[FINALIST] - Murraymountain's Mountain Murray [2019 Build-Off Entry]

Well, got the MM over to the fab shop today! I had to put the stamped frames wheels on it so it's movable. I need so much done I only told them half of what I need. So I'll probably be back on Monday to tell them the rest. Anyway, these are the last couple pics of it looking like this...




And that's where it sits right now. Hopefully they ain't gonna charge me more than $40 lol.

SO, I have to ask.  What percentage of this build is being done at this fab shop?

@Doug; @AllisKidD21;

Oh. I didn't think about that. Let me evaluate for a while.

@MightyRaze can I PM you? If it still qualifies I don't want to give a few other things I have planned away.

You can PM me, but I may have to discuss with @Doug the information.  We may get Doc in the discussion too.

That's fine. Thanks!

Alright, so the MM has it's final tires! They came off the MM20 since it won't be on the road for a while. Oh, it also got it's own battery. That never happens here lol. The fab shop still hasn't touched it, but they, "have plans to get to it this week". We'll see about that.

Welp, the MM got it's first round finished after all! So far, they've fabricated a brush guard, exhaust, extended the shifter, welded the front end, engine plate, and transaxle brackets to the frame, and welded the column reinforcements to the column. Now, they're adding a tool box, hood scoop, headlight mounts, brake actuating rod, reinforcing the trans. brackets, covering the old deck height cut out, and making a skid plate. Should have it back by the end of the month!





Uuhh who was that that said Murray frames are trash?

So are you building this or someone else?

@Doug Thoughts?

Hmm, as an unbiased party this year, I have to say this hardly seems fair, however that may not be my place to say that. Either way, it sure looks good!

Okay, so lets look at it this way... I sent Mighty a list of what this fab shop is doing (their labor), and of what I'm doing (my labor). He knows what percentage of this build I as in myself will get my hands dirty on if you would. (the fab shop's work amount has dropped BTW Mighty... I can send you a new list of what they're doing if you would like.) The way I see it, when someone enters a 30% percent completed build in the build off and it still qualifies, than someone doing 30% of your build for you (because YOU literally cannot and because you want it done right) counts just as much if not more than the 30% completed one. If this leaves me with no votes or a disqualification, then it is what it is, I doubt it'd win anything anyway. But in the end, I'd rather have a well built machine that got disqualified over something that half way works and qualifies.

There's something I don't think you guys are understanding.... If you put everything I needed to weld in front of me already on and ready to go, I'd end up in the ER. Even if I did have the equipment to weld, I simply can't. The guy made me an offer today, and if I can find the time, I might just take him up on it. He'll teach me how to weld so that there is no question about who did the work. But at this time... If you see a weld, I did not do it.

So anyway, when you say 'are your building this' Mighty... I assume you mean the additions? I'm building the mower of course, but at the moment I'm paying for someone else to do any welds and bent pipes.

Not trying to be rude or sarcastic or anything, but I'm just trying to get my point across.

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic or rude either.  I have been trying to think of it this way.  What's the difference between taking it to a buddy's house to weld something and taking it to a shop to weld something. (a buddy can be a better welder than the shop guy)  That's why up to this point I have just sat back.  Then you give a list of things they are doing for you, I look at the list and think yeah not too bad, a person can buy much of this and put it on. I continue to set back and watch. The thing that people are starting to get bothered over is... This is a build-off not a buy-off.  That's why I feel my machine didn't make the top 3 in 2017. I bought a bunch of stuff and threw it at it.  People overlooked the stuff "I did" with it and just looked at what I bought for it.  I'm not trying to be rude, but this is how people are perceiving the entry.  Also, it's what's between your ears that depends on if you end up in an ER or not.  You have to know your machines limitations regardless of how well it is built. 

In the end, this is your machine and have it built the way you want.  Like you said, how it is built may not win you some votes in the end.  In the end, you will have the machine you want and like.

I'll continue to ride this out as there is nothing written in the rules about this at this time.  I am glad it is all documented.

I think you are good taking it to the fab shop. They did nothing that would keep it from running. The mower would still drive right if the frame wasn't welded up for reinforcement, it still would drive without the front bumper too. Even if the frame was busted, them welding it up to fix it would still be a good idea. And the bumper (looks great by the way), them bending it and putting it on means you just cut out the middle man who is the seller of the bumper, plus would be no different then you buying the bumper at a store and having a friend who can weld and mount it on for you.

I would think that if you had the fab shop redesign the frame where it looked different halfway through the build then that would be a gray area, but that wasn't done.

My $0.02 worth.

MightyRaze wrote:

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic or rude either.  I have been trying to think of it this way.  What's the difference between taking it to a buddy's house to weld something and taking it to a shop to weld something. (a buddy can be a better welder than the shop guy)  That's why up to this point I have just sat back.  Then you give a list of things they are doing for you, I look at the list and think yeah not too bad, a person can buy much of this and put it on. I continue to set back and watch. The thing that people are starting to get bothered over is... This is a build-off not a buy-off.  That's why I feel my machine didn't make the top 3 in 2017. I bought a bunch of stuff and threw it at it.  People overlooked the stuff "I did" with it and just looked at what I bought for it.  I'm not trying to be rude, but this is how people are perceiving the entry.  Also, it's what's between your ears that depends on if you end up in an ER or not.  You have to know your machines limitations regardless of how well it is built. 

In the end, this is your machine and have it built the way you want.  Like you said, how it is built may not win you some votes in the end.  In the end, you will have the machine you want and like.

I'll continue to ride this out as there is nothing written in the rules about this at this time.  I am glad it is all documented.

I meant no harm either, just wanted to know for sure... I see what you mean now. I could take it over to a buddy's house who just began welding and I almost would've if they didn't call us saying it was done yesterday. I still may. Or, I am really thinking about taking the fab guy up on his offer, so that way, I do all the work, just with their machines and their scrap metal. Again, no harm intended.

Upon some further information given outside the forum, this build is ok, on track and is within the rules.   There has been some communication issues. 

Keep up the good work and learn what you can with the welding. I wish i had that opportunity.  

Thanks Mighty. I surely will.

Well, got me a double pulley clutch from the MM20...

Nice...   I am honestly thinking of going back to a single pulley.  I saw no difference on red. Depends on how motivated I am.  Just more belt drag.  

Then again some swear by it!

Only reason I like this better is because there's a less likely chance of it throwing the belt unless it's really worn down. When I replaced the belt on the red one it was actually a bit faster too! Problem now is finding another one for the red one...


But yeah I agree, if you work it right, the single pulley clutch really isn't bad at all!

What's yall's opinion on these ball bearings? Will it fit an MST?

Those are metric sized, and also waaaay too small to fit over the axle shafts (assuming that's what you mean). The I.D. you need will be 0.750", and unfortunately I'm not sure what the O.D. needs to be.

Stupid me, I didn't look at the measurements. Yeah I'm putting 'em on the axle. Thanks. Does anyone know the OD they'd need to be to fit an MST?

It's in the forum.  I'll see if I can find the link.

Edit...

Info here.....

Thanks! Maybe I can get it at Lowe's or TSC.

Hopefully in your area.  No luck here.  I ordered some for my old mst back in the day but came with the wrong OD.  

MightyRaze wrote:

Hopefully in your area.  No luck here.  I ordered some for my old mst back in the day but came with the wrong OD.  

Haha, ain't that how it always happens.