[ge-off]

Has anyone taken a 3/4/5-series tractor and fabricated a tricycle setup for it? When I was at the WH convention in PA back in July, I really liked seeing the few tractors with that setup. I have a photo of a gentleman on a GT-14 with this setup (dual front wheels, not single) with his two sons in tow on their buddy-seat trailer tractors. While this idea wouldn't be a permanent item on my tractor, it would be a nice touch for going to shows.

Anyway, I have the front axle and spindles from an old Craftsman SS12 that has been sitting in the weeds for the past few years I just pulled out and was giving some thought to. All in all, it appears it "should" practically bolt right in to the WH frame. I was thinking/hoping perhaps I could cut and weld it together, but much shorter (obviously), and fabricate a steering control that would bolt right into the existing steering setup on the tractor.

My only concerns with this idea is when you have the trike setup, should the front wheels be allowed to pivot on the Y-axis (not steering left to right, but be able to go up and down depending on the terrain) or be a solid mount? I know you don't want to put a trike on a hillside in fears that it could roll over. Also, there is the issue of the interference with the mule drive, which would obviously have to be removed before the installation of a trike setup as it hangs below the frame on the one side and would interfere with the top of the right-tire. However, with a setup like this, I can't help but picture that the front end will need to be raised up an inch or two from normal ride height to accommodate for the tire placement.

I'm not sure how far I'm going to go with this idea, but it is certainly an interesting prospect. Anyone willing to let me in on some "details" of their builds? raying: Or at the very least, share some photos, detailed or not?

Thanks,
Geoff

 

[gts340]

I don't know a thing about this tractor but I thought it was neat. This picture is from the Dekalb County, IL fair last September.

 

[Simon Smith]

Interesting project, look forward to seeing some build photos.

Of course it is well known that I prefer to get rid of the front wheels altogether, and just have two sets of back wheels.

 

[LilysDad]

Another chance to make some money. Someone could come out with a tricycle conversion kit.

 

[LilysDad]

I've seen a conversion. There was a bracket that came off the front of the frame with a trailer wheel hub and shaft mounted to it. Steering was a sprocket on the front wheel shaft connected to another one under the battery connected by a link chain. The steering wheel shaft connects to the rear sprocket through a universal joint.

 

[Kbeitz]

 

[Boyd]

Someone advertises conversion kits in the Antique Garden Tractors magazine.
Several years ago I picked up a right hand gearbox with PTO shaft from an old farm tractor.. But its a bit big for a tricycle conversion on a garden tractor.

 

[oldandred]

go over to red Square there are pictures over there