Gravely 1238-H Build

So, not sure where im going to go with this bad boy yet, but I figured ill stick it here and that way ill remind myself to finally grab some pictures.

Anyways, its a 12hp Briggs IC Quiet, 38" cut, and a Hydro. Plan so far is to drop the hydro and replace it with a geared transaxle. Was wanting a Peerless MST206 but they are harder to find on eBay, so itll probably go for a MST205. Was wanting an 820 but figured im used to the MST series transaxles and their 3/4" shafts so thats more than likely what its going with.

Also looking at removing the 12hp Flatty for a more torque-oriented Opposed, as I can cut a matching notch out of the other side of the hood for it to fit. Plus I dont have any Oppys in my posession. Still hunting one down, realling going for whatever I can get.

Anyways, Pics to come tomorrow or at some point within the week, however you can watch my vidya if you want.

looks cool Doug, gravely's are natural born tanks. good luck with it, sounds like you got some good ideas for it

I'm digging that tractor! Love the older, all-metal stuff. Plastic sucks! And anything with "Grave" in the name... Mean!

I may be a little biased, but I see a utility machine. Off-road capable, with purposes other than just playing. I might also be inclined to reconfigure the front axle bean, though- not sure if I'm crazy about the flat bar-type construction. If you DO manage to bend it, it ain't bending back!

If you decide to stay with the engine for awhile, don't concern yourself too much with the "8hp" carb. I suspect it's actually the same carb- that happens more often than you might think. With the adjustable main jet, about the only other thing that would be a factor is the venturi size, and that might just be the same, too.

If the mix is correct at high-speed under load, you're good!

Hey doc that is the same tractor as my Ariens YT11. lol ironic?

I think im just gonna go with a 205 with some axle bearings and drop it low. I could use a little speed machine right now over a torque monster. Might stick with the 12 horse and see how well it does with a 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio and maybe swap it if it cant get me my oomph.

No odea what im gonna do with the front axle, might just weld some more flat stock to beef it up. Looking to go with a solid front axle with direct steering.

doug that front end is much stronger than you think it is.      

Probably. Doesnt hurt to beef it up though. Its gonna be solid anyways so adding in some more flat stock isnt gonna bust my balls in terms of designing a new bar.

I just took the deck and stuff off and of course my damned phone died so my video is ruined. But the steering on this is pretty neat. Should make direct steering a LOT easier. Ill take pics when my derp stops herping.

Crap. Now you got to put it all back together and do it again... Hope you kept all the bolts in order!  

Its funny because the deck was held on with those spring loaded pins like a normal quick change deck, but the way the drive pulley was set up and the clutch pulley was set up wasnt very... easy to disassemble. Took me longer to get the damn belt off than the deck itself.

LOL, for me I had my deck on mine off in about 5 min. you take pics of you taking it off?

No. I might pick up a cheap camcorder and a tripod this weekend.

otta be a tuff mower

Should be, thing is really heavy.

Got some pics. Was too lazy to pull out so I had to use my flash, thats why they look like crap.

Looks good, did you decide what you gonna do with it?

Pretty sure im just gonna drop it, put a 205 in it (with bearings on the axle shafts, probably Fozzy locked), and find a U-joint to go direct steering. Might upgrade the front axle. No clue if im gonna swap engines yet.

Day gum, ye gots aw gosh dam goud loukin mowa

Also turns out I CANT use a 205 because I have 1" hub rims! Yes, an excuse to buy an 820!

Doug Fackler wrote:

Yes, an excuse to buy an 820!

an 820 itsself is a good enough excuse.. lol

Well i was gonna get one, but i was fairly sure i had 3/4" axles and i want to reuse my rims.

If you eliminate the steering gear like you said, keep in mind you are reversing the rotation. You'll have to compensate for this up front.

*****, forgot about that. Ill get there when i get there i guess.

TheRainbowBoxer wrote:

If you eliminate the steering gear like you said, keep in mind you are reversing the rotation.  You'll have to compensate for this up front.

haha, funny you mention that. one of my friends and myself built this here heap of cob jobbed pedal kart for a school project. we ended up making custom tie rods, and the steering was reversed. it was interesting to drive...

I belive that tractor man jeff had that problem when he had direct steering, and I think that he had to change back to the original setup. we built a go-kart and we put it all together before we found out that it turned backwards! we finely bought a rack and pinion for it, but it was $100, so unless you get a good deal on one, you might be better of keeping it stock. if you are going faster than 50 MPH, then you want to have a rack and pinion because if your going that fast and you have a direct steer setup, and you sneeze, your dead because if you move the wheel 3 inches you will turn sharp and hit something.

Ive thought of rack and pinion. Im still undecided yet. Its all gotta be redesigned anyways when i drop the axle.

willis923 wrote:

Is that guy cradling a fire extinguisher?