leeave96 Posted May 6, 2014 Posted May 6, 2014 Broke out the Simplicity Landlord DLX with 50 inch deck and replacement 14 hp engine.Replaced a very leaky main seal in the bottom side of the engine, changed oil, greased everything, sharpened the blades and got-in a mow tonight.Got some surging going on, haven't figured that out yet... Great mowing machine!
Chris727 Posted May 6, 2014 Posted May 6, 2014 Nice looking DLX! Wish mine still had paint that nice:(
leeave96 Posted May 8, 2014 Author Posted May 8, 2014 quote:Originally posted by fishnwizSurging in the tranny or in the motor? id="quote">id="quote">Surging in the motor. I pulled the carb and gave it a cleaning, but might pull it again.I've got plenty of gas free flowing from the carb to the fuel pump and replaced the fuel pump last night, so that's good.On top of the carb is some kind of needle. The engine totally doesn't respond to it. When I cleaned the carb, I pulled that needle and was able to spray liberal amounts of carb cleaner through it - so I'm pretty certain it's clean.On top of the carb is another jet that is covered by a brass screw. When I was cleaning the carb, I couldn't get that screw off and thought if I pried to much, I'd break something - so I left it alone.However, last night, for whatever reason, when I tried it again (with the carb on the engine) it came right off. Of course (given my luck) you have to take that jet out of the top and while I had it loose, I didn't have what I needed to pull it out of the carb. I may try again tonight.Also - the jet that is vertically fed from the bowl would not come out, however, I was able to spray carb cleaner easily through it when I was cleaning the carb - so I think it's OK.The way the thing hunts (were it not for smoothing out with the choke pulled about 3/4 out) its like the governor is out of adjustment - but I'm not sure you can adjust that governor - yet.The last thing I need get the RPMs up. I put a tach on it and at full throttle I'm at about 2300ish rpms. I should think a Vanguard would run at 34-3600 rpms like any other small engine motor.One nice thing about the lower rpms is the tractor is very quiet...
Chris727 Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 Way too slow. It needs to run full RPM to cool properly when mowing.
leeave96 Posted May 8, 2014 Author Posted May 8, 2014 quote:Originally posted by Chris727Way too slow. It needs to run full RPM to cool properly when mowing. id="quote">id="quote">Yep - totally agree.I may have got the surging fixed, time will tell. I didn't have to pull the carb to get the jet out of the top of the carb. My brother suggested I open the cap on the jet, unscrew it fully and then take a tooth pick - jam it down the jet's center hole and pull it out. Worked like a champ!I adjusted the carb's throttle cable where it is (I'm pretty sure) pulling on the throttle to the max. Measured the rpms and am at 2600 - 2700 rpms. Very noticeable difference in engine sound.I only have a few minutes in the evenings after work to deal with this fleet of tractors I've got - so going is slow.I'll try to sort out the rpms tomorrow or as the weekend unfolds.One of the things I noticed even with the higher rpms was the blow back out of the front left lip of the 50 inch deck was much more pronounced.Definitely like to run/mow at full rpms.
Burntime Posted May 9, 2014 Posted May 9, 2014 Yep, get her roaring and you will be much happier. It will bog in thick grass at that rpm, and run hot! I always bump the no load speed to about 3750 so the load speed is about 3600. BLT taught me that one. It makes a bigger difference in the winter snowthrowing but runs cooler in the summer cutting the grass. With 14hp and that deck you are going to use all the hp you have.
leeave96 Posted May 10, 2014 Author Posted May 10, 2014 Update: got the carb issues ironed out, knock on wood, the tractor is running GREAT!!! Next up is a tube in a front tire and one in a rear tire and this thing is ready for summer mowing duties! I have to say I'm an old iron tractor guy, and like the relative simplicity of them and of course the durability too. However, this Landlord has to be one of the easiest tractors to work-on, top to bottom, end to end, I've ever touched. I've swapped engines, had the deck on and off many times and even the Briggs Vanguard is an easy engine to work/adjust/clean the carb. Haven't checked the valve clearance, but the valve covers/access is within easy reach as is the electrical connections, fuel pump and oil filter/drain. I've had the hood off a number of times, 2 hair pins, unplug the headlight harness plug and the hood is on the ground. I've had the PTO off twice, am looking at replacing the main drive belt - looks very easy too. Tranny oil filter is an easy access - will likely change it and fluid over the summer. Tractor is ultra comfortable to ride and operate. Foot control hydro is wonderful, the K71 tranny is quiet and free from any jerking when starting/stopping. Don't know that I'll be parting with the old iron stuff anytime soon (though for various reasons it has crossed my mind), but my experience with this tractor to date suggests to me I ought to find and have a spare or two on hand - just for the above reasons and because they ain't getting any younger either! My Dad has a really nice Prestige (and I've read many times of Ray S compliments on his Prestige). I think they are similar to the Landlord DLX I have, but also improved too, I would assume they are somewhat as straight forward, though the wiring might be a little more complicated. Don't know if I'd moldboard plow with this tractor or yank around small trees and hay wagons like I've done with the older tractors I've used, but it would be interesting to know the limits of the K71 over the long haul in that kind of use. That's all I think I know - happy mowing!! Bill
Burntime Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 Prestige is just updated tin of the landlord dlx...except the newest ones and 4x4.
jmhusby Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 Prestige was switched to Kohlers and now the new ones are back to Briggs again. Likes my 27hp better. The later Prestiges have full time power steering also. Always liked the 20hp Landlord DLX except for the *&^% problem of gas going into the engine. took the dealer about four trips to find it!!
leeave96 Posted May 12, 2014 Author Posted May 12, 2014 Another update: Tubed one of the front tires and one of the rears, that should keep the air compressor in the basement for a while - LOL. Having a bit of trouble with the PTO. It will come-on when the tractor is cold, but after warmed-up, not re-start. Then doing some more mowing over the weekend, from a distance I noticed my son, who was mowing some two week old grass, was going pretty slow. I figured it was the 14 hp engine being brought to it's knees by the taller grass, but he later told me the blades were slowing. I assumed it was the deck drive belt slipping. Later that day while unloading it from the trailer, I cycled on the PTO and it seemed to be coming-in and slowing, dropping out and coming-in again. I'm wondering if the bath of oil the PTO took when the main seal went out has caused the PTO to be unable to catch - sort of like the friction surface of it (if that's the right words) are oil soaked and I'm in for buying a new PTO.
leeave96 Posted May 12, 2014 Author Posted May 12, 2014 quote:Originally posted by BurntimeIs the gap set right? id="quote">id="quote">Going to check it. Don't know if these electric PTO's are servicable - yet. Some are and some aren't. The good news is my Dad has a spare sitting on a shelf (new) from when his Prestige was being troubleshoot and they thought he had a bad PTO. Rather than return it, he kept it for a spare. Prestige and Landlord's PTOs are the same part number/part. I might give it a try and buy it from him or buy him another if it doesn't work. Either way - I'll see if I can salvage the one I've got.
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