DIY Home built compact tractor

[roadrunnertech]

I noticed your fel cylinders are close to vertical compared to the typical fel being near horizontal. To me it seems your design would have more leverage and have more lifting power being near vertical. My guess is the reason a "typical" fel uses horizontal cylinders is for more support and strength when pushing?

I put them there just because of packaging issues, the small size made the cylinders run into the front tires if they leaned forward more. I think most of the pushing strength is in the arms, the force should run right into the pivot points.

 

[GT2]

Got some work done on the fuel tank and steering column mounts.
I used some 1.5" square tubing and 1" for the steering column.

 

[JoelD]

Realy nice work, great looking welds.

How do you cut your steel?

Thanks,
Joel

 

[GT2]

Realy nice work, great looking welds.

How do you cut your steel?

Thanks,
Joel

Thanks,
I use a chop saw and a small vert/horz band saw.

 

[WilliamBos]

Awesome Job!! What do you use to smooth the welds off with?? Or are you welding with gas??

 

[GT2]

Awesome Job!! What do you use to smooth the welds off with?? Or are you welding with gas??

Thanks,
I generaly as a rule dont touch my welds with anything unless there is some type of clearance or safety issue. I just hit them with a wire brush.
Mig with gas.

 

[jas67]

Great thread, I also joined because of this. I've been kicking around the idea of building a compact/garden tractor, not quite as ambitious as this but 2wd and around 10 hp.

Great tractor! Its looks like it'll be a real workhorse! You really did inspire me, I went ahead and built a small tractor, just on a smaller scale. I have a lot of walk-through gates, so I had to keep mine under 32" wide. Using quick disconnect hydraulics to attach implements, and hydraulic motors to run things like post hole diggers and such.

That looks really cool! Is that a Yanmar L100 (diesel) engine?

 

[GT2]

Went to the wrecking yard today and found a canadate for a tractor hood. Its from a Park Avenue. After some carefull measuring its in two pieces.

Here it is tacked together and sitting on the tractor. I need to finish welding and add some hinges.

 

[Dmace]

That's awesome, nice work!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Went to the wrecking yard today and found a canadate for a tractor hood. Its from a Park Avenue. After some carefull measuring its in two pieces...

Here it is tacked together and sitting on the tractor. I need to finish welding and add some hinges.

Wow!! You just went from amazing builder to super-hero-thinking-outside-the-box-amazing-master-fabricator. That is so simple and so perfect. It's one of those things that half of us are sitting here wondering, "Why didn't I ever think of that?"

That's an impressive straight cut, too.

 

[MikesTractor]

Wow!! You just went from amazing builder to super-hero-thinking-outside-the-box-amazing-master-fabricator. That is so simple and so perfect. It's one of those things that half of us are sitting here wondering, "Why didn't I ever think of that?"

That's an impressive straight cut, too.

I second that!! Who would have thought to use a hood for a hood?

 

[GT2]

Wow!! You just went from amazing builder to super-hero-thinking-outside-the-box-amazing-master-fabricator. That is so simple and so perfect. It's one of those things that half of us are sitting here wondering, "Why didn't I ever think of that?"

That's an impressive straight cut, too.

That's awesome, nice work!

I second that!! Who would have thought to use a hood for a hood?

Thanks Guys!
I had about an 1/8" gap in the center area after cutting, but yeah it was a pretty straight cut.
When I was at the wrecking yard I was getting worried because all the hoods were flat. I was about 1/2 way around the yard when I found the Park Avenue which had the rolled sides like I needed. There were a few Saab's that had a nice edge on them, but were too short for my needs.

 

[Tractors4u]

I was going to hold off on my comments until you were finished, but I can't contain myself any longer. Great job!!! Over the years I can't count the number of people that have posted on this forum that they want to built their own tractor and rarely did it happen. When it did happen it was usually a glorified lawn mower or some contraption that looked like a death trap. You are the man! This thing is looking so good and the amount of work and detail is amazing. You haven't taken short cuts or just thrown something together!

 

[EddieWalker]

Got some work done on the fuel tank and steering column mounts.

One of the things that I didn't like on some tractors was having to fuel them up high, through the hood. While comparing tractors, that became one of those things that stood out to me. Mine has two small tanks on either side of the transmission, under my floor boards. I can rest a five gallon container on the front tire and tilt it over to my fuel tank, which is at the corner of my floor board. If you have a fuel pump, then it's not an issue. If it's too late, that's that, but if not, you might consider swapping it to under your seat if there's no room under the floor boards.

It's really coming together nicely. The hood is brilliant.

Eddie

 

[ampsucker]

the skill, ingenuity and fabrication abilities of the folks on this site never cease to amaze me.

hats off to you on a stupendous project!

amp

 

[WilliamBos]

Excellent work!! You know that it is begining to look like a pulling tractor, and please take that as a comment!! Your handy work is impressive??

A little off topic, you got some Dutch blood flowing in your veins??

Went to the wrecking yard today and found a canadate for a tractor hood. Its from a Park Avenue. After some carefull measuring its in two pieces.

Here it is tacked together and sitting on the tractor. I need to finish welding and add some hinges.

 

[GT2]

Thanks for all the nice comments guys, it helps motivate me!
Good point Eddie, I was thinking what would I rather have, hot hyd oil and a battery over my feet or a diesel tank. Did not think about having to heft the fuel jug up there, but alas the tank wont fit under the seat!

WB, not sure about Dutch blood. Unfortunately I know very little about my family history.

 

[workmytractor]

Wow that thing is really coming together, keep up the great work.

 

[neon_c2]

I just got done reading all the post on this. I had to join TB. Great job on it. I did a search on the net and found your build.
My friend can across a home built tractor from a friend that past away. So he don't know who built it. But it's sure something. I guest it the size of a Ford 9n,2n,8n tractor. It's a inline four cyc gas engine with two four speed chevy trans with a Ford 9" rear end, The frame is the cool part it's use two 3x6 inch tube for the hydr tanks. It has power steering and live hydr, rear hydr disk brakes. The front axle is out of a old truck. The loader is welded on top of the frame.
Sorry I don't have any pics of it yet he needs to pay for it and get it home. Not sure when that will happen might be few mouths. But I will post the pics when he gets it home. It gives me alot ideals on a tractor.
I want to ask if you plan on a front, mid or rear pto. I have a Wheel Horse D-250 that has a all the pto's on it. The front and mid PTO is on a belt pulley off the front engine crack pulley with a hand clutch to engage the PTO for a snow blower or mower and etc.

 

[GT2]

I thought I'd show you my poor mans nutserts. Here the hood hinges are preped. Flange nut in the hole.

I use a bolt to hold the nut while tacking, then weld all around. Then grind flat. These sit a little proud.

I lightly bolt the hinges in place and weld to the hood.

Went to my favorit pull a part and got a hitch for $8.50! A little triming and I've got a hitch/draw bar. I'm going to add some plates to the end tubes, triangulating them to the frame. My plan is to add thick tabs under the cross tube for my lower 3 point attachment arms.