One word for the haters, naysayers, and trolls:

Enjoy

lol. And to everyone else, thanks for reading my last post and helping me with it. We started out with a two useless garden tractors, and if it hadent worked, thats exactially what we would have been left with. No harm, no foul, and mabey even a lesson or two learned. Its all good.

On Ryan - WI and Old Roy's advice and a few other peoples, i figured out the wireing.

I taped some wires toether so the dash was no longer needed, and rigged up the choke and throttle mounts on the side of the "console". It accually looks pretty cool now. I'll modify that hood somehow and paint the whole thing later on in the summer. We're gonna change out the pulleys to make it go faster.

Thanks everyone, Thanks Alot!!
Untitled Audio Video
<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKIEp3KZMto&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKIEp3KZMto&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>, <object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_jCAPmo40ig&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_jCAPmo40ig&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

I still get a charge watching you taping your exploits. With all the different things you've been tackling lately (How many projects DO you have going on now?!?)tractors, welding, mowers................

All my advise to you would be is keep learning all you can. I have to chuckle at your laid back style of narration, but you strike me as not one to waste time once you start into your endeavors!
Keep the vids coming
Bruce

So Lanse,
You're still in high school aren't you?
What engineering schools will you be applying to anyway?
A kid like you kindles hope in some of us old gadflies.
Keep it up.

I just finished my freshman year in high school.

Engineering schools????

Huh???

That would be nice.....

Well..... 3 allises to get running...

If i could afford gaskets and rings for my WC, then that would be running right now :-(

And im making this exhaust for the C.

Just got done painting the B. That only needs put back together, which im hoping to do tomorrow.

Two trucks, i just bought a totaled one that should be here tomorrow.. and the ranger... i need to weld up some hangers for her...

Corn and Wheat...

Learning to weld...

Making movies...

Well... thats about it. I know im missing something

Im going to Virginia for two weeks on wendsaday. My grandma died last summer... and im going to help my grandpa move to my uncles farm in New York where i just was...


So its all good....

Thanks for the compliments!!!

I agree with Udog
You definitely have a knack for figuring A LOT of things out on your own, and if you don't end up farming or as a mechanic, I'd say look at Mechanical engineering. (your math has got to be up to snuff though)

Just keep pluggin away fer now and enjoy it!
Bruce

Great to see someone your age so gung-ho!
Taught my son to cut and weld 10 years ago, and he still cuts metal or welds broken things together when he needs to.

Main thing is to learn and have fun while doing it!

Lanse,
Don't make light of an engineering career. The experience you have gained in the last few years on this forum will stand you well in any career. You listen to others, accept help, and try to think thru a problem before you try something. I have been an engineer for 45 years and have associated with a lot of other engineers over the years. The good ones had a strong practical background to go with the education. The mediocre ones lacked the practical experience, and the desire to get it. I guess they thought the degree was all they would ever need. Keep on getting your hands dirty, don't give up on an engineering profession if that's what you want. I was never out of work one day in 45 years, ended up Executive Vice-President of the company. There is hope for old farm boys.
Paul

TOOOOOOOO COOOOOOL!!!

Lanse - well done! You've got so much going for you. You truly can be or do anything you want.

Hey Lanse
Don't stop by here too often lately how is the engine I dropped off, the one DickL gave you, working out?
Remember my trailer had a flat and I arrived very late on a Ohio,Michigan.Indiana,Ohio road trip.
A word or wisdom from an older man to a young one.Start finishing projects before beginning others.If you can not buy gaskets for one project do not drag home another.Focus on what you have started finish what is practical sell the parts left over to help pay for what needs to be done.
Made the effort to drive several hundred miles out of my way to help your project because I remember being very similar at your age.
Best wishes
Enjoy the time with your Grandfather.I would give anything to spend time with my father and grandfather again

Lanse,

Let me give you a little advice from a practicing engineer. I've been out of school for 34 years (man, I'm getting old), and currently a principal engineer for a major aerospace company, building spacecraft.

I also came from a "do it yourself" background, and I'll guarantee you that experience will stand you in good stead regardless of what sort of a career you chose. In fact, I'd rather hire an engineering grad with a "B" average and some intuitive hands-on ability than a straight A student with no practical ability. You'd be amazed how many honors graduates can't think their way out of a paper bag.

There's always ways to pay for school if you're motivated, you may just have to work a little harder than someone with a rich daddy.

Good luck,

Keith

Good job!Now can you make it mow?

With that old Massey on back!!

Yea, i sure remember

Thanks once more!!!

I got the engine put back together and running last febuary or march with the help of R Aikin and countless others. Shes a runner!! Sorta...

I have to steal some parts back for it... lol..

Will do, Thanks again man!!! lol... i have no idea what we would have done without you!!

Almost a year ago exactially, right??

No.

lol.

They wanna make it go airborne, but im not sure thats such a good idea. Oh well. lol.

Great job on all your endeavors !!

I could tell you how to make it fast , but if you got hurt I'd feel responsible.

I will tell you ,you have the right transmission
[ three speed } wrong engine Ya need a 10 horse for the torque needed on the 1/8 mile tracks they run competition on.[coming out of the turns]lots of fellows disagree on that fact ,but my Son ran two yeas and came out 4th overall in points both years.pure stock and no cheating as we were low budget other than Sunoco racing fuel.

On the road it would do 58 mph in second gear need that for torque also on the track

Never ever run past that because third you wont be able to handle the lawn mower steering I think it would come apart.

My son wanted me to drive it and I told him," I didn't get this old by being stupid "~~~LOL.

He had a crash that changed his thoughts on racing them, He landed on his back and was paralyzed for a few minutes, no feeling in arms or legs when they moved him to the back board his lower back and neck snapped and the feeling came back and he could move all limbs, Thank God for that. Just please be careful.
Untitled URL Link

Enjoyed your videos as usual; especially the transitions from one clip to another.

Good work you guys did on making two mowers into one.

The engineers that replied offer some very good advice; anything is possible.

I completely agree. If you can handle the math, consider Engineering. I have a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, but have my job because I had hands on experience. After I was hired, my boss showed me a 12" stack of resumes from 'engineers' who couldn't tell a torx bit from a screw driver.

Knowing how to use your hands is essential. Having the degree will help open a lot more doors for your future.

Lanse, have you ever considered building one for a garden tractor pull?

I think you'd enjoy it, and it'd really be a source of pride if you ended up with a trophy on your shelf for something you were gonna build anyway.

Awhile back, I saw a Cub Cadet chassis that someone had installed a 4 cylinder Ford motor in...not sure whether it was a 1600, 2000, or 2300 cc engine, but it was a monster-lookin' beast. With your newfound welding skills, you could probably fabricate a front end to make something like that work.

But I've always found that when you build it, the folks who always find fault will come out of the woodwork. The folks who offer suggstions to make it safer and more practical are the ones that make projects worthwhile.

[When I finally get out the sawzall and start chopping the top on my '52 International pickup, maybe we can compare notes.]

The kid does some great things. But after working in manufacturing for 35 years, I am not sure about a career in engineering. I know a bunch of 50 year old engineers that are unemployed or under employed.

It's ok for a prototype to be a little rough around the edges as long as it isn't a safety hazard.
The concern is when some crude "cob job" is jammed together which is a hazard to man and machine. Plus the tinkerer responsible stands there with a straight face and claims it's completely "fixed".

Somebody needs to pull their britches up a little.