Mighty's Daughter Build

So.. I finally got around and started my daughter's replacement tractor build.

This has been her original mower.  Something I scrapped together from a 2001 Troy Bilt and a pressure washer.  The front frame is the handle of the washer and the 6.5HP engine is as well.  It worked pretty well. It needed some minor work with the varidrive.

Purple People Eater...


My daughter has had a lot of fun with this tractor.  I was hoping both daughters would dig it so I painted it purple.

Fast forward to last summer, I basically had an almost identical tractor fall into my lap, minus an engine.

2005 Troy Bilt Bronco.  Same setup, so there won't be anything to relearn.  I will however install an opposed twin. I was hoping for a 12-17hp single, but I have a 16hp opposed I can drop into it.  Daughter is wanting it to be yellow with green and orange accents.  I think I can make it look good.

The new ride..





Tonight, I have started tear down.



Impressed the bolts are already grade 8 it appears.  Much better built than the 2001. This thing has a HUGE gas tank on it.  Should work well with an oppy!

Plans: (Going to Keep it SIMPLE)

Tear it down to frame, clean and repaint.
Pulley swap the FNR down a couple inches.  I think that will be fine.
Cut a larger hole for the engine pulley.  Do about a 5-6 inch engine pulley.  Not looking for mondo speed.
Change tires to more aggressive.
Need to change one or two drive pulleys.

Might be able to repurpose lil reds tires onto this one? The rear ones at least. Gives you a chance to upgrade yours and give her an upgrade over stock.

Are you going to change the hood out? I’ve personally never been a fan of those but it doesn’t really make any difference really

I have a second set like the purple people eater rear tires I'll probably put on it.  Although if money wasn't a little tighter with Christmas, new tires on Red would be nice.  Honestly though, those tires like on the Purple People Eater get more traction than those on Red.  I'll probably just transfer those over.

Right, 40hp 9000rpm opposed.... I mean... oh 16hp you said. Ok that's good too.

Looks like you've got some nice body work to use.

This doesn't have orange but red, green, and yellow can actually go together pretty nicely.

Hey!  It's Wheeljack!



LOL, yeah.  Yeah, I think the colors will look ok together, it will be me to screw it up should it look bad.  LOL

My Initial thought....




But you got me thinking...

Also, this drawing isn't the right model, the actual one has some good body lines to work with.

Had the daughter sit down and color a version.  I went ahead and digitized that.  I think we have an interesting paint scheme.

Nice. Hard choices

She wanted to go more colorful.... I had to step in and say, I may be able to paint well, but that is a little more than I can do.  LOL

Here was her first stab at it. 

Does that one have the "automatic transmission" , goes faster the more you push on the pedal?

Yeah it does. Considering a secondary throttle cable to the go pedal so he always has enough power no matter how fast she makes it go.

Would you mind getting me a picture of the clutch pulleys underneath?

Ive got a maybe newer one that needed a belt. Got the right belt and its too big... Im wondering if maybe someone put the wrong pulley in there somewhere. Parts diagrams list 2 different pulleys... that doesnt really make a whole lot of sense.

I've got 2 of these.  I'll take a pic of both.  This one does not have a belt on.  The other does.

@TheBeal 

Here are a few pix of the 2 tractors.  Both the same.

Thanks Mighty. Looks like what I have. I wonder, could I have gotten a mis labeled belt.

It a husky from TSC?  Possibly. I have to measure every belt I get regardless.  I showed a worker there once.  Pulled out 3 1/2x88 belts.  One measured 89.5, one measured 87, and the third measured 96.  The worker was shocked.

Genuine troy bilt belt. I cant think of any other reason it wouldnt work, just if the belt is wrong, or the pulley is wrong.

Its pretty clear it only goes on 1 way.

{EDIT} Would you be able to measure the rear pulley?

Good documenting for the thread. @TheBeal

OK, Tension pulley is 3 inches like the clutch on both of my machines.


Varidrive pulley is the same on both. 4.75 outer.



Here is the difference...

2005 TB Bronco tractor is 7.25 outer




The 2001 TB tractor has a 8.5 outer pulley.




Hope those help!

Thanks Mighty! That could be my problem there!

Little bit of trimming and fitment tonight....





Good thing I am not going too agressive with an engine pulley. Not much room for a larger one. I think I could trim that plate as well if needed.

Not much progress... As you may have noticed... I kind of stepped away for the past couple weeks for a breather and break.  I'm starting to get back into it again.  I have the engine now mounted, not just sitting in there.  I have the fuel system installed, just don't have the tank secured yet as I am working wiring right now.  I am in the process of removing all the "mower" safeties.  

Coming along well. I’ve always like the hoods on the troy’s...they have a mean look to them. It’s great your daughter’s like this stuff...my son has no interest in it at all.

Little closer, all the wiring minus the 3 to the engine are complete. (Mag, Alt1, Alt2-lighting).  I'm actually going to run lights off the alt instead of battery on this one.

Rerun wrote:

Coming along well. I’ve always like the hoods on the troy’s...they have a mean look to them. It’s great your daughter’s like this stuff...my son has no interest in it at all.

Yeah, she has some interest, not a lot but some.  He helps a little.  I'm going to let her help paint a little.  I expect some runs.  LOL  This one's hood was chopped at one time.  Didn't realize it when I got it.  I knew something wasn't right.

Once wiring is complete, I should be able to get choke and initial throttle done.  Then it should be able to run.  I need a belt.  The smallest I had, was about 1-2 inches too big.  I'm looking for 8-10mph with this.  Once I get the cables on, I will probably work on rear tires.  I have some generic ATV tires that should work fine.  I will probably still be running turf savers on the front.  I have a different set of tires, but I can't seem to get them off the rim.

Hey, Mighty, what are those rear tires on the Purple People Eater?  Size/brand?  Thx.

CosmicArkie wrote:

Hey, Mighty, what are those rear tires on the Purple People Eater?  Size/brand?  Thx.

They came off a cheapo chineese atv. See images below.