Another project

[kpinnc 12,062]

I make it a habit of never finishing a project before starting a follow up. I wish it weren't always that way, but it is. I like to tinker when ever I get a few minutes, so time and materials always determine what I work on from day to day. End of disclaimer...

 

I've owned several Lawn Rangers, but they were all post 1965. They are ridiculously "overkill" when you consider that the primary difference between them and thier bigger siblings is the size of the wheels. I know the front axle and steering is different, but you get the point.

 

The problem is, I've never been able to get much use out of them. I'm a corn-fed, big boned, fully grown, 6 foot, 200+ lb hillbilly, and they make me feel like I should be pedaling a big front wheel or something. No disrespect, just my personal fitment issues.

 

But- I always liked the one that has been on the R&B Stables website in the snip below. Cleats, and 6-inch front wheels just give it a nice stance. That one is also why I've always looked for a 62-64 model, which I still do not have. Mine is a 1967. 

 

So, I've modified this Ranger several times without ever finishing it. Maybe this time it will happen. It's had a Kohler K181 on it for 20 years. Best running and quietest Kohler I've ever owned. The Ranger also sported full-size wheels for a while (which makes for crazy small turn radius), and even had hudraulic lift from a belt driven pump for a while. But now I have almost everything to make mine like the pic below. Round fenders and all. Of course it has an 8-speed already as well. 

 

So I said all of that to get to this: last week I found some stupid cheap rear tires with free shipping. Got them mounted up today, so this project has also officially begun. 

 

The main reason I'm building this is for my son. As I said before, I'm about too big for these little machines. The tractor will keep the stirrups, but I'm thinking of running the coil voltage lead through normally open microswitches on both pedals. That way if he tries to drag either or both feet, it will shut off. 

 

 

[Moparfanforever 846]

Looking forward to the end result and nice looking tires!!

 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

I'm in. 

 

Like the safety switches idea. 

 

41 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

big boned, fully grown, 6 foot, 200+ lb hillbilly

Me n you brother man.  Me n you.  

But I gots a good 60+ lbs over ya. 

 

 

This'll be a neat project.   

 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,562]

[kpinnc 12,062]

48 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

But I gots a good 60+ lbs over ya. 

 I said 200+... I intentionally didn't define just how far my "+" goes. 

[Achto 27,577]

[pfrederi 17,739]

I am 6' but under 200  I love my L107 even if it looks small on me.. She is a chore tractor which means lots of on and off ... and believe me as you get into your 70s it is a lot easier to hop and off her than her bigger siblings...

[D_Mac 8,619]

I know the feeling. I am 6'5 and pushing 300lbs. I had a 66 Lawn Ranger. Here is a photo of how I felt on it.

[kpinnc 12,062]

3 hours ago, pfrederi said:

and believe me as you get into your 70s it is a lot easier to hop and off her than her bigger siblings...

 

Not to mention the dreaded fender release on bigger tractors... I've dang near crippled myself because of those things! 

[Handy Don 12,232]

4 hours ago, pfrederi said:

I am 6' but under 200  I love my L107 even if it looks small on me.. She is a chore tractor which means lots of on and off ... and believe me as you get into your 70s it is a lot easier to hop and off her than her bigger siblings...

Agree on the ease of on/off. It's one reason I haven’t pulled the trigger to sell my very rarely used ’68 LR (the other being that it is just so doggone cute!)

The 854 is easy, too, until you put the mower deck on--then not so much!

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,998]

20 hours ago, kpinnc said:

The problem is, I've never been able to get much use out of them. I'm a corn-fed, big boned, fully grown, 6 foot, 200+ lb hillbilly

 

 

Same, but it sure is easy to get on and off of. I just live with looking stupid as I often do 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, pfrederi said:

She is a chore tractor which means lots of on and off ... 

 

 

My dad is getting older now and that's why he steals my 857 every winter to pull his firewood cart with. He likes getting on and off it better than his John Deere 300 and Farmall Cub

[Lee1977 6,661]

I think Lawn Rangers came with 4" rims, but I have a couple of aluminum 5"rims If you want them.

[kpinnc 12,062]

3 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

I think Lawn Rangers came with 4" rims,

 

Thanks Don. I have a set of 6-inch wheels already dedicated for it. 

 

Might find a use for them later though!

[RED-Z06 2,221]

On 12/7/2023 at 1:31 PM, kpinnc said:

 

Not to mention the dreaded fender release on bigger tractors... I've dang near crippled myself because of those things! 

My C100...fender latch wasnt latched and i was halfway on with my right hand on the seat back...fender pops up and i went flying

[kpinnc 12,062]

4 hours ago, RED-Z06 said:

My C100...fender latch wasnt latched and i was halfway on with my right hand on the seat back...fender pops up and i went flying

 

My 867, and my Bronco have dang near (literally) caused an ER visit more than once. I replaced the bumpers under the 867 fender, so it takes sitting on it to allow the slide latch to fully engage.

