When your old lawnmower is ready to be retired, you can find new life (and plenty of fun times) when you decide recycle its engine. You might just be surprised at how many unique projects there are to choose from. Here are a few ideas that you might want to consider working on this weekend:
Convert Your Lawnmower Engine to Run on Compressed Air
There’s a good chance that train locomotives are the only exposure you’ve had to steam engines. But, adding a sleeve valve to your lawnmower engine can enable you to switch it from gas powered to running on compressed air. Watch the video and find instructions on the conversion process here: http://hackaday.com/2016/07/08/from-a-lawnmower-engine-to-a-compressed-air-engine/
Build a DIY Generator Using a Lawnmower Engine
For under $40, you can convert your old mower engine into a working generator. You might even have some of the extras laying around your shop or in a nearby junkyard so that you’re out of less money than that. The small generator is a great back-up to the larger one you keep set aside for major needs. It won’t heat your house, but it can help you keep the lights on! You can expect about 500 watt power, which is enough to juice up some small electronics or tools. Get the instructions here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Lawnmower-Power-Generator-With-A-Twist/
Build a Wooden Go-Kart
Anybody can buy a go-kart kit for their old lawnmower engine. But how many wooden go-karts have you seen? Sure, it may look primitive, but it’s actually quite doable, which can make it a fun experiment to complete with your kids. Wooden go-karts are generally cheaper to build, making your project even more affordable. Get the simple wooden go-kart plans and instructions here: http://www.kartbuilding.net/Lawnmower_Powered_Wooden_Go-Kart_Plans/
Lawnmower Engine Powered Mulcher
Take a new twist on your compost pile. Start by creating a DIY mulcher for under 50 bucks as opposed to a commercial mulcher that can cost hundreds of dollars. Plus, the engine power allows it to mulch just about anything you want, whether it’s wet leaves or bothersome vines. As there is only one moving part, there’s not a lot that can go wrong. Get the diagram on how to build yours, here: http://www.aaroncake.net/projects/mulcher.htm
Homemade Power Wheelbarrow
Why break your back when your lawnmower engine can do the hard work for you? The entire piece of equipment can be made right out of scrap material. Thanks to its geared transmission, you’ll find it easy to move big loads around. The speed of your power wheelbarrow will average just a bit faster than your casual walking pace. Check it out here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kklos/2102919721
Convert it into an Outboard Boat Motor
If you don’t feel like buying a brand new boat motor for something small like a gheenoe, you can get enough power to rebuild your current outboard motor with your old lawn mower engine. Adjust the shaft of your mower engine to fit the one on your outboard motor, make sure everything is adapted, and you’re ready to roll. Get a step-by-step guide here: http://www.instructables.com/id/homemade-lawn-mower-outboard-boat-motor/?ALLSTEPS
Build a MINI-BEEP
The MINI-BEEP MBA80 kit sold by Struck Corp allows you to propel your own miniature jeep with an old lawnmower engine. It takes only five sheets of plywood, along with the kit to make the drivable MINI-BEEP body. You can use it to drive the grandkids around on the farm, bulldoze snow, or even drive off road. Order the kit or watch videos of the MINI-BEEP in action, here: https://struckcorp.com/products/mini-beep-mba80/
Power Your MINI-DOZER MD196K Bulldozer
Avid DIY enthusiasts may be aware that there are mini bulldozers, such as the MINI-DOZER MD196K, which can be bought as a DIY kit and assembled by the buyer. You can order it with or with out a engine. Why spend on an engine when you have an old lawnmower engine in a perfect condition. Follow the instructions included in your kit and install the engine so that your bulldozer can start hauling logs, shoveling snow or doing any other small tasks around your property.
There, you now have some excellent ideas to consider if you want to put those old lawn mower engines to good use.
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