paulyv56 148 #1 Posted January 21 This tractor has followed me for 15 years. rescued form a field, infested with mice/ nest/ etc. It had the original 16hp B/S. I purchased a rebuilt 18hp opposed twin to install. (it was at one point) but i never put belts , pulleys, etc..etc...etc... so the chassis has been sitting.. I think i will now try my hand at making it a runner, cart hauler, push/puller. its built like a tank, rear drive train is stout. i believe its an 80-84 MTD 800 series made for Grainger/Dayton. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 53,599 #2 Posted January 21 Looks like one of the better built MTD products, it bears a strong resemblance to some of the better Craftsman products. Dayton was one of the Private Label garden tractors built by MTD. They built units for several dozen other companies and some were very good quality depending on the desires of the customers. About thirty years ago I had an MTD riding mower from the early 1960s that was every bit as tough as the Wheel Horse Lawn Ranger. It had a cast iron front axle and a cast iron three speed transaxle. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 7,775 #3 Posted January 21 Was Dayton not a product line from Graingers?? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 11,463 #4 Posted January 21 We had a similar MTD as our camp tractor. The weak point was the front spindles. The steering arms would bend whenever a wheel hit a hole or a big root. A newbie visitor forced it into gear without clutching and we could hear the transmission gears strip. It lives on with a neighbor who swapped in a transmission from a parts tractor while we’ve moved on to a 500-series WH. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Mac 8,413 #5 Posted February 3 Looks a little like this Dynamark I got for free this fall. I got it running but I believe the drive belt on. It is to small as it dosnt disengage when stepping on the clutch. I will get a longer belt for it this spring. Hope you can find information on yours easier then I have had with this. I can't find any info on mine. I'll be guessing at the length of the belt. I also have the deck but is missing the front hanger. You get what you pay for I guess ! Good luck with the Dayton. Hope to see it running again soon. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #6 Posted February 4 I just brought the Dayton inside my work area. It has the stout 2337 transaxle and I found interesting Hurst caliper brake. I am by no means a wrencher/ so I don't know much about tractors, I learn as I go along. In the second picture there is mount, bolted to the frame in 2 spots. There is a sleeve for a pin? Is that for a plow blade mount? I just made a motor mount on a wooden bench so I can work on the 18HP oppy before I mount to the frame. baby steps. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #7 Posted February 5 Looks a little like this Dynamark I got for free this fall: Thats in great shape. Good Luck with that. They always looked like a racecar to me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 2,945 #8 Posted February 6 On 2/4/2024 at 7:44 PM, paulyv56 said: That looks very similar to my mini International 1468 rearend. Does it have the (very) low first gear and a 'H' gearshift pattern? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #9 Posted February 11 (edited) well looks like I'll be a 1 owner Wheel Horse kinda guy now. Sold the Dayton and the 18 HP Briggs today. Sold to a gentleman whose son is a mud mower fanatic. Good Home for sure. Edited February 11 by paulyv56 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Mac 8,413 #10 Posted February 11 Lol see if he wants a Dynamark ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 2,945 #11 Posted February 11 Tractor followed you for 15 years and now you've sold it within three weeks? I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere Also, 'mud mowing' and 'good home' is a combination I would'nt have thought up All joking aside, atleast he's not mudding with a WH.. I.. hope? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
