604

[ML3 1,212]

Scored a 604 today! Only bout an hour away too! Original owner went into nursing home so family was clearing out barn. Runs good but needs choke on to stay running- should be an easy fix. Will need belts. Mower deck functions, short frame plow included, tire chains, original manuals. 

 

They had 416-8 but still use it to mow- I tried to buy it. Also had a non running C125 black hood that they are willing to give away whole or parts. They gave me hood off it. My C105 has a dented hood so I'll use it. Few misc pull plows in their barn but I just don't have any use for them or the room.

 

Not bad deal for $350???? 

[Achto 27,594]

8 hours ago, ML3 said:

Few misc pull plows in their barn but I just don't have any use for them or the room.

 

Awesome tractor!! I would go back & grab any  stuff that they want to get rid of. If nothing else you could get the stuff into the hands of someone who can use it. 

[ri702bill 8,327]

Good score. I see the nut & bolt to hold the steering wheel on - easy removal. AND - the hood is NOT cut below the steering shaft, like soooo many had done.

That looks like a 1965 or later 36" deck - cuts better than the 61-64 rectangular "suitcase" deck. Can be a bit of an adventure to change the double belts - ask @Handy Don - take a BUNCH of pictures before disassembly.

Edited May 17, 2023 by ri702bill

[squonk 41,136]

44 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Good score. I see the nut & bolt to hold the steering wheel on - easy removal. AND - the hood is NOT cut below the steering shaft, like soooo many had done.

That looks like a 1965 or later 36" deck - cuts better than the 61-64 rectangular "suitcase" deck. Can be a bit of an adventure to change the double belts - ask @Handy Don - take a BUNCH of pictures before disassembly.

That 32" deck was used in 64. We had the exact same deck brand new on a 604 when I was a kid. That one has the individual belt adjustment rods for the belt. Later ones had the single bolt plus the wheel height adjuster.

 

First thing to get when changing belts is LOTS OF RAGS! 

Edited May 17, 2023 by squonk

[Handy Don 12,233]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

That 32" deck was used in 64. We had the exact same deck brand new on a 604 when I was a kid. That one has the individual belt adjustment rods for the belt. Later ones had the single bolt plus the wheel height adjuster.

 

First thing to get when changing belts is LOTS OF RAGS! 

 

Good eye. This version was nice for adjusting the triple pulley-to-cross shaft dual-belt tension but awkward for adjusting cutting height. The “single bolt” tension adjusters (65-68) have that handy hole in the tensioner shaft for a lever to tighten the belt with one hand while simultaneously tightening the bolt with the other hand (clever engineering!) and those models’ gage wheel height adjuster is much easier to use.

 

IMHO the NEXT thing to get (right after the rags) is the exact correct belts. The clearances on these decks are amazingly tight and the height of the belts, in addition to the cross-section, is critical.

 

I also noticed in the 604 image above the duct tape solution to the lost grease hole caps on the deck gear cover! 👍

Edited May 17, 2023 by Handy Don

[ML3 1,212]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

 

Good eye. This version was nice for adjusting the triple pulley-to-cross shaft dual-belt tension but awkward for adjusting cutting height. The “single bolt” tension adjusters (65-68) have that handy hole in the tensioner shaft for a lever to tighten the belt with one hand while simultaneously tightening the bolt with the other hand (clever engineering!) and those models’ gage wheel height adjuster is much easier to use.

 

IMHO the NEXT thing to get (right after the rags) is the exact correct belts. The clearances on these decks are amazingly tight and the height of the belts, in addition to the cross-section, is critical.

 

I also noticed in the 604 image above the duct tape solution to the lost grease hole caps on the deck gear cover! 👍

There was duct tape over the grease covers. Lol! I bought BTS according to sizes in mower manual that came with. 28" & 37" ???

Definitely gotta figure out how to change the belt on the deck. I'm sure I'm missing something??? 1st gotta pressure wash so it's not as filthy to work on. 

