DIY Home built compact tractor

[roadrunnertech]

I noticed your fel cylinders are close to vertical compared to the typical fel being near horizontal. To me it seems your design would have more leverage and have more lifting power being near vertical. My guess is the reason a "typical" fel uses horizontal cylinders is for more support and strength when pushing?

I put them there just because of packaging issues, the small size made the cylinders run into the front tires if they leaned forward more. I think most of the pushing strength is in the arms, the force should run right into the pivot points.

 

[GT2]

Got some work done on the fuel tank and steering column mounts.
I used some 1.5" square tubing and 1" for the steering column.

 

[JoelD]

Realy nice work, great looking welds.

How do you cut your steel?

Thanks,
Joel

 

[GT2]

Realy nice work, great looking welds.

How do you cut your steel?

Thanks,
Joel

Thanks,
I use a chop saw and a small vert/horz band saw.

 

[WilliamBos]

Awesome Job!! What do you use to smooth the welds off with?? Or are you welding with gas??

 

[GT2]

Awesome Job!! What do you use to smooth the welds off with?? Or are you welding with gas??

Thanks,
I generaly as a rule dont touch my welds with anything unless there is some type of clearance or safety issue. I just hit them with a wire brush.
Mig with gas.

 

[jas67]

Great thread, I also joined because of this. I've been kicking around the idea of building a compact/garden tractor, not quite as ambitious as this but 2wd and around 10 hp.

Great tractor! Its looks like it'll be a real workhorse! You really did inspire me, I went ahead and built a small tractor, just on a smaller scale. I have a lot of walk-through gates, so I had to keep mine under 32" wide. Using quick disconnect hydraulics to attach implements, and hydraulic motors to run things like post hole diggers and such.

That looks really cool! Is that a Yanmar L100 (diesel) engine?

 

[GT2]

Went to the wrecking yard today and found a canadate for a tractor hood. Its from a Park Avenue. After some carefull measuring its in two pieces.

Here it is tacked together and sitting on the tractor. I need to finish welding and add some hinges.

 

[Dmace]

That's awesome, nice work!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Went to the wrecking yard today and found a canadate for a tractor hood. Its from a Park Avenue. After some carefull measuring its in two pieces...

Here it is tacked together and sitting on the tractor. I need to finish welding and add some hinges.

Wow!! You just went from amazing builder to super-hero-thinking-outside-the-box-amazing-master-fabricator. That is so simple and so perfect. It's one of those things that half of us are sitting here wondering, "Why didn't I ever think of that?"

That's an impressive straight cut, too.