1970 John Deere 112... The beginnings of MULE II

I just scored a sweet machine. 1970 JD 112- runs beautifully, just needs a bit of cosmetic work, really. Cast Iron block Tecumseh HH100 horizontal shaft engine, Cast Iron Peerless 2300 4 speed transaxle with variator (F# the MTD Vari-drive, this is the REAL DEAL) cast iron front axle... According to spec, this thing weighs just north of 650lbs. Wow...

So what do I do with this thing? Part of me says, it's a classic, don't mess with it. Part of me thinks I can get away with doing SOME mods without radically changing it. And then there's a bit of me that thinks "screw it! If guys can trick out a classic Suburban, I can mess with this!"

(There's also a tiny part of me that thinks I can do some cosmetic work to 'er and flip her for a tidy profit, but I don't want to!)

Dizcuss!

*******************EDIT 03/10/14*************************
This project has officially been deemed MULE II, and the thread renamed accordingly. Watch for a change on the "previous" MII

Ags all around with duals in the rear. Cha-ching.

Like Doug said ags, duals, AND a diesel motor like fearless did.

Sweet classic! I think I would see how it does as a grass cutter / snow plow etc. type tractor. That's one I'd consider semi-restoring.

Nice find! - And this looks to complete to chop up, but why not fix what's broken and Semi-restore it.

Restore! Find a snowblower or a plow for it and kick it out the door! I'm a firm believer that cubs and deeres should be saved

Fix it up and sell it and u could buy a lesser mower and lots of parts to mod it with.

Funny you should mention the diesel. Same time last night, I spotted a Yanmar L90 for sale. Unfortunately, I lost out, because I WAS fantasizing about a JD120"D"...

@redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Restore! Find a snowblower or a plow for it and kick it out the door!  I'm a firm believer that cubs and deeres should be saved

ehhh...whoops   my cub is gettin lifted lol. it would cost me to much to buy a new tranny for it, then id need parts and everything, i priced it, it was going to cost 350 for a used hydro for it, would have cost round 600 for a geared tranny for it, so i said screw it, its time to lift

I think I'm going restomod on this. Find some nice meaty tires (ag's?), put some lights on, lock the rearend, maybe a winch and some other offroad-friendly mods that won't radically change the machine.

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

I think I'm going restomod on this. Find some nice meaty tires (ag's?), put some lights on, lock the rearend, maybe a winch and some other offroad-friendly mods that won't radically change the machine.

Is a diesel motor still in the picture?

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

I think I'm going restomod on this. Find some nice meaty tires (ag's?), put some lights on, lock the rearend, maybe a winch and some other offroad-friendly mods that won't radically change the machine.

doc for the money you spend on ag's go ahead and spend a little more on executioners

@LAWN MOWER MUDDER wrote:

Is a diesel motor still in the picture?

IF I can find one for a reasonable price. They are hard to come by. I found a used Yanmar L90 on CL, but it went before I could get it. Locally, I can buy a L100 clone new for about $1000, but that's outrageous to me.

Richie- yeah- I'm thinking about seriously agressive ATV treads instead of ag's. I'll see what comes my way.

Hmmmm. I mean I'd rather see the the bolens you got get modified, but this does look cooler.

The Bolens might give it's life for parts. Been thinking about dropping the Oppy in MULE. Meh- dunno. Decide later.

@richie thomas wrote:

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

I think I'm going restomod on this. Find some nice meaty tires (ag's?), put some lights on, lock the rearend, maybe a winch and some other offroad-friendly mods that won't radically change the machine.

doc for the money you spend on ag's go ahead and spend a little more on executioners

what is it with you and executioners? you talked me into em.. damn. LOL

I think skinny-tall Ags all around would look pretty neato.

@willis923 wrote:

@richie thomas wrote:

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

I think I'm going restomod on this. Find some nice meaty tires (ag's?), put some lights on, lock the rearend, maybe a winch and some other offroad-friendly mods that won't radically change the machine.

doc for the money you spend on ag's go ahead and spend a little more on executioners

what is it with you and executioners? you talked me into em.. damn. LOL

i really really like em lol, my bro used to run them on his fourwheeler

Got Johnny delivered today and goofed off awhile. Got a few repairs and adjustment to make but otherwise good. Dang thing is a little tank.

I say keep her original, but put Ags on all 4 corners, mount a winch, maybe an actual hitch like in a truck, and a snow plow and flip her for a nice profit. I'm sure being in/near ontario, people wouldn't mind a tough work tractor built to be the jack of all trades, mow grass, plow snow/dirt, maybe a tiller?, haul heavy trailers, winch logs and such out of tough spots.. Just make it a beast imo

TBP summed my idea up pretty good, but i would keep it.

I have the WORST time letting go of things. Seems every time I do, I regret it later. This even includes my first lawn tractor, a 90's Craftsman with a 15hp OHV single.

Sooo- I think I'll be keeping this little diamond in the rough. Looks like somebody scalped off the hydraulic lift mechanism (pity), the choke's buggered, seat is shot, seat bracket broken and rewelded repeadtedly, the engine's been replaced 9same type, however this one DOES run very well), the variator is crotchety but working. The hood needs some fibreglass work. However- The tranny shifts well, the brakes work good, and this thing is a mini tank. Quite heavy for it's size, and did pretty darn well in the snow even with a deck hanging off it and an open diff.

The variator combined with a 4-speed is a neat thing. The variator control handle basically sets the maximum high end, and the clutch pedal controls the whole schmeer. As you let off the pedal, first the brake releases. Then the tensioner engages with the variator at it's slowest setting. As you continue to let the pedal out, the variator shifts up until it hits the maximum limit set by the handle. The engineers really thought this one through. Having the variator combined with the 4-speed lets you keep engine in the peak range, no matter what implement you're using, or how fast you need to travel. MTD, eat your heart out.   

keep the body original looking but definitely put duals on the back and a diesel would be cool too.

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

The variator combined with a 4-speed is a neat thing. The variator control handle basically sets the maximum high end, and the clutch pedal controls the whole schmeer. As you let off the pedal, first the brake releases. Then the tensioner engages with the variator at it's slowest setting. As you continue to let the pedal out, the variator shifts up until it hits the maximum limit set by the handle. The engineers really thought this one through. Having the variator combined with the 4-speed lets you keep engine in the peak range, no matter what implement you're using, or how fast you need to travel. MTD, eat your heart out.   

It's great isn't it   

Duallies, huh? Damn that's gonna be a lot of money in rubber!!! But oh, so badass!