That annoying bump under Hustler tub

[brushcutter]

Has anyone ever tried to heat the bottom of a Hustler tub and reshape it so that the bump is smoothed out between the chain channels? If so how well did it work and how much did it improve the machines performance? If not, and someone was considering trying it (like me for instance) what effect do you think the heating/shaping would have on the integrity of the plastic? Would I just be doing something that would weaken an otherwise good tub?

What [here I go again] I'm thinking is, if a person built a "form" out of wood or some such material, then heated the tub and positioned the form under it, then jacked it up slowly while continuing to heat the tub, that the form would reshape the tub to match the shape of the form. The form could easily be be built to the shape of the flat area between the chain channels and this would do away with that annoying bump that is always seeming to hang me up, and is the single biggest flaw in the Hustler's design. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

[micmac]

BC,

I cant see how it would weaken that area if you are careful with the heat and did the process slowly. I would think a flat piece of plywood the width you want then heat from above and jack it up as you go. That sounds like a great idea. If you get the nerve up to do it be sure to take pictures as you go

Mike

[brushcutter]

Just got back from SLowes... bought a heat gun...

[Toyman]

Hump

This hump on my 950 is there to allow clearance for the disk brake. Do you plan to relocate it or just remove it?

[brushcutter]

The disc was on the transmission on mine and was removed by the previous owner. Some of them were prone to overheating due to being left engaged when driving, and would subsequently warp. So in my case this is not an issue.

[brushcutter]

Somebody's gotta be the first...

Okay I've made up my mind to DO this, I started work on the mold this evening. Will try to get pics as I go, but this may be hard to do, because once I start heating the tub I will need to keep working at it and thereby not allow the plastic to cool down until I'm done.

Hustler owners everywhere... cross your fingers...

[jerseybigfoot]

If this works I have a NOS Bigfoot bottom tub without any cutouts. Lets see no bottom bump, relocated middle axle and maybe 27" tires.

[brushcutter]

Now THAT would be SWEEET!!!!

[brushcutter]

Looking this over (quite a bit) looks like there is a 50/50 or less chance of it working. Dealing with angles and reshaping a curved piece so that it is flat with sloped sides will be VERY tricky. The biggest concern is that as the arc flattens out there will be "extra" plastic to deal with. My guess is that this will try to roll under some of the other plastic and form an "s" which will probably be a nightmare to deal with. If this happens hull strength could be sacrificed. Hope to try a small area tomorrow and see what happens.

[jerseybigfoot]

I think the plastic will want to shrink somewhat back into its sheet condition.

[mudbug3]

brushcutter,


I personally would,nt do it. I think that the plastic will distort, and then make you regret ever trying to do it.

[brushcutter]

Okay, I started heating the tub this morning, using a heat gun and working slowly [because the heat gun won't heat a large area quickly] As I suspected the front area where there is a shorter radius, started to fold under to allow the "extra" plastic I mentioned earlier to displace. This ,if I were to continue, would, create a weak area that could cause a sharp stick to hang and poke through the tub. So for now I am going to reform it to the original shape.

My thoughts are that if anyone wanted to try this, a hotplate would work better, as it would heat a larger area faster. Also they would need to build an inner and outer form to press the tub into the desired shape. Or if they were really good at welding plastic, they could try cutting the tub and welding it up in the shape that they wanted. I was in hopes that this would work but a different heating process would have to be used, and then if the tub overlapped the lower area could be sealed with welded filler to smooth it out.