Lookin pretty sharp! Give us an update on the spring loaded piece for the dozer blade when it's in and tested!

 

Where did u get the spring from. Thanks Mike

 

Believe it or not, my local hardware store. I bought all they had this size, as well as a few other sizes I experimented with, because they were closing them out and switching to another vendor who does not have that size on his display.

So I have 5 extras I think. I will post the specs for anyone interested.

Sheldon

 

Looking good Sheldon!

 

I gotta say I like your headlight version better than the original frosted lens.

 

I like it too, :thThumbsU it probably works alot better that the lense on my 432. After I changed the lense I couldn't see anything with the factory head lights so I had to add the bug eyes. Ed

 

Update:

The spring specs - 1" outside dia., 4" overall length, wire size aprox .125", aprox 16 coils total. I measured about 90 lbs needed to compress the spring, so based on the position of the axle mount relative to the lift rod and the blade, I estimate about 30lbs of force transfered to the blade.

Last evening I cut the grass as it was getting dark and had even more time to check out the effectiveness of the 60 watt headlights. From right in front of the tractor out to about 65' is bright and very well lit, well focused on the road. Out from there to about 120' there is good useable light. I was actually able to cut the grass in the dark!

I am now working on the tail light/backup light mounting bar for behind the seat.

Sheldon

 

Update:


I am now working on the tail light/backup light mounting bar for behind the seat.

Oh goody....I can't wait. I want to see it now!

 

This next one has yet to be tested, since the snow dozer frame is still at the repair shop. But my calculations suggest this will apply about 30 lb of additional down force on the dozer while still allowing the full floating action.

hey i need a new linkage for my dozer blade. know anywhere i can get that bolt setup?

 

This is just the stock Gravely parts with the spring and a few washers added. The stock Gravely rod for the dozer has two dimples/that prevent the slide from going all the way to the bottom. I just slid the washers and spring on and put it back together.

The trick was finding the right spring - specs listed above.

You can click on my picture to inlarge it and take a closer look.

Sheldon

 

ok sounds great. but i am looking for those stock gravely parts. any ideas on where to find them? i dont have any gravely guys around here that i know of. we had one in warrenton but they went under last year.

 

also those ehadlights are beautiful! one day i may have to address the lights on my 816,

 

If you don't have a dealer nearby, I would just call Richards:

http://www.gravelyparts.com/

Or order on line from Jacks Small Engines:

http://www.jackssmallengines.com/

On the jacks web site you can just input Gravely part numbers, old or new numbering, and it will give you prices.

The part numbers are #011262 and 035690 for the pivot and rod. The nuts are just regular 1/2-13 jam nuts or you can use a self locking one like I did.

I guess I'm spoiled, I have three dealers within an 18 mile radius of my house, one of which is Jacks and they are only 6 miles away.

Sheldon

 

if i were you i would go to duvalls or lions gravely. jacks are terrible people to deal with imo

 

And, as a follow up, I got my snow dozer frame back from the welding shop today all repaired from the beating I gave it last winter. So as soon as I get it painted and reassembled, we will do a "dry" test of the new spring equiped lift rod.

Sheldon

PS - The tail lights are comming soon!

 

Bumped to the top for those interested.

 

Update:

The snow dozer is painted and re-assembled.

Most of the steering brake system parts are ready to install.





Installation of the brake system will begin as soon as I feel the lawn will not need much additional mowing or leaf removal since the bagger needs to be removed to install the brakes.

A local machine shop is making the longer brake cross shaft, my custom right side neutral kick out pedal and a bell crank that makes that work. All the other parts I have found or am making myself.

Sheldon

 

SWEET! :trink40:

I really wish I'd known that Gravely sold black snowdozers before I painted mine orangey-red.

Did you replace the grip on the pivot control, and if so, where did you source it from?

 

Thank you!

That's funny, I briefly considered painting mine Gravely red. If I recall correctly, my fathers snow dozer on his 812 was black as well.

The grip is original and in good shape, I removed it while painting.

It seems as time marched on, more and more stuff was black. My dozer came black and the blower housing on my bagger/vac setup is black from the factory, while earlier ones were red. The M18S engine is blak as well. My tractor was produced in 1995, I bought it new early in 1996, with the dozer, and bought the bagger/vac the next spring.

Also my tractor has many more unpainted fastners than earlier tractors and the clutch control rod from the foot pedal is black, as is the original engine guard.

