Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 9th 2022, 4:55 pm
Here is the info I have collected so far on this rusty old beauty. I am not sure of the date of manufacture. She has the typical MTD FNR transaxle and vari-drive.
Here is the manual I found online. I added my data tag info, and the manual has notes from some old mechanic it appears. (If I can figure out how to add a PDF)
The manual is here, I can’t seem to be able to upload it.
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 9th 2022, 7:38 pm
Yes, it is a special option for that year only. The shroud is the same material, as is the gas tank and carb.
TechnoChicken likes this post
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 44 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 3579 Posts : 1891 Location : Ontario, Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 9th 2022, 7:46 pm
Here's an old MTD Lawn Flite 10/34 I spied at a salvage yard. I'll get better pics and more info when the snow has melted but I would guess it to be from around 1983-86, it's almost identical to my 2 aside from a couple cosmetic differences.
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 10th 2022, 11:34 am
I asked @mightyraze about posting PDF files and the forum software doesn’t support it. But, it IS OK to post images of the manual. So, I extracted the parts pages from the manual I downloaded from the link above. Note that there are notes from a previous owner, who appears to have been quite experienced in the business of fixing mowers. Useful info is penciled into the manual.
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 10th 2022, 11:43 am
It is interesting to note that the FNR transaxle carried a sleeve bearing in the axle housings
AND
Had a ‘flush port’ for injecting grease into the axle housings to create a seal affect. This confirms that my intention of putting grease fittings in the housings is a good idea.
Brianator likes this post
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 44 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 3579 Posts : 1891 Location : Ontario, Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 10th 2022, 12:05 pm
They're just bushings, i have one opened up already. The whole unit is known as a Peerless 910
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 10th 2022, 12:52 pm
Yes, bushing. But that’s more than the standard MST200 has. Interesting.
I really like the look of this rig. I’m considering installing a different transaxle if I can find something suitable. I do have a live axle from a Honda ATV and a Peerless 700 transmission. I need to check and see how many speeds the 700 (or 500? It is from a snowblower) has.
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 44 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 3579 Posts : 1891 Location : Ontario, Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 10th 2022, 2:30 pm
Nevadablue wrote:
Yes, bushing. But that’s more than the standard MST200 has.
No kidding! I had no idea I assumed all of them had axle bushings, seems like common sense to me but hey I've been wrong before! Lol
Age : 20 Join date : 2020-12-23 Points : 1765 Posts : 691 Location : Roachdale IN
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 10th 2022, 3:14 pm
im suprised yall have found MTDs with axle bushings LOL my haspin tractor had the axle almost all the way rubbed through the top of the case. and my MTD build off tractor had the same issue before i 6 speed swapped it
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 10th 2022, 3:38 pm
Budget_gokart wrote:
im suprised yall have found MTDs with axle bushings LOL my haspin tractor had the axle almost all the way rubbed through the top of the case. and my MTD build off tractor had the same issue before i 6 speed swapped it
There are actually 2 kinds of MTD tractors, there are the low end ones, these will typically have 42" decks, (Way worse cut then the 46", the number of the blades makes a difference) stamped steel axles with plastic bushings on the axle and wheels, vari drive, 90 degrees of play in the steering, manual blade engagement and a slightly weaker frame. The high end ones typically have 46" decks, cast iron axles, hydrostats, (I am comparing these from the standpoint of using them for what crazy people like me use them for, which is mowing your lawn ) Less play in the steering, and electric blade engagement.
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 44 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 3579 Posts : 1891 Location : Ontario, Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures February 28th 2022, 10:38 pm
Just found another 1st Gen square body to add, it's a MTD built "Landmark" made for the Home Hardware chain of hardware stores here in Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures March 1st 2022, 7:13 pm
@Brianator I don't know much about the old gal other than I got her complete minus the motor. It's got a peerless 600 transaxle ( one of my favorite transaxles!) and now a 15.5 hp Briggs.
Nevadablue likes this post
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 44 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 3579 Posts : 1891 Location : Ontario, Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures March 1st 2022, 7:29 pm
So model/serial number no? It's cool I'll do a "hard" search and see if I can come up with something and or a comparable MTD #
Age : 44 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 3579 Posts : 1891 Location : Ontario, Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures March 10th 2022, 11:30 am
I found another entry while cruising Kijiji, this one is a Turf Trac in GT form. The closest match(es) I can find are Craftsman# C459-60418/MTD# 145-833-599 & Craftsman# C459-60518/MTD# 145-823-599.
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures March 10th 2022, 12:03 pm
ooo I would really like to have those rear hubcaps! the tractor kind of reminds me of an old lawn flite or a lowes 18.5/46 same thing as that just another rebranded mtd!
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures March 10th 2022, 12:33 pm
Brianator wrote:
I found another entry while cruising Kijiji, this one is a Turf Trac in GT form. The closest match(es) I can find are Craftsman# C459-60418/MTD# 145-833-599 & Craftsman# C459-60518/MTD# 145-823-599.
I saw that one too a couple days ago, he wants way too much for it though...
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 44 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 3579 Posts : 1891 Location : Ontario, Canada
Subject: Re: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures March 10th 2022, 12:46 pm
TechnoChicken wrote:
I saw that one too a couple days ago, he wants way too much for it though...
Well it kind of is but what isn't expensive these days? Lol. It is a Garden Tractor and being older (mid 80's) it's going to be pretty solidly built plus it's a rarely seen model. For those wondering he's asking $250 CAD
Subject: MTD Square Body mowers, information and pictures 
February 9th 2022, 4:53 pm
) Less play in the steering, and electric blade engagement.
