1982 Murray 18HP Briggs Opposed Twin

Its been a long time since a tractor followed me home, I have too many.  But I can't resist an oppy.  Especially when its in a garden tractor.

This one comes by the way of a local lawn care guy who does not use computers.   I occasionally order parts for him.  In this case it was a pair of spindles and in consideration for my effort he gave me this tractor.

It seems my little 12V winch that goes with my tractor snatcher trailer has gone into hiding.  In this case not a problem.  The tires aired up nicely and I was able to use the come along to get the front tires up the ramps then pushed it the rest of the way.  The steering wheel will not turn.  Something is frozen under the tractor.  Has a rag joint, maybe a steering box.  Doubtful but one can hope.

The transmission is a manual 5 speed as one would expect from a GT of that era.

The fellow I got it from said the customer that gave it to him said it ran when parked.  But since then there has been a lot of rusting and weathering in general.  The seat is as bad as I have ever seen.  The motor seems to be locked.

Surprisingly the throttle lever and ignition switch move.  Ah you need a closer look at the data plate.

I have not checked closely but the tractor seems to be complete but for the need of a new seat and the battery cover below the dash.

 A pair of pictures of it sitting in my drive way.

If the tractor turns out to be total junk I scored a pair of vice grips.

The first step will be to remove the deck and if possible free up the steering so it can be moved about.  Maybe free up the engine and see if it will fire.    At any rate it does sitting outside.  

Later in the day I pulled the cooling shroud and vacuumed out a mouse nest and most of what was blocking the cooling passages.  Managed to turn the engine by hand using the flywheel.   Rust between the flywheel and magneto was the main problem.  Removed the spark plugs and oiled the cylinders.  Turned it over without the plugs then ran it on carb cleaner for a few short bursts.   

  

Starter need to be refreshed.  It has dry bearing squeal.  Then move on to the fuel system.  The gas lines are not hard so maybe, just maybe, the fuel pump, lines, and tank are OK.

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Went over the starter.   The bottom bearing was turning in the brush holder and one of the brushes was not moving because the brush holder is  broken.   Replaced the brush hold and lubed it.  Works fine.

I was running the engine on gas from a mustard bottle to get the fuel pump to pump gas from the tank.   Engine backfired and set the, tractor, me and the plastic bottle on fire.

Have burns and blisters on the fingers of my right hand top and bottom.  I am typing with it but its not good for much more for a few weeks;.  Have small burns from my chin to my head. Safety glasses saved my eyes, lens melted a bit.  My beard and hair may have sheilded me. Small burn on the bottom of my nose.  I will live but will never use anything but carb cleaner on a running engine.

No idea on the healing time. Weeks hope not months.

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Soaked the spindle in the reverse electrolysis tank for 2 days.   Sharpened a chisel so it could be driven in behind the stuck bushing.   The bushing came off in two pieces.  New one is on order from ebay.