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When walk-behind tractor for household needs becomes scarce, a person thinks about purchasing a mini-tractor. But the cost of such equipment starts from 100 thousand rubles and not everyone can afford it. This is where the question arises, how to make a mini-tractor with your own hands at minimal cost.
Preparation of drawings
Owners make similar homemade products from old car parts or remake a walk-behind tractor. There are many options, and each design is individual. In any case, if you are planning to fold a mini-tractor, then you cannot do without a drawing. On the diagram, be sure to indicate the dimensions of the frame, the location of all components and other details. In the photo we offer to see what the mini-tractor consists of. You can use this diagram as a starting point when developing a drawing.
The frame is the basis of the structure. It is on this that all components of the mini-tractor are mounted. Today we will look at homemade The mini-tractor is on a solid frame, so in the photo we suggest looking at its drawing with the dimensions of the components.
Drawing up a drawing is a mandatory step, since the process of assembling a mini-tractor requires fitting all parts taken from other equipment. It is impossible to remember all the nodes, but according to the scheme you will always be guided and go in the right direction.Plus, turning work may be necessary. By looking at the drawing, the turner will already have an idea of what you want from him.
Assembling a mini-tractor from old car parts
So, we have figured out the importance of the drawing, and we will assume that you have already drawn it. Now you need to prepare the main parts. These include: engine, steering and transmission. To make the frame you will need a channel or profile pipe.
We make a frame
For a homemade mini-tractor, you can make two types of frame:
- The broken frame consists of two separate rectangular structures. That is, two half-frames are welded. They are connected to each other by a special mechanism - a hinge. The structure is made from channel No. 5 or No. 9. In such a mini-tractor, the steering column is placed at the junction of two elements, and the front wheels turn together with the semi-frame.
- The one-piece frame is a welded structure of two side members, as well as a rear and front crossmember. For their manufacture, channel No. 10 and No. 12 are suitable, respectively. To add rigidity to the structure, a jumper made of a profile pipe is welded across the frame. On a solid frame, the steering column will only turn the front axle with wheels.
Of the two options considered, a solid frame is easier to make for a mini-tractor with your own hands, so it’s worth stopping at.
Engine and transmission
The choice of engines for a homemade mini-tractor is not large. You should immediately discard weak engines, even if you can get them for free. After all, you don’t need a low-performance tractor. UD-2 or UD-4 motors are optimal for such homemade products.They are characterized by economical fuel consumption and good performance. Single- or two-cylinder diesel engines may also be suitable. It is more difficult to get the M-67 engine. If you managed to do this, then long-term operation of the mini-tractor is guaranteed. In addition, this brand of engine is inexpensive to maintain.
Before installation on the frame, the motor needs to be improved. First, the gear ratio is increased first. Secondly, you will have to make an air cooling system yourself. To do this, a fan is connected to the crankshaft. A hanging casing is installed around the blades. It will direct a cold air stream to the motor.
When assembling components from parts of different car brands, you will have to make adjustments. Let’s say the gearbox and PTO are taken from a GAZ-53, and the clutch from a GAZ-52. To fit them, a new clutch basket is welded. On the engine flywheel, the plane of the rear part is reduced, and a new hole is drilled in the center.
Steering selection
It is impossible to make the steering yourself. It will have to be removed from the old equipment. The simplest option is a worm gear. The steering column will fit any passenger car. On a solid frame, the front axle with wheels is rotating, so it is connected by rods to the column. On a broken frame, a gear is welded to the front half.This exact part is mounted on the steering column. The rotation of the front half-frame will be carried out by the clutch of two gears.
For better controllability, a homemade mini-tractor can be equipped with a unit with hydraulic cylinders. But to circulate the oil, you will have to additionally install a pump. It is impossible to assemble such a steering system yourself. It can only be completely removed from agricultural equipment.
Bridges and wheels
The rear axle of the mini-tractor is the drive axle. It is better to take it from an old passenger car. You may have to call a lathe to reduce the axle shafts. The front axle is not driven. This unit can be made from a piece of pipe, placing bearings on the ends, or similarly removed from old equipment.
The size of the wheels is chosen depending on what the homemade mini-tractor will do. For cargo transportation and other similar work, 16-inch wheels with tires are suitable. But most often, a mini-tractor is assembled specifically for soil cultivation, planting and harvesting. In this case, optimal tire grip on the ground is important. Only 18 or 24 inch wheels can provide such parameters.
The assembled mini-tractor is first run in without load. If the tests are successful, the unit can be taken to the field.
If you are interested in the option of a mini-tractor with a broken frame, watch the video presented:
Converting a walk-behind tractor into a mini-tractor
If you have a walk-behind tractor at home, it will be even easier to assemble a homemade mini-tractor with your own hands, since there is no need to look for the engine and front wheels. Kits containing all the necessary spare parts are sold especially for such modifications. To make it cheaper, you can follow the same path as discussed above. You will have to remove the necessary components from old equipment.
The conversion process for different brands of walk-behind tractors varies due to their design features. Here you need to find an individual solution. But, in general, the principle of making a homemade mini-tractor is similar to the previous version:
- First, the frame is welded. It can be solid or articulated.
- It is important to correctly assemble the chassis and determine the optimal track width. It all depends on the location of the motor. If it is installed on the front of the frame, then the track width remains original. That is, the front wheels of the walk-behind tractor are used. The rear axle is made of a steel rod or a piece of pipe. It is secured to the frame, and bushings with bearings for the wheels are pressed onto the ends.
- When the engine is mounted at the rear on the frame, the native track width of the walk-behind tractor is expanded. This action is mandatory, since you need to achieve stability of the mini-tractor. For better traction with the ground, you need to make lugs for your homemade tractor.
- The steering will even come from the original handles. This is often practiced when remaking a MTZ brand walk-behind tractor. The mini-tractor is made into a three-wheeled one, where the motorcycle wheel is turned using the same handles. However, this option is inconvenient for reversing. It is optimal, after all, to stay on the steering column of a passenger car. The driver's seat is attached to the frame with struts. They must be adjustable in height and inclination so that it is convenient for a person to work.
The finished mini-tractor still needs to be run in and then given a load.
The video shows an example of a converted Neva walk-behind tractor into a mini-tractor:
It’s difficult to assemble a mini-tractor on your own for the first time. There will definitely be some flaws in the design. They can be corrected after they are identified while using the equipment.
