Turning An Old Riding Mower into a ATV,Utility Vehicle, Or "Mud Mower"

Here I describe how to turn an old, useless riding mower into a vehicle you can use around the farm, or just for fun. Its a "Poor Man's ATV" . For not a lot of cash, you too can make a fun toy or useful addition to your fleet.

[@FarpointFarms]

I've put up a new video of my "M.U.T.T." in action. the link is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWbVaYhqfpaUrLc

[@MeGustaTV]

Farpoint Farms good info, but it would have been nice to hear the difference in noise with the new muffler system.

[@larryparamedic]

18 mph? Holy crap! lol Love this video. I've got a 14 year old Craftsman rider with a 23 hp engine that runs perfect, but the deck has just rotted away and fell off. I can't wait to do something like this to it.

[@Deucealive75]

Great tool for a farm beater to get around in and you probably had fun tinkering with it to get it going. Not to mention savings tons of money you would need for even a used quad. Nice.

[@tutuianuadrian8501]

Basically that's what I did bro 😅 took a craftsman 18HP and transformed it into a lawn tractor. It doesn't have a lot of speed but my focus was on traction. Opened the OHV air intake lowered the gears 1 to 5 and added weight , lifting it overall 5 inches from initial ground level to be able to go in the woods easy. Needless to say now I pull 8 foot long 18 inches wide logs with it

[@FarpointFarms]

Heck yes! I'd love to see pictures!

[@tutuianuadrian8501]

Add me up on FB " Adrian Tutuianu" and ill show you a variety of what I've done and next projects I jave on going

[@jimmyallen8210]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing

[@shojimujo]

Thanks for the tire tip. I just bought a garden tractor and when I got it home the tire was flat. I wasn't sure if I had to replace tire and tube or just tube. Now I know! Thank you

[@themiggybear9609]

the people are restless. and for good reason. sir we wish to hear the exhaust. please. if you would be so kind. i could not bare to read anymore comments without expressing, in words, our emptiness that comes from deep inside our hearts, our soul even. we have a fever. and the only thing that can cure us. is hearing your exhaust. sir, if you will address this matter at your earliest convenience, please. :-) thank you, The Peaple

[@MichaelPaulHenderson]

Forgive me if I missed something - did anyone ever see this thing run?

[@shanesmaineshop]

Looks good I am going to check it out on the other video you provided a link to.

[@FarpointFarms]

Hope you enjoy!

[@G56AG]

Since it has a (sort of) Olive Drab paint job, its almost like a mini Jeep. It might mess with the camo idea but I'd love to see the white star on it like the WW2 Jeeps had, just for fun of course! 😀

[@FarpointFarms]

That's exactly what I was planning. A star and some stenciled lettering.

[@donaldshimkus539]

Instead of using stock type headlight bulbs, get a couple 12 volt LED 50 watt landscape spotlight bulbs. Glue them into the original headlamp areas, (w/o the sockets) using black RTV silicone. They are bright and last a super long time.

[@michaelclosson68]

This is pretty cool. I was thinking of doing something similar, but turning the deck into a snowplow.

[@yogibear4532]

I had a 1957 simplicity wonderboy that I built. Had Briggs and Stratton. I love old mowers. I want to build me another one and take it to car shows and show it off and ride around like a go kart

[@InventPeace1]

Safety sam here: 1st. good video and great way to quiet the exhaust (yeah, i'd like to hear the difference myself.. ). 2a. The plastic tie straps on the gas filter shutoff valve are not a good idea , eventually you might get a big gas leak and burn down your garage. . 2b. 15mph may seem ok, but remember those lanwmower BRAKES are not the best, be very careful or tragedy. 3. give us a link for the front muffler with the threads on both sides.

[@technologyguy101]

If your only ever afraid to die, you'll never truly live

[@JOEZEP54]

Nice exhaust modification. That fuel shut off valve will also save your engine from blowing by keeping gas from flowing into your crankcase. I add them to all of my equipment where possible.

[@JamesCouch777]

I like it 👍

[@douglasbest8136]

Enjoyed video, would like to do this with an old mower. I have had good luck with Automotive Goop on reinforcing the cut or weather wear on old tires, along with adding tubes. The Goop will help make the outside smother so mud or sticks want tear off the rubber.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for the tip!

[@brotherricksafety]

Very cool man , I love it Eric. I am working on an old 10hp craftsman , gonna do the same. I might make it look like an old Jeep if I can. Anyway ,nice work man.

[@FarpointFarms]

I've seen a really cool tractor that was converted with a plywood body to look jut like an old Jeep. You should totally do it, and show us the end results!

[@brotherricksafety]

I will do that , eventually lol Ive got so many irons in the fire.

[@SharonEdgar-t6k]

We are having trouble finding the place to replace the oil filter on a old mower we just got..??any help??

