Hello all, I recently purchased a Dayton 3Z523 Garden tractor and need all the information and manuals I can get my hands on. The history of this thing is that my grandfather owned it about 25 years ago and I learned how to drive on it at the age of 3. He sold it when I was about 5 or so, and I was able to purchase it back into the family. I am super excited as there are several pictures of me driving it with him right next to me in the photos, and my boys are right around the same age, I look forward to passing on the memories. It is in great shape overall, runs pretty well and everything seems to work, it just needs some love. My goal is to restore it and take it along to engine shows, it will look good with our hit-and-miss engines and 2-wheel simplicity tractors. Anyways I am having a hard time finding recent posts for parts and manuals, most of the links are dead these days. Any help is appreciated! What I know I need for sure is the front wheel bearings, the parking brake lever, and associated components are missing, and the spring that keeps the hydro control lever in neutral is broken. These are the only apparent problems it seems to have in the limited use I have done with it. But my goal is to make it look new so any tips are welcomed. Thank you!
16 HP Dayton 3Z523 Need information and parts
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Good to hear the tractor is still in good overall condition and didn't get beat up after being sold by your grandfather 
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Before getting manuals and parts numbers we would need to know the year. There are some differences through the years, and photos would help narrow it down. If the motor is original the numbers off that will work. As for your hydro lever spring, they are always broken and a rare item to find. Part #732-0231 or 932-0231.
.Before getting manuals and parts numbers we would need to know the year. There are some differences through the years, and photos would help narrow it down. If the motor is original the numbers off that will work. As for your hydro lever spring, they are always broken and a rare item to find. Part #732-0231 or 932-0231.
I will get some numbers off the engine today and I believe it is the original Briggs 16, it appears that way anyways and as far as I know it’s never been altered. I know I need new wheel bearings up front for both sides, they are completely shot, and is there any way to repair the lever to stay in neutral without using a bungee cord like the guy I bought it from did? Is it possible to make the spring out of music wire?
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That is a 1976, based on the cross between the Dayton and MTD model code.
so one of things I want to do is get a more correct muffler for it, any ideas on what to get? Also it is missing the parking brake lever, I tried to take pictures the best I can, any ideas on how to either make one or find one? Also there is a plug in the carb that I have no clue what it is there for.
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I forgot this was posted. Here's a link to some manuals which should include any part #s you need.
Seems they were a real fan of bungee cords! I have seen many ways of replacing the lever spring. Many of us have replaced the lever with a foot control.
Some bearings and other normal wear and tear items can still be purchased new but most replacement parts for these will be used, modified to fit or made. I've seen many different exhaust setups posted, and parts like the brake lever would be found online in for sale ads or auction. I think I have a parking brake lever that is off the tractor I can easily take some measurements/ photos. It looks like you are missing a couple pieces. The carb originally has a metal block off plate on that end where the expansion plug is.
If I could get pictures of what the parking brake lever and parts are supposed to look like I’m not opposed to making my own or finding something that will work, also a picture of what the spring would look like would be SUPER helpful! And for the carburetor, basically I need to get a Welch plug? Thank you for the manuals and information thus far! I’m super excited to start this project
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Only photo I have of the spring, I don't have it on the tractor but not sure where is it at the moment. I no longer have the 2nd spring. It's a stout piece of metal and does not bend easily at all.
I laid out the parking brake pieces the way they would be under the tractor. Best I can do for measurements. If you would need something in more detail I can certainly help out.
I laid out the parking brake pieces the way they would be under the tractor. Best I can do for measurements. If you would need something in more detail I can certainly help out.
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Thank you so much!
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