Walden Lay-Mor Digmaster LB25 Experience Thread

[jurzeyfresh]

I just wanted to introduce myself since I am new to the forums.

My name is Chris and I purchased a Lay-Mor LB25 a few years ago from a rental place that was updating their inventory. It served my needs and fit my price range so i jumped on the opportunity. This is the only tractor i have ever owned and I have learned a lot about driving and using it in the last few years. Now I need to learn about fixing it too.

The tractor is pretty good for my back yard projects, i only own about 1/4 acre. I primarily bought it to remove the huge pile of rock and dirt that was in the spot where my house needed to go. We removed a 26x40 footprint for my foundation 6 feet below grade. But i didnt want to get rid of it so they left it in the back yard so i could spread it around as fill.

My biggest problem with the tractor is actually the serious lack of information available for them. It seems if anyone else has one, they don't talk about it much.

Secondary to that is how jerky the movements are. When you move the back scoop left and right the arm will swing super fast with a tiny amount of input on the stick. This is not only annoying but dangerous as anyone or anything nearby can be inadvertently smacked with a very powerful metal object. I have broken a few items now that i did not intend to break.

Next on my list is the transmission. I am not sure if it is just my tractor, or hydrostatics in general, but this thing is super slow and the trans will make some weird grinding noises periodically and lose power then it will run again no problem. I am not an expert on hydrostatic transmissions but i can't imagine this is normal. My top speed is between 3 and 3.5 MPH. Which could be normal but it sucks when to get from one property to the other with no trailer means driving 3.5 miles.

I have broken a few things, well, not me per say, but my father. He does get it re-welded when he breaks it, but i would prefer it wouldn't break to start with. I don't know if breaking things is the tractor's fault or his though.

I was really surprised when I saw the motor on this thing was so small. A Robin motor made by Subaru, i am a Subaru guy so i got excited that my tractor would be in the same family. Now i just wish it would start consistently. I dont even know why it doesn't start some times.

So are there any more Walden Lay-Mor Digmaster LB25 or LB30 owners out there?

In the future i would love to re-run all the hoses and wiring and rebuild the trans to see what this though would perform like new. I am also a mod guy so it may be time to upgrade some parts. I have a lot to learn about tractors.

 

[sampen]

Doesn't seem to be anyone replying to you! Walden equipment is out of fairview Ok they might be your best choice for help. As for suburu engine starting hard a model of the engine would be helpful. Most of the time hard starting is due to choke not closing all the way or possiblities might need valves adjust. I used to be a suburu dealer so more info would help like what size and does it crank and crank and crank ect.
thxs Sam

 

[jurzeyfresh]

I believe it's an eh65, however i don't have the info at hand right now.

It's practically impossible to start right now because of the cold. I have to jump it with an f150 now because by the time it turns over I would kill the tractor battery.

Any help you could provide I would appreciate.

 

[jurzeyfresh]

So. Definitely an eh65. Model dc0201 5145 1014154

Jumped it with the F150 again. Had to put a stick on the accelerator to give enough juice to get it to turn over.

When we are trying to start it I see a lot of backfiring into the intake. I also feel like when it starts to fire it fights the starter. It slows the starter the closer it gets to turning over and we have to overpower it with more juice. Once it starts thought it runs fine.

The other thing is, you have to pull the lever on the back of the motor to get it to start. If you don't it will just turn and no start.

I don't know where to start on fixing it. Bad coulda, choke not working, some kind of timing issue.

 

[jurzeyfresh]

The lever I was referring to is the governer lever.

 

[Arc weld]

You bought a used rental machine. Not necessarily a bad thing but anybody and their dog could have been messing around with it and/or abusing it. It's also possible they sold it because it needs a bunch of repairs that they weren't willing to do. Generally a Robin/Subaru is a top of the line engine. I'd take it to a good small engine mechanic to clean and set the carb, valves, timing, etc. Who knows what might have been done to the transmission or hydraulics.

 

[jurzeyfresh]

Yeah, budget only allows for so much. I just found a service manual so I may just tear it down and put it back together according to factory specs.

 

[jurzeyfresh]

Oops, lit this guy on fire yesterday so it's time for some repairs. Hydraulic line blew out right onto the muffler. I got it out before any major damage could take place. But while i have the line off i wanted to take a look at the drives.

