4x4 lawn tractor

boston

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Is it possible to make a craftsman lawn tractor into a 4x4 tractor? Some higher end tractors have it like the toro groundsmaster. Would it be easy and cheap or hard and expensive to do?
 

scott47429

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with a torch and welder anything is possible i cant help but think its not going to be easy or cheap but it would be alot of fun
 

exotion

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I have always thought that taking 2 belt driven axles and welding one of them to the front of the machine and run a belt through both transmissions and use a belt tensioner and it might work. I dont know about how this would affect using a deck or attachments but again I have never done it personally....Although I do have a couple parts mowers out back and a mig welder.....
 

Carscw

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You would have to put the front one on with the pulley on the bottom. There are a few videos on you tube

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exotion

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That would make since Ill give it a try this weekend when I have a few hours I have an old yardman 6 speed and an old MTD 6 speed that are mostly just rotting. I can pair it with a 12.5 B&S engine. Would I need to use 2 shifters? or is there a way to link them together. Also if the tranny is upside down would it get proper grease to handle the strain? Sorry about all the questions I am excited now
 

Carscw

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exotion said:
That would make since Ill give it a try this weekend when I have a few hours I have an old yardman 6 speed and an old MTD 6 speed that are mostly just rotting. I can pair it with a 12.5 B&S engine. Would I need to use 2 shifters? or is there a way to link them together. Also if the tranny is upside down would it get proper grease to handle the strain? Sorry about all the questions I am excited now

The MTD rear end is only a two gear forward and reverse the 6 speed is controlled by a variable pulley the two belts ride on together.
I would say make a way to hook both to one shifter.
Not sure about the grease but in my mud mower I filled the tranny full of bearing grease.

Your best bet is to use a old murray frame as they where built out of C channel very tough.

My craftsman will do 40 mph ride wheelies sling mud. Not 4wd. Found out to late not a good frame to use as it has cracked and bent.
This was the first one I have built lots of fun but not real safe.
Only way to do a MTD is to double the size of the engine pulley

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boston

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I want to try it some day but I don't have a welder :( if there's was a tranny in the front, there would have to be something there to allow the wheels to turn. Also it might not even fit in front and the whole tractor might lack power.
 

Carscw

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I think the hardest part will be the steering

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exotion

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I think the hardest part will be the steering

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Thats what i was looking at tonight before I got on. Looks like its not going to work well as both axles and trannys appear to be different sizes. The shifter would be to difficult. But yes the steering will probably make the entire front axle have to be custom :/
 

slammed

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Just buy a ventrac it is already 4x4. But then again it does sound like fun to make your own. GO FOR IT :thumbsup:
 
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