MarkS 122 #1 Posted June 25, 2018 Hello everyone, So I've been on a mad search for a round hood lately, and not finding much in the Upstate NY area. I almost was able to make a deal on two suburbans, but someone beat me to the deal. I have been able to locate several lawn rangers, but I'm not sure if I like the look of the really small front wheels. My first question would be is if anyone has put any bigger wheels on their lawn ranger, and how it looked/worked. My second question will be everyone opinion on one that I found that needs to be reassembled, but the guy says it runs fine, and he does have all the parts there, plus a mower deck. He had it listed for $350, but I got him down to $175 and I'm not sure if its worth that or not. Thanks for any input, or where/what to look for next! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,128 #2 Posted June 25, 2018 If you put bigger tires/wheel on the front the tractor will look like it is running up hill all the time. There isn't much clearance under the fender to upsize the rears. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,978 #3 Posted June 25, 2018 You would have to go to 'clam shell' fenders to make room for larger rear wheels. In that many pieces, I wouldn't pay more than $100 - $125 for it, and even then I might make him show me that the engine runs. I sold a nice running Lawn Ranger at the Show for $250. Keep looking for what you want, even if you have to drive a ways to buy it. Good Luck. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,128 #4 Posted June 25, 2018 I agree with Spinjim. If it ran fine like he said why did he take it apart???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkS 122 #5 Posted June 25, 2018 I just asked him why it was apart, and he said he was going to do a resto a while back but got distracted with something else. I agree with you guys, i could probably find a better deal if I wait. I might ask him if he could get it back together and show it all works. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkS 122 #6 Posted June 25, 2018 After everyone's advice, I offered him $120. I also got him to put everything back on with the exception of the engine. I know its a little but of a gamble, but if I get it back together and it all works good I think it will be quite the deal! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,978 #7 Posted June 25, 2018 Looks like you have yourself a project, but that's half the fun of the hobby. Good luck with it. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill in VA 1,366 #8 Posted June 26, 2018 Cecil Pond told me that the Lawn Ranger was the easiest model to come up with because all they had to do was install smaller tires and wheels on the models they were building. Now this was only with the fist generation 1962 to 1964 year models that had the open fenders, the 1965 to 1968 used the wider flat fenders as in the model you have pictured. Wild Bill in Richmond VA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkS 122 #9 Posted June 26, 2018 1 hour ago, Wild Bill in VA said: Cecil Pond told me that the Lawn Ranger was the easiest model to come up with because all they had to do was install smaller tires and wheels on the models they were building. Now this was only with the fist generation 1962 to 1964 year models that had the open fenders, the 1965 to 1968 used the wider flat fenders as in the model you have pictured. Wild Bill in Richmond VA Im not too familiar with the specific models. Was the lawn ranger just a budget model from the others they were building? Or do the smaller tires prove advantageous for something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill in VA 1,366 #10 Posted June 27, 2018 Mark, The smaller tire diameter gave a small turning radius and by giving the tractor a shorter stance made the unit easy to get on and off. The early 1962 to 1964 Lawn Rangers had narrower tires then the 1965 to 1968 models of which the wider tires gave better traction with less weight per square foot. Wild Bill in Richmond VA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkS 122 #11 Posted June 27, 2018 2 hours ago, Wild Bill in VA said: Mark, The smaller tire diameter gave a small turning radius and by giving the tractor a shorter stance made the unit easy to get on and off. The early 1962 to 1964 Lawn Rangers had narrower tires then the 1965 to 1968 models of which the wider tires gave better traction with less weight per square foot. Wild Bill in Richmond VA Okay, that makes sense, Thanks for the awesome info! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkS 122 #12 Posted June 27, 2018 I picked up the one I was looking at today. I got it home and mocked everything together, should be a nice project. I am going to start a new thread for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
