Bringing an old tractor back to New, Part Two

Most of the paint is shiny now, and I've been using her mostly to mow.  The way the weather has been, that's twice a week right now!  Anyway, one night after work, I thought I should mow the grass.  Rain was coming that weekend, and I didn't want to get stuck doing it wet.

Went to the barn, hopped on the tractor, and gave it the key a turn.  The engine gave half a revolution, and then nothing.  Any other key manipulations just gave me a click.  That's when I noticed smoke coming from under the dash!  After a quick check to make sure nothing was on fire,  I left it be for the evening.  Next day, I decided to tear into the wire harness and make it "right"

Pulled the whole thing out.  I found three or four wires that had the insulation abraded off them.  I cut the bad sections out, and replaced it.  I also found lots of dirt and grass in the connector bodies.  Those were disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled with lots of Di-Electric Grease.  My solenoid needed replacement and the whole harness was just a mess in general.  A lot of the tape sheathing was worn, so I replaced that as well.  All in All, I spent about 5 hours on that harness.  Everything works as it should again...except the seat switch.  That bugger got bypassed!  

What else needs to be done?  Well, the running boards need a new coat of paint and the deck is definitely going to need some attention this winter.  The arbors are in good shape, but the paint is really bad.  Its starting to rust, so I'm going to strip that down, and see if I can have it powdercoated.  If not, it will get the POR-15 treatment like the last one I did.   

Bringing an old tractor back up to new

I recently purchased a new tractor.  Its a "late model" Simplicity Sovereign 18.  Late model is in quotes, because the darn thing is still 20 years old!  Anyway, its pretty much the ultimate Sovereign Simplicity made...Best engine, most features, etc.  Best thing is that its the power steering model, which is what elevates it to "ultimate" status.

Garden tractors changed a bit around the time this machine was produced...They became glorified lawn mowers.  No-one gardens anymore, and for those who want ground engaging capabilities, they  need to purchase sub-compact utility tractors (like a Kubota BX, John Deere 1025, or Simplicity Legacy XL)  However, the price tag on said machines is WAY more than I wanna spend, and I don't need a 60 inch mower deck!   Even used, they are up around $5000 for a nice one.  They have nice capabilities (I'd LOVE to have a front Loader) but I just can't justify it.

Here I am, wanting a heavy duty tractor, but not wanting to spend an arm and leg on a SCUT, and wanting to do more than just mow.  My old Simplicities fit the bill nicely.  I have a tiller, aerator, Mower, snowblower, weedcuter, etc.  and there are MORE things out there. If I really got crazy, I could get a disc, cultivator, sickle bar mower, front end loader, chipper/shreader, chemical sprayer,  ground trencher...the list goes on.  Some of this stuff is rare, but its available if you start asking the right people, and waving some Benjamins around.   Since you can't really replace them anymore, except with other old, used equipment and they obviously have quite a bit of utility, I want my toys to last!

When I picked up the Sovereign 18, I noticed that it was pretty clean, in that it hadn't been abused too badly, and probably hadn't seen much use.  The paint was faded, and as I looked it over and learned the nuances of the ol' girl, I noticed quite a few issues that needed to be addressed.  The first one I tackled was pure vanity...The faded paint.

I went a little crazy, and wetsanded the rear fender pan, and the hood.  Then I polished it back to a real nice shine.  Yes there are still some scratches, but that's OK.  Its a worker, not a trailer princess.  Chicks dig scars!

The hood came back nicely.  The rear fender pan and dash needed some more work.  The paint had started to bubble under the seat mounting bracket, and someone had drilled a hole through the dash.   I sanded the flaking paint off, primed, and painted what was necessary  The paint I bought (Simplicity factory touch up paint, mind you) doesn't quite match the original color though. 

Fender Pan Flaking Paint

Dash Paint issues

This tractor is looking good, but it still needs work.  The running boards will need a coat of paint, the dash tower needs buffing, and the frame needs paint.   Simplicity did something wrong when they powdercoated the chassis black.  Something in the prep went wrong, and there are giant sheets of paint coming off the frame.  I will have to address this in the off season (if there is such a thing for a year round worker).  Good thing I have multiple tractors, so I can set another one up to blow snow, cuz this one isn't going to see the wet until I get the metal covered!

The Problem with old Tractors...

Last week Friday was a day I questioned my old iron addiction.  Especially, since I had just bought a "newer" machine to help in that respect.  So here's what happened...

I got a powerwasher from a neighbor.  Couldn't beat the price, 60 bucks, so I had to have it.  They are handy to have...its not heavy duty, but for cleaning gutters and washing my equipment, it'll work fine.  6 horse, 2500 psi or something.  Fired it up to powerwash one of my mowing decks...hasn't run in a while, and it was drain of gasoline...No problem.  Filled it up and it IMMEDIATELY started leaking gas everywhere.  Little bit of searching, and I find that the fuel line is cracked in a couple places.  I drained the tank back out, replaced the line, and was back in business.  It works well!  I finished cleaning my mower deck, and decided it was time to mow.

