DIY Home built compact tractor

[svcguy]

Good to hear you are still intending to follow through. Summer is a tough time for shop work. Looking forward to hearing how you make out when you get some more time, thanks for getting back to us.

 

[wmgeorge]

Also wondering, because when I was looking for used tractors, I found a few name brands ones for 3-4K that needed some fixing and TLC, and cheaper ones needed major mechanical work. But when you got done, it was something that would use standard equipment and attachments. Not trying to rain on your parade, because I've done the same thing with other projects in the past. Good Luck!!

 

[bx23barry]

Good to know you're back at it. I know how things get sidetracked. I got a shop full of them.

 

[svcguy]

The incredible thing about home built tractors is that they often have outstanding characteristics and the cost of working on them later is next to nothing compared to comparable tractors. No Yanmar, Kubota, Iseki or Mitsubishi will come close to the cost of parts for a Toyota or Suzuki 4WD. The economics of scale is just too overwhelming. The number of Suzuki's available in local wrecking yards, or parts available from you NAPA distributor will make a Yanmar part look pretty expensive. I am happy with my 240 and my TU205, but I really admire anyone who creates their own unit. I have seen many homemade tractors over the years and every one of them had great performance.

 

[GT2]

Woo Hoo... I got a little work done on the tractor!
I cut some wedge shaped heavy wall rectangular brackets and drilled holes to match the spring perch. I then cleaned and carfully aligned the axle and the pinion angle.

I then bolted the bracket and perch together and placed them on the chassis / axle to be welded.

Here it is hanging all by its self.

Now its off to the wrecking yard to find some wheels worthy of modification.

 

[john_bud]

Glad to see you are still plugging away!

jb

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Glad to have you back. Keep up the work!

 

[Dougryan]

Looking good.
Any details on the front suspension? I know you were working on a pivot axle with trailing arms.

Nice work.
Doug

 

[EddieWalker]

It sure looks like a very solid mount!!

I'm curious about tire size and pressure they will put on the bearings/axles? On one hand, I would think that since you are going slow, it won't matter too much, but on the other hand, larger tires do a real number on pickup trucks and cause all sorts of problems.

Thanks for the updates. It's nice to see progress and that you are still working on it.

Eddie

 

[GT2]

Doug: Go to page 8, #72 for details on the front axle. I've decided at this point trailing arms are not needed, knock wood

Eddie: I'm using relatively ( to tractors) small diam rear tires, about 30".
From what I've read the Samurai use up to about 33" without bearing damage, but they do snap axles.
I'm hoping not to be in a situation that snaps axles, but if I do there are HD axles available that are not too expensive.

Thanks, Tim