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I had always wanted a 5-lug garden tractor. I didn't know what was good/bad; I guess it didn't matter. I just knew I needed something stout to pull stuff.
While searching CL, I came across a 200 for small change. The original engine was long gone; a snowblower engine was retrofitted but had a broken connecting rod. The guy was using it to tow ocean boats in his boat yard. It was very rusty. The fender was completely rotted and had barnacles on the underside. I bought it anyway.
![Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Plant]()
![Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle]()
![Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle]()
Some time later, I found an old generator on the side of the road with a free sign. I had an 8hp B&S horizontal engine... and it ran! Not sure if it made electrical power. I didn't care. It was going into the 200.
I went to Tractor Supply and bought a pulley that would fit the tapered shaft and a key. I had to file a keyway in the shaft.
![Motor vehicle Automotive tire Vehicle brake Crankset Bicycle part]()
![Green Motor vehicle Automotive fuel system Automotive tire Circuit component]()
It worked out great, even with the wrong belt the previous owner put on. I gave it a little green paint to hide some of the rust and had already cut off the home made roof.
![Wheel Tire Vehicle Tractor Automotive tire]()
![Wheel Tire Vehicle Automotive tire Motor vehicle]()
![Plant Green Motor vehicle Bumper Mower]()
"But the title says 212, not 200." Yes, I was getting to that :thanku:
Fast forward a few months, and my friend mentions he wants to get rid of the 212 he's had for many years. He had recently scored a used (but in great condition) Cub Cadet 3204 for $500 from a dealer :swow:
I get a phone call just as I was leaving work, "Come get the 212." Ok, I hurried home, hooked up the trailer and went over. He said, "Take it now before I change my mind. I've got too many toys." How much? I said. "Just take it and give it a good home. I couldn't refuse that offer.
![Wheel Tire Riding mower Motor vehicle Lawn mower]()
She ran ok. I tested the deck. Everything was functional, but it didn't cut like my YTS4500 did. I pulled the deck off and stored it. I knew it would not be of use to me.
Soon after, it started to run rough, especially after going down a hill. That was definitely a sign of junk in the carb bowl. Guess what?
![]()
Someone used Gorilla Glue to seal the bowl
mg:
But it came apart relatively easy, and then...
![]()
I guess I found the junk. The source of this was the rusted and broken fuel gauge cap. Bought a new fuel cap/gauge, and added a fuel filter before the pump and after the pump. Later on I'll remove the one after the pump, as it's not really necessary.
The carburetor... oh the carburetor :dunno: Well I cleaned it up real good and everything was going well until I tried to remove the main jet. It seems most of these carbs have the problem of the main jet seizing in place. I tried using heat to remove it and thought I was doing well until the main jet body split in half. No pics of that, but I do have one of the shiny new carb I purchased :sidelaugh
![]()
I ended up using the old carb's throttle shaft and plate because the new one interfered with the air filter housing. Tuned the carb and she's running great. I also filed the points. Points-saver, points and coil will be done next year.
Next problem; Belts. Occasionally the secondary belt would jump off the transaxle pulley. Determined that it was stretched to the max. Replaced both belts with an OEM kit from cheap-bay.
So winter is coming, and I'm having fun pulling firewood around. Also put a seat cover on and drilled new holes to get the seat back farther.
![]()
Made a few trips and then I heard a CLUNK as I tried putting it in gear. Nothing. Engine running great, but no motion forward or reverse. Immediately thinking that something exploded in the transaxle. Finished up the firewood using the O-Deere (Orange Deere). Here's an old picture of it.
![]()
Finally got around to pulling the transaxle off the 212. Turns out the explosion was the cast piece that the input pulley mounts to.
![]()
This is where the 200 comes back into play, as a parts machine! Pulled the cast piece off and transplanted onto the 212. Good as new. I also used the wheels from the 200 for now because they all hold air. I'm just going for reliable/dependable at this point.
This is the story of my 212 so far. It's a continuing saga. I have plans for a few more add-ons to it.
While searching CL, I came across a 200 for small change. The original engine was long gone; a snowblower engine was retrofitted but had a broken connecting rod. The guy was using it to tow ocean boats in his boat yard. It was very rusty. The fender was completely rotted and had barnacles on the underside. I bought it anyway.
Some time later, I found an old generator on the side of the road with a free sign. I had an 8hp B&S horizontal engine... and it ran! Not sure if it made electrical power. I didn't care. It was going into the 200.
I went to Tractor Supply and bought a pulley that would fit the tapered shaft and a key. I had to file a keyway in the shaft.
It worked out great, even with the wrong belt the previous owner put on. I gave it a little green paint to hide some of the rust and had already cut off the home made roof.
"But the title says 212, not 200." Yes, I was getting to that :thanku:
Fast forward a few months, and my friend mentions he wants to get rid of the 212 he's had for many years. He had recently scored a used (but in great condition) Cub Cadet 3204 for $500 from a dealer :swow:
I get a phone call just as I was leaving work, "Come get the 212." Ok, I hurried home, hooked up the trailer and went over. He said, "Take it now before I change my mind. I've got too many toys." How much? I said. "Just take it and give it a good home. I couldn't refuse that offer.
She ran ok. I tested the deck. Everything was functional, but it didn't cut like my YTS4500 did. I pulled the deck off and stored it. I knew it would not be of use to me.
Soon after, it started to run rough, especially after going down a hill. That was definitely a sign of junk in the carb bowl. Guess what?
Someone used Gorilla Glue to seal the bowl
mg:But it came apart relatively easy, and then...
I guess I found the junk. The source of this was the rusted and broken fuel gauge cap. Bought a new fuel cap/gauge, and added a fuel filter before the pump and after the pump. Later on I'll remove the one after the pump, as it's not really necessary.
The carburetor... oh the carburetor :dunno: Well I cleaned it up real good and everything was going well until I tried to remove the main jet. It seems most of these carbs have the problem of the main jet seizing in place. I tried using heat to remove it and thought I was doing well until the main jet body split in half. No pics of that, but I do have one of the shiny new carb I purchased :sidelaugh
I ended up using the old carb's throttle shaft and plate because the new one interfered with the air filter housing. Tuned the carb and she's running great. I also filed the points. Points-saver, points and coil will be done next year.
Next problem; Belts. Occasionally the secondary belt would jump off the transaxle pulley. Determined that it was stretched to the max. Replaced both belts with an OEM kit from cheap-bay.
So winter is coming, and I'm having fun pulling firewood around. Also put a seat cover on and drilled new holes to get the seat back farther.
Made a few trips and then I heard a CLUNK as I tried putting it in gear. Nothing. Engine running great, but no motion forward or reverse. Immediately thinking that something exploded in the transaxle. Finished up the firewood using the O-Deere (Orange Deere). Here's an old picture of it.
Finally got around to pulling the transaxle off the 212. Turns out the explosion was the cast piece that the input pulley mounts to.
This is where the 200 comes back into play, as a parts machine! Pulled the cast piece off and transplanted onto the 212. Good as new. I also used the wheels from the 200 for now because they all hold air. I'm just going for reliable/dependable at this point.
This is the story of my 212 so far. It's a continuing saga. I have plans for a few more add-ons to it.
