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jafolk

· Mows 5ac minimum
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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
For those who missed my previous thread ( http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=249200 ), I got a pretty good deal on an '87 Sunstar. It needs a bit of work, and am hoping to do as much as I can myself. Here's a few photos of what I'm starting with:

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Here's some of the specs that I know:
  • 20hp Kohler Magnum
  • power steering
  • hi/lo trans with diff-lock
  • dual brakes with "return to center" speed control - the brakes are VERY grippy
  • hydraulic lift
  • 60" deck - good gearbox, needs belt & THOROUGH cleaning
  • front tires are good, needs both rears. They're the 23s - I don't know if I'll keep that size or move up.
 
#2 ·
Unless there is real damage or severe wear, you may be able to resurrect the rear tires by installing tubes. They are $10-12 each around here.

I see you got a pretty new seat! That's unusual.

Gerald
 
#4 ·
If rear tires go down slow I'd put slime in them best thing i've seen lately I have put it in tires and watched it come through cracks in tire and seal them up I read some place they make tubes that have slime in them when you buy them if you have a thorn tree that would be the thing to have. They want over $100. per tire fore rear tires un willing to pay that I'd slime them .
 
#5 ·
Alittle buffing and some paint will go along way. It really doesn't look to bad, I would have purchased it.

The flat rear tires are just a blessing, now you can get ag's!:fing32:
 
#6 ·
Looks like that Sumatra will clean up good,good luck!
 
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#7 ·
ezliving4ume said:
The flat rear tires are just a blessing, now you can get ag's!:fing32:
Click to expand...
ditto. Ags=traction. I prefer Carlisle tires, but everyone has their favorites.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
The tread on the old tires is pretty deep. Right now, I'm trying to get tubes in. The rims are rusted to the axle shafts so I am letting them sit with penetrating oil. I was unable to break the bead witht he tire on the axle. If all else fails, I'll probably have to spring for new tires. Any thoughts on the HDAP tread?
 
#9 ·
There is not really much to keep the wheels attached to the drums; you should be able to get them off without much of a problem.

This summer I finally took the tires off my '87 for the first time and installed tubes. The tractor has over 2000 hours on it and the tread is still pretty good. :goodl:

Gerald
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
The rims are pretty well rusted in place. I'll try heat after work today. Any recommendations on a generic hydrostatic filter? I looked around and some people are using a Fram ph43, but that seems a lot smaller than the one already on there.
 
#11 ·
A good swift kick to the side of the tire has always worked for me! (back up to it) I hope you don't need to melt any paint!

I have used PH43 once. Did not notice much difference in size. But Fram does not list the micron rating, so I am not using that one anymore.

The last time I used the Simplicity (1650954) the cost was over $12 and it was a 25 micron filter with both a by-pass and anti-drainback valve. I see the cost on SEPW.com is now $19.25. Many dealers are substituting a Stens (120-519) that only has a 28 micron rating and costs around $10.

The WIX cross-reference to 1650954 goes to either 51084 (Simplicity) or 51068 (Allis). The specs are slightly different and the 51084 has a nut on the end. Both have a 21 micron rating. My next filter will be a 51068 or an equivalent number made by WIX.

Gerald
 
#13 ·
Welcome to the forum, Cummins-dodge! :howdy:

Did you put the foam in? How many pounds of air do they act like? For example, I usually run 6 or 7 lbs. for mowing. Would they act like something much more inflated? I assume they can't be adjusted?

Gerald
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I went with a Mobil 1 M1-204 (20 micron) for the hydrostatic filter. A warning of the mess involved in getting the hose off would've been nice, but I'll happily consider it part of my initiation :) I'll probably smell like Type F for the next few days! I don't mind, but my wife will.

I got the left rear wheel off - that tire is in worse shape. It's sitting with penetrationg oil around the bead and the stem pulled out. Thanks for the advice of a good swift kick! (It really helped after a stressful day of work ;) )

I was able to re-route the belt on the deck and found I will need to do some work to the height lever. It is stuck at the middle setting. But at least everything moves properly otherwise.
 
#16 ·
Isn't there a drain plug on the bottom of your differential unit?

What I do to break the tire bead from the rim is place the tire under the trailer hitch on my truck and use a small bottle jack to press down on the tire. It has not failed yet!

What do you mean by "re-route the belt"?

Maybe you'll end up disassembling the deck and painting all the parts. If the tractor turns out to be a good one, it will be worth it to get the deck rejuvenated so you know what you have and so it will last as long as possible. They are hard to find and often quite expensive. Below are a couple I reworked a few years ago plus a picture of my '94 & '87.

Gerald
 

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#18 ·
I work on old mowers all the time and they all or most have bad tires Slime is a quick easy fix to take tiores apart to paint or replace I bought a tire machine from Harbour Freight if you don't have one around you it can be mail ordered not too expensive I think mine was $35. it makes getting tires off and on easier.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
I found out about the drain plug as I was finishing up. "Hmm, I wonder if this is a drain plug..." But with a jackstand holding up the rear, I couldn't get my pan under it anyway.

I'm at work now, but my tire is sitting in the sun softening up. I'll try to get it apart when I get home, and put the tube in.
 
#20 ·
Man I'd just bring it to a tire store. They can pop the bead in a second and have the tube in and aired in a minute. (Tire guy's around here are fast, to much Nascar)
 
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