Heymow - Lawnmower Racing Forum
Mower Building / Setup Help => Project Builds => Racing Mower Builds => Topic started by: leman on April 05, 2010, 07:59:06 pm
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Hello,
this is my first mower build so i decided to build an A/P mower because it seems like a good place to start. I picked up this mower at my local farm equipment auction for cheap a few years ago with plans of making it into a racer. Now after over a year of reading through this site and gathering parts, i'm ready to start building. I'm at college up in Boston right now so i have plenty of time to research and plan out what i'm going to do the next time i go home. I'm trying to take as many pictures as i can as i build.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_1.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=1.jpg)
This originally had a 5hp motor in it but is started to knock really badly so i swapped it out with an 8hp so i could still ride it around.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_2.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=2.jpg)
Starting to disassemble
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_3.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=3.jpg)
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_4.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=4.jpg)
Stock Transmission
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_5.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=5.jpg)
Finally down to the frame
Now that I have the mower stripped down, i started to work on and fabricate the front end. I went with using 10 degrees of caster and 10 degrees of KPI. That seemed to be about what everyone says is the best. I tried to get zero camber, but i'm sure there will be a little bit.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_6.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=6.jpg)
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_7.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=7.jpg)
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_8.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=8.jpg)
I had my friend who works at a machine shop mill out the ends of my bolts at 10 degrees so they fit snug against the pipe I welded it to and so i could get a sold weld on it.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_9.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=9.jpg)
Here is what the front end looks like loosely put together.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_11.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=11.jpg)
I thought i took more pictures of making the steering set up, but i cant find them at the moment.... Here is what my set up looks like. I got rid of the old steering setup and build a direct steering setup. I WILL be replacing the tie rods that are attached to the spindles. I just used what i had so i could figure out how long everything needed to be and where i'm going to attach them.
Now that i have the front end figured out, i moved onto working on the rear end.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_12.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=12.jpg)
I notched out where the axle will be because the frame was in the way. I will notch out where the sprocket and rotor go when i get them. But for now, I wanted to figure out where the bearings will go and how high to mount them.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_13.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=13.jpg)
Drilled holes for the axle to go through the frame and just tack welded the seat arch in for now. When i have pretty much everything in place and im ready to disassemble and paint, i plan on borrowing and friends welder and welding everything up. His is a lot stronger than mine and I would feel safer if i used his.
I put the axle in and slid the tires on to measure the height of the frame and it came to a little below 4.5" which is what i was shooting for. Didn't want to plan for 4" and end up being lower than that. Seeing the mower like this made me a little anxious so i rested the body parts on just to see what is will look like.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_15.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=15.jpg)
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/th_14.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/Toro%20mower%20build/?action=view¤t=14.jpg)
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Nice start.
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I had one of those toro's back in the day..had a lot of fun on it haha but yours is gonna be better than mine by a long shot with the live axle and everything..nice job
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Thanks guys, i'm trying to take my time and do it right the first time
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WOW.. that's a nice looking Toro...
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good looking toro you got there
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looks sweet
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Finally got some time and money to keep working on my mower. bought a lot of parts.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0208.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0208.jpg)
Bought some aluminum tubing and tie rod ends from McMaster Carr and finalized my steering set up.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0209.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0209.jpg)
Turned all the way to the right.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0202.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0202.jpg)
Strengthened my stock rims and painted them.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0203.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0203.jpg)
I welded 3 bolts to the sides and center.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0205.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0205.jpg)
Welded on some mower deck pieses.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0204.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0204.jpg)
Painted the frame while i was waiting for some of my parts to come in the mail.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0206.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0206.jpg)
Parts still didnt come so i painted the sheet metal while i had the time and it was nice out. probably should have waited untill i was done with everything, but i figured i could just touch it up when im all done.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0207.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0207.jpg)
Plus i wanted to try out my color scheme :D
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0210.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0210.jpg)
Sproket and sproket holder came from EC so i was able to make the chain tensioner.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0211.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0211.jpg)
I made it out of a skateboard wheel and a heavy duity hinge. works great so far.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0212.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0212.jpg)
My brake caliper and rotor finally came. The frame i mounted it to was angled so i drilled a hole and mounted it to compensate for the angle of the frame.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0213.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0213.jpg)
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0214.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0214.jpg)
No im just waiting for the engine to come back from the machine shop, the cylinder was in pretty bad shape so im having it hones out. in the mean time i will be putting the brake petal on and hooking up the brake. Definitely made a lot of progress lately. what do you guys think so far?
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That tranny looks like either a 350 or 400 peerless, Id reccomend replacing the bushings with bearings before you run it, or you could get ahold of Don at G Team and he can fix ya up.
