[jnjclark96]

My dad used to have a Gravely model L. He bought a brand spankin' new verticle tiller and also had a sulky. We used to use it to mow about 1.25 acres of grass. It quit working and he later sold it.
I am currently trying to keep 1.1 acres mowed with a push mower. I also would like to plant a garden in the spring. you guys already know where this is going. What machine works equaly well as a mower and tiller.
I have been checking out craigslist and Ebay. My immediate question is how hard is it to get a model L running? Rebuild carb and points and condensor?

 

[Bolens 1000]

:MTF_wel2:

 

[js5020d]

:MTF_wel:

 

[jrd]

Welcome!

There's no fixed answer to how hard it is to get an L going. If you're willing to spend several hundred, odds are you can get one that's good to go with little or no fiddling required. I'd look for one that's been in use, and the owner just doesn't need it any more, or has too many and needs to get rid of one. (No, you can't have any of mine ) If you get more of a fixer upper, you would expect to rebuild the carb, change the points and condensor, plug, maybe wire, muffler, tires, stuff like that. Don't buy one that's got transmission problems, unless you really *want* a project.

I suggest you peruse this forum, you'll find plenty of stories of folks repairing and debugging the old beasties. You should also be able to get an idea what sort of prices are out there.

And ask questions! You'll find the crew here are happy to yack about gravelys all day long. Good luck!

 

[jnjclark96]

Thats what I was thinking, I am looking at one with 30" mower, cultivator, rototiller, and sulky. The fellow is asking $1100, no electric start? Seems a little pricey, but would be a complete package for what I need.
Thanks.

 

[Kbeitz]

Ouch... Around here you can get one fro around $100.00

 

[helixhippie]

I have everything you want plus I've replaced the engine & added a Swiftamatic & I have about $550 in it. None of it's for sale, I'm just trying to be encouraging.
I wish I lived in the land of $100 Gravely's!

 

[gm1276]

Kbeitz,

I am also from NEPA. Where do you find 100 dollar gravelys? I've never been lucky enough to get even a decent running one that cheap unless its torn apart, sitting, or just a spur of the moment luck thing. Wish I had your luck!
Jnj, I wish you were a little closer, I've got a 5240 with an 8 horse kohler that I'm going to be putting up for sale soon, need to install a new shipper shaft assembly. Personally, if you don't like tinkering (and I know I don't), I'd try to find a commercial model with a Kohler engine. More power, less worry about it. Others will disagree with me. Welcome to MTF!

 

[gravelymay]

Kbeitz,

I am also from NEPA. Where do you find 100 dollar gravelys? I've never been lucky enough to get even a decent running one that cheap unless its torn apart, sitting, or just a spur of the moment luck thing. Wish I had your luck!
Jnj, I wish you were a little closer, I've got a 5240 with an 8 horse kohler that I'm going to be putting up for sale soon, need to install a new shipper shaft assembly. Personally, if you don't like tinkering (and I know I don't), I'd try to find a commercial model with a Kohler engine. More power, less worry about it. Others will disagree with me. Welcome to MTF!

I agree also easer to repower.
Gravely sells a gear that fits the 1.00 dia Crank shaft
So you can put any engine on with a 1.00 dia crank shaft.
Bruce g

 

[bluegoose]

As with many other things, this boils down to how much of your own work/time you wish to invest and the degree of tinkering ability and patience that you have. As a VERY rough price guide, you should be able to find a nice running L/C model tractor with a couple of attachments for around $400-500. A mid-80's Kohler powered tractor - which many people find easier to work on/with than the L models - might run you $700-800 with a couple of attachments.

Prices will vary with location, but generally speaking, the "hotbeds" of Gravely action are in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Both States were huge agricultural meccas in the 60's (and still are), resulting in Gravely tractors being found on almost every street corner. So - large quantity/lower price. In my home State of MI, I have to look harder than those folk - Gravely's are much less common - and as a result cost more. You might find that to also be the case in NC - but you should still be able to find machines in that rough range.

And if you're willing/able to do some of your own repair work, you could probably knock a 1/3 to 1/2 off those price estimates. Most of the repair work isn't too cumbersome - a carb overhaul, new plug/points and condensor and a valve adjustment check - will often get them going. Do your homework before deciding on a machine - visit the seller if at all possible and ask him to show you some other machines he's worked on (if its a shop or side-job situation). Carefully scrutinize machines that start hard - or not at all - and beware of fresh paint jobs that might be covering something up.

If you find a machine that's non-running and you think it's risk-appropriate, bump us back and we'll give you a few things you can still check for.

 

[Ingersoll444]

You should defently be able to fine a solid running L for under 300!! I bet you can find one that just needs a little something for about 150. Most I have sen come with a 30" deck. That seems to be the attachment that sticks on them the most.

If you do go the L route,I would defently look for one that has a governer. I have faught with my non governed L for WAY!!!! to long!!! A remote PTO is a musthave IMHO also. They are cheap enough to add though. Also elect starting was not standerd. If that is a issue for you [its not for me. I dont mind the pull starting] make sure the one you get has it, and it works. It can get pricy to add.

 

[jrd]

Thats what I was thinking, I am looking at one with 30" mower, cultivator, rototiller, and sulky. The fellow is asking $1100, no electric start? Seems a little pricey, but would be a complete package for what I need.
Thanks.

I agree with the others, 1100 is too much for that package. If it's all in good workable condition, that sounds to me like about 500, maybe 600 max, less if it needs tweaking.

Keep watching CL and ebay, there's a surprising amount of the stuff going by. Like Ingersoll said, the electric start isn't a necessity, it takes a little practice to pull start these things, but once you get it it's easy. Yes on a governor, though if you buy one without, they can be had on ebay for 50-75. I can't speak to Kohler power vs gravely, I have only older L models.

Have fun...

 

[Hindenburg]

They can be had cheap, I bought mine from a guy down the road who had it in his family since new-1963-his dad bought it. The LI came w/ the 30' 106 mowing deck,rotary plow, regular sulky, garden cart(really nice), snow plow and tire chains. I gave him the $350 he was asking and not sorry I did. The only thing I had to do to get it running a little better was rebuild the carb. The things still got plenty of b___s after 46 years and no engine rebuild. Of course,as with all machinery, regular oil changes/air filter/spark plug and other things as needed, and these beasts don't ask for much and their return to you are years of faithful service as evidenced by a majority of their satisfied owners.

 

[jnjclark96]

I looked at a 5665 with only 7-8 hundred hours on the clock. the serial number was 815101? this tractor came with a 40" mower and electric start. The guy wants $500 for it. How much should I offer for the sulky?

 

[bluegoose]

Ash him if he'll throw in the sulky for the asking price paid in full. IMO, that's a pretty good deal for a 5665 with 40" mower deck.

 

[jnjclark96]

:hide: I went for the chicken route. I found a 5665 with a 40 inch mower deck, that has only 682 hours. I didn't get the sulky, he wanted another $150 for it, he bought the new for two hundred something. It was to late to use it tonight so I will try it out tomarrow. Any tips, hi speed hi range, hi low low low, I am so confused.:thanku:

 

[bluegoose]

Check your tranny and engine oil first, if you haven't already done so. Then get out and try her in all gear ranges - see what you think. Some guys like to putz along in the lower gear range and others like a more brisk, high gear range walk. The composition of your lawn and how often you mow (probably a lot now) will factor in too. Congrats on the score!! Add on a couple pics if you can.