eventful day for tractor modifications! (photos and video)

5560 Views 42 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Brett-JDX748, Jun 26, 2009

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2009

I want to thank Glenn and Sock for pointing me in the right direction for the tire loading. I went to Tractor Supply to get the adapter and while I was there I decided to pick up some amber lights, rocker switch and a flasher circuit.

I added a pair of hazard lights on the back of the frame and added a red reflector to the back fender and a pair of amber reflectors on the front. I mow the top of my yard which is on the Main Street in our town and traffic goes by 60+ MPH at times, so, I figure lights and reflectors certainly can't hurt!

I tied into the orange wire going to the headlight switch (+12V Keyed) and ran a single throw, illuminated rocker and then into a two pole flasher circuit and ran one wire back to the two lights, they ground to the chassis via the mounting bolts.

I could have mounted them on the fenders but I didn't want to drill any holes yet. Since I have no plans on a sleeve hitch, they won't be in the way.

What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BcEEm3yD-k

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LLigetfa

· #2 · Jun 22, 2009

Nice job on the tail lights. They look like they could be stock.

It looks like you're missing the right rear gauge wheel.

They keep making those deflector chutes bigger and bigger. I run my mower with the mulch plug all the time and thought of taking the chute off entirely. I trimmed a few inches off so it doesn't stick out as much.

SockPuppet

· #3 · Jun 22, 2009

Looks good! I like the pedal.

zuidema1

· #4 · Jun 22, 2009

Everytime I look at my deflector chute I see those lines on it as a cutting template. I haven't trimmed it yet, but some day it's going to happen.

SockPuppet

· #5 · Jun 22, 2009

LLigetfa said:
They keep making those deflector chutes bigger and bigger.

Every time a pebble flies out and hits someone who sues, they add 1/4" to the chute length...

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 22, 2009

LLigetfa said:
Nice job on the tail lights. They look like they could be stock.

It looks like you're missing the right rear gauge wheel.

They keep making those deflector chutes bigger and bigger. I run my mower with the mulch plug all the time and thought of taking the chute off entirely. I trimmed a few inches off so it doesn't stick out as much.

Not MIA I promise! That was yet another "modification" I did today, sorry I don't have photos yet. I put all four main gauge wheels in a vice on a drill press and drilled down into them (roughly 45 degrees) and installed straight Zerks so that I can grease the gauge wheels. I did not bother to do the center anti scalp as it rarely touches the ground.

Sock,

Funny story about the pedal... My rubber pedal went MIA the second day I owned the tractor. I drove around the yard and didn't find it... Well I cut grass this week and I found it, in four or five pieces. I was going to call Sears and say it was missing when it was delivered, but then morality won out... I guess I will have to pay for a new rubber pedal (even though the **** thing FELL OFF!) :thThumbsU

LLigetfa

· #7 · Jun 22, 2009

Brett-JD3320 said:
Not MIA I promise! That was yet another "modification" I did today, sorry I don't have photos yet. I put all four main gauge wheels in a vice on a drill press and drilled down into them (roughly 45 degrees) and installed straight Zerks so that I can grease the gauge wheels.

I added zerks to my sweeper wheels today.

Save

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 22, 2009

Great minds!

We could be the Zerkzees brothers!

Fcubman

· #9 · Jun 22, 2009

Nice job, gives me the idea to do mine. If you start having weird electrical problems, run a seperate ground from the lights to the battery. Sometimes accessories that are added and not directly grounded cause problems.
Just something to keep in mind.

dgoyette

· #10 · Jun 22, 2009

Nice work for sure. I also like the pedal.

Adding zerks is something I may do as well.

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 22, 2009

Fcubman said:
Nice job, gives me the idea to do mine. If you start having weird electrical problems, run a seperate ground from the lights to the battery. Sometimes accessories that are added and not directly grounded cause problems.
Just something to keep in mind.

I thought about that, they were set up to be chassis ground in that, they don't even have a ground tab on the outside, the mounting bolt is the ground. If they act up they will get the direct ground.

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 22, 2009

6mm hex, staight shank grease zerk. I used some two part epoxy on the threads and around the hex once they were threaded in, just to make sure they never backed out.

Head on shot of the rocker switch. I installed it so that it is easily visible through the steering wheel. Not really a big deal since it's keyed on the ignition, but what the heck!

Next mod is going to be a mechanical oil pressure gauge in the dash, I just need to decide how much I want to spend... An autometer phantom carbon fiber gauge would look nice

bamataco

· #13 · Jun 22, 2009

Nice mods,good work. I think you should just keep the pedal that you have now.

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 22, 2009

Ok the reflectors on the front of the tractor were a bad idea.. Didn't realize that whole metal piece heated up.. So I need to find a better spot.. I need to get a bumper for the front before I bang the hood into something so that's on the to do list as well.

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 23, 2009

Uploaded a much better video, describing the process and parts used to do the modifications. So if you want to hear me ramble, then follow the link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTVj-vuq5yg

franky14

· #16 · Jun 23, 2009

Great Video Brett!

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 23, 2009

Thanks Glenn!

Anyone else watch it? Comments? Good, Bad or Other?

I am off to do some more "mods" right now.. Oil pressure gauge and two more hazard lights (for the front).

Stay tuned!

Glenn M

· #18 · Jun 23, 2009

Watched both. Sure a long winded walk around.

Tractor and mods

Nice job on the wiring and switch.

Red reflector on rear good idea, but it's on crooked.

Red lights on rear good idea, bad location, if you want to mount anything, sleeve hitch, bagger, etc.

Front reflectors good idea, very bad location, can you say meltdown.

To much air in the rear tires.

It would be more fun if you had a video of you and your tractor doing a high speed run, to see how fast these Excellerator's truly are.

millhaven_nice_guy

· #19 · Jun 24, 2009

Hey Brett!

I see you hang around here too!

Nice job on the mods. My GT5000 is currently in the garage with the motor out of it waiting for a new sump pan gasket to arrive.

here's a mod I have been considering---

The guage wheels need a u-shaped piece of metal wrapped around them and welded into place to protect them from getting ripped off! I have broken so many of those special bolts that I have epoxied in brass bushings and now use standard 3/8" bolts instead. I haven't found those bolts anywhere but Sears and they are $6 each!

Brett-JDX748

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 24, 2009

Glenn M said:
Watched both. Sure a long winded walk around.

Tractor and mods

Nice job on the wiring and switch.

Red reflector on rear good idea, but it's on crooked.

Not on crooked....

Red lights on rear good idea, bad location, if you want to mount anything, sleeve hitch, bagger, etc.

Amber lights on rear, I won't ever be using a Sleeve Hitch on this toy or a bagger. If someone wishes to use the sleeve hitch, they would have to find a light that will fit the contour of the fenders and mount them there.

Front reflectors good idea, very bad location, can you say meltdown.

Very BAD location, they fell off! I did not realize that shield got that hot! They are long gone.

To much air in the rear tires.

Tires have 8 PSI in them, how low are you supposed to go?

It would be more fun if you had a video of you and your tractor doing a high speed run, to see how fast these Excellerator's truly are.

May have to make this happen!

1 - 20 of 43 Posts

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