DIY/Homemade Tractor Hacks w/ No Welding Required

[Santa Craig Cringle]

So just for a minute I'm considering it. Looking at welders currently on CL for under $200. All kinds available. None are labeled "buzz" welder.

What all would I need to get started at a minimum?

 

[Dozernut]

Before I would invest in a welder I would look around your area and see if the local college has a welding course. They would teach you to weld and steer you to a decent welder you could afford. If not maybe you have a friend or family member who welds and could show you the basics and steer you toward a good welder.

Good luck and it looks like you picked up a pretty good old tractor.

 

[Daver1963]

Here's a thread on something I built. It's titled "Good Landscape Rake", but its more of a pine needle rake and I just learned a dethatcher of sorts. But, not welds, it was all cut and bolted together from stuff bought at Tractor Supply and Lowes.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/300969-good-landscape-rake-cheap-part.html

Here's the meat of it:

I've steadily worked, weather permitting, on the mods for my yard/pine needle rake. I added tines to get the spacing to every 3 inches and built a 3pt hitch so I could raise it higher to get it out of the pile of needles I just raked.

1. View attachment 361686 2. View attachment 361687 3. View attachment 361688 4. View attachment 361689 5. View attachment 361690 6. View attachment 361691 7. View attachment 361694

8. View attachment 361696 9. View attachment 361697 10. View attachment 361698

1., 2., & 3. 3pt hitch I made
4. & 5. rake on tractor
6. &. 7. before raking
8. some raking done
9. after raking
10. pile of pine needles 10ft in diameter and 3ft high. About halfway done on this side of house. I have a pile similar in size on the other side of the house.[/QUOTE

 

[BHD]

What is your definition of a HACK here? I do not see any of them fitting your usage of the word, unless it is

working for hire especially with mediocre professional standards

the other is possibly

(2) : a horse used in all kinds of work

Hack - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
1hack verb \ˈhak\

Definition of HACK

transitive verb


1
a : to cut or sever with repeated irregular or unskillful blows
b : to cut or shape by or as if by crude or ruthless strokes <hacking out new election districts>
c : annoy, vex 熔ften used with off
2
: to clear or make by or as if by cutting away vegetation <hacked his way through the brush>
3
a : to manage successfully <just couldn't hack the new job>
b : tolerate <I can't hack all this noise>
intransitive verb


1
a : to make chopping strokes or blows <hacked at the weeds>; also : to make cuts as if by chopping <hacking away at the work force>
b : to play inexpert golf
2
: to cough in a short dry manner
3
: loaf 蓉sually used with around
4
a : to write computer programs for enjoyment
b : to gain access to a computer illegally
hack it
1
: cope 2b <I can't hack it any longer>
2
: to be successful <couldn't hack it in the world of professional sports>




Definition of HACK

1
: an implement for hacking
2
: nick, notch
3
: a short dry cough
4
: a hacking stroke or blow
5
: restriction to quarters as punishment for naval officers 蓉sually used in the phrase under hack
6
: a usually creative solution to a computer hardware or programming problem or limitation


3hack noun


Definition of HACK

1
a : hackney
b (1) : taxicab (2) : cabdriver
2
a (1) : a horse let out for common hire (2) : a horse used in all kinds of work
b : a horse worn out in service : jade
c : a light easy saddle horse; especially : a three-gaited saddle horse
d : a ride on a horse
3
a : a person who works solely for mercenary reasons : hireling <party hacks>
b : a writer who works on order; also : a writer who aims solely for commercial success
c : hacker 2

Other Automotive Terms
articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

4hack adjective
Definition of HACK

1
: working for hire especially with mediocre professional standards <a hack journalist>
2
: performed by, suited to, or characteristic of a hack <hack writing>
3
: hackneyed, trite

 

[BHD]

if it is for easy-to-build accessories.

what kind of accessories are you looking for? before I would start to invest in any type of implement or accessories.

ask your self a few questions,

what do you need a tractor for? why did you buy it? what jobs will it benefit you in?

are you talking tractor accessories, (lights, holders, tool boxes umbrella, cab, grease gun),
or implements? plows disk tillage loader, mower, drag, snow removal, wagon, move bales, and the list goes on)???????????????????????

if you want to make implements and do not have a welder, I suggest you learn how to sharpen drill bits and a good drill, and a lot of bolts,

 

[rsallen]

I think to invest in land, invest into a tractor and equipment only to then to preclude welding is very short sighted at best.
Learning some welding skills is not that hard, and the more you learn the more ideas you can come up with. I've made many one time use implements and cut them apart to throw back into the 'scrap pile' after the purpose is done.
Spend the few hundred dollars and the time to learn; it'll pay for itself ten, twenty, thirty times fold.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

What is your definition of a HACK here? I do not see any of them fitting your usage of the word, unless it is
the other is possibly

Try this one, from Urban Dictionary

3.
hack
a clever solution to a tricky problem
to hack is to mod or change something in an extrodinary way

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

I think to invest in land, invest into a tractor and equipment only to then to preclude welding is very short sighted at best.

I can see your point now. However, I did not see it at the time.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

if it is for easy-to-build accessories.

what kind of accessories are you looking for? before I would start to invest in any type of implement or accessories.

ask your self a few questions,

what do you need a tractor for? why did you buy it? what jobs will it benefit you in?

are you talking tractor accessories, (lights, holders, tool boxes umbrella, cab, grease gun),
or implements? plows disk tillage loader, mower, drag, snow removal, wagon, move bales, and the list goes on)???????????????????????

As a first time tractor buyer, to be honest I can't say what all I will use it for. As I think I mentioned earlier, I see it helping me in the garden (when I obtain a FEL especially), fencing my 20 acre lot, outbuilding construction (post-hole digging, especially), mowing, maintaining my driveway, carrying things, and planting/harvesting small acreage.

Purpose of this post is more of idea generation for me. What can I do within my current limitations. You've all convinced me to learn to weld, but I'm looking for things to do perhaps in the next couple of weeks.

 

[/pine]

As a first time tractor buyer, to be honest I can't say what all I will use it for. As I think I mentioned earlier, I see it helping me in the garden (when I obtain a FEL especially), fencing my 20 acre lot, outbuilding construction (post-hole digging, especially), mowing, maintaining my driveway, carrying things, and planting/harvesting small acreage.

Purpose of this post is more of idea generation for me. What can I do within my current limitations. You've all convinced me to learn to weld, but I'm looking for things to do perhaps in the next couple of weeks.

I think you mentioned that the tractor came with a scrape blade...learn to use it and its capabilities and limitations...learn to use the 3PH adjustments to get the blade to do what you want...
...if you find you are not happy with the blade perhaps you can trade it for another piece of equipment?