SimpleRider Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 First post, first Simplicity…here's my Intro:Did a little trading for a 4212 Hydro, a little cash and old WWII era aircraft radio receiver. What am I wanting to do? Looking to make a rider, and hauler for around campsite.I am medically retired, with an expiration date, needing to hitch a ride whenever possible and as much help carrying things as possible. Trying to make the most with a little as possible. I live in my RV in a campground on a ridge a couple of hundred yards above a cove on a TVA lake. I have been through two other mowers…to use as make believe ATV's…it hasn't worked out. I am looking to drop the mower, add some wheelie bars, weights where they will help keep me grounded, clean this great looking machine, get it running as smooth as possible, maybe add a roll bar or cage….looking to get down to the cove with some fishing gear and get back up safely. It is a steep climb, on a gravel road.Before buying it I took it down and back up the cove run…it didn't sweat it and felt a lot safer than on the other mowers without doing anything special….yet….So, I guess I will start with weight on the front and some sort of wheelie bars, then maybe a roll bar or cage, maybe even some training wheels for stability…Looking for ideas and guidance on do's and don'ts on keeping this tractor running and looking good….while WORKING as a Tractor….hauling me around.So, where do I start? Fluids? Plug? Dropping mower? Adding weight? Putting a boat hitch on rear to move boat around tight campsite parking? Adding a front hitch to put 'hitch haul' rack on front of tractor? Running lights? Horn? It starts right up….no choke….next day….doesn't smoke….Not sure on the amount of slap when releasing clutch….Need to keep the front end down….it wants to fly….Tires look good….I was told the rear tires are oversize.
fishnwiz Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 Welcome to the club! Wow That is one clean looking machine you have there....are you sure you want to do all of that fabrication work on this nice clean original? I sell alot of this same tractor in my area and I pull 275-325 range on them all the time. These tractors have an AWESOME cutting deck that does a real clean job of cutting grass. Don't get me wrong as it is your tractor to do as you wish with but if it was me, I would try to get three hundred for it after a tune and sharpening and take the cash and find a lower price' not as clean tractor to do all of the fabrication work you want to do and you could use the extra cash for the extras on your work horse puller...and not feel bad about leaving it out in the rain/snow or about taking it into the woods or swamp! Just my opinion.
SimpleRider Posted June 13, 2014 Author Posted June 13, 2014 thanks for the welcome… fishnwiz… I understand your idea… Now let me try to explain mine… I with abu garcia 5000's and 6000's made in sweden….bought a package deal from a guy who quit fishing and sold a few and kept the 'best' to use and abuse…. Why? Like I said in my intro….I have my big pink slip, my expiration date….there is no treatment….just a little time to use and abuse….a little at a time….short sprints…with a lot of riding…. I gave up on collecting of any kind…I am into 'using' and using the best when possible….trying to finally live it like today was the last day…and get the most out of it… I probably won't do as much fabrication or afford much to be done as I would like….but, I like to dream, too. First thing is working on a hitch for the boat…going to use it as a tractor…I like the solid feel of it….I still have to get rid of that red Murry and green Craftsman on craigslist….that ought to buy a few frills...
fishnwiz Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 Just the preservationists in me...sorry about that! Good for you....I say GO FOR IT! Enjoy!
GrincheyOne Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 Welcome to the Club, Craig. Thank God, I have 16 years on You. A triple bypass, and an ICD. I own two 4212Gs, a '90 (parts), we call "Jester", and a '88 we call "Field Queen", 'cause she was bought in horrible shape out of an overgrown field. She is my main runner, while the '68 2110 Landlord is being rebuilt, and a '69 2110 Landlord is being refitted to run again, and be a backup worker. The 4212 is a fun rider, and as Mark says a great little mower. You should watch the classifieds on the club site, and Ebay for rear wheel weights (They are 8" to fit your rims, and weigh about 29# each. I am currently running 18x8.50-8 Turf tires, from an old EZ-GO golf cart w/ chains. I have a pair of 20x10.50-8 Super Lugs to go on as soon as I get the second rim cleaned up and painted. Mark will attest that it has been a long time coming. I was lucky that the Queen came with a 42" dozer blade,and had a hitch adapter to allow me to be able to use some FDT (Foot dragging tractor) accessories like a front weight (47#). Last fall I was cleaning some down trees on my 11 acres, and the Queen was used to pull the splitter, and a utility trailer filled with about 28 cu. feet of split ash (hitched to the splitter (like a train).
