A New Hustler Owner

[john swenson]

gt...you definately got your moneys worth. should be a great project..j.b.

[dirtdobber]

Thats a 20 horse briggs and stratton. I have another machine with the 18 horse version of the same engine.

Give us some pictures of the front frame area so we can see what may be missing there. I hope the previous owner didn't get rid of the shifter.

Since you have to rebuild the shift linkage and all, you may want to think about making it a split shift machine. That simply means each side of the transmission has its own position selector. This allows you to drive one set of wheels forward and the other set backwards. I don't have this feature but some say its really handy in tight spots.

[qtband]

The forward/reverse shifter is there. I'll post more pictures this afternoon. A split shifter sounds good. I just need to find out how. Is there a tutorial or something I could look at?

Also, what about this engine?

http://www.electricgeneratordepot.com/duromax-xp18hpe?google=1&CAWELAID=230006220000005729&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=19685621051&CATCI=pla-368954476007&gclid=CjwKCAiAk4XUBRB5EiwAHBLUMWAE13rogXGsXTDx3Amoe1eqnEUI_kL3CQwpSRo7KkbMNFiKFPjhVBoCn3cQAvD_BwE

[qtband]

I was able to get some more pics....Resized8.jpgResized9.jpgResized10.jpgResized11.jpgResized12.jpg

[ARGOJIM]

The picture of the handle you have here is the parking brake, the shifter would have been in/on the box to the outside of that which is not visible. The machine may have a model number on the warning plate on the upper body in the dash area above the shifter, though some Hustler had the model number actually on the original engines.
I'd assume that trans has been replaced since the shifter keepers are homemade and the parking brake disk is gone.

[dirtdobber]

QT,

Here are some pics of my transmission linkage along with enough dimensions to rebuild your. The good news is you can just add on where the old parts were cut off.

Shift dimensions.pdf
20180213_195919[1].jpg20180213_200039[1].jpg20180213_200009[1].jpg

I also sketched for you what the factory split shift arrangement looks like. It's simple enough and I think you will get the idea. You need two shifters, though.
Split Shift.pdf

I have a couple more pics I'll have to add in a new thread.

[dirtdobber]

more pics of my shift linkage
20180213_200401[1].jpg20180213_200436[1].jpg

One of these pics is what my shifter looks like.

Another modification you should consider while you are building is beefing up the mounts for the transmission. Currently, your transmission is held in place with 4 bolts and slotted holes. In a high torque situation, the trans can twist out of its mount. If you will notice in my pics, I have a piece angle iron that runs from the shift linkage supports (1/4 x 2 flat iron) and captures the top two bolts. It also holds the diamond shifters in place.

Two other things I see missing are the seat support, which crosses above and just forward of the transmission (its in my pics) and the bracket that connects the rear hitch to the frame. You want this bracket so that you have a solid connection point and not pull the hitch out of the plastic. It slipped over the engine mount bolt.

[qtband]

Does anyone have a drawing or some pictures of the shift levers that they would share? Dirtdobber mentioned a split shifter. Anyone have plans for that?
Thanks!

[dirtdobber]

The sketch I gave you in post #21 shows you how to arrange the linkage at the transmission. At the drivers compartment, you just need a second gear shifter and linkage.
Some have mounted shifters side by side, and some have mounted them on either side of the machine. The best you can do is take the concept and design something that works for your machine. I doubt anyone is going to be able to give you precise instructions...but I could be wrong.

I have a parts machine that is set up with the factors split shift, but I can't get to it right now to take pics. Maybe over the weekend I can.

[qtband]

I have a chance to get a Kohler 25hp. It has a 1 1/8 inch shaft. Is that an issue?

[dirtdobber]

I'm not sure. If you currently have a driven clutch it will be a 1 in bore, so you may be able to have it machined to 1 1/8. If you have to buy a new driven clutch, check for compatibility with your existing driven clutch. Someone with more clutch knowledge than I will hopefully chime in. But, if you can put 25 horses in it that would be great!

[qtband]

I only have a driven, no driver. I'd have to find a 1 1/8" bore driver without breaking the bank.

[qtband]

Looks like a no-go on the 25hp Kohler. I did end up purchasing an 18hp Vanguard engine that should serve me well. I will probably start a build post when I get things rolling in a few weeks. I am going to need help....

[dirtdobber]

Qt here are some pics of a factory split shift.
20180317_094840.jpg20180317_094858.jpg20180317_094914.jpg

[qtband]

Thank you dirtdobber! Anything helps.