[@FarpointFarms]

It's very possible that your mower doesn't have a filter. Not all of them do.

[@aryanwilcox4721]

I would honestly love to get my hands on something like this. I have been wanting to build something like this for quite awhile only with a bed attached to the back so that I can use it to make runs into town to get groceries and to bring back the game I go hunting for. (Small to medium game such as rabbits and pheasant to wolves and maybe a small boar)

[@FarpointFarms]

Keep your eyes glued to craigslist this fall when people give up on their old mowers and you can get one of these old murray type riders for less than $100. Just make sure to get one that has the manual trans, and you are golden! I got this one for free from a co-worker that was going to toss it becasue it didn't run, had a flat tire, and had a bad deck. As long as there isn't a hole in the engine block 99% of these can be back running with a little carb cleaner and an oil change. I too am thinking about welding a small bed on the back, and maybe even rigging up a tandom rear axle. the other thought I had for hauling was building a front mounted rack over the hood. Its pretty flat, and big enough for most of the tools I used on the farm.

[@aryanwilcox4721]

If you plan to be putting tools on it then I suggest a smallish tool box mounted on the back thats big enough for the tools you plan to carry on it and then do a trailer hitch and get a small tow trailer that fits what your planning. I had an old lawnmower pit bike out in California and once I got here to Idaho I took it and added a small hitch to it with the limited tools I had access to from my collection and my new neighbors, then mounted a small towed flatbed trailer designed to carry small loads and just put some raised guard rails on it. That worked til I got out into the country when my bike was stolen in the move. Now I am stuck hoofing it around because no license to drive. Then again I do not need 1 for my city as they allow stuff like this on the residential and back roads without a license. I just cannot go down a main road more than a block.

[@Pro1er]

Hi Erik, I know this video is a couple years old now, but I think it would be cool to replace the headlights with a small light bar.

[@rb.867]

No test run?, not gonna start it?

[@trustnoone3795]

Would a liked to see it in action & hear how quiet you made it, but I'll take your word for it. I've had a question about these conversions to riding mowers to make them go faster for quite awhile. Do you use the original steering gear setup that was in the mower ''as is'' or did you do any modifications to it. I've got a couple of riders I want to do this to, but I just don't like the steering gears that are in them. I may just need to tighten the gears closer to each other on 1 of them & put a lot a grease on the gears to see if that helps. As wobbly as the steering is now at mower speed kinda concerns me if I try to drive that 1 particular mower at a higher speed. The last thing I want is to have the front end throw a wobbling fit at about 15 - 20 miles an hour (if I get it that fast) causing me to lose control & wreck. I've already nearly been killed in 1 wreck & my body is too old to go through another 1. By the way, I like your color choice. Keep up the good work.

[@FarpointFarms]

There is a part 2, and then 2 more videos on the muffler system somewhere on my page. If I get time I will link them to this video, but search my videos and you will find them.

[@granch4211]

I have one it leaks oil in the diff cant find the plug i guess i will drill one unless you found one on yours i will fill it with jd corn head grease or lucas extreme thanks

[@stellajaeger8425]

we all want to hear you're exhaust mod . not see it ,we have already seen the cool way you built it . thanks John ( on my wife's comp.)

[@Vortec67]

Awesome pretty cool

[@FarpointFarms]

THE MUTT!!!

[@kittyg122]

One question..i have a 96 z275 John Deere. Removed deck, replaced fuel filter, new battery, new starter, but the pto switch was removed due to it engaging without touching the switch. Now it won't start cause it thinks the switch is pulled. How do I bypass this?

[@FarpointFarms]

Hmmm. That's a good one. I think I'd need to see the wiring diagram.

[@christoffer1973]

do you have a video of it running and driving.

[@noahschwarting130]

I like this video

[@lucianoguerra9013]

Thank you Loader. I've been thinking that its time for me to leave home an getting my hands on some transportation thats affordable well this is the cheapest way to go.

[@rb.867]

So if you welded the rear end ,how do you turn?

[@MA.CUTLER]

He welded the rear end... not the steering wheel🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@alexermerson]

Stock speed of 3.5 mph X (6.5"/2.5") = 9.1 mph How did you get the other doubling of speed to give you 18 mph? Did you also perhaps increase engine speed by bypassing the governor?

[@contreeman]

YOU READ MY MIND

[@tjtatomirovich1]

I wanna hear it with the muffler setup

[@471Tinker]

Hey man where did you get all your exhaust parts from?

[@FarpointFarms]

+Evan Tinker I bought them from a local farm store called agri supply, but I'd imagine that most places that sell lawn mower parts would have the stuff you need to do this mod. the iron pipe came from lowes.

