It is human nature to be fascinated by the next best thing and lose interest in the things we already own.
Every few years, I would buy a new piece of furniture, dress, or gardening tools and sell the old ones. So naturally, when my neighbor Eve asked me what she should do with her old lawn mower, my response was to sell it.
However, a few days later, when she told me her son Jake would use it for lawn mower racing, I thought she was joking. But, as it turns out, that is something people actually do. So I got out my laptop and began researching. I even had a talk with Jake about how these racing lawn mowers are built.
Hey there! I’m Stacy Smith, and if you want to know how to build a racing lawn mower, you’re in the right place. With Jake’s help and a little research of my own, I’ve put together this short guide. I will explain how to get that old lawn mower collecting dust in the shed ready for the racing season.
So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!
As peculiar as it may sound, lawn mower racing has been around for a few years now and is slowly gaining traction. It is precisely what it sounds like - racing with lawn mowers. And while most of the time the races are on flat roads, there are some tracks which can be muddy and full of obstacles.
Since this sport can get a little extreme, it is vital to have a lawn mower that can keep up. No one lawn mower brand is made for such a sport because it’s all about upgrading every detail of an existing lawn mower.
Jake mentioned that although it depends on the racer, there are three things everyone focuses on.
Needless to say, acceleration is most important (it is a race, after all). The best way to begin would be to choose a gas engine mower to bring up the mower’s power. Since those are more traditional, they already have a ton of power as opposed to electric mowers.
In addition to speed, stability is also essential. Irrespective of the terrain, it is vital to have a mower that will not go out of control during turns and sudden movements.
If it’s your first time racing, it is better to try this sport with a mower which is a little slow. Racing with a fast lawn mower might be challenging to handle and dangerous, especially on uneven terrain.
One of the first steps in building anything is to get all the tools and parts together. This is where the old lawn mower comes in handy. More often than not, the whole thing can be re-used to build the racing lawn mower. Here is a list of things you are most likely to need:
The first thing you will do is make a frame. The good thing about riding lawn mowers is that the frame is more or less pre-made; it just needs to be modified. For racing purposes, the lawn mower needs to have a stronger frame to withstand any damage. The best way to make it stronger is weld extra metal to it.
In terms of the shape, that will depend on the shape of the wheels. The only thing worth noting is that the distance between the mower and the ground shouldn’t be too much. Most people keep about a 4-inch gap which makes it easier to drive.
The next thing you will have to do is build a steering system. It is vital to ensure that the system is strong and can handle making sharp turns. The best thing to do will be to set up a direct steering system.
A direct steering system is one where the steering wheel is directly connected to the front wheels. This makes it easier to drive and maneuver the lawn mower.
With the frame and steering system done, all you need to do is fix the internal components. I would recommend starting with the transmission and then fixing the brakes. When picking brakes for the mower, go for hydraulic brakes instead of mechanical ones. They work better for racing mowers and are easier to install.
After the brakes, you will need to install the batteries. For this, attach the mower’s deck to the mainframe. Once the deck is tight enough, put the batteries underneath and complete the electrical connection.
Since the race track can be uneven, excessive movement can cause oil spills. To prevent that, you will need to install a puke tank that will hold the engine and keep oil from spilling. After this, attach a seat to sit on. Most people go for school seats, but old car seats work too.
Next, install the engine. There are many engines to choose from, but most racers go for one with 12 horsepower since that is more race-appropriate. Once the engine is installed, attach it to the battery. And after that, attach a chain to the wheels for a smoother drive.
The last step is to revamp the look of the lawn mower with a new paint job. Give the new race machine a good scrub and then paint it with eye-catching colours. Once the paint has dried, it’s time for a test run.
And there you have it, a short guide on building a racing lawn mower! Not everyone has the expertise to build a race car, so I hope this has been informative.
Please remember to wear gloves and necessary safety gear when welding parts. Also, be careful when setting up the engine and battery. It’s best to have the lawn mower instruction manual handy when dealing with the electricals. On that note, I shall now take your leave. But, I will be back soon with more such guides and tips.
See you next time!
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