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Hot Rod Tractor Project

8K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  ryan214 
#1 ·
A while back I got this Moto-Mower frame with a package deal I bought. I thought it would be cool to turn into a hot rod kind of tractor so I bought the Briggs 6.5 HP from a friend and got it moving around. I added the wheelie bars using some angle iron and some old deck gauge wheels. Then I took a hood from a Deere 111 and made it fit. Most recently I painted the rims and seat. Now my question for you all is what colors should I paint the frame and hood? I was thinking maybe a silver frame with a blue hood and a silver stripe where the yellow decal stripe used to be. Any other opinions? I am also looking into making a foot controlled throttle with a torque converter from a go kart, but I am not sure how well that will pair up with the gear drive tranny.

Ryan
 

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#4 ·
That brings back memories. This was my first tractor.
I called it a mowcart.
Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle Tractor Transport

It started life as a Homelite Garden Trac. Someday I hope to find another one.
 
#5 ·
I like the whitewall tires on the rear, a nice touch.:good:
 
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#6 ·
Thanks for the input guys! I won't be doing any painting until spring when it is warmer, and I also need to find a new hood since this one has a big crack in it. As far as I know the white wall tires are original. They have plenty of dry rot and cracking so I oiled them up a bit and put tubes in them when I painted the rims. This will not be a show piece by any means, at least not until I am fully content and have a more solid plan for it.

I think I like the idea of a black frame, and then a blue hood. Maybe a silver stripe on the hood like I thought?

Before I painted the wheels I had listed it on FB once just to see if there was any interest, and there was an overwhelming response. So much that it changed my mind about selling it and has now motivated me to continue working on it. My goal is to have it show ready for the Garden Tractor Daze in Portage this year.

Ryan
 
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#7 ·
Here is a quick paint scheme I mocked up, and I think it looks really good! I'm not sure about the stripe yet but I think it is a start. Let me know what you guys think!

Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle Tractor Car


Ryan
 
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#10 ·
Thanks tmac for the suggestion! Unfortunately my painting skills are not up to the task to do such a thing. The best I can do is clean lines that I can tape off. I am thinking about doing a white stripe instead of silver since I am worried the silver might clash with the rest of the white that is on the tractor.

As for the drivetrain modifications I am considering, I don't think the torque converter will work because it will change the alignment of the belt that goes to the rear end. I think I will be adding a foot throttle, and may change the pulley sizes to gain some more speed. Any input on this is greatly appreciated since I cannot find much about how to use a torque converter online, especially when paired up with a ear drive rear end.

I am for once excited to see spring time come so I can get to painting on the rest of the tractor.

Ryan
 
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#12 ·
After looking at it last weekend the torque converter will not work. The belt alignment will not be correct and I may burn through belts quickly. I would be able to use a centrifugal clutch and chain fairly easily, but I havent been able to find one that would fit the engine and have a large enough sprocket. So for now I guess it will stay the way it it, although I really want to get rid of the clutch. Maybe I can just bang shift it? How long would the tranny hold up as long as I don't grind gears?

As much as I love winter I'm really excited for the warmer weather so I can start painting

Ryan
 
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#14 ·
Finally got around to paint this. Between the cold days and rain it was difficult to find time. I'm happy with how this turned out. It's certainly no showroom quality piece but it looks good. I believe I am going to show this at the Portage show and then I will sell it. I dont use it enough to justify keeping it and I am always looking for that next project

Ryan
 

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#16 ·
That's really cool! I love the old Motomowers. I also love one off projects like yours and I really like your theme too. No rules or originality to worry about. Just do whatever you want type of fun.

My first riding mower was a 1964 MM dressed up as a Massey Ferguson 'Executive'. Not sure how long Massey sold them before they switched to the red and grey version to match their big tractors. I still have it in my shed and someday before I take up residence under the big lawn I'm gonna restore it. Gotta find a good 8 HP Kohler first. I have the manufacturer nameplate somewhere and it has Dura on it.
Vehicle Tractor Lawn Riding toy Outdoor power equipment


I painted it red a long time ago. I mowed an acre of grass with it for a few years with an 8HP Honda and a 42" deck. The original Kohler had a not so nice end. I came home one Friday and decided to change the oil. Drained it and then realized I didn't have any oil to put in it. So I decided I'd go get some in the morning. Got up the next day and forgot about the lack of oil and didn't check it. Stupid stupid stupid. For reference purposes.. it takes about 10 minutes of mowing to blow up a bone dry Kohler. Had to put a spacer under the front of the hood to clear the Honda engine. My wife called it Pug after that (as in pug nose).
Land vehicle Vehicle Tractor Agricultural machinery Car


It's done up as a self propelled wheelbarrow here. I have the hood and fenders stashed away. I put 50 lbs of weights on the front. Before I added weight, if you popped the clutch the belt would start slipping before the wheels came up so no wheelies even if you wanted to. That was extra good because my wife used it to haul away vegetation and distribute mulch in her English gardens. She would have had a conniption fit if the front end ever came up. She uses a golf cart now.
Land vehicle Vehicle Tractor Agricultural machinery Outdoor power equipment


They are so simple to work on. I had to have another right axle made up at a machine shop after the splines disintegrated.
Auto part Vehicle Car Tire Automotive tire
 
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#17 ·
A little late update but I feel the need to close out this thread. I took this to the show in Portage and immediately got lots of attention with it. As mentioned before, I was planning on selling it AFTER the show. Well, about halfway through the first day a guy came along and was very interested in it and was asking about how I built it. He then asked if I had thought about selling it. I said yes but I wanted to make it through the show with it. He said he was passing through from a business trip and was on his way back to South Dakota (?) where they have an annual lawn mower poker run through town, going bar hopping and even getting a police escort down the road! Well he made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I was happy to see it go to someone that would get use out of it and get to show it off to more people. I do miss it every now and then, but I am glad it went to a good home.

Ryan
 
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