2024 Build -Off

I'm going to start a discussion for or against the 2024 Build-Off.  I haven't got any traction with the staff.  Hate to say, with only a couple staff members still regular, how can I expect the members to be regular. That is another rant or another day.
 
First thing first.  Our membership is again all over the world and that is GREAT.  Sending prizes all over the world on the other hand is not great.  Sending to Canada, isn't as hard for US members as we have some "hacks" we can do.  Just to give an example, If I remember right to took @Doug a bit to get @Dave 007 's prizes to Australia in 2017 due to shipping costs (Well over $100usd just in shipping, and dealing with customs).   SO, maybe we do a build-off, but prizes will be given by your peers to help spread the cost.

I feel the rules need simplified.  Previous admins wanted to stick with OPE engines 2cyl or less.  No ATV engines.  I feel this is still a good rule.  Although I personally think 3cy engines would be interesting.

Space frames?  I think there is some ambiguity there as I can see a space frame being ok, as long as the end product resembles a tractor/mower.  Here is the kicker, it has to be home-made, not a bunch of ATV chassis pieces welded together called homemade.  We don't want someone slapping mower skin on a 4 wheeler calling it a tractor.  That ambiguity I was talking about is exoskeletons protecting engines and dashes.  I think those are GREAT ideas.  Some would call it a space frame, some may not.  
Thoughts?

Other rules that need revisited? I see all over Facespace the guys starting to take builds to the next level, I'd say to a professional level but still keeping true to the tractor and it's parts, but making pro mods to make them better and more durable.

Points of contact, I think that needs to be upped to 4 points.  Thoughts?

Basically I am open to a 2024 build-off.  I can get the forum awards made pretty snappy. Builds don't have to take all year, some of our winners @redzz02 built their winning tractor in literally a month.  Keep that in mind.  Builds don't have to be over the top all the time.  Maybe they just need be better engineered?   Maybe we have some other awards to go with the build-off?  Best mod? Best appearance? Ugliest build?  I don't know.

Here is your chance to chime in.  While all the suggestions won't be used, many could have merit that leads to updates.

-MightyRaze

Well @mightyraze I'm all in for next years if there is more up for it

Also, since many can't seem to post updates, remove probation section probably.

I do like the idea of having Awards for different categories .I don't think it would be horrible to allow space frames. Four Points of contact wouldn't be bad. I don't think some three cylinder engines would be bad it might be neat to see something like a GSXR or snowmobile engine in a mower. Also Not trying to be dumb here but what do you mean prizes will be given by your peers?

Not everyone has access to motorcycle and snowmachine engines.  I was thinking of including the 3cyl Diesel's as they do appear in some mowers.  Not sure how I feel about engines that could get a mower up to 50-60 or more mph.  Just seems not too safe.

@MightyRaze that's very true something like the Kubota diesel engines would be neat. I'm also still stumped about the peers giving prizes are we referring to donations lol

You can lead a builder to the Build Off but you can't make him build...

I'd love to see a higher percentage of entrants actually complete their builds and be eligible for voting and I'm saying that as someone who is as guilty as the next guy seeing as how I pulled out of the Build Off this past year! I didn't want to but I knew I had too much on my plate to handle it and enjoy it.

Given the chance, I'd re-enter The Silver Bullet (if it still qualified), I have 90% of the parts and materials I need including a couple of pieces I didn't post as they were going to be a surprise and ALOT of work to do. Aside from sitting on it a couple of times looking for inspiration, shuffling it around and feeling sad when I look at it she's had no attention... I never even got around to cleaning/protecting the front axle I worked so hard on...

@mightyraze that right . But personally over her in Kentucky u don't see no snowmobile around because the snow don't last and isn't deep enough for one but now a street bike u see them everywhere but now a 3 cylinder is very common on the new John Deere mower about it hard to find one at decent price u barely can fine a single cylinder for a 100 bucks here and if ur lucky enough u could find a oppy for 150 or more here and mostly the signal cylinders are around from 75 and down but I have seen them a 100 or more . But some us has Todo with what they can't afford to work with.

@Hillbilly mowers the snowmobile engine I found was just luck of the draw in Texas we don't have those either lol

@ranch king pro 08 man here in Kentucky in a man had something thang that fast around here they wouldn't make it out the other side alive or well.cause the Appalachian mountains ain't nothing to mess with.

ranch king pro 08 wrote:

@MightyRaze that's very true something like the Kubota diesel engines would be neat. I'm also still stumped about the peers giving prizes are we referring to donations lol

If the members want to send a prize to a winner, that would be welcomed.  I don't think I can dish them out next year.

My suggestion is an I would give Alil donation to help with the trophy to the winner and the fair thang to do is each member of the forum pich in to so it would help the forum keep going for years to come and help it grow. That is my opinion for it and that would make it fair to everyone and everybody .

If we go through with the 2024 buildoff, I’ll enter. I do have a wheel horse here waiting to be built…

The space or tube frames thing is definitely tricky. Mr.moo built some stuff in the past that wasn’t hardly any mower frame, but still looked like a mower. The GT4 zero or whatever it was comes to mind.

I mean, Richie Brown’s Toobz is full tube frame, no mower frame whatsoever, and it still is pretty much a tractor. The only advantage a tube frame really gives in his case is the ability to distribute weight much better than a stock mower frame.

@RichieRichOverdrive that is the perfect example in that pic of a tube frame I would consider OK personally.

Don't get me wrong, MrMoo is a fantastic builder.  The GT4Zero I think crossed the line.  I seen there was a lot of discussion on it.  I actually voted for him (Simplicity) instead of Doc on the weasel.  I felt the weasel was iffy.  But that is the past and past Admins made decisions and I will not go against their decisions at that time.

I think it's awesome that the Diesel Weasel had an honorable mention in the June 2017 issue of Hot Rod magazine!

@RichieRichOverdrive Another perfect example of a "potential space frame/tube" that I would personally accept is "Truffels"  

I think those are perfect! I really like like the idea and look of a space frame I personally don't see why they couldn't be allowed (as long as they stay like the pictures that were provided)

MightyRaze wrote:

@RichieRichOverdrive Another perfect example of a "potential space frame/tube" that I would personally accept is "Truffels"  

It's less the frame I care about and more the drivetrain and the end result.
That looks exactly like a proper atlt, has a off the shelf engine and a transmission, it's a pass in my books

Talking with the staff.... er @Brianator.  I believe we WILL do a build-off next year.  Start it, have fun with it.  See what we can build.  If I was forward thinking, I would have waited on the red bandit.  LOL.

@MightyRaze Red Bandit would've been a excellent entry but there's not a whole lot left you could really do to it eh... that's unfortunate but your GT6000 is basically still a stock tractor isn't it? That would be a great candidate!

Hopefully other staff will chime in soon, it's only been a couple of days.

I ain't no staff member but Id definitely be in on it

Brianator wrote:

@MightyRaze Red Bandit would've been a excellent entry but there's not a whole lot left you could really do to it eh... that's unfortunate but your GT6000 is basically still a stock tractor isn't it? That would be a great candidate!

Hopefully other staff will chime in soon, it's only been a couple of days.

The GT6k lives at my parents.  My dad uses it to mow right now.

Not right now he doesn't.... lol. What about that other FrankNSears tractor? Redneck something?

I'm down for that, going to pick me up a freebee 1974 sears with snowblower today, probably won't get to that until the new year, perfect timing for the build off as I have a bolens st160 mud mower on the go right now, which I will be posting shortly