[MiniHomesteader]

Last weekend, I brought home my third round fender. This one I plan to build as my go to tractor. It will go through a build faze and then a restoration faze. The build faze will consist of fitting the engine and then making sure all the bugs are out of it before disassembling for cleaning, prep and paint.
I absolutely love the look and functionality of the round fender tractors and really have no complaints about them. I love the simplicity and the beauty of them. I use them and use them hard while also taking care of them. With the purchase of a new property, I’ll be asking more from my equipment and the one thing that concerns me is the engines. As we all know the K181 has a great parts availability, but the HH100 has very little. So I’m building this one with longevity in mind, and a little more power to handle the tasks that will be asked of it. I’ve done a similar build with my ‘66 60 lawn tractor and although it hasn’t made its way into the restoration stage, it’s not due to any bugs in the build, it’s purely due to how enjoyable it is to operate. So without further ado, I introduce Victor.

He is a ‘67 112 that was born a hydraulic lift tractor, but I struck a deal with Troy whom I purchased this tractor from. I’ll be removing what’s left of the hydraulic lift specific parts and trading them back for manual lift parts which I prefer due to simplicity and parts availability. This tractor will be wide tired to limit rutting the clay ground that stays wet well into spring, and also since my other 2 have narrow fronts, I wanted something different and bigger to more follow the build style of this tractor. Bigger you ask. Yes, not just tires, but also engine wise.

V-twin power. I don’t want to just stick it in, I want it to look like Deere installed it. So I will do my best to fit it with minimal trimming, finished edges, and period correct pieces.

 

[Kster526]

Think I’ve seen that tractor before . Cannot wait to see how this goes for you
Good luck

 

[Chaser]

I'll anxiously wait updates on this one! I put a 12hp Kohler in a 110 RF. Required more "trimming" and welding than I anticipated.

 

[tsb3]

This is going to be interesting!
Good luck with it Mini!

 

[PA212]

🍿🍿🍿🙂

Going to be watching this one @MiniHomesteader! I’m excited to see what you put together here.

 

[HD-JD110Fan]

Last weekend, I brought home my third round fender. This one I plan to build as my go to tractor. It will go through a build faze and then a restoration faze. The build faze will consist of fitting the engine and then making sure all the bugs are out of it before disassembling for cleaning, prep and paint.
I absolutely love the look and functionality of the round fender tractors and really have no complaints about them. I love the simplicity and the beauty of them. I use them and use them hard while also taking care of them. With the purchase of a new property, I’ll be asking more from my equipment and the one thing that concerns me is the engines. As we all know the K181 has a great parts availability, but the HH100 has very little. So I’m building this one with longevity in mind, and a little more power to handle the tasks that will be asked of it. I’ve done a similar build with my ‘66 60 lawn tractor and although it hasn’t made its way into the restoration stage, it’s not due to any bugs in the build, it’s purely due to how enjoyable it is to operate. So without further ado, I introduce Victor.
View attachment 13145
He is a ‘67 112 that was born a hydraulic lift tractor, but I struck a deal with Troy whom I purchased this tractor from. I’ll be removing what’s left of the hydraulic lift specific parts and trading them back for manual lift parts which I prefer due to simplicity and parts availability. This tractor will be wide tired to limit rutting the clay ground that stays wet well into spring, and also since my other 2 have narrow fronts, I wanted something different and bigger to more follow the build style of this tractor. Bigger you ask. Yes, not just tires, but also engine wise.
View attachment 13146
V-twin power. I don’t want to just stick it in, I want it to look like Deere installed it. So I will do my best to fit it with minimal trimming, finished edges, and period correct pieces.

WOW Mini !!! 😱 This is one heck of a Project! Definitely a Huge power upgrade, a challenging project, and I admire your determination. I like your approach toward making it look like Deere installed it. I know I'll never get around to trying something like this but if I did, I'd take the same approach. Definitely keep us well informed as you work through this process. I know we'll all be most intrigued by seeing this come together. Hats Off to You! 👍

 

[MiniHomesteader]

I got some time to work on this a bit over the holiday break. Installed the new wheels and tires to check fitment… I like.

I removed the battery tray and old throttle and choke cables. Routed my new cables to check routing…. I like them as well. Clean routing.

I really need to get power out to the shop. Years is way too sloppy to drive my work truck back to the barn to use the 110 outlet it has. I need to look into the Ryobi 18v angle grinder so I can make some of the modifications to the frame to fit this engine so I can bolt it down.

 

[PA212]

Sooo many questions @MiniHomesteader!

I’ll start with:

How many HP is the new power plant?

Do you basically aim to match the crank/drive pulley location of the original engine so that belts are the same or do you make compensations for modified locations?

Is the new power plant something you had on the shelf for this project ahead of time or something that sourced after you bought the tractor?

 

[MiniHomesteader]

I didn’t have the engine ahead of time… I scoured the internet to find the dimensions of the Vanguard engines. I found they were pretty close PTO wise and that the engine would fit the confines under the hood. Without modifying the frame terribly, the PTO sits the same front to back, but 3/8” higher… I believe the variator will work as is, and possibly the PTO belts will work, or worse case I’d have to use different PTO belts. I’m tossing around in my head lowering the engine mounting plate to fully match the PTO to stock.
I initially planned buying a brand new 23 horse engine for this project. I found a place that had them in stock for $930 delivered, but came across this 16 horse engine for $250 and decided to go with the cheaper engine just in case it didn’t fit. I did also find era correct engine decals. The only tricky thing will be finding a location for the fuel tank… as of right now, I’m planning to build a fuel tank to fit under the seat. There is room there and it will allow a higher capacity. I’m still looking for a way to fit a fuel tank under the hood… but want at least 1-1/2 gallon like originally.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Had a great day in the shop today with Mini-me. We got Victor stripped down to about the frame. Only thing left on is the right hood upright, front axle, and the dang park brake shaft cause I can’t get the knob off.

I sat the engine back on the mark the areas that need clearanced. Once I get the correct pedestal, I’ll realign the right upright to clearance the left upright.

 

[PA212]

Is the weight of the new engine comparable to the original? I guess it probably isn’t a big deal as it isn’t much different than hanging a snowblower or other heavy attachment on the front. 🤔

 

[MiniHomesteader]

@PA212, I actually weighed the engines today. (Unscientifically with a bathroom scale I have in the shop) I have a HH100 mostly complete, minus the carb, head, and starter generator. It weighed right around 70 pounds. The Vanguard weighs 80. I think overall it will be lighter with this engine. I’ve never weighed a starter generator, but they have to be over 10 pounds. Plus I’m pretty sure the fuel tank will be under the seat. I still need to figure out what I’m doing as far as that is concerned.

 

[Kster526]

What size tires were you able to squeeze under the round fender
On the JYD that Chaser now owns I squeezed 24x12x12 under
That one and thought it looked amazing

 

[MiniHomesteader]

That looks awesome! Looks a bit tight for a tiller belt though… the tires I bought for it are 23x10.50. I’m planning on either Tru Powers and V61s, or Firestone 23 degree with the 16x6.50 Tri-ribs.

 

[Kster526]

Yes no tiller or anything would have fit under for sure

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Took the hydraulic parts back to Troy this morning, and picked up the manual lift parts.