Wheelhorse Crawler Conversion

[Down South]

My this is a interesting project. It came to my attention through the engine you have chosen. I am looking at buying one myself. Odd but interesting engine.
Can you tell us why you chose it and how you plan hooking it up and using it?

Thanks
DS

 

[jd4310man]

Down South,

To answer your question about the engine, I acquired it when I traded another small air cooled diesel ( a Hatz 10 hp) for it. This Farymann is practically unused and in excellent condition. Another reason I am using this particular engine is because of its size. It is rated at 15hp and has 709cc displacement. It should have a lot of torque for this size engine. I done a bit of research and these Farymann engines seem to be used in very harsh and demanding applications so it ought to be very reliable. It is considerably wider than the stock kohler that came with the tractor. So I will be using a jack shaft directly behind the engine to get correct alignment for the pulleys and to power a hydraulic pump and an alternator. I will show this as the build progresses.

Ross

 

[jd4310man]

Hear is an update to the project. I finally got the tracks completely welded and I also got the upper frame modified (strengthened) to handle more of a load. I just got done fabing up the steering brake mounts and I am now working on getting the upper frame aligned to the lower track frame. There is a lot of alignment issues in order to get all the drive chains to run properly without touching any of the frame components. There is not much room for side to side adjustments. Anyway once I get the transmission all lined up with everything, I will be able to fab up all the rest of the upper frame mounts and begin work on mounting the engine and related parts. The tracks are by far the hardest part to build as there are hundreds of little pieces to cut and weld and to get it all to work perfectly with the sprockets and undercarriage parts. The next hardest as I'm now finding out is getting the transmission to connect up with the driving sprockets and steering brakes. Anyway Its been a real education for me and its something I always wanted to do.

Ross

 

[Joey J]

Did you ever finish this project? I am just getting started on mine. Going to set up with hydraulic wheel motors.

 

[David Devuono]

I built one with hydraulic motors. Not direct drive though, I had to go to 3:1 gear ratio via chain drive to get enough torque to drive the tracks. I wish I had gone mechanical because I put several thousand dollars into hydraulics in the end and because disillusioned with the project. Still waiting for one track to get finished. So much to think about with hydraulics, motors, pumps, cross over relief valves, hydraulic filters, oil coolers, tanks, strainers. Flow dividers unless you are running dual pumps. Need other valves to tap off to run blades, main pressure relief valves. I put in a pressure gauge as well. Probably 30 hoses. If the wife only knew.

 

[David Devuono]

here is my nightmare.

 

[Chopperhed]

After reading this thread, I'm glad I stuck with the Peerless Hydro Differential steering on my Ford conversion. It looks like it saved me a lot of money for hydraulics, and a lot of misery for the fabrication.

 

[jd4310man]

No I haven't finished it yet. I lost steam on the project a while back due to other projects at the time. Its still waiting on me. I have all the parts to make it work though.

 

[stingray1]

Looks like a fun project.I wish I would have known about this a few years back,I could've picked up most of the material and parts from the scrap bin at work,for free.

 

[Joey J]

David,
Those hydraulics look pretty involved. I was planning on using a Zero Turn pump arrangement like someone else has done. Still working on the proper gear reduction ratio and wheel motors. I hear you about the wife. Mine doesn't know what I am up to yet. Thanks for responding.

JD4310man,
I hope you continue with the project. Your pics have really helped clarify the frame build out so far.

Thanks all