Craftsman gt18 trail mower build

New Member Join date : 2022-10-15 Posts : 5

How are you liking the SUNF Power II's? I just picked up a set and so far really like them so curious how they are holding up for you. As soon as I was somewhat confident the tractor was going to run, I ordered up the tires. lol. Love your build btw. mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 1f60e

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 1f60e

I have the same issues needing weight in the front, better steering, and the tires catching the hood when flexed out. I had to trim the rear fenders. Hate to trim the bonnet but I may have to, or widen the front axle to get the tires out of the sheet metal.

Adventurewagen wrote:: First up is tires, found the most cheap / biggest ones off Amazon.

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

I'm building a 4 inch wider axle for mine. The sunf tires are great! They really hook up even in the loose dirt I'll pull wheelies!

Have a few plans for improved steering, looking for a used vw bug steering box to get rid of the weak steering gears and tie rods and such.

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 11th 2023, 11:51 am

Something to help keep the nose down on these Craftsman's,

My personal opinion:
If you are going to modify the steering are not going to return it to mowing service, remove the front mule and move the front axle forward. What I do it move the back bolts to the center bolt location and drill new holes for the front 4 bolts.

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Here is what the new stance looks like.

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Then you can liquid fill the front tires to help hold them down as well.

	PROJECTS: Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000 Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12 Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT Other projects > > > ATLTF Staff < < < How To Upload Pictures Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

How does the stretch effect the maneuverability? That's the only reason I've kept a short wheelbase.

This mower is gonna stay a trail mower so mods are ok, the deck got hauled off last week with a load of metal.

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 12th 2023, 1:57 pm

With the 4 inch stretch, I don't really see any difference (unlocked). Locking the rear on the other hand pretty increased the radius, but that is the norm for a locked rear.

	PROJECTS: Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000 Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12 Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT Other projects > > > ATLTF Staff < < < How To Upload Pictures Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 12th 2023, 2:01 pm

I think I did the same stretch as mighty on the GT6k. Like he said, you don’t really notice the difference besides what’s from the locked rear end.

I would fill the front tires with fluid first and see how that helps.

Builds:
Craftsman- "MUTT" (part II)
"MUTT" (part I)
Craftsman GT6K
Wheel Horse 414-8 Build
MTD - "Budgie"
'74 Kawasaki F11, Minibike

OOFTA MAY!

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 Rich1110

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

New tool! Been wanting one for years, side job money paid for it and holy crap! This thing cuts like a hot knife through butter.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 12th 2023, 11:38 pm

Been many times I would love to have something like that.

	PROJECTS: Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000 Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12 Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT Other projects > > > ATLTF Staff < < < How To Upload Pictures Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Axle has been moved forward roughly 2.5 inches, working on a wider beam as well, waiting for welds to cool to slap it in. Also beefing tie rods.

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 20230515

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 20230516

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Made a skid plate for the trans out of an old truck gas tank skid plate I had laying around.

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 20230518

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 20230517

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Testing time, working well!

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 21st 2023, 8:57 pm

Man, I should build skid plates for a couple my tractors. One day I'll get to it. Not too many rocky places here where I live that I have seen.

Really diggin this build!

	PROJECTS: Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000 Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12 Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT Other projects > > > ATLTF Staff < < < How To Upload Pictures Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 21st 2023, 10:32 pm

Great work man that's looking awesome!

My All Terrain Tractors:
- "The WarHorse" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Romping in Progress!)
- Roper "Trailblazer" ~ 1986 Roper LT110CR (Trailblazing in Progress!)
- The "Mud Duck" ~ 1969 Bolens 1225 Hydro (2022 Build Off 2nd place!)
- The "Silver Bullet" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Part 1)
- The "Silver Bullet" (Take 2) ~ 2024 Build Off entry (Work in progress)
- Roper "Offroadster" ~ 1979 Roper T4328 (Romping in Progress!)
- 1973 Massey Ferguson MF12 ~ (Sold to a good home)

Click Here To See The DIY and Build Threads I've Created!

