A Tandem Cub

[sawdustdad]

I thought I'd start a thread on a new project, a tandem cub. I'm thinking it will eventually have a cargo bed behind the seat. It's intended to have two driving axles with a pair of hydro drives coupled together. At this point, I'm considering this a proof of concept effort. Below are my current ideas and thoughts.

It's a 109 with an additional axle out of a 147. Frame has been extended and reinforced. Something of a jerry-rigged frame made from the rear portion of the 147's frame plus some steel stock I had on hand.

The plan is to connect both sets of brakes so both rear axles have working brakes. The hydros will be linked with a rod from the front control plate to the rear plate, making them move in sync, or close to it.

The 109 was running when I bought it, albeit with fuel supply issues. The PTO had fallen off, bearing disintegrated. Engine did not smoke, so a carb rebuild will get it running enough to allow me to test the drive train. If it all works out, I will probably drop a newly rebuilt engine in it. I have one waiting on the shelf.

I intend to cover both sets of wheels with extended fenders, perhaps a combination of the 109's and the 147's fender assemblies, cut apart and welded back together in some fashion. I may put a wide seat on it so two people can sit side-by-side, like a golf cart seat perhaps. Not sure yet.

I did buy four new 23x8.50x12 Deestone ags and have cleaned and painted 4 wheels. So those will be going on shortly. Axles are 24 inches O.C. so that leaves about an inch between the tires.

The front hydro (the 109's) has been drained and refilled with a new filter. Rear (the 147's) hydro is awaiting a replacement suction tube then will get a fluid and filter change. The 109's trunnion is worn a little, and the 147's is in better shape. The jump shaft (from the front to the rear hydro) is just loosely sitting in place in these pictures.

Once I get it running, and have some confidence that it will work as intended, then I'll clean it up better and deal with the cosmetics. No sense getting all fussy about it if I wind up scrapping it in the end.

Open to any suggestions or ideas you might have. Have several other projects in progress around the house, so this may take all winter.