LawnBoy UTLTV aka MULE

Yes- uses it to haul the garbage to the road and back (1000' drive), on crappier days to intercept the kids/schoolbus, and other occasions.

Because I could...

After much deliberation, I've decided to lock this transaxle. Now- I hate the fact that  the diff doesn't use a carrier, so I decided to do something a bit different. I have eliminated the original axles and spider gears. Instead, I am using a 3/4" straight shaft, and welded two lengths of 5/8" shaft to replace the original diff pin to index the bull (ring) gear. I ran out of light before I could finish, and I still have to trip over to Tractor Supply for some 3/4" lock collars to keep the shaft from walking around. But this pic shows the meat of the matter...
I hereby dub this the "Doc Locker"....  

Very nice looking Doc! I don't think you are going to have any issues with that!

Looks good, should be plenty tough.

Oh HELLS yeah! I be rockin' the Doc Locker!!!

Well, I guess that pretty much lets the cat out of the bag. I went out and got my lock collars, finished cleaning everything, and buttoned it up. After spending upwards of two hours cutting keyways for the wheels, I went for a toss. Looks good, feels good. I converted it for gear oil, and loaded it about half full with 75W90 gear oil, and am pleased to say that after my shakedown run, there's no sign of oil drooling out anywhere.

My turning radius was increased, but not by much. It's fun to run tight circles with one rear wheel in the air and not break stride. Obstacles that really gave me a hard time before, were no match for for MULE's new traction aid. No weird noises, shaft runs true, all good. I'm very pleased. I'll throw in a pic here, but I'm going to do a more detailed write-up seperately.



This will give you a fairly clear view of the Doc Locker without and extra clutter in the pic. Shown is the solid 3/4" shaft with the cross-pins welded in to engage the ring gear. Also shown is the lock collar next to the factory thrust washer. Opposite side looks the same.

Doc lockit!

Alrighty! Details of the Doc Locker (I LOVE that!!! LOL) here- https://www.atltf.com/t2789-locking-a-peerless-transaxle-the-doc-locker#34554

Looking good! Locked rear end makes a world of difference, eh?

Well, how can I put this... SOLD!!!    

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Well, how can I put this... SOLD!!!    

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!

I KNEW that was gonna get taken wrong. TRB asked what I thought of the locker. What I meant by "SOLD" is that I'm totally sold on it, and not going back. Don't worry- MULE's not going anywhere!

Doc Sprocket wrote:

I KNEW that was gonna get taken wrong. TRB asked what I thought of the locker. What I meant by "SOLD" is that I'm totally sold on it, and not going back. Don't worry- MULE's not going anywhere!

Thank goodness, you had me really worried  .

Y'know- after all that screwing around to make and post the video (not my thing obviously) I totally forgot about the fender flares I added yesterday before all that. I made them out of plastic lawn edging, the kind you put around your gardens and eventually shred to bits with the lawn mower... LOL

I not only did the fenders, but ran it up the running boards for some additional protection. I can't take credit for the idea, I saw it done somewhere not all that long ago. Problem is, I don't remember where or who. Might have been here, might have been a YT video. If anybody knows, speak up! We always like to throw credit where it's due!

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Y'know- after all that screwing around to make and post the video (not my thing obviously) I totally forgot about the fender flares I added yesterday before all that. I made them out of plastic lawn edging, the kind you put around your gardens and eventually shred to bits with the lawn mower... LOL

I not only did the fenders, but ran it up the running boards for some additional protection. I can't take credit for the idea, I saw it done somewhere not all that long ago. Problem is, I don't remember where or who. Might have been here, might have been a YT video. If anybody knows, speak up! We always like to throw credit where it's due!

You got it from Fearless Front on his Murray mud mower

See that's the bright side I sometimes forget about this hobby... little things or tricks shared between people, the fender flares, locking certain rear ends but not others, which tires work best... removing governors.

But Doc, I didn't think you'd be that SKINNY!  

prometheusedi wrote:

See that's the bright side I sometimes forget about this hobby... little things or tricks shared between people, the fender flares, locking certain rear ends but not others, which tires work best... removing governors.

You're 100% correct. This is the ONLY reason I do anything online. Sharing help, ideas, tips, whatever. I'm not here to shine a spotlight on myself, I'm here to both learn and contribute. Otherwise, I'd just do what I do, and nobody would be aware of me at all.

Never let yourself forget that. As far as I am concerned, that is the whole bonus to modern communications technology. It brings us all together. We share, we learn, we teach, make friends, bench race, BS, whatever- It's GREAT!

prometheusedi wrote:

But Doc, I didn't think you'd be that SKINNY!  

Uhh, yeah. 5'10", and maybe 140lbs soaking wet... LOL

I love the video! Videos are better than pictures to me, and everything checks out! Nice that your not afraid to give it haha.

Diggin the 'stache

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

I love the video! Videos are better than pictures to me, and everything checks out! Nice that your not afraid to give it haha.

Oh heck yeah! Listen- If I don't give it, how would I know if what I've done is worth a damn, right? The "Doc Locker" has to be proven. If I beat on it and it lives, then I can confidently tell others that it's a good idea! And so far, it was a good idea! It's functioning perfectly. Shifts good, no weird noises, no leaks, no breakage with the pounding I have been laying on it. I flogged it today too, in between working on my neighbour's Massey.

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Diggin the 'stache

There's a "goat" there too! (maybe not clear in the vid?)

hey doc, when you broke MULE's tranny, couldn't you put in the original tranny from genral mayhem?

1997 Murray wrote:

hey doc, when you broke MULE's tranny, couldn't you put in the original tranny from genral mayhem?

Yes- If you go back to page 14 of this thread, a couple posts down from when I posted the broken pics- I mentioned I had an 800 with some bad bearings. That was the General's transaxle, and I would have had to source new bearings.

I ended up doing what I did, because the new bearings had the potential to cost me at least as much as I spent on the solution that I DID use.

Hey Doc any updates?

Aside from mangling my frontend today? Not really. Any further major changes to MULE will come in the spring. I am planning on a speed increase, and a big brake upgrade. Since my garage is full, I won't be attacking those until the weather improves.

ok.

What did you do!?