DIY Home built compact tractor

[ZJ_HR]

I was hoping that my heavy steel axle pivot plates (one on the front and one on the rear of the axle) would be strong enough to resist axle twist.
However your radius rod arms idea makes sense. Maybe I can add them later if it needs it.
Thanks for the ideas!
Tim

Just put a king pin as low as possible, and make it 4-5" long. Next problem is that for stability is better to have low king pin, as axle has smaller "sway" to side when one wheel go low. And driving shaft will have less side movement.
Radius arms can't be mounted here (as are on Bronco page), as they change wheelbase due to their movement radius.

 

[Asymtave]

Awesome project. Wish I had the time and skills.

Backing up a bit - you will want to be careful with the oil pan. The oil pickup is pretty close clearance wise to the bottom of the pan. In other words a dent can starve the motor of oil.

Best to have an oil pressure gage. These motors run high oil pressure especially cold. My 81 Pickup runs 140 PSI going down the road cold. Drops to 50 when warm.

And FYI in case you're not aware, you should have 52 HP stock and a redline of 5,700 or so. Way more oooomph that the Sami's gas motor. And you have performance options. If you can find an 86-92 turbo motor, upgrade the pump and injectors, add an intercooler and you're easily at 100 HP. Woohoo!

And one more thing: Everyone swears that the reverse gear in these trannys is really weak. I have not experienced a failure but I baby the truck in reverse because I've been warned. I hope it holds up in your application.

Keep the posts coming!

 

[GT2]

30" mens outer diameter of the wheel, not rim only. Am I right?

Yes, OD.

 

[GT2]

Awesome project. Wish I had the time and skills.

Backing up a bit - you will want to be careful with the oil pan. The oil pickup is pretty close clearance wise to the bottom of the pan. In other words a dent can starve the motor of oil.

Best to have an oil pressure gage. These motors run high oil pressure especially cold. My 81 Pickup runs 140 PSI going down the road cold. Drops to 50 when warm.

And FYI in case you're not aware, you should have 52 HP stock and a redline of 5,700 or so. Way more oooomph that the Sami's gas motor. And you have performance options. If you can find an 86-92 turbo motor, upgrade the pump and injectors, add an intercooler and you're easily at 100 HP. Woohoo!

And one more thing: Everyone swears that the reverse gear in these trannys is really weak. I have not experienced a failure but I baby the truck in reverse because I've been warned. I hope it holds up in your application.

Keep the posts coming!

Whoo.. 100HP, I would proly twist the frame with that, and the higher torque!
Thanks for the info.
Tim

 

[Renze]

30" mens outer diameter of the wheel, not rim only. Am I right?

ahh... this is America, i forgot... When the Dutch refer to wheel size in inches, its the rim size beause only rim size and steel pipe sizes are measured in inches...

 

[MACHINIST01]

I cant wait till you finish this beast,I have thought about doing something along these lines before but just never went thru with it.Keep up the good work.

 

[bobodu]

Maybe I missed it somewhere...but how are ya gonna SLOW this down to a useable speed?

 

[MarkStewart]

Maybe I missed it somewhere...but how are ya gonna SLOW this down to a useable speed?

Bobodu check post #51

 

[GT2]

I drilled a pilot hole for the pivot point. First I drilled the frame, then held each plate up there and marked them.
Here the plates are hanging in place on a 1/4" drill bit.

Then I threw the plates up on my mill...err.. drill press and hole sawed out the 1.5" pin holes.

Then I hole sawed out the frame holes.

Heres a pic with the pivot pin in the plates and tube in the frame.

Now its off to my friends shop and use his lathe to cut the pin and bushings to length.

 

[john_bud]

GT2, Good progress.

Couple points. As you probably know, the radius rods are to prevent front to back motion of the front axle. It is important that you add them! Otherwise the front frame will be twisted to junk on the first pot hole, rock, stump or other obsticle you encounter.

I would also beef up the front frame (and side frame where the radius rods attach) to take up the extra stress. Then again, I would rather weld than repair!

Good looking project so far!

jb