Thinking of moving up....

Ingersoll444 · Oct 2, 2010

OK... so I got into the Gravely game quite a few years ago, when I picked up my two L models. Picked me up some attachments over the years, and realy like the usefullness of the Gravely two wheelers... But you know... projects come, and projects go, and your priortys change. ... So Wile I realy like the old L's, and there old school tech, I think its time to move up a few 20 years and get something a little more modern and user frendly. Im realy thinking of selling of the old L's, and moving up to a later model Kohler powerd walk behind. You know... I know Kohlers. Parts are everywere, and it would be nice having something that the wife can fire up and use also. [She used the L ONCE.. said never agean.

] The thing is I know little about the newer ones. Im thinking I want to look for at least a 12hp model to be much of a power increase over the old Gravely engine... but what other models are out there? Any models to walk away from??? Im not realy looking for anything real fancy...or too new.. just a good relyable, everyday workhorse.

specfour · Oct 2, 2010

I don't know which model to recommend, but I will tell you to make sure the fuel tank on a Kohler powered one is in good shape. These things are super pricey, going for over 100 used on feebay.

Ingersoll444 · Oct 2, 2010

Good tip thanks. I have seen a lot of posts about tanks over the years, so it must be a issue.

PA RedRider · Oct 2, 2010

So I'll recommend to you the same that was recommended to me here about a year ago when I got my first wakbehind, a 7.6 C8. Although I did not take everyone's advice, it was still good advice, just, not in line with my budget at the time. A lightly used 5665 was the recommendation. I have yet to use my C8 for snowblowing, which is an apparent weakness compared to the 12hp Kohler 5665, so I can't speak from experience yet. The 5665 shines in this dept. apparently. Good luck.

Jimmy in NC · Oct 2, 2010

specfour said:
I don't know which model to recommend, but I will tell you to make sure the fuel tank on a Kohler powered one is in good shape. These things are super pricey, going for over 100 used on feebay.

I'll second that! Fixing to drop some money on one. Going to probably have to double the price of a good 500 series just by the gas tank. Ohh well.. just can't part it out.

Ken in NJ · Oct 2, 2010

O crap .. I saw "moving up" ..and figured you might be moving to NJ .. I was hoping to have a new neighbor .. :sorry1: I should pay more attention to which forum things are posted in :banghead3

BlownL67 · Oct 2, 2010

Good deal! Kohlers are the way to go! There may be a C12 with your name on it here!

arcam8123 · Oct 2, 2010

dlv9 said:
So I'll recommend to you the same that was recommended to me here about a year ago when I got my first wakbehind, a 7.6 C8. Although I did not take everyone's advice, it was still good advice, just, not in line with my budget at the time. A lightly used 5665 was the recommendation. I have yet to use my C8 for snowblowing, which is an apparent weakness compared to the 12hp Kohler 5665, so I can't speak from experience yet. The 5665 shines in this dept. apparently. Good luck.

I'm not so sure about the 12hp being superior to a L as far as snow blowing goes. A full hp L with a MA210 will launch just as far as a 12 with the same blower. And it's so much easier to maneuver. The 12 will only show an advantage with a larger blower. You need a big blower to balance out the weight of the Kohler.

I've blown with L's and Comm tractors and I'll tell you, when you stick one in the snow, that L is going to a lot easier to wrestle out of the jam than the big Kohler will be.

Fla Don · Oct 2, 2010

The 12 HP wins when you put a Comm 40 on the front. For a 30" deck, the 7.6 and the 8 HP Kohler are better than the 12.

arcam8123 · Oct 2, 2010

Right tool for the right job! It just shows you have to have one of each.

