tractor build competition?

Thunderdivine wrote:

Goshh, all my parts for my new build won't be here by then, probably  

But it's a good idea if there's enough people doing build's.

By the time you get one part, everyone will have 5 tractors built! lol

Sounds neat. Im for it if you guys can figure it out.

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Okay- so in the name of eliminating problems- define "mower engine". Most are vertical, some are horizontal. Can one use a Briggs horizontal because it originally came on a mower, but not the 420 Predator because it did not? Or do we just say Single or twin OPE (industrial/stationary) engines only?

How about any motor that came factory on any ride on lawn tractor regardless of manufacturer or design, with ATV, motorcycle, automobile, and snowmobile engines specificly prohibited. That ought to just about cover it. Of course similar lawn mower type engines from where ever would also be acceptable, rototiller, snowblower, ect.

good god, im glad people are interested in this , and doc, the way your saying judge it from the build stand point off cleanliness and stuff is how i was thinking,

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Keeps somebody from nailing a craftsman hood to a jetski

LMAO That's hilarious...

i agree with mr.modified and stretch, any lawnmower type engine as in any Briggs, kohler, Tecumseh, honda, honda clone ext.

any small engine being vertical or horizontal shaft

so....just to clarify....my big kawa 29 v is ok to run

How bout Subaru 22hp?

If it was ever on a mower, then yes its ok.....

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Keeps somebody from nailing a craftsman hood to a jetski

LMAO That's hilarious...

Id do it.

It was on a lawn vacuum but have been on mowers

Depending on the rules, I might enter. I dont exactly have a bottomless wallet, loads of time, or a hole lot of parts around. But if it helps get an annual buildoff goin I would have to try at least.

redzz02 wrote:

and thunderdivine im not done building racers im picking up another mower this sunday that will be a racer so if the rules do allow for asphalt machines i might even enter that one

Thats cool, and I said racer. Not racer(s). But it was just my point that this is ALL-terrain Forum.

But rules won't be easy, So id say keep it simple.

Doug Fackler wrote:

Thunderdivine wrote:

Goshh, all my parts for my new build won't be here by then, probably  

But it's a good idea if there's enough people doing build's.

By the time you get one part, everyone will have 5 tractors built! lol

Sounds neat. Im for it if you guys can figure it out.

That's so true lol

So why not make the build guide lines a true all terrain tractor? As in, tractor engine, transaxle, and chassie. Winner would have the best working tractor on all terrains. All you'll have to do is specify the terrains. Also have sub-awards like, best mud, best rock, best speed, so on.
---what ya think?

Thunderdivine wrote:

But rules won't be easy, So id say keep it simple.

I agree 110%


By keeping the rules simple each tractor will be unique, and that's a good thing.

This is how I'd do a simple rule list for a tractor build competition- you give it a time frame, finished product has to at lest resemble a tractor , and the contestant has to prove its in complete working condition.
If it is a build competition with a special purpose like best off roader then I can see limiting some things, but then all builders would need to meet up to run against each other.

example
Years back a guy I worked with was telling me about this contest that was at a car show he was going to called something like showoff your red wagon.  There were only a few 6-7 people who entered their red wagons. Spectators voted on them and that was how it was decided.  There were no prizes just bragging rights. We went down there with mine and some of the other contestants were complaining that it wasn't a red wagon that it was a go cart. They had to have somebody who was in charge of the car show make final call if it was allowed in the contest. The guy that made the final call on it said "When I look at it I see the red wagon plus whats wrong with another entry anyway.  Nobody wants to come to a car show and see the same car 40 times or go to a drag race and watch every racer have the same motor. It would suck and the events would be dead. The wagon is in."
Now that's my kind of thinking.

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Keeps somebody from nailing a craftsman hood to a jetski

LMAO That's hilarious...

I was thinking more along the lines of unsafe,-- using nails.
We all know to zip tie it down then reinforce with duct tape. You wouldn't want the hood to come flying up and smash ya in the face  when your out bashing some waves with it.

 

muddstir wrote:

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Keeps somebody from nailing a craftsman hood to a jetski

LMAO That's hilarious...

I was thinking more along the lines of unsafe,-- using nails.
We all know to zip tie it down then reinforce with duct tape. You wouldn't want the hood to come flying up and smash ya in the face  when your out bashing some waves with it.

