So, due to unforseen expenses,the whole idea of buying a tractor is un-feasable (seriously why are all the cheap tractors useless for running tillers where I am???)
I've decided to build my own instead, seeing as it'll be similar cost and hopefully (slightly) more useful, but before I start I just wanted to ask around and find out some questions
1. What would you recommend to use as the frame? I can't buy an old pickup (thankyou Australia for keeping value on them) so I'm kinda SOL, I was thinking of finding cheap/scrap metal and welding it as much as I can and hoping for the best, but I don't actually know how strong it'll be,or lengthening the mower frame and reinforcing it
2. What type of transmission is best? I have an old lawnmower (cub cadet lt1042) that I was planning to steal the hydrostat off, run a 2:1 reduction and use that for pulling, but I'm worried about it not just exploding.
3. What engines? I'm thinking of a smallish lawnmower engine, such as the one off the cub cadet and plonking it straight on (nearly) the transmission, but others have said to use a hydraulic system. So which is best?
4. Pto, would it be possible? I was hoping of salvaging 1 or 2 old lawnmower engines,( around 15-20hp each) running them in tandem with the belts driving to a rear mounted pto ( the plans make more sense in my head i promise) but I've read alot of issues with gas engines just not having power, so would it be worth it finding either a car engine,going hydraulics again, or even electric motor?
5. Last one thankfully, am I a moron for this, or would it be somewhat sensible to try? This projects more for fun but I do want to atleast get some use out of it. I was hoping to atleast still use the deck and maybe run a plow or rototiller off the backend.
I've decided to build my own instead, seeing as it'll be similar cost and hopefully (slightly) more useful, but before I start I just wanted to ask around and find out some questions
1. What would you recommend to use as the frame? I can't buy an old pickup (thankyou Australia for keeping value on them) so I'm kinda SOL, I was thinking of finding cheap/scrap metal and welding it as much as I can and hoping for the best, but I don't actually know how strong it'll be,or lengthening the mower frame and reinforcing it
2. What type of transmission is best? I have an old lawnmower (cub cadet lt1042) that I was planning to steal the hydrostat off, run a 2:1 reduction and use that for pulling, but I'm worried about it not just exploding.
3. What engines? I'm thinking of a smallish lawnmower engine, such as the one off the cub cadet and plonking it straight on (nearly) the transmission, but others have said to use a hydraulic system. So which is best?
4. Pto, would it be possible? I was hoping of salvaging 1 or 2 old lawnmower engines,( around 15-20hp each) running them in tandem with the belts driving to a rear mounted pto ( the plans make more sense in my head i promise) but I've read alot of issues with gas engines just not having power, so would it be worth it finding either a car engine,going hydraulics again, or even electric motor?
5. Last one thankfully, am I a moron for this, or would it be somewhat sensible to try? This projects more for fun but I do want to atleast get some use out of it. I was hoping to atleast still use the deck and maybe run a plow or rototiller off the backend.