Much needed tlc on my lifted craftsman

So three years ago when I originally built this mower, I kinda just throw it together and over looked some important issues. Well now it's time to address them. First I'm gonna put a kohler 20hp opposed in it. Wiring is not even close to being hooked up or right. The steering is broke and it's reserved lol yea didn't think that one throw when I did that. Needs more chassis supports and definitely a smaller pulley out front. No reason to be going 25-35 mph that High.. yea so basically a rebuild of a old build. Feel free to send some insight of what I'm doing wrong lol

Them big beefy tires make it look mean. I like it!
That kohler should sound good with a custom dual exhaust.

My uncle had them laying around and one day asks if I wanted them.. yep lol had them for about a week and then I was like well let's jack this thing up. Lol I'll have to get some pictures of how I've got them on there. Welded the front tires to some hubs but the rear I welded some 4on4 hubs to the trans axle about 5 years ago. It originally was a fast, big engine unit. 50mph in third, it's a three speed. But got the tires and decided that lifted mud mower was cooler lol

should matte clear the body, and repaint the rims black i love the look of it!

I was thinking black myself. Definitely not gonna paint it I love the rat rod look myself. I do have a sweet front bumper for it buts a a blue so that too will need a color change. I'll be sure to add pics as I get further into it. If I clear coat it it will shine right?? Idk if I want a shine on it.. idk definitely have a ton of ideas and allllllll kinda of parts mowers around lol.

Regular clear coat will shine, if you use a matte or flat clear it will not have a shine to it I say leave it all ratty and paint the rims and bumpers or what ever gloss black, would look neat as heck

Right on! That's what I was thinking. I kinda wanna redo the hood scoop and set the air filter up there but not a must have yet. I am tossing around the idea of making a butterfly type hood scoop and just run a second cable to foot pedal so it opens when I gas it.. I think the only pic of hood is in my profile. And by the way redzz02 I seen alot of your YouTube videos and you bub are a heck of builder. Can't wait to see whatever else you come up with.

Yeah that would be really neat like a blower scoop, and thanks man I really appreciate glad you like my junk!

That's a beefy looking tractor you have there. With that kohler twin, it will be powerful too!

I kinda wanna lock the rear but never seen a vid of someone else doing it. I don't even know what kind it is really. Kinda don't wanna split open and end up screw things up. guess I'll run it and see if i really need to. Idk maybe I'll give it a go, I'm sure someone on here has the knowledge. I'm really hoping to make a good sound exhaust on it, two into one is the goal. I think princess auto has a tip I have my eye on 30-40 bucks I think.

I really like the look of this one! If that trans is a three speed H-shift, I'd be willing to bet it's a Peerless 600. Would you mind posting a picture of the trans?

My guess it is a 4 speed (3 forward 1 reverse) probably built by Roper? They liked to build their own transaxles.

Either a peerless 600 series (633 included) or the 2300. Is the case cast iron or aluminum? Hi-low? Cast iron horizontal input without hi-low is a 2300. Vertical input aluminum case is a 600, and the horizontal input aluminum case with hi-low is a 633. All three are about the stoutest transaxles you can get.

If he has the original to the tractor, it should be a non-hi/low, with the pulley on top.

This I think should be his diagram. (just guessing on appearances, 1977 Craftsman?)

Yes its original to the tractor. And no it's not a hi-lo operation. It is the 3/1, witch really I think I like more than a 5 speed. idk haven't got to try my peerless 820 with a live axle ran through it yet. that one is going in my race mower. you can kind see it in the background there. That diagram does look like it. Thanks!! Anybody know if anyone has a video on doing one of those yet??

mightyraze wrote:

If he has the original to the tractor, it should be a non-hi/low, with the pulley on top.

This I think should be his diagram. (just guessing on appearances, 1977 Craftsman?)

That's a 600! Probably my favorite vertical input transaxle. Haha

That's a horizontal trans. Part number 76 in center of pic is where the drive pulley would go.

Sorry but Im not sure what you mean?

The pulley sits on top of trans, thus making it a horizontal trans, if you look at diagram, part number 76 would be where the top pulley would sit. In a horizontal fashion. Hope that helps.

Oh I see! Well I was calling it a vertical trans because the input shaft is vertical, same reason we can differentiate between horizontal and vertical engines. (vertical and horizontal crankshaft)

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Oh I see! Well I was calling it a vertical trans because the input shaft is vertical, same reason we can differentiate between horizontal and vertical engines. (vertical and horizontal crankshaft)

That's how I thought of it too, but I can see where it could get confusing so that's why I said on top!

Oh ok I can see what your saying. Yea for me I always just look at the piston of the pulley or whatever is driving it and just use that. But yea you have good point there AlliskidD21

No problem, haha. Looking forward to seeing what becomes of this build!

Unique looking Craftsman! What size is the lift?

About 8" on the lift. I didn't wanna go super high but basically I went high enuff so I could turn the front tires and just went with that.. it was a sketchy ride but hopefully i can get all the bugs and half as things worked out. With those tires on it I've got 9 1/2" clearance from bottom of trans axle to ground. and right about 15" in the front. I have no idea what the rims are from, a ATV but no clue what kind. 27x9.75-12 in the front and 27x12-10 in the rear. Tri-claw (back) and bi-claw (front)by mud machine I believe. Says 5psi inflation...