MightyRaze's The Green Machine

#TheGreenMachine

I was hoping to put it in the build-off next year, but I just don't see that happening.  I will go ahead and put all these parts together and build the tractor.  This would have been the 3rd time I have rebuilt this tractor for the build-off

First time was a speed/hotrod build: Sasquatch II Hotrod Craftsman


Second was a utility build: Project Patriot


This time was for an Rally/Mud build: The Green Machine.

This one takes me WAY BACK!

Back when I was a kid in the early 1980's I use to take things apart and put them back together, sometimes take things from one toy and mod it to another.  For instance I use to take STOMPER engines and put them on other toys or models.  One time I took a stomper engine and put it on a model airplane so I could display it with the prop spinning. There use to be a dump site near where my Grandmother lived that had many toys, car parts, bikes, you name it...  One day I found a radio flyer wagon.  The back wheel supports were pulled through the bottom of the wagon, but I still wanted to drag it home.  At home, my dad had a 2x12 by about 5 ft long left over from my dad building on an extension to our home.  I mounted those wheels on one side of that board and the wagon bed to the top side.  I had enough room in front of that bed for me to sit and ride the wagon machine.  I found some hunter green paint and painted the whole thing.  I called it the Green Machine!  I later found some wide power wheel wheels that I put on the back so it looked like a hot-rod to me.  I'd say I was about 8-10 years old at the time.  Many times, I would pick the Green Machine over my bike as it was pretty fun.  I could just about keep up with my friends on it with a one leg peel going down the road.  That thing lasted for a while with no fixes.  When I was about 12 we moved.  The green machine was used by my dad a bother to move our large doghouse.  It was a good 300-500lbs.  The green machine handled it like a champ loading up the doghouse.  Unfortunately met it's demise later unloading the doghouse when it was dropped on it.  At that time, I had started using it less due to the fact I had grown almost a foot taller since I built it.  I think I was able to fix it enough to use it as a trailer for the Sears ST/16 tractor.  Not sure what exactly happened to it, as I do not remember it going to where my parents live now.  I think it got repurposed by someone else.  So this brings me to today.  I am planning to turn what was once patriot, into the new Green Machine!  

The green machine will be a Rally/Mud mower build.  It is a 1989 Craftsman II GT18.  

• I will be using an 18hp Briggs and Stratton Opposed twin running 90' clockwise from the factory location.  This will give a non-twist belt configuration for the tractor. 
  
• The Roper 122419X (craftsman ver 633a) will be locked.  
  
• The front axle will be moved forward 8-10 inches. 
  
• New rack and pinion steering.
  
• Repainted
  
• Finish rear bumper?
  
• Add toolbox
  
• New tires
  
• New LED light upgrades
  
• New exhaust (since old was was taken for kal then chopped up)
  
• Brake lights? Again?
  
• Completely rewired.
  
• 4 on 4 hubs on front axle
  

Things re-used:

• Front bumper and winch
  
• Rear hitch mount created for patriot
  

Now for the things already done:

New rear tires:


Engine repainted:  Fixed bad vibration in the engine.  Turned out the magnets came loose under the flywheel.



Welded a tip of the correct size and splines to a gopowersports rack and pinion so I can reuse my extendable with universals steering shaft.


Up next locking the transaxle and adding gopowersports 4 on 4 hubs to the front axle.

I forgot to take a pic of the welded diff.  I just did a standard weld the gears together.  I think they call that a Lincoln locker.  I did not flip any gears as I think with welding would be more structural.  

More easy stuff...  Just like the BMIKart hub, I had to trim the gopowersports hub by 1/2 inch.  I found this hub to be comparable to the bmikart one and MUCH cheaper.



I got a shot before I opened and when I was putting it back together.  I forgot to pic the weld.  Probably because I was anxious at first to bust this open.  Once inside, it wasn't too bad.  I was excited to get it apart and put back together.


I know when I drained it, it seemed to have bar and chain 30w oil.  I put similar back in.  5 qts through the shifter hole before reinstalling.



Painted the frame before it gets cold.  I should have some pix of that tomorrow!

Teaser of the frame tore down to frame for paint.



Things go fast when you have it all staged out.  I figure I will have this mostly complete before the end of the month, "back depending".

Frame painted, and the original engine plate I had used on red as a skid plate is reinstalled.  Drilled some holes for the rotated engine.  Front axle painted as well as the hood mount.  (Not pictured yet)  I'll show that later after install.




Steering column in the background was painted as well.  Pictures soon.

looks good I will be watching this one!

Reinstalled steering.  Rack is done...



Dash as well.  



Now the tricky part for me.  Glad I have an engine hoist.  Engine install soon.

Looking good as always! Going to keep the front tires you have on now or go with something wider/more aggressive?

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Looking good as always! Going to keep the front tires you have on now or go with something wider/more aggressive?

I got a set just like red but with a wider rim and tubes.  I'll get to them soon.  These tires are just there to get it moved around for now.

Engine dropped in and bolted in.





Rear transaxle is in too as well as the new rear tires reinstalled.  Yes they are still clocked the same.  I have also started some wiring.  LOL

Im building the same tractor but the front axle is moved forward and widened and i am considering the onan engine i was offered one

Budget_gokart wrote:

Im building the same tractor but the front axle is moved forward and widened and i am considering the onan engine i was offered one

Very cool!  Onan's are good engines, can be a bit finicky.  I think these craftsmans look good with the axle moved forward a bit.  I'll see about getting the new fronts on next.

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Looking good as always! Going to keep the front tires you have on now or go with something wider/more aggressive?

I'll see if I can get the new front tires today.

Did some wiring, got most of the basics and light bar installed/wired.



New fronts installed!  Same tires I have on Red, but with a wider rim.  They came out WIDE!





Also welded up some cracks in the rear fenders.



Not pictured, I did get it (rear fenders) painted as well as the foot boards.  

MOVING FAST!

Suppose to turn MUCH colder tomorrow.

Looking good! I really want to build a horizontal shaft machine one day.

Fenders painted and partially bolted down.  Hood sat back on for now.



Got some button lights for rear lights.  Going to have tail and brake lights.

I'm loving it so far!

neat, good progress are you going to paint the hood or leave it. also really digging those executioners on there!

I'll be painting it.  I'm thinking a Green/Black combo.

that's gonna look pretty mean looking forward to seeing it done! I also like the grab handles on the fenders I may have to borrow that idea.

I like those handles too, I had missed them.

I haven't finished bolting those handles down yet.  Debating on painting them black.  I think it would look nice, but I think greasy hands would just strip the paint back off.  Took some morning break time to show you the rear lights.  Also, I am going to do a green/black scheme on the hood like the  rear fenders.


No lights:




Headlights on.


Lights on Brakes pressed (in this case parking brake locked):

Not pictured above, hood is off and green applied.  Waiting for it to dry before putting the black down.

Installed and the handles are not installed too.

Few more pix...  

man, it's coming together quickly. looking good.

I put the rear 2" hitch I made for it back on.  I bought an ammo box.  I think I can attach it on top and put some angle across for a bumper.

Man… I don’t know what your secret is, but you always seem to get beautiful paint work! She looks good!