector pump, factory decals and a few other bits. I got the engine mounted in the frame, shortened the drive shaft and installed the new shaft connection. Repainted the engine's tin work and installed new decals. The injector finaly arrived today and I got the old engine awoke from years of slumber. Still need to adjust the injection timing to get the full 3600 rpm for mowing duty but she is running good. Next up is a small alternator to charge the battery, winter intake preheater and some kind of frame work to support the original hood and a new grill set up. Not sure I will keep the exhaust stuck out like it is, once the hood is bolted in place, I will have access hatches to get to the fuel fill and I may run the exhaust up thru the hood. Like a farm tractor, there really is no need to remove the hood if I can refuel without doing that. Enjoy the pics and feel free to ask any questions. Mike