How Much Weight Can An RJ58 Tow?

[spedini 2]

About 2,100 pounds.

 

I bought this RJ about 20 years ago at a yard sale. It had been re engined with a 5hp Briggs. As I've aged, I've toyed with the idea of using it as a tug to move my Bonanza around. Many fellas use hydro tranny tactors or electric golf carts, but I thought this would be double neat. It's a little too fast the way it is...I'd have to replace the 4 inch tranny pulley with something bigger to be safer, there's a 2 1/2 inch on the engine...and the power engagement is a little too jerky...the v belt I've got on there now seems too soft and grabby, I wish I could find a harder belt that would slide a little more.

 

With the 5hp Briggs, it pulls the Bonanza with no problems, I've pulled it all around the hangar area. There is a new leak at the outboard end of the left axle housing, I don't know if it's from pulling the Bonanza around, or just a dried out seal from non use. I've got another set of rear wheels, and if this works out, I'd like to have a set of non cleated tires more suitable for asphalt.

 

Arnie

 

[Pullstart 66,894]

cool pictures!  and

[BPjunk 184]

The problem with using a RJ-58 for this type of situation is the idler pulley pulls down on the flat of the V belt and this causes a faster belt engagement thus making the tractor jerk. In 1960 Wheel Horse changed this design so the idler pulley pulls up to engage the drive belt making take off a little smoother. In 1965 the Wheel Horse tractors that pulled the Indy cars around at the track were hydro equipped as so not to jerk the one of a kind high dollar race cars around in the pits. Over the years after market companies have built from Wheel Horses air plane tug tractors that used the hydrostatic transmissions and no front axle, these steered by pivoting off the back of the transmission in between the fork for pulling the plane.

 

The RJ-58 is stronger then you think, mine has pulled a 3,500 weight transfer sled on a clay track 93 feet .... not bad for a 3.6 hp Clinton.

 

Wild Bill

Richmond, VA

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Very cool use of your ol' RJ. 

  

[Ken B 3,189]

Very cool. Make sure you have a lawn and garden belt, don't use one of the black belts(general purpose) that they sell in the pulley section at Tractor Supply, way too herky jerky.

[neil 2,410]

Two great machines working in harmony

Thanx for the pics

do you have a video of that

[spedini 2]

 

The problem with using a RJ-58 for this type of situation is the idler pulley pulls down on the flat of the V belt and this causes a faster belt engagement thus making the tractor jerk.

 

Wild Bill

Richmond, VA

 

 

Unfortunately, you are right in that the RJ-58 might not be the best choice for this mission...it's just so dadgum cute and fun to drive that the idea of trying to use it for a tug was consuming me. It was sitting in the corner of the hangar forever, and I finally cleaned out the carb, put in new points, condenser and plug, and she fires right up and runs great. Maybe I'll just use it to visit my friends at the airport, it's a great conversation starter.

 

Very cool. Make sure you have a lawn and garden belt, don't use one of the black belts(general purpose) that they sell in the pulley section at Tractor Supply, way too herky jerky.

 

Boy, did I find THAT out the hard way. I'd have NEVER thought my tractor was capable of such a wheelie! It almost killed me, darn near flipped over on top of me. The rear tires really bit into my calves...It had a 4L290 belt on it, so like a dope I bought a 4L290 belt at Grainger...BAD IDEA!!! It's more suited for an electric motor turnng a fan.

 

Do you have an online source for the correct type of belt? My first try at a local Toro dealer resulted in shrugged shoulders telling me part #1567 is discontinued. I'll try other Toro dealers, but I fear I'll get the same response.

 

Thanks everyone,

 

Arnie

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

Very cool!

[bean 85]

^{when I had my rj, I pulled a lot of weight.  mostly firewood.  one thing the rj can't do is take a lot of tongue weight on the rear hitch.  it's not like the 2 pc cast iron unidrve.}