Stepney 2,352 #1 Posted June 30, 2019 Picked up this unit from a fellow on Craislist some time ago, listed as a good running machine.. though I was mainly interested in the 'solid' 48" deck .. which had a hefty amount of Bondo. And the tractor.. which rapped like a monkey shaking a glass jar of loose bolts. But I feel the price was fairly reasonable, came with all the paperwork, so I grabbed her regardless. His only reason for selling was "The clutch for the deck slips and the dealer doesn't know why." In fact the motor vibrated so bad it loosened every bolt and screw on the whole tractor. Even the deck hanger is severely worn. (Which is odd, because the machine, though repainted, is straight as an arrow and looks great). Assuming the original owner took good care of it, the son .. it was just a lawn mower. Anyway. Didn't like the sound the engine made but had to get it off the truck, and it went straight to the shed. Made an awful clang some months ago I assumed the rod broke .. but I drove it to the garage this morning and it was certainly running on 2 cylinders. No idea what the long term plan is. I'm pondering a big Honda Twin. I like the B&S opposed, have to see how bad it really is on the inside. Doesn't smoke at all, just makes horrible noises. Alas.. dropped a 414-8 engine in today. Nearly perfect fit, though it's about half an inch too low at the crank. So the belt guard didn't line up perfect. The clutch would rub the guard.. No trouble though, as a 1967 pto just happens to be smaller in diameter, and fit perfectly. When I get the deck properly repaired I may use it some, if just to prove atleast the rear end is good. 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 22,920 #2 Posted June 30, 2019 I really like that darker gray color! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMan 82 #3 Posted June 30, 2019 Stepny, That tractor is cool! Love that dark grey combo. That would look really great with wheels painted the stock WH light silver opposed to the white. Do you mind if I ask what width your rear rims are? They look to be either 8.5 or 9.5 bead to bead..................Thanks............Gary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,352 #4 Posted July 1, 2019 On 6/30/2019 at 2:22 PM, GMan said: Stepny, That tractor is cool! Love that dark grey combo. That would look really great with wheels painted the stock WH light silver opposed to the white. Do you mind if I ask what width your rear rims are? They look to be either 8.5 or 9.5 bead to bead..................Thanks............Gary I'd have to measure, but I thought they were 9.5 or 10.5. They are the same wide wheels the 520h used. As for the color, it's actually a metallic dark pewter. Nice color indeed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #5 Posted July 1, 2019 I like it as it sets!! I wouldn’t change a thing . Nice tractor. So whats the story on the hit and miss in the back round? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,352 #6 Posted July 2, 2019 1 hour ago, The Tool Crib said: I like it as it sets!! I wouldn’t change a thing . Nice tractor. So whats the story on the hit and miss in the back round? Agreed, I like the white wheels myself. Front wheels are not correct, they are from something else .. who knows what. Need to find a match for the rear as one tire is original and one is newer. Probably never make a difference but it looks odd. That is a 1917 Hercules 1.5hp Model E. Not much left of her. Just a block with flywheels. Sad, it actually had somewhat decent original paint, with lining and graphics visible. But the bearings are gone, and it has a deep score in the cylinder, also the crank itself is badly pitted and scored. Must have run with a loose wrist pin, and poor maintenance, for a very long time. If it had any of the other parts I might have considered restoration. The one piece I removed from it was the cam gear which somehow was in great shape. That went onto another engine. Its a shame. They are a nice little engine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #7 Posted July 2, 2019 35 minutes ago, Stepney said: Agreed, I like the white wheels myself. Front wheels are not correct, they are from something else .. who knows what. Need to find a match for the rear as one tire is original and one is newer. Probably never make a difference but it looks odd. That is a 1917 Hercules 1.5hp Model E. Not much left of her. Just a block with flywheels. Sad, it actually had somewhat decent original paint, with lining and graphics visible. But the bearings are gone, and it has a deep score in the cylinder, also the crank itself is badly pitted and scored. Must have run with a loose wrist pin, and poor maintenance, for a very long time. If it had any of the other parts I might have considered restoration. The one piece I removed from it was the cam gear which somehow was in great shape. That went onto another engine. Its a shame. They are a nice little engine. I love the sound they make when in motion. As a kid l can remember my parents taking me to a thrashers reunion and l really enjoyed it . There were a lot of these engines running and they were music to my ears! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,352 #8 Posted July 2, 2019 14 minutes ago, The Tool Crib said: I love the sound they make when in motion. As a kid l can remember my parents taking me to a thrashers reunion and l really enjoyed it . There were a lot of these engines running and they were music to my ears! I own several from 3/4 to 5hp. Smallest being a 1928 Maytag 3/4hp washing machine. (Yes. Gas powered washing machine) Biggest a 650lb Stover 5 horse that I run a buzzsaw with. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,497 #9 Posted July 2, 2019 On 6/30/2019 at 1:48 AM, Stepney said: Picked up this unit from a fellow on Craislist some time ago, listed as a good running machine.. though I was mainly interested in the 'solid' 48" deck .. which had a hefty amount of Bondo. And the tractor.. which rapped like a monkey shaking a glass jar of loose bolts. But I feel the price was fairly reasonable, came with all the paperwork, so I grabbed her regardless. His only reason for selling was "The clutch for the deck slips and the dealer doesn't know why." In fact the motor vibrated so bad it loosened every bolt and screw on the whole tractor. Even the deck hanger is severely worn. (Which is odd, because the machine, though repainted, is straight as an arrow and looks great). Assuming the original owner took good care of it, the son .. it was just a lawn mower. Anyway. Didn't like the sound the engine made but had to get it off the truck, and it went straight to the shed. Made an awful clang some months ago I assumed the rod broke .. but I drove it to the garage this morning and it was certainly running on 2 cylinders. No idea what the long term plan is. I'm pondering a big Honda Twin. I like the B&S opposed, have to see how bad it really is on the inside. Doesn't smoke at all, just makes horrible noises. Alas.. dropped a 414-8 engine in today. Nearly perfect fit, though it's about half an inch too low at the crank. So the belt guard didn't line up perfect. The clutch would rub the guard.. No trouble though, as a 1967 pto just happens to be smaller in diameter, and fit perfectly. When I get the deck properly repaired I may use it some, if just to prove atleast the rear end is good. I'll vote for keeping the big Briggs in her. I grew up with a few riding mowers with those twins in them and I loved hearing them work in the tall grass at my parents house. My grandpa restored a Hercules engine just like that and put it on a solid oak cart with cast iron wheels as well as a Stover and Fairbanks-Morse. The engine used to run a pump jack and washing machine for decades until my grandpa pulled it from its resting place. It sure was an experience being a ten-year-old kid to start up that engine! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,352 #10 Posted July 2, 2019 1 minute ago, bds1984 said: I'll vote for keeping the big Briggs in her. I grew up with a few riding mowers with those twins in them and I loved hearing them work in the tall grass at my parents house. My grandpa restored a Hercules engine just like that and put it on a solid oak cart with cast iron wheels as well as a Stover and Fairbanks-Morse. The engine used to run a pump jack and washing machine for decades until my grandpa pulled it from its resting place. It sure was an experience being a ten-year-old kid to start up that engine! If the Briggs is feasibly rebuildable I surely will keep it. My one worry is splash lube, since we live around a lot of inclines, and these engines could be known to starve very easily. Yes, I started off with a Fairbanks Morse Z engine at the age of 9. Sure seemed like a much bigger handful back then. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites