- Joined
- Feb 28, 2001
- Messages
- 8,531
- Reaction score
- 5,093
- Location
- Dayton Oregon
- Vehicle Year
- 1990, 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Engine Size
- 2.3 Turbo
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 6
- Tire Size
- 35"
Ok, I probably spelled that wrong, whatevers...
I have too much land to push mow, and I like driving around, and when you can drink and do yard work, why not?
I've had a handful of riding mowers over the years, had a few of the small rear wheel mowers with mixed results, I've found the mowers with 12" rear wheels are what you want if you have more than 1/4 acre, and the fewer blades on the deck the better... the MTD selection isn't great, especially with the variable speed belt setup, but they work ok, they're nice at times but changing belts is a pain... I liked the wards variant with a 19hp briggs and a high/low rear axle but the belt setup wasn't up to constant use...
My favorite mower is a Wards 5 speed with a two blade 44" deck and 16hp briggs, the deck has a timing belt so the blades overlap and someone put a brush hog type setup on it, unfortunately I took out a tooth on the input shaft of the trans... that's on the list... Silly enough the trans gear broke shortly after putting 25" ATV tires on the rear... those were a game changer for floatation though...
That said, I was buying stuff on an online auction recently and happened upon two late 80's Craftsman GT6000's, they went for $55 each, one had a deck and the other did still have the mule drive... both identical so it seems but haven't dug into it. I drug one into the driveway and got to working on it between other projects. Unfortunately the lower steering bushing was shot and the steering sector gear was missing two teeth so I did what any redneck would do and welded new ones on and bought a bushing
. I put the new bushing in today so it steers now... I put a new battery in it and the starter is understandably ceased so I have the hood off so I can get the starter out and freed up... it will likely need a new ignition...
I'll see about pictures tomorrow...
I have too much land to push mow, and I like driving around, and when you can drink and do yard work, why not?
I've had a handful of riding mowers over the years, had a few of the small rear wheel mowers with mixed results, I've found the mowers with 12" rear wheels are what you want if you have more than 1/4 acre, and the fewer blades on the deck the better... the MTD selection isn't great, especially with the variable speed belt setup, but they work ok, they're nice at times but changing belts is a pain... I liked the wards variant with a 19hp briggs and a high/low rear axle but the belt setup wasn't up to constant use...
My favorite mower is a Wards 5 speed with a two blade 44" deck and 16hp briggs, the deck has a timing belt so the blades overlap and someone put a brush hog type setup on it, unfortunately I took out a tooth on the input shaft of the trans... that's on the list... Silly enough the trans gear broke shortly after putting 25" ATV tires on the rear... those were a game changer for floatation though...
That said, I was buying stuff on an online auction recently and happened upon two late 80's Craftsman GT6000's, they went for $55 each, one had a deck and the other did still have the mule drive... both identical so it seems but haven't dug into it. I drug one into the driveway and got to working on it between other projects. Unfortunately the lower steering bushing was shot and the steering sector gear was missing two teeth so I did what any redneck would do and welded new ones on and bought a bushing
I'll see about pictures tomorrow...