Mighty's Li'l Red Murray

@MightyRaze wrote:

One of the things I noticed right away was how much LARGER the 820 brake is compared to an MST.  Like Comparing a Dime to a 50 cent piece.

Oh yes. Those 820 brakes are HUGE! Can't wait to see 'er back on the trails!

Got it in and together.  YAY!

Couple things...

Need to adjust the brake.
Although 1-4 shifts like silk, neutral is a little sticky, and I cannot seem to get it in reverse.  Hmm....  I have a couple ideas. I thought it worked fine on the bench, but that was before I put in the vent. I think it is catching in the neutral punchout on the shifter. I'll add a washer.

Turned out to be the shifter ball in too tight. Pix and Video later today.

OK, so, I think my brake issue is the spring rod is too weak for the brakes.  So, I will look into making a separate brake pedal and just have the other as clutch only.

Nice pig tails drilling holes for my brackets from a mower deck.





Couple dirty glamour shots!







Upgrades before haspin..

Remount hood lights
Fix brake
new Winch (this one takes too much juice and not remote)

Nice to see it on all fours again and those are nice metal chips. That's what I like to see.

You'll want a good set of brakes and perhaps a couple spare pads for haspin. If you don't get to the winch don't sweat it because the nice thing about riding with a group of guys is it's pretty easy for 2 or 3 guys to get a tractor unstuck without a winch.

@Crazy_Carl wrote:

Nice to see it on all fours again and those are nice metal chips.  That's what I like to see.

You'll want a good set of brakes and perhaps a couple spare pads for haspin.  If you don't get to the winch don't sweat it because the nice thing about riding with a group of guys is it's pretty easy for 2 or 3 guys to get a tractor unstuck without a winch.

Yeah, may need to look into that.  Once I get the new brake petal connected, I'll see how I like performance of them.  I may need to look into what the Mowrons did.

I'll have the winch by this weekend.  I have some birthday $$$ that I have saved up.   I was going to get it today but I we didn't have the chance.


First thing I noticed was how smooth I was riding again.  I guess sometime I had bent the previous axle in the MST and it had a slight wobble.  I feel that once I get the brake resolved, it could tackle about anything.

OK, did some checking and the spring rod isn't even moving enough to engage the brake. I realized my clutch pedal isn't full range of motion. Need stronger spring on clutch or a slightly smaller belt or both..

dangit, I want a 820 so bad for my Widebody!

Ugh.... this thing is really pissing me off trying to get it ready for Haspin. I have always had brake issues with Red.  I've never gone crazy with it due to the brakes.  I put in the 820 and I still have the issues even though the 820 has a far superior system than the MST.  I will obviously have to run a separate brake from the clutch.  I put on a new belt, and now I am having clutching issues.  UGH!

 


EDIT:

Oh, and it has developed an engine oil leak.  

Sounds like she's really putting you through the wringer!

It's aggravating.


So.... if this thing is a bust at haspin or does not make it... there may be some SEVERE changes to Li'L RED. Let's say if I were going to enter it in the 2020 Build-Off I probably could and leave it a Rally machine....

PS: It is not going in the 2020 BO.

Dangit!
I hope U can get that all fixed!

@MightyRaze Don't sweat it bud! Yeah a seperate brake lever or pedal is the way to go. I'm sure you won't be the only person with a clutch or oil leak at Haspin. Nobody's tractor is perfect.

I know how you feel. It's horrible. And let me guess, the engine leak is coming from the sump, Right?

Brakes are one of the most aggravating things at Haspin. They generally last about a day due to the nature of the dirt/mud there. I've gotten used to using them only in emergencies in order to preserve them.

As far as oil leaks/burning, Stretch and I always check the oil in our rigs before each ride regardless of puddles or clouds LOL.

I figured out my clutch issue.  Way back in the day when I first started building this and made a new double pulley clutch. I made a clutch rod that was about 3 inches too long!  I resolved that.  That helped brakes a "little", but I still intend to change out the brake rod.

PS, oil leak right now appears to be around the oil drain.  I replaced the sump and bottom seal a couple years ago.

GRRRR!!!!!

Well busted my key on the engine.  Completely sheered and lost.  Also, I realized the pulley sits higher on the 820 and I thought I aligned it with the clutch.  BAH! I just got it back together after teardown.




This thing is fighting me tooth and nail not to go.

Well there is still two months to go man. I suppose the 820 isn't a direct swap in. I hate messing with belt alignment too especially vertical shaft stuff.

Aligning it should not be an issue.  Heck I may not even have to take the tractor apart to do that.  The parts that bother me is all the "band-aids" I have done to this tractor in the past 4-5 years are starting to show.  I don't need or want "band-aids" for the big show.  Those will make for a short day.  

basically, it comes down to.... I'm a big guy and I think it is about time to retire the light flimsy widebody frame for something a little better?  That still somewhat flimsy 85 GT frame is looking a little more appealing out back.

If I can get Red to Haspin....unless it comes out as the bee's knees, Haspin may end up being, Red's Retirement going out with a bang!

Then TOTAL Rebuild.

Haha. I know what you mean. I'm pretty much in the same situation with my hydro. As for a frame swap, I'm not sure it's worth it. It's a lot of work for a little reward.

Which key did you shear? Pulley, flywheel or something else I don't know about?

@MightyRaze wrote:

If I can get Red to Haspin....unless it comes out as the bee's knees, Haspin may end up being, Red's Retirement going out with a bang!

Then TOTAL Rebuild.

Sounds like a great plan to me! Fully SEND IT at Haspin, then take all the good parts and build a better rig for next year. You (and I) will learn great things at Haspin for the rebuild too.

I think I am over my frustrations with Li'l Red.
I wish I was a member when I started the build.  I would have entered it in the 2015 Build-off.  LOL

It's come a long way!


To this...

Isn't funny how these things always work themselves out. Well, back to work .

it turned out great!

It's driving well again with new key and such.  Not sure why the key disintegrated or where it went, but I do have a good idea what happened.  I do know when the key went on the engine, it went with a "POP".    When I put the 820 back together the brake disk was pretty badly rusted.  I figured the brake pads would clean it up.  Turns out the brake disk ate away the disk pads to almost nothing.  While trying to adjust the brakes, I ended up completely tightened it to a point I locked up the transaxle.  That is why I sheered the key.  I have 2 new pucks on the way.  Meanwhile I will be polishing the brake disk.  Before I go and try to work out the brake issues, I will see if this will resolve my issue first.