Free LT4000

I have been storing a bunch of stuff on my back lot for a friend who moved away. I had forgotten that in the pile of things was an old riding mower. I looked at it and determined it was worth asking about. Yesterday, I asked about it and he gave me the mower!
We discussed this some in another thread, but I thought I should start a thread for this machine. It is quite an old beast.
This morning I dug it out of the pile and towed it to my shop. (It wouldn’t crank, more about that later)

The tractor is a 1994 LT4000, with 15 HP Kohler (CV15S) and what appears to be a Peerless 930 six speed transaxle.

Here is the before…



The during:



And after:



A tow strap pulled the thing out of the storage spot. I tried to crank it but no luck. So, I towed it to my shop with the tractor and put the battery charger on it. Nothing wrong with the battery. Jumping directly to the starter spun the engine over nicely. Jumping the relay worked. I finally got on and pushed the clutch/brake pedal all the way and it cranked. The switch must not contact the lockout. No problem, the switch will be gone.
The oil was low (more about THAT later too), so I filled it. One tire was low so it was filled. The gas tank was empty so I filled that. Time to GO. A squirt of starting fluid and some cranking to get fuel to the carb and she started right up.

I ran it around the driveway and tested all the gears, everything seems fine. After sitting for a few minutes, I tried starting it again. Oops, won’t crank, seems like too much compression. So, I left it to read up on the Kohler engine.

After reading and thinking, I went back out and it starts fine. I drove it around the yard for a while and LIKE this thing. It sits quite high off the ground already. I think the cranking issue was due to low oil and sitting for 6 months. I believe the hydraulic lifters bled down. Once they had been warmed and pumped up, all seems OK. I will find out tomorrow.

I am seriously considering using this as the donor machine in my Build-off entry. I want to put the sheet metal off the Square Body MTD I have and build the JeepTor from it I think.

You CAN watch the superbowl and work on tractors. Just pause the DVR and do things. Zip through the commercials.

So, here is the skid pan from an FJ Cruiser. Thick aluminum. Looks useful.



And, the push bar from the same FJ. I used the brush bars on the Rat Rod. I think this shows promise.
(Cut down of course)

if you decide to not use that hood grille and dash lmk if you could take them apart and ship em lol

I will. Shipping is so stupid expensive but sometimes it is worth it. I once had a small metal shaper shipped.

The grill has that one crack at the bottom and it is repairable, I’m sure. Clean break, nothing missing.

Right now my intent is to remove the entire console, hood and grill and replace it with the metal from the “Square Body MTD”. It is quite a bit narrower. I noticed yesterday that the wide console and narrow footboards don’t fit me well. I had trouble getting on and off and with my foot slipping off the boards while trying to do so.

I hope to use a lot of ideas from Lawn Gone’s Swamp Buggy build. I have saved all of his videos and am looking at details. His build was mechanically quite advanced, but I want to copy a lot of the bodywork he did. Many good ideas there.

The Swamp Buggy:





He fabricated the rear body part and used the rear fenders, reversed and cut to shape for the front fenders.

Square body MTD for reference:











Note the shape of the rear fenders as well as how much narrower the body work is. Plus, it is ALL metal and the hood opens from the top instead of the front/bottom. I like that too.

Also, it appears that I can unbolt the bodywork from the MTD and just maybe… bolt it to the LT4000. No big deal if I have to cut. Today’s project is to take more photos and LOTS of measurements. I also need to peruse the stash for suitable bits and pieces.

I don’t want to get into this build too far, just planning right now. I need to spend any shop time on the Rat Rod.

Oh no, he's been bitten by the square body bug to which there is no cure! Lol

Given the rarity of square bodies in the area, this shouldn’t become a plague. (Famous last words)

About 4” of snow today. Hopefully it will be gone in the next few days. To pass the time, I ordered some parts for the rig.

LED headlights
A 3500 pound winch with wired and non wired remote
2 sets of quick disconnect plugs for the winch.
Heavy wire to connect winch
A bunch of hood hold down brackets for all the rigs.



The new winch will probably go on my RTV for raising the snow blade. The brake won’t hold on it, so it might go on the tractor.







Seems everything needs hood latches and these were cheap. Should work.



I want to make one of those winch mounts and put a receiver on both ends of the rig.

Why is it… that something you order, but don’t need for months will show up instantly?

The headlights and hood latches arrived today!

I think these latches will be perfect, probably will be welded or pop riveted on. Weather proof, no rotting in the sun for these.



Small and unobtrusive, can be painted and should be plenty strong. I can see other uses for these too.

It's called "Murphys Law"! Lol

OK, I discussed this with @mightyraze and I’m going to be switching donor machines in my Build-off entry to the LT4000 and MTD Square Body machines. I haven’t done anything so it is like a fresh start. I will update the build thread soon.

For the sake of fairness, no need for a new entry to start it, but maybe go ahead and display a sign with the new donor.  Hate for someone to call foul.  

Will do. No problem. If necessary, I can start a new thread. But, as we discussed, there has been no work done so I will move ahead with the change.

We have a fresh layer of snow so I will get a new pic of the ‘pile’ and sign.

Nevadablue wrote:

Will do. No problem. If necessary, I can start a new thread. But, as we discussed, there has been no work done so I will move ahead with the change.

We have a fresh layer of snow so I will get a new pic of the ‘pile’ and sign.

No new thread necessary.  If you want to change the name, you can do that by editing the title of the original post.

Thank you Sir!