Hi Gang. Been mulling over what to tackle for my winter project. Came down to re-doing my Bungartz or doing a Gravely custom that I've been running through my head for about 3 years now. Chose doing the Gravely yesterday. Started digging in today and got a solid(well, for me) day in. Basically, I'm taking a running '80 8169, that I paid $200 for with a 60" deck, and attempting to build it to the picture I have in my head. I'm sure it will not appeal to the purists out there, so this is your last chance to turn away:Stop: OK, now for those of you that have chosen to stay, here is my mission goal. First, when done the tractors sole job will be to push/pull from both ends. It will also be a puller at the local club pulls. Second, when looked at there will be no mistake that it is a Gravely, not original, but still solidly Gravely. Third, some of the changes will reflect what I see as improvements to the Gravely design( I know, blasphemy!!! Off with the infidels head), both mechanically and esthetically. Some will pertain to it's job as my mule. And some will be there merely because to me they are just plain old cool and I want to see if I can do them and how/if they will work. I'm looking forward to the process and I'll keep you updated with my progress. I want to have it done for the summer pulls. Some pics so far.
This is what I'm starting with.
Time to tear it down.
Bye hydraulics, next stop eBay.
Off with the Briggs.
This is what was left at the end of the day. Stay tuned.
An immediate obstacle arises at this point. The steering. There was no steering on the 432 frame(I sold it to Kbeitz a while back). So I extracted the steering mechanism from the 8169 frame. As you can see it's in good shape, as is the pinion. It will be welded in the proper place in the 432 front.
Trouble being this location is now 9" forward from the steering shaft. Fortunately, I manufacture these at my company.
We specialize in manual linkage systems. I plan on adding 2 u-joints with a short intermediate shaft. Each operates at up to 30 degrees. They are not 100% radially efficient, but close. And I figure I can make up the loss by closing the tolerances on the rest of the steering unit. Have to see if it works in the real world.
Thanks. No, on the steering brakes. Axle/hub still up in the air.
I've seen some stretched Gravely's in the past. I'm looking to maintain a little more scale. Which, to me, means going up, as well as out. Pure esthetics is driving me on some things.
I worked on setting up and tacking the frame last night. Took a little bit, but it came out nice and true. Tonight I wanted to mock it up to make sure I was achieving the look I was going for. Overall I was pleased. The rear tires will be pushed out another three inches to get the stance I want. Also the hood will be stretched 9 inches to match up with the frame lengthening. This will maintain the stock steering wheel/seat measurements. I got a chance to sit on it and it felt good. Nice and high. Took a few pics and included an original tractor pic for comparison. Feel free to give some feedback, good or bad, I know it's not for everybody.
Ellis, great project and pics. With your rate of progress, it looks like she'll be done in time for the summer pulls. Keep the pics coming. I like what I see.:thThumbsU
Thanks John. As it sits it has a 2" front rise, with 4-1/2" in the back. I might tweak it, but I want to bring out the rears a total of 6" before I decide. Going in I had kind of a "mudder rail" look in mind. Mocking it up was fun, but now I'm looking at some tedious time on the frame filling all those bolt holes:banghead3
Oh, if you just had something to break up the monotony today. You know, something along the line of an early Christmas present to yourself on a flatbed trailer. Orange maybe. :biglaugh:
It looks like you're dropping the transmission, using the top frame-mount holes against the bottom holes on the frame. Which is a cool idea for picking up the aft end Does this mean there's a plan to add some gussets or something below, for the lower mounts?
Keep those pix coming, I'm looking forward to seeing the next installment!
Man John, getting something past you is like trying to sneak sunrise past a rooster! You're 2 for 2. Exactly, and yes I'm welding matching 1/4" angle iron w/ 45 degree gusset. To maintain a level seat pan I plan on extending the the rear rubber supports the same amount. It was a super simple solution.
Nice project. I like the retro skinny wheels and tires on the front. I can't figure out what they're from though. Are they keepers, or just temporary?
Just a thought; when it's not pulling, it would also make a heck of a grader using a center mount grader blade with the extended wheel base.
While watching the Giants give away a game I worked on the custom. I focused on extending the hood. I never did this before, and since I'm not Joe auto body to begin with, I really took my time not to screw things up. I had the donor 432 hood to use. Pics.........
Cut 9" off the 432 hood
Checked things over and over and then tacked it up.
Mocked it up and happily it was very true.
This pretty much completes the overall lines of the sheet metal. I really like the proportions and the look. So far, so good.
This photo is telling. The 24G in the background has always dwarfed my other garden tractors. Not the custom though.
Looks good! Now you can even run two tanks. I like the look of the left front wheel better (less offset, and narrower track).
BTW, standard wheelbase 816 with center mounted grader blade (not mine).
Ed, she's a beauty. First close up pics I've seen of it besides your avatar. Definitely one of a kind. Awesome!!!!!!
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