---I agree that more rules will result in a dull competition. And reinforcing your zip ties with duct tape is a must. :-) I still think tractor engines and transaxles should be used though. But beyond that and the tractor, for the most part, maintaining its original appearance I wouldnt wanna see a lot of limits hindering creativity.

Okay- so just for spits and giggles, I'm going to copy here the build rules for DIYGK. Now- You'll note that there are RULES, but they don't at all limit creativity- they are quite open in fact. Read them carefully. Of course, they would have to be altered to work here, but what I am trying to point out, is that rules can be written that will NOT result in the same tractor x10.

Keep in mind that the rules shown were as applied to a go kart/minibike type thing, but look them over and see what there is to see-

DIYGK Build-Off Contest Qualifications And Rules

Qualifying Vehicles-

1)Must be a small, personal-transportation type vehicle, capable of carrying operator, and not more than one additional passenger, generally resembling (but not limited to) a go kart, mini buggy, buggy, minibike, pocket bike, etc.

2)Must be self-propelled

3)Must be powered by an internal-combustion engine(s), electric motor(s) or any combination

4)No automobile, truck, SUV etc chassis allowed.

5)Must run on any number of wheels, tracks, skis, or any combination of these

6)Must be "complete" by deadline date. For our purposes, "complete" means- Starts, runs and drives under its own power. Remote throttle must be installed and operable without operator touching engine. Remote kill switch must be installed and operable without operator touching engine. Braking system must be installed and functional. Steering system must be installed and functional. The purpose of this rule is not only to define completeness for the contest, but to help ensure safety. Paint and related aesthetic touches are not mandatory to qualify as "complete" but may affect scoring.

7)Must NOT be more than 50% completed prior to the official start date. Previously completed builds or lightly modifying builds for the contest will not qualify. As part of qualification, contest entrants will post a picture of the major parts source(s), including a sign showing the commencement date and code word.

And no- I don't need permission to copy them over, I wrote them... LOL

Looks like a heck of a good start to me!

I think we should start out with a rally build for everyone to enter if they want. It would be a community vote where someone takes pics and lists stats from each build and puts them all in a thread. Then do what this forum does: http://www.beatyourtruck.com/forum/showthread.php?89374-July-August-Photo-Contest-choose-your-winner

Check it out. Its the best way. A mod could run it. Then have a community vote. May the best tractor win.
Definitely we should start with a rally build tho. I'm thinking we should start Jan 1st.

All engines should be allowed. If I want to put a 350 in my mower. I should still be able to do it, because I took the extra initiative to go above and beyond. Most stock dirtbikes that are old enough to steel the engine from don't make much more than 35 horses.. You can build a tractor engine if you want that kind of power out of it. I personally would rather see someone build there engine, then just throw something in. If you wanna win. EVERYTHING should be clean.

In the thread, for every entry, there should be 4 pics. One showoff pic of like it flexed or stanced out or whatever, a picture of it underneath, and the engine bay, and maybe 1 pic from the rear of it. Then maybe some stats, like what size tires, name of it, what it started out as, hp, special mods, and so on. It would be really cool.

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Okay- so just for spits and giggles, I'm going to copy here the build rules for DIYGK. Now- You'll note that there are RULES, but they don't at all limit creativity- they are quite open in fact. Read them carefully. Of course, they would have to be altered to work here, but what I am trying to point out, is that rules can be written that will NOT result in the same tractor x10.

Keep in mind that the rules shown were as applied to a go kart/minibike type thing, but look them over and see what there is to see-

DIYGK Build-Off Contest Qualifications And Rules

Qualifying Vehicles-

1)Must be a small, personal-transportation type vehicle, capable of carrying operator, and not more than one additional passenger, generally resembling (but not limited to) a go kart, mini buggy, buggy, minibike, pocket bike, etc.

2)Must be self-propelled

3)Must be powered by an internal-combustion engine(s), electric motor(s) or any combination

4)No automobile, truck, SUV etc chassis allowed.

