Montgomery Ward 11hp 38” deck

[1930]

Picked this up at an estate sale last weekend, I’d like to find a manual for it but am unwilling to pay high eBay pricing, anyone know of a free download?
Not running and don’t know last time it ran. Decks and tractor are not in terrible condition, I don’t see any rust out anywhere.
Anything anyone can tell me would be appreciated
I plan to cut with it and give it a good home
I know nothing about engine type, afraid if the hydro trans but hopefully it all functions
I’m assuming it’s a 76 just going by tag numbers
Good drivetrain or bad, I don’t know

 

[Roadworthy]

Montgomery Ward tells me it wasn't new recently. The 91 on the serial number may be the year made but I don't really know. The engine is probably Briggs and Stratton though Tecumseh was common back then, too. It is probably electric start and most likely twelve volt negative ground. Try to turn the motor over by hand before trying the starter. Many mowers of that era were Briggs and Stratton or Tecumseh. A 38 inch mower would likely be about eighteen horsepower. If the engine turns over see if you have spark. Sitting that long the carburetor could be an issue but many are available inexpensively from eBay. A replacement engine would not be difficult to drop in and bolt patterns are pretty standard or were back then. Good luck.

 

[oldnslo]

I believe that is a Briggs and Stratton engine. There should be a series of numbers stamped in the flywheel shroud. These are usually in the area covering the head. These numbers will identify the engine and make sourcing any required parts easier.
I see a fuel shut off valve in the fuel line. That would indicate the previous owner had problems with carb leaking. I believe that model could fill crankcase with gas if carb leaked so might want to pull dipstick and see if over full or smells like gas.

 

[Molalla1]

Can you roll it over?

on edit: I see Roadworthy gave good advice.

 

[tomplum]

Here is a parts link for you. https://www.jackssmallengines.com/j...omery-ward-mdl-tmo-33937a-139-658f088/parts-2

There are old manuals that are probably still accessible on the web. These didn't handle that great, but were a dependable lawn tractor. Should you need belts, use only the MTD OEM belts or you will be sadly disappointed. This could be a good project tractor if that is what you seek. Rust is probably your biggest issue when it comes to cost. Deck spindle pulleys, wheel hubs those type of things are expensive so treat them with care should they need to come off.

What you have there is a variable speed drive rather than a hydro. It is a single speed transmission that has one forward, one reverse and a neutral. The different speeds are available from whatever position the variable speed pulley is in.

 

[Roadworthy]

I know nothing about your mower. The transaxle may have leaked fluid. My mower uses 80W-90 gear oil, or at least that's what the old stuff smelled like. My transaxle has a filler port on top.