I took a road trip Saturday. The kind that are always fun. I brought home an 816.
As I have learned more about these machines I came to realized the 816 is the 800 series tractor that I want to own at some point I was in no hurry and in fact had not found the time recently to look through the CL listings. One of the things I wasn’t sure of was, I do not want, at this point to own an Onan.
I know their reputation for quality and power, but also parts are harder to source and are expensive. I have read several times about 1 style of engine having 3 different starters – that only one will fit – if you have the correct of 6 different possible mounting brackets! Whew! OK OK I exaggerate…. A bit. With my experience level at this point . . . .not on the Onan. Sorry Richard, I know of your admiration for them.
So….. There I am just taking a peak at Gravelys locally. Near home and in VT as I go there regularly. Up pops an 816. It is powered by a M18 S – badged M16. Now this engine I know. I own and work on that exact model and spec and also have an M20 S on my 20G – pretty much the same engine. I started researching.
A big shout out “thank you” to lt4xtreme :fing32:and Yamoto72 :fing32:for both sharing their extensive knowledge, and answering all my questions. Both as everyone knows have restored 816s. I’ve even got to see Jasons, where I heard an Onan for the first time. And both were very generous with their time. I was able to get real informed real quick.
I was able to come to an agreement with the seller. This is the first “runner” I have purchased. I drove it on my trailer at pickup and drove it off my trailer at home. I drove it to the spot I use to degrease a tractor, where it is already undergoing some tlc.
It was sitting in the rain (ouch) when I reached the location, and true to what was represented about it started right up. It sounded great, but wants about ¾ choke once warm to run– no evident smoke – was evidence of hunting – will need carb clean at minimum. I know how to deal with that. Been there done that as they say. And right there is a big part of why I let the GAS flare up. I makes sense to me to have similar engines on my workers, with exchangeable parts and common knowledge needed to maintain them.
So the bad first. It does not have splined clutch shafts, rather the older keyed style. It does not have R&P steering. Now that I’m digging in to it, at least one axle hub needs to be replaced. I’d be surprised if that is not true of the other side as well. It is cosmetically pretty ugly. The seat is trash.
The good. I am very satisfied with what I paid for it. Because it has sector steering and keyed clutch spindles, it is likely to have the posi track transaxle. Which in my opinion ads to the value of updating the clutch spindles.
It has Front attachment brackets, a front PTO shaft, rear PTO axle block with no PTO shaft, a real nice set of Carlisle Turfmasters, and nice Carlisle front tires.
It's already cleaning up nicely.
Additionally it has an older style 50” mower deck in decent shape. I plan to go over the deck and put it in the mowing rotation up in VT immediately. I don’t mind old style and am willing to take the trouble of greasing the spindles underneath. Once I can go over the fundamentals of the tractor it may go to VT for some chores this season. Come Fall i will commence restoring it to a one-of-a-kind 816.
It’s a story for another day but my tractor was a 1 owner. The current engine was purchased new for $3000 and installed on the tractor a few years ago. It was ordered with the turned down shaft to fit a Gravely. Also there is evidence I believe that the trans has been apart. Did I mention the new style M18 S?:tee:
As I have learned more about these machines I came to realized the 816 is the 800 series tractor that I want to own at some point I was in no hurry and in fact had not found the time recently to look through the CL listings. One of the things I wasn’t sure of was, I do not want, at this point to own an Onan.
I know their reputation for quality and power, but also parts are harder to source and are expensive. I have read several times about 1 style of engine having 3 different starters – that only one will fit – if you have the correct of 6 different possible mounting brackets! Whew! OK OK I exaggerate…. A bit. With my experience level at this point . . . .not on the Onan. Sorry Richard, I know of your admiration for them.
So….. There I am just taking a peak at Gravelys locally. Near home and in VT as I go there regularly. Up pops an 816. It is powered by a M18 S – badged M16. Now this engine I know. I own and work on that exact model and spec and also have an M20 S on my 20G – pretty much the same engine. I started researching.
A big shout out “thank you” to lt4xtreme :fing32:and Yamoto72 :fing32:for both sharing their extensive knowledge, and answering all my questions. Both as everyone knows have restored 816s. I’ve even got to see Jasons, where I heard an Onan for the first time. And both were very generous with their time. I was able to get real informed real quick.
I was able to come to an agreement with the seller. This is the first “runner” I have purchased. I drove it on my trailer at pickup and drove it off my trailer at home. I drove it to the spot I use to degrease a tractor, where it is already undergoing some tlc.
It was sitting in the rain (ouch) when I reached the location, and true to what was represented about it started right up. It sounded great, but wants about ¾ choke once warm to run– no evident smoke – was evidence of hunting – will need carb clean at minimum. I know how to deal with that. Been there done that as they say. And right there is a big part of why I let the GAS flare up. I makes sense to me to have similar engines on my workers, with exchangeable parts and common knowledge needed to maintain them.
So the bad first. It does not have splined clutch shafts, rather the older keyed style. It does not have R&P steering. Now that I’m digging in to it, at least one axle hub needs to be replaced. I’d be surprised if that is not true of the other side as well. It is cosmetically pretty ugly. The seat is trash.
The good. I am very satisfied with what I paid for it. Because it has sector steering and keyed clutch spindles, it is likely to have the posi track transaxle. Which in my opinion ads to the value of updating the clutch spindles.
It has Front attachment brackets, a front PTO shaft, rear PTO axle block with no PTO shaft, a real nice set of Carlisle Turfmasters, and nice Carlisle front tires.
It's already cleaning up nicely.
Additionally it has an older style 50” mower deck in decent shape. I plan to go over the deck and put it in the mowing rotation up in VT immediately. I don’t mind old style and am willing to take the trouble of greasing the spindles underneath. Once I can go over the fundamentals of the tractor it may go to VT for some chores this season. Come Fall i will commence restoring it to a one-of-a-kind 816.
It’s a story for another day but my tractor was a 1 owner. The current engine was purchased new for $3000 and installed on the tractor a few years ago. It was ordered with the turned down shaft to fit a Gravely. Also there is evidence I believe that the trans has been apart. Did I mention the new style M18 S?:tee:
