Volkswagon-Powered Skid Steer Loader

Volkswagon-Powered Skid Steer Loader TRACTORS Skid Steer Loaders 34-1-39 When Jim Remondi needed a new engine for his Case 1537 skid steer, he and Rich Comegys used an engine and parts from a Volkswagen Rabbit to replace the original 37-hp Wisconsin engine. "We used mostly parts from the Rabbit to do the installation," says Remondi. "We did have to make an adapter for the VW flywheel. We bolted it to a shortened Rabbit CV joint with the other end bolted to the existing skid steer flange." Engine mounts were mostly modified from parts Remondi had laying around his shop. He also reports modifying the intake manifold to match available clearance on the skid steer. "A turbo manifold would have worked without any modification," notes Remondi. The radiator was installed behind the seat. Cooling is provided by a 12-volt fan salvaged from a compact car. Remondi reports that biggest challenge came from revising the VW governor. "We needed to convert it to constant speed," he says. "We kept trying different springs until we got it set where we wanted." Remondi reports that the project worked out better than he ever anticipated. "The skid steer has plenty of power, and it is super economical," he says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, James Remondi, 4231 Sandy Bend Rd., Marydel, Deleware 19964 (ph 302 492-3724; jwr@wildblue.net).

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