Author Topic: Initial Chassis Setup  (Read 83461 times)

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Offline George Herrin

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Initial Chassis Setup
« on: June 22, 2010, 07:02:22 am »
Folks this is how I setup my chassis initially. This is a base line start. Not a race setup. The race setup is for you the individual to figure out.

First off a good chassis starts with the build. I have found a stiff chassis is easier to tune and responds better to little adjustments than one that flexs. And the more HP you have the stiffer it should be for consistant chassis.

#1 be SURE when building the chassis is Square and level in every aspect of the build. If you have done this and have stiffened it properly then procede to nest step.

#2 All 4 tires 10 psi. Be sure tires left to right are as close to same O.D. as possible.

#3 be sure axles and spindles are setup up neutral.

#4 You will need 4 bathroom scales. Walmarts cheapest does a fine job.

#5 Place one under each tire. Get your pad and pencil and write down each corner weight.

#6 You want your left front tire 10 to 20lbs heavier than the right front.  This is called preload. Right or wrong its what I call it. I do not care what the rear says and this is done without driver. Why you ask. Because unlike karts drivers move around ALLOT on mowers there fore you cannot get an accurate read cause you never know where you will be.

#7 if you are off on this you can raise the left spindle up or down to gain this weight difference.

#8 Once you have gained the 10 to 20lb left front heavier weight bias you now have your base setup. Now your chassis is set with slight preload. Now I will share by base setup for initial test.

CHassis intitial setup using front axle with 10* KPI.
Tire Pressures and base axle setup for ME Mind you I am 250LBS and this works for me.
LF 8lbs 0* camber 10* caster Turf master 4 ply
RF 6lbs 1* camber 10* caster Turf Master 4 Ply
LR 3 lbs Turf Pro 2 ply
RR 12lbs Turf Pro 2 Ply

Depending on how it handles determines what I do to it from here. This is a base setup If your chassis is right and build square and level to start with this initial setup will get you started in the right direction. This is the only time I scale it its all I look for and those at EC build clinics saw it on kart scales and true to my word we set it up neutral and I was right at 20 lbs heavy on lf. Then with race setup all the Kart wise scalers were kinda amazed at how all the rest of the weights fell into place. I could not tell you cross % front rear % etc etc. I use the above setup and as most have seen or experianced themselves. Its not complicated, its simple and easy to understand. I live on simplicity. I do not over complicate. I am not worried about sskid pad this or cross that. I am not a karter this is not a kart its a mower. The beauty of the mowers is the simplicity of them yet some folks  continue to over complicate them in an effort to maybe prove how smart they are I guess, I don't know. Try it if it does not work for you then your chassis is probably off somewhere. I have yet to set one up and someone tell me they cannot drive it. And any setup must be fine tuned to each drivers preferances.
George Herrin #6
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Offline Honey Badger

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2010, 03:39:45 pm »
Hey George,
I was wondering how I could raise the left spindle up or down for the weight distribution.  I know the EC front axle is welded to the frame on your builds.  I placed a big order for a bunch of parts from EC last week, and I think you are building my front axle this week.  Maybe there is an adjustment I am unaware of with your axle set up???
Alex Stella
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98 MTD Box Chassis live axle 700
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Offline Rooster

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2010, 03:45:05 pm »
Hey George,
I was wondering how I could raise the left spindle up or down for the weight distribution.  I know the EC front axle is welded to the frame on your builds.  I placed a big order for a bunch of parts from EC last week, and I think you are building my front axle this week.  Maybe there is an adjustment I am unaware of with your axle set up???

The spindles have movable spacers in them to raise or lower them.
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Offline George Herrin

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2010, 05:45:17 pm »
The spindles have movable spacers in them to raise or lower them.
ditto
George Herrin #6
Indian Power.. You gotta Go big to beat em or Go HOME
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Offline c.schulz

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2010, 08:25:31 pm »
Very well done and well stated George. Its the K.I.S.S. at its best.(Keep It Simple Stupid)

Thanks for taking the time to post, Chris
Chris Schulz
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Offline racingjohndeere55

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2010, 08:35:13 pm »
Very well done and well stated George. Its the K.I.S.S. at its best.(Keep It Simple Stupid)

 Yup, its so easy to over engineer stuff.

Offline Just2Race

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2010, 04:41:24 am »
I read and reread all the ec front end and chassis setup posts, I can't find any intial or normal left and right caster settings. All input would be appreciated.
Bill Wilson

Offline The Tank

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2010, 07:35:40 am »
I read and reread all the ec front end and chassis setup posts, I can't find any intial or normal left and right caster settings. All input would be appreciated.



CHassis intitial setup using front axle with 10* KPI.
Tire Pressures and base axle setup for ME Mind you I am 250LBS and this works for me.
LF 8lbs 0* camber 10* caster Turf master 4 ply
RF 6lbs 1* camber 10* caster Turf Master 4 Ply
LR 3 lbs Turf Pro 2 ply
RR 12lbs Turf Pro 2 Ply

He uses the EC axle.
Frank "The Tank" Woods

AKA "The Intek Outlaw"

Offline fordman21

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2010, 09:10:10 am »
10 degrees is pretty common and a good place to start.
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Offline Just2Race

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2010, 06:38:39 am »
Thanks fellas, sorry for my oversight.
Bill Wilson

Offline GRUBDIGGER

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2010, 08:59:58 pm »
I USE 13-15 *CASTER AND 5*CAMBER. BEN WORKING FINE FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS.
JOHN HERRING
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Offline racingjohndeere55

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2010, 12:35:48 pm »
I USE 13-15 *CASTER AND 5*CAMBER. BEN WORKING FINE FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS.

 Uh huh... and you said to me "I cant run the line you do"??? 10 degree in, 15 back is what we run give or take a degree or two. I cut the 1x2 tubing on a chop saw at ten degree then tip it back about 15. Tack it, check it, then weld it.

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2010, 02:02:49 pm »
I FIXED THAT PROBLEM. FRONT END STAYS ON THE GROUND NOW. :woo:
JOHN HERRING
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Offline lawncheif

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2011, 06:29:47 pm »
i am new to this sport. i have ordered most of the chassis parts i think i will need. i have build my self a front axle out of 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 square tube, about 1/8 in. thick, is that going to be strong enough for a heavier twin?
Tyler

Offline GTX21

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Re: Initial Chassis Setup
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2011, 09:53:19 am »
Should be good to go^^
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