DEI37

I hit some concrete with my lawnmower last night. Bent the blade good, so it definitely needs to be replaced. But, I've gotten the itch to get something bigger. It is a walk behind mower.

I've got the urge to find a decent (new, preferably) V-Twin to stick in there. Mounting it is my biggest concern, really. I've found some 13HP units, up to I think 24HP in a recoil start and aircooled setup. I'd like at least 15HP, even up to 20HP.

I don't REALLY care about weight, as the unit can be self propelled. I'm having a hard time coming up with something "cheap." I realize that being what it is will make things more costly, and I'm prepared to deal with that, but only to a point. At some point, one has to realize that a brand new mower is more cost effective.

Can anyone recommend a place to find things like this? Requirements are, recoil start, air cooled. It'd be slick if it has a fuel tank in it, too. Otherwise, tell me how to rig up something for a fuel tank. My price point is something under $450, or so. Thanks.

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Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

theguyondacouch

You could try here. I can't offer any advice when it comes to setup however.

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shakran

If you up the power and speed of your engine you will spin the blade faster than it is designed to spin. Aside from possible grass cutting issues, you also have safety issues to worry about here.

If you only up the power of your engine, you won't accomplish anything because the engine is (presumably) already powerful enough to cut the grass.

Think of it this way. If you have one person pushing a cart at full speed, then adding another person who walks as fast as the first person, will not make the cart go any faster.

DEI37

The power would be primarily for the "cool" factor. I think this little 4.5HP operates at over 4000 rpm. The V-Twins seem to be in the 3500 to 4000 rpm range. So, theoretically, blade speed shouldn't be a real issue, right? I figure, everybody has 5-6HP mowers...screw that and get something really big. I just think a V-Twin would be cool.

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Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

Zeraph

Tim?

(corny Home Improvement joke)

cyrnel

You may also have bent the crank. Pull the blade and check for vibration.
Cheap and big/smooth are not equal. Also, a mower designed for 4.5HP will not respond well to a 15+HP engine. Weight and vibration will absolutely wail on the mount points, wheels, and drive system. Whether cast or stamped, it's not uncommon for standard pot-metal to crack with factory engines.

Under $450 I'd be looking for a used riding mower. They turn up frequently on craigslist, though that power usually means horizontal shaft. Look for large but cheap riders. I've seen them with 12+HP vertical shaft engines for $200 because of a bad transmission or similar. The tank is usually external at that size, but mounting the tank is the least of the project and probably the last thing you'll need to fight. After keeping the thing together, I'd be most concerned with blade height vs deck and block interference. It could quickly turn from cool to ridiculous. Depends on the engine and chassis.

Need I say, more power to you?

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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

cyrnel

Clearly not a man accustomed to chin-high grass. (lucky bastard)

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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

DEI37

Well, the more I look at things, I think I might have to tone it down some. I do NOT have a use for a rider. I think that would be the better way to go, yes, but that's just not in the cards, I don't think. What I have come up with is something less spectacular, but still out of the ordinary for a push mower.

I've come up with these two:
Tecumseh 10HP single cylinder

And this one:
Briggs & Stratton 10.5HP single cylinder

Other ideas you guys?

__________________
Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

theguyondacouch

Well, there are some pretty serious performance parts available for briggs and stratton engines for go karts and jr dragsters. I'm pretty sure they are all horizontal shaft, but it's worth a look at least. Check out some lawnmower racing sites, they might have some more relavent info for you. No matter what you do, it needs straight pipes. big chrome ones.

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"Lick my frozen metal ass!"

bobby

http://www.grudge-match.com/History/vila-taylor.shtml

this will expain what you really need!!! xoxoxoo

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"Life goes on,within you,and...with out you !" xoxoxoo