~My Real Hobby Is Collecting Projects!~

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Making a new exhaust, want it a bit louder. Have to see how it sounds once done. Also was having issues with the rear wheels coming loose, the og lug bolts didn't engage the spacers very well so I took some used lug nuts and peeled the faux chrome cap then welded a 7/16 bolt in them. They hold much better and long enough to run a jamb nut on the backside of the flange.

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Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

We've been getting some rain finally, mud hole behind the shop is a blast. Wish I had trails around here to hit up.

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build June 6th 2023, 9:33 pm

Nice fix and it sounds really good, I'm a little jelly! Lol

My All Terrain Tractors:
- "The WarHorse" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Romping in Progress!)
- Roper "Trailblazer" ~ 1986 Roper LT110CR (Trailblazing in Progress!)
- The "Mud Duck" ~ 1969 Bolens 1225 Hydro (2022 Build Off 2nd place!)
- The "Silver Bullet" ~ 1984 Sears Craftsman LT(V)11 (MTD Built) (Part 1)
- The "Silver Bullet" (Take 2) ~ 2024 Build Off entry (Work in progress)
- Roper "Offroadster" ~ 1979 Roper T4328 (Romping in Progress!)
- 1973 Massey Ferguson MF12 ~ (Sold to a good home)

Click Here To See The DIY and Build Threads I've Created!

~My Real Hobby Is Collecting Projects!~

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Thanks! I ended up pulling the little baffle, was way too quiet with it in there. Muffler was a deal for only 36 bucks. Like that it sits higher up and out of the way too, more room for maybe a hitch in the future.

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Working on some 4x4 hubs for the front. It's been roasting hot so haven't done much lately.

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Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Took a ride to what's left of the Guadalupe River, very dire straights now for water.

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Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 6th 2023, 10:00 pm

I know you guys have been pretty hot down there this year.

	PROJECTS: Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000 Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12 Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT Other projects > > > ATLTF Staff < < < How To Upload Pictures Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 6th 2023, 10:33 pm

Looks like a good place to ride, shame about the river. How are the hubs coming along?

Builds:
Craftsman- "MUTT" (part II)
"MUTT" (part I)
Craftsman GT6K
Wheel Horse 414-8 Build
MTD - "Budgie"
'74 Kawasaki F11, Minibike

OOFTA MAY!

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Haven't done much lately on the mower, been building an engine for my buddies westfalia and lots of side jobs.

I did however pick up a vw bug steering box at a swap meet for 10 bucks and a sweet steering wheel so I'll be upgrading all the steering and hubs at the same time.

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Little cruise to the river bed, buddies mower spit the chain out about 50 feet in so I towed him back.

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 20230812

mower - Craftsman gt18 trail mower build - Page 3 20230813

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 16th 2023, 8:22 pm

Always nice having someone to ride with. That craftsman looks in its element out on the river bed Very Happy

Builds:
Craftsman- "MUTT" (part II)
"MUTT" (part I)
Craftsman GT6K
Wheel Horse 414-8 Build
MTD - "Budgie"
'74 Kawasaki F11, Minibike

OOFTA MAY!

Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 17th 2023, 2:10 pm

What? No comments on the Cub RER? I think it looks pretty cool!

I also agree with @RichieRichOverdrive about the GT18!

	PROJECTS: Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000 Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12 Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT Other projects > > > ATLTF Staff < < < How To Upload Pictures Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!

Member Join date : 2023-04-02 Points : 471 Posts : 72

Thanks! I'm running only 5 psi on the rear tires but I think I need to try like 2 psi, it's rougher than hell on those river rocks. Also thinking a better cushier seat too, this one is pretty dang firm.

My buddies cadet is so cool, it's like it was designed to be a go kart lol, thanks international!

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