Age : 35 Join date : 2014-01-02 Posts : 74 Forum Rep : 0 Location : Portland, PNW
Subject: Hello, cool to find a neat community Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:25 am
Hi, my name is Mitch and this site has been very inspiring. I used to mow my dads small field with a Cub Cadet 122 that i still have, though its lent out to a friend and getting pretty tired. I thought about using that as something to romp around the woods in NW Oregon. Tillamook State forrest / browns camp are great places to 4wheel. Ive always liked quads and never been a fan of 2 or 3 wheelers. I never had the cash or place to store / work on a quad either. Now that i live alone, i can use my space how i want and build myself something to play in the woods. I picked up a used Craftsman II GT, not sure what year, im still new to Mowers and GTs. I know its a common one, with a decent stout drivetrain. I love taking stuff apart and reworking stock parts in a way to make the machine do what i want. Il be posting up my build up to where i am now after i post this here.
Im glad to be inspired to build something to explore the woods much better than my pickup can, as the quad trails seem to really outnumber the 4x4 trails. You guys, especially being addicted to the videos Fearless front, Redneck computer geek and mud king have posted up. So stoked to get going!
And happy new year.
1997 Murray Hammer
Age : 22 Join date : 2013-11-13 Posts : 1311 Forum Rep : 2 Location : NW USA
Subject: Hello, cool to find a neat community Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:51 am
welcome! GT craftsman IIs are one of the best mowers in my opinion. 3 speed hi-lo, right? opposed twin, I belive? the output shaft on the engine is aimed to the rear but the transaxle pulley is on the side. it would be neat if you rotated the engine 90 degrres and ran a belt sraght to the axle. good to have you here!
Krawler86 Forum Newbie
Age : 35 Join date : 2014-01-02 Posts : 74 Forum Rep : 0 Location : Portland, PNW
Subject: Re: Hello, cool to find a neat community Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:45 am
Hah, you read my mind. I have it completely in pieces, tires on the way, engine being rotated 90 with a pull cord pully on the fan side, and im ordering maybe a cast iron pully for the Keyway shaft on the other side to use as the actual drive side. Seemed much sturdier than the hub on the fan.
I just typed up a build with tons of pics, only to learn i cant post pics for 7 days. Its kind of hard to explain everything i did without pics... well i guess you guys dont get to see the new fangled coolness i have cooking for this thing. The rotated motor is not the half of it
And yesm 3spd Hi-Lo and an 18hp opposed that runs brilliantly
redlinemotorsportts Moderator
Age : 24 Join date : 2013-03-18 Posts : 3127 Forum Rep : 3 Location : raleigh nc
Subject: Re: Hello, cool to find a neat community Thu Jan 02, 2014 12:25 pm
Welcome! Oregon to my understanding is probably the best state in the US to wheel in. Basically has every turrain out there. Craftsman II's are very strong, probally the strongest "modern" GT's out there. A grinder and a welder will help out a lot in mods. The rear axle in the GT can handle some nasty tires. Atv tires, posi, and some bumpers are great mods. Check the forum, and learn alot!
Subject: Hello, cool to find a neat community 
Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:25 am
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