Above 1200 Sq/FT 86's 20HP shop

[kent_323is]

Yeah, that would be good to test the temperature gauge first. My Hustler 4600 with 37hp diesel and 72" front deck will get hot when the dry grass clippings block the radiator and restrict airflow. It's got a screen mesh to help protect the radiator, but not good enough. So depending how dry the grass is, depends how quick it gets sucked up and clogs the radiator... usually ~1.5 hrs of mowing. So then I **** it all out with a shop vac and then it's fine. Good thing the temp gauge and light and buzzer work on mine!
But it's worth the hassle because it can really cut the grass in a hurry!
I originally bought it for $500 on a county auction, it was missing all 3 spindles in the deck. I found spindles and blades on Amazon for $300 and installed. Then shortly after using it the main gearbox on the deck blew. I found a replacement for $500 and installed that last fall. I'm sure there will be other items that will pop up, but it sure beats using my little JD725 18hp with 54" deck.

 

[86turbodsl]

Interesting fact... new radiator is over $1500...

 

[86turbodsl]

Yeah, that would be good to test the temperature gauge first. My Hustler 4600 with 37hp diesel and 72" front deck will get hot when the dry grass clippings block the radiator and restrict airflow. It's got a screen mesh to help protect the radiator, but not good enough. So depending how dry the grass is, depends how quick it gets sucked up and clogs the radiator... usually ~1.5 hrs of mowing. So then I **** it all out with a shop vac and then it's fine. Good thing the temp gauge and light and buzzer work on mine!
But it's worth the hassle because it can really cut the grass in a hurry!
I originally bought it for $500 on a county auction, it was missing all 3 spindles in the deck. I found spindles and blades on Amazon for $300 and installed. Then shortly after using it the main gearbox on the deck blew. I found a replacement for $500 and installed that last fall. I'm sure there will be other items that will pop up, but it sure beats using my little JD725 18hp with 54" deck.

Man i'd love a Hustler. I've seen the zero turns that are older and have big diesel engines, cabs and heat. I guess this Woods will do for now. Just having that old White FR12 for a season sold me on zero turns. I like the front deck ones. I can get up close to the junk sitting in my yard.

 

[kent_323is]

I can believe it! Searching for replacement parts is ridiculous. A new gearbox for my hustler would be $2800 vs the used one on Ebay that I found. The original deck spindles were also ridiculous. I think they make parts extra expensive to push people towards buying a new one.

Zero turn are great, and I like the front mower versions. Big engine for lots of power, hydrostatic drive and deck width to cover the ground are the important parts.

 

[86turbodsl]

I still have the 5180 sitting in my yard without an engine. Now that i have one to copy, i'm thinking hard about finding a D900 or D1000 Kubota engine to drop in it, and the pump/motor combo out of the dead M&W to eliminate the Eaton 771 problem, and drop a 72" deck on it. Then i have a giant mower with no major reliability issues. And a hydraulic crimper to make the hoses i'd need...

 

[86turbodsl]

so this happened today:


Also found a ton of cracks in the motor mount while i was installing the fuel solenoid bracket, so that came back off with the motor mount for welding... 2 steps forward, 1 step back.

 

[Strouty]

So did it happen?

 

[86turbodsl]

Nope. Got sidetracked with my kids truck.

 

[86turbodsl]

I just got done putting a new fuel filter, fuel lines, bled them and got engine running again.

Here's where we are:



Ready to put a radiator on it and move it outta here.

 

[86turbodsl]

I was super late home last night due to pickup of a super cheap set of brand new blizzaks for the car, and it was raining so nothing got done. Here's hoping tonight is better...

 

[bulletpruf]

I'd probably use a wire cup wheel on the angle grinder and knock most of it off. Then use the sandblaster for the crevices, and clean up.

That's usually what I do these days - get 90% with a wire wheel and then get the rest with a spot blaster. No cabinet needed; don't need a heavy hopper, either. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IHUQ5E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[86turbodsl]

I'd do that, but then i hate having the sand mess everywhere. The original title of the thread was "86's 50hp shop" defined by the 50hp phase converter i needed to run a 10hp compressor. for blasting. I'm way down, but the compressor is down to 5hp each also...