As one of my other improvements I plan to build rear hitch frame extensions to allow the rear guard to be installed in winter without relocating the hitch frame from its "blower/vac" position and without removing the rear drive pulley.

If the neighbor keeps his leaves under control, I may start on the brakes next week. With all the black that is already on the tractor, I thought making the brakes black would fit right in.

Sheldon

 

When I received my new brake shoes, I gave them another coat of paint.

I don't want a repeat of what happened the first time

Golly, what a great looking bunch of parts! You should be proud.

 

When/if I repaint my rider blade it will definitely go back all black. Easier to touch up in the long run and the sun should warm it to melt snow off better.

 

Looks great Sheldon.

My snow dozer is black, bought new in the box off eBay about 5 years ago. Also had a red dozer that originally came with family 424 from 1968. I've used and abused them for years for snow removable, and thay are virtually indestructible.

 

Those are some neat modifications!

 

Looks good in gloss black. Too bad mine is red.

 

that snow dozer looks pretty go! do you ever use it to push dirt?

 

Only once or twice many years ago. I don't really have any need to push dirt, no farming, gardening or construction work going on here. Just cutting grass, cleaning up leaves, and clearing snow.

But the last two winters have been BIG ones, so I want to be more prepared - rear wheel weights and steering brakes which I did not have before.

Sheldon

 

The one thing that I appreciated the most when plowing snow was chains. Nothing beats chains for traction. Due to the very steep hills at my father's place, chains were required all year. Kept tight, they last a long long time.

 

Agreed, I have always had chains since day one, and with as much as a foot of snow never needed more weight. But faced with 25-30" like we have had three times in two years, every little edge will help.

I spent eight hours clearing one of those big snows, and had to dig the tractor out several times.

So now, with steering brakes for better control of both steering and traction, more weight, 30 or so lbs of extra down force on the plow with my spring rod, and lights for night plowing, I'm hopefull any big snows will be easier to handle.

And I almost forgot - new front tires since the others had been nearly racing slicks for several years.

I completed the longer pedal shaft last night and test fitted the outboard brake pedal - looks and works great. Also started on the parts for the pedal lock.

It's looking like one more mowing in a few days and I can then do without the bagger and get really into the brake installation.

Thank you to all for the kind words and support.

Sheldon

 

Sheldon, it's funny that we are both Marylanders and both highly motivate to maximize our Gravely rider snow removal capability after the experience of the last two snowy winters. My reaction has been to add new tires, steering brakes, rear wheel weights and a rear weight rack on the 8179KT, which will drive my 48" blower. I already had chains for the 8179KT. I also bought an 816 for snow dozing, added front and rear wheel weights and will be purchasing chains. I have a long paved driveway that winds up the side of a small mountain so it's pretty steep. I live on top. Last year the 8179 simply couldn't handle the blower, I couldn't steer it at all going down the driveway, and there is no chance of using the blower while driving up hill, not enough traction. The plow works great for anything less than 6 to 8 inches. Of course after all this work and investment we'll probably have a mild winter with little to no snow!

 

Of course after all this work and investment we'll probably have a mild winter with little to no snow!

isgus: We had one good snow last year and it was real fun clearing the drive while everyone else watched in awe. I hope I get to at least play once this winter with the rider and walk behind plows. I'll leave the MA115 blower for the two wheelers for my dad to play with.

 

I left dad a snowblade on the Pro 8 this year. Won't snow in SE Ohio now.

 

What are you guys using for front weight

 

At the top of this thread you will see photos of my 16G. It has original GRAVELY front wheel weights that are 35 lb each. That is all the extra front weight I have ever had or needed.

I need those year round because of the bagger/vac on the rear in summer.

I never had any rear weights until now. We will see how much that helps if we get some real snow.

Sheldon

 

I thought about getting or making a 2 in hitch for the front and hanging two or three suit case weights off the front.Can't find any front wheel weights

 

Over the last few days I have removed the bagger/vac and begun the steering brake installation.

Here are a few pics, please excuse the picture quality.







So the brake assemblies are now installed, as are the rear wheel weights. I elected to hold off painting the rear wheels since I may buy new tires in the spring.

Next will come the dual brake pedal assembly. All those parts are ready, so maybe tomorrow if I get time.

Still waiting on the machine shop to make my other parts - the cross shaft and other parts for my neutral kick out pedal.

One day I hope to actually learn how to work this camera I have.

And, for those of you who did not see it in the other thread, I made a locking bar for the snow dozer:



Which stores itself on the blade when not in use.



More soon,

Sheldon