What can an old 2 wheeler do?

[js5020]

I have never seen one,, only pics. Even my local dealer says their crazy with the price and has no interest in getting one. It's to bad actually I really like the com 12 it's a heck of a machine, amazing what it will do for it's size at 12 hp. Guess I'll just take good care of the one I have and get the 50 L rebuilt, both of them will probably outlast me if taken care of.

 

[2manyrocks]

they could be in one of those traps where the price is so high they don't sell much and the price has to be high because the volume isn't there to spread out the costs. Then there is consumer preference for a riding tractor. As more people have urban lifestyles, there may not be as much demand for this type of heavy duty machine. It may be too much for an urban yard, and as has been said, it's easier to use a CUT to bushhog.

The Gravely is handy for cutting brush in limited areas where manuvering is a problem. It also works on steep slopes and under tree limbs. It's a beast to plow with, but it really breaks up the soil. But overall, I would have to say that mine sees limited use.

I think the older machines would continue to be used if somebody sold a reasonably priced conversion kit to put new engines on them. I really admire those guys who figure out ways to put new engines on their Gravelys.

 

[bontai_Joe]

I'd love to own a brand new BCS with necessary attachments, but that just isn't going to happen for a year or two, at least.

Every year my garden gets a little bit bigger. I had an 800 square foot garden this summer, and I think I'd like to double/triple its' size for next year. Up to this point I've done almost all of the work by hand; I know I can't keep up weeding a 2100 square foot garden with a hoe.

My father has a homemade tractor, a 2 bottom plow, and a disk harrow. I have a friend that has an old simplicity 2 wheeler that I might pick up (more about that later on). My dream is to have a cultivator, a wagon/wheelbarrow, and a seeder for the two wheeler. Any garden jobs that cannot be completed with these tools will be done by hand or with rental equip.

I have heard many good things about BCS tillers, and I know many people till between vegetable rows, but I am afraid of creating a hard bottom as a result of over tilling.

Do any of the two wheel tractor owners on TBN use a cultivator? Is the tractor heavy enough for a cultivator to work well?

I plan to buy used seeders and customize them to tow behind a two wheeler.

Thanks
-Jim

You described your current garden as 800 sq. ft. (40' x 20"?) and you wanted to double or triple it's size? I've done gardens larger than your proposed 2400 sq. feet with a Troy-Bilt Horse tiller easily. It will do most of what you want except pull a seeder and can be had NEW for around $2000, which is MUCH more affordable than any BCS or new Gravely (Rapid). But the Troy-Bilt is limited in attachments, no mowing, no snow blower, no brush cutter. but if you shop around on the net, you can find a electric generator that used to be offered for the PTO models, a log splitter is still available new, and once upon a time they offered a pretty good wood chipper that used the PTO. I have nothing bad to say about getting an old Gravely as they are awsome machines, and I'm not denying that restoring an old 2 wheeler Bolens, Simplicity, David Bradley could be a fun project as well. I just wanted to suggest that their is another choice out there.

 

[rebb]

i have an acme two wheeler i bought in 1998, i think, from earth equipment in new london, ohio.

it has a single bottom plow, a sickle bar (an ecm), a log splitter, a front blade, a variable width tiller, a trailer hitch (fits in the pto socket) and small (3'x4') wood trailer with 12" trailer tires and 1 ton axles, a snowblower, steel crossbar tires, 10" ag tread pneumatic tires, snow tire chains, and the handles reverse so the pto can be on either end. it has two forward and two reverse speeds. you could get sprayers and several other attachments for it at one time.....i tilled a 40x60 garden with it, and used the plow to hill potatoes....

i'm selling it through a local guy who has a consignment shop; he's coming to get it tomorrow, and we're gonna discuss the price to set. has a small assortment of spare parts that goes with it.

i bought a kubota 2350, as my back won't take the beating anymore from the two wheeler. if anyone is interested, you can let me know at 'rebrd@yahoo.com'; i check that email every few days, and i'll give ya the consignment shop man's phone number.
rebb

 

[gravelymay]

Hi Bill
Just saw your add .
Wanted to say hello from down Cleveland Tn. way
That is a nice rig you have.
Hang on to them the great grand kids may like it?
That is one of the nices sets.
I have seen that has not just been rebuilted.
Thanks Bruce g

 

[Steve Adkins]

Is the Gravely still for sale?

 

[gravelymay]

e- mail has changed to
gravelymay@yahoo.com
thanks Bruce g

 

[RalphVa]

I had a Gravely 5665, 12 hp Kohler. Had the following attachments, and used them all (square chuter only once, but needed it then on 7" of sleet):

o 30" mower/brush hog
o Sulky
o Cart
o 48" snow plow
o 30" square chute snow blower
o MacKissic shredder-only (similar to my present Mac TPH-122 on the 3ph that shreds and chips)
o Rotary plow

What I immediately did was to put steering brakes on the tractor. The 12 hp is just too heavy to handle on hills without steering brakes. With the steering brakes, you can guide it with one handle on the "brake" handle. Still, it's a handful compared to my present 18.5 hp diesel JD CUT. Later on, I added dual wheels. Not enough tractor going up my hill out back.

Here's your list and I'll comment beside it.

1. Tow wheel seeders -- didn't do, but it would
2. Cultivate row vegetables - can make raised rows with rotary plow. Cultivator is available.
3. Hill/Furrow potatoes -- this you can get a potato plow, but the rotary plow would work on this as well.
4. Tow/Carry/Push a manual dumping cart -- the cart I had was used to haul lots of dirt and other stuff.

I would not mind being able to do these chores either:

1. Pull a 30 gallon water cart -- this would probably fit in the cart.
2. Harvest potatoes -- with the rotary plow or potato plow
3. Sickle bar/brush mower -- sickle bar available. Rotary brush mower will handle stuff up to about 1" OD
4. Tilling raised beds -- with the rotary plow

For those doing 4 acres, it'd be A LOT easier with you riding on the sulky.

Ralph