Thanks bkw & maddhatter for the response & suggestions. I am lucky that my son-in-law is a machinery maintenance tech and has access to lathes, mills, and any machine shop and fabricating eqpt you can imagine. Only problem will be keeping him from taking the project over completely
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I think I'm going to need more hp than a 12 or 14 because of the added accessories on board. The 16hp was on the low end of what I originally wanted, but we'll see how it performs. Cost is definitely a factor, and the B&S was priced right. I think we've got the new motor mount figured out, but will have to alter the frame a little as well. I won't be using the existing fuel tank, battery, or even the hood and fenders.
I'm not familiar with a "driver to driven" coupler. Sounds like a u-joint. Will check it out. SIL will be able to make any length & diameter drive shaft, and will definitely install new fan. Existing one is completely broken. It just seems to me that a significant amount of transferable power would be lost using a flex/rag joint, whereas a u-joint would transfer all the power.
I will be needing significantly more power than the tractor normally supplies, hence the automotive alternator. I haven't measured how many amps will be needed since I'm still not sure what all eqpt will be installed. And I did plan on using an old automotive compressor for the air horn. I like the idea of putting the compressor where the battery was located and driving it off the rear of the hydro. Leaves more room under the hood.