I fired up the newest addition (my Sovereign 18) and it cranks about a half a turn, and nothing.  Well, not nothing because I saw SMOKE come out from under the dash!  Sunofagun!  This isn't good.  I made sure it wasn't on fire (it wasn't) and figured it was just a minor electrical gremlin.  I had been into the dash before, and noted that there were some things that needed fixing.  I was going to wait until winter though.

Anyway, I have another tractor (the 7016H) that I can mount the deck on (the other was drying after powerwashing) so I figured I'd just use that.  I changed the deck over, and fired it up.  Forgot the belt...dang it.  Killed the tractor, grabbed the belt, and mounted that.  Fired it back up and noticed the blades are spinning.  This is a problem, because I haven't actually engaged the PTO yet!  So I wiggle the handle a bit, not getting the right feeling.  I stop the engine again, and start to look at the PTO.  I pull on the handle a bit harder, and POP!  The PTO engagement mechanism broke.

So, now I have THREE tractors with mower decks...and I had to push mow my dang yard!  I guess its good exercise.

Old Iron is GREAT.  Its heavy duty and repairable.  However...the fact that its repairable means that at some point, its gonna break, and need a repair.  Murphy's Law dictates that it all breaks at once!

quick broadmoor update...

I've decided to go with a stack on this engine...It should be cool.  I've found a couple of sites that sell stacks, and I'm waiting to hear from them about integrated mufflers.  Otherwise, a company called Patriot Exhaust makes a slip-on style exhaust tip that will work as a "stack" for a garden tractor, and they also make a muffler that will slide in to help with noise mitigation.

I really want this one to work though...Its already got a 1" npt pipe thread on it, I would just need to screw it into an elbow.  Easy Peasy, however, the company has NOT responded to me yet about my questions.

I'm also going to custom design my air intake.  I was contemplating using a carb and filter from a 6 hp engine to run a 12 HP...I think it will be a tuning nightmare.  I got to looking at the carb set-up that came of the replacement engine, and there isn't any reason I can use that carb, and a round cartridge style filter from an old Briggs Flo-Jet style carb.  It will look more period correct as well!  I just have to design a flange and tub to adapt the two piece together.  No pics of that yet, but I can see it in my mine.  

NEW TRACTOR!

It was an exciting day yesterday in the household.  I brought home a new tractor!  Well, not new, cuz that's just not how I roll, but a new to me, used one.  Its one of the last models of the "old" style Simplicity "RBT's" (running board tractors).  Produced around 1996 or so (kinda hard to pinpoint it exactly) its a twin cylinder, fully power version of my 7016H that I've rebuilt.  When I say full power, I mean it.  Its a hydrostatic transmission, hydraulic implement lift and, drumroll, POWER STEERING!!!  I've been searching for about 6 months for the right deal, and I missed out on a couple of them.  I finally snagged one last night.  

I pretty much gave up on buying a factory power steering machine...they were too much money, or gone by the time I was able to look at them. I was starting to plan out the installation of power steering and a 20 HP KohlerCommand in my 7016. It was going to be tight, but I thought it would work.

Started out getting a message from a friend about a power steering machine for sale about 35 miles away. My craigslist alert went off that morning...I made contact with the guy to set up an appointment to put eyeballs on it. Wasn't totally sure of the condition, as I could tell the paint was faded, but the seat looked ok. Didn't think it sat outside, but wasn't sure.

Bonus, the tractor has a Kohler Command 18, not the Triad.  The Triad is an OHC design that Kohler tried.  I guess its a real smooth runner, quiet, and excellent on fuel. However, as it sits in a Simplicity (the flywheel side of the engine is where its coupled to the tractor which is backward from most mfg designs), the grass clippings get sucked into the engine.  That combined with a poor valve cover gasket design that leaked oil, meant that the cooling fins on the engine would plug up.  Once the fins plug up, the engine overheats, and will drop a cylinder liner, thus grenading the engine.  I was originally looking for one of these tractors with a blown engine.  Thought I could get it cheap, and I have a new engine (a 20 HP Kohler Command) I could drop in it.  Little did I know that cheap and power steering didn't go together.  I found a tractor in WI, missing an engine, that the guy wanted 700 bucks for!  He ended up pulling his ad, due to the response he got...he didn't think he advertised it for enough.
I was pretty excited when the previous owner opened the shed, and I saw how clean it was. The upper surfaces of the hood and fender pan are faded, but that's it. Everything else looks nearly factory fresh! Wheels, transmission, chassis, even the seat is clean...no tears. The tire still have the little tits on the beads!  We haggled on price a bit, he came down a little more than 10% for me, and I brought it home. There are a couple items to address...the sticker for the dash is all cracked and falling off, the front tires will need tubes (looks like they went flat, and sat for a bit) and I'll need to break out the wet sandpaper and buffer. Headlight lenses need a good scrub. Need a little bit of tune up here and there: Air Filter, Tranny fluid (the filter has NEVER been changed) etc. Deck is a little rough. Its packed full of grass, and I can see the rust starting. Has a decent set of gator blades on it though. I'll probably sell that deck with the 7016, and keep the deck I rebuilt last year.

