A Tale of Two Parts Tractors

[Yossarian 208]

My main mower is a rode a hard and put up wet 246-H.  It's done everything I've asked of it so far and that's more than I've had a right to ask. It will mow through grass that stands taller than the hood.  It eats trees and brush up to an inch in diameter without a second thought. When the blades aren't bent to hell it leaves a nice cut.  It also leaks and burns oil like no ones business,you can literally see the oil seep out when it's running . The deck is serviceable but very nearly rotted through. It may be salvageable if I can find someone good enough with a welding torch.  And the PTO clutch is recently deceased.

 

  I have a line on a 211-5 that, according to the owner, will cut grass if it gets a seat and a battery. The 38" deck is a lot smaller than I really need to keep up with what I mow, but for the $125 the guy is asking it's cheaper than a new PTO for the 246 and might be a workable stop gap until the end of the season. I know that neither of these mowers  are as collectible or capable as the horizontal shaft  machines but I also know that the 200 series have more guts than box store mowers and the disposable MTD junk I can find around here for sale.  From what research I've done the 211-5 is a geared transmission vs the hydro on my 246-H. Aside from that, is there anything else compatible between the two?  From the picture the 211-5 looks to be in better shape than my 246H. 

[953 nut 56,585]

8 hours ago, Yossarian said:

have a line on a 211-5 that, according to the owner, will cut grass if it gets a seat and a battery.

Take a battery with you and let the seller show you how well it runs.

The sheet metal and steering parts would all interchange and you could probably swap that engine into your 246.

 

[Tractorhead 9,065]

The old sheetmetal‘s are better than several other ( newer) machines i had seen until now.

It‘s metal parts are thicker than MTD or compatibles.

i own a 212-5 with a previous installed Onan Engine, what was greatly suited for it‘s Job

 

As a Rideon mower it‘s not bad and it‘s Sheetmetal is much stiffer than it appears,

but it‘s definitely far from a Gardentractor but for it‘s original Job a good Machine.

Not comparable to an old Wheelhorse, but better that the thinsheet- plasiccrap they sold today as rideon mower here.

 

3. Gear for me is the perfect speed for Cut.

 

The Engine was nice, but mine was out of a buring Barn and sits after that one year hulled in fire distinguisher outside.

That enforces it‘s rust, and maybe killed my Engine, but i swaped it to a cheap Loncin Engine.

That is a Beast of an Engine with 16HP and so perfect suited for the weekly Job.

Cutting grass up to Fenderheight is no Problem with a bit slower Gear 2. i.eg.

 

Take an eye on the Gearbox, if right clutch/ brakepedal is pressed, the gear must shift easily without much force,

and inspect also the Pushrod and steering for Play. If not the Pullforks in the Gearbox are worn out.

be about 60$ for the Parts and 2h of Screwing to fix that Tranny.

 

When you opened the hood, look at the bottom under the Fueltank, there is the Steering Gear.

There shall not be much wear in it.

If Steeringwheel have a lot of Play and the gearset itself looks good, do a closer look at the Frontaxle if 

Pivot pin is worn out.

If so the whole Axle will lightly move for and back if steeringwheel is turned.

if yes, leave it if not, you can take it.

 

Basically as a rideon mower it is not Bad at all and a hundret it’s worth if not too worn out.

Mine after it‘s history is heavy worn out, but it can still handle a weekly Mowing over  nearly 1500 squaremeters 

Some of my steelparts are badly after overheating, but it still does it‘s Job, better than i expected

but not comparable to a Horizontal Engine Tractor. 

If you have the ability for a cheap Horizontal, i would preferred that option.

 

As allready mentioned do a testride with it and let it explain to yourself from the PO.