Custom 2 seater Rat build

[Ken B 3,116]

Like anything you build John, way cool and nicely done! Love it!

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,037]

Now you have a little more hp for that one.. Hope the motor works out for your John. ..

[Ole MN 11]

like it way cool

[wallfish 15,918]

I just love the look of this John

How have you managed to do the offset left hand drive stearing and how is the engine drive connected

Or is this top secret information.

I would love to have the time and inclination to be able to build one of those

this is what makes these wheel horse tractors so amazing with everything that just bolts together. like Meccanno

No top secret processes here, just made it up as I went along. If you magnify the 3rd pic, you can see the normal steering components mounted to a piece of angle steel. On the front side, I cut the shaft, made a bearing to support it and welded that on and a sprocket on the shaft. A #40 chain goes from that to the other piece of shaft with an added bearing and sprocket which is in the "normal" steering position. So far untested but it should work out OK.

The drive belt is routed around the axle and needs to be put on before the tires. I still need to work out the details for how the clutch and brake will work.

[wallfish 15,918]

Here are some pics of the steering setup. There is a piece of steel tubing used for a bushing inside of the square piece and then the sproket was welded on

[wallfish 15,918]

This is the new brake linkage and pedal. Pedal is made from the old snow plow index handle.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,037]

Looking sweet John. Like to see your sick little mind at "play"....

[COMMANDO6 20]

Cool. This should be a fun one to drive

[Tankman 3,515]

Wonderful! Can't anticipate the final finish, sure it'll be fun, gorgeous, and smiles to everyone.

Keep us up to date!

[wallfish 15,918]

Finally made some progress on this. It runs and drives great so I'll bring it to the Zagray show next weekend. There are still quite a few things that need to done but most are just cosmetic. This isn't what I originally had in mind for the seat but it works for now and doesn't look too bad. It has a pull start Kohler M8 for now but will be upgraded to an electric start eventually. Here's some pics

[CRE1992 135]

That is awesome! I want one!!!!

[Sparky-(Admin) 19,526]

Cool!! Looking forward to seein it at Zagray's. You couldnt come up with any padding at all for that seat????

Mike......

[wallfish 15,918]

At least it's on seat springs, It's actually not that bad of a ride although the motor seems to have a little more shake in it than it should.

[Ken B 3,116]

That came out real cool John. I actually like the seat, its easy to slide on and off from either side. All ya need is a little foam and some leather and you''ll be all set. I can hook you up with some leather I'm sure.

[krazy_horse 59]

This is the first I've seen of this, this is WAY COOL, give us up dates when you have them.

[fireman 1,021]

As usual, great job John! Can't wait to see it at Zagray next weekend.

[jay in nc 209]

a school bus seat would look right at home there! cheep too. Very nice Jay

[COMMANDO6 20]

Very nice work! So hows about an action video, I'd love to see that running. Wish I could be at the show.

[AMC RULES 36,945]

Really neat...eventually painting it John, or leaving it as is?

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

WOW! That is very cool looking! :bow-blue: :bow-blue:

[Scrumpy 5]

John,

That is really neat, thinking out of the box for sure. Looks like it will do wheelies if your not careful!!

[SALTYWRIGHT 859]

JOHN, I WILL BE AT ZAG ON SAT WITH THE RAT ROD. WE CAN PART THEM SIDE BY SIDE.

[horsesaver98 18]

does it do a lot of whelies

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Thats a very cool creation! It almost looks like some of the old vintage tugs I use to see at the airport pulling the planes around.

Matt

[wallfish 15,918]

Thanks guys!

For now it's going unpainted. I was going for the rat look and tried to keep it looking like it was built years ago. All the parts are old, rusty, dented or have holes so ...

It'll pull wheelies in third but nothing more than your average tractor does when you dump the clutch. There's a battery under the hood. I'll add some more weight up front since a suburban snow blade will be added to the front and some tire chains. Maybe a canopy too but it didn't look right since it has to be so high to fit under. I also have an old, heavily rusted tub cart with holes in it that I may cut in half to use as a bed in the back over the engine to carry stuff. It's worthless as a trailer but the section in front of the wheels is some what solid.