Crazy_Carl's Wheel Horse Mud Rat [2018 Build-Off Entry]

I stumbled across a couple of good finds on craigslist last night, picked up parts this morning, and now I'm entering a 1962 Wheel Horse Model 702 that I'm turning into a mud/rally tractor named "Mud Rat".  







Here is my build plan:

-Wheel Horses usually have Kohler engines so I found this 196cc OHV Kohler engine I'm going to put in it.
-control the throttle via a gas pedal
-the shafts turn on the transaxle but it's stuck in gear so I'm going to soak it in diesel to see if I can free it up
-acquire and paint front rims for it
-paint the wider rear rims I have for it that are off a later model Wheel Horse
-feed the motor from the stock gas tank
-replace broken steering gear
-repair worn out spinldes
-I bought the tractor in pieces and I've never worked on a Wheel Horse from this era so I'm starting from the ground up
-23" or 25"atvs tires in the rear
-16" or 18" atv tires up front
-build front bumper
-build or find a rear drawbar
-custom exhaust, most likely a nice looking stack

Maybe List (money and time permitting):

-I love the way the old hood, dash, and fenders look in their current state, but I might paint the frame
-add alternator and electrical system with lights
-install a custom front axle with suspension




-Approved by Doug, 2/13/2018

Last night my dad and I took the shifter out of the transaxle and noticed that the shift forks could move back and forth with no clicking sounds.  The transaxle wasn't seized up like the guy told me. I don't think the shifter was inserted into the shift forks correctly either. It seemed as if the balls, spring, and pin that interlock the shift forks in their detents were missing.  Every gear worked, and the oil and parts inside looked pretty good.

Tonight I split the case.  One ball, spring and pin, were in the right spot but the other ball was down in the oil ( I found it after I bought a 29 cent ball at the hardware store).  I put the second ball and shiftfork back in and now it works as it should and you can feel the clicks between the gears.  I also flipped the pinion gears in the differential so I am now LOCKED!

There is some where on the gears but I'm not sure if it's anything to be concerned about or not.

Not bad. One gear is a little worn. Not bad.

Here's an idea of what I'm going for here.



Original red body work, Black frame and axles, except I would like to go with silver rims or maybe something else.  I'd like some ideas on rim color.

The front and rear tires have been picked out.  The front of this thing is getting some kind of suspension.  Possibly a triangulated four link.

rear tires

front tires

Sounds super cool Carl! Love the tires you picked.

Wow the larger rear tires come out cheaper than the fronts. Those are some sweet tires for the money

You’ll never guess who found the deal on the rear tires... BEAL!

Its a pretty neat pile of parts

@Crazy_Carl wrote:

You’ll never guess who found the deal on the rear tires... BEAL!

I got my huge rear tires for just a couple bucks less plus Free Shipping
25x11x12

@Crazy_Carl wrote:

You’ll never guess who found the deal on the rear tires... BEAL!

See Im good for something.    

I started getting the gears and housings cleaned up today for the transaxle.  When my arms started to get tired of scrapping gasket material I decided to make a top speed calculator in numbers.  With a 5" engine pulley I'll top out around 13 mph in 3rd gear and 5 mph in 1st gear.  Seems pretty good to me.



If anyone wants help doing something like this in excel or numbers let me know.

Cool calculator. wallaceracing.com has a speed calculator I think, but you gotta do some of the work yourself because of the pulley ratio.

Thanks I tried to make this one really user friendly and it's designed for mud mowers!

Plenty of teeth left in those gears, LOL. Maybe take a file to the edges and knock off the burrs on the teeth and you'll be good.

@prancstaman wrote:

Plenty of teeth left in those gears, LOL. Maybe take a file to the edges and knock off the burrs on the teeth and you'll be good.

That's exactly what I did.

I'm almost ready for re-assembly.  I have the case halves cleaned up, but I want to paint them.  The gears are all cleaned up and the locked diff carrier is bolted back together.  I have the new gasket and shift boot, and the seals shipped today.

I managed to get my circa 1962 trans pulley off.  The set screw was so rusted it wouldn't budge at all even after soaking and wire brushing it, but I soaked the shaft too. After waiting a day the pulley pulled right off. I really like castle thrust.

What kinda ratio you going for?

Either a five and a five or a 5 on the trans and a 6 on the motor. I was thinking about re-using the factory 4" trans pulley but the keyway is really sloppy and the set screw is rusted in. It's only a 4" anyway and a lot of guys say anything under 5" likes to slip in water or mud.

Idk, I've seen people run 3" pulleys just fine. Depends on how much clutch friction you have.

I have the new seals in the transmission so after I paint the case halves I’m going  to assemble it.

I ended up going with these for my front tires.  

new front tires

 They’re very popular and the price is great.  What do you guys think of them?

Mmmm...nice looking tires. Price is definitely good!

Before...



After!



If all goes according to plan I will assemble it tomorrow.

Looks like new- excited to see where this build will go. Keep it up!

Case halves look great Carl!

Looks sweet!!!

Nice! They do look good all painted up!