Already had the wife on it, and she likes it WAY better than the 7016. Its amazing how much quieter the newer twins are than the Briggs single. Anyway, enough babble, pics, right?  These pics were taken almost as soon as I unloaded the trailer.  Stay tuned for updates on the clean-up and PM posts on this guy!

New Post?

Wow, its been about a month and a half since I've put an update out!  That's too long to keep any readers...I'll have to do better.  I actually haven't really had any updates until recently though.  My tractor time has been limited, due to a honey doo list that became due.  Missus wanted new carpet...which meant a wider door way, tile bathroom floor, lots of drywall repairs, running new cable lines...and the list goes on.  Not quite sure how new carpet necessitated all that in her mind, but "happy wife, happy life, Right?

I got the 12 HP back together, finally, about a week ago.  Turned out really nice...Couple of things to finish up, like a sticker over the flywheel bolt, and I'm sure I'll need to tinker with the governor.  The service manual is VERY cryptic about how to do a static governor set-up for a vertical shaft engine. Notice the Nice, shiny OEM muffler...This is important in a minute.

Today, I started to figure out where I'll need to make adjustments to make this engine fit my little tractor.  I really want it to look factory, so I'll be making new parts where necessary, instead of cutting clearance.  Anyway, I knew the tank straps would need adjustment.  I didn't realize the Tank was too close to the shroud...It fit during mock up, but I had already removed the shroud, so its possible I didn't mock it up correctly.

I also found some unforeseen interference around my muffler. The PTO rod hits the bottom, and won't engage with the engine bolted down,  That isn't a huge deal, as I could bend a new one.  

The bigger issue is that the grill also hits the muffler.  OEM, the Broadmoor engine is equipped with a "hot dog" muffler.  Its similar to what is pictured below.

The round muffler in the OEM application provides clearance to the grill because of its small diameter.  However, its also LOUD...so I wanted the Lo-Tone like this engine was originally equipped.  

Not sure what direction to go...I guess I'll do some searching on Decibel levels from the different mufflers, and what might be available for a 1" NPT exhaust port.  Option two is extend the muffler away from the engine a bit.  That might be difficult to do, because of the mounting design of this particular muffler.  Option three is a stack...which might be cool on this tractor.  I would have a good way to brace it and stacks (esp with rain flappers) are kinda old school cool.  My goal was a quiet lawn mower though, and stacks can be loud.  Finally, my Uncle runs a fab shop...I might get the cardboard out, and make a new, wider grill template.  He'd bend me a new bracket and grill, no problem.  I'm sure there is someone out there who wants a perfect OEM grill! :)

Anyone wanna weigh in on the decision, Leave a comment!

Weedcutter!

Short post about my tractors...Still working through issues on the Broadmoor.  I have all my parts now though, so I should be able to assemble tomorrow.  My exhaust valve kinda gave me fits...cuz I slipped with the grinder when I was setting my clearance.  Blew the clearance by about, oh, 15 thousandths of an inch!  Max spec is only 11 thousandths, so I really screwed the pooch.  I was able to save it though, thanks to the toolroom at work.  I have a comparator, surface grinder, rotary vice, etc.  I was able to regrind the valve on the seating surface, and bring it back into spec.

 Anyway, this is NOT the reason I'm writing this post.  I'm pretty excited about my newest acquisition.  I got the most ridiculously dangerous, awesome attachment ever!  Its called a weedcutter.  Those of you who are familiar with Simplicity probably know what this monster is.  For those who DON'T know, let me try to describe it.

Its a front mounted attachment.  It has four blades, and they are designed to blaze trails through light forest undergrowth or through pastures.  Long grass, small sticks, that sort of thing.  Think DR trimmer, but on steroids.  The blades are solid, not flails...so they don't "give" when they strike something solid, like a rock or someone's leg.  I LOVE IT!  I don't have any real use for it, but I'll figure something out.  I can cut my folks walking paths through the woods at their house.  I can cut some stuff on the hunting property, if I want...but don't need to do any of that.  I have access to a 40 HP Kubota with a 3 point, rear mounted brushhog.  My sovereign IS more maneuverable than the Kubota though.

The attachment does need some work.  Its missing an arbor and blade.  Those parts are no longer available, so I'll have to make something.  The bearings are stiff, and probably junk.  Those are still available.  The belts are in surprisingly good condition, considering this attachment is almost 50 years old.  Its from 1967.  It needs a paintjob too.  It will be done in due time.  It was one of those items that popped up for sale and I dropped what I was doing to try and get it.  Obviously, it worked out.  I'm happy to have a relatively rare piece.  This one was number 3 off the production line too...Yes, the serial number tag is still intact. Eventually, I want a tractor from the same era to put it on.  Something like this...

The best, most awesome part of this attachment?  The Decal, that says "DANGER ROTATING KNIVES" Anyway, here are a couple pictures...