Can anybody tell me about the Gravely Pro 50? (Is this the correct forum to ask?) We found one for $250 that runs well, but is otherwise pretty rough. Deck is very rusty and all but gone. Missing shift lever, and where the rod goes to supply power to the left wheel there is a piece of wire. It has a Kaw engine, new muffler and it does start right up. I know nothing about Gravelys or walk-behinds. Belts are either frayed or broken. Does Gravely still make these mowers? Are parts pricey? Would this unit be worth the money to part-out? Asking for my son, but this looks like a pretty ambitious project. Thanks for any advice.
Gravely Pro 50
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I think that part of the problem might be with the name, "Pro 50".
The Gravely company of that era was making the transition from the real, "Benjamin Gravely" Gravelys, to the fake, "Dan Ariens" re-badged crap from Communist China, and there were a bunch of machines with similar-sounding names.
For instance, there was a "Promaster 50", that was mechanically very similar to an 8000/G, as depicted in this advertisement, which calls it a "Pro 50":
http://www.fastline.com/v100/1999-Gravely-Pro-50-POLEN-IMPLEMENT,-INC-ELYRIA-OH-equipment-detail-63b9f2be-2c98-458f-84d0-0b5b1a57f39d.aspx
That machine still had gear-driven mechanics, and would be of interest to the crowd on this forum.
However, there was also a two-wheel walker, which Dan Ariens tried to shove down peoples' throats, as a replacement for a real Gravely tractor, and which looked like this:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3151970
And if you try to talk about that machine, on this forum, then [as you have no doubt discovered], you're basically just going to hear the sound of crickets chirping...
The Gravely company of that era was making the transition from the real, "Benjamin Gravely" Gravelys, to the fake, "Dan Ariens" re-badged crap from Communist China, and there were a bunch of machines with similar-sounding names.
For instance, there was a "Promaster 50", that was mechanically very similar to an 8000/G, as depicted in this advertisement, which calls it a "Pro 50":
http://www.fastline.com/v100/1999-Gravely-Pro-50-POLEN-IMPLEMENT,-INC-ELYRIA-OH-equipment-detail-63b9f2be-2c98-458f-84d0-0b5b1a57f39d.aspx
That machine still had gear-driven mechanics, and would be of interest to the crowd on this forum.
However, there was also a two-wheel walker, which Dan Ariens tried to shove down peoples' throats, as a replacement for a real Gravely tractor, and which looked like this:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3151970
And if you try to talk about that machine, on this forum, then [as you have no doubt discovered], you're basically just going to hear the sound of crickets chirping...
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I don't think we won't talk about the commercial walk behind Pro 50's... just not as many people here with experience with them. I have used one and did not think it was all that bad. Don't like it as much as my Scag walk behind.. but not a bad mower all the same. The Kawi motors are hard to beat in my opinion. I have a couple of FB460v's that I love. I would say all the parts are available if you really want to rebuild a well worn Pro 50 walker but my question is it for the fun of doing it or for a daily user? If you are looking just for a good mower for daily use, I would suggest getting something that a local dealer supports. Exmark, Scag, Toro, John Deere, etc. are all good machines but you need dealer support for them. I am die hard Gravely but I also use them as a hobby and have extras around for when one is "taking a nap" awaiting parts as there are few parts locally available for them.
Back on topic, just because it runs doesn't mean it shouldn't be considered a parts machine and that's what that one sounds like.
Just my $ .02
Back on topic, just because it runs doesn't mean it shouldn't be considered a parts machine and that's what that one sounds like.
Just my $ .02
There's one other thing to consider, here, too: A guy like Fla Don, who does Gravelys for a living, is [as we all know] more than happy to dispense advice on the classical "antique" Gravelys, which he does for fun [or "just for the love of it"], but the more modern "Dan Ariens" Gravelys, which are still kinda in the official channel/pipeline, might fall into the category of, "that's my day job", and [if I may be so bold] I imagine that that might be something that he would appreciate getting paid for helping you with.
Hey, thanks for all of the replies. As it turns-out, I guess I should have just heard "crickets chirping" because this mower was, as NBS described, a Dan Ariens Pro50 walk behind. But, no matter, as we passed on this "deal". I know nothing about the Gravelys, especially the walkers, but I got a lesson here today. Thanks again for the education. Dave
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