Tractors, Mowers, Chippers, Trailers, Chainsaws, Generators, Driveway Erosion Control, ETC.

These versions of CC tractors were garbage.

They have a 2 spindle deck. The blades need to be perpendicular to each other or the tips will hit. They are constantly in need of adjustment.

Hence this engine only has 33 hours on it.

I gave $200 for the thing.

I'm gonna try to get it pulled out of the chassis today.

 

That is awesome. What model is the mower? I may try and find one around here if I can't get my other ZT figured out.

 

I'll check and report back.

 

While the Courage engine will never be the legend of reliability that the K Series was it isn't a bad engine for residential use.

As usual longevity requires good care.
I have seen a 100 hour oil change recommendation on residential CC tractors/ZTs with the Courage engine -- seemed way out of line to me.
Many average home owners won't go 100 hours in several years. Of course many folks see "100 hours" (or 10,000 miles ) and don't read anything after that - 1 year or 10 they can go 100 hours...

Asking a heck of a lot out of 2 quarts of oil IMO.

The early models had issues with the top cover bolts backing out - the cover holds the top engine bearing so that was a pretty impressive failure when it happened.
I have a 2006 model, I put lock-tite on the bolts when almost new and change the oil every 50 hours - it is still going 17 years later.

This is what it looked like when I changed the valve cover gasket last year at 518 hours.

 

Motor is out. Now to figure the exhaust . I wish I could use this one, but the ZT is not set up for this muffler. The engine sits sideways in the chassis...which really bothers my OCD!

 

went out early this morning & got my mow on. mainly mulching leaves, but some grass sticking up thru it. looks like half the walnuts are off the trees. here in about 2 weeks will get the yard sweeper out & drag behind me when i do it again.

got the mini excavator gauges installed, now ive got working fuel & temp gauges vs wacked out ones. gonna have to go thru this first tank of fuel to see if i got the level correct. this wasnt a plug & play set up. had to end up using the new sending unit on the old tank flange & re working it several times to even get full range on the float. now we'll see if empty is at empty or at 1/4.

temperature gauge had its own issues. the new one is 1/8" thread & the factory one is 3/8" thread. of course NO ONE had a brass adapter in stock. not the parts stores, RK, lowes, menards....... NOBODY. i ended up taking the old one, drilling it out & threading it for 1/8" & then putting the new sending unit in it that way. it didnt leak! YAY. looks like it might be reading a bit to the cold side though. probably from the position in the recess vs how far the other one stuck in there. we'll give it a few runs & then see if another adapter is needed to give it a little more depth. thats the day on equipment so far. rain is supposed to be here in about 2hrs.

 

I went to the local hardware and Lowe's recently looking for some brass fittings, neither had them. Wound up ordering them from Amazon. I hate to do that and would rather support local but if they ain't got it, oh well.

 

I'll check on it tomorrow for ya. I has a tag on it that says what it fits, I just can't remember exactly what it says at the moment.

Oh, and I got a whopping 10hp @ the pto lol. Hence why I use self powered stuff.

 

Picked up a new trailer today, 6x12 aluminum flat top. I have been on the hunt for weeks of a new trailer as I have twisted my 5.5x10 steel trailer. I didn't realize it was warped until I was measuring it to check for hitch height and found I had a different distance to ground at every corner lol.

Was unsure about aluminum as I can't weld aluminum, but it's light as all get out and has a 2450# payload rating. I will say it is wild towing a trailer with only about 75# of tongue weight. I like the bifold gate that also lays flat as well. I don't care for the aluminum wheels though.

Generally the heaviest thing I haul is my SxS and some clutter, so I probably will never haul more than 2k on it at most. Generally around 1.5K most of the time.

I use E track on my current trailer so I need to figure out the best way to mount that on the aluminum deck and possibly look into adding brakes to the Dexter axle. And get a spare tire holder.



