new guy from maryland

ok guys and gals, i am a new guy who is totally falling in love with this whole concept of mud tractors. I dont know a whole lot about where to even begin. I know i have been utubing the whole thing and I have fallen in love with all of this stuff. You guys seem to get down pretty good and have a great time the whole time. Wondering where I could find a tractor already done and ready to rock and roll. If anyone out here can point me in the direction of a tractor already done or close to done I am interested. Please let me know! I would like to save a little time and get mudding quickly. Feel free to send me a message or post here i will be checking in on the regular. Thanks guys and nice to meet you all!

Welcome to ATLTF!  Maybe someone will chime in!

welcome aboard ! hope you find what you'er looking for. But for me building is half the fun of doing this, you might want to look into it. you dont have to get crazy with it to build something capable. there is plenty of ideas here on the site. and were all willing to give advice and answer questions.

i totally understand the enjoyment of building. i am just so eager to get started and romp....lol...but i also just dont want to be the guy who looks like a fool....i have the slightest idea where to start or what type of tractor to use...so i guess i will reach out and ask what type of tractor is the best to get started with? what are the main things to even to begin to search for.....lets start there any suggestions?

Looking like a fool is half the fun! 

Look for tractors with Geared transaxles.  Ones typically R-N-1 2 3 4 5 6 or R-N-1 2 3 4 5 typically found in Murray or Craftsmans or their clones.  Other geared tractors like older Sears Suburbans and customs, also geared wheelhorses are very nice too.  There are other good tractors as well.  I would stay away from varidrives and hydrostatic.

that info is priceless and appreciated....now i know where to at least begin. thank you sir, any other things that i should focus on to help building the process easier

once you find you a good candidate (look around on facebook marketplace and craigslist. this time of the year you can find some good deals) you can do a pulley swap to get a little more speed. bigger pulley on the engine and smaller at the transaxle. but dont go to agressive or it could cause belt slippage or release problems. one to one ratio works pretty good like 5 inch front and rear. then get you some atv tires and a dead man throttle and you've got a good start.

whats a dead man throttle, im a idiot to all this, i drive a hydrostatic tractor because i dont like shifting...lol...i literally take that thing everywhere with the deck.... i was really surprised where i could go with just 4 inches of clearance...i can only imagine where i can go when i add speed and height with the tires...lol im so freaking excited

A dead mans throttle would just be a gas pedal (like a bike brake handle on the floor to operate the throttle). So yeah basically just a gas pedal.