GT22-8 Modifying GT14 to 8 speed and 22hp Predator

[ztnoo 2,302]

10 minutes ago, Aldon said:

Dang auto correct crap program.

 

[Aldon 4,832]

Battery in nose....That is also a possibility I am mulling over.

Edited August 23, 2017 by Aldon

[ztnoo 2,302]

Here's a thought about batteries.

There are some VERY GOOD lithium ion batteries out there.

I put one (a SHORAI) in a '74 Yamaha RD 350 bike three years ago,

Didn't start the bike for almost a year until early this summer.

Bingo!!! No problema!!!

Small, compact, light, not position dependent in installation, and very durable with good service life.

A larger one for a big bike would probably be just the ticket.

Enough juice for starting purposes any time, and it can be placed literally anywhere.

Something to consider, IMO.

The major problem: they ain't cheap.

 

[PeacemakerJack 10,863]

3 hours ago, ztnoo said:

 

There are some VERY GOOD lithium ion batteries out there.

 

Enough juice for starting purposes any time, and it can be placed literally anywhere.

Something to consider, IMO.

The major problem: they ain't cheap.

 

Neither is this build! however, that seems to be a really good option. Most conventional batteries these days don't last more than a couple of years.  I like the idea of placing it where the old fuel tank was kinda like my Wife's Dxi.  Good progress again Aldon!

[Aldon 4,832]

I tried lithium ion batteries and did not have good luck with them.This is the battery I'll likely go with which I have been satisfied with except color. I simply used black plasticote:

 

 

[Aldon 4,832]

Ok. Waiting for parts but was able to modify the heat shield, fab up a battery tray that is strategically between the Gear reduction steering set up and the newly fabricated fuel tank support. Also got foot pedal set up welded and fitted into place for clutch and brake...the foot pedal took a lot of time as I decided to modify the pedal and married it to the GT14 style pedal. Lots of cutting, welding and grinding. But it will allow me to run the clutch rod in the tunnel.

 

 

[19richie66 17,773]

Where do you find all this time  looking great!

[JPWH 6,542]

Looking good Aldon. Top notch fab work . Your skill and patience show.

[Aldon 4,832]

Thanks gents! I am not very patient but I do tend towards OCD/quality. It's amazing how slow things go when you only have handyman tools for the most part. If I had a cutting torch or plasma cutter and a large band saw, I'd be able to go much quicker. Oh well. They say the journey is as important as the destination.

[PeacemakerJack 10,863]

1 hour ago, Aldon said:

...They say the journey is as important as the destination...

That's one of the really cool things with this hobby--for those talented enough like you Aldon, you can have fun with the build, revell in the completion of a job well done, and when finished a totally functional, better than new, usable machine!  With my affection for Gear Jammers, I'm riveted to this build. How many gallons is the fuel tank that you are installing?

[Aldon 4,832]

1 hour ago, PeacemakerJack said:

That's one of the really cool things with this hobby--for those talented enough like you Aldon, you can have fun with the build, revell in the completion of a job well done, and when finished a totally functional, better than new, usable machine!  With my affection for Gear Jammers, I'm riveted to this build. How many gallons is the fuel tank that you are installing?

It's a B series tank. I'm guessing 2-2.5 gallons. Not certain though. I have a B100 with a 14hp 321 on it. I can mow for around 3-3.5 hours between refill. So I believe the tank should b sufficient.

[ztnoo 2,302]

Aldon,

Very nice.

Great innovation and superb execution.

Even though you are parking a much large hp engine in the beast, since its an OHV it should be much more efficient fuel wise than a single cylinder flat head Kohler of less displacement and power.

My 16 hp K341 on my GT 14 is a pretty thirsty critter. Burns 3-3 1/2 gallons for about 1 1/2 hours of mostly full throttle running when I'm mowing.

If you end up needing more capacity down the road, I'm sure you can come up with an auxiliary tank setup to stick somewhere.

Looks like you would still have some room behind the cast grill to add a couple more gallon tank.

[Aldon 4,832]

Just a couple pics to show progress continues albeit slowly as I wait for parts and trying to find the perfect belt length. I had hoped to run the clutch rod inside the tunnel but will have to make due with close proximity to the side of tunnel. I will run the brake rod inside but will need to do surgery on the side panel. It took two days to make the rod from brake band to lever as an example of how seemingly small projects can eat up inordinate amount of time.

