February 5, 2010

Trying to Convert a Riding Mower to a Go Kart

Building a go-kart using an old grass-cutter engine isn't nearly as simple of a job as it would sound. That's because karts and mowers are built differently. To use a mower engine, you'll need to make some adaptations. Once you have done so, however, you can build a go cart for a relatively tiny amount of money.

Lawnmower engines are designed with vertical shafts. To convert them for go-kart use, you can't just tip them onto their sides, because the oil in them wouldn't be able to circulate to lubricate the engine properly. You'll need a gearbox that may convert the motor you have to one that will operate a go-kart. As you can see, this is going to take some expertise, and an amateur engineer potentially isn't going to be in a position to handle the job unassisted.

Here is one method of converting a lawn mower engine into one that will work on a go-kart. First off, you want to put a gear on the base of the engine that may turn gear that turns the axle. If you are like me, you would not have any idea how to do this and would want to hire it done ; however , with a few mechanical skills or a pal who knows about engines, you should be fine with this step. What you are needing is bevel gears with a disengage lever to separate them. You will also need brakes that may activate if you pull the disengage lever. Lose the choke. Instead you're going to need an accelerator pedal which can be installed on the floor of the kart near where your feet will be.

If you make a decision to look online for info referring to converting a mower to a small go kart, you're going to find lots of confused claims. What one person will tell you to do contradicts the recommendation you get from somebody else. One website advocates the technique listed above while others swear that it'll never work. Therefore, unless you have basic mechanical talents and understanding, or you want to mess around and see what you can come up with, you'll potentially be better off getting professional help or purchasing a ready-built go-kart.

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