HOMEMADE TRACTOR START

[Johndeere3720]

Nicely done. Have you decided what color to paint it in the end?

 

[cranker]

thanks jd, i am going to go yellow and black(cat). I live in iowa so verywhere i look it is green..LOL Which i am guessing that you are a big fan of... So am i just wanted something to stick ot a lttle.

 

[o2batsea]

This is just me, but I'd suggest that instead of mechanical drive you go hydraulic. There's about ten gazillion different ways to do it, all of which will allow you far more room in the chassis than a C4 and Xfer case. In addition to the drive component you'll have hydraulic power to run implements. Use the chassis rails as your tankage.

If you insist on a transfer case set up, you should look into the Terra Low kit for the Dana 300. It will give you like a 4-something to one low range. Your gearbox should be an NP435 with granny first. An underdrive might serve well too. Advance Adapters has all this stuff. It costs a fortune.

I can't figure out why you didnt source an actual tractor and refurbish it.

 

[cranker]

o2, i have always wanted to build a compact tractor just to see if i could. i have no desire to refurb one. I have always liked the 2.3 ford and have always thought it would be a good engine for a small tractor. I have done most of my fabrication the the 4wheel drive scene so i am familar with advanced adapters stuff and also the cost(wow) but it is really nice stuff. The np435 would not fit my motor and i am not willing to spend the amount of money on an adapter not to metion the overal size of the drivetrain. hence the small sammy tcase. The hydraulics would be great but alot more thenwhat i have in my drive train. I work in the automotive field so i have some connections for that kind of stuff.

Crank

 

[HarleyScooter]

Crank, I like where you are going with this build. After reading all the input you are receiving I have a couple of comments. The more you add to the drive line the less your build will look like a tractor and more like a Top Fuel Rail but with the addition of a front end loader your longer frame would have less need for a large rear counter weight. Another option on the drive train would be sprockets and chains, we used them a lot back in the day building race Jeeps some guys did not even use a transfer cases, and gearing is almost unlimited. A spool in the rear diff will make it very hard to turn and cause some damage to the ground surface, a good posi unit may be a better choice. As far as hydraulics my belt driven log splitter has a 16 gpm pump and my tractor only has a output of around 5-6 gpm so you should have no problem getting enough flow running a pump off of the front belts on you engine. Great build, and I am looking forward to more pictures.
Scott

 

[cranker]

Scooter, thanks for the compliment. I know it looks like it should be doing some sand drags or something. and the header doesnt help either. I have thought about chains for the gear reduction. The guy i got the drive train from uses those in his pulling tractor but i just dont like them. That is the only reason i just dont like the looks of them. I now it sounds weird but it is just one of those things i cant get past. If i absolutly had to use one i would but so far i dont so i wont. As far as the spool goes i have deceided to go with an open diff. If i have problems with that i will check into a selectable locker. Stock I believe this 2.3 puts out a little over 80hp so i am just going to put another pully on the crank and run the pump off that i think. Atleast that is the plan for now the way everything else is going that will probably change too.

Thanks Crank

 

[carpenter383]

If you use individual rear brakes you may not even need a locker as bad as you think. Those air lockers are pretty nice, but not cheap and of course you need an air supply too. I don't know if a normal limited slip diff would last very long in a tractor. Maybe a heavy duty one that's made for racing would be ok.

 

[cranker]

yeah i was thinking about putting cutting brakes on it and i still may. I think eaton or auburn makes an electric one for it not sure though, i am hoping that the open will be okay.

 

[racingmodracer]

BOY have to say it looks like your doing a fine job there, and of couse if something does not work as you wanted you can change it. looks like it will be a pretty mean machine when your done. good luck and will look forward to seeing more pictures of it as you go along.

 

[Redneck in training]

Here is a homemade tractor my brother bought recently. It has 1300 cc gas engine of about 50 HP. Two transmissions in series. The second one has only 1st and 2nd gear.