Help Identify

[Cllishof 1]

I am looking at this lawn ranger. Does anybody have an idea of how much they worth and what model it is? 

[953 nut 55,228]

Looks like a 1968 lawn ranger to me. 

 

Edited February 22, 2022 by 953 nut

[pfrederi 17,739]

Probably a 1968 Lawn Ranger Front tires are not original. Hood hold down screws ares are not original. gas cap not original... Looks to be electric start  Could be a 1-1631 or 1-2631 depends on engine spec number.  i have a 1967 ...love it

[ri702bill 8,320]

Value?? Depends on a couple of things. First, this tractor is small - smaller in size and lighter constructed than the 7 and 8 HP Kohler powered versions of that era. As the Manual says it is a riding MOWER, aka a grass cutter. Yes, you can put a plow on it, but there are better choices for that task. Second is overall condition - does everything work as intended? Last is originality - as already noted, some small items are not original.

Price is a tap-dance between you the Seller and someone willing to buy it.

Edited February 22, 2022 by ri702bill

[D_Mac 8,618]

I had a 66. Wasn't a favorite of mine but that being said I would pick up another one if the price was right. I wouldnt pay a lot for another I would rather put the money towards a Garden Tractor, not a lawn mower.

[Howie 886]

I believe the transmission on these is basically the same as any other 3 speed from that era.

Don't know if they have a little shorter axles or not. They just have the smaller diameter tires

than the others. They are not like the later Lawn Rangers with the vertical shaft engines.

[Handy Don 12,226]

I concur on '68 LR with electric start. This was the last round hood made by WH.  I've seen asks from $350 (probably fair if all working in good condition and needing only normal maintence) to $1,300 (huh?) for these in my area. Have no idea what final prices were.

 

Pay attention to the comments above. This is a nice lawn mower. There are at least a few non-contemporary parts (and there may be more unseen). The smaller tires put it lower to the ground so it's easy to get on and off but make it slower (top = 5mph vs 6 for its larger-wheeled siblings). It'll pull and snow plow and there was even a snowblower, but with 6hp, you're pretty constrained.

They came with a Tecumseh H60 engine (look at the info plate on the engine). These are NOT super long life heavy duty motors like the Kohler-powered models.

Edited February 22, 2022 by Handy Don

[Maxwell-8 4,275]

Looks like a nice machine, eventhough it's a lawn tractor still better then everything you can buy new today.

[Horseoholic 169]

That's a really nice looking Lawn Ranger , I had a 1967 Lawn Ranger model L-157 they are really nice & fun driving tractors. If the serial number tag is still on it ( either below the steering wheel or on the side of the steer console below the hood ) it should have the model number on it that can help you narrow down the year.

[Ed Kennell 38,174]

 to the   Nice looking Ranger project.

[Pullstart 62,871]

I’m confused, why is this a lawn mower vs garden tractor?  Unidrive transmission, same angle iron frame, cast front axle… just like my 502 or any short frame.  Smaller tires yes, but that wouldn’t classify it as light duty.

[Pullstart 62,871]

16 hours ago, Cllishof said:

Does anybody have an idea of how much they worth and what model it is? 

 

Value will be determined by the buyer and seller coming to an agreement… but I wouldn’t be afraid of anything on this machine.  It’s all fixable and parts are a plenty.  I’ve seen deals as good as a couple hundred, to maybe twice that.  Running and driving condition will dictate a lot.  If you have the opportunity to test drive it, try 3rd gear with full rpms.  It should be able to stay in gear up hill, etc.  Many times over the 50 some years in existence it has been speed shifted and the 3rd gear seems to be the one that gets the most damage done.

[Handy Don 12,226]

17 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I’m confused, why is this a lawn mower vs garden tractor?  Unidrive transmission, same angle iron frame, cast front axle… just like my 502 or any short frame.  Smaller tires yes, but that wouldn’t classify it as light duty.

Small front wheels; low under frame clearance; transaxle attachment too low for most implements; H60 light duty engine (aluminum block with sleeve, bushing PTO bearing vs iron and ball bearings).

A very solid machine, though, as you point out.

If you are interested to modify it, then definitely yes it has great possibilities.

Edited February 22, 2022 by Handy Don

[Maxwell-8 4,275]

the question is: could you get a plow or tiller with a lawn ranger? 

Lawn tractor vs a garden tractor is the ability to run groundengaging implements.

[Pullstart 62,871]

4 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said:

the question is: could you get a plow or tiller with a lawn ranger? 

Lawn tractor vs a garden tractor is the ability to run groundengaging implements.

I’m sure it could pull a 6” plow just fine.  The tillers of that era were tow behind / self powered.

[Handy Don 12,226]

10 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I’m sure it could pull a 6” plow just fine.  The tillers of that era were tow behind / self powered.

It isn't the oomph, its the "stock" geometry and setup. The 4" front wheel will drop deeply into the furrow and drag its spindle, and the transaxle hitch point is ~2" lower and it doesn't come with a slot or sleeve hitch.

I'm definitely not saying it can't, only that if you want to plow go for one of the taller-wheeled siblings that don't need any mods--just hook up the plow and go.

