Author Topic: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX  (Read 24107 times)

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Offline JD Mike

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Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« on: April 20, 2009, 11:12:44 am »
I saw Jayson Mikula ripping doughnuts at a trade show I visited last fall and was addicted.

Right now I'm just putting something together for a car show the end of May. A coworker is doing one as well. No imediate plans to race it, but maybe they will draw some interest and get a few more people building them locally.

Building it based off the USLMRA rules for a C/P class. It will get a stock Kohler single in it for now.

I picked up this STX 46 "frame" for $25 a few weekends ago. The STX46 is the hydro drive verson of the 38, but overall similar units. It will be a little bit of a challange since the frame and fenders are welded together. Not sure if I will add some square tubing on the outsides of the rails to strengthen them.



Basically its the frame, fenders, dash and front wheels. No engine/ transmisison, which is fine because those wouldn't be used anyways.

I stripped it down and put a set of 16x6.5x8" tires on it, spaced at 38" as well as the 13x6.5x6's that came with it.



I spend some time removing some more of the bracketry and doing a little work to get the transmission to drop down. I picked up a Peerless 700 series which I pulled apart and cleaned the grease out. Gears look to be in great shape with no chipping or rounded corners.

Here is about where it will get mounted:

More to come. Hoping to get a hood and order a tranny plate from E.C. along with some other small parts. Still working on finding an engine.

Offline amr5080

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2009, 11:31:59 am »
sent you a pm
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Offline JD Mike

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2009, 08:55:25 am »
Looks like I found a complete donor mower with a GOOD HOOD!

Should be able to use other parts off of it as well.




Offline leadslead

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2009, 05:44:38 pm »
nice im going to do the same mower this winter hope fully
STEVE HENDERSON

Offline JD Mike

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2009, 08:44:18 am »
I  just got the hood from the tractor above. Its in pretty decent shape, just a few scratches/gouges. No cracks.



I also have cut the frame rail down the middle for the drive chain to the rear axle. I will be reinforcing the side of the fame rail with 1" square tubing, so this cut should not affect the overall strength much.



Still need to buy a tranny plate from E.C.

Offline JD Mike

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2009, 08:55:01 am »
Been working a lot on getting parts lined up.

Ordered a tranny plate, and 4x4 rear hubs from E.C.

Got a donar gokart which will give me almost the complete rear axle I will need. Has bearings, brakes, sprocket etc.. Its 1 1/8" chromoly drilled.






Also working on building my front axle. Everything is from scratch.

10* KPI and 10* fixed Caster.



The 500 mph tape will be replaced by a TIG weld in the near future.



Got my front tires mounted on aluminum rims, and put 16x6.5x8 tires on golf cart rims but they look really goofy because the tire is too narrow. Will have to get some 7.5" wide tires.

Offline Ford mower man

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2009, 06:04:07 pm »
dude thats gonna look sweet :)
Built Ford tough with all Chevy parts!!!

Offline leadslead

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2009, 08:29:48 pm »
looks good how do u get your 10 degres   ?? speshal tool ??
STEVE HENDERSON

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2009, 09:35:43 pm »
looks good how do u get your 10 degres   ?? speshal tool ??
Protractor, angle finder.
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Offline JD Mike

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #9 on: May 19, 2009, 08:48:17 am »
Here is how I do angles. I set up the chop saw at 10* and cut the axle tube, spindle bolts, and spacers.
Menards has them for a few bucks.



I chamfered the end of the bolt for more weld penetration.



I then welded the spacer on for more support and a straight face for the bearing to ride on.



Also put some 700 mph tacks on the axle end plates.

I will be pressing in some brass bushings into the spindles once I get done welding up the steering arms and heat treating the whole assembly.




And the tractor sitting on its own front wheels for the first time:







I know I need to do something with different rear tires, but these will work for mockup.

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2009, 11:40:13 am »
700 MPH tacks....lol...Id only rate them at 450? Good welds but they are just tacks!

Good looking spindles, and nice photos , really good build thread!
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 I think he used them to bribe Ed into something naughty?

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Offline lowgalaxie

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2009, 12:34:38 pm »
Nice build. Obviosly not your first build,and you like John Deere. What's the puller in the background?
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Offline JD Mike

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2009, 02:44:37 pm »
First racing mower build.

Was very very involved in this project back in college:



Yamaha 600cc r6 engine, everything built from scratch, full independent suspension weighed 499 lbs.


Not a puller, althought it has been hooked to a sled and did quite well.

Custom turbocharged yanmar 3 cylinder Diesel. 10lbs of boost under full load. Black smoke like the big ones.

It now has a loader on it.


Offline TeamScoot

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #13 on: May 19, 2009, 03:05:47 pm »
Im going to Oregon State and have just recently got involved with the SAE Formula car here. Its a pretty awesome collegiate program/competition. Really brings out the best in students
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Offline leadslead

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Re: Mike's First Build: John Deere STX
« Reply #14 on: May 19, 2009, 04:51:31 pm »
nice build i need a metal chop box make life easyer  nice build thow
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