Small diesel engines

[Splatfest]

I've been brewing an idea for a mini tractor project for a while.Been tinkering with a 5hp Briggs petrol engine that even Doris Stokes couldnt bring back so I started thinking about alternatives.Then while in the motorway services coming back off holiday,looking at a lorry driver trying to park his refrigerated lorry I got to thinking about the small diesels that power the fridge bit on the back.
Anybody know anything about them? i.e. what hp are they,Are they a horizontal crank set up like the briggs engine? I reckon getting one from a commercial scrapper would be a fairly cheap way of getting an engine I could run for nowt whenever Mrs Splatfest changes the fat in the chip pan

 

[fingers99]

I know nothing about them, but it's an interesting idea: should be welll up to powering a useful genny or a compressor (maybe using the fridge compressor?) too.

Not sure that a diet of chips is adviseable, though.

 

[Drains]

Splat, I think a lot of those units use Lister Petter AC1 engines. They're noisy buggers - 3000 rpm, 5hp or so. Put one in a tractor you'll get vibration white-**** when you've got the power up.

An alternative engine might be a Lister single (LS1?). They're usually rated at 1500 revs, have a nice big flywheel etc. I'm sure you could mess some sort of drive/ clutch bax affair onto one without too much trouble.

Edit - the old wee dumpers and cement mixers used petter, lister or lister/petter singles. An old dumper has it all there. Plenty of torque too. Cut out all the rot, put in a new skip or whatever, even add a hydraulic pump, log splitter etc etc. Ah, the potential!

Always fancied doing something useful (eh?) with a lawnmower meself. My grandfather had an Atco. That would have been a top project, till me dad dumped it. Tttut.

 

[Splatfest]

..............They're noisy buggers - 3000 rpm, 5hp or so. Put one in a tractor you'll get vibration white-**** when you've got the power up.

Thanks for the info Mr Drains.To be honest that doesnt really bother me ( ooh err

) I can rubber mount the engine (ooh its getting worse ) and I plan on driving a small car g/box via a belt then chain reduction and then by prop to a narrowed car axle (I was thinking about Robin Reliant as the stud fitting is the same as some atv wheels I have) so there shouldnt be that many vibes transmitted.
The dumper idea sounds good and would be a lot easier but as it will be a toy and I'm from Yorkshire and carry the gene that prevents you spending money I'm looking for the cheapest alternative. I've found brand new 4hp petrol engines for < £100 on fleabay but the sound of a clanky old diesel seems more authentic.

 

[MrFluffy]

Small flies in ointment if you want to bring the tractor back as a lawn tractor, as thats all a 5hp briggs would struggle to drag round.
The crank needs to be vertical if you want to reuse the existing drivetrain or gearbox, pretty much most stationary diesels are set up to have a horizontal crank. Ditto to spin the blades on the cutting deck.
Ive now got 3 lawn tractors in various states of distress, and discovered a 11hp briggs takes a gpz750 piston and liner with some abuse from a mill
Out of the three, one also has a chain driven rear axle, its belt to the transfer box, but chain thereon in. I think its a massey, i can check if you want to go that route...
Having a really low ratio and a box is handy, since mine struggles to pull the trailer up the hill out the new garden when youve got a bit of weight on it in anything but first. I keep looking at a spare robin diesel single I have, but I want that to power a genset instead...
Probably cheaper to try and ressurect a old tractor instead to start with

 

[shenion]

My two riding mowers are 11 and 18HP. a 5HP will be no use.

I think you need one of these:

 

[snowcat]

The lumps in some of the fridge Lorry's are a 3 cylinder daihatsu 26HP at around 1800rpm(It just so happens I have one to commission for a pal of mine), this would be a far better bet than a petter or any "Hobby" type lump... there also used in bobcats and other small type plant... Best drive train failing cassette type TVT or constant Vario would be hydrostatic, pump, control, motor simple.....IMHO..

 

[eil]

My mate had seen a kubota that was hydrostatic for sale, How does a hydrostatic work ?

 

[snowcat]

My mate had seen a kubota that was hydrostatic for sale, How does a hydrostatic work ?

engine drives a hydraulic pump, this goes through an infinitely variable spool block which then drives the motor, Theres a bit more too it than that, and theres also displacement hydrostatics used on some telehandlers instead of torque converters, but in rough form thats all there is too it.

 

[eil]

Its just he wanted me to go with him to check it out, I told him i did not know how they worked so wouldent know if it dident if you get my drift, will probably have to look it up then i supose if he keeps pestrin me
cheers snowcat

 

[jugs]

My mate had seen a kubota that was hydrostatic for sale, How does a hydrostatic work ?

Input shaft drives a multi cyl ball pump that's hydraulic conected to a ball piston motor via a valve plate. As valve plate is moved, ports open in sequeance controling oil flow & direction, giving stepless F-N-R + speed control from a single lever.

All very simple, BUT DONT strip one, Lots of lose balls, springs + bits fly out.

 

[jugs]

Sorry snowcat, you got in first

 

[eil]

Cheers jugs I dont really want to go to see it let alone strip it, but if he buys a dud il get the old "av a quick look at this for me" scenario