Lawn tractor land speed record

Moose wrote:

I think the mowrons have the right idea just gear up a 820 and maybe a couple other mods for stability at high speeds

I agree. I just wish em gears wernt so high.

"In the strictest sense". Was exactly my intention with what I wrote.

In the strictest sense, the word modified should be used, at least the moment that you have replaced a facory part with something different. And I mean different, not just a better version of the same thing.

IOW: Replacing a wheel that has bushings, with the same wheel, but with bearings. As long as it's the same wheel, and all you have upgraded is the bearings... Maybe tightened tolerances on the spindle... IMO, that is just an improved version of the same thing. Now, if you go with a completely different wheel and axle, etc... Like something off of a go cart or atv... Then you should include the word modified if you go for some kind of record.

Maybe a simpler way to put it would be.... The factory cut corners everywhere. They used pastic bushings, They didn't brace parts of the frame that need it. etc.

Improving those areas by adding bracing, and replacing the plastic parts with aluminum, or sintered bronze, or whatever.... As long as it is the same part... That is improving what is there. Not modifying.

But, for instance, taking out the factory steering and replacing it with direct steering... Or adding an external brake. That is modifying. Once you have done that, you should run it as a modified class. Not a 'true' tractor.

~~~~~~~

Yes, these are 'limited'. It's in the very nature of the beast.

It's why some of us enjoy making them better. We like to take something that is very limited, and make improvements. I don't know about anyone else, but I get a real kick out of improving and modifying, to make something that I like a lot better than factory stock. I like that, maybe as much as I like riding them.

When it comes to races, the "real thing" would be racing in the 'special olympics' of tractor races.

I don't get the problem that some have with that.

If it is a factory tractor, it is going to be limited by the very fact that they were never meant for any kind of speed.

But if you modify them, then they are no longer the tractors they were when they came from the factory. They are modified tractors. And comparing the race results with those of 'true' tractors, is, as I said in an earlier post... Like an olympic runner winning in the special olympics, and pretending like the victory really means something...

Mad Mudder wrote:

in my eyes in order for it to stay a "mower" it musty have a vertical engine it must still have the transaxle  

so what about both of my GT's that came from factory with horizontals? not a mower? hmm... oh, both have stock transaxles too

willis923 wrote:

Mad Mudder wrote:

in my eyes in order for it to stay a "mower" it musty have a vertical engine it must still have the transaxle  

so what about both of my GT's that came from factory with horizontals? not a mower? hmm... oh, both have stock transaxles too

I think he already explained that he didn't strictly mean vertical engine and nothing else. He meant, it must have the engine type that came with the tractor.

Mine was 53 in the video, I think. I did get 58 on another run. Stock 20hp Briggs. And it is heavy. I have it geared back to 45 now.

i did aready explain that if it came with the motor keep the motor and modify it dont start throwing racing build engines in it. stretch thats wicked fast for a rear engine rider. now does it have a gearbox or does it have a trans?

Its a front engine. Has a geared up 820 in it.

Well anyway, easiest way to get a record is to just call up the Guinness guys. As long as it has a mower hood and cuts grass, your good... I don't mind about changing things around a little, that's the fun in it anyway. No matter what you try to run though, to be on the safe side, you've gotta run faster than 116mph. Then no one can say too much.

Buy a racing kart chassis and Jr. Dragster tires, a 750 honda engine... Lol. Gear it for 130...

Im half tempted to build something up just to show that people can spend a little money and do it faster >.>

I'm trying to find some rules or guidelines on the stuff, but so far...

Rules: has to go fast

From what I could find out, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Assosiation has something to do with the speed record. One news story I found said that they sanction all lawn mower speed records (Except the ones they don't I guess). Also that Bobby Cleveland is involved with those guys...So anyway, sent a message to the USLMRA and recieved a message back pretty quickly from (Apparently) founder and president Bruce Kaufman. He directed me to heymow.com lawn mower racing forum. It's possible my message was misinterpreted. I realise it's kind of a one off thing, but there has to be someone somewhere who decides what's half way legal for the record and what isn't. For instance, in that video with Bob cleveland when he ran 80mph, he mentions only being able to use a 20hp engine although you can modify it. So I don't know if they're kind of going by the same rules they use for circle track racing or what. But anyway, mr.modified, on the hunt for the lawn mower land speed record...pfff.

Go get em tiger.

CornShuck4CE wrote:

Go get em tiger.

Bahaha, i know, he seems pretty determined.

We should leave him alone......

Well, if nothing else, i'm gonna beat stretch's unofficial 58mph run. I've got some ideas for major aerodynamic improvements while still keeping the basic lawn tractor look. I even thought about how you could have it still mow grass without messing up all the air flow. Oh yeah, new project! Basicly though, if someone wanted to do it "right", i'd say you'd have to start with a mower engine and then beat the honda 116 record. That's what I think would be the neatest thing to do. If you look through all the different internet articles on the honda record, in the comments there is usually at least one person mentioning something about the motorcycle engine. I don't know how much you can build up those engines and have them hold together. I imagine you can probably double the power relatively easily. Guess your talking about maybe 40-50hp? Pretty tough i'm guessing. Maybe room for one more record using mostly mower parts, then people with huge engines and some mower tin work have it from there.

Im pritty shur i read somewhere the honda THING has 109 hp.

mr.modified wrote:

Guess your talking about maybe 40-50hp?

Ive seen some guys with over $3,500 in racing outlaw mowers say they are pushing 115hp+ with a mower block. Pulling tractor guys too are nuts.

CornShuck4CE wrote:

Im pritty shur i read somewhere the honda THING has 109 hp.

