Craftsman GT3000 "MUTT" Part II

In machine tool today i made a pair of bushings to replace the original plastic ones on the clutch lever. Pretty simple, ⅝" I.D. ¾" O.D. Just had to drill the holes in the frame out to ¾", didn't even take much material out.

You can see the one bushing there is trapped on the shaft. I shouldn't have to replace it within the possible life span of this machine so it should be fine.

This belt system is proving to be a major problem, it does not want to disengage. The pulley alignment is far better than before, yet the belt refuses to cease spinning. When i put the trans into gear from neutral there is always a jarring motion because the belt was spinning despite being totally loose. I'm experimenting with more belt keepers, although i don't know why I would need them now, as i did not before.

Being better aligned is allowing the loose belt to get better bite on the pulleys.  I typically put 2 keepers on engine and trans pulley.  One on the side where the belt comes into the pulley and one where it goes out.  This seems to allow the loose belt to be pushed off the pulley on the round side letting the belt let go of the pulleys.

What kind of front pulley do you have? Is there any idler pulleys near your front pulley that could be holding the belt around the front pulley and not allowing it to fully release?

I have a deck drive pulley as the front pulley. It had worked perfectly til now. No idlers near the front either, just the two on the clutch in the middle

I only ever had 2 belt keepers on the ingoing side of each pulley, and then one in the middle of the pull side so it doesn't flop around.

I think you need a clutch or belt brake like a wheel horse has.

Got pics of that?

For you of course, here you go amigo

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

I have a deck drive pulley as the front pulley. It had worked perfectly til now. No idlers near the front either, just the two on the clutch in the middle

I only ever had 2 belt keepers on the ingoing side of each pulley, and then one in the middle of the pull side so it doesn't flop around.

My only thought could be maybe your belt isn't fully releasing because you dont have enough clutch travel. But it's weird that it wasn't a problem until now. The belt brake is a good idea. Fearless Front made one at some point because he had the same problem.

Fearlessfront smh

Made two of these belt keepers. Put one on the out side of the front pulley and another towards the back of the pull side. Seems to have solved the issue.


Took her out in the snow. Was pretty disappointing to be honest, not much to have fun with

That’s the style of keepers I like to run, glad they took care of the issue

The snow on the inside of the rims gave me an idea

Interesting look there. Makes it look like it has beadlocks, haha.

Not sure I like it....but I don’t dislike it either. I’m with AK, it looks interesting

That goes with the white stripe on the snapper hood nicely.

I thought the same as Carl when i was doing it, as well as that it broke up the black between the rims and the tires, and should last a lot longer than if i painted the actual tires.

Anybody think that axle supports on this would really be necessary? I have the material and bearings to do them, but I'm just not sure if they'll save anything. And it's not like I'm spacing the wheels out more than an inch or two.

If your gonna space the wheels out, I prolly would, not sure how much strength they really add but they definitely don’t make it weaker

Since you haven't broken it by now I'd say no. Although it wouldn't hurt anything to do it.

Well I think you should theres nothing wrong with more strength even if you aren't making it much wider. Is it Doc locked or nah?

Not calling it a doc lock, he was just the guy who made straight axle swaps famous. But yeah, that's what's happening

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

Not calling it a doc lock, he was just the guy who made straight axle swaps famous. But yeah, that's what's happening

Ya your right. I guess that's just what people usually call it. The Mowrons have been doing it for way longer. I'm not entirely sure if they were the first though.

I would put a live axle "Doc Lock" in it too, if you're going to space out the tires. Otherwise, the differential is a major weak point for the case to split.

Double W Cross Ranch wrote:

I would put a live axle "Doc Lock" in it too, if you're going to space out the tires.  Otherwise, the differential is a major weak point for the case to split.

I think that's the idea here....

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Double W Cross Ranch wrote:

I would put a live axle "Doc Lock" in it too, if you're going to space out the tires.  Otherwise, the differential is a major weak point for the case to split.

I think that's the idea here....

I know, I'm just giving my worthless 2 cents cuz I missed a lot lately. Can't let you guys get along without my annoying hide for too long

Well you're perceptive, W