stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #1 Posted March 30, 2015 I posted in the thread - what's in your mirror about this tractor. I figured since I am going to be doing some work on it I may as well start a thread on it. This tractor was purchased from Baerpath this past weekend. He bought it was and never got around to doing anything with it. The lower wiring harness caught fire and the PO shut it off and put the fire out. He then sold it and I ended up with it. I have been looking for an xi series tractor for a while but the current owners had them all priced at what they should be (too much for me). Knowing this one needed work Baerpath gave me a good deal on it. I already replaced the burnt wiring with Fireman's help yesterday and I did a nice job soldering all the connections. Jeff looked up the parts that were needed and I ordered them. They will hopefully be here by the end of the week. I had some free time today so I started to pull the sheet metal off to take a look at what the underside looked like and get it cleaned up. Well here is what I found... After a lot of cleaning with the pressure washer I was able to get it nice and clean. I plan on touching up some areas on the frame to stop any rust and while the tins are off I may just have to sand them down and paint them. I think I will really like using this one so it will by no means be a show piece rather a nice clean worker. I was told the decals are NLA so I guess Terry may have to draw these up.... 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulC 341 #2 Posted March 30, 2015 that cleaned up awesome!! amazing what a good pressure washing once in a while can do. When I did this to my 1990 312 I thought to myself "some of these pieces of crud could be 15+ years old" haha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #3 Posted March 30, 2015 I've been very happy with mine. Good luck with it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baerpath 517 #4 Posted March 30, 2015 Looking better already Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lodestonefarm 41 #5 Posted March 30, 2015 That really did clean up nicely. Is there any worry that the pressure washer, blasting away at everything, will force water where it shouldn't be, or cause new harm? I have yet to pressure wash my machine but it would certainly beat all that elbow grease and there are places my elbows just don't fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theroundhousernr 589 #6 Posted March 30, 2015 That did clean up great! One day , I may have to get one of those nice machines. As far as pressure washing. I just make sure to change oil and filters afterwards. Keep in mind to stay away from electronics , open holes like breathers, gas cap , carb and it should be just fine! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #7 Posted March 30, 2015 That really did clean up nicely. Is there any worry that the pressure washer, blasting away at everything, will force water where it shouldn't be, or cause new harm? I have yet to pressure wash my machine but it would certainly beat all that elbow grease and there are places my elbows just don't fit. I pressure wash mine when I get them. But you do need to be careful and use the lowest pressure tip first. Obviously keep it from the electrical components. I think some of the cleaners can do more harm, especially to the paint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,130 #8 Posted March 30, 2015 (edited) http://www.redoyourhorse.com/5xi-series/ Edited March 30, 2015 by AMC RULES Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #9 Posted March 30, 2015 I agree. When using the harsh chemicals you need to know not to put it on paint as it could stain. Usually I hit with pressure washer first then use a degreaser like simple green or purple power etc. I did that to get it ready for paintwork. Nothing is worse then starting off sanding oil or grease. The tins need to be really clean before you start to sand them down. Craig- Great to see that Terry is producing them !! They are the upgraded version imo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #11 Posted March 30, 2015 I love Terry's decals. I already contacted him via email about them. I think I am going to lean towards the decals with the silver and not the white horse logo. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #12 Posted March 30, 2015 If anyone has the lower front valance piece they are looking to sell, please let me know. I am 99.9% sure they are the same on all the XI series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #13 Posted March 30, 2015 Man that did clean up nice! Frame still has shinny gloss paint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,314 #14 Posted March 30, 2015 Nice Steve...you don't waste any time do ya!! Mike........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #15 Posted March 31, 2015 Mike- Sometimes I get started right away on a tractor if I really like it. Others I tend to push aside for another day. This one will be the first that I repainted in several years.... I think the last thing I painted was the hood on my early 55' RJ35..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #16 Posted March 31, 2015 It did clean up nice! I have too admit, .that looks a lot like my Dads green Craftsman... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #17 Posted March 31, 2015 It did clean up nice! I have too admit, .that looks a lot like my Dads green Craftsman... I hear you on that ken but let me tell you this is no craftsman !! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #18 Posted March 31, 2015 I love Terry's decals. I already contacted him via email about them. I think I am going to lean towards the decals with the silver and not the white horse logo. Those new 520Lxi decals with silver background for the logo look awesome. You might want to check to see if your engine has the plastic or metal oil pump gears. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #19 Posted March 31, 2015 I hear that some of these Kawasaki motors had plastic cam gears. Some there changed early on and others were not. I am not going to fix it if it is not broken. If it breaks then I will fix it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #20 Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) I have two 1998 520Lxi tractors. Keep an eye on the oil pressure light. I assume after a certain serial number they changed from plastic to metal. I believe they switched from plastic to metal around mid 1998. Not sure of this but found this on another forum: "In February of 1998, steel camshafts went into all 620D engines. The following engine(s) should have the steel camshaft and stiffer valve springs. FD620D-DS02 with the beginning engine serial number of 149283…" Not sure if they replaced the plastic oil pump gear at the same time. See part 2 of the following 520Lxi restoration This is video on replacing the cam and cam gear. Edited March 31, 2015 by JackC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grinchsr 626 #21 Posted March 31, 2015 Glad to see you found one Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #22 Posted March 31, 2015 I'm gonna have to make my way up to the Ponderosa soon to see what these are all about.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #23 Posted March 31, 2015 Wait till he gets the two parts in before you head up Ken. All he has to do is bolt in the new igniter and a coil and Steve should be good to go! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #24 Posted March 31, 2015 Wait till he gets the two parts in before you head up Ken. All he has to do is bolt in the new igniter and a coil and Steve should be good to go! Not really... I still need to paint the tins and put it back together. Ken you are more than welcome to stop and help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lars 526 #25 Posted March 31, 2015 This one you just gona fell in love whit Steve.. lol lots of power and great sound from that Vtwin engine. i got new decals from Terry to my LXI and they are awesome!!! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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