New to me Agway Hydro 16 (MTD 990)

[kwwolfe]

Well I went down and came back with the 990 this morning. Everything looks to be in pretty good shape. It has not been started in a few years, so that will be my first task.

The blades on the deck were frozen when I got to the guys house. With a little liquid wrench and a bunch of wiggling, we finally got them free, although it sounds liek some new bearins will be in order. THe deck was the only thing kept outside. The rest of it is solid with no holes.

I tried jumping it (from my car), and the starter/generator does turn it over although very slowly. Not quite sure if the starter is weak. I tried taking the plug out and it did spin faster. Last time I tried it, I reconnected the hot cable and got a little spark. Now the key does not seem to work. Did I fry it?

There was a bunch of dust and grime, but after using a wet rag, it seems to be cleaning off pretty good (I took pictures of both for comparison).

Now for the pictures. I have taken lots of them so you guys can lend as much help as you can stand.

[kwwolfe]

A few more with the hood before and after the wet rag.

[kwwolfe]

Some engine shots

[kwwolfe]

The mowing deck

[kwwolfe]

Just in case you wanted more pictures, here is the plow. Any advice, tips, help, words of wisdom are welcome. I want to get this thing running ASAP.

[Ingersoll444]

Well I know like NOTHING about starter/gen setups, but got to say I am amazed how tough looking those things are!!!!! Its easy to think of MTD as cheap/lowcost, but guess it was not always that way.

[kwwolfe]

The starter gen is actually a pretty simple setup. My old Sears Suburban has one also. It is connected to the flywheel via a pulley. After it is done turn the motor over, it continues to spin and turns into a generator. Kinda neat actuall. Not quite sure why they got away from it.

[Ken in NJ]

Great .. You got it !!!

Just with a wet rag you made it better looking .. I am sure if you have the time.. it will look MUCH better after you get it running and cleaned up !!

Looks very well built .. even the mower deck don't look bad after sitting outside all that time... :goodl: :goodl:

[danbike]

Many of the German motorcycle manufacturers used this set up. NSU, Heinkel, Adler, Goggomobile, Victoria and all.

In fact the BMW Isetta and BMW 600 Sedan also had them. The name from the fatherland is a DYNASTARTER.

I had a 1965 Heinkel with one. It was OK, but I always bumped it when the engine was cold. Once warmed up it worked fine. All of the German bikes with this feature had one manufactured by Bosch.

The starter gen is actually a pretty simple setup. My old Sears Suburban has one also. It is connected to the flywheel via a pulley. After it is done turn the motor over, it continues to spin and turns into a generator. Kinda neat actuall. Not quite sure why they got away from it.

[slkpk]

Heavy duty tractors. I know where there is a 1976 with deck & rototiller if anyone is interested. Engine rebuilt about 5 years back and it's just sitting for the last 3 years. He would like $600 for it. slkpk

[kwwolfe]

The guy I bought it from said that it ran a few years ago. He got it from a gal that he was doing some lanscaping for as partial payment. He brought it home, used it a few times, then parked it in his barn and there it sat. I wonder if I should try taking apart the starter and oiling it up a bit. If the tractor worked last time, I would assume that maybe the grease and oil that was in there has gotten dry and tacky and is causing the motor to turn slowly.

Paul,
I know what you mean. After getting a chance to see these things up close, they are very well built. The front axle and linkage is very stout as are the other pieces. If I can get it running, I will report back just how strong it is.

[stonykill]

Well I know like NOTHING about starter/gen setups, but got to say I am amazed how tough looking those things are!!!!! Its easy to think of MTD as cheap/lowcost, but guess it was not always that way.

I know you aren't going to want to hear this, ....but...I had a Case 444 for 10 years. My MTD 990 is a WAY more capable machine than the 444 was. The MTD pulls more weight, has a more powerful engine, is built better (stronger) and most importantly, won't cost you your 1st born to purchase.

Did I meantion I love my 990?

[Dad0850]

Congrats! That is definitely worth playing with for a while!

[kwwolfe]

Well guys, I was in the garage tonight messing with the new machine. I hooked a volt meter up to the plug wire and the ground and found that I do have voltage going through when I turn it by hand. I'll be picking up a new set of points and condensor Monday.

However, I still have the problem with the starter/generator. That old 16hp single Briggs has a bunch of compression. The starter/gen is just not up to turning it well. I took off the belt and spun the starter and it sounded OK I guess. Spun fast with no wierd noises to speak of. But, when I hook it back up and it hits that compression stroke, it stops....pushes...then gets over the hump. What gives? Maybe I could use a new belt to help it use momentum to get through the compression stroke. Shouldn't have to should it?

By the way, sitting up on those high wheels sure is differnt feeling (I mean COOL)!

If you all can help me get this thing running, I will have a new avatar.

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Don't worry about the generator. early deere 110s & 112s & Cub Cadets were kohlers with similar generators...AC B10s & 210s not to mention a whole slew of Mongomery Wards with the 16hp briggs used the same delco generator. And they actually work pretty well.

They are very common on ebay and don't sell for much.

That thing with some TLC will outlive us all.

[Ingersoll444]

First thing I would do is check/clean all connections. Make sure the cables are good, and the battery has some life in it. A lot of alt's,gens, and starters have been replaced becouse of just bad connections.

[kwwolfe]

Well I got the muffler off last night so I could get to the points. I will pick up a new set tomorrow. I am going to try and spin the starter using a drill first to see if I can get spark.

I am going to try and clean the posts to the starter first. It would be great if that worked however I am not going to hold my breath. I figured jumping it right from the post would have gotten it all the juice it needed. We'll see.

Saw one of these tractor go for sale cheap on ebay last night. It would have made a great spare parts tractor (too bad it was in Indianna:Disgus: )

The flywheel side has a notches to pull start it, but I could not imagine pull starter this 16hp with the compression it has.

By the way, if anyone is selling a starter/gen or a mowing deck for this tractor, I am all ears.

[blacksmithman]

You have a very good tough tractor. Here is a picture of my 1976 Dayton GT with a homemade loader I made last year. I bought it new in '77. If you need any other information or help let me know. Take the starter /generator apart clean up all the connections including the commutator. Check the brushes. It has two windings on the housing, one for starting the other for charging. Check this site. http://www.simpletractors.com/service/electrics/starter-generator.htm
Here is a manual for a 1978 year. http://manuals.mtdproducts.com/mtd/DocGetter?doc=770-7478.pdf

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/blacksmith/SideView1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/blacksmith/BucketUpTilted.jpg

[mr keith]

i have a 1974 agway hydro 16 that plow is a nice setup looks like my old mf-10 i dont use if you can post a close up of that plow front hookup id like to see it thanks alot good find

[Mayor]

Welcome!!! Nice goat!!! :sidelaugh

[rustyoldjunk]

thats a clean looking 990 mr keith.does it run and drive as nice as it looks?

[stonykill]

thats a real beauty Keith.

[Dad0850]

Welcome to the forum, mr keith! :Welcome1: Nice looking old tractor! Are you teaching your kid to operate it? :ROF

[mr keith]

yes it is a great runner someone cut off the three point hitch tangs but i think it may have been a factory job

i have a massey 1968 mf-10 actually 2 of em for restoration one is whole and needs starter brushes one is part snowblower and mower deck 200 obo


i love the agway have got chains which really incresae the pulling power

love to get a plow hooked into it from my mf-10 soon lads thanks for the input

[rustyoldjunk]

your right keith the 3 point would have been factory.jump up a forum to the MTD forum and you'll find plenty of info on these big 990 style MTD's.