How would I use a lawnmower engine to power a go cart?
I've got a frame and an old push style lawn mower I'm about to rebuild. I'ts pretty weak (5.5 hp briggs) but I don't have much of a budget. The biggest dilema is getting the power to the rear wheels with the vertical shaft. I was thinking chain driven, little differential if they made them, rack and pinion gears, or maybe some kind of front engine with a driveshaft thing. I've been thinking about it a lot and I'm stumped, any ideas?
Thanks
have you ever seen a rear differential on a truck?
go to a junk yard, buy a ford 9 inch rear axle, make sure you get the driveshaft or at least cut the end of it off and take it with, get your welder weld the driveshaft yoke on the output shaft of the motor, now cut the axle tubes and the actual axles to the length you need, take that length out of the middle of the axle housings because the 9 inch axles are held in at the wheel end not the diff end. since its only a 5.5hp it will be fine… i dont know if i left some stuff out or not, once you get started you will see how its gonna come together.
oh and this would require some ground clearance that you might not have planned for, around here any kart gets mud tires.
Stumped – you and about 50 kazillion other boys, my friend. NO ONE makes an adapter for this, that I know of. Some riding lawn mowers have a twist/belt combo for turning the belt 90 degrees to a horizontal shaft from a vertical shaft mower. This is also done on some roto-tillers. That might be your only option. I believe I've seen this conversion done on a crude go kart, but unfortunately, there are just no PTO kits pre-made to change the direction of the vertical shaft motors to work on go-karts that I've seen specifically made for Go-kart use. I'll bet someone could do quite well making something like this, though! Horizontal shaft motors are more expensive for some reason, than verticals, it would save some money. Maybe. Anyway, try to find a broken Rototiller or riding mower to scavenge for those twist-belt assemblies. Good luck!
- The Gremlin Guy – 3 used go-karts, none with motors either.
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Dude! From 20+ years ago, here's how we did it. First, a 5.5hph briggs is great for anyone under 18. That's exactly the engine we used. Mount the drive shaft horizontally over the rear axle of the go-cart (engine shaft parallel with the axle). If this engine orientation messes up your gas tank or oil, you'll have to find a solution for this. Use a centrifugal clutch on the engine drive shaft and a gear and chain to connect the engine to the rear axle. The engine should be centered in all three axis over the rear axle. This will minimize vibration and enhance control. Now, you wanna talk about brakes? Good luck, and stay off the Interstate!
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have you ever seen a rear differential on a truck?
go to a junk yard, buy a ford 9 inch rear axle, make sure you get the driveshaft or at least cut the end of it off and take it with, get your welder weld the driveshaft yoke on the output shaft of the motor, now cut the axle tubes and the actual axles to the length you need, take that length out of the middle of the axle housings because the 9 inch axles are held in at the wheel end not the diff end. since its only a 5.5hp it will be fine… i dont know if i left some stuff out or not, once you get started you will see how its gonna come together.
oh and this would require some ground clearance that you might not have planned for, around here any kart gets mud tires.
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The only two options for that aren't cheap or easy.
1 – You would need a right angle gearbox that runs a 1:1 ratio.
2 – A drive disc setup from an Ariens or Snapper riding mower.
Your best bet is to find an old garden tiller that has a good engine on it.
One alternative is to check out http://www.northerntool.com They have go kart and mini bike parts, and sell new engines relatively cheap. You can also find "steals" on good engines on ebay from time to time. Just be cautious on what you order on there. I lucked out and got an 18 hp for $185 that runs great. Good luck and have fun with it.
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Do what I did buy one already made but I bet if you went somewhere that they had go-carts to ride. They would be willing to give free information it's worth a shot. Good luck
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