ss74nova Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 Welcome to the club Craig. Nice origonal looking 4212H. If it runs good I would just check the plug gap. Buy a new plug for a spare, gap it & keep in a toolbox with tools. You could keep the toolbox in your wagon or mount one on the tractor somewhere. I've even seen people mount an ammo box on their tractor for storage either behind the seat or on the fender. Keep an extra gallon of gas in your wagon so you don't ever run out & get stranded. Do the normal maintenance oil & filter if it has one, grease fittings, fuel filter, air filter, spark plug, check the fluids & tire pressure. If traction is a problem on that steep hill especially when wet maybe chains would help or let some air out of the rear tires. Maybe some sort of front weight rack or holder made out of metal or wood that you could put some cement blocks in for front weight. Maybe the clutch needs adjusting or there's play somewhere if thats what you mean about slap when releasing the clutch. If you post your tractors Mfg number someone here may know where to find a link to a owners or repair manual. Sorry I couldn't help you more all of my Simplicity tractors are gear drive & from the 1960's.
SimpleRider Posted June 14, 2014 Author Posted June 14, 2014 thanks for the welcomes, Thank God for everyday, the way I start and end every day granted to me, and for the privilege and joy of getting to play with things like these tractors. I haven't made it to the classifieds yet on this site…next day or so… I will have to make a wish list and see if I can match up with any of you this August as I make my annual road trip to Mayo in MN…going thru KY, IN, IL, WI and MN….I will be sure to check craigslists on the way and back…. I didn't get any extras….just the tractor you see in the picture….the guy I got it from got it on a trade… Good ideas, I will look up and post that Mfg number.
GrincheyOne Posted June 16, 2014 Posted June 16, 2014 Well Friday I spent 3 hours (to drive a total of 40 miles). Traffic up here is murder, along with the torrential rains. Lucked out the HFT store manager gave a replacement chain hoist. Grabbed a monster steak sandwich on the way home (20 inch). That should be good for 5 days. Saturday I played a little with my 36 YO McCullough chainsaw, and got ready to put a set of wheels on what's left of my '65 Big Ten. After Church today, i put them on, so Tuesday I plan to tow the carcass up next to the '90 4212 "Parts tractor". 'cause Wednesday we are facing another 5 day period of rain XX( Ready to go! And, lose some more parts...hang in there Craig!W
fishnwiz Posted June 16, 2014 Posted June 16, 2014 Wayne You weren't kidding when you said "whats left"! Looks like you got your money's worth on that one! Them there rear tireeeers don't look all that bad!
GrincheyOne Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 Yeah Mark, The one on the LH side does lose air through the side wall, and is from the '69 2110 "PO Princess", that I bought for parts. the Big Ten was literally dumped on me free when my Son's in laws blew the engine. She has donated parts coast to coast, and was relocated on Monday. The 4212 "Queen" did not even blink when towing it up the 10% grade. The chains provided good traction. Now to see how the differential comes off. Tomorrow begins about 7 days of rain.
GrincheyOne Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 Craig, Altghough Chris ("Huffy") calls these front wheel weights, they are matches to the 8" rear wheels on 4200s. They are about 29# each (adding an additional 58# to the rear traction). That is what I use on my 4212G. Cheers, Wayne http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/classDetail.asp?id=22388
mudpatrol1 Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 i myself being "thrifty" or green use recycled weight lifting weights mounted on a 1 inch pipe welded to 1/4 inch plate. they can be used as wheel weights,or wherever you need the weight. last set i got free at a garage sale on the last day,even got the 1 inch double wall tubing....
GrincheyOne Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 Craig, Is that WWII radio the same 2meter transceiver that was in great demand in the late 40s? Wayne
GLPointon Posted July 12, 2014 Posted July 12, 2014 Welcome Craig...Nice tractor (one of the best lawn tractors ever made). I was thinking for more stability on hills you can get adaptors for duel rear tires instead of "training wheels" The duels help ALOT...even more with weights on them. And you can bolt just about any type of weight to the front, down low. BUT dont overload her too much. ps...You seem to have a good outlook on things even though you were delt a rough hand. very inspiring I hope the best for you...
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