 

Edited August 30, 2017 by Aldon

[JPWH 6,542]

Looking good Aldon. I had to cut a belt and use for a template to get my belt lengths. 

[Aldon 4,832]

Well I took another crack at the clutch linkage and I'm glad I took the time to do so. I was able to make it work runningbit inside the tunnel so I won't have to cut access hole in the fender. Also got brake linkage all set. The belt guard is going to be a project in and of itself. I'll get started on that tomorrow. In the pic the parking brake is set which is why the pedal leans forward.

 

 

[oldredrider 2,553]

Great work and engineering Aldon. Noticed the auxiliary pulley on the transmission shaft. Plan on running a tiller or.....what kind of surprise implement on your beast?

[Aldon 4,832]

2 hours ago, oldredrider said:

Great work and engineering Aldon. Noticed the auxiliary pulley on the transmission shaft. Plan on running a tiller or.....what kind of surprise implement on your beast?

Yup. The diameter of the GT14 Hydro double pulley was same as the 8 speed pulley so I figured I may as well use it since I plan on adding hydraulic pump for the 3 point and later a loader. I could then use it to drive the GT14 tiller. It will be a bit less effective as I'll only be able to till when clutch is engaged. So there is still a chance I'll swap the 8 speed pulley back.

[953 nut 63,782]

7 hours ago, Aldon said:

Yup. The diameter of the GT14 Hydro double pulley was same as the 8 speed pulley so I figured I may as well use it since I plan on adding hydraulic pump for the 3 point and later a loader. I could then use it to drive the GT14 tiller. It will be a bit less effective as I'll only be able to till when clutch is engaged. So there is still a chance I'll swap the 8 speed pulley back.

With the larger engine pulley coupled with the over sized rear tire you will be hard to keep up with.    

Don't know about using the rear pulley to drive the pump though, would only have a lift while the clutch is out.   

[Aldon 4,832]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

With the larger engine pulley coupled with the over sized rear tire you will be hard to keep up with.    

Don't know about using the rear pulley to drive the pump though, would only have a lift while the clutch is out.   

I did not man to imply that the rear dual pulley would be the drive for the hydraulic pump. That is not the case. The Hyraulic pump will be driven from a second pulley off the engine crank. 

 

The rear dual pulley would only drive the manual transmission and the tiller if and when in use.

 

Tiller would only spin when clutch is engaged which may be problematic. So I'm reconsidering using standard rear pulley and running a belt from 3rd pulley off crank to run rear tiller. If I choose this route, I'd install a new old stock electric clutch I have on the shelf.

 

As far as drive pulley diameter, it may allow me to use hi-lo feature. While I'm more of a hydro guy thus far in my tractor hobby, I have had a few 8 speeds, and I rarely if ever have had any need for low. It might make the tractor a bit more versatile. I will say I don't care to get these beasts to go too quick. It is hard enough on my back to get jostled around at routine common speeds. I imagine if I got it going faster and hit a bump it would just hurt a lot more.

Edited September 2, 2017 by Aldon

[Aldon 4,832]

Could not spend much time on tractor stuff today as wife invited Grandkids over to do late B'day cake day...But I was able to remove the belts supports and modify the belt cover to fit. Now I have to rig the belt supports. Probably going to mount the belt support to the tractor side and only use the cover as a cover.

 

[Aldon 4,832]

It may be tough to make out but I added a belt support between the bottom idler pulley and the rear drive pulley to help reduce droop or slack when clutch is depressed. Then fabricated and installed the rear discs for the eventual turning brake set up.

[953 nut 63,782]

25 minutes ago, Aldon said:

fabricated and installed the rear discs for the eventual turning brake set up.

          This build gets better every day!    

[Aldon 4,832]

May slow a bit now. Rain for next week.

[19richie66 17,773]

 We have Hurricane Irma possibly coming for a visit. Been picking up today and trying to fix a roof leak on my shed. "Horses in the wind" next week.

[Aldon 4,832]

Actually it's real hard to see the belt support since I posted the wrong pic.

 

here is the right one.