bean 85 #1 Posted October 5, 2013 after selling the previous '73, and regretting it since, I finally located another. it was 75 miles away, which after a few longer, wasted trips, is my maximum driving distance. it has a few issues, especially electrical, but runs good. the deck with it is so far gone, I think I could crumble it with my hands. but the spindles feel ok. the steering is tighter than my 310. unfortunately, I will have to let it sit until this winter. I have to finish painting the house/ redo the living room/ install new gutters./ etc, before winter gets here. a brand new toy, and I have to wait until Christmas 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #2 Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) Looks good. Edited October 5, 2013 by Don1977 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #3 Posted October 5, 2013 Nice,,,Keep us posted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,570 #4 Posted October 5, 2013 Just curious....whats the attraction to this tractor? Most guys are not interested in the smaller hp machines or the fact that it has the smaller wheels. No matter what the reason it is in good shape tho! Mike......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #5 Posted October 5, 2013 Just curious....whats the attraction to this tractor? Most guys are not interested in the smaller hp machines or the fact that it has the smaller wheels. I'm not sure that I agree that they are unpopular. There are a bunch of guys that sing the praises of the B80's (myself included) and the 73 models were basically the same as the later B's. I don't love the styling but the K181 is a great motor, and if you stay with a sensibly sized deck they perform well. Much more economic on fuel, quieter, great snow pushers. I've been threatening to scrap my B80 for about 5 years now, but somehow I always seem to find another use for it, and it dodges the chopping block again. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #6 Posted October 5, 2013 Just curious....whats the attraction to this tractor? Most guys are not interested in the smaller hp machines or the fact that it has the smaller wheels. No matter what the reason it is in good shape tho! Mike......... I'm not sure why I like the smaller versions of most things. my trucks and cars have always been compact versions. and I'm not a small person. my plan is to swap in an 8 speed trans and a k141 6hp engine. if anyone built a tractor like that today, I would buy it in a second. I think it is just the fact that something that small was actually that well built. that has to be some of the attraction to the suburban and lawn ranger. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #7 Posted October 5, 2013 Just curious....whats the attraction to this tractor? Most guys are not interested in the smaller hp machines or the fact that it has the smaller wheels. There are a bunch of guys that sing the praises of the B80's (myself included) i've always thought the 312-8 was the perfect tractor, and there is certainly a good argument for it, but I would have to say it is actually the b80-8speed. the amount of work that can be done with it humbles all of the 20-30 hp garden tractors out there today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #8 Posted October 5, 2013 I like it too... plus, looks like there's lots of room for bigger wheels and tires there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #9 Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) I don't know who this 8hp belongs to, but it is my goal to get mine looking that nice Edited October 5, 2013 by bean Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #10 Posted October 5, 2013 I'm still amazed that the K181 in my 857 has never let me sit. Always starts, always finishes what it starts. I love the square hoods. I just forget about the rear lift latch sometimes and wind up catching the seat pan in the crotch and singing opera for an hour. Your tractor looks solid and I'm sure you'll find time to play with it once and awhile before Christmas! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheel-mule 45 #11 Posted October 6, 2013 I have 4 of these and 1 B80.I just like these little things. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #12 Posted October 6, 2013 I have 4 of these no wonder it took me a year to find one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 541 #13 Posted October 6, 2013 I love my B-80. I put 23-8.5's on the rear. It had 16's on the front. I really wish that is was an 8 speed though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #14 Posted October 6, 2013 I love my B-80. I put 23-8.5's on a guy the rear. It had 16's on the front. I really wish that is was an 8 speed though. there's a guy down the road from me that has a b80 and swapped his 4 spd with an 8spd . it's fairly easy to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 4,880 #15 Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) here is mine that I had it was the first year in 74 I sold it and regretted it ever since. Gary B.......... the original muffler went south so I put this one on real quite. I hope you enjoyed the pick`s Edited October 6, 2013 by T1257 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
captainownage01 0 #16 Posted October 7, 2013 I bought one of these last summer. The k181 had a small knock to it so I'm rebuilding it now as well as doing a ground up restoration. I love the torque you get in first gear. I cant wait to drive it around again. good luck with your '73. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Twohorses 2 #17 Posted November 9, 2013 Where did you obtain this muffler? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,952 #18 Posted November 9, 2013 That's a Gravely muffler. Parts tree, Napa ect. have them. I got one on my Power King. 73's are "in" this year! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,495 #19 Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Yes I like my 8 HP three speed B-80 tractor -and it is a workhorse too! The leaf war this year shows what it can do in a short amount of time! Here are some photos from the front year this am. I was out at 8:00 am and done just a little bit ago. Edited November 9, 2013 by Lane Ranger 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
608KEB 794 #20 Posted November 11, 2013 I just brought my 75 B-80 back from the farm. I am putting a plow on it. I like it, because it's easy to steer with the lighter weight K181. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TravelinJavelin 620 #21 Posted November 11, 2013 there are some nice 8's here for sure I do like these 73's can't wait to get my 73 12hp looking like those. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike67 33 #22 Posted November 11, 2013 I 'restored' my '73 8hp-4 speed last winter. You can see it under 'Another krylon makeover' in the restro/mod/custom thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
47JDG 65 #23 Posted November 12, 2013 Here is my little Commando 800. I have an older blower rigged up to work on it. I think it should work fine. The first pass will be slow going but from then on I can take small bites with every pass and im not worried about it. I have used an 8 horse kohler john deere to blow snow most winters since I was a kid and it has always worked fine. You just have to take your time. I put larger tires on the rear of my commando, as I had tire chains that fit them. I am going to build a weight box for the rear once I get done painting my new work bench I made this past weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakota 70 #24 Posted June 29, 2018 Even though this is a older thread here’s a pic of my 73’ 8hp. It had a 4 speed in it when I got but I swapped in a 8 speed and added bigger tires- 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
73wheelhorse8/8 0 #25 Posted August 21, 2018 I have an 8 hp 8 speed which when I got it I thought it was a c81 but after research found the actual model Share this post Link to post Share on other sites