Lawn Ranger - Part One

[jachady 130]

Recently I bought a 1964 Lawn Ranger to fix up for my son Logan. He is only 2 right now but love to get on my tractors and ride with me. I figure by the time this one is done he'll be able to ride it. It is actually a very complete tractor and ran after spraying some starting fluid into the carb, so I think I got a good one to start with. My plan for resto Part One is to borrow some of dlpaws ideas on the pedal arrangement so Logan can control the clutch. This is not going to be a true restoration as I want to leave that for the future when Logans older and do as a father son project.

This is what I've got to work with:

After starting the teardown, I noticed the spring for the clutch is broken. I can get a new one, but what is it supposed to hook to?

I would like this tractor to look like its been sitting in a dry barn for the last 25 years, not one that has been sitting in a damp barn. So I plan on doing a very light sanding, removing some of the rust then I am going to prime with Rust-oleum. I will then resand almost back down to the metal. The next step would be putting on the final red coat, but I am going to scuff that down with scuff pads as well. I'm trying to mimic the antiquing they do on furniture. I won't mind if there's still some rust showing through or comes back because I'm going for that really aged look. If anyone has any thoughts, ideas or suggestions I'd like to hear them.

John

[Raider10 3]

:flags-wavegreatbritain: Nice project you've got there Jachady. Your son is very lucky. I grew up with various garden tractors and part restored a westwood

but not until i was in my late teens. Have only been into Wheel horses for about 18 months. Never realised they were so cool. Me and my dad have 4 between us and my brother has 5 i think. I only joined Redsquare just over a week since and think its great. Just about completed a full resto on a c105. Theres some decent folk out there all willing to share their love of Wheel horses. Hope all goes well and good luck from across the pond.

Ian :banana-dreads:

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Nice looking Ranger, that's going to be one happy little boy.

[jachady 130]

Isn't it funny how we say "nice looking" and our wives look at us like we're crazy.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

I noticed the spring for the clutch is broken. I can get a new one, but what is it supposed to hook to?

The spring attaches in the hole drilled through the triangular gusset on the top of the left axle housing where it meets the tranz case.

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Sounds Like it will turn out very neat looking and your boy will enjoy it,Jake

[wheelhorse656 20]

Looks Good!! Cant wait to see it finished!!

[can whlvr 993]

another option for the paint is to clean good,then rub with a scotch pad or 3m pad,then wipe motor oil and kinda buff it,ive done it (read a post long time ago,and it was recently revisited,it was tt,s idea and it looks good ,maybe an option for your tractor,and your not adding any extra paint that will need to be removed when you restore later

[jachady 130]

I finally got the steering wheel off so I could take off the hood. Then I took the tractor down to the local car wash for a good pressure washing. My son was very happy to have a clean tractor.

I also learned how nice the Attach-Matic systems are. I couldn't imagine swaping attachments back in the day.

Next comes some prepping for primer.

[AMC RULES 37,141]

I bet it'll be fun watching him grow into that tractor.

One of the rare times you see someone sittin' on a Ranger and makes it look huge.

:text-coolphotos:

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

He looks like he likes it. Jake

[jachady 130]

It turns out its going to be harder than I think to make it "look old". After pressure washing it, most of the frame and under body panels was in really good shape. The hood, fenders and belt guard are solid rust so they should be a little easier to keep rough looking. Here's how it looks after primer and starting the paint.

Logan is very sad because his tractor is broken. He says he hopes daddy can fix it. He looks around the shed and pionts out all of "his" pieces. It's really funny.

I didn't get a shot of it in primer. I am using Rust-Oleum Regal Red for the base. My plan now is to get the Merlot Red as well and paint that on the tractor, trying to leave the Regal Red on the "high spots". Then I'll go at it with a scuff pad to remove the sheen and hopefully give it a aged look.

After I get the look I want, I'll move to the hood, fenders and belt guard. The wheels and seat will be Antique White. The wheels I left really rough and even painted right over the grease. The seat I took a little more care of since I don't want my wife yelling at me because all my sons pants are rusty. I wire brushed it and sanded it and then primed and put three coats of paint on it. It will be the shiniest part on this tractor.

[jachady 130]

I'm back at this project and need help with some info on the Lawn Ranger. I need to know what size belt I need for the drive belt. I thought I saved the old one but I can't find it anywhere. I will also need help with the throttle and choke cable part numbers and a good picture of how the governor should be hooked up. None of this came with the tractor.

I did manage to get the engine running good, and worked alittle on the body work. Once I get some pics I'll post them up.

John

[jachady 130]

Here's some pics of it with my son driving it around. The tins have all been clearcoated over the rust.

[welderman85 53]

Thats awsome he looks so happy. My wife is due dec23 with our first and its a boy and I cant wait. The paint looks really good.

[AMC RULES 37,141]

That's one proud lookin' operator right there.

[COMMANDO6 20]

Very nice. Thats going to make your son happier than you'll know.