[dblomquist]

Picked up a '78 212 in what I would call decent shape. Wanted to start a thread and document the progress as it goes forward. Here she sits after a good pressure wash and before any work is performed. 1st up, carburetor and air filter housing are ordered. Engine runs but issues with the float necessitated replacement. Once installed and tuned the next up will be deck, fender/footrest pan and most likely driver console removal. My goal on this one is to use/repair as many original parts as possible since the unit is fairly complete as it sits.

 

[dblomquist]

Just a few more

Good find there---Have u had any of the JD 200 series tractors before? If so what---

1st 200 series but I have always admired them. Just finished a 445. Looking for this one to take up some time over the winter.

 

[dblomquist]

That one looks to be eminently saveable. Surface rust, and not that much of it. They hydraulic lift is good for the mower deck, snowblower, and rear tiller, should you get one. These tractors are tanks. Take care of it, and it'll last forever.

The hydraulic lift was the deciding factor in me taking a chance on this one vs. another one. Both had limited rust, this one the deck needs more work but may not even come into play. It will be the last piece of the puzzle I tackle merely because I really have no need for another "mower".

 

[dblomquist]

Yeah, that was why I sold my 216..... Took to long to mow with it. (3 acres taking 6 to 8 hours.....) and it beat the crap out of me while doing so. My yard is kinda rough. Replaced it with a gravely GMT 9000, with a 72 inch deck. My mowing time dropped to about 2 and a half hours.... Sold all the Gravely stuff I had, and replaced it with an x485. About thee hours to mow the yard, but, it is a much more comfortable and reliable tractor. I wanted hydraulics, power steering, and a hydrostatic trans. I would love a bigger deck, but, gotta get into the 2xxx series tractors for anything bigger than 62".... More money than I wanna spend. My wife has a 210 that she uses for gardening, and hauling stuff around the yard. She loves that little tractor.

This one will.most likely be used for light duty stuff. A yard toter or to pull a sweeper. I've got an x570 with 30 hours on it to mow and a 445 for anything heavy. Once this one is done I will be looking for a 100 series (as in 110) not a box store model, and most likely a 318. These just give me something to do in my down time, I find it relaxing. Here is my 445 I'm almost done with.

 

[dblomquist]

Looks great! Hopefully (or not) this winter project isn't completed before winter 😆

I'm pretty sure this one will not be. I still have a few more things on the 445 I want to finish up but this one came along and I couldn't pass it up. I did however already pull the deck so I could get an idea of how bad the bearings are. Surprisingly I believe I will only need bearings and one spindle as it appears one of the corners is broke. They all spin freely now but needed a little persuasion. Same with the tensioner and idler pulley. Those will wait until I see what is put into the unit 1st. I was impressed at how easy the deck comes off and goes on. I love the no tools needed approach.

 

[dblomquist]

445 looks great!

Almost done, still waiting on the 3 point and I'm in the process of building a front push/hood/grill guard.

 

[dblomquist]

Knowing what I have in this unit and seeing what the hydraulic option is bringing- only 1 listed on Ebay currently, I feel pretty good about the purchase.

 

[dblomquist]

Cool machine and hydraulic lift too, I wish my 214 had that feature!

Here is my 214 just for the sake of mentioning it, not trying to hyjack your thread. The 200 series are really solid machines and pretty simple to work on. Keep your update photos coming as you go along! 👍

View attachment 2527764

No worries, all pics are welcome. Especially of the series I am diving into.

 

[dblomquist]

I've had mine in pieces in a corner of my garage shop for a long time, I finally got it moving this past year. Almost looking forward to plowing some snow to break in the rebuilt engine. lol

Once I work through what I believe to be a simple problem, I will be taking this one apart piece by piece. When I pulled the deck, I notice some broken springs and some other items needing addressed. It will need pressure washed a couple more times as the tin starts coming off. I can't stand to put a wrench on anything with grease, especially if I have the time to clean it 1st.

 

[dblomquist]

Congrats on the purchase. I'm the same way. So much faster and easier to not have to scrape every single part as you go and risk a chunk of grunge falling into the engine or differential, or hydraulic lines and ports.

