FD Kees 36" walk behind...

[Midniteoyl]

Picked me up one of these.. has a blown 8hp Honda motor. I found it originally came with a B&S 12hp and I have a B&S 11.5hp that can go on it. Belts need changing, but its complete, spindles are good, blades are good, NO rust holes.. very very solid..


Paid $75.. Good deal?


Anyone know where to find the manual? I found one for a mid 90's Eglestar 1 wich is the closest I could find to match....


1987 FD Kees Model 361860P

Engine Cycle: 4
Engine Horsepower: 12
Engine Make: B&S
Cutting Type: Rotary
Cutting Width: 36
Cutting Height: 1.5-5
Self-Propelled: Yes
Weight: 408

Thanks!

 

[Midniteoyl]

*crickets*

 

[CCC52]

I'm just getting ready to work on one of these...mine's a 1989 Snapper badged version...don't think they changed anything until going to peerless gearboxes and double-wide wheel drive belts. I have the manual but I'll have to try to figure out my scanner.

Any specific items you're looking for?

Don't see how you could go wrong for $75, pair of rear tires costs that much.

 

[CCC52]

Not sure if this is the exact model I have but it's a dead ringer. This may be of some use?

Parts and Diagrams for Snapper W361252KW 36" 12.5 HP Variable Belt Drive Walk Mower Series 2

 

[Midniteoyl]

CCC52, that looks to be exactly it. Thanks! Haven't gotten mine up and running yet as Ive been busy..

 

[CCC52]

Went and grabbed my manual, mower is stored another 50 miles away until I pick her up this week.

Another link for possibly cross-referencing parts: Lawn Mower Parts, Small Engine Parts & Much More! | PartsTree.com - Briggs, MTD, Toro, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, Troy-bilt...

Mine is the "K" model with the Kawasaki FB460V. I think the only variances are simply engine related.

FWIW mine was a fine mower. I bought it in near new condition with an estimated 80 hours use. NOS Kees were selling for about $200 more @ $1200, new Snappers another +$200. My first two seasons were easy and low hour usage. Never a problem. Third season I bought out a local operation and things got crazy fast. Lots of acreage, insane July rain and I had to hire help and add another mower. I had a really nice customized 4x6 trailer or I'd have gotten a 48 so I settled on an Encore 36. Great mower but another thread down the line as parts are ordered for that one too...LOL. Novel rig, Nissan pickup with a 36 and ramps in the bed, 36 and trim mower on the trailer. Wish I had pics but it worked. Shoulda been illegal!!

Where the Kees fell short was the skinny wheel drive assembly. It works just fine if you're not mowing soaked lawns or running through standing water. Workload demanded it and at the time most mowers weren't built like Scags with the Peerless and double-wide drive belts...Yep, Bobcat, Deere---even eXmark had skinny drive and 4 speed worm gear trannies. Fourth year I cut out the worst properties and went back to solo with occasional help which led to the Snapper being used for it's last cut. Snapped the key on a spindle, replaced the key and snapped it again. Didn't have time for spindle work with the Encore kicking grass. Started and ran it for years thinking I'd need that spare FB460V but never did. The Encore still runs and cuts after seeing much more use than the Snapper. Resale on the Snapper/Kees was pathetic, storage was a much better option to a guy who always pays cash.

If you need any parts lookup beyond the web links just lemme know, FWIW my Snapper manual features a good pic of the mower with a KEES decal on the gas tank LOL! Didn't even bother to shoot a new picture. An old buddy has the equivalent 48 but his has the 5 speed and big belts.

My first chore is going to be start-up but I plan on restoring mine to it's 1993 state ("used look" but with every critical moving part replaced). I'll get some pics up real soon.

 

[CCC52]

Partstree is nice and has some items nobody else does...

I'm liking this outfit price-wise: Kees Mower Parts

 

[Midniteoyl]

They do have good belt prices.. I just paid $22 ea for 44" x 5/8" Kevlar belts..

 

[CCC52]

Clearly burning that "midnite oil". I always do.

I don't know my scanner but I do need to get you some pics of cutting height adjustment. Clearly a failed design by way of others, very neat though. Should be able to get some good results, Those funky front casters are only part of the puzzle. She'll go 1" to 5", you'll need the pics/description. More versatile than some modern offerings?

 

[Midniteoyl]

Pics would be cool... I was looking in the manual for the Eaglestar and saw that the rears were gonna be hard.

 

[CCC52]

Well, first major glitch has been encountered and I don't have the machine available for a good look.

Can't find brake bands. Never replaced them on this mower and *assumed* it would be like any other commercial mower. Nope, it appears you need assemblies that have the band attached. Expensive. $35-50 depending on which side.

Need to research re-lining, I'm not throwing another hundred bucks towards brakes. All the modern bands I've installed in recent years have adhesive to hold the linings in. Can't be too hard to replace the friction material. Brakes are critical. Once you cross reference some parts the availability opens up but the prices remain steep.

Snapper #'s are 76339/76340

 

[CCC52]

Ah! New search reveals those old eXmarks used a very similar "brake assembly", just bands are indeed available and reasonably cheap @ 15 per. Much happier and even more excited to get started. Hoping the Kees type is indeed a removable band.

K&T Parts House - Exmark Commercial Mower Parts - Drive Parts, Sprockets, Brakes, Control & Steering--Cables, Hydrostatic Pump & Transmission Parts

 

[Midniteoyl]

Awsome..


Question: Are your drive belts 44"? I bought 44's but they seem way too loose even with adjustments, but 43" ones wont even go around the pulleys?

 

[CCC52]

Awsome..


Question: Are your drive belts 44"? I bought 44's but they seem way too loose even with adjustments, but 43" ones wont even go around the pulleys?

44" is specified and a I have a pair sitting here and they look to be appropriate, still haven't driven up to pick up the old girl. I'll try to get you pics of the oddball cutting height configurations if not figure out my scanner feature and do the whole manual for ya. Should have my machine here this weekend, really want a good look at this "brake assembly" bit. I worked for a company that ran nearly identical John Deere commercials back a lifetime ago, LOL, try to research that crap, JD is wishy-washy when it comes to commercial machines. Guess it's why the basic Scag and it's clones are easiest to cross reference?

 

[CCC52]

Awsome..


Question: Are your drive belts 44"? I bought 44's but they seem way too loose even with adjustments, but 43" ones wont even go around the pulleys?

On this note, belt/brake wear is dealt with by the threads on the long brake op rods that go to the handles. You'll just need to back these off or tension them down. There's a fine line in braking and steering that takes 15min to 1/2 hour to get braking and tracking coordinated. Can't do it without the machine running.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Ya.. I adjusted them about halfway up each threaded part of the operating rods and there still is way too much slack in the belts.. Theres also 3 different holes for the brake actuator. Mines in the 'tightest' one now.. Whats funny is the old belts work perfect but measure out at a little over 43.5".. Wouldnt think 1/2" would make that much difference..

 

[Europa74]

I just joined the group and have a F D Kees walk behind mower from 1986. It's model # M36184H and it's in vcg for the year. With fresh fuel, after draining and cleaning the system, it fired right up with no signs of smoke from the 11.5 HP Honda motor. I still need to change the oil and fit a new spark plug plus change some belts and make some adjustments but it is a really solid mower. I'd like to get a copy of the manual for this mower. Can anybody help out?
Regards,
Ray