Belted mower/transaxle and rear suspention? Is it possible?

So I was thinking, can you have 2" of travel on the rear of a regular mower that has a belt from back to front? It would be 1" of compression and 1" of droop? just for the riders sake, and do all this and not have the belt pop off? I think if you make square box's around where the belt leves the clutch and square box's where the belt enters the rear pulley, I think it wouldn't pop off. The box's you make it so no matter how much the transaxle is moving up and down the belt still enters the rear pulley level (like normal) and leaves the clutch pulley level. And the rear swing arm would be set up that of a quad. Sorry if this gives you a headache haha.

If I understand what you are saying, I think that would wear out the belt pretty fast. Maybe if you put some kind of rollers for the belt to rest against when it's articulated.

TheRainbowBoxer wrote:

If I understand what you are saying, I think that would wear out the belt pretty fast. Maybe if you put some kind of rollers for the belt to rest against when it's articulated.

Yea I was thinking those box's would a have top and bottom rollers so the belt enters the pulleys level. And the rear axle would be just going up and down, not like the front of a mower where one wheel goes up and the other down when it flex's.

If you had a transaxle with a horizontal input, it can be done. I wouldnt do it with a vertical input, your belt would pop off all the time, and with guides (even rollers) you run the risk of wearing your belt out or twisting it.

If you want a softer ride, seat springs and lower pressure tires will do the trick.

Doug Fackler wrote:

If you had a transaxle with a horizontal input, it can be done. I wouldnt do it with a vertical input, your belt would pop off all the time, and with guides (even rollers) you run the risk of wearing your belt out or twisting it.

If you want a softer ride, seat springs and lower pressure tires will do the trick.

I see where you're coming from. I guess im a little to complicated but at least im thinking! we'll always have to deal with it I guess!

Im sure a suspension could be made for the rear but in not sure on how you can keep the belt for ether breaking or twisting.
Iv been trying to think of a way to do a rear suspension myself.

truckin42 wrote:

Im sure a suspension could be made for the rear but in not sure on how you can keep the belt for ether breaking or twisting.
Iv been trying to think of a way to do a rear suspension myself.

the only way i can think of doing this is with a horizantal engine shaft . then you could set it up like a four wheeler rear suspension.

Yeah a horizantal engine is probably the easest way to do a rear suspension.
There might be other ways to do a rear suspension but i dont know of any.

For rear suspension.

You'd need to fabricate a two tier set-up. #1...Make a stationary rear pulley set-up, 4 inches above the stock height. The center of the pulley, install an X hub for an X type shaft.

These are found in many Dana/Spicer steering shafts. This will allow the pulley to turn and drive the rear tranny as the tranny moves up and down. The pulley braket and belt will

be stationary. (Get the picture?)

#2....build a bracket with guide bolts on each side of the tranny. 6-inches travel would be good. You can install a spring to absorb shock. on top of the guide bolts or rods.

As the tranny moves upward, all guide rods and the X rod for the pulley will move up..or move down. This allows you to have rear suspension.




Kel

Kel wrote:

For rear suspension.

You'd need to fabricate a two tier set-up. #1...Make a stationary rear pulley set-up, 4 inches above the stock height. The center of the pulley, install an X hub for an X type shaft.

These are found in many Dana/Spicer steering shafts. This will allow the pulley to turn and drive the rear tranny as the tranny moves up and down. The pulley braket and belt will

be stationary. (Get the picture?)

#2....build a bracket with guide bolts on each side of the tranny. 6-inches travel would be good. You can install a spring to absorb shock. on top of the guild bolts or rods.

As the tranny moves upward, all guide rods and the X rod for the pulley will move up..or move down. This allows you to have rear suspension.




Kel

that made it easy, lol

Kel wrote:

For rear suspension.

You'd need to fabricate a two tier set-up. #1...Make a stationary rear pulley set-up, 4 inches above the stock height. The center of the pulley, install an X hub for an X type shaft.

These are found in many Dana/Spicer steering shafts. This will allow the pulley to turn and drive the rear tranny as the tranny moves up and down. The pulley braket and belt will

be stationary. (Get the picture?)

#2....build a bracket with guide bolts on each side of the tranny. 6-inches travel would be good. You can install a spring to absorb shock. on top of the guild bolts or rods.

As the tranny moves upward, all guide rods and the X rod for the pulley will move up..or move down. This allows you to have rear suspension.



Kel

This could work.

dude it will work, he has more experience then most of us put together lol

Yes it will work.

truckin42 wrote:

Yes it will work.

lol

Abosulutely will work with the correct engineering.

Splined shaft would be better than keyed, but work with what you have

Or you could make a live axle that is powered by chains running from the transaxle's shafts. We are planning something similar with the Traxxor, but not for suspension.

its a cool idea. but for most cases unrealistic

How much throw?

Yes, it will work and it has worked.
I built two mowers using this set up for a father and son for the Northwoods.

To secure the pulley so it is stable, there are two pillow block bearings, above and below the rear pulley. This help keep it stable as the X shafting moves up and down during riding, of
course the pillow blocks are secure to a cradle and then to the body of the mower. I used Valve Springs off a Small Block Chevy for the suspension to prevent the tranny from
bottoming out.

Kel

Me and a buddy tried a rear suspention on his mower and he has his idea and it works for him, but he spent ALOT OF TIME AND MONEY ON THIS. we build a swing arm and pitched the brackets at a 30°. The pully was out of line. We used 2 shocks on either side of the trans hon the rear similar to the simplicity. When he sat on the mower and the suspention compressed the pulleys were in line. With the amount of travel on the suspention if the suspention compressed fully to the bumpstops is was pitched at -30° witch was slightly out of line with the engine pully. End result was major belt slippage when going over bumps. Trans Adel is ment to be stationery

I had an idea that I'm playing with in my head for a while now for rear suspension with a live axle and independent front suspension to where you can engage and disengage both front wheels when turning with a vertical shaft or horizontal motor. Horizontal motor would be easier though. And the rear live axle would be with a 4 link instead of a ladder bar setup.

It would involve having a transfer case like mid shaft under a 700 gearbox for vertical shaft motor. The framing for the mid shaft under the 700 gearbox would be the attachment points for the rear suspension ran with a belt. The key on getting the rear axle to be able to twist would be on the mounting points of the top suspension bars. Triangulate to where the point comes together where the belt comes into the pulley on the mid shaft so the belt can twist and not be pulled side to side entering the pulley. If you think about it the belt will probable twist only about 10 degrees either way and the setup should deal with it ok. Tensioner pulley arm would be on bearings on the axle for the pivot point and pushing on the belt.

What do you guys think? Just an idea, LOL.