Project search: heavy duty body

Hey guys, so I think for my first project I want to go with something that's heavy duty. Strong body and engine too. Only 2 tractors come to mind right now and that would be an older Sears or a Bolens 1050 or bigger. It's getting a Diesel engine because the torque and cost of fuel, plus the rolling of the coal, is never bad

I'm also the kind of guy who likes to be as original as possible, so if I did get a sears I couldn't do an SS/16 like Fearless and feel good about doing it, plus the closest one to me under $300 is 6 hours away.

If anyone has suggestions I'm open to them. All it really needs is a tough and rugged body and frame, trans I guess is fairly important too unless I can mount up a different one that wasn't originally a part of that tractor. Lemme know what you guys think.

MoparLeprechaun wrote:

Hey guys, so I think for my first project I want to go with something that's heavy duty. Strong body and engine too. Only 2 tractors come to mind right now and that would be an older Sears or a Bolens 1050 or bigger. It's getting a Diesel engine because the torque and cost of fuel, plus the rolling of the coal, is never bad

I'm also the kind of guy who likes to be as original as possible, so if I did get a sears I couldn't do an SS/16 like Fearless and feel good about doing it, plus the closest one to me under $300 is 6 hours away.

If anyone has suggestions I'm open to them. All it really needs is a tough and rugged body and frame, trans I guess is fairly important too unless I can mount up a different one that wasn't originally a part of that tractor. Lemme know what you guys think.

For me, it's all about what I can find. I wanted a Suburban for years, and I've only found ONE near me for a reasonable price. I turned out down to get my Bannerman chassis. So basically, all I can suggest is to look all around, even PLACE some want ads, and score whatever GT (garden tractor) you can find.

Most of what is good, is older. My '70 JD112 is quite stout.

That makes sense. No matter what all it has to have is a really tough frame that can not only take some punishment. I can worry about making it look cool once I've actually got one in hand. I think depending on what it is id be willing to pay $300 for something if it was completely worth it. I can afford to blow a little money haha

So upon looking on Craigslist some, I found a 2007 Craftsman YS4500 (Hard to read on picture, but I think that's what it says) with a blown motor for $250. Sound like a good deal but I'm not sure, partially because I don't know how strong the body on it is per-say, either way I might pick it up. Any reasons as to why I shouldn't? I know nothing about it other than everything on it works except the motor is done.

There's also a Yard Machines (Which I think is MTD, not sure, still learning about all this stuff) with a 6 speed and is for $200, also much older than the 2007. Another potential purchase?

What should I look out for with these?

New stuff is crap IMO, look for anything that has a hi/lo 6 speed (633a) or a regular 6 speed (2300). Anything with a 5 lug hub essentially. They are heavy duty transaxles so they are guaranteed to support a heavy frame. Any pre-1990 GT will have one.