Craftsman gt18 trail mower build

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Just started on a new project! First mower I've built in like 15 years ( used to race a ford lt80). Anyway I'll be posting while I build this beast!

First a pic of how it started.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sat Apr 08, 2023 7:05 am

Welcome to the ATLTF!

I've always liked those tractors, what's your game plan?

My All Terrain Tractors:
- "The WarHorse" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Romping in Progress!)
- Roper "Trailblazer" ~ 1986 Roper LT110CR (Trailblazing in Progress!)
- The "Mud Duck" ~ 1969 Bolens 1225 Hydro (2022 Build Off 2nd place!)
- The "Silver Bullet" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Part 1)
- The "Silver Bullet" (Take 2) ~ 2024 Build Off entry (Work in progress)
- Roper "Offroadster" ~ 1979 Roper T4328 (Romping in Progress!)
- 1973 Massey Ferguson MF12 ~ (Sold to a good home)

Click Here To See The DIY and Build Threads I've Created!

~My Real Hobby Is Collecting Projects!~

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

First up is tires, found the most cheap / biggest ones off Amazon.

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Build -Off - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build 20230313

Build -Off - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build 20230311

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Next was locking the diff, turned out to be a pita as the hubs, brake "drum" and pulley wouldn't come off without a major fight. Also busted a piece off one of the hubs trying to get them off. Locked by moving gears to one side and the other side for now until I find another center gear to swap in.

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Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

First test drive, swapped from the original 7 inch pulley to a 4 1/2 on the trans. Still want a bit more speed...

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Forgot to add, the steering gear had a bunch of chipped off teeth and I think that's why this mower was parked. Ended up having an old ring gear off something at my work and rebent it to match the diameter of the og gear, marked and cut off the old gear portion and welded on the new gear. Works fantastic!

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Build -Off - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build 20230317

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sat Apr 08, 2023 11:26 am

Excellent with that starter gear! Welcome to ATLTF!

Also, if you are going to bomb that tractor pretty hard, keep an eye on your transaxle. I've heard the gear flop can fail. I flipped and welded mine, but the flip does give you a backout plan.

Build -Off - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sig115

PROJECTS:
Marshal ........................93 Craftsman GT6000
Red Bandit ...................72 Wheel Horse Raider 12
Dirty Rat........................77 Sears Suburban
Bowser...........................01 Murray Widebody LT
The Green Machine ....1990 Craftsman II GT18
Other projects

> > > ATLTF Staff < < <
How To Upload Pictures

Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Build -Off - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sig214

Build -Off - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sig314

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Ok, so now it's about to get wild. Flipped the engine 180 and scooted the engine plate back 4 inches for pulley alignment. Because these briggs have a goofy setup on the fan side I wanted to run a regular pulley. Just took it for a test drive and my idea seems to work, swapped the v belt and flat belt pulleys to the opposite side as well to reverse the belt direction and spin the trans the correct way as well. Need exhaust it hurts my ears and the neighborhoods ears with open headers. Also note I went with a 6 inch pulley at the engine

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sat Apr 08, 2023 7:27 pm

Awesome build! Looking forward to following along!

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sat Apr 08, 2023 7:54 pm

Great work man you're definitely coming out of the gates hard! Lol

How'd you bend the gear?

My All Terrain Tractors:
- "The WarHorse" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Romping in Progress!)
- Roper "Trailblazer" ~ 1986 Roper LT110CR (Trailblazing in Progress!)
- The "Mud Duck" ~ 1969 Bolens 1225 Hydro (2022 Build Off 2nd place!)
- The "Silver Bullet" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Part 1)
- The "Silver Bullet" (Take 2) ~ 2024 Build Off entry (Work in progress)
- Roper "Offroadster" ~ 1979 Roper T4328 (Romping in Progress!)
- 1973 Massey Ferguson MF12 ~ (Sold to a good home)

Click Here To See The DIY and Build Threads I've Created!

~My Real Hobby Is Collecting Projects!~

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Used a flat belt pulley of the appropriate size and welded one end to the pulley. Then use a torch to heat and bend to the desired radius. Once your done break the weld and job done.