Well, maybe serveral of each.......

gm1276 · Oct 2, 2010

Disagree on all counts. The only things I have found the L to be superior for are sickle mowing and very steep slopes (for lubrication reasons.) I can blow 6 inches of snow in high gear with my 5665 or a Pro. Similarly, it is much easier to stall out an L or a Kohler 8 when running over big trees etc. with the 30" mower. Happens to me all the time when I brush hog with the Ls. The K301 never knows anything even hit it. Don't even try to run a 44" broom, 50" deck, or any of the other bigger attachments with an L either.

gm1276 · Oct 2, 2010

Ingersoll444 said:
OK... so I got into the Gravely game quite a few years ago, when I picked up my two L models. Picked me up some attachments over the years, and realy like the usefullness of the Gravely two wheelers... But you know... projects come, and projects go, and your priortys change. ... So Wile I realy like the old L's, and there old school tech, I think its time to move up a few 20 years and get something a little more modern and user frendly. Im realy thinking of selling of the old L's, and moving up to a later model Kohler powerd walk behind. You know... I know Kohlers. Parts are everywere, and it would be nice having something that the wife can fire up and use also. [She used the L ONCE.. said never agean. ] The thing is I know little about the newer ones. Im thinking I want to look for at least a 12hp model to be much of a power increase over the old Gravely engine... but what other models are out there? Any models to walk away from??? Im not realy looking for anything real fancy...or too new.. just a good relyable, everyday workhorse.

I would try to keep at least 1 L because every once in a while they are useful to have around. Especially for really tight spaces and things like that. If you work in areas where you'd be worried about the machine (like the cliff behind my yard

) sometimes it's nice to be using a $350 L instead of a $1000++ 5000 or Pro. You should be fine with any 10 or 12 horse machine, that is enough power for just about anything that will come up.

Ingersoll444 · Oct 3, 2010

Well my "bitza" LI has served me pretty well. Frankly I dug it out today after sitting for a year... Gave it a few pulls and she fired right up.. Popped the rotary plow on it, and tomarrow will go over where my garden is going to be next year... It also does OK in the woods with the 30" deck.. But you know... just want to move up to something more user frendly.

Mark. Ill drop you a line about that 12. Im HOPING to get into the shed tomarrow to pull out a tractor Im stripping down, and at that time Im going to pull out the '44 and see if she still fires up. Ran great when I parked it but that was about 5 years ago. At that point if I get it out, and she runs she will go up for sale. Tme to move it to someone that has time to do something with it.

TexasT · Oct 3, 2010

I will agree, the larger decks need more than an L can deliver but I can say the L is much more maneuverable in the garden. I like my 5665 and C12 for mowing but am always on the lookout for another L8 to run my rotary plow.

Fla Don · Oct 3, 2010

gm1276 said:
Disagree on all counts. The only things I have found the L to be superior for are sickle mowing and very steep slopes (for lubrication reasons.) I can blow 6 inches of snow in high gear with my 5665 or a Pro. Similarly, it is much easier to stall out an L or a Kohler 8 when running over big trees etc. with the 30" mower. Happens to me all the time when I brush hog with the Ls. The K301 never knows anything even hit it. Don't even try to run a 44" broom, 50" deck, or any of the other bigger attachments with an L either.

We use the Pro 8 at the farm all the time. It cuts down trash higher than I stand without a whimper. 3/4 throttle is all that is needed. Low axle range and Low tranny range gets the job done. It is far easier to handle than a Comm 12/566/5665 when you are using a 30" deck. And has enough power to handle a sulky. With dual solid tires and chains, it can go places the 12 Hp units would sink in. In fact, it has gone places where I sank in. The Comm 10A/12 do better with a Comm 40". But I wouldn't want to try to take one where the Pro 8 and 30" can go.

arcam8123 · Oct 3, 2010

TexasT said:
I will agree, the larger decks need more than an L can deliver but I can say the L is much more maneuverable in the garden. I like my 5665 and C12 for mowing but am always on the lookout for another L8 to run my rotary plow.

Yes, that's the "right tool for the right job". A full horse power L will do fine with 40" on a flat yard and short grass, but you'll find the limits with steep hills or tall grass. Forget about a 50" deck.

My L8s are used for rotary plowing/cultivating, sickle mowing, rolling, rear cart, brush hogging, power bush, snow blade and a MA-210 snowblower. Basically, any slow speed attachment. The big deck mowing, drilling, and shredding are handled by my 10 or 12 hp Kohlers.

Heavy duty snow removal, heavy rotary plowing or tilling are handled by riders.

Thinking of moving up....

Ingersoll444

specfour

Ingersoll444

PA RedRider

Jimmy in NC

Ken in NJ

BlownL67

arcam8123

Fla Don

arcam8123

gm1276

gm1276

Ingersoll444

TexasT

Fla Don

arcam8123

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