12hp Craftsman II build ♦lots of pic's♦

ok so i got a old craftsman from a buddy of mine because iv been wanting to build a mower to do the tasks of a atv. i do alot of hunting and all around here is mainly mud. i wana build something to drag deer out of the woods and to just have fun on...this is my first welding/fabrication project so dont hate haha here we go



got the fenders, hood, transaxle, and all of the goodies from the deck setup


All stripped down and cleaned it up with some gunk



notched out the c- channel so that the factory transaxle mounts can be welding on to it.


i dont think this is too bad for my first actual welding

mocking up one side, this c-channel is some hard shit!


this is all i could get done before it got too dark. got it all welded up and its definitely rigid!

Im not too sure on how i want to lift the front end. i want to keep the articulation in the front but im not sure how i want to drop it. the c channel was cut at 12" long and notched it out so the mower is actually sitting 9 inches above factory ride height. should i drop the front just as much? it will end up with atv tires most likely since only one tire that's on it holds air.

got some more work done this afternoon. cut up some angle iron and made some torsion bars. i think they came out pretty good once i notched it out and welded it across the whole back lift block so it should definately hold up the abuse. im gonna get the other side done tomorrow after work.

I'd be tempted to cut the front axle off the frame to lower it.

what do you mean? the axle have a center pivot point. im thinking about just dropping that center point down then adding some sort of limiting straps so it doesn't flex too much if you gte what i mean

I'd cut the entire front of the frame off, and lower it, and weld in place. That way you still have a stock mounting for the axle, just lower.

could you send me a link or a pic of what your talkin about? i dont really understand what you mean

My guess is, Stretch means something like this.



However you attach the frame after that would be up to you.

Thanks Dan. I could not think of a different way to say it. And you are much handier with the paint program.

hey if you want front suspension check my monster on youtube on redzz02, also check under the builds section under monster mower if you do end up going suspension route ill answer all your questions

thanks for the diagram. thats what i thought you ment but i wasnt sure how i would weld it back. maybe if i could cut the frame off another mower then weld it under my frame or something. i wana try to keep the flex in it though. i was thinking about welding some of that c channel (cuz its strong as hell) straight down from the center pivot point then brace the sides of it. where did you get those shocks from on your mower redzz?
?

they are 12 inch gokart shocks so basicaly anywhere they sell go kart parts would probably have them

ohh i gotcha. so you pretty much made a 3 link suspension in the front. how well does it flex with the trac bar? i was thinking about doing the same thing but with square tubing and maybe small heim joints or something so it will get the most flex and still stay strong.

Any updates on the mower bud?