DIY Home built compact tractor

[Renze]

More $$, but easier!

easily spending $$ isnt the idea of building a tractor, if it was he'd buy a brand new one at a dealer, thats easiest and most $$

 

[dbdartman]

GT2, I've been meaning to post this, but... Anyway, I was on my JD4400 last week & checked the steering. It goes 3.75 turns lock to lock.

 

[bx23barry]

Believe me I racked my brain trying to figure how to do that.
I would have had to design a complicated set of shafts and universal joints to get over/around the engine and in the end all that stuff would have been in the way anytime I wanted to work on the engine.

Thats my story and I'm stickin to it!

Good story! I'll buy it.

 

[GT2]

I got my CV flange to universal joint flange adapters made today, their held in by two temporary bolts till I get the proper fastners.
Top and bottom view ( the shiney disks)

Bottom view of the front and rear drive lines

 

[Defective]

Looks to be getting close to test drive time...

 

[ben2go]

Any updates on this.Looking forward to seeing this completed.

 

[s1120]

Just cought this post. AWSOME job!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wombat125]

I've worked on several Samurai based rock crawlers so this has definitely been an interesting read for me. Your metal work looks really nice.

I am a little concerned about the durability of the axles for this application though. The factory Sami 1.3L carb motor put out about 66 hp and 76 ft-lbs of torque. The axles have 3.73 gears in them. The front axles have itty bitty little birfield joints in them that are just a little larger than a baseball. With diff lockers, you can safely run about 31" tires, but still shouldn't get after it with the front wheels turned hard left or right.

Now you are talking about running a motor with more torque and tires with more traction.

The cheapest, most expedient solution for front axle strength is birfield rings. They are relatively cheap alloy rings that press fit over the birfield joints to keep them from exploding. Unfortunately, you have to remove the steering knuckles to install them. The factory birfields fit through the knuckles; with birf rings they don't. You can also get complete alloy chrome moly shafts, but they are really hard on the wallet.

I think that possibly the best solution might be to consider finding a set of '79-85 Toyota Pickup or 4Runner axles. They have the strength of a Dana 44 or better, come with factory 4:10 gears, and still have the removable 3rd member.

I'm also a little concerned about the steep compound angle of your front driveshaft. Definitely a non-starter for a road vehicle, but maybe fine for 10 mph.

The best of luck and keep us updated.

 

[GCLnIndiana]

Great thread. Can't wait to see more progress.

 

[kenmac]

very interesting. Where do you find the time?? Can't wait to see this thing in action