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The "Blue Money Pit"

241K views 1K replies 99 participants last post by  Calimedeiros 
#1 ·
Hi all, I'm not a new member, just new to the "Ford Forum". I have a couple Craftsman rebuilds over on the Sears / Craftsman forum. It now looks like I have a "new to me" Ford project. I plan to try for the same quality that I gave the Ctaftsmans, Parts availability and manuals permiting.
Links to the Craftsman projects for those that are interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WeKMmfwOo
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=128924&highlight=hulk+ii
Now I have a new project, Ford LGT 145. It will be delivered tomorrow.
$60.00 + 20.00 for the haul out to my place.
Only history I have is the Guy selling it was cleaning out someone elses barn, and drug it out. It was either going to scrap, or he knew I looked for stuff like this.
Hope to have it here tomorrow, I'll know more then on what I have.
Manuals and Parts links will be much appreciated.
 

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#3 ·
Can't beleave no FORD people has commented. I think this one will be more of a challange no sears or Briggs help, but on the plus side I can take my time as I have two really good tractors. The Ford will get me and the grandson back together as a project, as today is his 6th B-Day, and I plan to tell him this is his. (He already claims Hulk) but Pap-Pap always uses it.
He will need "Blue" hair for this one.
 

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#4 · (Edited)
I think everyone is out mowing there lawns. Here in the north east I still have 3ft high grass on ground that just got dry enough to mow.
That is quite a bit stouter tractor than the Craftsman's. You might want to keep that one for yourself when you're done.
Complete Kohler manuals are online and if you go to Messicks in the advertising section of the main page, then click on Newholland, then LGT for the model, it will bring up a complete parts breakdown for your tractor with Jacobsen parts numbers. Unfortunately many parts are no longer serviced. Implements are also hard to find, without buying a whole other tractor that comes with them. You should be impressed by the construction of your new tractor. I still don't know why they weren't more popular, except that they were quite pricy when new, but that doesn't explane why you can find 10 older Cubs or Deers to one Ford or Jake.
 
#9 ·
I still don't know why they weren't more popular, except that they were quite pricy when new, but that doesn't explane why you can find 10 older Cubs or Deers to one Ford or Jake.
It's easily explained- back in the late 70's those Fords were pretty much junk. Bought one brand new. Ford's biggest mistake was a 2 year parts and labor warranty. Thing spent more time at the dealers than at home. Had some one on one time with the Ford engineers also. At the end of the warranty period, sold it for what I could get out of it. Lets see - hydraulic pump replaced, front dozer blade repaired several times, modified twice by the engineers, and they never could make the garden plow work correctly. Two engineers spent a full 1/2 day on that one, finally gave up. Good thing they don't build their trucks like they did those tractors.
 
#5 ·
They are quite stout as the saying goes. Much more sturdy than the Craftsmans. Many guys here have that particular model. Mine are the older open sided models but with virtually the same mechanicals.

Hopefully your engine is in good enough shape to use as is. If it requires a rebuild, look to Ebay for your parts. I get all my Kohler OEM parts there. Much cheaper than buying at retail price. Deals can be had. Diligence and patience pay off here. Be sure to know the part numbers you need as most sellers just list part numbers, not knowing what engine the parts belong in.

Many body panels and mechanical parts also come up on Ebay from time to time. So you may want to keep a watchful eye for potential parts needed.

As Peterbilt stated, you can find complete parts breakdowns with wiring diagrams at Messicks. Just click on their advertising link on the MTF home page. Good luck with your new project. I'm sure your grandson will love helping out on this one.
 
#6 ·
Larry, after you use the Ford your going to let the grandson have Hulk ;)
I had the exact same Craftsman tractor, and as soon as I got my first LGT I was hooked!
I have all the goodies you may want, to stuff one of them Briggs twins in your rig too ;) as I put an 18hp in mine, only to remove it for a 3cylinder diesel :) I love both my LGTs they both work awesome, and the mower deck install and removal will surely convince you of that ;)
 
#7 ·
Larry, it looks to be in better shape than my LGT 165 when I got it. I have all the manuals for these, just can't upload them here. Too big to e-mail, also. John helped me out to begin with(very much appreciated, John). Send me an e-mail and I'll see about helping you get this 145 back working.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the replies, I'm waiting on delivery today. Will capture all the Model numbers and then let the fun begin.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Ford didn't make the tractor Jacobsen/Textron did. I was implying the opposite. I think they are great tractors, that used all top of the line components. The hydro and charge pump are Eaton, sized for ground engaging implements. The manual 4 speed rear and the two speed gear reducer for the hydro units are Tecumseh's heaviest rears for garden tractors. The steering box is Ross, maybe a little weak but at least a real steering box, not the cheep gears seen on a lot of bottom line riders. The motor is a full cast iron Kohler K-series with roller main bearings. Although not seen much, they came with factory options for duel hydraulics to operate the plow angle, 3pt hitch, PTO driven tiller, And the solid proven design didn't change much for around 20 years.
Everyone is entitled to there opinion and mine is that they are darn close in quality and engineering to the John Deer 316!!! and better than Cubs
 
#11 ·
Excuse the rant but to further elaborate, if I didn't rank them right up there with all of the top line tractors of the 70's and 80's I would own a different tractor.
Now lets hear a reasonable explanation as to why they weren't more popular.
Maybe the warranty was an issue with consumers.
 
#14 ·
nice ferd
 
#15 ·
Update, I will probally get this Monday at work. Guess he didn't want the extra $20 to bring it out today. Interesting hearing the comments so far. I can't really chime in yet till I get it.
 
#17 ·
I am impressed with the LGT 165 I have. Ford was smart to go to Jacobsen to have these built. Give it some TLC, Larry, and you'll be happy with it.
 
#22 ·
oh i throught you where talking about the ford lgt 100-165 the 195 is a hole other tractor not many of us have the 195 i think 1 or 2 members may have them , sorry for the mistake :sorry1:
 
#24 ·
I think Jake. Weren't too many made. May have been due to problems in engineering.
 
#26 ·
Just remember the 195 is different from the rest. About the only parts shared were the sheet metal on the front. I don't even know if there was a Jake equal to the 195 series.
 
#27 ·
Yes there was, and in fact they sold more of them in Orange , that rig was a transitional unit and co-built with Gilson . It has a channeled frame and gobs of mickey mouse linkages for brakes, and mower deck stuff. They tried to copy Deere and failed bigtime. If you were mechanically inclined and had a knack for modifications you could really make something of this rig, but if you were not...... ouch!
 
#29 ·
Having owned a JD 160, Sears Suburban ST 16, an MTD 800 series, and currently my ford, I would say that the LGT is hands down much more tractor than all of them added together. Have fun with your new tractor.
 
#30 ·
Looks Super beefy! That is a serious rear end! Can't wait to see how you make it Shine Larry :D
 
#32 ·
#33 ·
Thanks Kingwood990, Looks like this has the 2500 series, OH, I got it home today. Was a bear getting off the trailer, It was loaded with a fork lift, I had to use Hulk II to yank it off. Left some good divits in the yard from the AGS spinning. Well, Here are the pictures.
 

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#34 ·
Truely a diamond in the rough, seems complete, engine has oil in it, havn't tried to see if it will spin yet. Eng Pictures.
 

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#35 ·
Looks to be a keeper. Get some tires that hold air and put the trans in neutral, you might be surprised at how easy it is to roll.
 
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