Wheelhorse Crawler Conversion

[bigtiller]

Here is one all ready to work from my local craigs list, but it is a Cub Cadet 1440. A buddy of mine is interested but he has more important needs for the 3 grand asking price.

cub cadet 1440 crawler

 

[PILOON]

You guys have got me going.
I have Bolens hydro lawn tractor with sick engine as well as spare set of rear wheels/rims.(for front)
Being as to how steering is not required a straight front shaft would mount the wheels and naturally tension devices would be needed.
For track support I'd use HDPE strips as sliders rather than idlers.
Also have a 16HP engine waiting for a new project.
To steer I'd resort to differential braking* and my tracks would be conveyor belting using T bar stock for grousers.
I'd be counting on rear tire to tracks friction rather than large sprockets.

*Disc brake exists on left side so I'd reproduce for rt side.
Another option would be GOcart hydraulic brakes on both sides.

My 'tractor' would not be to push, dig etc but merely to negotiate the steep rugged terrain and haul me and tools etc around.

 

[pappy60]

Very interesting... want to watch progress...

 

[jd4310man]

Ive been wanting to update this thread for a while but was having trouble uploading picks. I pretty much got the whole undercarriage done and painted. I am working on the upper frame and bodywork as the original bodywork was bad in some areas and needs some improving. All I got to do to get it running is an engine, get the brakes working and finish welding the track sprockets. Hopefully ill get it working this winter. Ill be posing updates as soon as the work progresses.

 

[Chopperhed]

Awesome progress, I'm glad you didn't give up

 

[Joey J]

That is looking really good!! Hope you can locate a good power plant.

 

[jd4310man]

Thanks! Yea i was going to use a Farymann Diesel but i changed my mind as it is too wide of an engine. I would like it to be diesel though. At least 10 hp or so.

 

[farm boy00]

Any updates with this project??