Craftsman 18hp Rally Mower

AllisKidD21 wrote:

I really like the way she's looking! The axle supports sorta make it look like it has IRS when you look from the back, haha.

What do you think about some rounded fenders from like a Sears garden tractor or something? That might look pretty good.

IRS I wish! Haha. I would use sears fenders if I had them. I actually have a idea of what I'm gonna do if it works I post it up tonight.

I think I figured out a fender solution.



There off of my Kandi 150cc go kart. They aren't ideal and they may not be permanent but they will do for now.



I made this bumper at school about a month ago and I wasn't totally sure if I wanted to use it or not but I decided it would be fime so I welded it on. Its made out of mostly 14 gauge so its kinda weak but it should be fine for this application.



I got my clutch in and it seems like it is going to work fine but there is no telling until I test drive it. I just need to add a couple idlers so the belt will clear the shifting linkage.

Heck yeah oppy power. Nice machine.

I like the fenders you went with. They give give your machine a unique rally stance. i think the bumper is plenty strong enough being made out of 14 gauge rectangular tubing and it looks good too.

Thanks! I appreciate the imput.

You fender solution does look nice!  Very rugged looking.

MightyRaze wrote:

You fender solution does look nice!  Very rugged looking.

Thanks. I like them so far and because the they are flexible plastic the hope is they will survive a roll over.

Cool! The flat fenders add to to low profile rally look in my opinion, makes it looks pretty sleek. Probably shaved some weight too! Haha.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Cool! The flat fenders add to to low profile rally look in my opinion, makes it looks pretty sleek. Probably shaved some weight too! Haha.

U need weight in the rear to get traction!

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Cool! The flat fenders add to to low profile rally look in my opinion, makes it looks pretty sleek. Probably shaved some weight too! Haha.

U need weight in the rear to get traction!

I mean, I was just joking around but okay.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Cool! The flat fenders add to to low profile rally look in my opinion, makes it looks pretty sleek. Probably shaved some weight too! Haha.

U need weight in the rear to get traction!

I mean, I was just joking around but okay.

Oh LOL so I'm prolly retarded! hadnt realized that....

Those fenders look cool but might throw some mud on your heels. Might just have to see. I think they look pretty slick

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Those fenders look cool but might throw some mud on your heels. Might just have to see. I think they look pretty slick

I'm gonna make supports for the foot boards that should add some additional coverage.

I think I neglected to mention this before but I needed to move the battery so I could put the gas tank under the hood. So I put it under where the gas tank is gonna go. I cut this access hole for it and I going to make a little door for it so it stays protected and dry but I can still take it out or give someone a jump pretty easily.

I think Stretch44875 and TheRainbowBoxer did something very similar on their rally mowers. There batteries are in between the steering box and the motor instead of off to one side.

Awesome Idea!!

Huge thanks to CraftsmanQuad19 for sending me this gas tank, steering box, and few business cards so I can spread the word. I owe you one man you saved me some money!

I was going to try to throw this thing together this weekend for a test drive but I decided I needed to slow down and do some more frame bracing and paint before I can drive it. The weather is bad anyway so it's fine. Wth any luck I'll at least be able to dtart it up sunday.

Glad everything made it ok. Was worried the nipple on the bottom of the tank would break off or the steering shaft would punch a hole in the box

Hopefully you can put it all to use haha, I just want a bigger tank

I was inspired by CQ to try to use some angle iron to get rid of the remaining frame flex.




I welded on a piece of angle from where the front of the foot boards should be to the front trans mounts on each side. Although it did get rid of most of my frame twist I think if I had used longer pieces that ran from my front axle channel all the way to the back of the frame it would have completely eliminated all the twist. Oh well it still helped alot. My stock foot boards no longer bolt on but I have a plan for that.

Nice frame work MJ! Should help out with the flex. I ran some angle steel along the outside of my MTD's frame back in the day, worked real good for solidifying 'er up. Haha.

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

lookin good!

Thanks!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Nice frame work MJ! Should help out with the flex. I ran some angle steel along the outside of my MTD's frame back in the day, worked real good for solidifying 'er up. Haha.

Thanks AllisKid! I was originally gonna skimp on the frame bracing but I decided that it needed to happen.

mowerjunkie03 wrote:

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Nice frame work MJ! Should help out with the flex. I ran some angle steel along the outside of my MTD's frame back in the day, worked real good for solidifying 'er up. Haha.

Thanks AllisKid! I was originally gonna skimp on the frame bracing but I decided that it needed to happen.

Good plan buddy. I never thought I needed it. Then I went to haspin.

Well I didn't get that much done this weekend but I started figuring out my foot boards.




I just added in a section of tube that my stock foot boards are going to sit over. It sounds weird but it will be good I think.

It doesn't sound weird at all to me. Wheel Horse floor boards are supported by round stock that is welded to the frame underneath. The floorboards are held on to that with something similar to a one hole strap for securing conduit.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

It doesn't sound weird at all to me. Wheel Horse floor boards are supported by round stock that is welded to the frame underneath. The floorboards are held on to that with something similar to a one hole strap for securing conduit.

Wow I'm really jealous that you have a Wheel Horse. I have never even seen one.

Those running boards frames are cool! They look like rock rails, haha. Should be pretty solid!