chain and sprocket steering

Has anyone tried a chain and sprocket steering setup on there mower? 

I havnt... but think Ill have to do something like that to save some space...

Id be curious if anyone else has, and if theyve had any troubles with it...

Ive thought of doing it before but never tried.

Some vintage tractor, I forget which, used a static chain and a gear rode against it to turn a single front wheel. Was pretty neat, wish I snagged a pic when i seen it.

Doug wrote:

Ive thought of doing it before but never tried.

Some vintage tractor, I forget which, used a static chain and a gear rode against it to turn a single front wheel. Was pretty neat, wish I snagged a pic when i seen it.

The old steam tractors used this kind of chain steering.

Yeah those old girls where usually all setup something like that. Really low ratio too, they gotta turn the steering wheel like a hundred times to get 'er to fully turn, hahaha!

No this was different, it used roller chain welded in a half moon and had a gear turn around it.

Was it a Ridemaster?

I tried running a roller chain on motors the way you are suggesting with the steering, a couple of times. I had to keep the chain really tight or would come off, and when the chain did stay on the sprockets you can hear the chain popping while it would come onto the sprocket because of the droop in the chain. Very unsettling noise it made. Ended up switching to belts both times I did it. I guess chains don't like running sideways.

Hillbilly Homer wrote:

Was it a Ridemaster?

Hey a Bolens! Those Ridemasters are cool machines.

Hillbilly Homer wrote:

Was it a Ridemaster?

No Not remembering is really bugging me lol.

One of the things i am concerned about is getting weeds,sticks and stuff in between the chain and sprockets.

Could make a chain guard. Find some U channel aluminum, cut wedges out so you can bend it around.

Thank you Sir

The cable style boat steering works good if you have cable guides to keep them in the pulley