 

Bronco is no better. I have to remind myself to never push the seat back while getting on it. It's a wonder that I haven't broken the steering wheel yet. 

 

But I love being able to tilt the fender on both, so it is what it is!

 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

6 hours ago, kpinnc said:

replaced the bumpers

 

I'm fairly sure I've told this story before but it deserves bringing up again. 

Partially for the safety aspect but also because I did NOT get hurt it's ridiculously funny.  

 

My Cinnamon Horse C160-8  is two tractors combined. 

The sheet metal is all the original from the well worn one. 

The bar that supports the front of the seat pan is also the catch piece for the latch mechanism.  

 

I knew I needed to add a bit of metal there but hadn't gotten to it and I REALLY wanted to take a ride on my newly restored  tractor.  (Remember that was the year we had the horrific oil spill here in the basement so everything was put in hold for a couple months)

 

Trina was out on the side deck taking a video or pics of me driving around a little.  

She went in because it was winter and 🥶 cold 🥶. 

No more than she goes in the door I made a helluva raucous !!

The DEP had installed a stainless steel temporary oil tank out by the front corner of the house.  

I was apparently aimed right at it. 

Well I let out the clutch on a new belt and the Horse wanted to RUN!!

Tractor flew forward.

Latch snapped open. 

I flew right off the now tipped UP seat and landed flat on the small of my back. 

That tractor started climbing the oil tank !!!

 

I landed flat and square and had zero pain ... Except ego. 😂😂😂

 

 

MAN was Trina wishing she had stayed outside 30 seconds longer!!

 

[RED-Z06 2,221]

8 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

My 867, and my Bronco have dang near (literally) caused an ER visit more than once. I replaced the bumpers under the 867 fender, so it takes sitting on it to allow the slide latch to fully engage.

 

Bronco is no better. I have to remind myself to never push the seat back while getting on it. It's a wonder that I haven't broken the steering wheel yet. 

 

But I love being able to tilt the fender on both, so it is what it is!

 

I cant even tilt my fender because of the electric lift in the way...so for me its just a feature that trys to kill me

[kpinnc 12,062]

Been under the weather lately, but was itching to tinker, even if for just a minute. 

 

The wheels I got for this have the wrong backspacing, so I'll have to use spacers. I use them on almost everything else anyway, so I splapped one side on just to see how it'll look.

 

Gotta say these tires do look pretty snazzy, and the 1-inch spacer is perfect. Front wheels need stripping down and painting, so that has to wait for now. I found some cheap tri ribs for the fronts, but they aren't mounted yet.

 

 

[kpinnc 12,062]

Got a little more done today. Wanted to paint the frame, but found it a little rougher than expected after the pressure wash. 

 

So I mounted the front tires and painted the 6-inch wheels, just for a mock up. The first pic above has the same size front wheels, so I'm making mine look the same. Only difference is mine has an 8-speed and a Kohler K181 with electric start. 

 

And for anyone who is wondering: 3.50 rib tires will fit 4.50 wide wheels with tubes. No way I'd have ever got them seated without tubes. My narrow 6-inch wheels were so rusted inside the beads wouldn't break. One just ripped the sidewall without moving, so I borrowed front wheels from a 312 I parted out years ago.

 

I really like how this is shaping up. Hopefully this one will go quicker than most of my projects, because it's already a runner. Very few mods to deal with.

 

Edited January 29 by kpinnc

[kpinnc 12,062]

Little more done this evening. Removed the engine and battery box, stripped the frame, primed and painted. Then got her back on her own feet before stopping for the night. 

 

There is one thing to fab, which is the box section between the center column and fender toolbox. Hopefully have it done next day or two. 

 

Tonight's progress:

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

Sharp! 

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,998]

Looks great! Where did you get those spacers?

[kpinnc 12,062]

1 hour ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

Looks great! Where did you get those spacers?

 

These were on Amazon. 5 on 4.5 non hub-centric by 1-inch.  Not being used on a 2-ton car or truck, so cheapo is fine IMO. 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

19 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

These were on Amazon. 5 on 4.5 NON HUB-CENTRIC by 1-inch.  Not being used on a 2-ton car or truck, so cheapo is fine IMO.  

 

Agreed.  

 

I run my tractors heavier than most. I've used 2" and 3" spacers with no issues whatsoever.

 

 

1 hour ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

Looks great! Where did you get those spacers?

Note I highlighted non-hub-centric. That's important.

[kpinnc 12,062]

2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Note I highlighted non-hub-centric. That's important

 

Indeed sir!