JasperFrank
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Do it. Post on Youtube, see 400K hits and then get back to us. 
Would it be possible to convert a lawn mower into a lawn "tractor"
- Thread starter tractor-mower project 1
- Start date
- Views: 15488
scaredychicken
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That is the game-changer, you have a plan that sidesteps most routine criteria
GO FOR IT
airbiscuit
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I say go for it.
I always wanted to make a "lifted" lawn or garden tractor so the mowing height would be 4" - 6" - a trail mower.
I always wanted to make a "lifted" lawn or garden tractor so the mowing height would be 4" - 6" - a trail mower.
jaxs
Elite Member
Don't let naysayers discourage you from pursuing your passion. Life is a journey, with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to enjoy. The very worst that can happen is not turning out exactly as planned but guaranteed you will learn alot that will be useful on future projects.
Yander
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I have been known to do things that are not conventional (i.e. put a snow blade on a ZTR) and it worked great. Neighbors thought I was crazy but it was a commercial Z and I was moving snow faster than they were with their ATVs and tractors. Used it for at least 5 years that way.
However, what you are wanting to do will really defy a lot of laws of physics. As others have stated the frame won't hold up to three point lifting, the axles probably won't etc. It isn't that you couldn't do it, you certainly could, it is that if you are really wanting to use it for significant ground engagement or dirt work, it isn't practical.
The guys telling you to go for it, know it can be done. The question is should it be done. So I'll answer your question with a question(s). Are you really serious about using this thing for more than just a conversation piece to say you did it or are you actually wanting to do it for utilitarian purposes.
If the answer to that is for utilitarian purposes, then I agree with the others telling you to spend your money and time on something bigger and suited for the work. You will honestly spend more money & time trying to make a lawn tractor into a garden tractor than you would just buying an older GT or SCUT and rehab that. I think you would be happy with the outcome until you go to use it for serious work.
If the answer to the question is that you really just want to do it to prove you can do it, go for it. You will learn a ton in the process. Your time and your money!
However, what you are wanting to do will really defy a lot of laws of physics. As others have stated the frame won't hold up to three point lifting, the axles probably won't etc. It isn't that you couldn't do it, you certainly could, it is that if you are really wanting to use it for significant ground engagement or dirt work, it isn't practical.
The guys telling you to go for it, know it can be done. The question is should it be done. So I'll answer your question with a question(s). Are you really serious about using this thing for more than just a conversation piece to say you did it or are you actually wanting to do it for utilitarian purposes.
If the answer to that is for utilitarian purposes, then I agree with the others telling you to spend your money and time on something bigger and suited for the work. You will honestly spend more money & time trying to make a lawn tractor into a garden tractor than you would just buying an older GT or SCUT and rehab that. I think you would be happy with the outcome until you go to use it for serious work.
If the answer to the question is that you really just want to do it to prove you can do it, go for it. You will learn a ton in the process. Your time and your money!
Jims1025R
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I agree with those who say such a modification would not be good use of your time and money. If you want to make art - make art, but don't expect the art to do work. If you want to do work, buy or rebuild a machine designed to do that work, or equivalent in forces/loads and strains.
My first lawn tractor was a 1970 MF14, which was built like a tank - great frame! I never broke any part of the structure of that tractor. I noticed that other similar sized lawn tractors were not built as well, and even regular mowing work was resulting in cracked frames [stamped pans]. As I carefully reviewed the structure/drive/systems of light tractors (many of which were nothing more than a powered lawnmower that looked a little like a tractor, I could see that in the interest of competitive economy, manufacturers were building machines that were exactly nothing more than the advertised capability required - no reserve strength nor power to enable expansion of use.
As for drive, for a light tractor, four wheel drive is really helpful, if you want to pull or plow. If not four wheel drive, at least have differential lock, so when you get stuck trying to pull too hard, you can get yourself out. The aforementioned MF14 lacked diff lock, and was a pain when I got it stuck in soft ground - second machine required anyway.
I love "projects", and I like encouraging others to explore their innovation strengths for all the positive reasons mentioned here.... But, you can get a lot of time and money into a project which then fails, and provides no return to you, and os nothing more than art. If it's the art you wanted in the first place, you've got it. But if you wanted a working tool, you wasted time and money.
My first lawn tractor was a 1970 MF14, which was built like a tank - great frame! I never broke any part of the structure of that tractor. I noticed that other similar sized lawn tractors were not built as well, and even regular mowing work was resulting in cracked frames [stamped pans]. As I carefully reviewed the structure/drive/systems of light tractors (many of which were nothing more than a powered lawnmower that looked a little like a tractor, I could see that in the interest of competitive economy, manufacturers were building machines that were exactly nothing more than the advertised capability required - no reserve strength nor power to enable expansion of use.
As for drive, for a light tractor, four wheel drive is really helpful, if you want to pull or plow. If not four wheel drive, at least have differential lock, so when you get stuck trying to pull too hard, you can get yourself out. The aforementioned MF14 lacked diff lock, and was a pain when I got it stuck in soft ground - second machine required anyway.
I love "projects", and I like encouraging others to explore their innovation strengths for all the positive reasons mentioned here.... But, you can get a lot of time and money into a project which then fails, and provides no return to you, and os nothing more than art. If it's the art you wanted in the first place, you've got it. But if you wanted a working tool, you wasted time and money.
4570Man
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A cheap riding mower is too light to ever preform like you intended. You’d be a lot better off to buy something that was actually built to preform that work. Buy a rough one and restore it if you want a project.
bowenskye
New member
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If you like to tinker, and you are trying to challenge yourself, go for it. Otherwise, find something old that has existing attachments available. Case used to make some neat lawn tractors with snow blowers, ploughs, etc...
sniper695
Member
look at older bolens, they have a number of garden tractors that are very heavy duty, can have 3pt from factory etc. I have a gt2000 (lawn tractor I mow with) you can get 3pt for it. I also have a H1704 (bolens badged Iseki) it is a legit tractor, Deisel, 4 wheel drive, and just a tiny bit larger then my mower. It can take real 3 pt tools just like my bigger tractor.
Kschwennsen
Silver Member
I had an older JD 445 that had a center PTO that had a shaft that went to the front for a blower. I used that tractor for everything from snow removal, mowing, brush hog, pull trailers. I even hooked up a converter to the battery and used it as a mobile generator.
I would change out your pulleys for toothed sprockets, install chain and get a little hydraulic pump hooked up! That would be a fun project. you could even build a wood splitter for it then!!
I would change out your pulleys for toothed sprockets, install chain and get a little hydraulic pump hooked up! That would be a fun project. you could even build a wood splitter for it then!!