SP's Mud Mower Build!

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Brianator wrote:

I've never seen it done like that before, with that said... good stuff!

As for motors... avoid Tecumseh Snow Kings from snowblowers, I know they can easily be found and for cheap but there's a reason for that, they like to snap the connecting rods even at stock engine speeds!

Little off topic, it’s been a while since I’ve watched an autopsy on one of those snow kings but all the ones I’ve seen were a result of low oil. Don’t seem to be a necessarily bad motor, considering they made them for around 30 years I’d say they’re pretty decent.

I almost wonder if it’s because people are late for work, need the driveway cleared, in a hurry, aren’t checking the oil and running it till it dies. JMHO though, sounds like you’ve got the voice of experience talking!

Anything’s better than those stupid Briggs singles that puke rods and compression releases! Lol.

Well if they aren't too bad, maybe I'll snag one because I realized now, the Kohler I was set to get is a vertical shaft, and this tractor used to have a horizontal shaft motor....

Unless it's not that bad to modify the pulley and clutch setups to work with vertical?
The transaxle has the input shaft on the side though so I'd have to twist the belt if I go vertical...

The toughest part I found about building a twisted belt system from scratch was the clutch, that was quite tricky. The Kohler could be converted to horizontal shaft with a oil pickup tube and a different carb intake, I think that's all it takes to be honest.

Keep your eye on Kijiji for a Honda clone, good deals pop up every now and again

Silver_Pharaoh wrote:

Well if they aren't too bad, maybe I'll snag one because I realized now, the Kohler I was set to get is a vertical shaft, and this tractor used to have a horizontal shaft motor....

Yeh, the tecumseh would be my recommended path, they are also generally really cheap.

Brianator wrote:

The toughest part I found about building a twisted belt system from scratch was the clutch, that was quite tricky. The Kohler could be converted to horizontal shaft with a oil pickup tube and a different carb intake, I think that's all it takes to be honest.

Keep your eye on Kijiji for a Honda clone, good deals pop up every now and again

Yeah I keep checking just in case!

PizzaKitty26 wrote:

Silver_Pharaoh wrote:

Well if they aren't too bad, maybe I'll snag one because I realized now, the Kohler I was set to get is a vertical shaft, and this tractor used to have a horizontal shaft motor....

Yeh, the tecumseh would be my recommended path, they are also generally really cheap.

What do you guys recommend for HP? Stock was 16HP, is there a minimum where you guys find these tractors just dont have enough ummph?

It's a bit dependent on the size and weight of the tractor plus rider AND the actual make and age of an engine as well... older cast iron 10hp Briggs, Tecs and Kohlers actually have alot more power behind them than most people would realize, definitely more than enough to get you into trouble turning bigger tires with a mild pulley swap! Lol. With that said, overall 12-14hp is the sweet spot in my opinion and anything above that I don't think is required for what were doing because we're never going to use it.

I agree with @Brianator except my sweet spot is 15-18 but my tractors are pretty heavy.

I've seen where some dudes made due with 212cc.  (6.5hp)

MightyRaze wrote:

I've seen where some dudes made due with 212cc.  (6.5hp)

Yes, if you gear it right, I think about 30 kph is about the limit, a Tecumseh snow blower engine will be about 8 hp

Brianator wrote:

It's a bit dependent on the size and weight of the tractor plus rider AND the actual make and age of an engine as well... older cast iron 10hp Briggs, Tecs and Kohlers actually have alot more power behind them than most people would realize, definitely more than enough to get you into trouble turning bigger tires with a mild pulley swap! Lol. With that said, overall 12-14hp is the sweet spot in my opinion and anything above that I don't think is required for what were doing because we're never going to use it.

MightyRaze wrote:

I agree with @Brianator except my sweet spot is 15-18 but my tractors are pretty heavy.

I've seen where some dudes made due with 212cc.  (6.5hp)

PizzaKitty26 wrote:

MightyRaze wrote:

I've seen where some dudes made due with 212cc.  (6.5hp)

Yes, if you gear it right, I think about 30 kph is about the limit, a Tecumseh snow blower engine will be about 8 hp

Well the 2300 weighs probably 50LBS, I've takes some things off the tractor like the deck mount and there some parts from the PTO left on it, but the guys if the PTO were already removed when I got the mower. Plus I'm a heavy guy so I'll lean towards the 14HP side of things probably lol.


Speaking of pulley swaps, looks like the 2300 has a 6.5" pulley on it. What do you guys think should be the pulley on the motor? I don't want to overspeed the 2300 by an insane amount but a bit extra would be nice to have I think?

