My current Rally projects

This little project LT I picked up a year ago when helping an older fellow clear his property for fire safety. Is now powered by a honda GXV340. Hasn't gone much farther than the picture here which was taken just before I moved. 6 Speed spicer 4360, 1:1 pulley ratio. Wiring nightmare I call 'Predator' (because it's whisper quiet and fast...ish)... Back burner, but will be revisited sooner or later.




This is one of my current big projects - a 1976 Dynamark LT mated to a late model LT3000 pan frame, mated to a partial tube frame of a 1983 Yamaha G1. It retains the front and rear sections of the G1 with the front suspension intact. Currently running a 2 speed foote inline shift transmission to the 8:1 ratio rear end. This will be replaced with a solid 1" axle, either modified 3 speed foote or peerless 700 and +/- 40T rear sprocket running #480 chain. Likely similar tires to what it has in the 2nd picture, but possibly something larger with a regear accordingly. It's currently called 'low buck Chuck' cause I've spent next to nothing on it.


This is my LT4000, formerly known as 'General Hellcat'. It is slated for a complete rebuild and mod with box/tube frame underneath the original pan frame, ross box steering and a chain drive front and rear. At least, those are the intended plans.


My 1973 Bolens HT-20 the day after I got it. Originally I intended to mod it with a subaru engine/trans/rear axle setup (ea81, 5 speed, IRS) but have since made enough mechanical repairs to use the original drive system. I am going to locate a nice diesel for it, but have not found just what I wanted yet. It may end up as a 6 wheel machine, used for tractor recovery. If not, a standard four wheel machine, with similar tech to the roper GT180 I've been working on. In addition, it will have a winch front and rear, likely a tow boom, dual batteries, dual fuel tanks, onboard air, etc. It's been running once with a k321 since I got it, but have removed that engine in search for the diesel.




Picked up this GT180 roper clone last winter. First pic is as it was when I picked it up. Second is as of yesterday - and it's gone through some further changes since then. It has a 22hp predator 670/633A setup, 1:1 ratio. Full ATV rack, running a 950A deep cycle battery, and enough LED to light up next week. I'll be dropping a video on this either on FB or youtube in the coming days summarizing the whole build.

Man these builds are all pretty cool! Are they all geared toward utility? I suppose that craftsman/dynamark/Yamaha mashup is a trail machine. Looks like a cool rig!

Some neat stuff you're building here. I really like that little Craftsman LT with the IFS!

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Man these builds are all pretty cool! Are they all geared toward utility? I suppose that craftsman/dynamark/Yamaha mashup is a trail machine. Looks like a cool rig!

Well, yes and no. They're all meant for trails and speed... and to supplement each other in some form or fashion. That is, if one goes down for serious repairs or otherwise is incapacitated, the next can take it's place in short order. The only one that leans more towards utility is the Bolens, only because it's slow with no practical way to get it faster... at least not one I'm willing to try.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Some neat stuff you're building here. I really like that little Craftsman LT with the IFS!

Thanks it's probably my favorite right now as well, which is why it's taken me so long to get anywhere on it. I want to do it just right, the first time and then thrash it like it owes me money lol

I've always wanted a Roper/Wizard/Yard Pro or whatever you wanna call it like that. Except it would be on lawn duty. Of all the tractors I could choose for cutting grass, I'd want a Roper? Wha? Is something wrong with me? Seriously though, some really nice rigs you got there! When I use these things I find that I lean toward using a particular one out of the bunch if I have my choice, I guess the hydro Murray is probably my favorite. Which one's yours? In other words, which do you use the most?

Murraymountain wrote:

I've always wanted a Roper/Wizard/Yard Pro or whatever you wanna call it like that. Except it would be on lawn duty. Of all the tractors I could choose for cutting grass, I'd want a Roper? Wha? Is something wrong with me? Seriously though, some really nice rigs you got there! When I use these things I find that I lean toward using a particular one out of the bunch if I have my choice, I guess the hydro Murray is probably my favorite. Which one's yours? In other words, which do you use the most?

Right now, the roper clone is. Possibly because I've spent so much time on it, probably because it's the only build moving under it's own power... I really don't know lol...

Looks like it'd be my favorite too. Can't wait to see it progress!

Murraymountain wrote:

Looks like it'd be my favorite too. Can't wait to see it progress!

actually, within the next couple weeks as time allows, you will

you see - the entire purpose laid out for it was to A- control the drone and B- go as far as any tractor of it's kind ever has and maybe farther on one tank of fuel. So, this Saturday I'm going on a 30 mile cross country jaunt with it solo. Taking pics and vids along the way of course. If you can find or follow me on facebook @ fatboy dan's skunkworks I'll be continuing to post about it

30 miles solo? Well, that'll be fun lol! I'm taking my Murray to an event on Saturday too! I don't do Facebook, so I guess that settles that. Thanks for letting me know though. And BTW, I think the Roper deserves it's own thread.

Wow 30 miles is a long way! What’s the terrain like?

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Wow 30 miles is a long way! What’s the terrain like?

5-7 degree grades, farm roads, sage brush laden jeep trails, light rocky terrain in spots, perhaps a mud hole or 2. The route I planned is one I've not taken in quite a few years, but then it was via car/truck

Murraymountain wrote:

30 miles solo? Well, that'll be fun lol! I'm taking my Murray to an event on Saturday too! I don't do Facebook, so I guess that settles that. Thanks for letting me know though. And BTW, I think the Roper deserves it's own thread.

Oh yes, I probably added a couple extra hundred pounds in parts and tools just in case of breakdown. Murray huh? I'm picking up another widebody and a bug-eye pan body this weekend to see what kinda toy I can build out of the pair.

I don't disagree with the Roper thread idea, I'll start that tomorrow.

looks like you've got plenty to keep you busy ! and plenty of back ups. I need to find the time to get my back up built never know when i'm gonna need it. 30 miles sounds like a fun time. i belive you have inspired me to plan something like that.

diddie wrote:

looks like you've got plenty to keep you busy ! and plenty of back ups. I need to find the time to get my back up built never know when i'm gonna need it. 30 miles sounds like a fun time. i belive you have inspired me to plan something like that.

I'm glad I could inspire someone - I don't think I've quite done that before...

Mentioning backups- I once had 17 active machines, then it was 3 active machines and 18 backups, now I'm down to 1 active machine and 4 backups that could be made ready within a day... but I'm picking up a particular murray the local saw and mower shop donated (the owner hates murray) with the plans to re-create an old and at one point famous project of mine