Building a tractor from scratch---opinions/suggestions welcome

[nimblemotors]

It is fun to build things, small and maneuverable, how about a skid steer?

I am kicking around building my own little tractor. I have a Allis Chalmers WD45 with a loader, so this machine doesn't have to have a loader. I want something that will be smaller, lighter and more maneuverable than my WD45. Here is a list of the parts I have to work with.

Wisconsin VH4D 4 cylinder engine (30hp/65ft-lbs torque)
3 speed transmission w/clutch (currently attached to VH4D)
4 speed truck transmission (SM420 or Ford truck trans)
Dana 70 full floater w/4.10 gears
IH combine steer axle/steering valve
All the hydraulics

I'm still on the fence if I want it to be front or rear steer. It will have hydraulic steering, a 3pt, high flow hydraulics, both the 3 & 4 speed transmissions will be run inline...3spd first since it's the weaker of the pair. I have a (rather poor) drawing attached to kind of give an idea of what I have in mind on the power train setup. I'm not sure I like the jack shafts, but it's the best way I could think of to keep the overall length of the machine down. I am open to suggestions---I'm still in the parts gathering stage at this point, now is the time to change plans if need be.

here is a link to the motor info Wisconsin Motors | VH4D Engine Description & Specs

 

[novaman68]

Subscribe to Farm Show Magazine for a year. It seems every issue has some new project that someone did with a combine.

I haven't subscribed yet, but I do have their "encyclopedia of homemade ideas" Lots of neat ideas in that book, I am planning on subscribing.

 

[novaman68]

Here is a link to a pretty good shot of it pulling at the local fair, can see the driveline pretty clearly.

20080724_007 copy_web | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Another in color. Wheels up? | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

That thing looks top notch!!! I like it...what is that hood off of? Did you build the rear fenders or did they come off of something else?

 

[novaman68]

One of the old favorite homemade tractor combos we to take an d Model T frame and stack two of the old 3 speed transmissions in line behind the 4 cyl. Using both reverses gave you a super granny forward gear.

I hadn't thought about running both transmissions in reverse giving you a fwd gear....but I see now how it would.

 

[roygage]

Folks, I think we're dealing with someone a few steps up from the amateur hobbyist.

That tractor is amazing! If you hadn't told me it was homebuilt, it would have taken me a long time to figure out. I really like the look of those big rig wheels for the rears.

Thanks for the compliment.

My field is automotive repair so some of it, engine and transmission and electrical work, came easy.

The rest a rank amateur for sure. I really wanted it badly though. I do not want to hi-jack this post but this winter I have some time I will write it up and give it it's own post with better pictures.

 

[novaman68]

It is fun to build things, small and maneuverable, how about a skid steer?

I actually have plans for a skid steer...that is what I am saving the Ford 2.3L for. When I build it, I am going to keep the EFI setup so it will start right up in winter. There really isn't much to skid steers, especially when you see what a new one costs.

 

[novaman68]

Thanks for the compliment.

My field is automotive repair so some of it, engine and transmission and electrical work, came easy.

The rest a rank amateur for sure. I really wanted it badly though. I do not want to hi-jack this post but this winter I have some time I will write it up and give it it's own post with better pictures.

My background is auto mechanic...but I spent 10 years working as a machinist/welder. The skid steer is going to wait until I get a mill/lathe in my shop.

 

[roygage]

That thing looks top notch!!! I like it...what is that hood off of? Did you build the rear fenders or did they come off of something else?

Boy, you get to laying awake thinking about this stuff when you are building. Half the fun. (-:

The hood is made from a pair of front fenders off a late seventies Dodge D-50. Trimmed them just above the top of the wheel arch. The center section of the hood is simply flat steel. Is bolted into a single unit and tips forward to open.

The fenders are made from ten inch channel iron, cut one edge off and spliced in a piece of three inch angle iron to it to widen out some. Tied a string to the center of the axle and drew out the rounded outer edges and trimmed them.

The fender edges I finished by welding on 5/16 round rod, tack in place, then use torch for the tight corners. When done I used sand discs to polish the welds.

Flat fenders are nice to work off of, can stand on to spray thistle patches ect.

Push bumper on frt. for moving cars, Cherry picker off the back will just lift a 350 Chev. with heads on.

The truck ties are very smooth on the road, has power steering, five high is about 20 at 3000 RPM.

Low low is lower then I ever need.

Perfect tractor for tractor rides.

 

[toppop52]

I hadn't thought about running both transmissions in reverse giving you a fwd gear....but I see now how it would.

Yep, if you reverse, reverse, you go forward.

 

[CMREED]

YOU COULD DISPENSE WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT ALL TOGETHER. USE THE TWO TRANS UNITS AS DRIVE SHAFT AND USE DOUBLE U-JOINT TO REAR AXLE.

STEER AXLE ENGINE/TRANS TRANSMISSION W DRIVE AXLE



IF YOU WANT TO RAISE THE DRIVE LINE ABOVE THE CENTER OF THE AXLE A DROP CONNECTION(CHAIN DRIVE) FROM THE FRONT TRANS TO THE SECOND AND THEN TO THE AXLE WOULD ALLOW YOU TO STACK ALL COMPONENTS RIGHT OVER THE DRIVE AXLE.

--------------------------------ENGINE/TRANS#
-------------------------------------------------#
------------------------------#TRANSMISSION#
-----------------------------#
STEER AXLE-------FRAME--# DRIVE AXLE




JUST A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS ON YOUR LAYOUT.