Or my eyes!!!!! Besides I've got this thing with my hands that has been an issue for about 10 or so years where I can't stand the feel of grease, oil or a can or bottle sweating. I wear gloves most of the time and changing them every time I pick something up gets very costly.

 

[dblomquist]

When you are cleaning stuff with solvents if you get a pair of thicker gloves they won't swell up like the nitrile box gloves. I have a couple pair that look like women's dish washing gloves and they have saved me hundreds of pairs of thin gloves.

I've got boxes of ones that are chemical resistant. Brake cleaner has no effect.

 

[dblomquist]

why I was asking about the 200 series was because I have 5 of them--210 -2x212's 214 and a 216--
99% of all parts and panels will interchange on these 200 series---Only thing is some parts on the 216's engine will not interchange--I know the head has a extra bolt on them-- I enjoy working on them ---also I have a tiller on the 216 and a mower on 2x 212's i work them hard and they just keep on keeping on. you got that 445 looking great.

You don't by any chance happen to have a belt shield for the 47 inch deck? Not sure I will actually need anything immediately but it is one item that after extensive research I can not find. I know a lot of people remove them and leave them off, all the while over the years the deck rots out and there is no use for the cover anymore.

 

[dblomquist]

Yes I do have a 47 deck that has one on it and I do run a shield on mine that I use. ---I was showing the brother in law- the extra 39 and 47 mower decks with shields I have--and had them put up in the barn where it was dry for many years and had no idea what they looked like-- I will need to take some pictures of them and load them so I can look at them any time---- and look at them again--- I don't think I will be needing them--If I remember the deck on one of them has several rusted out spots that could be fixed if needed---I just didn't have a need to look very close.

Great, thanks for the reply. Let me know what your plans are as I may be interested. Of course shield only. The price to ship an entire deck would negate the cost of the unit. The shield isn't all that heavy and should fit inside a cut down flat pack pretty good. You may be able to part the rusted one out as the spindles alone are fairly pricey.

 

[dblomquist]

That's not my name for them. Google image search it and laugh at the fake Hazard Fraught ad.

We used to call it Hardly Safe. Although, you can't beat some of the prices on one time use items.

 

[dblomquist]

Ok I will check them out ---Let me know when you are going to start on the deck---

Will do

 

[dblomquist]

I use them all the time. I have a couple of 4.5" electric grinders that have earned their keep well over their cost. Surprised the heck out of me.

Don't get me wrong. I have quite a few items that have been purchased there. Mostly flap disks, cutoff wheels, a couple 4 1/2 angle grinders (only one works now) and some other stuff. Nothing wrong with saving some cash.

 

[dblomquist]

I have a 212 with FEL. It uses a hydraulic pump driven by the primary PTO. Is it possible to retrofit the pulley on the other side of the engine (as this one is)? If so can you direct me to information about it?

I'm not sure that the pump being used for the hydraulics on this unit would provide enough pressure for an FEL. Maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[dblomquist]

@sparklie , Did you ever try the Nova ll transistorized module on any of your 200 series? I have one ordered and from everything I read it should work.

 

[dblomquist]

I'm following your thread. I'd like to see what you end up doing with the 212 as I used to have one. I didn't restore it, but I made it more functional for duties other than mowing.
When I first got it.
View attachment 2528140

After modifications.
View attachment 2528141

View attachment 2528142

I will document as I go. Once I get through all the little trivial stuff with the engine, I will be disassembling for restoration. Frame and all will be prepped for paint along with a possible motor refresh. I'm not interested in selling or even putting these units into any hard work. Just a collection of fine machines that may get handed down over time.

 

[dblomquist]

I've got to ask, did you fit 24 inch rears on yours? They look really good as well as the rest of the unit.

I'm following your thread. I'd like to see what you end up doing with the 212 as I used to have one. I didn't restore it, but I made it more functional for duties other than mowing.
When I first got it.
View attachment 2528140

After modifications.
View attachment 2528141

View attachment 2528142