I forgot to add that the trailer has attaching points already, it uses these type, or just like it:

Pit Posse L Track Stud Ring (8 Pack) Detachable Tie Down S Track Hook Ring for Trucks, Utility Enclosed Trailers, RV, SUV - Quick Disconnect - Rust Free Aluminum - 4000 lbs Pull Strength (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/Pit-Posse-Single-Spring-Black-8pk/dp/B07FPVH33J?keywords=truck+tie+downs+&anchors_for_aluminum_trailer=&qid=1697759915&s=automotive&sr=1-99

Problem is I really like E track for securing my SxS. I did pick up 6 of the connector things as they probably work well with my tractor.

 

I'm not a fan of the E track.

If You know what you are going to haul most of the time. Find the perfect load position, then mount your anchors.

To me, it makes no sense to have an E track rail, but only use the same anchor location time and time again.

If this was a trailer that was to haul many different items, the E track rails could make sense.

Just my opinion.

 

Agree completely.
I call it E track, but i don't use the track style. This is what is use for my SxS.
https://dccargo.com/products/wheel-...zBvtG1hL1Lxylt7CZ0j4YKC2HIU9ljRBoC1rYQAvD_BwE
Since my trailers primary function is to tote my SxS around, I did just what you said, find the ideal spot and anchor it down. My tractor and random junk can tie down anywhere, the suspension on the SxS requires a different solution.

 

Got the little jd lawn tractor out and did the winterized the front lawn. Now to see if it'll work, living next to 2 hay fields makes sure you'll have weeds and grasses that don't live in the winter.

 

i love the look of aluminum trailers. & if you are just "light loading" they are great.

its just hard to get one that you can do heavy hauling on. more on this in a future post. my search continues.

 

I like E-chanel in enclosed tralier walls easy securement. That comes from previous occupation. Never used on sorta flat bed, I would think abit of work to keep clear of debris.
Gotta love those light trailers.

 

Funny enough in my enclosed trailer I have D rings lol.

I'm like a Salmon heading upstream.

I'm not sure what I am going to do for a permanent solution. I had to haul my SxS today and without the tire straps, it made me very nervous. Lack of side rails on a trailer and lack of secure straps is not a comfortable tow.

 

Also,


If you want more info feel free to PM me, but it's yours if you want it. I have no use for it.

 

TW EXPRESS:
Need some TW Express help @Lt. Dangle has the ROPS I've been looking for about 3 years for the B7100. He's up in Columbus, OH. and I'm down in Asheville, NC area. I'f anyone is headed south this was maybe we can get some help.
Thanks.

 

getting back to the trailer thing now that the wife is napping....

ive got a 20' hydraulic tilt deck with 12k winch, 5200lb axles w/brakes on both axles. all LED lights & so on. its been a great trailer, bought it new in 16. but now that im no longer hauling cars? its just a space eater & i need a shorter trailer to haul tractor, mini ex, ROCK, dirt & so on.

thought about a dump trailer but the height is always pretty high for loading the toys. looked at low trailers, but havent found the right combo. wouldnt mind doing an aluminum one if could get it to hold the weight. still need to be able to handle 10-12k of GVWR.

what you guys got?

 

something along these lines.... just cheaper. lol

 

How long are you looking for? What rating? Sorta local dealer to me has a 7.8k partial tilt 12+4 single axle for like 5.1K. It's a sure-trac. They also have some equipment trailers like you pictured for what seemed like a really good deal, like in the 4-5K range.
https://www.chuckscustom.com/6x12-equipment-hauler--gufp|KMi.html

I spent the better part of the last 3 weeks spending all my free time looking for a trailer and with some of the deals I saw on equipment trailers, it really made me want a 3/4 ton pickup. I really wanted a tilt trailer, but couldn't justify eating up a 1/3 of my towing cap on a trailer. I could not find a lightweight equipment tilt anywhere within 20 states of me.

My great white buffalo...https://www.signaltrailers.com/trailer/7-x-12-eagle-tilt-bed
or
https://northtexastrailer.com/bwg_gallery/7-x-12-flatbed-w-2-dovetail-and-ramps/