"NellyBelle" Craftsman LT1000 [2018 Build-Off Entry]

biggasmowers wrote:

I think the sway bar is for keeping the axle from rotating forward and back under acceleration/braking and the track bar keeps the axle from having right and left movement. Not sure how the sway bar pivots but the way the track bar is mounted allows each side to go up and down .

Seems like it would just lock up the axle. I just don't understand, and I don't want to start on it until I do.

all a sway bar does is transfer pressure from one tire to the other and body roll.


Edit
sorry didnt see the video, thats a good video too

A track bar is neccessary for most solid axle setups to locate the axle. Without one your axle will be potentially moving side to side while driving. If done wrong it can limit movement, but if you make it as level as possible and fairly long it will work fine.

Here's my track bar on the MTD



A sway bar and sway bar links are to prevent body roll when turning at high speeds, but as others have said you don't really need that most likely for your setup.

THE GOD HAS SPOKEN!

Carl I think you started something.

You guys, hahaha.

That ones pretty good mighty.

So this build is on hold for a while, but I think I can finish it before the build off is up.  Mean time, I been thinking.  I want this build to go really fast, and have full suspension, and be very reliable.  The rear suspension is probably going to flex the transaxle and crack the case.  So what if I used a gear box or something?

I could mount it upside down, and run a sprocket drive to a live rear axle.  As those of you who have seen my rear suspension know, I could easily mount a pair of pillow block bearings to the rear suspension and have a life axle.  This would eliminate the trans issue, and the belt alignment issue from trans movement.  I could then run a high ratio from the engine to the gear box and then run a 1-1 or maybe a 1-2 from the gear box to the axle, speeding this tractor up and making it reliable at the same time, especially since the gear boxes have a low gear reduction. And I know I'd have a bad turn radius, but mud lites on a live axle ain't never getting stuck so it's worth it, haha!
Only issue is acquiring the gear box. I'd like to do this locally, so any ideas on where to find one?

So you're thinking of a swing arm setup?

I have a swing arm setup. I'm afraid of flexing the trans so instead I want to put a live axle on it.

I don't know if just using a gear box is a good idea because with that setup you'd only have fast and faster, sorta useless. Be better to use a Peerless 700 or similar transmission. But come on, wouldn't a transaxle setup be much cooler? I think if you did the forward mount for the transaxle attatched to one of the radius arms like I've mentioned, the transaxle would be solid enough. Also fab up a track bar setup so that the trans doesnt try and move side to side, because that could wreck something for sure.

Keep the trans, get a welder and make a custom tranny holder that holds the tranny and takes all of the flex away.

I like the idea like AllisKidD21 said of using a peerless 700 driving a live axle on a swing arm.

I also like the idea of keeping the transaxle you have, getting rid of the rear suspension, run it until it breaks, and then build your live axle swing arm setup.

Both Ideas are cool. But I think, it's better to use a gearbox (in some old Murrays are 5 speed Gearboxes with chain driven rear axles) because it's easier to build, and more solid, you do'nt need to mess you with the Problem of the Belt Adjustment on the rear while suspension, ....

AllisKidD21 wrote:

I don't know if just using a gear box is a good idea because with that setup you'd only have fast and faster, sorta useless. Be better to use a Peerless 700 or similar transmission. But come on, wouldn't a transaxle setup be much cooler? I think if you did the forward mount for the transaxle attatched to one of the radius arms like I've mentioned, the transaxle would be solid enough. Also fab up a track bar setup so that the trans doesnt try and move side to side, because that could wreck something for sure.

Well keep in mind the build goal.  As fast as I can make it, with a lot of ground clearance and low center of gravity and a comfy ride.  A transaxle is very prone to breaking under those circumstances. As for the fast and faster, I have something up my sleeve for that.
(P.S. When I said gear box, I meant something like a Peerless 700 or the Foote clone of it.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

I like the idea like AllisKidD21 said of using a peerless 700 driving a live axle on a swing arm.

I also like the idea of keeping the transaxle you have, getting rid of the rear suspension, run it until it breaks, and then build your live axle swing arm setup.

Yeah but I'd prefer NOT to break my 920, lol.

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

Both Ideas are cool. But I think, it's better to use a gearbox (in some old Murrays are 5 speed Gearboxes with chain driven rear axles) because it's easier to build, and more solid, you do'nt need to mess you with the Problem of the Belt Adjustment on the rear while suspension, ....

Yeah that's what I had in mind.  And limited belt slip, because the belt is small and up and out of the way.

So as for what I have up my sleeve....

Alright, that's all I'm going to say on that....

While that is a super neat idea, I don't know if a bicycle de-railer like that would hold up to the torque and speed. If you do decide to try and it remember that it might not work so well with reverse.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

While that is a super neat idea, I don't know it a bicycle de-railer like would hold up in that application. If you do decide to try and it remember that it might not work so well with reverse.

Yes I know reverse won't work in the current set up. Might be able to get it to tho.  I think it will hold up fine, it's an idler sprocket that the chain sits on and when you push it to the side it pushes the chain to the side.
Edit: This also is not my idea, RatherBeWelding has this setup on his ATV.

I was actually just thinking of this setup the other day

Bicycle chain isn't gonna hold up to that kinda torque, not for long at least.

I've always wanted to put bike tire a on a mower and take it through some deep mud and see how it does.

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

Bicycle chain isn't gonna hold up to that kinda torque, not for long at least.

The chain ain't what worries me, it's the thin sprocket. About 1/8" thick. The derailer can easily be reinforced.

biggasmowers wrote:

I've always wanted to put bike tire a on a mower and take it through some deep mud and see how it does.

Yeah it would need some guards for the chain for sure. Don't plan to test it in a mud hole (don't have any in dry Texas lol) but if I did the chain might get clogged.

I thought about putting some bicycle tires on the front lol, that'd be cool. But that chain really won't hold up for long. Neither will the sprocket.

Is it possible to convert the chained reverse on the 5 speed 920 to geared reverse?  Could I use any gears that will fit, or does it have to be a gear designed to be a reverse gear?  And is is possible to slow the ratio down while I'm at it because last time I drove this thing reverse was like 6 mph at idle, and that's just a little crazy, especially since I am using a slightly smaller rear pulley so it will then be faster....

I think to do that the main and countershafts in the trans would have to be swapped out for the ones with the geared reverse, like from an MST. I doubt that's all though, and I also doubt the shafts would interchange perfectly.

Yeah, at least the countershafts would have to be changed. Input shaft might be in the wrong location too.