[FINALIST] - AK's LT-08 Rat Rod Tractor Build [2019 Build-Off Entry]

Thanks a lot fellas!!

I actually managed to work at it and get the clutch pretty much done today.

I didn't take as many pictures as I should've... but basically I used sort of a bell-crank setup to transfer the motion from the clutch pedal rock shaft to the clutch idler arm.

This is the upper portion of it:



The pivot point is an automotive flat idler clamped to the inside of the frame with a U-bolt, so the whole thing pivots on a bearings.

Had to make a special bolt for the upper arm so it would lock in place but still be removable:



Simple clutch spring setup:



And the lower arm and linkage:





Finally, the function!





It works!! Hahaha. Ran out of time to do a test with the engine running, but that should be pretty soon now. The clutch needs a couple things as well like a stronger spring and possibly a lower linkage mount on the idler arm so I get a bit more throw out of it. But as it is now it fully engages and disengages, so I'm happy!

Let me know what ya think!

Very nice... Definitely unique looking.

Not sure if you mean unique looking in a good or bad sense.. but either way, thanks Mighty!

That’s built to last verses using a bike cable. Nice job!

Haha, thanks Carl!

MINTY!!!!!
When does it drive??

He was talking about testing the drive system soon when he jacks it up.  As for driving.... we have to wait for a new fabuloso front end suspension build from Mr Suspension Aficionado himself!

MightyRaze wrote:

He was talking about testing the drive system soon when he jacks it up.  As for driving.... we have to wait for a new fabuloso front end suspension build from Mr Suspension Aficionado himself!

I'm excited to see it!!

Yep, pretty much like Mighty said. Gonna raise the whole deal off the ground and test the drivetrain once it's ready, but we're still quite a ways away from driving the thing, haha.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Yep, pretty much like Mighty said. Gonna raise the whole deal off the ground and test the drivetrain once it's ready, but we're still wuite a ways away from driving the thing, haha.

Awsome! R U making it pretty or just leaving the nasty look???

Both would look nice, or a mix between both, really clean drivetrain, frame, engine, wheels,... & nasty body LMAO

Well I think "nasty" is the wrong word to use, but this is a hand-built rat rod!

Where something has been chopped or cut, you will be able to see it. Where something has been welded together, you will be able to see it. Where some parts have been scavanged from another piece of equipment, you will be able to see it.

You get the idea, haha. Basically I'm sorta going for that old school rat rod build look, (with safety in mind of course) when guys with less money would just take old junky cars and engines that were lying around and build a hot rod out of em!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Well I think "nasty" is the wrong word to use, but this is a hand-built rat rod!

Where something has been chopped or cut, you will be able to see it. Where something has been welded together, you will be able to see it. Where some parts have been scavanged from another piece of equipment, you will be able to see it.

You get the idea, haha. Basically I'm sorta going for that old school rat rod build look, (with safety in mind of course) when guys with less money would just take old junky cars and engines that were lying around and build a hot rod out of em!

Nice!! Like that Idea!

MightyRaze wrote:

Sometimes I think things get lost in translation.  So many English words mean the same or similar. 

yah I guess there was a small comminication Problem LOL

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

Nice!! Like that Idea!

Thanks. Hopefully it looks alright in the end.

getting caught up on the build. Looks good. I like the shaft drive idea. Nice execution on that. Looks like you will need a real stiff spring on the clutch. Move it to the "slack" side of the belt and it will work better.

well crap. looks like you got it right. been awhile since I had to think this hard on OPE stuff

Hahaha, no worries. Thanks for the compliments!! You're right about needing a heavier spring though, haha. Luckily I've got one that should do the trick!

Unfortunately not much has been done recently, been real nice outside so I've just been driving all my tractors around and working on other stuff, haha. However on the weekend I did get a couple minor things done.

Got another hole drilled and tapped for a bolt to hold the front universal on a bit more solid:



Then got a much stronger clutch spring put in place:



Only minor stuff, but it puts me that much closer to testing out the drivetrain!

WHAT?!?!  You are not driving yet?!

LOL  Just kidding.  I'm not driving yet either.  HAHA.

MightyRaze wrote:

WHAT?!?!  You are not driving yet?!

Just about actually, as soon as I can get someone to pick up the front end and pull me around on it while I make motor sounds.

Well, big day today fellas. I got the engine spaced up a bit and  bolted down in all four corners:



Got a hole drilled and tapped for the set screw in the rear universal (the last one), and then it was finally ready to test the driveline!!





Happy to say the clutch worked nicley, and the wheels drove just fine. However, there is a very major vibration being caused by the rear universal. Not good.... Upon further inspection the adapter I welded into it wasn't perfectly true and goes a hair crooked when I tighten the set screw down.

So that sucks, haha. I did find out that everything works though, so I suppose that's good. I'm thinking I'll just get a different half shaft for the rear and find a better way to adapt it to the transaxle pinion shaft. I have a couple ideas, so hopefully I'll get 'er figured out and working good soon!

Nice job! U joint sucks, hope you can get that figured out without much trouble!

I'd just let it vibrate, & fix it when it comes apart LOL

Yeah hopefully I can come up with something to get it working. I'd like to get that part done finally...

Also no I wasn't gonna just let it vibrate that bad, haha. The pinion bearings would be toast before too long I imagine.

Yeah, I know. Been really slacking off with the Build-Off tractor here. Obviously the first drive shaft setup failing sorta threw a wrench into the gears, but I got a plan worked out using another shaft and joints, so I'l have to get around to that sometime soon.

In the meantime I decided to get the steering wheel all hooked up today, so I did do something!

As some of you know, these tractors used a rag joint that went between the steering shaft and the pinion steering gear. Mine was toast when I got this rig so I planned to use an automotive steering universal joint instead:



Drilled a couple holes and tapped them to 1/4- 20:



Bolted down all nice:



Then I cut an old steering shaft to length and cut a square into the end to fit in the universal:



Pinch bolt installled:



Then BAM! We have steering!



Well.. some of the steering anyways, hahaha. Nice to have that part done!