We rotated my kid's truck tires on the garage approach tonight. And i'm preparing to go south to get a Passat TDI this weekend, so i can have something to drive while i work on cars. the family has expressed their disdain for sharing a car with me 3 days a week. Also the wife is heading north July 10 for a week and i won't have anything but truck to drive. I took the week off to work on the shop, and the weather looks like poop. I may end up emptying the shop out with tarps and rain. I gotta get it organized though. I'm losing my mind out there.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

You definetly don't need 50 to power 10. My 7.5hp compressor starts fine on 10hp.

 

[86turbodsl]

The old rule of thumb everwhere i ever looked was 3x comp power. that's 30hp. The 50hp motor was available locally and short cash. That's what drove it. The current one is 20hp.

 

[Strouty]

I need to clean out things at both my shops, the piles of randomness are quite a problem, so I feel your pain.

What is left to do to the mower? I love the look of the tires, you don't usually see mowers that look aggressive!

 

[86turbodsl]

I put the very badly fitting radiator in last night, and ran it around the yard. It took all of 2 minutes to vibrate the fuel bracket loose to where it shut off. I fiddled it into the house garage until i can pickup some locknuts. The radiator fit is TERRIBLE. The brackets to hold it on don't even fit. Other than that, runs fine. I needed it off the pad in front of shop so i can get bearings done on the truck. I have a pickup to make this weekend and tires to swap. I'm WFH tomorrow and off until after the 4th.

 

[86turbodsl]

I put the lock nuts i picked up on the fuel bracket and readjusted the fuel solenoid. Started it up and drove it around some more. That is going to be a fun little mower when i'm done.

 

[rattle_snake]

 

[bimmer1980]

I put the very badly fitting radiator in last night, and ran it around the yard. It took all of 2 minutes to vibrate the fuel bracket loose to where it shut off. I fiddled it into the house garage until i can pickup some locknuts. The radiator fit is TERRIBLE. The brackets to hold it on don't even fit. Other than that, runs fine. I needed it off the pad in front of shop so i can get bearings done on the truck. I have a pickup to make this weekend and tires to swap. I'm WFH tomorrow and off until after the 4th.

How much work is it to "permanently" mount the radiator versus just add some rubber pads and "clamps" or similar to hold the radiator securely?

Reason I ask, is I would recommend getting it mowing to ensure that everything else works as planned. Instead of spending time on getting something perfect.... only to find out you have more work on the mower deck, etc.....

Regardless, hopefully you have a productive long weekend! Here's to seeing the grass mowed and the Audi out of the garage!! Gotta have a "stretch" goal! LOL

 

[86turbodsl]

I think it's safe to say without cutting and brazing, that radiator is never fitting in it ala factory

 

[86turbodsl]

Working on the truck, i tried to mount and balance my own tires, the tire machine was not working and the balancer doesn't have a cone big enough for the dually rims. 100% fail. 52 dollars later i have 2 balanced tires, but one of my rims is bent, that's just super. And there's basically nobody anywhere that has that rim. super.

 

[Strouty]

That stinks, I was playing that game a week or two ago. I balanced the bent rim as best as possible, then put it on the rear.

 

[86turbodsl]

I threw it on the passenger side. It's fine. To add insult to injury the car deal fell thru.

 

[bimmer1980]

***** about the tire machine and balancer. Was it working when you bought it? Regardless, while it ***** to pay the tire man, at least it is done.

Is the mower working yet?

I had to swap chargers on my mower. The trickle changer was not putting out 13 volts. Only about 1.5 volts. I put another charger on it for awhile and then fill with gas and finally got the F525 going. It had been awhile since I had used it. Got the grass groomed.... On to the next thing now...

 

[86turbodsl]

Mower not done yet. I was going to work on it today, but we have storms moving thru and i can't get the mower inside other than the house garage right now. I need to bolt more panels on and fix the slight coolant leak. The balancer is in the middle of the doorway in the shop. I'm working on cleaning and hope to get it back into place soon.

I did work on cleaning the shop and putting tools away. And i worked on the truck a bit. I decided to work on getting that more in shape while i wait on other things. I'm actively looking for more pallet racking now, if i can find some affordable i will extend the motorcycle mezzanine to the back wall and use that whole area for storage besides motorbikes. I could throw all sorts of stuff up there on racks for little used things. Lighting is good too. I think the back corner will be the tire area. Right by one of the lifts, back where i can't get the forklift, so it's a good spot for that sort of thing.



also worked on outdoor forklift. cut off the non-adjustable rod end and welded on the adjustable one. That's back on the forklift now and ready for hoses. Pics below.