I've run a 4 inch on the trans and 7 inch on the engine with a 2300.  Just don't get it wet.  It will slip like crazy. LOL

I am currently running 5 inch on Trans and 7 on the engine with my tractor Dirty Rat.  I get decent speed.  No land speed records.  

My friends tractor has a 2300 with a 6.5" trans pulley, with a 6.5" on the engine and 25" tires out back he can get up to about 12mph which is enough to feel a breeze and fling mud out of the tires. A 8" would probably get it close to 15mph and a 10" to 17-18mph all this assuming 3600-3800rpms. I've heard that the 2300 doesn't take to being oversped too much but I'm not sure why, I've seen the guts and they look good and are oil filled. I'd make sure to add a vent if it doesn't have one (some come with them and others don't) so pressure can't build up in the case.

MightyRaze wrote:

I've run a 4 inch on the trans and 7 inch on the engine with a 2300.  Just don't get it wet.  It will slip like crazy. LOL

I am currently running 5 inch on Trans and 7 on the engine with my tractor Dirty Rat.  I get decent speed.  No land speed records.  

Brianator wrote:

My friends tractor has a 2300 with a 6.5" trans pulley, with a 6.5" on the engine and 25" tires out back he can up to about 12mph which is enough to feel a breeze and fling mud out of the tires. A 8" would probably get it close to 15mph and a 10" to 17-18mph all this assuming 3600-3800rpms. I've heard that the 2300 doesn't take to being oversped too much but I not sure why, I've seen the guts and they look good and are oil filled. I'd make sure to add a vent if it doesn't have one (some come with them and others don't) so pressure can't build up in the case.

Yeah I was hoping and thinking about 30Km/hr top speed, which would be attainable with the 4" and 7" pulley setup MightyRaze had tried. But that would put the input RPM at around 6300, almost double what the 2300 is recommended to have... Has anyone tried that long term??

Not personally no, my Massey Ferguson is hitting 15mph but is only at the start of it's journey and my friend doesn't have much seat time on his rig yet. A different friend has been running his 633a hard for over a year without any issues and he's getting up to 27mph!

Brianator wrote:

Not personally no, my Massey Ferguson is hitting 15mph but is only at the start of it's journey and my friend doesn't have much seat time on his rig yet. A different friend has been running his 633a hard for over a year without any issues and he's getting up to 27mph!

I guess it all depends on how you treat the transaxle too and it's condition?
Mine had zero water in it when I drained it, just thick black gear oil which I swapped out. I'm hoping that means the bearings are in good shape.

I was looking back I think I had a 6.5 engine, 4 inch trans (that i know).  I was hitting like 19mph but not sure of engine RPM.  I'd guess about 3800-4k with 25's on the rear.  Most people's carnage are from bouncing them (transaxle) off rocks, clutch dumps, gear grinding.  Keep your seals good and keep oil in it.  Water out. It should last.

MightyRaze wrote:

I was looking back I think I had a 6.5 engine, 4 inch trans (that i know).  I was hitting like 19mph but not sure of engine RPM.  I'd guess about 3800-4k with 25's on the rear.  Most people's carnage are from bouncing them (transaxle) off rocks, clutch dumps, gear grinding.  Keep your seals good and keep oil in it.  Water out. It should last.

Yeah I kinda figured they were being abused, I've seen the insides of the 2300 online, looks strong and well built.


For motors, I have a line of a brand new 15HP Princess Auto horizontal, and I found an older version Honda GX340, both a similar price. What's your guys opinion? I don't know which way to turn. I know the Hondas are great, but the 15HP is brand new....

To me it would depend on the overall condition of the Honda, if it starts easily, runs really well and has good compression I'd choose it because well, it's a Honda! Lol.

That's a toughie but I'd definitely investigate the Honda if it's a fair price.

If me, I'd probably get the new one.  You don't know the use and abuse the 340 had.  Plus maybe some kind of warranty on the new one?

Brianator wrote:

To me it would depend on the overall condition of the Honda, if it starts easily, runs really well and has good compression I'd choose it because well, it's a Honda! Lol.

That's a toughie but I'd definitely investigate the Honda if it's a fair price.

I'll dig into it more and see whats what!

MightyRaze wrote:

If me, I'd probably get the new one.  You don't know the use and abuse the 340 had.  Plus maybe some kind of warranty on the new one?

Probably no warranty, not sure when the seller bought the new motor.
Fair point on the Honda, looks like something was bolted to it, I'll see if I can find out what life it uses to have.