The Mud Chief Build

Hi guys figured that i'd make a build thread for my offroad mower for everyone on the site to enjoy. Let me start by telling you guys a little about myself. Im Jeremy, im 17 and have probably been into tractors since I was 13 or so. This is my first real serious offroad mower build and im new to the whole "build thread" idea so bear with me.
Ok so I started with a mid 90s lawn chief mtd chasis. I bought it off a guy from my town for $50. got it for cheap because he had blown the original 12.5hp than blew the 12hp he put in after that  . So once I got it home I swapped in my spare 12.5hp briggs I had from a previous mower I scrapped and now had a running and driving base for my build. Took it out a couple times on the trails we have with my buddy (dukas is his username on here) and soon realized the stock turfs weren't gonna cut it. So after struggling for a week with one stuck rim which I literally had to destroy to remove, I had 2brand new 22x12-8 kenda bearclaws (and a new rim  ) on my tractor. Ive also welded up and partially installed a gas pedal on my tractor, just need to run the actual cable and get that sorted out.
The plans are pretty similar to most on here and will happen as time and money permits,
:better front tires
:bumpers front and rear
:paint, not sure on color scheme just yet but I have all winter to decide lol
:winch
:maybe lock the front end
:better steering? maybe direct steer or just thicker steering rods with heims?
:a new battery and any other general maintenance items it may need in the future
 Well youre now up to date on my build so here are some pics to tide you over until the next update

That's pretty sweet looks good with them tires, I sorta like it as is for
Paint

thanks, the tires are sweet! they will get you through pretty much anything

  that rear end is badass!

you just sold me on a set of bearclaws for my bolens.. looks like a tank man, like it. ALOT

Thanks guys, appreciate the compliments

Good start man, those claws will def do you good.

that looks awesome take it mudding

Oh she's definelty gonna get muddy. Just wait til we get a good rain or springtime I get mud pits that'll put this thing through its paces  

Jerbear0612 wrote:

Oh she's definelty gonna get muddy. Just wait til we get a good rain or springtime I get mud pits that'll put this thing through its paces  

lucky for me, i have a small stream behind my house, its ALWAYS muddy

Quick update for you guys, pics to follow later today. Went for a couple of trail rides this past week, and after hitting up one of the mud holes me and my buddy stopped for a second to talk. He started laughing and said look at your front end. Long story short my stamped steel front axle stress cracked about 1/3 of the length of it. Didn't even realize it until he told me. Looks like ill be on the lookout for either a new front axle or ill be making one myself.

I think you're best to cut your losses now and fabricate a new axle beam from SHS or RHS. It will end up a lot stronger- and this maybe an opportune moment to correct the geometry, widen the stance, or even lift it.