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That's the same mower I'm running. I'd love to get ahold of another hood and grill
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yes it is and will be rebuilding the tranny. i ordered seals and bearings from Kaman to build the tranny. Big thanks to SnowMan184 for the part numbers, i have not gotten around to it yet but i will soon. i have heard great things about Don at G Team but i like learning by doing things myself. plus i have only spent a little over $200 so far :D
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I like your steering setup. The toe out on turns angle looks about right. Great job.
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thanks! i did a lot of home work and reading on this site to decide what would be the best way to make my steering set up.
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You'll want to run the Cent. clutch off the engine crank. If you do get a clutch, get something good like a Titan or Noram ( same company now) The typical Comet clutches will burn up quick.
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You'll want to run the Cent. clutch off the engine crank. If you do get a clutch, get something good like a Titan or Noram ( same company now) The typical Comet clutches will burn up quick.
i dont know about that we run noram clutches on our karts and they burn up just as fast as a comet or max torgue clutch they are all the same when you get down to it......
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If its a AP you cannot run a Cent. Clutch
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yeah this is for A/P so i cant run a cent. clutch. I have to follow the USLMRA rules
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i dont know about that we run noram clutches on our karts and they burn up just as fast as a comet or max torgue clutch they are all the same when you get down to it......
There is most definitely a big difference between the cheap-o Comet clutches you see at TSC for minibkes and go-carts and the likes of something like a Titan or Noram. Something like a Comet has a stamped steel drum while a Titan is a solid piece of steel.
We have 3 guys running Titan clutches, one with a souped-up Twin Vanny. In 3 years I've not even had to change the shoes on mine. Anyway, sorry to disagree ( nothing personal) but I'd personally not recommend a Comet clutch on a racing mower.
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yeah this is for A/P so i cant run a cent. clutch. I have to follow the USLMRA rules
If its a AP you cannot run a Cent. Clutch
true that! i neever have had good luck with them on a mower anyways, but like mtd7 said they are all the same just stall, and engadement strengths are different BUT those are chain drive clutches. on a belt drive system a Noram or Titan clutch is better made and work better.
as too the build its an A/P build no cent clutches. Great build cant wait to see the finished product!!!
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I had 2 of those hoods and grills...i think they went to the scrap yard tho sorry guys..they just layed around here for 3 or 4 years so i scrapped them, they both were in almost perfect shape too
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well it has been a while but i am finally in the home stretch. my 8hp motor could'nt be saved so i upgraded to a 12hp. luckly it has a wheel base of 39" so i am legal to run it in the S/P class. i have the motor and clutch system mounted so all i have left to do is wireing, a belt, and getting a battery. im so excited to be almost done :D. i will post pictures soon
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Well i finally finished building my mower. i still have to figure out where to mount the gas tank and work out a few small things but im pretty much done.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0221.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0221.jpg)
I was able to fit the 12hp motor in. (That gas tank is in therefor now, i will get another one before i race it)
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0220.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0220.jpg)
Supprised how strong this moped battery was, cranked the engine over with no problems.
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0219.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0219.jpg)
Sits pretty nicely
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/th_IMG_0222.jpg) (http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/leman1/?action=view¤t=IMG_0222.jpg)
when i drove it around the yard and went to turn untill i got the rear tires spinning and pretty much drifted around. is that just because it has a live axle, or does it have to do with my tire pressures? i have 10 psi all the way around
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yep if it was one wheel it would spin and spin and never hook up. how does it feal cool huh looks swet man good job
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thanks man, it feels pretty good. i still have to work on the gearing though. i have a 13.5:1 final ratio in 2nd gear. im ordering a bigger sprocket to put on the tranny so hopefully that will bring me closer to 8:1
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If you want to get the most out of your 350/400 you should be running the same size pulleys front and back (preferably 6" on both for best belt wrap) or 1 to 1, and then at least a 26t (plus a 28t) trans sprocket and then a set of sprockets for the axle (40t optional, a 42t, a 44t, and a 46t), so you will have a number of different ratios for different tracks (unless you run at just one track) and or different conditions. You should also make chains to fit all the different combo's (yes some may be the same and you will only need one for those) it's just faster in the pits if you need to re gear, just make sure you label everything properly. I would suggest a plastic tool box or tackle box with room for the sprockets, chains, and tools needed for the swap, it wouldn't hurt to have an assortment of the correct fasteners for the sprockets (including snap rings for the trans sprocket) just in case you lose one.
P.S. don't worry about the 8 to 1 ratio thing, that's just for Super Stock / IMOW, you'll want it more in the range of 6.5 - 7 to 1 for Sportsman / SP.
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Thanks for all the info on the sprocket sizes. i did a search for the ideal final ratio but all i could find was the 8:1 ratio. good to finally find out what it should be for a s/p class. ill get a box for all of that stuff once i get a few races under my belt and really get into raceing
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what kinda mechanical brake is that??
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it was giving him problems so he switched up to hydraulic mid season...
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it was giving him problems so he switched up to hydraulic mid season...
thx for re post