GMT9000 w/Ford Mustang engine

It does sound kind of neat. I've seen a couple of Ford N's at tractor shows that had been retrofitted with 351 V8's, but this is the first smaller tractor I can recall with an automotive engine. If you set the throttle stops to keep from over-reving things, I wonder how much Hp you really get? Probably still enough to twist the drive train into a pretzel, but I be it never bogs down. It would be a neat little parade tractor.

While that Model T is cool and fun, it is not practical. I certainly don't see anyone driving them to work when it is 106 in the shade.


Back to tractors....

I have operated Ls and SCs without a governor. It is a real PITA having to constantly fiddle with the throttle. I remember mowing with my father's L with 75" reel mowers and without a governor. At best it was a constant distraction. My father would get really upset if the engine over revved even for an instant.

My dislike of the Gravely powered tractors is well known here. The lack of a governor on the early L is just one more reason why I won't own one.

About 18 years ago I walked away from my father's L/SC collection. After dad died, those tractors and attachments were left in the garage when the house got sold. I have never regretted that decision. I also vowed at that time to never own or work on another Gravely powered tractor. I have kept that vow. It is an easy one for me to keep. I was tempted a few months back, but quickly came to my senses.

I do not knock anyone for their desire to own the Gravely powered tractors. It just isn't my thing. Put another way, If there is a smoking hot deal on an old Gravely L or SC on CL, you can rest assured that I will not be calling the seller. It is all yours buddy!

In the end, all of the modern conveniences like governors, hydraulic lift, electric starting and charging system, and more are all things that I demand on a tractor.

Cruise control, power brakes and windows, climate control, power seats with adjustable lumbar support, etc., are things I demand on a car. Even real shock absorbers are a necessity. (Real shock absorbers (dampers) were not fitted to Fords until the Model A replaced the T in 1928.) I do not think I am a minority.

In the end, if you don't like a governor, then by all means, disable it or remove it if it makes you happy. Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, etc.

Experience has taught me that having a governor makes operation easier. I don't think I am alone in that assessment. If I were alone, the demand for L governors would be exactly zero.

Richard-tx said:

http://toledo.craigslist.org/grd/2790919771.html

The ad says "I HAVE 2 GRAVELY TRACTORS AND OTHER IMPLIMENTS FOR SALE
ONE GRAVELY IS STOCK
ONE HAS A COMPLETELY REBUILT 2.8L FORD MUSTANG MOTOR ON IT"


Is that a v-6 engine?

I wonder what he used for a governor.

Click to expand...

I also wonder about the tranny and rear end.

Like Ron said, the core transmission is the same, it is the other features that Gravely added that make it unique.

Take for instance the rear PTO clutch assembly. Parts of it should look familiar.

Richard-tx said:

Like Ron said, the core transmission is the same, it is the other features that Gravely added that make it unique.

Take for instance the rear PTO clutch assembly. Parts of it should look familiar.

Click to expand...

I love, love, love how the Gravely engineers figured out how to take the standard rider tranny, drive it from the front, and put a PTO out the back. Talk about versatile!

Okey dokey, here is a pic of the governor linkage.



And as for the tractor with the ford V-6...... Here is what's left of it.

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Pretty sure that's the same tractor..... No idea why it got disassembled from a functioning tractor.... (with no governor......)

One thing I have found on the 9000 series tractor that REQUIRES them to have the governor, is the driveshaft, and transmission input design. Allow the engine to rev much past it's 3250 governed RPM, and the side loading at the driveshaft/trans input shaft becomes more than the shaft can tolerate, and it bends, or breaks. All it takes is ONCE, and the shaft is done. Make REAL sure your governor is functioning properly, has correct oil level, and belts are properly tensioned is CRITICAL on these tractors. Yes, this IS the voice of experience.