Sarge 3,465 #1 Posted January 19, 2009 Finally, after 4 days of crazy luck we finally headed out to Des Moines Iowa to pick up the "new to me" 1277 . Left Illinois with the temp at around 8* above zero, then downhill from there . Loaded the old girl at 5:30 and headed home stopping to eat dinner and for fuel . Hit the house at 11:30 and just left the whole works in the drive since the temp had dropped to nearly -30* , setting quite a few records in our area . Next morning, the 1277 fired right up . Took an additional 2 hrs to start the '98 Dodge though....lol . She plows great and the hydro is super strong , overall a pretty good buy ! The temps and a crazy-tracking trailer cost me $120 in fuel , ouch . At the fuel station- Now , I can stop bugging Perry with questions , have two to compare !!! Oh, btw - here's a shot of the finished dash decal including a nos cig lighter and gen light - Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #2 Posted January 19, 2009 Looks GOOD Sarge! :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TJ 184 #3 Posted January 19, 2009 Wheelweights, chains and a plow. Starts at -30*. Looks like you made a good seasonal buy. Nice tractor. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #4 Posted January 19, 2009 Thanks Jon... That trip was wicked . I've never seen so many cars and trucks stalled along the road , at least one every mile and countless ones just left abandoned in the ditches. Glad we stopped for fuel fairly early in the evening as all the gas stations and truck stops were loaded with trucks by 10 pm due to the cold that night . Hope the next one is closer to home, or warmer weather anyway... Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 655 #5 Posted January 19, 2009 Cold causes Mucho Bad things to cars and trucks fuel systems... Fuel Filter on my big truck started to freeze up on Saturday.. down on power.. I agree on all the cars on the roadsides... Glad ya made it out and back safely!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perry 82 #6 Posted January 19, 2009 good score on the front wheel weights . you sure thats a 1277 ?. looks like wrong hood, steering wheel, & battery tray . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teddy da Bear 11 #7 Posted January 19, 2009 Nice looking tractor! :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #8 Posted January 20, 2009 Yeah, it was so cold the Dodge had to run it's heater nearly wide open , and it really has a big heater . Added a bottle of fuel antifreeze before we got too far out on the way home , it did help with performance . It's a 1277 for sure, got all the correct trans numbers as well as dash plate tag . The hood has been painted , incorrect steering wheel (bought one last nite) and has a set of 55lb Craftsman wheel weights in the rear . So far, haven't had much time to look it over , just too cold and the legs aren't working too good yet from surgery on 1/6/09 . That trip finished me off for a few days for sure , probably go out later this week and finish plowing and check the old girl over closer . Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perry 82 #9 Posted January 20, 2009 i dont think the hood should have the headlight cut out in it :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #10 Posted January 20, 2009 It's not cut out , just the standard front decal , albeit the wrong one . It has been painted and someone added some pinstriping , really throws the looks of it off compared to mine and yours . Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perry 82 #11 Posted January 20, 2009 that explains it, front decal looks like one of those blank excusion plates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #12 Posted January 21, 2009 Actually....you're right . I finally got out today and looked closer - it does have the plastic blockoff panel of the newer hoods . Otherwise, the shape and length is correct , just that different cutout area . Well, now the question is this - how do I find the correct hood for it ? Is there any way to reverse lookup part numbers - say, punch in the original hood number and find out what models use it ??? Otherwise, the old girl runs perfect , plows like a mini dozer . Strongest hydro I've seen yet for sure . I'm a little bummed , but overall pretty happy . Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,162 #13 Posted January 21, 2009 You can do a reverse look up on parts by going HERE and clicking on the "Shop Online / parts look up box". Once the new page opens, select the "Parts" tab at the top and then select "Toro consumer" from the drop down menu just below it. When the page refreshes, enter your part number in the "part number" box, hit enter (or click on the search button) and the results will appear in the window on the left side of the screen. Find the number you're looking for in the list (if more than that number appears) and click on it to see the application(s). Be forewarned - this has been proven incorrect on several occasions. The P/N for the correct hood is 6460 if you want to try it. That hood was only used on 8 models in 1966 & 1967, but you will only see 7 on that site. Good luck finding a decent one that's reasonably priced. I've been looking for one for about 5 years and haven't turned anything up yet. I guess I'll have to make one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #14 Posted January 21, 2009 Nice 1277 Sarge... Des Moines, eh? You buy that from Les? Sounds like you made a whirlwind trip... did he show you any of the rest of his collection? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #15 Posted January 22, 2009 Terry, thanks a bunch for the explanation of using that site - I haven't had much luck with it lately . The hard one is looking up the newer type tractors that have dashes in their part numbers , why ? I know that hood is going to be hard to find , but I'll keep at it .The one on it doesn't look bad , and if nothing else I can build a light kit for it easily instead of having to use either the bug eyes or drilling the hood for floods . Then again, the way I feel lately - plowing at night isn't sounding like much fun, either . Yes, the tractor came from Les , very nice guy . He's gotten rid of nearly everything , just a 2 stage blower and some odds n ends left and one C-series . We literally picked the worst day of the winter to go , but made a fun trip out of it anyway . Even plowed out part of his drive on the way to the trailer , just for fun . Thanks a bunch to the RS member that posted the ad - I got truly lucky . On a side note , plowed our drive/parking lot with it today . That trans is almost scary, got her stuck twice spinning the tires - gotta get rid of those plastic weights and go cast like my other one . Some new tires front and rear and she'll be good to go (ags all the way!!!) . By the way- after I finished up , decided to put her in the shed with her sister 1277. For the first time in it's life , the old gal failed to start and I'm a bit stumped. Almost acts like no fuel or water in the fuel , gotta wait for better weather tomorrow. Maybe it's just got an attitude over the competition ? Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 15 #16 Posted January 22, 2009 For the first time in it's life , the old gal failed to start and I'm a bit stumped. If I were to bring a new girl into the room where my old gal sleeps I'd probably get more start out of her than I wanted. If it hadn't been so dangerously cold you could have put her to work plowing or pulling some of those stranded cars out along the way. Might have paid for herself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #17 Posted January 23, 2009 You know , I considered doing some rescue work but the cold set me straight pretty quick . I did notice that Iowa's State Police had really done a good job of getting to these people and taking them away from the vehicles quickly , no night to be out stranded with no heat/engine . I got the 1277 started , finally . Turned out a bit of water froze in the carb inlet needle/float valve , no big deal . Got the pair stuffed in the shed finally - 10x12 is a bit too small for a pair of these beasts and their accessories but some creative organizing should fix that in the spring . Definiately got to get those old sawtooth front tires off the "new" one , worthless on slick stuff but it will push a house in a straight line . Now, just gotta find the correct hood , paint them both up and address a few small issues . Cast iron rear weights and correct steering wheel are on the way . Hood is probably going to take awhile .... Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
