What should I do here???

[jcmseven]

Fellow Posters: my father turned me on to Gravely's when I was but a wee tot. I am now 40 and do not have a Gravely, but my father still has a 1982 model 8173 KT which we bought new when I was 13 years old. I do not know the exact hourage on the machine, but I believe it to be around 2000. It has been kept indoors when not in use, but unfortunately does not run. My father is now 80 years old and while he is still able I would like to either "restore" (i.e., get running) the Gravely or get dad another four wheel tractor for him to putter around on and maybe mow a little. My initial perusal of the machine found gas in the engine crankcase (oh, oh), and a dead battery and flat tires. The deck and machine have no rust, the original paint and stickers and no other visible issues. My local dealer says he has two four wheel Gravely's he would sell: 1. a little used 14G with a single cylinder Briggs and a 2. a 16G with higher hours that runs OK but has some dents, etc. He did not mention any interest in my dad's machine. My questions thus are this:

1. If buying the machines listed go with a 14G or wait for a twin cylinder to come along?? I would love an 8199 Onan for my dad, but have not seen one for years

2. How much would a Gravely in good shape that does not run but has no other structural issues or rust bring on trade??

3. Should I just try to get a replacement engine and repair the machine we have instead??

I appreciate the insight.

John M

 

[hawkeye08]

There's a good chance that some minor repair would fix the engine you have. It is not uncommon for the float to stick (or sink) allowing the gas to continue to flow and flood the carb, and eventually into the engine. Rebuild the carb, change the oil, tune it up and I bet it would run (assuming it had been taken care of previously).

 

[Transit]

At 2,000 hrs. it has seen a lot of work. Without disassembling the engine it would be hard to say if it can be rebuilt and what about part arability? I would go with option # 3, replace the engine.

 

[hawkeye08]

I suggested a few easy steps rather than the $1400-$2000 to repower an almost 30 year old garden tractor. It would not need to be perfect for the light use it will see. I don't think 2000 hours is that bad on 1982 engine. There were normally pretty stout (especially compared to some of the ones we have now).

If you have $$ around, go for it.

I have 3 Gravely riders, 2 with B&S single cylinder engines (I have to shut the valve off at the tank or it will run all the gas out, needle/float is not reliable), and a 3rd with Onan twin. I wore out the 3rd Gravely engine (Onan 16.5 hp twin), it was rebuilt completely once and then rings and bearings later. When it needed another rebuilt, I decided a new engine would be best. It cost just under $2000 to repower it with 18HP Onan twin.

The Gravely requires a specific spec for the right size and length of shaft. If you are going to repower, I would suggest considering the 24hp Honda with OHV. There are several resources on the internet for more details on that.

 

[jcmseven]

Thanks for the replies. I will take it into the dealer to see if a cost effective fix is possible first. I do not know how to correctly express this, but my father is not much on service; I am. The machine has never been abused, but babied throughout its life. We never used any PTO attachments other than the mower (50" deck). Dad has had a 48" snow blade for the machine, but where they live, not much snow falls and it has had little use. There have been some years in there when I was away at college, then graduate school, then residency and not in state. During that time, I doubt much routine service was done by my father. My dad also currently has some mild dementia but he has proven safe to be on small equipment thus far and this is something he enjoys that ties him to better and more vibrant days--and gets him outside. Thusly, if it is not too expensive a proposition, I really would like to get this going for him. I cannot tell you how good this machine looks for a nearly thirty year old tractor.

On a side note, just to let you know how much I loved Gravelys in the day, at age 11 I painted a picture of an 8123 tractor that was placed by Matthew Brown, who then worked at Gravely, in the main office in Clemmons, NC on display. They made a pretty big deal of it. This picture/poster was quite large and stayed there for some time. My mom and dad got it back before the move to Brillion and I think they still have it stashed somewhere. That Gravely helped me buy my first car, so I feel some obligation to keep it going.

John M

 

[FlaDon]

Several Suggestions.
1. the 14-G is not in the same league as a Kohler twin or Onan twin.
2. the 8199 needs to be in good condition to be concidered as the Onan B48M GA019 are expensive to get parts for.
3. The 8173-KT repair is the cheapest way to go.

A used 8000 or such in good condition might bring $500 in trade unless it is sold to a collector. Many don't recognise their value.

 

[RichardTX]

What Don said.

2000 hours generally does not mean that it needs an overhaul but that depends on how well it was cared for and how hard it was run.

There is nothing like an Onan engine. It is the BMW of small engines. Same basic design as a BMW motorcycle engine too.

If you decide to sell that tractor anyway, PM me. I would be interested in purchasing it.