Posted by russell on March 19, 1998 at 17:39:32:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Russ' Homebuilt Tractor posted by Indian Guy on March 19, 1998 at 06:47:36:
On something like this, I would use a hyd pump as you described. Then get a valve similar to log splitter vavle, but I would go fancy and get a 2 circut valve. Build about a 1-2 gal resivor out of at least 16gauge material. Heres my Idea:
Hook up the pump and resivor, mount the vavle and hook it up.
Mount two small lift arms on back of tractor and build a lift deal using one small hyd cyclinder, I'd use a one way cyc. but 2 way nice.
and rig up a center link mount also.
Put a remote connect on back using other circut of vavle(never know, you might pull a hay rack or log splitter with it someday)
Building a homemade tractor is a good fun project if your a good mechanic and welder. It's to big a project to hire eithere to be done. I built a tug before,(no pto or hyd.). The guy used it mainly for trailer pulling and hunting. But hyd. and maybe a non-standerized pto(for lawnmowing or such) wouldn't be that hard.
I have some old arcwelding manuals from the forty's and fifty's that describe building homemade tractors, thats where I got help building the one I built, email me if you need any help
Oh forget friction welding that axle, V it out and use a 7018 and a side grinder, then sand it smooth when your through. A large wire welder would do alright also, but I prefer stick, I use my Mig only for thin stuff. I been welding since I was 5, and I've seen it done, and I've seen it work. Plus I run my own small welding buiness and I done it and have made it work! If it was for a large truck or something I would do as the other gentleman said but it's for a small tractor. To much trouble in my opinion, a good weld with a stick welder will hold up under those conditions. I only have 4 years commercial welding exp. (by the way I'm only 18 but there aren't many people with welders here and I was given my first machine after my dad died so I made some cash and bought a portible!) but I have never had a weld like this break (done several for farmers and such). It's just my opinion though, and I'm just a stupid kid!!
Fell free to email me Indian Guy.
Russell Forrest
Saltillo, TN