2016 Build Off Discussion

I've bought a 6.5hp honda clone to use in my build, along with various other bits. Fingers crossed I can get it qualified.

Has anyone else been sitting in garage last 2 days, day dreaming and going nuts not being able to work on their project waiting for the build off to start? I was gonna spray WD40 yesterday on all the rusted bolts but I felt it would be cheating so I didn't. lol I am off work tomorrow so I hope I can least do a tear down. I at least tinkered with my racing mower some but thats it.

Hopefully getting a plow blade for the build tomorrow, and going to figure out how my steering is going to mount in along with a housing for the battery. Lots to do, have a needs to be running deadline for july as i want to take it to a set of races i missed out on last year.

well!! one more night to wait I finaly get all my major part. I hope my project will be aprove I think I may push some rules to the limit

At the limit is where the fun is at. Let the build off begin!

wow lot of brig brand this year , few JD, some Cub, 1 Massey and more this will be interesting NICE!!!

We never know we might get more visibility and more popular and building lawn tractor still cheaper than atv and other stuff like that and as a 4x4 guy I will said NOT less interesting

so my two words is dont be shy to bring your rigs in fairs and show or in trail and be seen

How bout dem finishers.

Awesome job they did!

I actually had mine finished on time this year. In fact far ahead. Unlike the baja sears being just put together last minute or my 2015 entry with no paint.... Nice to see a record number of finishers. I already have a plan in place for a possible 2017 entry.... Who was the one that was making a machine with shortened car axles? Guess that didn't get finished? I should look through some of the threads, I can't remember what's what.

mr.modified wrote:

Who was the one that was making a machine with shortened car axles? Guess that didn't get finished? I should look through some of the threads, I can't remember what's what.

Look at the one called "Not the Norm"

Voting was hard as I have more than one favorite!

Would my slingshot dragster build fit the requirements for the 2017 build off? It uses an engine off of a murray LT and front and rear axles off of a Crafstman II, everything else will be hand fabricated by me. Other than some sheetmetal around the rear tires to keep from ripping all the skin off your arms, I dont plan on much if any body work, just a tube frame. The only fab work I have done so far is playing with my new metal shaping tools by building a prototype for the fuel cell. Trying to flange a 5" perfect circle is a hell of a lot harder than I thought and getting a good bead on rusty 20ga with a flux core mig is damn near impossible, so wont be using those parts. I have a bad habit of starting projects like this and losing interest at the 75% done stage. This would keep me motivated and adding posts to the build thread I have already started.

Here is a link to the rules for the past couple years.  You can read those and I bet Doug will chime in as well.

https://www.atltf.com/t4781-2016-build-off-competition-instructions-and-qualification-rules

Not sure if what you described would be considered a "Space Frame" or not.

I read through the 2016 rules and I believe the frame meets the specifications. I had not planned on it, but I could add some LT sheet metal and it would look like a top fuel funny car version of a mower.

tater195 wrote:

Would my slingshot dragster build fit the requirements for the 2017 build off? It uses an engine off of a murray LT and front and rear axles off of a Crafstman II, everything else will be hand fabricated by me. Other than some sheetmetal around the rear tires to keep from ripping all the skin off your arms, I dont plan on much if any body work, just a tube frame. The only fab work I have done so far is playing with my new metal shaping tools by building a prototype for the fuel cell. Trying to flange a 5" perfect circle is a hell of a lot harder than I thought and getting a good bead on rusty 20ga with a flux core mig is damn near impossible, so wont be using those parts. I have a bad habit of starting projects like this and losing interest at the 75% done stage. This would keep me motivated and adding posts to the build thread I have already started.

I think the main frame needs to be made of angle iron or square tubing I think. Doc looked at my tank in the beginning and got a second opinion to make sure my tank frame qualified for last years build off. You can use round tubing for mounting the parts like the dash, column support, and so on.

The chassis thing was added to prevent people making/ using rock crawlers, go-karts, Ariel Atom-esque frames, etc. You might have to incorporate more of the tractor frame or body panels to have it pass. It needs to somehow resemble a tractor in more ways more than a slingshot made with tractor parts. Youll also have to prove that the build isnt already mostly done.

It still looks like the pic in the thread. The frame will be thick wall 1" ladder frame.

It might. Like said, it has to be resemblant of a tractor somehow. And it has to be not built before the start. So if you dont work on it at all until Feb it might get in, but its too soon to tell at the moment.

That's what I wanted to get it ok'd now. Don't want to put it off for 60 days then find out it isn't kosher

It would probably have to be discussed between Admins (@Doc Sprocket @stretch44875) to get approved, cause I'm not 100% sure. There might be a few rule tweaks as well that might effect it, but that comes after we get through this years Build-Off.

With sheet metal, it would resemble something like this with a ladder frame and a cowl where the step through is, with rear fenders extended, seat behind axle and roll cage.

Yea, that should be compliant no prob.

Great! Now I can start designing the build around that, instead of the direction I was going. Its easier to play the game when you understand the rules.

Now for the next question... what constitutes the "no more than 50% pre build" on this? I am starting from scratch. If all I did on a running LT was a pulley swap and tire change, would that fit the 50% rule? Not trying to be a jackass, I just want to understand the rules. I could build 6 of these in 9 months, I just dont know how far I can go in the next 60 days.

I think the 50% rule is to stop precisely what you mentioned. Someone doing a pulley swap and paintjob and calling it a build. You can go as far as you think half way is, but it's up to the Administrators to decide.

tater195 wrote:

Now for the next question... what constitutes the "no more than 50% pre build" on this? I am starting from scratch. If all I did on a running LT was a pulley swap and tire change, would that fit the 50% rule? Not trying to be a jackass, I just want to understand the rules. I could build 6 of these in 9 months, I just dont know how far I can go in the next 60 days.

When posting your thread, you need to take pictures of your parts pile, etc, as well as write up what all needs to be done to it. If it doesnt sound/ look like you have a whole lot to do, it won't qualify (see: what you described). mr.modifieds 2014 Baja Sears build is a perfect example of a started build that was already started but still had over 50% of work to be done to it. The required status updates are partially to uphold that requirement as well.

Best thing to do is just gather up parts and get your plan finalized until the start.