Hey y’all ???? new here

Hey y’all, just joined here. I’m building out a ‘95 craftsman lawn tractor with a 18hp kohler opposed twin. So for I’ve had to replace the fuel pump which was a whole deal, the coil, oil change, and I’ve had to keep changing plugs because it’s running real rich. I pulley swapped it on the rear, 9” to I think 3.5”, built a gas pedal, welded the front beam solid and reinforced the spindles. Bumper with LED lights is a work in progress. I got separate headers with mufflers on it but I’m planning on going 2 into 1 with a glasspack in a stack. Currently I’m at a standstill as I need to order a new steering box and front tires.

Welcome to the forum and cool project! Looking forward to seeing the tractor. Those magnums are probably the most bulletproof small engine out there I think.

Welcome! Those Kohlers are stout but suuuuuper heavy. I’ve never played with one but the only thing I’ve ever heard against them is weight...but sometimes nose weight is a good thing.

I’m terrible with carb tuning so I can’t help you there, but once you get it running right I’m sure you’ll be very happy with it

Do any of you have input on front tires? I want to go 18s on 8s when I get rear tires but for now I’m thinking Carlisle snow hogs 15x5-6. Do you think they would work on the rim that takes a 15x6-6? What about steering boxes? Anybody have one? Think I could get away with filing the gear teeth sharp again because they rounded off?

Yeah those 15x5-6s have been done, they are just a tad harder to seat on the rims because they are narrower but it’s not too difficult.

Okay but it is doable. Rubber cement and a fat ratchet strap. What’s the deal with weighting tires with liquid?

If you go the liquid route, get beet juice or something else that is non corrosive. Beet juice and antifreeze are good options. Calcium chloride, water, etc. and your rims are going to rust out and die. Not necessarily soon, but I have seen the effects and they ain’t pretty.

That said, liquid ballast is inexpensive and it’s nice because you don’t need to worry about bearing or chassis wear from the added weight. But it means that you can’t air your tires down for added traction in that sense and it makes the ride rougher since fluids don’t compress well.

Which axle are you going to try?

Antifreeze in the front tires just helps keep the front end down during steep climbs

Yeah idk if I’m going to try it or not. Probably in new rear tires and bigger fronts when I get them. I really need to get it running right and steering first.

Here’s some pictures of the mower. Got her running good and threw the wheels from my mower mower on it. Got 15mph. I want to do a bigger front pulley but I’m gonna wait till the belt goes.

Cool tractor!

Thanks. I took it for a lil ride today and you pop it in 4th and it just tractors through mud. Throw it in 6th on the road cruising the neighborhood and you get some funny looks.