Need a yard truck?

[dkmc]

Well, I think that's really cool! Especially since this past august I picked up this Smithco Line Striper at a tractor show
flea market. It runs quite well, and the Eaton hydro trans axle is quite smooth and controllable even at idle. My intentions are to add another seat, either side by side or front & back and hopefully some sort of 'bed' to haul items. We do have a golf cart, but most all the shows now require insurance on them which is about $75/year. However, "Buggies", riding lawn mowers with wider seats, tractors, any contraption, etc, are not required to have insurance......yet. Thus, my plan. Plus I think it's quite quirky and cool.

Looking for ideas and suggestions on how to build it out....

 

[Runner]

Well, I think that's really cool! Especially since this past august I picked up this Smithco Line Striper at a tractor show
flea market. I couldn't resist for $250. It runs quite well, and the Eaton hydro trans axle is quite smooth and controllable even at idle. My intentions are to add another seat, either side by side or front & back and hopefully some sort of 'bed' to haul items. We do have a golf cart, but most all the shows now require insurance on them which is about $75/year. However, "Buggies", riding lawn mowers with wider seats, tractors, any contraption, etc, are not required to have insurance......yet. Thus, my plan. Plus I think it's quite quirky and cool.

Looking for ideas and suggestions on how to build it out....

View attachment 4308256

Love it! I would build a crossbed toolbox to go behind the seat up to seat level, then build a dump bed going from about 6" behind the rear wheels up to the back of the seat and about a foot deep with stake pockets on the sides/front.

 

[dkmc]

Love it! I would build a crossbed toolbox to go behind the seat up to seat level, then build a dump bed going from about 6" behind the rear wheels up to the back of the seat and about a foot deep with stake pockets on the sides/front.

Great suggestions, thanks!
Yes, that's something like the visions I've had rolling around in my head. The seller pointed out, the middle could
be cut in half, and cross pieces of square tubing added with a pivot to make "yaw" side to side, whatever the term is.
Conform to ground contours I guess. The front axle does that now, but only has about 1" of travel. I've got the gears turning in my head on designs for over the winter now....

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

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[D&D]

Great suggestions, thanks!
Yes, that's something like the visions I've had rolling around in my head. The seller pointed out, the middle could
be cut in half, and cross pieces of square tubing added with a pivot to make "yaw" side to side, whatever the term is.
Conform to ground contours I guess. The front axle does that now, but only has about 1" of travel. I've got the gears turning in my head on designs for over the winter now....

If you don’t want a fancy coupler, a trailer ball and trailer coupling can work nicely

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Well, I think that's really cool! Especially since this past august I picked up this Smithco Line Striper at a tractor show
flea market. It runs quite well, and the Eaton hydro trans axle is quite smooth and controllable even at idle. My intentions are to add another seat, either side by side or front & back and hopefully some sort of 'bed' to haul items. We do have a golf cart, but most all the shows now require insurance on them which is about $75/year. However, "Buggies", riding lawn mowers with wider seats, tractors, any contraption, etc, are not required to have insurance......yet. Thus, my plan. Plus I think it's quite quirky and cool.

Looking for ideas and suggestions on how to build it out....

View attachment 4308256

Me? First install a new seat...it's worn out and probably full of gas!
The space behind the seat would be good for a tank sprayer.
A hitch on back and tow a dump trailer. I have an electric 12VDC recliner actuator that has lots of force. I'd rig that up on dump cart which would be neat...dirt, gravel, etc. just push a button.

 

[dkmc]

If you don’t want a fancy coupler, a trailer ball and trailer coupling can work nicely

Not sure if that would work as the front wheels steer. But if it would work it would sure be handy and articulate in horiz. and pivot in vert. planes. Backing up might be a challenge.

Me? First install a new seat...it's worn out and probably full of gas!
The space behind the seat would be good for a tank sprayer.
A hitch on back and tow a dump trailer. I have an electric 12VDC recliner actuator that has lots of force. I'd rig that up on dump cart which would be neat...dirt, gravel, etc. just push a button.

Seats been rode hard and blown apart.
It was built for spraying paint lines on ball fields, with paint tanks behind the seat just as you mention. The tanks, booms, and pump were gone when I got it. I started out dreaming big, upper observation deck with a bar, etc. I've since scaled back to just 1 lower level.


Whatever gets built above the engine will have to tilt or come off easily for access and maintenance. The steering is quite rudimentary, bump steer galore. I wish it was power. But the thing was built just to operate on flat-level-smooth playing fields, so.... As long as it can tour the tractor show grounds at 1-5 MPH comfortably, it'll serve it's re-purpose.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I'd like to see more pictures if you don't mind. The motor, different angles, etc.
I assume after fabrication you'll paint it? (Rustoleum spray cans?)
Some 3ft PVC pipe sections in a row on that bar behind seat could carry rakes & shovels.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

I'll stay with the JDM Minitruck. Enclosed cab with heat and AC, hi-lo range 4wd, full locking differentials. And the clincher a scissors lift/dump bed. Perfect match up for the FELs on my tractors.

