GT 18 mud mower build

I picked up a 1984 craftsman gt 18 oppy 6 speed for 100 bucks for a mud mower build

when i shift to high range it doesnt shift it just rattles does anybody know how to fix that

@AllisKidD21 has some knowledge of the internals.  Maybe he will pop in.

can you take some pictures of where your hi and lo shifter is at? Ive got almost the same tractor but im pretty sure that mine is a three speed without hi lo.

it turns out i was already in high range and it wouldnt sh*t to low because there was junk on the pin so i have to pb blaster the crap out of it and now it works

Glad you got it figured out!

So the next mod i think im going to do is a pulley swap . It is a vertical drive but the engine pulley is on the back of the engine and i think its held on with four bolts. the trans pulley is tucked really close to the frame. I think i want to swap the front pulley to the same size as the trans pulley because it will be easier

So I am looking for the best rear tires for my sitiuation. since i will be riding through my yard alot i dont want something that will tear up the grass but i will also be at the trails so i want something grippy. what are the best tires for this

Repetitive driving in one spot will tear up the yard. Even on the turf savers.  I'm not an expert, but I have seen several over time use a Deestone D930 type tire. It would be an upgrade but maybe still mild enough to not tear the yard too bad.  Not sure if they make a knobby in that would fit your rims.

do knobbies work in mud

Better than a turf.  If you are wanting to go through lots of mud, you would need a more aggressive tire and a locked rear end for best results.  Then be careful in the yard.  :-)

@MightyRaze what about if you grove the turfs?

It helps with traction for a budget build!  Lots of work, but doable.  I did it once myself!  I think there are a couple I have seen out there that run them all the time.

@MightyRaze I want my tractor to be able to go to haspin and I don't have the money for new tires so I will grove the turfs and put a winch on it and see what happens.

If haspin is dry, turfs could get through it. Grooved even better. I would recommend locking the rear. Hills can be sketchy, even dangerous on open diffs. Opposite wheel brakes traction and you are out of control quick.

Thanks @MightyRaze I will do that

Time to revive this sucker.
This tractor has been sitting under a tarp since christmas. it had gone down the priority list. now i have regained the motivation. now i have list of mods to make. say if i have anything to add or something i should have

pulley swap
lock rear end
rear ag tires
bigger front tires
skid plate for front axle and for transaxle
front and rear bumper
hand brake
gas pedal

i think thats it

Glad to see this pick back up!  

has anyone every pully swapped a 633a 6 speed high low

The pulley shaft is tapered so you would need to cut the hub out of the pulley to put on the new one. On mine I just put a biggest or bigger engine pulley I could get away with.

MightyRaze wrote:

The pulley shaft is tapered so you would need to cut the hub out of the pulley to put on the new one. On mine I just put a biggest or bigger engine pulley I could get away with.

I was planning on swaping the engine pulley because it seemed alot easier i was just wondering if that transaxle could hold up to a pulley swap

Yeah it should hold up.

@MightyRaze What ratio did you pully swap yours to and how fast did it go

@TheJakeOfJake

I had a 9 inch engine pulley when I had the hotrod craftsman.  I wouldn't recommend it for a mud build.  I got pretty close to 30ish.  I'm going to shoot for a 6 or 7 on my build next year.

Stock trans pulley.