offroad mower

zig3

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But I don't know how to weld is there another way
 

Carscw

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You can find some wheels that are taller but not wider.
You could buy a cheap flux core wire feed welder and learn to weld its not that hard and you will have fun.

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zig3

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Ok i will look for higher tires and i am taking welding class at my school
 

Buckshot 1

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:smile: I have read all 8 pages of this post. You Guys are building something that will turn into a disaster. Most front axle beams are nothing but stamped sheet metal and those j-spindles are not designed for what you are tryng to do. Ever seen a front sheet metal beam collapse or have a j-spindle break off? Its not a pretty sight. Also I have not read anywhere about improving the braking system. Stock brakes are fine on stock equipment. But not worth a darn when the drive belt breaks are comes off or the trans expoldes. As safety is the main factor when building something like you are doing. Go heymow.com and read some of thier builds. Also I see nothing mentioned about how you are going to kill the engine if you throwed off. This post may rile up some peolpe, but safety should be the 1st factor when building anything to use that its not designed for.
 

Carscw

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:smile: I have read all 8 pages of this post. You Guys are building something that will turn into a disaster. Most front axle beams are nothing but stamped sheet metal and those j-spindles are not designed for what you are tryng to do. Ever seen a front sheet metal beam collapse or have a j-spindle break off? Its not a pretty sight. Also I have not read anywhere about improving the braking system. Stock brakes are fine on stock equipment. But not worth a darn when the drive belt breaks are comes off or the trans expoldes. As safety is the main factor when building something like you are doing. Go heymow.com and read some of thier builds. Also I see nothing mentioned about how you are going to kill the engine if you throwed off. This post may rile up some peolpe, but safety should be the 1st factor when building anything to use that its not designed for.

All good points. As I said before I use a cast iron axle beam because a stamped on will break if your doing wheeles or jumping hills.

You would be surprised how fast the stock brakes will stop you.

Have not thought about killing the engine if you fall off. But you could put a kill switch on like they use on a jet ski.

Your right we have not talked about safety as much as you would like us to.
But welding the front axle and getting all the steering parts tight is for safety.

I have never had a j-spindle bend or break and I am very hard on them. Not saying they will not or can not break.

Thank you for bringing up safety I will look at the website.

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Carscw

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Looked at hey mow.com. They talk about building and setting up race mowers.
We are talking about just playing in the yard riding trails or getting in the mud.
There is a lot you have to do to make a race mower. And lots of money.

Is there a risk of getting hurt doing this? YES

I race dirt track 120mph on wet red clay and you get hurt when you hit the wall or flip over but it's all part of doing what you love.

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Buckshot 1

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:smile: I did not mean to imply, that you were building racing mowers. The reason I suggested the heymow, you can see what they do with thier front axles, kill switch (jet ski setup good idea)and brakes. Using the stock brake attached to the transaxle, if you break/lose the belt you have no way of stopping the tractor. Cast iron being brittle it does take much of a hit to snap one. J-spindles, there method of retaining the wheel, leaves alot to be desired, For safety, I would drill and tap the spindle for a 5/16 -18/24 grade 5 bolt and a big flat washer along some blue lock-tite, also add a guesst to the j for added strenght. Check other builds on the heymow site, there is some interesting information. I fiqured that you were a dirt track racer from the picture. There is chance of getting hurt, wether your are racing/off roading a mower or everyday life. Why bump up the odds?
 

Carscw

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:smile: I did not mean to imply, that you were building racing mowers. The reason I suggested the heymow, you can see what they do with thier front axles, kill switch (jet ski setup good idea)and brakes. Using the stock brake attached to the transaxle, if you break/lose the belt you have no way of stopping the tractor. Cast iron being brittle it does take much of a hit to snap one. J-spindles, there method of retaining the wheel, leaves alot to be desired, For safety, I would drill and tap the spindle for a 5/16 -18/24 grade 5 bolt and a big flat washer along some blue lock-tite, also add a guesst to the j for added strenght. Check other builds on the heymow site, there is some interesting information. I fiqured that you were a dirt track racer from the picture. There is chance of getting hurt, wether your are racing/off roading a mower or everyday life. Why bump up the odds?

I will add a support to the J.
Some guys weld a bolt to the end of the j so they can put wider tires on the front then double nut
I look at the clips that hold the front wheel on every time I get on it. They are the one part I worry about.

I am sure we all will find things on the website that we will use.

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zig3

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Do you know how to hook up a kill switch and how do you upgrade those parts you are talking about
 

Carscw

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The kill switch is easy you can just use your seat switch so if you come off the seat it will **** the engine off.

I would not worry to much about the axle beam or the j- spindles Just going a little faster and trail riding you will be ok.

If your going to be riding wheelies or jumping a few feet then you could break them after some time.

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