[popcorn popper]

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/3896800334.html

Did Gravely make this before the Westchester?

 

[Fla Don]

Nope. It was an aftermarket tractor built using the L as the power source.

 

[popcorn popper]

I imagine the seat it would get quite warm mowing grass with that set up... or could you reverse the cooling fan to blow out the back?

 

[tracktortag]

Wow! From what I understand, there are next to none of these around. The tractor was actually manufactured by another company, the name of which I don't know.

They used a complete Gravely L (LI?) as the power unit, hood included, handlebars not, and attached the rest that they built themselves.

I just clicked on the ad. I guess the seller also knows that there are next to none of these around...

 

[Loremaster72]

From what I just found, it's called either the Gravely Estate Tractor or the Gresham Estate Tractor, and was built either by the Estate Tractor Company or the Gresham Machine Works, both of Kansas City, MO. They may be the same company at different times, for all I know. It also says they were only built using LS transmissions, since they are mounting 16" diameter tires.

I'd love to see the full print of a brochure for that machine, if anyone knows where one is.

 

[tracktortag]

I guess that using LS transmissions with 16" wheels would bring the gearing back somewhere in line with stock LI gearing (?). The wheels/tires look like the ones used on old DBs.

 

[lt4xtreme]

I think there was one for sale at the Mow-in last year. I never got a pic of it but, maybe someone did. Jason

 

[Fla Don]

Here's one that was for sale a couple years ago. http://www.tractorforum.com/f286/what-gravely-has-anybody-seen-one-like-16517/ Went for about $1300.

 

[tracktortag]

Here's one that was for sale a couple years ago. http://www.tractorforum.com/f286/what-gravely-has-anybody-seen-one-like-16517/ Went for about $1300.

Neat machines. It looks like they did the Gravelys pushing them justice (ie. all heavy gauge no nonsense construction). The deck looks stout too. Maybe Gravely could have bought some "front ends" from this company, and sold them as Gravelys.

 

[Loremaster72]

I did some digging and found these photos I took at the 2008 mow-in at Point Pleasant, WV. Knowing what I know now, I'd take a lot more photos of it should I see one again.

 

[CrazyVet]

I have an original mint colored ad for one. Look at it and it was about ten years ahead of its time prior to Gravely making the 424. Rear engine etc. Looks like Gravely copied it and the rest is history.

 

[Hamer]

There's one in the middle of this video:

Until this thread, I'd never seen one before.