I have a little wheel horse I use for cutting the grass. It's not big or powerful enough for some of the things I'd like to add like a front end loader or a box blade, etc. I looked at some sub-compacts but with the attachments they will probably run me $15k or better, which I could afford but I can't justify that big of a purchase. So I thought, what if I build a simple tractor with just what I want and non of the extras, I would also build my own attachments. I'm just not sure how realistic this type of project is, I'm generally very good with building things but I'm not a pro machinist/mechanic. I'm also aware I could buy a very good machine used but I find the thought of building my own super intriguing and it's not just about saving money, as I'm sure I'd be further ahead working overtime and buying vs building myself.I consider myself pretty handy and I'm certainly willing to learn/research any skills that are required and my dad is a welder by trade so I'm sure he could help as well. My plan would be to build the thing starting with the frame, which I want to make heavier than typical small tractor frames for heavy lifting and digging. Then buy a diesel engine, unsure of size but I was thinking ~20ish HP. I'd also like to use a 4 wheel drive hydro transmission.What I want it to have: -Heavy duty high capacity frame, 4 wheel hydro trans, 18-22hp diesel engine, 3 point hitch(with hydraulic lift), rear pto maybe, Frond end loader, Snow plow, Maybe a mower deck eventually, Maybe a backhoe eventually.My goal would be to build this thing like a tank. I've done a fair amount of googling already and I'm struggling to find many diesel engines for sale and finding a hydro transmission/how to make 4 wheel drive work. I just don't thing I know where to look. I've seen some plans for building things but nothing that's close to what I want(like that open source ecology thing).I'm just trying to get a few opinions, maybe someone has done something similar or can point me in the right direction or talk me out of it. Thanks. via /r/DIY http://ift.tt/2wPSD2H
