Post by RaisedByWolves on Sept 8, 2011 14:54:23 GMT -5
I have no idea why whoever engineered the trans on the 318 and other tractors put the pickup tube in such a vulnerable spot. If your like me you either use or plan to use your tractor for more than just cutting the grass.
I do everything from snow clearing to light logging with my tractors and like to work out the weak spots on them before having breakdowns while 1000' from the garage or barn.
Using Hydro driven tractors in rough conditions is ideal as you have much more control than you would with a clutch driven tractor or god forbid a belt drive. But last year I managed to crush and split my suction tube while moving rocks in the woods.
So heres what I came up with for the 318. The idea can be redesigned to fit other tractors also, but the 318 gives you much of what you need to begin with.
I simply made a cardboard template of the Suction tube protector brackets by placing the cardboard alongside the bracket and tracing the outline.
Next I made a skid plate to match the brackets and added sides with clearance holes for 1/4-20 cap screws and placed it over the stock brackets. I then transferred the hole locations from the skid plate to the brackets and drilled/tapped the holes.
Make sure your bolts are not so long that they rub the suction tube. It looks tight in this pic with the tap, but there's lots of room and my bolts were only 3/8" long.
Now theirs little chance of me damaging my suction tube.
.
.
I do everything from snow clearing to light logging with my tractors and like to work out the weak spots on them before having breakdowns while 1000' from the garage or barn.
Using Hydro driven tractors in rough conditions is ideal as you have much more control than you would with a clutch driven tractor or god forbid a belt drive. But last year I managed to crush and split my suction tube while moving rocks in the woods.
So heres what I came up with for the 318. The idea can be redesigned to fit other tractors also, but the 318 gives you much of what you need to begin with.
I simply made a cardboard template of the Suction tube protector brackets by placing the cardboard alongside the bracket and tracing the outline.
Next I made a skid plate to match the brackets and added sides with clearance holes for 1/4-20 cap screws and placed it over the stock brackets. I then transferred the hole locations from the skid plate to the brackets and drilled/tapped the holes.
Make sure your bolts are not so long that they rub the suction tube. It looks tight in this pic with the tap, but there's lots of room and my bolts were only 3/8" long.
Now theirs little chance of me damaging my suction tube.
.
.
