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Old 06-29-2009, 09:26 AM   #1
gosborne
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Default Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

Looking for some experienced advice...

A couple of years ago I bought what I was told was a 74 Cushman Truckster. I race sportscars and my plan was to us it as a pit vehicle to haul tools, tires, etc. Long story short, as I was getting thru the engine rebuild and clutch replacement last year I learned (thru serial numbers) that what I bought was actually a Haulster (intended for on-road and smooth surface running) and not the “Turf Truckster” (newbie mistake I guess).

The problem is that the Haulster, beign intended for on-road use with heavy loads, has a very very stiff suspension and the rough access roads at the race tracks are bouncing the truck to death. Even being careful and driving a slow speed the suspension is not nearly compliant enough to get over these rough roads. I got thru last year ok but, so far this year have broken 2separate exhaust pipes and now see a crack in the bed supports starting. All from the banging its taking from these rough roads and access paths.

As others have posted here, these little trucks are great vehicles – lots of power and torque and run forever. And over the winter I did a repaint in 74 Corvette yellow which came out super sharp. The problem is, with the current suspension, my application will eventually ruin this truck which, I don’t want to do. SO – the question is whether anyone has put different suspension, more suited for rougher terrain under these 3-wheel trucks? I thought about removing leafs from the rear springs but, am concerned that while that may soften it a little, those springs are not designed to hold the weight of the vehicle with only a couple of leafs and that doing that will lead to spring failure.

I hate to have to part with this truck but, if I cannot find a solution to the suspension issue, I’ll have to find another cart or utility vehicle which is a little more suited to rougher terrain. Any thoughtful advice would be appreciated.

thanks - Gary
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Old 07-14-2011, 09:00 PM   #2
burned1
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

I ran across this thread and I had to post. I know it is an old thread. I picked up a Haulster and I travel back and forth across a field between 2 buildings. The suspension is rough. I decided to air bag it, add 4-link the suspension, and I made some hubs for Cub Cadet tires. Hope to get it back together in the next week or two and try it out:



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Old 07-14-2011, 10:07 PM   #3
mudtrux
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

Cool! Let us know.
The one I got is a 3 wheeler single seater. I'm trying to find a boned out atv to install the dual wheel front to mine.
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Old 07-15-2011, 08:06 AM   #4
burned1
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

I will. Buggered up one of the axles trying to do a brake job. Found another and waiting on it to come in. I can't believe to remove the brake drum you have to pull off a tapered hub just for brake work.

I will follow what you do on the front. I have a couple of golf cart tires I was figuring on turning mine into 4 as well but I don't have time to mess with it right now.
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Old 07-15-2011, 06:12 PM   #5
mudtrux
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

Quote:
Originally Posted by burned1 View Post
I will. Buggered up one of the axles trying to do a brake job. Found another and waiting on it to come in. I can't believe to remove the brake drum you have to pull off a tapered hub just for brake work.
Any tips on how to avoid this problem?
I know I'll need wheel cyl.s at a minimum.
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Old 07-15-2011, 06:42 PM   #6
burned1
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

Maybe, I am assuming yours are like mine. The drum is bolted to a hub. The hub is tapered and bolted on the axle. It seems silly to have to press off a hub to change brake drum, shoes, etc. I had to because my bleeds broke off. I put on new slave cyl.

Assuming yours is the same, I think the first thing to do is accept it is not a quick easy job which is where my tapping with a hammer, became banging with a hammer. I had a gear puller on it but once I messed up the threads and secured another axle I let loose on it. With a gear puller, impact wrench and a sledge I mushroomed the threaded end and it still would not come off. After the impact on the gear puller and letting it sit for a while, sever hard hits finally knocked it loose.

Had I not torn up the threads and secured another axle, in hind sight this is how I would go about it.

First I would try the gear puller. If it did not work with reasonable effort I would split the axle and press it off. In how mine were, I see no other alternative should I want to preserve the threads.

Now hear is the thing with the gear puller; you have nothing to grab.....unless.....you cut the brake drum off at the hub. I used a 4 1/2" grinder with the thin Harbor freight cut off wheels. I cut the brake drum off at the hub around in a circle. This allowed me to get the gear puller in. Assuming you got replacement brake drums!

Cut the drum off, use a good stout gear puller, put a bolt on the threads, tap on it with hammer but don't damage threads. If you get to that point and she doesn't pop, the only real alternative is to split the axle and press it off.
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Old 07-26-2011, 08:26 PM   #7
burned1
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

Well, axle in and back together. This thing is a hoot. It it a rough cart but exactly what I needed here.

The airbags greatly improved the suspension!!! I don't knock my teeth going across the field anymore. One more requirement, however, will probably be a sway bar. I thought I might need one and I did loose a little side to side stability. The sway bar should pull that back though.




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Old 07-26-2011, 08:35 PM   #8
mudtrux
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

Thanks for the tip and NICE ride there.
I'm held up on mine trying to find a cheap donor.

I also decided to mount a caliper to the disk parking brake and see how that stops it. We'll see.
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Old 08-27-2011, 09:05 PM   #9
phantom2k2
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

[QUOTE=burned1;593973]Maybe, I am assuming yours are like mine. The drum is bolted to a hub. The hub is tapered and bolted on the axle. It seems silly to have to press off a hub to change brake drum, shoes, etc. I had to because my bleeds broke off. I put on new slave cyl.


Cushman makes a tool for removing Brake Drums and it costs $8.00 and can be purchased from Dennis Carpenter or any of his Cushman parts dealers. Just search for Cushman Parts Dealers.

Your remove the nut from the axle and replace it with a special nut which is about 3 inches long... bottom out the nut on the axle (thats so you don't ruin the threads).... Then hit it with a strong swift hit from a heavy hammer... the drum will pop right off... The tool is designed to be hit with a hammer. they also use it to remove the flywheel on all Cushman Engines.

I hope this helps... I have used it several time and it works great.
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Old 08-28-2011, 08:01 AM   #10
burned1
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Default Re: Help with with a Cushman Haulster dilemma

Thank You!

That was the secret I did not know! I have another Cushman engine and drive train I am thinking of making my own cart from scratch.

I did get a sway bar on the truck. I was able to drop the air bags from 80-100psi to about 30-35. It has been a great truck for hauling back and forth across a field!





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