When you think of a toy tractor, what probably comes to mind is something with fairly simple lines, maybe the iconic yellow and green, big rear tires, small front ones. Well, that’s exactly what [James] built, with simple, clean lines and a sturdy build that will hold up to driving around off-road in the garden. This Tractor is a great build, combining CAD, metal and wood work, some 3D printing, and electronics.
Starting at the power plant for the build, [James] went with a 350W DC motor powered by a 36V Li-ion battery from an e-bike. The motor turns a solid rear axle he made on a mini-lathe, connected to a set of riding lawn mower wheels. The mini-lathe spindle bore was too small to accommodate the shaft, and the lathe was not long enough to use the tailstock, so [James] had to get creative, using a vice and a piece of wood to make a stand–in tailstock, allowing him to turn this custom rear axle. The signature smoothly curved bonnet was made possible with plywood and body filler, rather than the sheet metal found on full-sized tractors. In fact, most of the build’s frame used plywood, giving it plenty of strength and, once painted, helping give it the appearance of a toy pulled out of a toybox.
This build had a bit of many domains in it, and all combined into a fantastic final result that no doubt will bring a smile to any face that gets to take the Tractor for a ride. Thanks [James] for documenting your build process, the hacks needed to pull off the tough bits along the way in making this fun toy. If you found this fun, be sure to check out another tractor related project.
that flimsy cable for the pedal won´t survive long with a kid, even the pedal itself doesn’t look strong.
no cabin ? Even if the build isn’t that heavy, there´s plenty of possibilities for injury
plywood is strong, but it´s rigid. And those corners are very rigid. I would have kept plywood for the chassis, and use high density foam for the rest.
wooop wooop that’s the sound of the no-fun police
You must get lots of invitations to parties….Not.
That is the same pedal/cord that is used on every power wheel made in the last 10yrs. I can’t wait to see the “soft” tractor you will build! Make sure you wrap yourself in bubble wrap before operating!
Hmm. John Deere colours. Obviously not hackable.
I want the right to repair! Oh, wait, it doesn’t actually say Deere … must be an Aliexpress Yon Dear or something =))
This is what it’s all about. Love to see some grassroots relatively safe diy vehicles hah! Body filler cures a lot of sins.
Protip:
Body filler is expensive.
Fill the dent with old shoes and rags, shape with duct tape, then body filler over the ‘rough shape’.
Also: you can fake up a roll (bar/cage) out of metal conduit and just duct tape it down.
Save you from having to gut the interior of your Plaid Tesla or other ‘banned by NHRA’ stink fast car.
The NHRA tech guys are babes in the woods who have never seen such shenanigans.
Even if they find it, they will just laugh with you…(then ban you for life).
That’s a hack if I’ve ever heard one. I’ll try it out next time. Last time I used the stuff it was a favor for someone else. Two days after a lot of hard work guess who hit the exact same spot the same way? Guess who decided not to do another favor :). There will be a next time though
Interesting project.
Parallels to something I did with a junked pedal go kart I picked up on the side of the pavement.
Yours is next level.
Did “brakes” with a relay shorting the motor out.
Did reverse very similar to you, but with relays.
Envy of the DIY cnc – I’ll read your blog.
Done the angle grinder gearbox myself.
Inspired by the plywood results. Gives me idea on a larger scale for bodywork.
Glad you accept your welds are terrible. Youtube it. Looks like MIG when the gas runs out.
I was surprised it was for a 3yr old tho.
Tried that with a power wheels and put the lad off for about 4yrs.
Girls are clearly more brave.
Good going, and I’ve thought of building something similar for my kids when they were little.
I am surprised lawyers from certain cartel aren’t suing for using their proprietary colors, that cannot exist in this legal universe without their exclusive and non-negotiable review and denial.
Only for commercial applications. For a homebuilt one off, no company will waste the resources to go after you.