New guy, first Off Road/ Utility tractor build.

That was the intention, I actually just put a piece of electrical tap over that "corner" of the light and it turned out pretty neat. Thanks.

Not hard to imagine why I'm liking this build!

I am looking at figuring out some fender flares for the rear, and I need to figure out how to get the most out of one of these "shift on the go" type drive mechanisms, the type that has two pulleys stacked on top of one another, and I am experiencing some slip issues when my belts and pulleys get wet.
Thanks for the support.

This is a great video on how it works.

https://www.atltf.com/t3364-mtd-trans-matic-vari-drive-shift-on-the-go-demo?highlight=vari+drive

Maybe another spring on the rear idler, not really sure.

I love what your doing to this it's starting to look a lttle like my mower I love these old mtds there do easy to mod up look at my mower and one of the videos I put up I have got real cool febder flars on it that u can use and for the belt prob I have the same set up as u and what I did was get a cevlar belt on it and got a tighter spring from the dubble pulleys to the frame I have had water the the seat and I had no slipige at all

You should name it sherman :p

With all the playing around I have been doing and hauling trailers that are clearly overloaded, I managed to break my welded transaxle. I took it all apart and found that my welds that I had done with my little flux core welder broke, but I have since gotten a good HTP Mig welder, so I cranked that baby up and spray welded that sucker back together. I'm sure this light weight transaxle will find another place to break, but we'll see.

These were made from standard lawn edging

looks good almost looks like my mower

For all those that might be interested my locked rear trans is still holding up well. I am interested in getting a one different though, this system definitely has it's weak points. I picked up an older craftsman mower a while back and thought of using the trans off of that but that mower works so dang good as an actually lawn mower I cant bring my self to pull it apart. I got it for 25 bucks, from my neighbor who was moving.

Looks really good!!! Dig those tires

Just hauling some fire wood with the mower. It gets the job done.

Thanks Carshowkid, they have some bite to em' that's for sure. The true test will be when I start to push snow with this machine and the snow plow I built for it.

steelshooter wrote:

Thanks Carshowkid, they have some bite to em' that's for sure. The true test will be when I start to push snow with this machine and the snow plow I built for it.

nice! That will for sure be a test!... Is it hard to make a plow for a tractor? Is there a link I missed on this site??? Cause if I could build one... Then I don't have to buy one for $150-$300

It was pretty easy to build the plow, I did it in a weekend. I am really excited for the snow this year so I can try this contraption out. I think my biggest problem will be traction so I might have to find a set of chains for it, we'll see though. Thanks

steelshooter wrote:

I think my biggest problem will be traction.

with mud tires and a locked diff... I would think you will be fine... But idk...

I hope so. I did just complete a nice upgrade though. I added a 12v outlet for use with a spotlight and other accessories. This is a nice outdoor rated outlet that has a rather strong latch on the front to keep out water and other elements. This was a simple mod, but really adds to the usability of the mower. I got this item at an O' Reillys' store for about 15 bucks.

With the added 12v outlet, that make me want more electrical power for brighter lights and things, has anybody ever mounted a vehicle alternator to a mower and whats the best way of doing it? I have a pretty good idea for the brackets, but the electrical is my weak point. Thoughts?

LAWN MOWER MUDDER wrote:

Make like  fearlessfront style pull start and attach an alternator to it. If you still want a pull start put a double pulley on the top.

that is your answer... Or attach it underneath the tractor... But then you risk getting it wet... Or put a pulley and a long rod going to the top of the tractor... (Under dash or something) with a pulley on the top of the rod and put the alternator there... But that would be mostly the same as a pulley on top of the engine

Well, I'm still thinking of the best way to mount an alternator, I like the idea of mounting it above, near the engine but, the engine bay is tight. But for right now, the rider now has a name. It will be called the MCV (Mission Capable Vehicle).