[@471Tinker]

+Farpoint Farms (Erik) thank you sir. Great videos

[@terrystevens7884]

Why didn’t you let us here it run and see how much quieter it is

[@FarpointFarms]

This was one of my first videos- I was still learning- Sorry

[@dariog36th]

How bout putting an LED bar in the front instead of replacing with light sockets

[@FarpointFarms]

That's a great idea! The little 12v battery should be able to handle that too as led's are very efficient.

[@dariog36th]

That's what I plan on doing to my mower project. I can find an LED bar on ebay for a little over the price of new sockets and bulbs. Keep having fun with your build. Looks like a lot of fun.

[@refugeinc.159]

I know it's fun to build stuff like this, I have too. But if doing it soley to have a 'cheap atv', it's just not worth it. It's still just a lawn tractor, no matter what you do to it. They can't do the slighest off-roading or mudding without getting stuck. And you don't have to spend 'thousands' to get an ATV. I just picked one up for $150, and had to put $20 into it to get it running and riding. Even the smallest, cheapest, weakest ATV will still be FAR better than a lawn tractor turned into an 'atv.' They have suspension, better tires, are faster and are far more tougher/reliable. And please name one ATV that is NOT locked in the rear. They ALL are.

[@FarpointFarms]

I think that's where the issue is here. On a small farm like mine, an ATV is used as a work tool, not as a "muddin" toy. I use this little thing to haul a cart full of hay, and to drive the fence lines looking for issues. I wouldn't expect this thing to outperform or even match a real ATV when it comes to off road use, but for a fun and cheap project that has created a useful tool, I like it! If I could get an ATV for $100, I'd be all over it, but in my neck of the woods they just don't exist.

[@Mike_St33n]

Why haven't you thought of using LED for lights in the front. Much brighter and less strain on the battery.......

[@Joel3436]

I wanted to hear how quiet it is

[@FarpointFarms]

+Joel Mann Sorry, but the way my camera mic works, it sounds about the same. In person, its a much quieter story.

[@jakesnake_27]

I've got a Sears Craftsman that I'm currently building (pic in my avatar). It's built on that same Dynamark chassis...

[@FarpointFarms]

Its a light, sturdy little ride. I regeared mine down from at top speed of 12 to 15mph to a max of around 8mph now and use mine as a yard mule. its my go getter with a little pull cart attached to it most days.

[@jakesnake_27]

That's cool!

[@danielmorton5956]

I what to see it running

[@bennyrussell5551]

Still refusing to let us hear it i see

[@mudmowerregulators9559]

fire it up bud! second video and you still have not started it

[@georgesimpson3113]

Still haven't heard the turd run!

[@FarpointFarms]

There is a part 2 where it runs, and I'm sorry you don't like it. To you it's a turd, but to a lot of people out there without the money to buy a genuine ATV, this "turd" will more than get the job done. 5 years later, I finally retired this thing after many hours of trail riding and farm work.

[@mrfrog3350]

You made 2 videos and dont show it running or driving-SAD!

[@FarpointFarms]

+Mr Frog I don't have anyone to hold the camera! Its a fun little toy, but no more exciting then it looks just sitting there. I built it to haul stuff around my property at speeds a little more fun then a stock mower, and for that it works great. I will say it still has a VERY harsh ride as it has no suspension, and when you get her going fast, every bump turns into a real bang.

[@pikadroo]

Would have been nice to hear how quite it is. Kind of wasted my time watching this.

[@denbecr49]

@@pikadroo The microphone sensitivity and playback volume adjustment destroys any real life accurate perception of how loud it is. Signal attenuation would even distort a before & after comparison.

[@awesomevlogs629]

I bet it doesn't even work

[@FarpointFarms]

+YANIA DOMINGUEZ Oh, it works, its just not really worth showing it in "action" if you've seen one riding mower moving along, you've seen them all.

[@sallyboy5418]

He wont show it running because it don't run...? Who makes a 2 video's and wont show it running? Nobody. Fake

[@grdelawter4266]

I’ve watched two videos of this and you have yet to start it to prove the muffler is quieter and you have yet to start it up a drive it to show us! If you make another video and your not driving this, I will no longer watch your videos!!! Your lawn mower/ tractor/ atv/ whatever it is we know it was free, but your talk is cheaper! Start it and drive it!

[@FarpointFarms]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWbVaYhqfpaUrLc

[@Buck1954]

I'm disappointed that you won't let us hear it. Must not be as quiet as you claim.

[@FarpointFarms]

As I've stated before,e I will make a video of before and after, but its kind of pointless as the mic on my camera has a noise cut off. The sound of the mower is so loud that it cuts the decibels down so it doesn't overload the signal. when I run it before and after the camera makes it sound about the same, when in real life its much different.

[@bushpilotdude7154]

Why would say so much about exhaust system then not fire up the mower? That’s why I didn’t give you a like 🥲

[@FarpointFarms]

There is a part 2, and a newer video showing every step of the process including it running before and after.