 

[Strouty]

At least you are making headway. Pallet racking seems to be one of those things that you either find a great deal or the price is close to new, good luck with the search.

 

[86turbodsl]

Tell me about it. Found one guy semi local who had what I wanted and wouldn't budge off 275 for a section. That's private owner mind you. Not business.

 

[Strouty]

We have a couple companies that specialize in used stuff, sometimes they get smaller quantities that are not standard size and they will let them go pretty reasonable. The last stuff I bought was about $1500, but it included lots of uprights, shelves, and wire decking.

 

[86turbodsl]

We've got a couple of those semi local also, but nobody has anything 48" wide right now. Gotta be 48 wide and teardrop

 

[86turbodsl]

Picked up some chains this morning, and a few bolts, then ran the mower over to the shop, put all the sheetmetal back on, still stunned how bent the radiator is. Started it up and ran it all over the yard. Fast heat up to 195 and stays put. Voltmeter no workie. No load on it though. Doing a little house cleaning now, and after lunch putting the deck back on.

 

[86turbodsl]

Got the deck on, it's badly misadjusted. I have some things to tweak to get it closer to right. It does not seem like it will mow without overheating. I think i'm going to need a shroud. I didn't mow more than 5 minutes and it went up to at least 200F. Idle no load is 195F.

 

[racer-john]

Deleted

 

[86turbodsl]

I had to pull half the deck apart, weld up the adjuster bar, it had worn half through the bolt holding it and a 1/4 inch into the bar itself. Once that was welded back up, the deck leveled out. I am 100% sure i need a shroud on the radiator. It runs right up to 220F running in the yard with deck on. That's not going to work. I will work on getting a new rad fabbed with a shroud. If that isn't going to work, i can always install a much larger alternator and run an electric fan. Although i am pretty sure a mechanical fan is superior.

Besides that, i am in LOVE with that mower. What a beast. Does a great job mowing.

 

[Strouty]

This sounds like a great plan, glad the mower itself is going to work out. The electric fan might not be the worst idea, it would probably be much quieter.

 

[86turbodsl]

I actually am thinking of hacking together a rough shroud today and seeing if it does the trick. If it does then proceed with a proper new rad and shroud.

 

[bimmer1980]

Good progress! Yes, a quick and dirty shroud is a good plan. That might even get you thru the summer....of it works.

We need to see this thing slinging the grass!! Lol

 

[Strouty]

It is only temporary, unless it works...

 

[86turbodsl]

true probably. it's very hot out there. slow going. I am taking a couple photos as i go. I'd like to mow tonight, but that might be a tall order. I'm just tacking it for now.

 

[86turbodsl]

Got the frame made and mounted on the radiator, now i need to figure out a way to find center of the fan while it's bolted in place then transfer to sheet metal to cut out. I'm making it two pc so i can install easier than fiddling with the fan while it's all assembled. The fan blades stick out below the bottom of the radiator, so of course it's a pita to form the shape. Nothing's ever easy.

 

[86turbodsl]

I've made some progress on the shroud. Frame is completed, the sheet metal is tacked on, and the fan hole is cut. Since the blades stick below the bottom of the rad core, i have a section of curved metal that sticks below the frame. I have that cut out and bent to shape, but then a large heavy pipe fell over directly onto my tig pedal. Didn't think anything of it at the time, its an old miller tank of a tig pedal, but when i went to tack the curved section in place, the torch was on 100% of the time. Took the pedal apart and it turns out the trigger switch was blown in 2. Apparently it doesn't like impact forces... All this is a direct result of the clutter and multiple project concurrency problem.

So i was essentially done for the night. I did find some superglue and glued it back together, but i thought it prudent to wait to reassemble until it had cured for a good while.

So that will resume tonight after work. I've got 3 days work then off another week, and of course the dry spell seems to have ended, as we have 5 forecasted days of rain in next week's forecast. I can't flippin win...

I may just say eff it and throw everything out in the yard anyway just to get some shop space back.