Doug's 1974 B-80

[DougsTractorShed 86]

Hey everyone. I snagged my third Horse last week, which also happens to be my first "real" non-Toro produced Horse (my others being a 1990 312-H and a 2002 314-8)- a 1974 B-80. I always monitor local Horse selling activity around my area here in St. Louis, but given i didn't "need" to take on a project, I always have just been sitting on the sidelines. I noticed a B-80 went up for sale local for only $200, with a blade and wheel weights (!), that also appeared to be in sound mechanical condition. I messaged them right away and I was the first to say I'd pick it up sight un-seen, so it was mine. I went with a trailer and bam. 

 

Even better, it ran great! The only issue I could see was that the PTO was stuck on. 

Heck of a deal!

 

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2021 by thisdougsforu

[DougsTractorShed 86]

I then gave it a wash-down and got it off the trailer (when the points were dried out!). It even had the original manual, still! The owner said he had been using it the last 30 years mainly to plow snow or haul logs in a cart around his property. 

 

The motor started and ran strong, but as I mentioned the PTO was stuck on, so the motor did NOT like starting with that kind of load. I took the pulley off and it looks like the reason it was stuck was because the shaft had some rust on it. The pulley itself did too, causing the friction plate to hang. After removing the rust and giving a nice wipedown and oiling, the PTO functioned perfectly. The engine was MUCH happier. The tractor even cut grass very well, although it's pretty clear the blades need sharpened. 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2021 by thisdougsforu

[DougsTractorShed 86]

I wanted to get some ags and ribs, so i called a friend up that restores Wheel Horses (what-up Ric!). He had some tires that were perfect. Some mounted Carlisles with tubes and brand new Deestone Air Locs with tubes. I had a local place mount the fronts to the original wheels.

 

The rear tires were bigger than the originals I got it with, and the size was about perfect. You can see in some of the pics the difference. 

After getting it all mounted up, it turned out great! Up next is some deep cleaning and getting the mower deck up the snuff. 

 

[ebinmaine 67,236]

Excellent!!

 

You basically purchased a plow OR wheel weights and got the rest for free. 

Niiiiice find!!

[OldWorkHorse 3,045]

Alot better then my plow with a free tractor find! Congrats!

[c-series don 8,658]

Like Eric said, the weights alone are worth that! 

[oliver2-44 9,678]

Interesting "Air-Loc"  front tires.  I've never seen them before.  

[Lee1977 6,641]

2 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

Interesting "Air-Loc"  front tires.  I've never seen them before.  

They look narrow on the tread the difference is the grove in the tread is not as wide as the Deestone.

[Retired Wrencher 5,440]

On 6/23/2021 at 7:19 PM, ebinmaine said:

Excellent!!

 

You basically purchased a plow OR wheel weights and got the rest for free. 

Niiiiice find!!

Well said Eric.

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,440]

Nice unmolested find. Take care of it and enjoy the tractor.

[DougsTractorShed 86]

I've been really enjoying the tractor. I've got the deck off so a friend can patch up the hole in it. After cleaning the engine and changing the oil to T4 Rotella 10w-30, the engine is REALLY happy. The oil that was in it looked like it probably hadn't been changed for a couple years. The tractor had a smidge of smoke before. After changing, it's smokeless. 

 

I'm really only needing to do two things to it now- fix the rear fender assembly as it's bent up pretty bad and then  find a new seat. 

 

What do you all recommend for fixing bent metal? Mallet and shot bag? 

[ebinmaine 67,236]

Good to hear it's been doing well for you.

 

As to straightening the metal I think you've got the right idea.

 

It would be ideal if you could get that whole seat pan off so you could lay it upside down on something..

[DougsTractorShed 86]

Thanks Eric. Yeah I'm going to remove the whole pan for this and will find a spot to be able to safely hammer the crap out of it, haha. I used to work for a company that sold power hammers. If only I had access to one!

 

I should have some time to do this later in July and will post pics when I do!

[ebinmaine 67,236]

For seat sources you could:

Place an ad here in our own classifieds. 

Give a call to Lincoln at A to Z in Pennsylvania.

Check Northern tool, Agri supply, Tractor supply.

 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

4 hours ago, thisdougsforu said:

What do you all recommend for fixing bent metal? Mallet and shot bag?

 

The metal is stretched on that and you can just any ol hammer with a piece of 2x4 as a dolly for shrinking it. You could even use a propane torch to heat and quench to shrink some of it when you get close to the right shape. You don't want to go too crazy though. 

A shot bad is useful though if you have one. 

You can use a dull chisel to help with body lines after you get close too. 

A helper to hold it while you work on it would be a bonus. 

 

 

Randy

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

1 hour ago, RandyLittrell said:

any ol hammer with a piece of 2x4 as a dolly for shrinking it. You could even use a propane torch to heat and quench to shrink

 

Doesn't hammering without the heat and quench only stretch it more?  I've always HAD to use heat and quench to shrink.

 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

19 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

Doesn't hammering without the heat and quench only stretch it more?  I've always HAD to use heat and quench to shrink.

 

 

That's why I use a block of wood to absorb the blow and help shrink it. I did more auto glass than auto body in my career, so I might not be the best to give advise. Just what has worked for me for metal that is thicker. Not current cars! 

 

 

 

Randy

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

29 minutes ago, RandyLittrell said:

Not current cars! 

 

You ain't kiddin' about that!  

[AHS 1,439]

My 76 B80 has a plow on it, you will be unstoppable with those AGs with wheel weights!! Excellent find!!😀💪

 

[papaglide 542]

Beautiful tractor. I miss mine and really wish that I had it back.