I bought a snapper 1855 minus the engine about a year ago. Soon after that I found a Kohler Aegis 26 on ebay for cheap. I started thinking how cool it would be to put a water cooled modern twin in the old 1855. So, I bought the Aegis after I figured out that it would just barely fit under the hood.
Here is the 1855 as I first found her... the engine was already sold to another buyer.:wallbanging:
When I got her home I started assembling the pile of parts to see what all was missing. I knew that several of the plastic parts were gone. The seller promised me the tank, but never came through.
I did not notice when I bought the tractor (and the seller did not point it out either) the tab on the rear end that supports the 3 point was broken off. I found the part that broke off in a box of parts that came with the tractor. I was taking a welding class at the time. I brought the tractor to class and learned how to weld cast iron.
Then a couple of days later I saw an axle on ebay for really cheap. So, I bought it, even if my weld holds fine, the replacement will look better.
I did not have the upper or lower dash. They are plastic and hard to find in okay condition. I gave up the search for finding one that wasn't broken. Olcowhand (Daniel) had one that was not in great shape, but would serve as a model.
I bought a sheet of 16g steel and headed off to welding class again. Not so much to use the welders, but to use the break and sheer and other equipment.
After about 3 hours of playing with the toys in the shop, I came up with this.....
I did not get a chance to grind the welds down while I was in class. I probably did not even need to weld the outside edge. You know the saying...if it's worth doing, it's worth over doing.
After some time with the grinder at my home shop, I ended up with this...
Wow looks like lots of work going to be put into this one.You'll have a nice machine once its done.Will be nice to see the end result.I really like the idea of the water cooled motor. Larry.
What kind of welder are you using. I'm thinking of buying a little gasless flux core mig welder, for doing stuff like this, I know the gas mig welder would be nicer, but for one thing I wont be welding any 1/4 inch or larger steel, but rather smaler things like this
Mike, I built my entire FEL using my Clarke EN180 (180 amp)gas/no gas. I use flux wire to keep costs down. Cost me around $500 delivered and is a very good welder. I didn't catch what Todd gave for his, but it's a SUPER welder for sure! I could have used my 250 amp Hobart stick/TIG welder, but I wanted to see what the Clarke could do...and do it can!
To do the welding pictured, I was using a super huge Lincoln mig at the welding class. It worked great, but I don't even want to guess what it cost.
At home I have been using/borrowing a small 110v lincoln with gas. It works good, but multi pass welds are needed for heavier stuff.
I just purchased a used Millermatic 35 220v welder with gas. I have not used it yet. I am hoping this welder will do anything I will ever need, and got a great deal on this used machine $385 w/ a size K tank.
I'll post some more progress pics and text soon and get this post up to date with where I am now. I actually worked on it for the first time in months this past weekend.
Another problem to solve. The replacement engine sits farther forward than the Onan. I need to bridge the gap and the Onan and the Kohler use two different bolt patterns.
My dad is friends with a machinist who was able to make the part from some mechanical drawling I sent him. Those years of Mechanical and Architectural drafting in high school finally pay off.
Time to figure out the exhaust. With all of the things I need to stuff under the hood I did not see too many options. I finally decided on side pipes. Hot rod tractor.. woohooo
Later I bolt in some baffles to keep it somewhat quiet. I hope?
The one main thing these Massey Super Garden tractors are missing is Power steering. I plan on building a FEL for this machine, so power steering will be a necessity.
I start by ripping out the old manual column. Which was no easy job. Everything was rusted and stuck.
Then, I built a bracket to hold the orbital valve for the hydraulic steering. I used some tape to mark where I wanted the column to come out to match the stock location.
Now that the steering is in place, I can cut the holes in the dash and get it mounted. I agonized about cutting up the dash, because if I drill it wrong, it's back to square one.
They say measure twice, cut once. Well, I must have measured 50 times. But it payed off.
I was able to get the column hole and the throttle slot cut.
I also got the speed selector for the trans cut out.
After tons of looking around, I finally find a PTO clutch that will work. It's off of a JD420 and it fits the shaft and bolt pattern perfect. However, my engine is too far forward and I need to move it back.
As you recall I already had an adapter built with the correct spacing for the stub shaft. It WAS the correct spacing, now that the engine is shifted back, it's way to long.
I was able to find a stub from a 1650, which uses a Kohler engine and had the right bolt pattern, but the splined shaft was too short. So, I cut the shaft off of the old stub and welded it on the 1650 stub.
Boy do I hope it was centered and straight when I did the final weld.
I see is smiley faces, but he posted Yesterday 10:39 AM
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