Hello from Nova Scotia

I am working on converting my granddads old Craftsman YS4500 into a woods buggy. Working on adding ATV wheels, lights, rack on the back for chainsaw, gas, oil, etc. It doesn't really need to go especially fast, just most anywhere, and lug stuff.
 What is the best way to attach coil-over shocks to a cast iron axle? I found some at Princess Auto, that look like they might have been for a small bike or kart. I am a bit wary of welding cast iron.

Not sure what your cast iron axle looks like, but maybe you can use a pre-existing hole in the axle to use as a mounting point?  Maybe like I did with one of my tractors even though mine are steel.



Also....

Welcome to ATLTF!

I don't have a pic of the axle right now, but I think it is similar to this one I found online:

Possibly a bolt and spacer? I have to raise the front end up 6" to have room for the new wheels. The upper mount would probably be the angle steel for the axle lift. Ill try to remember pics when I get to work on it next. Also, where should I continue this thread/post?

By what you have said so far, probably a utility build?
https://www.atltf.com/f49-utility-workhorse-and-pulling-tractors

If you're going for a utility build I would just return the shocks.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

If you're going for a utility build I would just return the shocks.

You must've meant that he could send them down to me. I like the way you think!

I suppose even for hauling things around in the woods at moderate speed, it's nice to have some shocks on the front end. It's a decent amount of work but do-able. I know the front suspension on mine helps a lot. As far as using a cast iron front axle, you could either bolt to it somehow or just find a steel axle from something else to use and weld to that.

Are you keeping the front axle pivot bolt in or actually making a front suspension? Because in my opinion, there isn't much to gain with shocks or springs if your planning on leaving the stock pivot system. Not besides looks anyway.

Yo. Annapolis valley here.

Coul over shocks aren't going to do you a lot of good on a lawn tractor unless you plan a full front suspension build.

The problem with just putting them on a lawn tractor front end is that the axle is "pinned" in the center. so the coil overs will do nothing but slow the cycling of the front axle. You can do the same thing with a couple cheap bicycle shocks. But you want the front axle to pivot freely. Since the rear is solid, the tractor has to cycle it's whole length when crossing bumps. By letting the front axle pivot freely, you can keep the front steering wheels in contact with the ground. Slowing the front axle down might make the ride a little softer, but you gain too many negatives IMHO.

To take advantage of the improvements coil overs will give you, you need to build a live front axle or independent suspension. That would allow the front axle to cycle well enough to keep good purchase on the ground while the rear does it's thing.

Personally, for a wood lot donkey, I wouldn't spend the money on coil overs. Just get 'er running right and strip it down to what you need.

You're also correct about not welding cast iron. It an be done, but not by most backyard welders. It involves preheat, specific welding techniques and nickle filler rods. It also involves specific cooling methods. GEt any of those things wrong, and the weld will just crack as it cools.

The problem with cast iron is that when you weld it, the filler rod tries to pull a lot of carbon out of the iron, which makes the weld point very brittle. So brittle that even cooling faster than it will accept causes the Weld (or the surrounding cast) to shrink too fast and crack. Nickle filler rods are used  because the nickle doesn't try to pull carbon out of the iron as it melts. You still have to pre and post heat, but it is much more tolerant.

You're better off re-using existing holes or bolting a bracket around the cast piece. you can also dril holes in the cast, but you're risking cracking over time and possibly inducing a stress riser somewhere around the hole....

I was originally thinking of a bracket to go around the cast, but not sure how to keep it there. Is there a way to make the axle 'live'? I don't currently have materials to make an independent front suspension. I could also leave the front end as-is for now, at least, and use the shocks for something else.
Now, if I could find a scrapped ATV cheap, (or at least the front of one)...

I have continued this post here: https://www.atltf.com/t6434-2010-craftsman-ys4500-build