Edited February 22, 2022 by Handy Don

[pfrederi 17,739]

Very few people actually roll dirt with WHs...other than that  Lawn Ranger will plow snow and move dirt with its blade will tow a self powered tiller. Can run a snowblower.  mows just a well as her bigger bothers just not as wide.  Big plus it is much easier to get on and off.  As to sleeve vs. ball bearings you don't have end loading from a PTO and the HH-60 used on bigger wheel horses had sleeve bearings....

Edited February 22, 2022 by pfrederi

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,043]

Remember the sweet Lawn Ranger a few years back with front end loader and backhoe?

[Pullstart 62,871]

3 hours ago, gwest_ca said:

Remember the sweet Lawn Ranger a few years back with front end loader and backhoe?

No, but I’d love to!

[Handy Don 12,226]

5 hours ago, pfrederi said:

Very few people actually roll dirt with WHs...other than that  Lawn Ranger will plow snow and move dirt with its blade will tow a self powered tiller. Can run a snowblower.  mows just a well as her bigger bothers just not as wide.  Big plus it is much easier to get on and off.  As to sleeve vs. ball bearings you don't have end loading from a PTO and the HH-60 used on bigger wheel horses had sleeve bearings....

My LR's H60 died and was replaced with an early 70's HH60. True there is no end loading, but a bushing will have a shorter life than a ball bearing. That machine is already 50 years old and the engine is in unknown condition.

 

I LIKE Lawn Rangers (although I think I look a bit silly on 'em)! But I've got a project 854 in my shop so I can have the "tall wheel" version, too. And I did see the absolutely ingenious FEL on the LR at the show.

 

I justt want a newbie thinking of buying one to have the full scoop--give his intended usage good thought and be sure what he's looking at can meet those needs comfortably (or that he's willing and able to change it as needed.)

[Howie 886]

I do not know if the Tecumseh WH used on these had the ball bearing or the sleeve bearing. I do know

they made one with the bearing on pto side .Have a side cover laying in my shop I bought new years

ago for a go cart project engine along with a crank to match. And some of them had a cast iron liner in

the cylinder as well. Pretty sure the block I used came from a WH, had the liner. Second thought maybe

it was a sleeve bearing .

[kpinnc 12,028]

On 2/21/2022 at 7:17 PM, ri702bill said:

this tractor is small - smaller in size and lighter constructed than the 7 and 8 HP Kohler powered versions of that era.

 

Just to clarify- Only thing lighter would be smaller tires/ wheels and less hp.

 

Frame, axle, transmission and otherwise is the same as a larger machine. It can pull anything a 704 etc can.

 

The smaller wheels (along with rear hubs and front spindles) make the overall height lower. This would be a limiting factor, but nothing otherwise. 

[kpinnc 12,028]

This post may cause some purists a spike in blood pressure, but here is something that may further answer the question.

 

On 2/22/2022 at 10:57 AM, Pullstart said:

I’m confused, why is this a lawn mower vs garden tractor?  

 

 

It's a garden tractor. The pic below is one I've been setting up for modification for a while now. It has standard front spindles (bolt on) as well as 5 bolt rear hubs. I added 12 inch rear wheels and 8 inch fronts like any other round hood. The rear fender setup is only because it looks better to me. It also has a Kohler K181 that bolted right into the factory holes in the frame. Ignore the hydraulic cylinder and spool valve. That's something I'm also working on. 

 

Point is- Rangers are just like thier big brothers except for the smaller wheels and tires. They are not lawn mowers. Uni-Drive tranny and cast iron/ steel construction. Just used smaller wheels. 

 

Why did I do this you ask? I couldn't find a traditional round hood, so I'm making one, and it will be how I like it. Same with all my tractors.

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by kpinnc

[Pullstart 62,871]

7 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

Ignore the hydraulic cylinder and spool valve

Ignore?  Yeah. No.  

[Handy Don 12,226]

47 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

***'s a garden tractor. The pic below is one I've been setting up for modification for a while now. It has standard front spindles (bolt on) as well as 5 bolt rear hubs. I added 12 inch rear wheels and 8 inch fronts like any other round hood. The rear fender setup is only because it looks better to me. It also has a Kohler K181 that bolted right into the factory holes in the frame. Ignore the hydraulic cylinder and spool valve. That's something I'm also working on. 

 

Point is- Rangers are just like thier big brothers except for the smaller wheels and tires. They are not lawn mowers. Uni-Drive tranny and cast iron/ steel construction. Just used smaller wheels. 

Why did I do this you ask? I couldn't find a traditional round hood, so I'm making one, and it will be how I like it. Same with all my tractors.

 

   

Your points are valid, but IMHO for a newbie asking about something they've seen in an ad, without us having any idea of their ability or interest to make the several significant changes you've made (engine, front axle/spindles/hubs/tires, rear hubs/wheels/tires, rear hitch) it is not yet a garden tractor.

 

I thought long about modifying my LR as you've done and for the same reasons!

In the end, however, I decided not to change it, leaving it to be what it is. Fortunately for me, I was able to find a needs-a-lot-of-work 854 at a price I was willing to pay to get me what I wanted. That one will get a few "upgrades" for sure.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Handy Don