[mazdaparts]

Being a farm boy it was inevitable that I would build an rc tractor. I don't have the skills most of you have so bear with me. I started this quite a while ago and never really finished it because I wasn't real happy with the body. So it got put on the back burner, then we built a house and moved and this and that and maybe one day I'll get on it again. But here is the build and pics as best I remember it.

Some of you may know me from Scale4x4 or RcCrawler. I built a set of axles using a maxx diff and axle shafts inside a pvc pipe housing. I built a rock crawler using these axles and decided to use one for a tractor. I narrowed up a set of 4 AE BFT tires and wheels, made a set of dual adapters and I had a rear axle.






I decided to use what I had laying around and grabbed a stampede tranny. I rotated it 90 degrees and mounted it to the chassis. I also used a GD600 gear reduction unit. The chassis has evolved from sketch to cardboard to thin alum sheet to 1/8" styrene. I was worried about the styrene, but it was as stiff if not stiffer than the thin alum sheet.




Time for a front axle. I cut it out of 1/4" x 3/4" solid alum bar stock. I hung it under the chassis with the same bar stock. I used some axle bushings for the pivot that is slightly wider than the axle so I wouldn't have an binding issues. I used some nitro pede steering knuckles and axles so I could put a bolt through the knuckle. I get some pretty tight steering with my setup.





I narrowed up some stock rustler front tires and rpm revolver wheels to get the look I wanted. I also add a drawbar.



Now to the part I'm not happy with, the body. I'm not partial to any color or brand of tractor, so I took some cues from various tractors. The grille is similar to an old oliver, the cab is like an old allis chalmers, and some old john deere for the overall stance.





And there you have it. It travels at a walking pace, but has lots of torque. I just doesn't have the weight to pull a lot. Maybe one day I'll finish it and add some weight to make it better.

Post your comments, good or bad.