My 1968 Lawn Ranger Project

[jimt1971 237]

Hello All,

I am working on a very beat-up 1968 Lawn Ranger. The rear and engine were frozen from water. So I came up with the idea of putting together this tractor with a K181 and an eight speed rear. Thanks to a donor C-81 I have the K181 and the eight speed rear. And because of Rollermans topic for the rear exchange I have that done except a few small items. I was able to use the five lug 1 1/8 hubs by using a set of 8X8 five lug trailer lugs from Northern Tool and 18x9.50x8 Duro lug tires. I have found that the engine bolts right on and is the same height as the original H60 engine Yah !!! But I am having problems mounting the battery and the gas tank. The battery will not fit because the starter is in the way. And the gas tank will not fit because it is a Kolher. I know someone here has to have done this conversion. I seached the topics and I can not find anything. I know and I will do that as soon as possible.

Thank you all,

Jim

[1961551 2]

Jim, i know what youre up against. i have a 1969 work horse 700. it had a h70 with a rod out of the block. my intensions were to install a k181s. engine bolts up fine. starter interferes with battery box. you can't really move the engine foward. and you can't move the box back. i have 2 options. install motorcycle battery. there available at 350 cca at 3 7/8 wide. or you can raise battery box, enough to clear steering gear and bring back enough to clear starter. that will require more fabrication, but a lawn tractor battery is cheaper. i guess it depends on what you have more of, time or money. jimmy

[jimt1971 237]

Jimmy,

Raising the battery then makes a bigger gas tank issue because I would have the battery where the gas tank goes.

Thanks,

Jim

[Rollerman 290]

Jim one of these days the Tucky on my Ranger will give it's life in exchange for a Kohler.

Maybe real soon?

About the only way around the battery is like Jimmy mentioned....go with the thinner motorcycle/ATV/watercraft type battery.

When I do my swap I'll modify the Tucky tank bracket to fit the Kohler engine.

I have a Kohler tank bracket (but no tank)...planned on cutting & spliceing the two together.

Another option for a battery or fuel tank is to use the area under the fernder pan?

[sorekiwi 761]

Kevin (Kpinnc) put a Kohler in his and used a little motorcycle battery. I think he also used a Kohler fuel tank mount (on the motor). I'm not sure if he used the Kohler tank or the Tucky one.

You might also look for pictures of Nicks Load Ranger to see what he did.

All this Ranger talk reminds me of another unfinished project that I need to get on to... B)

[Don1977 604]

I used a top post car battery in my C-120 for quite a few years. It was mounted behind the rear on a angle iron bracket that was clamped to the axle. The bracket was also used to hold the engine and blower on my leaf vacuum.

[jimt1971 237]

Thanks all,

I will have to find the kohler tank brackets. And I am going to have to look into the motorcycle battery. I was thinking of making a bracket for the front of the tractor and putting the battery in an ammo box.

Jim