Trying to figure out what motors it uses and how the drive system is set up. It has a Roller Stator pump (RE01399) connected to the rear wheels and i am thinking it drives a normal differential. There are no markings on the housing between the wheels.

The unit that sends the fluid to the pump says eaton on it but i am having a hard time identifying the number. Then there is another number on the top of the unit being driven by the motor that looks like 70118-401C. Numbers dont seem to reference anything.

 

[BedrockConstructionLLC]

I know it's been a while. Yes I too own a Laymor LB30. Everyone should. These are great machines with only one defect.

The gas tank is mounted next to the hydraulic (reg. oil) tank. The hydraulic tank gets hot causing the gas to boil. These tanks must be air gapped or insulated between them to be safe. Other than that, they are great!

I noticed comments about these machines being jerky forward/reverse so I figured I would write about the cause and solution.

The hydrostatic pedal fits over a rod that controls the transmission direction and speed. The pedal and rod have a 1/4" hole through them with with either an expansion pin or better yet, a bolt and nut.

As the pedal is rotated towards a direction to move and the transmission engages, the hydraulics tend to pull the rod in that direction.

If the pin or nut are warn or too small, the pedal will not hold the rod tight allowing the rod to progress causing the transmission to try and go faster. In turn, the operator may try and counter-react moving the sloppy pedal the opposite direction causing the machine to jump/jerk.

THE SOLUTION.
It's not hard, or time consuming.

1) Remove the warn out or incorrect pin or bolt.
2) Replace with a bolt lock wash and nut that fits snuggly.
2.1) I used a grade 5 bolt but a common bolt will do, at least for a while.
2.2) Don't use brass or aluminum and choose a bolt that is solid through both pieces as much as possible before the threads.
The threads won't hold up inside the hole becoming sloppy.
3) The machine will work as you expect it to work.

If the holes become wallowed out, eventually you may need to drill them out slightly larger and step up the bolt size. They do make long bits or bit extensions if needed.

Hope this solution helps someone out there.

ITS RISKY TO SMOKE OR USE THESE MACHINES AROUND FIRES IF YOU DON'T SOLVE THE HYDRAULIC/GAS TANK POSITION PROBLEM.

If you have one and want to sell it. Let me know.

 

[bchendy]

I just wanted to introduce myself since I am new to the forums.

My name is Chris and I purchased a Lay-Mor LB25 a few years ago from a rental place that was updating their inventory. It served my needs and fit my price range so i jumped on the opportunity. This is the only tractor i have ever owned and I have learned a lot about driving and using it in the last few years. Now I need to learn about fixing it too.

The tractor is pretty good for my back yard projects, i only own about 1/4 acre. I primarily bought it to remove the huge pile of rock and dirt that was in the spot where my house needed to go. We removed a 26x40 footprint for my foundation 6 feet below grade. But i didnt want to get rid of it so they left it in the back yard so i could spread it around as fill.

My biggest problem with the tractor is actually the serious lack of information available for them. It seems if anyone else has one, they don't talk about it much.

Secondary to that is how jerky the movements are. When you move the back scoop left and right the arm will swing super fast with a tiny amount of input on the stick. This is not only annoying but dangerous as anyone or anything nearby can be inadvertently smacked with a very powerful metal object. I have broken a few items now that i did not intend to break.

Next on my list is the transmission. I am not sure if it is just my tractor, or hydrostatics in general, but this thing is super slow and the trans will make some weird grinding noises periodically and lose power then it will run again no problem. I am not an expert on hydrostatic transmissions but i can't imagine this is normal. My top speed is between 3 and 3.5 MPH. Which could be normal but it sucks when to get from one property to the other with no trailer means driving 3.5 miles.

I have broken a few things, well, not me per say, but my father. He does get it re-welded when he breaks it, but i would prefer it wouldn't break to start with. I don't know if breaking things is the tractor's fault or his though.

I was really surprised when I saw the motor on this thing was so small. A Robin motor made by Subaru, i am a Subaru guy so i got excited that my tractor would be in the same family. Now i just wish it would start consistently. I dont even know why it doesn't start some times.

So are there any more Walden Lay-Mor Digmaster LB25 or LB30 owners out there?

In the future i would love to re-run all the hoses and wiring and rebuild the trans to see what this though would perform like new. I am also a mod guy so it may be time to upgrade some parts. I have a lot to learn about tractors.

i have lb25 allso it has a 25 hp kohler that i need to replace but i dont have the # numbers for it can you hepl me