5)Must run on any number of wheels, tracks, skis, or any combination of these

6)Must be "complete" by deadline date. For our purposes, "complete" means- Starts, runs and drives under its own power. Remote throttle must be installed and operable without operator touching engine. Remote kill switch must be installed and operable without operator touching engine. Braking system must be installed and functional. Steering system must be installed and functional. The purpose of this rule is not only to define completeness for the contest, but to help ensure safety. Paint and related aesthetic touches are not mandatory to qualify as "complete" but may affect scoring.

7)Must NOT be more than 50% completed prior to the official start date. Previously completed builds or lightly modifying builds for the contest will not qualify. As part of qualification, contest entrants will post a picture of the major parts source(s), including a sign showing the commencement date and code word.

And no- I don't need permission to copy them over, I wrote them... LOL

These are a nice set of rules.

But they say little about the fact, that you actually have to fabricate something.

So infact you could clone a snowmobile to a smallblock, WAIT   that would be awesome!

just wondering TBP but what exactly is a "rally mower" are we talking about painting it blue with gold rims, putting a spoiler and hood scoop on it and calling it a subamower? hahaha but seriously define the guidelines of a rally mower it would be easier to decide whether we would wanna do that if we had guidlines

redzz02 wrote:

just wondering TBP but what exactly is a "rally mower" are we talking about painting it blue with gold rims, putting a spoiler and hood scoop on it and calling it a subamower? hahaha but seriously define the guidelines of a rally mower it would be easier to decide whether we would wanna do that if we had guidlines

Pretty much a cross between offroad and racer.. like does 15 - 20 mph safely and will go down trails and mud and such. Kinda the best of both worlds.

By rally i meant offroad mower lol.

But here we have a 4-6 month build off and maybe someone builds some spraypainted pulley swapped mower and everything else is stock? I guess they can build what they like but have to remember if its worth entering.

Id like to make some suggestions so we can get the ball rolling on this.

What i like is having a engine that was in a mower at some point and time, must be safe (brakes, throttle, safe steering) like no strings for throttle, wire holding steering joints, and hoge poge work; everything secure

should be able to throttle up and down and shut off without laying a finger on the engine.

Should be less than 20% done before the comp starts

Can use any kind of way to make it drive (torque converter, belts, chains, shaft, hydraulic, ect.)

*Feel free to make suggestions*

1- Finished builds shall retain a general lawn tractor appearance (Four wheels, seating position in original location) If you can tell it's a lawn mower, your good.

2- Any ride on lawn mower type engine can be used. Other small motors such as motorcycle engines can be used but must be single cylinder. No huge V8's, VW engines, Sport bike 4 cyl's ect.

3- Mower should be build with safety in mind.

4- Judging based on popular vote (No idea how that would work). Final build pictures must be submitted before or on the final day of the build off. These should be two to three pictures. One picture must show the front and one side of the tractor. The second picture should show the rear and opposite side of the tractor. Third pic, if used can be whatever shot you want. Final build pics can be in a sepaerate thread at some point.

Just my thoughts. More or less, people can build what they want, without getting too out of hand/off topic. People have a wide choice of engines available and everything will more or less look like a lawn mower. Less strict rules mean much easier rule enforcement. Also I think it would encourage the most number of people to build something. I don't know about how many posts you have to make while building your tractor. I've seen on some forums where you have to make a post about it every set number of days or they delete your thread. I guess you should have some minimum, but maybe only once a month. If you took a few weeks off, what would you have to post? Of course you could post as often as you want. Which most people would anyway, if you were making progress. You guys can iron out the details of course, just thought something along these general lines would be less complicated to figure out.

--Any progress on this yet guys?
--Also, I still cant post pics on this site. Would I beable to post my thread on diykarts.com?
--on the argument of limitations, at first I thought it should be tractor motor, trans, chassies and all that. But the more I think about it I think id be cool to see some all out kinda builds. I still think a tractor motor and appearance should be maintained but why not let people build with atv parts or kart parts or whatever they feel they can use to build the best tractor they can build.
Personally I plan to use more tractor stuff since thats what I have. But if I had and atv for parts I'd be usin them weather it disqualified me or not cuz the goal is to build it as best as possable.
Safety is for shore a fair requirement. Beyond brakes I think tearaway killswitches like are required in racing should be a requirement. I plan to put one on mine reguardless of weather its required. Although it'll probably be homemade.