100$ Dation 16HP MTD 990 "Mud Train"

so 2 thins on this project,
1, been playing with what i got, and i think i found a use for a tire i cant sell for 25$, so i think i might get another one, 2 of these rims https://recstuff.com/trailer-tires-wheels/trailer-wheels/15-trailer-rims/15x5-5-lug-on-4-5-silver-mod-trailer-wheel/
with some trailer hubs to mach
extend the front axle out a bit, and make the hubs mount about 2" higher than they would normally.



thing 2, my boss has been the devil in my ear on this project and he has me convinced i should use credit to get a diesel for this thing. so if my 16hp goes in to retirement. im shooting for a 2-3 cylinder, then paying it off over 2 years.

it sounds to iresponceible to me to spend so much on anything, but my boss you could die to morrow so live it up while you can talk was pretty convincing.

Glowing exhaust would indicate a lean running engine. Adjust or clean your carb.

Diesel isn't worth it, not a useful gain of power for the price of diesel. However if you wish to go that direction it's up to you.

I wouldn't put those tires on. You're gonna break, like, everything

dude, i think a setup with trailer hubs and rims would work out better than these tiny wobboly plastic bushing wheels.

I'm talking like your front axle and steering lol

If i played it safe with dinky and never broken anything dinky would suck, lol.

also bigger wheels would be less stress, as i wont be constantly slaming in to stuff thats to tall for them to get over. thoes little rims i got now struggle with big curbs.

and i already broke and braced part of the steering once from my small wheels, my tie rod is angle iron, that rod from my steering box to front axle is braced with rebar.

ok, so game plan:

Wheels

then motor decision

then mount plow on hydraulics

i got the plow mid winter but i wanted to get the train setting level before fabricating mounts.

as long as the steering is well braced and can handle the stresses i like the bigger tires on the front, i'm not sure what diesel costs there but here it's only a little higher than regular gas something like $2.70gal so if you're willing to go into debt for one i'd go for it

your diesel only gas 2.70 a gal? ours is 4.somthg a gal.
the 990s steering is pretty robust, quite similar to later MTD steering, but with a bigger gear.

my boss made me look at the diesel price differently than i originally was, i saw it as irresponsible and close to 2000$

my boss got me to look at it as 80$ a month, witch is easily doable.

though i see a problem. the inline 3's i have been looking at have no crank shaft for me to mount my drive shaft to. the v-twins are not going to fit with my gas tank. and i dont want to go back to a 1 gallon. i love that big tank.

i think a smaller inline 2 would be what the doctor ordered, but if i never saw one before i would say they dont exist. now funning thing is on FB market place some one is actually selling a cub cadet with a 3 cyl yanmar for 1500. but cant use paypal credit for that so even thogh thats a win/win i cant do it.


my mind is not made up, so im gonna keep looking around. and im dealing with motor before plow incase i have to extend frame.

UPDATE, im likely going for that cub, just need to conferm ride. its only 1400$ and he dose paypal credit, so instead of 73$ a month for a twin i could do more like 50$ a month for a tripple.

gas here is $2.58gal atm for regular unleaded and diesel is running around the $2.70 mark, the cub looks like a basket case, and will need to be put together, unless you just pull the motor for the mud train, it also looks to need a radiator hopefully it has it with it and it's in good shape

I support your build plans to 1000%!
Get the Diesel Cub!!!

darkside0914 wrote:

gas here is $2.58gal atm for regular unleaded and diesel is running around the $2.70 mark, the cub looks like a basket case, and will need to be put together, unless you just pull the motor for the mud train, it also looks to need a radiator hopefully it has it with it and it's in good shape

hold up, radiator? i have never touched any thing that needed one, i would be worried of the radiator flailing on a ride and killing the motor. if it needs one i might not go for it. not only that i would not know were to get one or how to hook it up.

Yeah, any large diesels are going to be liquid cooled, not air cooled.

i would think it would use something like a motorcycle radiator, it should have a water pump on the engine so hook up would be nothing but 2 hoses and as long as it's protected from anything hitting it and in good shape it shouldn't fail, it should have had a fan on the front of the engine but i'm not seeing one, unless it had an electric fan which is an easy hookup, both radiator and electric fan should be easily gotten at a junkyard that deals in wrecked motor cycles or off ebay

well ile have to talk to this dude selling it, because i cant get to junk yard, no car, and no nothing about liquid cooled motors. if the motor dose not have all it needs to run its a no go.

So "The Wheel Is In Set In Motion" 2 weeks i look in to motor.

HELL YEAH!!!

Cant wait to see it!

im getting these installed right. friend with tire shop said end of the day tomorrow.

neat!!!!

i did it, and its awesome... but the starter generator hits wheel alot on left side. lots of clearance on right side. just another excuse to go diesel. right now im running 5psi in rears and 30psi in front till my beads good and set, things can level out lator.

what about putting on wheel spacers, a 1 1/2 inch spacer could be all you need to get the wheels away from the starter/generator, it does look bad ass with the new wheels and tires on it

OH YEAH!!!
I LOVE THAT SETUP SO BADLY!!!!

For once, I'm going to have to agree with Richie and say yeah, that's going to break something. You're going to break a spindle off, or maybe even break the axle in half. They aren't designed for tires that big.

darkside0914 wrote:

what about putting on wheel spacers, a 1 1/2 inch spacer could be all you need to get the wheels away from the starter/generator, it does look bad ass with the new wheels and tires on it

that was my 1st thought... but i dont know if i can get spacers for trailer bolt paturn.

Double W Cross Ranch wrote:

For once, I'm going to have to agree with Richie and say yeah, that's going to break something.  You're going to break a spindle off, or maybe even break the axle in half.  They aren't designed for tires that big.

i still disagree, im taking alot of stress of the front axle, instead of just slamming it in to things trying to make the front wheels get over stuff. it will be easy and near stress free on front end. and thats the only way i have ever caused damage to a front axle. small tires has caused me problems on 4 front axles.