John Deere Ice Racer by RCG

Shortening the steering shaft seems like a great idea! That would give you more room to throw your weight around and get more weight towards the front when you need it by leaning into it, also gives you the option of sleeving it to make the height adjustable. 

I had another idea for extra traction up front btw... how about a little negative camber and move a few studs from the outside row to the inside tread? I think it's a viable idea that's within your $0 goal! Lol

Edit : I just realized you're racing a circle track so if you'd want to go negative camber on the outside wheel with some studs relocated to the inside and positive camber on the inside tire with some studs relocated to the far outside of that tire. Not much camber, just a few degrees should help you dig in a bit more.

Well we might get some winter ice after all

Looks like a Zamboni to me! Get out there and get the snow off!

Pre Youtube:

Oh, I like that!

Sorry about the welding machine. When the time comes, DO get something with TIG in it. I have a cheap HF TIG that has no pedal. I’ve made gun repairs and a fair amount of welding with it. It is perfect for what I need. Much like welding with a torch, which is also a good skill to learn. But, I haven’t touched my torch since I got the Cut50 plasma cutter.

Oh, YES to the green paint you have. This is a use what you have build, right? Go for it. Pink if you have to.

Pre YouTube:
Rats nest sorting hoping to take it for a rip on the pond today

I’m looking at the way the steer tires are slipping and I’m wondering if some yard cart rims and tires would fit, and improve steering? Pretty sweet mow-chine (sorry for the bad pun I had to lol)

And yes to the hunter green paint job. You’ll be going by everyone too fast for them to notice

BTW I think you videos might need better titles & thumbnails, that would attract more random people, I looked for channels that did your type of thing before I found this site but never found yours, you have something unique for most people, you need to portray it as unique.

Just my nickel minus 2 1/4 of a copper plus 6/8ths?

I found his youtube channels with no problem.

So, seeing those yellow snowmobiles when you came off the pond made me NEED to suggest that the body off of one of those would make a great body for an ice racer mower.

I think the first one is a snowmobile and the second a jet ski? Anyway, this one. The engine could stick out of the hood, ala RACER!

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

I’m looking at the way the steer tires are slipping and I’m wondering if some yard cart rims and tires would fit, and improve steering? Pretty sweet mow-chine (sorry for the bad pun I had to lol)

And yes to the hunter green paint job. You’ll be going by everyone too fast for them to notice

Yard cart tires I think would be to small. They tend to me 10 inch the xtrac are 13 and the stock are 15. In a perfect world I need a 15 xtrac but that is money I just plan do not have right now.

TechnoChicken wrote:

BTW I think you videos might need better titles & thumbnails, that would attract more random people, I looked for channels that did your type of thing before I found this site but never found yours, you have something unique for most people, you need to portray it as unique.

Just my nickel minus 2 1/4 of a copper plus 6/8ths?  

Mower racing videos on youtube have never gotten squat for views. And the pay out per thousand views is 1/4 most of my other videos. I make my money on RCG the racing channel makes enough to pay for itself right now. Considering it is only 2 years old and done in my spare time. I think that is doing good.

Thumbnails and what is popular at the time comes and goes. So mine are all done generic unless I randomly get a very cool screen shot that works.

Nevadablue wrote:

I found his youtube channels with no problem.

So, seeing those yellow snowmobiles when you came off the pond made me NEED to suggest that the body off of one of those would make a great body for an ice racer mower.

I think the first one is a snowmobile and the second a jet ski? Anyway, this one. The engine could stick out of the hood, ala RACER!

That is from a pre Divorce project for John. Hoping to get back to that this summer. Need to get it done before he gets to big.

RCG wrote:

Yard cart tires I think would be to small. They tend to me 10 inch the xtrac are 13 and the stock are 15.  In a perfect world I need a 15 xtrac but that is money I just plan do not have right now.

I’ve seen a lot that are 4.80-8. Same size as a small trailer or log splitter. Just over 16”

Just my .02

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

RCG wrote:

Yard cart tires I think would be to small. They tend to me 10 inch the xtrac are 13 and the stock are 15.  In a perfect world I need a 15 xtrac but that is money I just plan do not have right now.

I’ve seen a lot that are 4.80-8. Same size as a small trailer or log splitter. Just over 16”

Just my .02

Got it I think we had a lost in translation of yard kart. Around here that is a glorified little red wagon LOL

ive noticed for snow or mud skinny tires are better then wide and balloony for the fronts of tractors

Wonder how a tri-rib with a mohawk of screws would handle.

MightyRaze wrote:

Wonder how a tri-rib with a mohawk of screws would handle.

I have debated that on the sear build. Problem is the cost on those tires has gone way up in the last year. Will hit up a few local guys and see if one of them has an old set I can trade for.

Will see how well this works out.

I’m using those on my rat rod build. I had to sand the ID of the snowblower hubs slightly (after shortening the LONG side a lot). But now they fit. I will be using bearing mount fluid when I install them and adding grease zerks to the hubs also.

For the next time some one asks "Is 13 to 16 a big difference in tire size"

RCG wrote:

For the next time some one asks "Is 13 to 16 a big difference in tire size"

Ya it is! The 13's look perfect and like they get the front end down for a little extra front weight bias compared to the turfs, hows about a side view please!? I bet they'll be a huge improvement or my name isn't Herbie Hancock! Lol