New COOT Project

[racerone3]

After several years of looking for one, I Finally have added a Coot to the stable. Last weekend I made a quick trip to NY and traded a Max II project to member "Coop" for this COOT project. Coop was a pleasure to deal with (Guy has some really cool toys and should post some more pics in his gallery -hint- hint-). He was really looking for a complete and fresh T-20 instead of the box of parts that I had and I was wanting the parts to make the Coot into a 4ws so we incorporated that into the trade. He also hooked me up with some hydraulic parts and a set of forklift forks that I can use on my Bobcat. Those Items certainly made my fuel for the trip worth while

On to the Coot details! What I got was a 2ws Coot.It has the output for a prop drive and the mount for a steering rudder. Machine is pretty complete. Only major item missing is the primary clutch. Both tubs need some patch work, some straightening, and a lot of broken welds fixed. I also got a set of front spindles, which will become rears for the 4 wheel steer conversion.

I will have to build the bell cranks, linkages, and mounting for the 4ws. Other plans include a Vanguard or Kohler engine for reliabality, dual winches (front and rear) as well as dual bilge pumps. Rebuild the trans, and both TT boxes. all new bearings and chain. Eventually I want to spray the tubs with bed liner, but I will skip that for now as I want to wait till I have used the machine a bit. New seats/ covers. Roll bar......

I would love to knock this out in my typical fashion, but work has me on the road 5-6 days most weeks so it may take me a while

[Mike]

This should be a fun project. What are your plans for tires/wheels? Are you sticking with the ones that are on there now or do you have something wide/custom in mind?

[racerone3]

This should be a fun project. What are your plans for tires/wheels? Are you sticking with the ones that are on there now or do you have something wide/custom in mind?

For now, I plan to use the stock wheels and tires. I also got a set of "mud bars" with the machine. These were intended to be used only with 2ws machines and only on the rear (non steer) tires. My plan is to space the wheels out enough to use them on all 4.

Today I finally got to tear into the machine. Rear axles came out as well as the rear Torque Transmitter box. Internal gears look to be in great shape. For the 4 wheel steer conversion, the rear axles had to get cut to length and the ends milled down to 1" square. Once this was done, I got the steering yoke assemblies mounted on the rear of the machine. Next on my list is to study and copy the internal parts of the steering linkage. once that is done, I can tear the Coot all the way down and start the actual rebuild process.

[racerone3]

Untouched for 2 years and 8 months. Finally got all of the debris out of the coot and got back to work on it this week. All of the linkage for the 4 wheel steer is built. Hopefully I will also get an engine mounted this weekend. Then rebuild the transmission and take it for a test drive. After that it will get a complete teardown, sandblasted, rust repair and everything freshly painted. I would love to bring it to an event this year.

[Mike]

I would love to see it at an event this year. You are inspiring me to get off my butt and fix at least one of mine.

[racerone3]

Lots of work on the coot over the last 2 weeks. Transmission is rebuilt and installed. New drive chain. Engine mounted, and exhaust built. Last night I cleaned the carb and got the engine running well. With a fuel tank and some very basic electrical, I should be able to go for a test drive.[url=http://www.6x6world.com/gallery/coot/p25111-quick-and-dirty-exhaust.html][/url

[racerone3]

It alive!! Wired up the engine last night, mounted a fuel tank and took it for a drive. Had a few minor issues with fuel delivery but very happy with how it ran and drove. I will need to build a seat before I do much more driving.

[ARGOJIM]

Nice work Brian, now it's playtime (after seat(s)). Any plans of a roll cage or stake sides later?

[Andyman]

Nice going !!!

[Noel Woods]

Nice job so far on the Coot. I think that you will find that the 2ws model is easier to steer than a 4ws like mine and your conversion. They still take a lot of distance to turn ironically. I've just about got electric power steering figured out for a conversion. That should be a big difference. But the Coot is a very tough unit, and every time I drive mine it draws a crowd. I've always said, the Coot is more of an amphibious tractor than an AATV.

I had thought about redesigning mine and placing the drivetrain in the rear body to get more room. Had it not been for mine pleasing me so much in nearly respect, I would have re-engineered the thing. Other than the steering I mentioned, there isn't much room above the engine, but I am 6'4" so that puts a damper on many things.
I've seen a couple of machines that performed well with a 10hp single cylinder, so your Kohler should have plenty of power. I've got an 18hp B&S and there's power to spare.

Keep us posted on status, this has got the makings for a great build.

[racerone3]

Seats built, and carburation issues resolved. The coot got several hours of run time this weekend. Noel, you are correct about its tractor like characteristics, but it seems like it goes anywhere I point it. Yours must be a bear to turn with those wide tires!
While I was pondering boring out the clutch to fit the Kohler, I saw some things that made me think it had started as a 2 stroke clutch.
Having used it for a weekend, I am sure. Need to pull the engine and àdd some weight to the arms. Hopefully that will bring it to life. Current top speed in high gear is a brisk walk.

[Noel Woods]

My Coot was actually too fast, so I changed out the main drive sprocket and geared it down. Its just quick enough in high at maybe 18 mph flat out. In low it just creeps along at idle about like a box turtle. A neighbor stuck his small Kubota 4x4 tractor and called for help, I took the Coot and connected a chain hitch to hitch and just gave the Coot a little throttle and it yanked that 1500lb tractor out like it was nothing. It really surprised the guy because he forgot to put the tractor in reverse and was in first gear trying to go forward when I pulled the tractor backwards.
You are also right about the big tires, they take more effort than the skinny tires but I'll take the additional effort to steer for the added traction.