2 Wheel Tractor - What will I do wrong?

[yankeelong]

I'm looking to build one of the two wheel tractors more common in China or India. I don't have a ton of land or serious work, so it seems right for me. I'm also interested in it as a project. Pretty standard, 5-10 HP, built with a tow (tongue?) for hauling some small wagons and maybe a way to attach some small implements. I'm a decent welder and a slightly worse machinist, but I can shape steel sheets and assemble engines just fine, which I assume is going to be the majority of the work. I've settled on a 6.5 HP engine from Harbor Freight but outside that, I have very little idea of what I'm doing. Any help at all would be much appreciated!

 

[ZJ_HR]

Take complete motocycle engine, about 200...250ccm, and just make cooling, reduction gear and leg for chain driven axle.
That’s how we did micro motor hoes, 40 y ago, from 50ccm motorbikes, when everything was too expensive or unavailable.
Only disadvantage is missing a reverse gear.

Why don’t you simply buy a used one?

 

[yankeelong]

Take complete motocycle engine, about 200...250ccm, and just make cooling, reduction gear and leg for chain driven axle.
That痴 how we did micro motor hoes, 40 y ago, from 50ccm motorbikes, when everything was too expensive or unavailable.
Only disadvantage is missing a reverse gear.

Why don稚 you simply buy a used one?

Makes a lot of sense. I'd just like to do it myself, as a project. My need isn't so great that I want to just go out and buy one.

 

[Tinhack]

Welcome to the Forum. :welcome:

If you put your location in your profile, you may get better local/regional help.

In the meantime, look for a David Bradley tractor. Even if you find one without an engine, that will get you a long way as far as the drive train. I had one I found at the salvage yard but sold it to my B.I.L.. He put a HF engine on it and used it for gardening for several years. They're pretty light for plowing unless you're in sand but they'll pull a hoe or rake.

Do a search for "2-wheel tractor" on YouTube. You'll get plenty of ideas.

 

[yankeelong]

All right, thanks for the advice!

 

[farm boy00]

One good idea for transmission is an old garden tractor. But for my area, usually can find David Bradley or similar tractors for a few hundred. I know its always great to build something yourself, but sometimes it is easier in the long run to buy it. Plus they have lots of attachments for David Bradley. Or gravely has a step bigger design to look at

 

[ovrszd]

Welcome to TBN.

Following along to see what you come up with.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I just googled David Bradley tractors. I never knew such a thing existed! I'll be looking at these things for days. Very cool!

I wonder if you could start with a healthy rear tine tiller and build from there.

 

[Jstpssng]

When I was a kid my father bought a little two wheel tractor, built a cart for it and we used to pile into the back and ride around the field. SSSHHHH, don't tell the safety police!

 

[ovrszd]

When I was a kid my father bought a little two wheel tractor, built a cart for it and we used to pile into the back and ride around the field. SSSHHHH, don't tell the safety police!

30 years ago a trip to rural Japan or S Korea or a number of other SE Asia countries you would see a LOT of those. Probably larger than what you had. They were the "pickup truck". Unhook the cart and add a ground engagement attachment and they were the "tractor".