 

Also gotta get it to run w/choke off. Otherwise it starts easy & runs great 

[Handy Don 12,233]

32 minutes ago, ML3 said:

Definitely gotta figure out how to change the belt on the deck. I'm sure I'm missing something???

There is no shortcut for changing those dual belts.

 

At first you might think you can squeeeeezzzeee the belt out between the pulley and the deck shell. You can’t.

 

Then you might think you can just loosen the cross-shaft bearing holder (two bolts from under the deck) on the right side to be able to get some play in the cross-shaft. Almost but not quite.

 

You have to loosen BOTH cross-shaft bearing holders, rotate the left one 90º to get the shaft to move sideways and downward on that side (to disengage from the gear) while lifting the one on the right side. THEN you have just barely enough room to remove and reinstall the belts.

 

Oh, and of course you have to have the gear covers off (preferably without losing or else planning to replace those impossibly small sheet metal screws) and handle those greasy gears to do this? (I use nitrile gloves and keep plenty of those rags nearby.)

 

AND just when you are well into (or finished) with buttoning it back up you realize “s**t, I didn’t make sure to engage the face/bevel gears while the blades were 90º apart in their rotation."

 

You might be tempted to try a gear puller to remove the face gear on one side. Don’t do this if you haven’t first removed the bevel gear and blade shaft on that side.

 

Ultimately, I arrived at the conclusion that if I need to replace the belts, I will be doing a full teardown and servicing of the deck. Welcome to 60’s mowing decks!

 

[ML3 1,212]

14 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

There is no shortcut for changing those dual belts.

 

At first you might think you can squeeeeezzzeee the belt out between the pulley and the deck shell. You can’t.

 

Then you might think you can just loosen the cross-shaft bearing holder (two bolts from under the deck) on the right side to be able to get some play in the cross-shaft. Almost but not quite.

 

You have to loosen BOTH cross-shaft bearing holders, rotate the left one 90º to get the shaft to move sideways and downward on that side (to disengage from the gear) while lifting the one on the right side. THEN you have just barely enough room to remove and reinstall the belts.

 

Oh, and of course you have to have the gear covers off (preferably without losing or else planning to replace those impossibly small sheet metal screws) and handle those greasy gears to do this? (I use nitrile gloves and keep plenty of those rags nearby.)

 

AND just when you are well into (or finished) with buttoning it back up you realize “s**t, I didn’t make sure to engage the face/bevel gears while the blades were 90º apart in their rotation."

 

You might be tempted to try a gear puller to remove the face gear on one side. Don’t do this if you haven’t first removed the bevel gear and blade shaft on that side.

 

Ultimately, I arrived at the conclusion that if I need to replace the belts, I will be doing a full teardown and servicing of the deck. Welcome to 60’s mowing decks!

 

Thanks for the information. Guess I won't be mowing this afternoon with it? 🤣

 

I need to get a drive belt also. So I gotta figure out what size

[ri702bill 8,327]

Look in the "Manual" section for your deck. BEFORE you download it, Garry has listed the belt sizes there for standard replacement belts . just changed the 1/2" PTO belt on the 854 8 Speed - it is a 4L280 - I prefer the Kevlar coated one. LOTS of the same parts got used on the 32 and 36 inch decks over the years...

Bill

[WHGuy413 2,690]

Awesome score. Jealous that your hood hasn’t been cut. My 603 and my sons 604 that he’s restoring both have been cut. But I do have an uncut hood squirreled away. Just haven’t had time to clean it up and paint it nice. Love these round hoods.

[ML3 1,212]

1 hour ago, WHGuy413 said:

Awesome score. Jealous that your hood hasn’t been cut. My 603 and my sons 604 that he’s restoring both have been cut. But I do have an uncut hood squirreled away. Just haven’t had time to clean it up and paint it nice. Love these round hoods.

I like the round hoods too. I really don't need the 604. Probably sell it if I get motivated. However, for what it's worth I like that it's a 1 owner tractor. I'm ready for a really nice show tractor now. 

