New Terra Tiger owner! Lots of questions...

[coletrain777]

Hey all,
My name is Cole and I am a brand new Terra Tiger owner. I just picked it up needing serious attention. First off it doesn't have an engine. The only other thing I can see right now that it is missing is one of the bearing assemblies that the axle rides in (bolts to the shell). So a few questions...

1. What type of engine should I look for?
2. Does anyone have one of the bearing and axle holding assemblies?
3. Does anyone have pdf's of the factory manual they might be willing to send me?

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and jump right in. I am looking forward to making this old girl functional again.

Thanks Cole

[thebuggyman1]

I would buy.....LIFAN 15HP OHV Electric Start 1 In. Horizontal Keyway Shaft Engine With 18 AMP Charger - LF190FADQC at The Home Depot because of the 18 amp alt.

Or http://www.carrollstream.net/servlet...ne-With/Detail if you are not going to add any extra lights. They will have them again in August


The duromax engines have no alternators.

Clutches are another issue.....

[coletrain777]

Thanks for the quick reply, and the links. I would like to run lights so I would like to have an alternator. Now as for the engine clutch setup, what am I going to be looking for??? The Terra Tiger has what seems to be a complete driveline setup, but anything that would have been connected to the engine is long-gone

[gearhead1937]

I just got one of these off ebay. They seller said it has an altenator and will keep a battery charged. Its still sitting on my shop floor...I'm also looking for a clutch so I can't say how well it runs, but man the price was right. Just another option is $ is tight (like me).
Eaton 14HP Gas Engine - eBay (item 400139353083 end time Jul-31-10 07:08:31 PDT)

Adam
Southeast Iowa

[thebuggyman1]

Without going too in depth......That's the same motor. They are all copies of the Honda 340cc/390cc some have been bored/stroked to 420cc with a bunch of aftermarket parts/machine work you can get 50 hp....with a BUNCH of money. affordablegokarts: GX340 & GX390 PERFORMANCE PARTS
I'm no expert, but I have been looking at these for myself. It should be easy to get 20 hp or so with minor mods...intake/exhaust/governor The Lifan brand is supposed to be as good as/better than the Honda. Other copycats, it's potluck.
Clutches......Comet is out of business, but another co. bought thier tooling, they just can't keep up with demand. Recreatives Max Clutches
There are other brands and places to buy, but they all seem to be much more $$$$

If you want a used 20hp Kawa. out of a mule with clutch a local golf cart co has one ( Lansing Mi) for $400

[steveohio]

Welecome glad to see another Terra Tiger owner. I have a bunch of them! PM or email if you need any help or information on them.

[coletrain777]

So would it be semi-correct to assume that I would be able to use just about any horizontal shaft engine with a clutch, or does it have to be an atv clutch?

Also, how much happier will I be with a 20+ hp engine as compared to a 16 hp or so engine?

I have never had the opportunity to drive one of these things (or any 6x6 for that matter), so I have no idea what I am shooting for...

[coletrain777]

Terra Tiger interior pics (engine pics)

Does anyone have any interior shots of their Terra Tiger that they would be willing to share? Mine has no seat and is completely open.

I am just wondering where the engine sits in relation to the passengers, and what if anything seals it off from the passenger compartment area???

[thebuggyman1]

I just restored/resurected one last winter.....PM w/link to my gallery sent. I would go lower on the HP range or you will have steering clutch issues. The first T.T.'s were 10 HP then came the 18HP's (they had steering clutch issues) The tension springs to the steering clutches needed to be stronger for the 18HP or slipping/smoking can happen.
"So would it be semi-correct to assume that I would be able to use just about any horizontal shaft engine with a clutch, or does it have to be an atv clutch?" You cannot use a clutch off a lawn mower if that is what you are asking, it must be a CVT snowmobile type.
The seats in mine were from a 1990 chevy tracker (rear). The passenger has very little foot room...that's where the engine sits.

[coletrain777]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I have done motorcycle mechanics for several years but have never worked on a small engine in my life. Up until several months ago I had no idea that small engines even had "clutches". I know some of my questions sound pretty dumb, but I assure you I do have mechanical abilities (or at least I think I do at times .

1. So was there any type of cover that went over the engine to protect a passenger from heat?
2. Is there anything that covers the chain drive on these machines to protect peoples feet from getting chewed up?
3. What would need to be done to have reverse?

I currently own a 8hp Tecumseh that goes into reverse by pushing a shaft in (forward, neutral, reverse). It is on a homemade three wheel cart thingy that someone built and I acquired. Do all small engines have the ability to switch directions like this (shaft placement), or is this a unique feature?

Sorry again for the dumb questions, I feel like such an idiot... I will get it I promise!

[simpleton7016]

Nothing separates the driver from the engine, but there is a pan that goes in the bottom to protect from chains, See here:

[thebuggyman1]

To the best of my knowledge, mine is one of two in existence with reverse. I took a car flywheel and starter machined a hub to mount the flywheel to the main shaft and fabbed a bracket for the starter. Not much good if stuck in the mud, but good for backing off a trailer etc.
Mark M. made a transmission for his. In my opinion if you are looking for a serious mud machine, buy one with a t-20 or an argo. If you are looking to mainly trail ride, you will have a lot of fun with the t.t. One other bit of advice....you can be nickle and dimed to death...sometimes it's much cheaper to buy one "ready to ride". Just consider the cost of ALL the parts especially wheels/tires/adapters.