Will this work?

Hi,
New user here, I'm still in school so I would like to do a build cheaply. My buddies have some pulling and off-roading tractors and wanted me to join in on the fun. My friend gave me a Murray chassis for free. But I need a motor right. So my uncle said I could have an inline 3 cylinder diesel from an old reefer trailer. It's small enough that it could fit but it'll be tight. I can't for the life of me figure out how to make the horizontal pulley go vertical. Could I put two idlers perpendicular? Or should I get some sort of bevel gear box? Or is there no chance of this working?

TL;DR: Is an inline engine in vertical shaft engine chassis possible?

Thanks,
Tim

Will take some modding for engine mounts and the hood might not fit.

Look at how geared 6 speed hi/lo craftsmans run their belts. Its kind of similar to what youll need to do.

Imagine the deck as the axle. this is how GT's do it. then you could make a clutch arm somewhere on the right side of things (Has to be on slack side of belt system) and thats how id set it up. I imagine new steering is in order, maybe even a new axle with that weight on rough terrain.

Thank you! That was exactly what I was looking for! I thought there would be too much wear on the belt. Yeah, there's probably going to be a bunch of modifications but that's half the fun!

or another idea, sell the diesel and buy a vertical shaft engine with the money. but it would be cool to have a diesel.

thats how mine is, even engine to tranny. works good, could use a set of idlers towards the back, gets alot of slop and chatters when there is alot of load on it. something to think about with a diesel, lots of torque

I'd say sell the diesel, you might snap a lot of input shafts if you dump the clutch under high load. Wont work too well with a standard lawn tractor transaxle.

I'd say getting everything to work out in the limited space of a mower frame would be your biggest challenge. I would like to hear more about this diesel engine pics maybe!?

The engine is at my uncles currently. I will post some pics when I next am out there. How does one post a picture on here?

Well, you got me there still working on that myself.I'm about like Fred Flintstone when it comes to computers. It's not difficult just need someone to walk me through the first time. you'll figure it out I'm sure.

Tcolwell98 wrote:

The engine is at my uncles currently. I will post some pics when I next am out there. How does one post a picture on here?

https://www.atltf.com/t1525-image-posting-for-new-members

I do that, but on his step #4 I cut the middle [img] code out and paste it right in, works the same and is a little easier. I believe you have to be on a computer.

Here are some pics of a similar engine. I recall his being smaller and having a radiator but I'm probably wrong. Last time I checked on the one he gave (summer) it had a birds nest on it. Hopefully I can get it going.

Yea, the 3 cyl yanmars are water cooled. little radiator and fan ont he water pump. Someone put the same engine under a old cub (like the one in the picture) WITH the radiator and only had to extend the hood like 4" so its relatively smal.

take a peek at Dock Sprocket's build, he is using a kubota diesel. might be able to copy him a bit, or atleast give you an idea. btw, you can post several pics per reply.

Tcolwell98 wrote:

Hi,
New user here, I'm still in school so I would like to do a build cheaply. My buddies have some pulling and off-roading tractors and wanted me to join in on the fun. My friend gave me a Murray chassis for free. But I need a motor right. So my uncle said I could have an inline 3 cylinder diesel from an old reefer trailer. It's small enough that it could fit but it'll be tight. I can't for the life of me figure out how to make the horizontal pulley go vertical. Could I put two idlers perpendicular? Or should I get some sort of bevel gear box? Or is there no chance of this working?

TL;DR: Is an inline engine in vertical shaft engine chassis possible?

Thanks,
Tim

All things are possible, given the right combination of time, tools, skills and money. Good luck, I look forward to seeing it.

Should work fine my buddies stock sears has a side input trans and the belt is routed the same way.