Well it was raining today, but that didnt stop me and my friend from playing with it.
Something went wrong though with the transaxle. It doesnt engage gear. Im really hoping its just the rear pulley, as I dont think my friend put the key in when he rebuilt it. If not, im hoping its something minor. Ill take the fenders and gas tank off and see what it is later on. Right now im wet and cold.
If it is broken inside, ill take it apart, assess whats wrong, lock it while its apart and if its not savable, ill put the racers Peerless in.
Turns out it was just the key. I took the one out of my peerless, put the pulley back on and away it went. Stalled it like 5 times cause im not used to geared transaxles or having a gas pedal on a mower. No biggie though. Drove it through a ditch a few times, in my yard (which is literally about 6" of slush) and through a ditch in my yard with over a foot of slush in it. Didnt cap that last run but capped most of it. Ill see about uploading it tonight.
Doug Site Owner
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Age : 28 Join date : 2012-12-24 Points : 7562 Posts : 3036 Location : Lebanon County, PA
Sorry for no videos this weekend from my Tuesday romp, im hoping to get some better footage tomorrow.
Fixed the throttle today, made it tighter. Locked the front axle with a bolt, so its not permanent. Rigged the rear belt retainer, needs to be done properly though. Spray painted the old headlight bezel and grill so it doesnt look so shitty.
Once they arrive I will get a small piece of aluminum to act as a switch plate.
In the meantime I will reinforce the dash and hood to help with those pesky rollovers.
Nice, sure you dont want a custom designed switch plate in either stainless steel or what mine is made out of, ( two colored plastic ).
I was, but those switches emptied out my PayPal. When I get around to wiring on the racer ill probably get you to make me one, since ship time will take a while.
Hey Doug, responding to your post about making your new old Craftsman into a rally racer. Is someone actualy running organized road rallys for tractors in your area, or just informal romps? I used to do poker runs with an atv club, but it was no speed contest.
mudmonkey06 Member
Age : 28 Join date : 2013-03-18 Points : 4386 Posts : 327 Location : Rindge, NH
Hey Doug, responding to your post about making your new old Craftsman into a rally racer. Is someone actualy running organized road rallys for tractors in your area, or just informal romps? I used to do poker runs with an atv club, but it was no speed contest.
from what i undersatnd its for informal romps
TheRainbowBoxer Moderator
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Age : 49 Join date : 2012-04-23 Points : 5491 Posts : 1089 Location : Galion, OH
Hey Doug, responding to your post about making your new old Craftsman into a rally racer. Is someone actualy running organized road rallys for tractors in your area, or just informal romps? I used to do poker runs with an atv club, but it was no speed contest.
Pretty much informal. My friend and fellow forum denizen, Stretch44875, has been hosting a tractor race each fall (well its more like 9 parts party and 1 part race) and we run rally style tractors for that. Here's a video of one of the races:
While a true racing mower would probably own our tractors on a course like that, the nice thing about a rally is it can be played with in the woods as well, like we do on our annual trip to Haspin Acres. Here is a video of what we do there:
Got 2/3 switches today so I went to it. Took the metal dash plate off and filled in the right side where the PTO lever and ignition holes were. Drilled three 1/2" holes almost evenly spaced. I only got the momentary and the LED switch which was just enough to get it so it could run. Found a starter solenoid that actually worked and hooked everything up. Now when I get the last toggle I just need to put it in and take the rocker out.
After I got them in of course I had to test it. Its been melting the past few days so mud is emerging under all the slush. heavy to ride through but im getting more traction with my open differential and turfs.
In the pic I took of the rear, you can kind of see black fluid. Im assuming its grease coming out of the axle seals. Any ideas? I think the transaxle is whining a lot more too, its probably time for it to be taken apart and locked.
SQUEAAAK SQUEAAAAAAAK SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK says the Craftsmans transaxle.
I think its time to be taken apart and serviced. Ill see about getting more gear oil and ill swap the Peerless in and see how well my weld holds up.
Also got the front end fixed and situated, flopped the front tires around so the grease fittings were out and fixed the one plastic bushing in the front. Then greased and oiled everything.
Got my last toggle switch today so I wired that in. I need to take the time eventually to use some wire loom on it and keep everything held together.
Also, plans to work on the front bumper and maybe latch the hood are planned for this weekend. Probably wont get to it, but we will see.
Well she is back in service! Using the stock clutch I used one of the old deck hangar bolt holes to mount another V idler and upgraded my flat idler to a larger one. Its probably more tense than it has ever been. Got it to climb the hill in 5th gear and even was able to make it through the mud hole up back and then some.
Also got done doing paint. Its rough, but it will be redone later. Right now its just to pretty everything up somewhat. Ill get some better pics and a video later on.
Subject: 
March 12th 2013, 4:51 pm