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sat Apr 08, 2023 8:10 pm

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

My All Terrain Tractors:
- "The WarHorse" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Romping in Progress!)
- Roper "Trailblazer" ~ 1986 Roper LT110CR (Trailblazing in Progress!)
- The "Mud Duck" ~ 1969 Bolens 1225 Hydro (2022 Build Off 2nd place!)
- The "Silver Bullet" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Part 1)
- The "Silver Bullet" (Take 2) ~ 2024 Build Off entry (Work in progress)
- Roper "Offroadster" ~ 1979 Roper T4328 (Romping in Progress!)
- 1973 Massey Ferguson MF12 ~ (Sold to a good home)

Click Here To See The DIY and Build Threads I've Created!

~My Real Hobby Is Collecting Projects!~

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Started on a rack today, need to go get some hardware to mount it. Next will be some down bars to protect legs and tie into the rack.

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Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Leg bars, whole rack and leg bars are removable if work is needed to be done. Gonna add some grab handles, tie down points and most importantly a cup holder.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:12 pm

Looks like you’re moving right along, definitely a good start to your build! That flywheel ring gear reminds me of a story of a gear rack for a homemade lathe being made out of a flywheel ring gear bent flat. Also, I drilled my craftsman gt6000 steering out for bronze bushings, to replace the original plastic ones.

Builds:
Craftsman- "MUTT" (part II) - "MUTT" (part I)
Wheel Horse 414-8 (‘24 Buildoff)
Sears Custom 6 (‘24 Buildoff)
Lawn Ranger Foolishness
MTD - "Budgie"

Build -Off - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Rich1110

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Picked up a parts craftsman with another 633, so I'll be doing the moose lock.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Thu Apr 13, 2023 9:30 pm

Excelent! You have a garage dog too!

PROJECTS:
Marshal ........................93 Craftsman GT6000
Red Bandit ...................72 Wheel Horse Raider 12
Dirty Rat........................77 Sears Suburban
Bowser...........................01 Murray Widebody LT
The Green Machine ....1990 Craftsman II GT18
Other projects

> > > ATLTF Staff < < <
How To Upload Pictures

Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Heck yeah, next is fabricating a bracket to mount my old z 50 caliper. Otto approved of course.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Sun Apr 16, 2023 3:06 pm

That should work really good. I put a hydraulic setup straight on my axle and it will lock up my 26” rears on pavement with little effort. You have the benefit of the reduction to the stock brake shaft so it should be excellent.

Builds:
Craftsman- "MUTT" (part II) - "MUTT" (part I)
Wheel Horse 414-8 (‘24 Buildoff)
Sears Custom 6 (‘24 Buildoff)
Lawn Ranger Foolishness
MTD - "Budgie"

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Finished up the rear rack this weekend.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Mon Apr 17, 2023 3:30 pm

Any issue getting to your gas cap? Or is it pretty much still open like the previous pic? I know with these craftsmans, getting to the gas cap with a rear rack can be a little challenging.

PROJECTS:
Marshal ........................93 Craftsman GT6000
Red Bandit ...................72 Wheel Horse Raider 12
Dirty Rat........................77 Sears Suburban
Bowser...........................01 Murray Widebody LT
The Green Machine ....1990 Craftsman II GT18
Other projects

> > > ATLTF Staff < < <
How To Upload Pictures

Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

I made a cutout to reach it fairly easily. I'll snap a pic tonight. The dang rubber grommet of course started leaking now that it's all bolted together lol. I'm gonna pull it out tonight and maybe the other tank has a better one.

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Mon Apr 17, 2023 5:17 pm

I forget. I think I was able to change mine by taking the shifter plate out and reaching from there. Maybe worth a look.

PROJECTS:
Marshal ........................93 Craftsman GT6000
Red Bandit ...................72 Wheel Horse Raider 12
Dirty Rat........................77 Sears Suburban
Bowser...........................01 Murray Widebody LT
The Green Machine ....1990 Craftsman II GT18
Other projects

> > > ATLTF Staff < < <
How To Upload Pictures

Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 680 Posts : 72

Here's the access hole for the gas cap, flip the seat up and pretty easy to fill.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:20 pm

This is a sweet build so far, keep up the great work!

"This'll either wake you up or put you to sleep forever!"- Red Green "Whatever you do you should do right, even if it's something wrong." - Hank Hill

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