Engine ideas

[2manyrocks]

The 11 hp version is $299 at HF. 11 HP OHV Horizontal Shaft Gas Engine

Seems like Home Depot has either the 11 or 13 hp Lifan for $249.

So for $500 (engine and adaptors), you can repower an L with a new engine? Sound doable?

 

[gravelymay]

The 11 hp version is $299 at HF. 11 HP OHV Horizontal Shaft Gas Engine

Seems like Home Depot has either the 11 or 13 hp Lifan for $249.

So for $500 (engine and adaptors), you can repower an L with a new engine? Sound doable?

You would also need a 10-16 Kohler adapter drilled to fit the back of the L transmission ( from a friend or e bay)

I could drill it and turn the shaft for you.

Plus a 1 id sleeve and gaskets.

 

[2manyrocks]

I finally re-read the entire thread. Totally forgot that the Kohler adapter gears are needed to slow down the gearing for the higher RPM engine. Also, finally realized that Oneaxepony is adapting either the clone engine I was thinking about or one very closely related to it.

If I re-read the thread a few more times, maybe I'll finally get it.

 

[js5020]

Ummm I do believe one can do this without Kohler gears,,, just limit the rpm of the new motor, that why a 13hp is used, I have read from old sites that no longer exist that the torque from a limited 13 Honda was "close" to the T head. If the new engine is held to the rpms of the T head no gearing changes are necessary.

 

[2manyrocks]

Now that you mention it, OldMech posted the torque numbers earlier in this thread and there was prior discussion on just governing the engine to limit the rpm.

You're very correct that a lot of the information on Gravelys seems to be disappearing from the web which is just sad. Maybe it reflects two general things at work here: 1) is figuring out how to adapt a modern and cheap engine to them and 2) is the more general question of how many people even want to use a 2 wheel tractor these days?

I used my rotary plow a few weeks ago, and I kept thinking, why am I doing this instead of using my tractor?

 

[may]

this is my adapted 16 hp gravely with electric start i made adapter out of wood then poured a aluminum sand casting . then turned it in my lathe .
this is the second gravely that i have done .I put a 13hp clone on a
Li about 5 years ago and have had no problem with this set up.
( the bolt going thru that gear is going to hit the center shaft that runs down the center of the transmission that drives ever thing if it is not c'bored flush.)

This is how i mount my gear
I cut the gear shaft 7/8 in back of the gear use a sleeve with one inch dia.hole
and key way put 1 inch shaft in hole use one dowel pin 1/4 dia. drill thru sleeve
thru cut shaft thru other side of sleeve press in pin. Now i take a 5/16 drill bit
carbide drill thru one side of sleeve go into 1 inch shaft about 1/3 I repeat this 6 times evenly spaced around the dia . then go back thru and weld with mig
filling up these 6 holes( very important to get good welds at bottom of holes) this makes a welded dowel spot weld.[ do one at a time do not let it get real hot.I do not have pics of shaft if i new this before i would have taken pictures:thumbsup:

[/IMG]

 

[gravelymay]

Beautiful
I like your tractor
Well done.
Bruce g

 

[2manyrocks]

First post and what an amazing Gravely conversion! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Did you do anything to slow down the gearing or are you just relying on the L1 gear plus running at lower engine rpms with the 16 hp engine?

 

[may]

2manyrocks
i do not see were everyone thinks you have to run these motors at a higher rpm
I run mine to were the attachment works the best(like using the sickle bar with the motor hardly idling ) this setup works fine for me. The 13hp motor can do anything that the 6.6 gravely motor did . while using the snowblower and rotary plow i still use geared wheels because its more relaxing that way it will blow snow with out grw in first gear but not 2 feet deep snow.The other attachments all work great they do not take much power mower,sickle bar,push blade,ect,ect. But ever one runs there tractors different maybe i am not using it right whose to say.
the governor will kick in under a load so smooth you will not notice the load on the motor typically. btw make sure you set your handle bar height
because the way i mount mine they are no longer adjustable.
I set them up so i am not hunched over when the push blade or snow blower is attached but i can stand straight up relaxed with 30 inch deck like in this picture.:thumbsup:

