Koditten random project/boat build thread.

That is a hot mess!!!


Amirite @RustyGreen

 

Finally got to spend some time on the JD Z track mower I picked up a month and a half ago.

Decided to go a different direction. The original engine was a Kawasaki 721 with 4 k hours. I just couldn't assume it would run another 500 hours. Listed the running Kow on FB for $200. Told the buyer everything I knew about it. He didn't care and gave me the 2 Bills and never haggled a bit.

I knew the motors were rare, but I didn't know they were that rare!

I had a Predator engine sitting in the corner for a couple years and decided to toss that engine in the JD. I've done this conversion a bunch of other times. My customers love them.

Had to make a platform that raises the Predator 1.25 inches. The crank sits lower on a Predator.

Of course the JD chassis wiring is completely different than the Predator.

Spent an hour sorting out connections.

JD doesn't use common colors to differentiate wires. We all like red and black to separate positive and negative wires, not JD. They use 3 colors. They number their wires. You need the schematic to figure out the wires. I think they do that because 10% of the male population has color deficiency vision.

Figured out where to land all the wires via fallowing the wire diagram.

I'll clean up my mess and make it look much more Like it came from the factory.

It does what it's supposed to now. The worst part is over.

To be continued...

 

I set my mowing hat on fire - never the trailer.

 

don't ever work on a mack truck.

all their wiring is white with an orange stripe.

 

Something followed me home today...

 

sure will make tire changes and brake work easier!

 

Got contracted to replace the bottom of this rib smoker.

Buddy of mine owns a catering company. Smokes ribs by the dozens.

Bottom rusted out...while traveling down the xway. I bet it smelled good. Pork rib residue and oakwood smoke. Mmmmm!

Decided to just replace the bottom 1/4 of the smoker.

Cut out the parts with the CNC plasma table and started to assemble.

I don't have a sheetmetal roller, so I improvised.

 

Hmmm, so that's what I need to do with my old heating oil tank!

 

At worst it'll kinda smoulder for a little bit. Basically low sulfur diesel

 

Lol. It does stink, though.

I've cut a few open using a plasma cutter. Even after pressure washing, the diesel residue is still present and the smoke will choke you and make your eyes water.

 

I think it's like $1500 for a new one last time I priced, so that's probably the better option to go new if you're serious into smoking

 

This one is a whole hog roaster... run enough bag of charcoal through it and it'll get rid of any residue haha

 

Bottom fabbed up and slid in. Just need to seal up some larger gaps. For the most part, gravity makes the sides seal very well. The ends are the only part that needs attention to air leaks.

It was never air tight, so doing a full weld job is not worth the time or the material. A few 1" weld beads on the end and it's not going anywhere.

Hopefully now that has a cap on the chimney, it won't rust out in our lifetime. If it does, the next fab man can cut the welds on the end and slide it out and do the repairs.

I doubt it will be me.