Setting up the next build log The goal last year was cheap as low $ as possible to hit the 30+ mph needed to ice race. Some expenses are just unavoidable. speedway gas pedal for example at 55$ is a big chunk of that. but the ability to move it around and place it any place on the foot pan I needed to proved the winning reason. https://amzn.to/3F8AK2N Another expense I did wrong was to buy Kold Kutter ($65) ice screws when it should have been the Golds ($75). They are a bit bigger and harder tops. Buy the 2nd race day you could see the difference in mine verse Golds. So the link is for the golds I will run this year. https://amzn.to/3yC7dfI Just before the last race last year I made this video covering many of the learning curve things I ran into and changed.
What's the Goal this year? Big goal is quit looking like a monster truck compared to everyone else. My rig is so tall I had to hang off the steering wheel to the inside of every turn. This worked but it left me committed to the turn no matter what. Because unless I slowed to the point of getting back sitting up what I grabbed on the way into the turn was it. This cost me several possible passes.
Goal last year was cheap as possible so cut turf tires done with a propane tank and a chisel got it done. Now dont get me wrong this worked out great on the rear tires. With a 3/8 lug and then the ice screw on that. That got plenty of grip or spun until it got grip. The fronts on the other hand. Screws made them better then nothing. But for the most part they packed in the ice and snow after 3 laps and became snow plows in the corner but 4th lap.
MTD modified belt system is complete garbage and brakes are in the way of any easy fix to that. Solution will be a major hands on work in progress.
Once Johns machine is drivable and out of the garage we will blow the Deere apart and start on the rework.
Good stuff, thanks! Could you post a close pic of the gas pedal so I can see the cable connection? I got a screen grab from the video, but a still would be better. I think I can make one of those. Keep up the FUN!
Someone was looking for a lawn tractor to cut their grass (Shocking!) and they told me they heard JDs were good, I laughed for about 10 minutes and then told them that there was no such thing as a good lawn tractor unless they bought an old one or a subcompact (but never from Deere ). Guy ended up buying a crapman craftsman with a brush paint job, he said "wow it's really shiny" I asked who the heck decided to paint the thing with a brush...
Rustbucket Garage Veteran Member
2022 Build-Off Entrant
2022 Build-Off Entrant
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
Join date : 2021-01-15 Points : 2884 Posts : 1340 Location : Upstate New York
Someone was looking for a lawn tractor to cut their grass (Shocking!) and they told me they heard JDs were good, I laughed for about 10 minutes and then told them that there was no such thing as a good lawn tractor unless they bought an old one or a subcompact (but never from Deere ). Guy ended up buying a crapman craftsman with a brush paint job, he said "wow it's really shiny" I asked who the heck decided to paint the thing with a brush...
X700s aren’t too bad…but very very very very expensive.
@RCG it might be neat to get rid of the loose paint on that fender and clear coat it like a rat rod.
If I remember correctly I believe the last time I was out on a frozen lake playing was with my nephew and all we had was my yamaha blaster with screws in the tires and we rode around some cattails. Oh it was fun and my nephew kept bugging me about when does he get to ride it, well he got his ride right after I slide it to far sideways and it caught and threw me a good distance and I landed on my knees and elbows.....yep it was his turn, I was done for a while hehehe. Fun times
looks like she's coming along nicely! any ideas for the dash/steering or leave the stock dash and cut it down?
At this point its very up in the air. Goal today is get it hung up and gut the bottom out of it and start fresh. The dash in these is not much better then the MTD Bug Dragster I built and I have always regretted spending so much time on a plastic dash that always feels unsafe.
I never once hit 5th gear last year do to the front turf tires restricting my turning speeds. This year I hope to find a cost effective way around that.
looks like she's coming along nicely! any ideas for the dash/steering or leave the stock dash and cut it down?
At this point its very up in the air. Goal today is get it hung up and gut the bottom out of it and start fresh. The dash in these is not much better then the MTD Bug Dragster I built and I have always regretted spending so much time on a plastic dash that always feels unsafe.
I never once hit 5th gear last year do to the front turf tires restricting my turning speeds. This year I hope to find a cost effective way around that.
Try some snowblower tires, they are often quite aggressive and can be found for cheap or free.
Try some snowblower tires, they are often quite aggressive and can be found for cheap or free.
I second the motion! Find some that fit the wheels you have, add your studs and you're golden! Or add more to your existing tires, in the photo of you guys racing it looks like the guy ahead of you has studded turfs.
I'd also try to give the tractor a little drop on the front end (to bias the weight) and or add a little weight up front, that should help tremendously and you'd probably be spinning out in no time! Lol. But seriously, you need to find TOO much traction on the front first so you can then dial it back down, it will leave you with adjusmet to play with on different tracks/ice conditions and allow you to really dial it in.
I got bronze bushings for 13 bucks from Amazon. 4 of them, flanged. I had to run a sanding flap wheel, 1” in diameter inside the snowblower wheel hubs to get them to fit but they should be fine. I’ll add a grease fitting to the hub too.
Subject: 
December 18th 2021, 9:52 am