[squonk 41,136]

Yup PTO is 1/2"  X 28" 4L280 and the 2 deck belts are 3/8"" X 37"  3L370.

 

I remember doing those belts when I was about 12 

Edited May 17, 2023 by squonk

[Pullstart 62,905]

Awesome score!  I might suggest soaking the carb in Berryman Carb Dip to clean the fuel passages well.  You could always try running some Seafoam through it for a tank or two and then get it running wide open with the air cleaner body unscrewed from the carb and stick your palm over the carb opening, hard choking it out and hopefully pulling any debris through with the 100% vacuum.

[ML3 1,212]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

Awesome score!  I might suggest soaking the carb in Berryman Carb Dip to clean the fuel passages well.  You could always try running some Seafoam through it for a tank or two and then get it running wide open with the air cleaner body unscrewed from the carb and stick your palm over the carb opening, hard choking it out and hopefully pulling any debris through with the 100% vacuum.

I planned to try something like that. I may just buy a cheapo carb off Amazon to use for now. I put one on my 654 & it really works great. Of course I'll save the original carb like I did on the 654. I noticed the carb gasket looks like it's homemade cardboard?? That might be some if not all of the problem?? I was amazed at how clean the inside of the fuel tank was. 

[Handy Don 12,233]

13 hours ago, ML3 said:

carb gasket looks like it's homemade cardboard

Only a problem if it’s leaking air.

I’ve done this in a pinch myself.

[ML3 1,212]

32 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Only a problem if it’s leaking air.

I’ve done this in a pinch myself.

I just ordered a carb. Should arrive tomorrow. Want to get it running properly. Then I'll tackle the belts on mower deck- that doesn't look like fun

[Handy Don 12,233]

3 minutes ago, ML3 said:

mower deck- that doesn't look like fun

We all have different definitions of fun, right? 

[ML3 1,212]

Just now, Handy Don said:

We all have different definitions of fun, right? 

I'm figuring it's an afternoons worth of work w/lotsa swearing, along with a good cigar & probably a12pack of beer

[ML3 1,212]

Put Amazon carb on 604. Slight idle adjustment & it runs great. Changed fuel line & fuel tank shut off as it was leaking slightly. Also changed engine oil & transmission gear lube too. 

 

Now I gotta get the energy to tackle the belts on the mower deck. Wish I had an outline/step by step instruction. It's a RM 324 mower. 

[wallfish 17,003]

17 minutes ago, ML3 said:

Wish I had an outline/step by step instruction. It's a RM 324 mower. 

Step 1: Take it apart

Step 2: put new belts on

Step 3: Put it all back together and adjust.

Start by removing the parts to get the belts off. Download the mower deck manual which might help if you haven't already. You'll be fine!  Just ask questions on anything your not sure of. Each one is possibly going to have different challenges as those parts are 60 + years old.

[ML3 1,212]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

Step 1: Take it apart

Step 2: put new belts on

Step 3: Put it all back together and adjust.

Start by removing the parts to get the belts off. Download the mower deck manual which might help if you haven't already. You'll be fine!  Just ask questions on anything your not sure of. Each one is possibly going to have different challenges as those parts are 60 + years old.

I actually have the original printed manual along with a bunch of paperwork. Like I mentioned I bought it from original owners family. He went into nursing home so the son in law & brother were handling his affairs. I don't really need to keep it as I have the 654 & I prefer the electric start. However, being a pretty well documented 1 previous owner tractor (not that it really matters) I seem to find that interesting. 

[wallfish 17,003]

3 hours ago, ML3 said:

I seem to find that interesting. 

Me too!

Definitely worth doing it justice if nothing more than to honor the man who owned it before. Since he had it that long it's obviously something he cherished.

My family isn't going to want the stuff I collect and cherish but hopefully it somehow finds the right person with some passion to carry on after I'm gone, instead of it/them ending up as parts or in a scrap yard