I think the Honda thing has a lot of wind resistance though. And the rider/driver of all these mowers are sitting up in the wind too.

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Ive seen some guys with over $3,500 in racing outlaw mowers say they are pushing 115hp+ with a mower block. Pulling tractor guys too are nuts.

Well in that case no problem. Should be do-able while still using mower parts.

Found this too whilest looking around for info. I thought it was funny. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/world-speed-record-for-a-riding-lawn-mower-120mph

Quote :

You wont find Bobby's record in the Bonneville record books. Its not official like that. It was done more as a publicity deal. The track was rented by a group testing their motorcycle stremliner for the up coming speedweeks they had their own timing system etc. Bobby went in with them and done it. While I take nothing from what he did because he ran the speed which EC was apart of providing carb and jetting assistance, you wont find,it in any official record bookseven though it was timed at bonniville salt flats. As for an official record I belive the only true record on file as such is the project running blade, Hondas deal is a farce, thats not a mower and nothing about it is a mower except the body!!! It didnt even use blades to cut the grass it used a type of weed eater head run by electric motors. At least Bobby's used a real blade. SO for it to be in the record books someone will have to do the deal with Guiness or talk the Bonnieville folks into letting us join them during speedweeks (which aint happening) they wont no part of it. The texas mile allowed mowers for two years the year I was lined up to go they banned mowers. They were running them with the bikes and the bikers complained the mowers took too much of their time so now that option is no longer there. The only other option official record wise will be guiness book. Once thats done the basiis will be set for others to follow.

Found this out talking to folks at heymow.com

Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to research this.

mr.modified wrote:

Quote :

You wont find Bobby's record in the Bonneville record books. Its not official like that. It was done more as a publicity deal. The track was rented by a group testing their motorcycle stremliner for the up coming speedweeks they had their own timing system etc. Bobby went in with them and done it. While I take nothing from what he did because he ran the speed which EC was apart of providing carb and jetting assistance, you wont find,it in any official record bookseven though it was timed at bonniville salt flats. As for an official record I belive the only true record on file as such is the project running blade, Hondas deal is a farce, thats not a mower and nothing about it is a mower except the body!!! It didnt even use blades to cut the grass it used a type of weed eater head run by electric motors. At least Bobby's used a real blade. SO for it to be in the record books someone will have to do the deal with Guiness or talk the Bonnieville folks into letting us join them during speedweeks (which aint happening) they wont no part of it. The texas mile allowed mowers for two years the year I was lined up to go they banned mowers. They were running them with the bikes and the bikers complained the mowers took too much of their time so now that option is no longer there. The only other option official record wise will be guiness book. Once thats done the basiis will be set for others to follow.

Found this out talking to folks at heymow.com

I THINK all that means, is that if I call the Guiness people right now- I can officially get the record... LOL

Ok, since the Guinness world record guys seem to rule anything a mower, lets put a mower hood and rear fender on a corvette, and make it cut crass with weed wackers out the window.

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Ok, since the Guinness world record guys seem to rule anything a mower, lets put a mower hood and rear fender on a corvette, and make it cut crass with weed wackers out the window.

LOL

We NEED a "like" button here!

I ended up submitting an application for the record to Guinness. Apparently, they review your application and then send you the specs on what's required for whatever record your working on. You would think that they would have some of that info available somewhere for people to look up whenever they want. But I guess not. Anyway hopefully in six weeks or so, we will have some reliable info to look at directly from the people who are making the rules. Guess we'll see.

Finally got an email from guinness today...Looks like the rules are pretty open.

FASTEST LAWNMOWER
DEFINITION OF RECORD
This record is for the highest speed reached by a motor vehicle that is able to mow/cut grass.
This is to be attempted by an individual/team
This record is measured in kilometres per hour (km/h) with the equivalent imperial measurement in miles
per hour (mph).
GUIDELINES FOR FASTEST LAWNMOWER
1. The vehicle should move under its own power, and may not be towed.
2. The vehicle must intrinsically look like a ride-on lawnmower, at the discretion of
GWR.
3. Even if items are not made by commercial/professional enterprises, reasonable
standards of workmanship are required.
4. Accurate speed measurements should be taken by qualified individuals at a
suitable facility such as a vehicle testing ground or racing track.
5. The course used must be accurately measured by an independent, professional
surveyor. This person should also verify that the gradient is no greater than
1:1000.
GENERAL GUIDELINES

The name of the organisation, company or person(s) making the attempt must be
given, along with the date and place.

The speed should be an average of two runs, one in each direction on the same
course, the second run commencing within one hour of the first finishing. Both
runs must be made within an hour of each other.

Timing must be done using a chronograph activated by photo-electric timing
cells positioned at either end of the track. The timing area must be at least 100 m
in length.
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
 The person(s) operating the timing equipment must submit a written statement
on letterhead paper confirming their professional status and the results of the
timing.
 The person(s) who conducted the survey of the course must submit a written
statement on letterhead paper confirming their professional status and that
these requirements have been met.
 Statements from the timekeepers must also be submitted.
 Failure to include the required documentation will ultimately delay the outcome
of your claim or lead to its rejection.