Springtime Startup of MTD Yard Machines Tractor

This is the first springtime start of our 1993 MTD Yard Machines tractor Special Edition. It has a 16 HP horizontally opposed twin cylinder from Briggs & Stratton which usually purrs like a kitten. For this startup, it cranked quite a bit longer then usual, probably due to the carburetor being empty of fuel.

Before this I pulled the front wheels and cleaned the bearing surfaces...after this I washed and wax it. Last year we sand blasted and painted the mowing deck. For a few more pictures and it's official webpage, visit:
http://www.butchthecat.com/tractors/mtd.html

This tractor probably won't get used much this year. It has a 42" mulching deck (conversion from side discharge) but I'll be using my reel mower for the lawn and I'm about to receive a 1970's Bolens from my uncle for trailer pulling/dirt pushing. They'll be lots of video of the Bolens coming up.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• MTD
• Yard
• Machines
• 42
• Maine
• startup
• 16
• HP
• Briggs
• Strattion
• opposed
• twin

[DamnStraightM35A2]

Now, I'm just sayin' here, but I have NEVER, EVER had to crank my good old Kohler K301 on my Gravely for more than 3 seconds before it started, even on the coldest (15F) of days and with over 1000 hours it burns NO oil. Modern engines(especially briggs and tecumseh) just aren't as good.

Modern "tractors" suck.

[Turbo231]

@DamnStraightM35A2 I wouldn't go that far, depends on how your tractor is stored. Given she's been parked over the winter, that's fine...it's also not how long an engine cranks, that just describes the availability of fuel to the system, length of intake runners, etc. Its how a tractor runs that's what should be measured. Modern engines also have emissions to look for, which usually means running leaner and thus don't quite have as much fuel available when cold in order to run better when hot

[MrVideoman44]

ever run the 89 or 93 octane gas in it? we bought it as a fixer upper and to cut grass we want to get a club cadet when we win the lotto lol

your tractor special edition- white letter tires lol

[Turbo231]

@MrVideoman44 Nope...just 87 stuff...and the white letter tires are my doing. :p

[MrVideoman44]

I was told not to leave the gas in it when storing it it looses it's kick drain the tank and run it til it stalls.

[Turbo231]

@MrVideoman44 Gas doesn't really loose much kick when stored. Some people drain, some people put fuel stabilizer in it.  I just put fuel stabilizer in my fall gas and that way everything that gets fueled is covered for the season. About the only thing I wouldn't do is just leave regular gas in it, it will varnish and leave things sticky...which carburetors don't like for sure.

[Turbo231]

@JohnDeere1317 or...it won't work? Seems 16 years, she's doing fine. The battery is far more likely to die then the starter giving out. No worries.

[bobofbob5]

i think the twin engine is why they call it special

[Turbo231]

@cameramonkey2 Yep..it is pretty much the time it takes for gas to the intake. This video tractor has a fuel pump, the the fuel is the same level, so the system primes fast.

[schindlerman96]

@DamnStraightM35A2 Kohlers are a pretty good motor

[schindlerman96]

@DamnStraightM35A2 I have a craftsman with practically the same motor and its a 19 HP Twin briggs and when it runs out of fuel while mowing cause of the tank in the back when I refill it sometimes its hard to get it restarted to get enough gas back up but I really agree with you I prefer Kohler over B and S anyday but even Kohler sometimes have issues but they do seem to start up quicker

[pivotboy63]

nice tractor! I just bought a 1997 yard machines tractor with a big 18.5hp opposed twin on it. i just use mine for towing stuff around, not mowing since i have a very small yard. mines got a 7 speed hydro trans, which i dont really like. i like manuals because theyre more fun since you can rev up the engine and drop the clutch like in a car lol

[schindlerman96]

@DamnStraightM35A2 I hear kohlers when it comes to like compression are higher end on compressions than a briggs I wish my tractor or get a tractor that has a kohler all tractors my dad has had all had briggs

[DamnStraightM35A2]

@Turbo231 Yeah, mine is stored outside, has a short intake, and thankfully no emissions settings on the carb, but it does have a points and condenser ignition.

Battery size is also a factor, my Gravely has a small car battery in it, not a lawn and garden battery (twice the CCA).

[MrSpanglersean]

Like your mower mine looks exactly the same except it's green and has a 18 hp horizontally opposed and its not special edition and my grand father bought mine from sams club but it has hydrostatic just like yours and a 42 inch deck

[BriggsEngine1]

nice tractor. My father owns one similar to that except its a single cylinder Tecumseh 16 horse power engines