New to this

[tractorman]

He everyone,
I am knew to the atlma. First I have a few questions I understand that I cant use a four-wheeler. Also what can you do about transmissions Im not rich so I cant use a peerless 700 with a live axle like lawn mower racers do. So for a transaxle what could I do to make it stronger. Also do I need to lower the mower or can I leave it stock. What about motors? Do I leave it stock or build it? O and can any body give me some pics of these machines?Well thats all I can think of for now but, there are more question to come.

Thanks,
Chad Taylors

[creepycrawler]

you shouldnt lower it, just get some agressive tires or cut the ones you have, built motors are fun but usually not nessary, these arent for racing, just for cruisin around trails..... and what kind of transaxle do you have? Ive got a few tricks for keepin em alive but I need to know what kind you have..

[money89tractors]

The peerless 700 and live axle setup would be ideal, but is not needed. You can simply use whatever you have. As for engine built-ups, you need to check the rules for whichever class you will be builting for. Transaxles will work just fine. Read through the rules before you start throwing things together. Remember, if you lift the mower any, the mower has to be widened as stated in the rules.

-Phil

[tractorman]

yeah, I read the rules twice and will do that again. For transaxle still looking for a old junk mower so I will keep you posted on what I get. Any suggestions on what I should get?

Thanks,
Chad Taylor's
Posted on: May 19, 2007, 04:26:26 AMAlso Guys in the rules it states that you must have a spring loaded throatel return does this mean a gas pedal like a tractor puller? Also I do have one transmission that is a peerless but not sure what numbers. Also in the rules it says brake lights. Does this mean it has to like light up when you hit the brkaes or does it just have to shine?

Thanks

[MTDrider1160]

For the Brake lights yes when you hit your brakes it has to light up.  And for the throttle return it dosnt have to be on a pedal just a spring on the carb end that pulls the throttle closed.

[money89tractors]

As MTD said, the throttle does not have to be a foot throttle, it can be, but is not limited to that. Most of us use a can throttle of some sort. On the peerless transmission you have, give us some numbers and we can tell you about everything about it.

As for mowers, any free mower is a good place to start!

-Phil

[tractorman]

How do you wire the brake light? Do you have to use a certain brkae for that ?

Thanks

[money89tractors]

you can use any brake you want. all thats required is a switch on the pedal or lever for the brake that activates the brake light when the pedal/handle it pushed.

-Phil

[creepycrawler]

the best tractors to make into atlm's are real old craftsmans and murrays, the ones that have the peerless 600 three speed, the peerless 600 is by far the best transaxle with 3/4 inch shafts, and the steering gears,(if you dont like direct steer) are very strong and not prone to "popping" like the newer craftsmans..... btw the old murrays have two pedals, one for clutch, one for brakes.

[tractorman]

What about wheel horses will they work? The wheel horses all so have the 2 pedals and they are sideshaft. But do they have to be bottom shft mowmachines?

[MTDrider1160]

It all depends on what class you want to build for, how much money you want to spend and your personal preference.  Just about any mower will work but some of them will require more work than others.

[money89tractors]

Wheel Horses are VERY strong, and relatively heavy, but do great!

-Phil

[tractorman]

In the rules it does not clarify that it has to be bottom or sideshaft type mower does this matter?
also the reason I asked about the wheel horses is because I tractor pull with a modified wheel horse and was wondering how they do. Because with about 3 extra 3 speed transmissions and 2 extra wheel horse frames this would just be a cheap build!

[money89tractors]

Go for it!! is doesnt matter which engine you use (vertical or horizontal) just as long as it came off a mower somewhere somehow.

Only thing you might want to look out for, is when you re-gear for a little more speed, you might ant to use a different gear oil in the Wheel Horse transaxle. I know a thing or 2 about Wheel Horses and the older Cub Cadets, so i know how strong they are, specially for pulling.

-Phil

[tractorman]

Yes thank you Phil for all your help. I am currntly getting out of lawn mower racing and ready to just play around with off roading things. I am going to try to start my build here very soon.
Posted on: May 22, 2007, 03:24:58 PMAlso I am going to run modified and what is a usda approved spark arrestor? Are there pictures you guys can show me? Also in the modified class what kind of engine would be the best to run?

Thanks

[MTDrider1160]

http://www.atlma.us/index.php?topic=23.0

[money89tractors]

The spark arrestor is simply a certain type of muffler or exhaust tip that prevents sparks and or flames from exiting the exhaust and causing a wild fire. There is a list here on the forum of approved spark arrestor mufflers, or you can search for "spark arrestor" on google for the tips.

As for engines, bigger the better, specially for a wheel horse. use one of those Kohler K series engines, im sure you know how strong they are, and theres lots of mods for them. Or you could use the v-twin kohlers, lots of parts for those too. Briggs also makes plenty of strong engines and theres lots of parts out there for them.

I might mention, i have a 9hp and a 10hp Briggs long stroke engines, both cast iron and in "could easily run" condition.

-Phil

[tractorman]

Yeah I was planning on strating with a briggs for now until I can find me a complete 10 or 12 hp kohler and do some mods to that engine. Now as for a sprak arrestor I will look into it on google.
Posted on: May 23, 2007, 04:57:40 AMAre those motors you have Phil electric strat because thats what I am shooting for

[money89tractors]

They use a starter/genorator, which is used as a starter to start the engine of course, and after the engine is running, it charges the battery. There is not one on either of the engines, but i do have a good one and a bracket to mount it.

-Phil

[tractorman]

I will keep that in mind I am looking at a 11 hp briggs on ebay now so if Id ont get I will be looking for some briggs engine.

[Chris]

Twins are very nice for off-road mowchines, and usually you can get opposed engines for SUPER cheap or free!

[tractorman]

Yes i was planning on using a twin BUT... A wheel horse does not allow much room for twin cylinders and wheel horses are side shaft mowmachines.

[Chris]

Get a sideshaft twin; heck get two twins... one to power each rear wheel

[tractorman]

  

[MTDrider1160]

Now THAT would be really interesting to see!!  That thing would be able to pull anything!

[money89tractors]

ohh, Wheel Horses can.  you can get a v-twin kohler on the wheel horse frame pretty easy, some of them you have to add a plate to the frame so the engine can move over far enough to line up, but its still pretty center in the frame.

-Phil

[tractorman]

Those v-twin kohler can get expensive and hard to find  ! Most guys now in pulling use vanguards because you can find them cheap.