which gravely would you keep

schmism · Apr 27, 2008

so assume the answer isnt all of them.

my current collection includes

-1946 L electric start (turns over, no spark doenst run) 5hp
-1947 L manual "parts" tractor 5hp
-1958 L electric start runs (ive mowed with it) 6.6 hp
-1961 Li manual (havnt started it but complete) 6.6
-1968 L electric start (rusy doesnt run) 7.6hp kohler

I think i want to put my time in togetting the 68 running as its got the 7.6 kohler on it.

I would like to have an Li to use for brushhogging and tilling

I could sell the current running 58 to help fund the rebuilds of the others.

get the 46 running and keep it becuase its the oldest?

what say you?

krislu · Apr 27, 2008

The 7.6hp engine is not a Kohler. The 7.6 was/is the Gravely engine. The Gravely "L" tractor engine started out in '37 as a 5hp and went til '55 where it was upgraded to the 6.6hp which went til '66 when it was upgraded to the 7.6hp which lasted to end of the "L" tractor run in '76. The Kohlers first appeared on Gravelys in '67, a 10hp (commercial 10 which was yellow and white) the 8 hp Kohler appeared in 1970 and was used til '90. All this being said to get back to your question I would concentrate on getting the "LI" going if your going to actually use it. It's the most practical to use the "L"s are to fast. If you want a show queen/museum piece then refurb the '46 and '47. If they are original they'll make nice show tractors. - Kris

js5020 · Apr 27, 2008

I agree with kris,, if your gonna just have 1 the Li is going to be the most versitile,, the straight L's are going to have to fast ground speed for most jobs except finnish mowing. To bad that 68 wasn't an L8!

schmism · Apr 27, 2008

js5020 said:
. To bad that 68 wasn't an L8!

how do you tell?

Yes the Li is top on my list. ive tried brush cutting with the L that runs but like you said its to quick. Which is why the developed the geared hubs before the i seires.

I figured id keep 2. keep the plow on one and the 30" deck on the other.

other than the motor that hangs off the back, (and the Li gearbox) do all the parts interchange between years?

js5020 · Apr 28, 2008

If you had an L8 it would have 3 handles,,, 1 for F+R, 1 for transmission H+L, and a third for axle H+L, the third handle is located lower on the right handlebar,,, the 8's are nice because you then basically have an Ls, Li, and an L in one machine. You could convert one to an L8, I see the parts on e-bay quite often. I think most parts interchange,, but I'm not a L series expert.

krislu · Apr 28, 2008

schmism said:
I figured id keep 2. keep the plow on one and the 30" deck on the other.

do all the parts interchange between years?

Yes, the parts interchange. I would keep the '61 LI and the '58 L and convert it to an 8 speed machine. If the '68 7.6 is in better shape than the '58 L go with the 7.6hp. - Kris

panda1960 · Mar 19, 2010

My mother in law bought a gravely l rototiller in good working condition. Over the years a john deere 750 was bought and the rototiller was parked. A crushing co. was contracted to crush old bins, old farm vehicles and the gravely. We thought it would be a great conversation piece in our garden. A man helping us load it said it was in pretty good shape, he could get it running. We did research and an individual looking at the photos thinks its from 1939. It has metal cleat wheels and a metal thing in the back to hold a seat. Is it worth anything?

bontai_Joe · Mar 19, 2010

panda1960 said:
My mother in law bought a gravely l rototiller in good working condition. Over the years a john deere 750 was bought and the rototiller was parked. A crushing co. was contracted to crush old bins, old farm vehicles and the gravely. We thought it would be a great conversation piece in our garden. A man helping us load it said it was in pretty good shape, he could get it running. We did research and an individual looking at the photos thinks its from 1939. It has metal cleat wheels and a metal thing in the back to hold a seat. Is it worth anything?

Yeah, at a minimum, at least a couple of hundred dollars, maybe more depending on condition and if it is running and what attachments you have for it.