 

[oldmech]

Hi! L model 5 hp. engine turn 1640 rpm. but 6.6 Gravely engine as on L8 turn 2600-2800.
LS ,L8 and the best L model with reduction gear ( 1 to 3 ratio 12 in. wheels final 2.25 more low) are the best for new engine.
I have no problem with my L model and reduction gear on snowblower rotary plow or 30 in. mower. I run my Dek diesel engine 2500-3000 rpm. I sold my L8 last year.
L and LI model are too fast for most implements with any engine. Good Luck ! Oldmech

 

[may]

I have been thinking that the real question is. Is this a fix all
Perhaps its better to suggest that any increase in horse power
will not over come any short fall that was in the attachment to ground speed
ratio. that is why i still use grw with my snow blower and other ground engaging attachment (YOU WILL NOTICE SOME IMPROVEMENT).I think oldmech is right on with his set up to get the most out of his tractor for the job he needs it to pro form . :licking:
Now i am only talking about the model L tractors L,LI,LS,L8

 

[2manyrocks]

Got any pictures of the setup you used to make your aluminum casting? You're the first person I know of to make a casting--everybody else is adapting the existing housing, turning metal, etc. But the casting process really seems to make logical sense.

How is the balance of the Gravely with that 16 hp compared to the original engine? I've got an L8 that has the best balance and control-ability of all my Gravelys-much better than the later models with the 12 hp Kohlers in my opinion, but the 12 hp is much better for rotary cutting tall grass and weeds.

 

[may]

The balance is good no big noticeable difference from gravely motor.
I do not have picture from when i cast this part what do you want to see
the cop and drag with the wooden pattern with the gate and riser or the home made smelting furnace i use to melt brass and aluminum.I can take pictures of these things next week. i am going to a rendezvous this weekend let me know what you want to see i will take pic.

 

[gravelymay]

I am going to try two pictures this time.
Bruce g

I have changed my plans from this
and put the Kohler adapter next to the L transmission
then the spacer adapter with a oil seal
like I use on the C10a, 500,5000 and the 400 rider tractors
The adapter would be the same thickness as if you used the Late model Gears.
For the L model gear you will need a different thickness.
About twice as thick

 

[2manyrocks]

I'd be interested in seeing what you used to cast that part and how you did it.

Plus, I'm wondering how you made the wooden pattern for it.

Sorry, I don't know the technical names. My only knowledge of anything related to the process is a description of pouring metal parts in a sandbox form in a Popuar Science book on metal working. How you do it in real life might be different.

 

[may]

Here are the picture of my pattern with cope and drag you can see in the picture how it is constructed.To get a full understanding of how the process
works go to melting metal in a home foundry, backyard metalcasting, metal casting It has way more in depth explanation than i can cover in here we should try to keep this about tractors .:thumbsup:

 

[tulenutn2o]

Gravely guys, I have a 1950 model L down in the basement I'd like to get going by spring, but here's the problem,,,, a previous owner trashed the engine,,, totally trashed it!!! So has anyone converted to something modern?? Can it be done?? Ideas?

1000 cc turbocharged yamaha. We put one in a garden tractor puller a few years back. 15 to be exact.

 

[2manyrocks]

What is the reddish color in the bottom of the wooden form where you're written Honda and Gravely in black ink?

I think you need to photograph the entire process. Will take the finished product off your hands so it doesn't clutter up your shop.

 

[js5020]

1000 cc turbocharged yamaha. We put one in a garden tractor puller a few years back. 15 to be exact.

Ya and a 500hp CAT would be cool also, but neither would be very functional.

 

[may]

What is the reddish color in the bottom of the wooden form where you're written Honda and Gravely in black ink?

I think you need to photograph the entire process. Will take the finished product off your hands so it doesn't clutter up your shop.

The reddish color in the bottom of the pattern and on the sides is auto
body filler.That is what i use to smooth out rough spots in the wooden pattern. Then you spray a lacquer finish all over the wood pattern. So
it can be easily removed from the rammed up sand. The white dust on the
wood is also a release agent to help to keep sand from sticking to the pattern .