 

[square1]

This is the 'new to me' yard cart. Great in tight spaces where the tractor won't fit. 1100 lb. capacity and hydraulic dump. Scoots along pretty good in 'Road Gear'

 

[Runner]

I'll stay with the JDM Minitruck. Enclosed cab with heat and AC, hi-lo range 4wd, full locking differentials. And the clincher a scissors lift/dump bed. Perfect match up for the FELs on my tractors.

View attachment 4310860

I want one of those to drive on the street, but still can't figure out how or if they can be legal to drive on-road in MO. I have seen a couple, but I dunno'.....

 

[D&D]

I want one of those to drive on the street, but still can't figure out how or if they can be legal to drive on-road in MO. I have seen a couple, but I dunno'.....

I have seen them out and about too. Highly doubt they meet the fed crash standards, people dont bother with such things much anymore (traffic stds/rules). Guess the biggie is will your insurance carrier cover it?

 

[D&D]

I have seen them out and about too. Highly doubt they meet the fed crash standards, people dont bother with such things much anymore (traffic stds/rules). Guess the biggie is will your insurance carrier cover it?

Moved this thought to rural living

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/mini-trucks-sxs-atv-etc.619116/

 

[thebmrust]

Cool, but too small. A wheelbarrow and shovel would almost be faster than his micro backhoe and dump.

That’s nice Ben, but who needs a lightbulb? Not everyone can afford electricity. Now hand me a match for this lantern.

 

[RayIN]

This guy builds lots of cool stuff like that out of old Cub Cadets, like forklifts, etc. Right now he is finishing up a CC dump truck:

Looks like a complicated wheelbarrow to me, that appears to be all it can haul.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

I want one of those to drive on the street, but still can't figure out how or if they can be legal to drive on-road in MO. I have seen a couple, but I dunno'.....

Idaho lets you plate them as ATV/UTVs and you can't drive them on the state highways. But city, county, and Forest Service roads are fine. Most of the time, I use it to put around town, or at my place. I can get to most places I go without being on a highway. So, it not being highway legal hasn't been an issue. Insurance was pretty easy once I figured out how to pad the serial number into what would be a valid VIN.

That said, I made a run to the dump with mine, which required about 4-miles of US93. Had the utility trailer full of yard waste, and the truck full of collapsed cardboard boxes. Slight grade the whole way, so couldn't get above 45-mph, and turned on the flashers and the rear hazard bar. Highway patrol came up behind me and followed me to the turn off to the dump and turned after me. As soon as I cleared the turn, he hit the lights. I figured I was going to get ticketed. He walked around the truck and looked it over. Then said, "Its safe, stupid law. So, have a nice day." Got back in his car and left. The County and City guys would never bother with a ticket.

 

[dkmc]

Some more pictures of the Smithco Line Stripe-er
The 9hp Kawasaki vertical shaft engine is very similar to the horizontal shaft engines used in Club Car golf carts.
It has an internal balance shaft. Drive is an Eaton 851 trans axle. It's got an internal wet brake (which Smithco
never used) and a bypass valve for towing. The way it is right now, there is no safety devices of any kind. Not
sure it even ever had a seat shut off switch. You can move the F-N-R lever and it will go, operator or not.
The pedal that's there was used to activate the spray booms. I plan on connecting it to the brake so it has
to be depressed to release the brake, spring return to brake on position.

 

[Runner]

Some more pictures of the Smithco Line Stripe-er
The 9hp Kawasaki vertical shaft engine is very similar to the horizontal shaft engines used in Club Car golf carts.
It has an internal balance shaft. Drive is an Eaton 851 trans axle. It's got an internal wet brake (which Smithco
never used) and a bypass valve for towing. The way it is right now, there is no safety devices of any kind. Not
sure it even ever had a seat shut off switch. You can move the F-N-R lever and it will go, operator or not.
The pedal that's there was used to activate the spray booms. I plan on connecting it to the brake so it has
to be depressed to release the brake, spring return to brake on position.
View attachment 4319833View attachment 4319834View attachment 4319835View attachment 4319836View attachment 4319837View attachment 4319838View attachment 4319839View attachment 4319840

Now I REALLY want one. Hydro just like my old JD 185. It is very handy to be able to move the machine with the hydro lever while you walk along beside, such as when using a sprayer or moving a trailer, etc.

 

[Runner]

Idaho lets you plate them as ATV/UTVs and you can't drive them on the state highways. But city, county, and Forest Service roads are fine. Most of the time, I use it to put around town, or at my place. I can get to most places I go without being on a highway. So, it not being highway legal hasn't been an issue. Insurance was pretty easy once I figured out how to pad the serial number into what would be a valid VIN.

That said, I made a run to the dump with mine, which required about 4-miles of US93. Had the utility trailer full of yard waste, and the truck full of collapsed cardboard boxes. Slight grade the whole way, so couldn't get above 45-mph, and turned on the flashers and the rear hazard bar. Highway patrol came up behind me and followed me to the turn off to the dump and turned after me. As soon as I cleared the turn, he hit the lights. I figured I was going to get ticketed. He walked around the truck and looked it over. Then said, "Its safe, stupid law. So, have a nice day." Got back in his car and left. The County and City guys would never bother with a ticket.

So cool. I have driven tiny cars my whole life, but would be scared to drive a micro-truck on the freeway. But it would be fun to use just to run up to the hardware store on side streets, etc.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'd like to see him build a riding rough cut mower,