New Young Builder

Hey everyone. so I registered last year and i havemt been on very much. But im going to try to be on a lot more now. I am considering entering the build off for some fun because looked at last years winner and i do not have enough money to do something that complicated. But anyway I am looking for a tractor on craigslist to start with. ive been looking at an older JD 180, and if i get it im going to make the best out of my money. And just go into it simple and work my way to more complex things. If you guys have any suggestions for a first time builder. PLEASE leave them below. i would love to hear some knowledge. Thanks for reading this and have a great day.  

This is a picture of the JD.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!!  

On that note, that John Deere 180 will be sick off road!  Any other details on it?

@Double W Cross Ranch So honestly im on a huge budget. And ive been thinking. So that john deere would cost money. So i thought. Well my friend has an old noma with all wheel steering and he would give it to me for free. But the problem is that the engine is completely not working, no matter what he does to it. So it would be cheaper to get a brand new predator and stick it into the noma. plus who doesnt want all wheel steering. But i dont know how to take a horizontal shaft engine and use it as a vertical shaft engine. So if you could tell me how to do that i would be amazed, because i havent found a thing online that says anything about doing that.



Thats the noma. It not the exact one but its the same kind.

I mean i have money to spend i just wouldnt have a lot after I bought a mower.

Just going with a Briggs single would be your cheapest and easiest route. Reliable and cheap. Some guys on here criticize their power, but it has plenty for me. My mower actually was an all wheel steer mower, made by noma lol. But look around at the local junkyard or Craigslist. Or if you get it and explain everything you’ve checked with the engine, we could help you get it running

@CraftsmanQuad19 Ok Thanks i will try to get it as soon as possible. I should be able to get it pretty soon because the mower is only 3 doors down.

Buy the noma for the rear end that has steering, and put it in the front of the john deere to make a 4x4! I like my john deere a lot. It has a strong c channel frame, cast iron front axle, factory double clutch pulley and the steering is great.

LOL, I’m not that advanced.

Yeah I'd just keep it aws and run it like that, that would make it harder for you to get stuck, as you then have several angles to get traction.
I'd reccomend a Briggs vertical too.

Ok.

So i contacted my friend and hes going to give it to me. LOL, I now have a non running mower from like the 90s.

It’s 80s or 90s. The numbers on the engine will say for sure

Welcome! I agree with the other fellas that a Briggs model 25 or 28 flathead would be a good engine to pick. They are a bit of a heavy single, but they're super reliable engines and they are very simple to work on.

@AllisKidD21 Im gonna try to get the kohler command pro 15 hp working.

Kohler? Ouch, good luck. Parts are a little expensive and they’re more complicated to work on. It’s not impossible, but much harder than a Briggs flathead single cylinder

Well I’m sure I can figure something out. Because it will start with starter fluid. But yeah.

oh then the worst it could be would be a new carb.  not too hard on the wallet.  But probably just a carb clean, maybe a fuel line issue.

Ok. I will update you guys tomorrow when I can go down there and get pics.

Well, does it have a fuel pump? I know even some of those newer Kohlers had a mechanical pump on the side of the block. I'd check the operation of that first.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07179XPNN/ref=asc_df_B07179XPNN5375732/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B07179XPNN&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198123788296&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4601054470371012254&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027411&hvtargid=pla-349269341480

If that is the correct carb, I would just buy a new one.  With the carb cleaner, gaskets, it'll end up at about $15, and with how hard it is to reassemble a carb without it leaking, it's worth it to me.

While you're at it and have the intake taken apart, I'd recommend getting a snorkel/cold air intake.  I have one on NellyBelle, and it performs great! Cost me about $7 worth of parts at TSC.  Allows you to rev higher, and cross deeper water without getting water in the engine and destroying it.

Just a couple of tips, you ought to get a build thread so we can talk about this more in depth.  Also, if you are low on money, what I do is sell the deck and stuff like that, you can make a few hundred dollars off of that, gets you really far as far as tires and stuff.

Edit: Yeah the fuel pump idea is a good one, didn't think about that. Starting off of starter fluid only means a fuel delivery issue, so anything fuel related should be checked.

ok. I will create a build thread right after this. I will also check out all the fuel stuff tommorow. And also i have kind of kept my budget in the air. But my actual budget is $600, but i'd like to spend as little of that as possible.