New Project !

CASE 448 Garden Tractor

Boy I do not know why I spent soooo much time fiddling with Simplicitys. I picked up an 80's Case 448 that was without an engine and realized its potential! I stumbled onto a Kohler 20 HP twin, and decided that I would turn the motor around from what was original (now going to have the Flywheel towards the back of the tractor), and also, I figured I would stretch the frame to make a little more "breathing room".

So far, I have stretched the frame. This is a Stagger cut that really "Ladders" in nicely. You do this by finding the front half of one tractor and cut it off long enough to "grow" the existing frame to the length you need. When done, you really only see one weld on each side frame rail.

I am suprised how much metal was removed by the original engine vibrating on the frame. See the marks above ?

I mocked up and mounted a dual rear brake pedal setup from a JD 317. Note the new OE looking "pedals" waiting to be affixed.

I mocked up and came to some conclusions about a "foot control" for forward and reverse. Tough to tell, but this is a 3/8" rod that runs from side to side down low in the console. Attached to that, a bellcrank connecting the shaft to the valve linkage.

On the ouside, I will make the lever work just like a motorcycle shifter (not quite done here). Toes on top to push down for forward, Toe UNDER and Lift to back up. Sounds slightly inconvenient, but usually, and when plowing snow, I just need to "get started" backing up until I free up a steering hand. I still have the issue of figuring out a clamping method to replace the original notched plastic that kept the control in place under hand control methods.

I mounted a second "Travel Valve" as a PTO valve Under the Engine - The Copper tube is there as a Sample to take to the pipe bender place. My new pumps Output is on the right side and will connect via a hose to that right hand fitting. The far end fitting will run to the OE travel Valve. I still have to figure out how to control those spools, but I have a lot of options. The "large" port could be a simple electric selenoid, but I will want the variable flow aspect of a hand control on the old cylinder port. Those other holes were not mistakes... thats how they ended up after stretching the frame. The Kohler would have bolted right up by accident, but it would not be far enough ahead to make my belts line up.

IHere the motor is mocked up with the new pump and mount - LOTS of room !

I have located and mounted a new front electric clutch. Its a Mag-Stop, and I hold it in place with a single bracket under the crank centerline. The wire for the clutch wil also be attached to that bracket, so all I have to do is slip the belt over and I'm off !

I made a new "hub" to mount the clutch properly and also hold the OE fan. Hope the air flows decent !

This view shows the clutch and fan.... But the cooler is one set of holes forward of original. I will mod the hood pivot point ON THE HOOD to make this clear properly. Note how nice my exhaust will line up with te OE exhaust location. I might actually remove the sheet steel between the engine and muffler, so that the cooling air helps to dissipate the mufflers heat.

Here is a photo that shows just how much bigger this pump is. Original is on the Right. The new pump is a Parker "H39". It really is not that much bigger in GPM (1370@2500PSI) but looks big because it offers the options of a built in flow control to 2 seperate ports (like for pwr steering) and it contains a built in bypass valve. I do not think for a minute that it will be too big. I hope that low range gets more useable, and high range ends up simply for transport.

Here is a photo of the new Pump Mount. 3/8" stock on the base and sides, 3/16" plate in the middle.

I look forward to mounting these ! - "Tri-Rib" tires !- These will look GREAT ! Now I have to figure out exactly which rear lug tires to go with. I better wait to see what my final ground speeds are first.

So, whats it look like from a distance ? I think Better than Stock ! You can see how much I will have to grow the hood. I think that long hood will look excellent !

Yep, I have a long way to go yet, but I have some time before the snow flies. I still do not have a 54" wide blade yet anyhow, but I did latch on to a Case Metal Cab and Snowcaster (I need the chute steel though), and I have an Extra 44" Mower Deck in really decent shape that I can sell. Yep......I have a lot of ideas for this tractor....... <G> Show quality paint will likely be next year after I have all the mechanics working right.