gretsch Posted August 27, 2003 Posted August 27, 2003 I saw a Gravely tractor today. Pretty heavy duty looking tractor but one very odd feature. It had a normal tractor hood but the engine (which happened to be an Onan) was mounted at the very rear like a Snapper or something similiar. It was a 6-speed with high/lo range and looked to be a ~70's model. What's up with that engine design (were they owned by Volkswagon!)?
Kent Posted August 27, 2003 Posted August 27, 2003 No, but they were owned by a company (as I understand it) at one time that was just as innovative -- Studebaker. Those are, IMO, the "Cadillac or Rolls-Royce" of garden tractors... and incredibly tough. The transmission drove directly off the engine, with a real clutch, and the PTOs came straignt out the back (actually the front) of the transmission like the driveshaft in a car. Mower decks were shaft drive, and optional front PTO was shaft drive. They, like the Sovereign, are no longer being made, because their heavy-duty quality simply got too expensive to make, and didn't sell in sufficient numbers....
DaveM Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 Studebaker is correct, Kent. I have a 1966 model LI Super, and it is tough as nails. There is no stopping these machines. I'd say the only thing wrong with them is that you can't wear them out. DaveM
Ishmael2k Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 I owned an 812 for a short time and I agree, they are extremely well built and tough. The one thing I did not like was the amount of vibration that was transmitted thru the seat when at high revs. Their attachments are very well built also and with all the weight over the rear axle they have a lot of traction. Rob
johnmonkey Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 I have a gravely like the one you are talking about. Mine is a model 816 and it is BUILT!. I also have a 1948 Studebaker 1/2 ton pick-up truck. JH
arnoldir Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 I've got 2 later model Gravely riders, an 8123 with a 12HP Kohler single and a Pro G with a 16HP kohler twin. The twin is very smooth, the single has quite a tingle. Both machines will pull down a house, but when towing a heavy load it is almost impossible to steer them without front wheel weights, and you do not want to try and tow up a steep hill without somebody sitting on the front of the hood. The 8 speed trans is great, lowest speed is 0.5MPH and the highest is 8.2MPH However that 50" mower deck weighs a ton and to put a rototiller on one you need an extra gearbox to turn the forward PTO around and run it through a special axle casting that hold a stub shaft. I think they are best for snowblowing, and spotting trailers, but not much more than that.
DaveM Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 I have one of the "extra" gearboxes that Roger is talking about. It came with a rotary plow/tiller setup that I bought about 5 years ago and I have never used it (don't need it). Does anyone need one of these? DaveM
arnoldir Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 Thanks for putting it out there Dave. I've seen them fetch better than $100 on ebay for the gearbox, more if you include the axle casting and stub shaft. Me, I've got a troybuilt horse with the old K161 Kohler on it that takes care of the tilling.
stumpy Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 Anbody ever messed with an early 70's model 430 or 432 Gravely? I know where one could be had for maybe $300 with a 50" deck. Only two machines that have intrigured me beyond AC/Simp....the Gravelys and old Case high-wheelers. Missed out on a Case 444 with four or five implements for $300 last week...argggh!...the tractor-sale gods once again frowned upon me. Supposedly the gravely 430 is in decent shape. Might go look this weekend.
Kent Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 Bob, IMO, if that Gravely is in running condition, and will move under its own power, it's worth $300 signt unseen... I looked at some over 5 years ago in the $500 range and they were ugly, but operational. A 430 for $500 was beat all to heck, cosmetically, and hard to start. A 432 for $650 that started and ran good, but didn't have the front PTO that I wanted for snowblowing. Went back to buy the 432 in a couple of days, but it had sold before I got there... Both had 50" decks.
goatfarmer Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 Gravely,Clarke floor machines,Big4 tire changers,Paxton Superchargers,STP,were some of the companies owned by Studebaker. And may have inadvertently led to Studebakers demise. In the early 60's ,the car division was losing boatloads of money. So the board of directors decided to invest in other companies,such as the ones above,and divert money from the car and truck divisions.And the cars ceased to exist after 1966.Then I believe the corporation merged with Worthington,and many of the companies survived with Studebaker-Worthington.
stumpy Posted August 28, 2003 Posted August 28, 2003 Kent and all, Supposedly this is in good shape (although about half the paint is sanded off...mid-restoration cosmetically I reckon). However, it doesn't run. Sounds like the fella has several other machines (also has an old Speedex, not sure which model though) laying about (pack-rat type) and seems to know a little...claims it's just the coil. I think he's more of a JD kind of guy. The Gravely has an Onan 12 horse in it. I'm more familar with Briggs and Wisconsins. Do the Onans have points, or some electronic trigger? My guess is the machine is a '70 or '71. Don't think it has the box and shaft for a front pto though. If I get it my plan would be to use it for snow, either blade or blower...if I can find a blower and the pto. Am I safe in assuming parts can still be found for this little devil? Reckon I'd best go have a look-see, don't want to miss out on a Case and a Gravely in the same week. Plus, the salmon are running on Puget Sound...time for a 250 mile each way fishin'/tractor acquisition road trip....
powerking_one Posted August 29, 2003 Posted August 29, 2003 Bob (Stumpy): A Gravely 424 or 430 with a running Onan "NB" model single is a VERY rare animal these days. They are way obsolete and somewhat sought after engine/tractor combination. Gravely only used ~~5% or so of these engines on those models VS the Kohler K241/K301. Tom(PK)
stinkie Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 I have had as many as four Gravely's at one time. That's my second favorite machine. The good thing about these babies is that the attachments are the same for all of them. The plow that goes on a two wheeler also fits on a rider. The 30" mower from a 1950 model L will fit a tractor bought new today. You sometimes have to by an adapter, but it all fits. They made four wheeled tractors up until last year. I was going to purchase a used one this year but went with Kubota so I could get a 3pt. hitch. Im interested, 328. What kind of tractor, what price, and where. Stinkie
stinkie Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 Also, if anybody has a Gravely walk behind and needs parts, let me know. I have two that I am parting out.
patrician12 Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 I have 3 Studebakers and thought I was pretty hip on the company's geneology but the other night while on ebay I discovered that they were the parent to a lawn tractor company named Gravely.Although their name doesn't appear on any business ledger anymore the companies they owned are almost all still around.Does anyone know the whole Gravely story?
goatfarmer Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 According to "Studebaker,the Complete Story",they purchased Gravely in 1961,along with Onan,and Clarke.They were profit makers,and helped keep Studebaker in the black in the early 60's
Roy Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 Patrician, As a old fan of Studebaker lowboys, I had five over the years, would you tell me what kind and model years you have. There is one of the torpedo models a few blocks from my house at a gargae. Thanks,
Tacey Posted September 1, 2003 Posted September 1, 2003 A closeby neighbor of mine has a Gravely rider. That thing pushes snow like mad, even with no chains on the tires. What a beast. Tacey
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