4x6 Mower?

Hey guys, let me run this idea past you. 6-wheel tractor with the rear 4 running power. Basically a stock lawn tractor with some extra frame added to the back and a go-cart axleshaft and bearings running off chain/sprocket from the tractors transaxle. The only problem I could think of was turning, with both rear axles, 4 tires, being locked together, it would probably not turn well at all. I could be wrong about that though.

Anything is possible- itll require a ton of fabrication and different setups to find the right combination.

Id say use a peerless trans ( lower input, side output type) - run a chain to a jackshaft, then two sprockets/chains down to each axle ( left one to the front and right to the back one : for example). It be easier to make them differential axles, but straight axles would work for power.

If that setup would work, it might be possible to make it articulate up and down on each side - hinge point in the front- coil shocks in the back - bolt pillow blocks to the trailing arm for each axle.

Using a trans with a sprocket on each end i dont think would hold up that well...

That was my other concern, if the mower transaxle would be strong enough to effectively be powering 4 tires. I was linking no suspension, just like the original rear axle and a single chain off one side to the second axle located by pillow blocks or some type of bearing. Like the 6x6 ATVs, the 3,4, and 5 parts in this pic for example.

looks good! im sure i have seen this somewhere.... hunt round our site and you'll find it or the person could give a link here

OH! by the way... your tyres are the wrong way

Actually that's a pic from a polaris ATV parts place, though it looks like I did it with paint, haha. I watched a few vids on youtube of the polaris ATV that is 6x6 with solid rear axles and it turned better than I would have expected. The local volunteer fire dept has one of those 6x6 polaris, but at the time I was a member I didn't think to check out it's design.

that setup would work even better - then you could make the rear section move up and down.

Yeah, that wouldn't be very difficult at all really, just a swingarm design.

Could be better to use a diff in the rear most axle at least, maybe both. But if you had really agressive treaded front tyres it might not be such a problem. Cant wait to see what comes of this

If I decide to go ahead with this, it will be an addition to my murray and after I get it in running order. Like a winter project or something.

To diff or not to diff..... well itll steer like a brick w/o it, but think of the sheer climbing power of 4 driven wheels- with some serious ag wheels or agressive tread, thatll climb and probably go thru almost anything.

No doubt. It still amazes me what you guys on here go through with locked 2wd mowers. I would give up steering for traction I think. I plan on a winch too, so if it gets too bad I can use the winch to make a turn, haha.

Yeah I think the advantages of locked easily overweigh not being able to steer!