Announcement

**Guido** · 07-21-2007, 10:49 AM

Gary,

I shot you a PM on the truck. Paul Johnson (53k) has one of these and I used one about 30 years ago to keep some lots that my father owned cut down. Not sure on the class, but you may be with the Weasels! I have an Onan generator (Stude owned) I could bring to Lancaster to keep it company.

Gary

**Guido** · 07-21-2007, 10:49 AM

Gary,

I shot you a PM on the truck. Paul Johnson (53k) has one of these and I used one about 30 years ago to keep some lots that my father owned cut down. Not sure on the class, but you may be with the Weasels! I have an Onan generator (Stude owned) I could bring to Lancaster to keep it company.

Gary

**53k** · 07-21-2007, 11:00 AM

quote:Originally posted by garyash

I got a call from a Studebaker friend who offered me a 1963 Gravely Model LI tractor with mower deck and rotary plow (in back of mower deck in picture). It has been sitting a long time, but the engine turns freely. The tires are cracked but still hold air. I just need to get a 12 volt battery, add some gas, and maybe I'll have a running Gravely. It does have the label that says "Division Studebaker Corporation". What class do I enter it in for the next international meet?
My friend's father, now in his late 70s, cautioned me about the use of the rotary plow. He said that he had been plowing a stony field with it, hit a large rock, and the tractor spun sharply, breaking three of his ribs. Sounds like a useful warning! Anyone got other advice on these things?
They are cleaning out their house, cellar, and barns to move to another place a few miles away. In the basement is a 12 ft tall dealer neon sign in pretty good shape, though some of the neon tubes are broken. Out near the barn is a Stude "Trailer Toter" with diesel engine and 150 gallon fuel tank. I'd hate to pay for a fill-up on that!

Gary,
That's a bullet proof tractor. Gravely made their own cast iron engine then with pressure oiling and a full-flow filter. The ignition system is a magneto. If it has been sitting very long, it will probably have to be serviced before the thing will run. You can start it with a rope, but it isn't easy to turn. There is no generator/alternator so you have to recharge the battery periodically. That mower is more of a bush hog than a finish mower. It will take down small trees and large weeds. The rotary plows require some watching, but are pretty neat. They are great foir digging holes for planting trees and shrubs and you can work up your garden with them, but they are a lot of work (I use a tiller for that). Chances are your friend's dad was hit in the ribs by the tractor handle bar when it kicked around. This can happen with tillers too. Where the handle bars really get you is when you are riding the sulky and you got through a ditch or such. You can imagine what kind of damage I'm talking about especially if you are turning at a slight angle when the bar comes down on you.
There is a national Gravely club. In 1997 I was in the Charleston, WV area when I saw an ad in the paper for the "First Annual Gravely Mow-In" at Dunbar, WV. I went over to it and it was a hoot. They had a show, activities and a banquet reminiscent of our early Internationals. Google "Gravely club" and you will find a number of link including one to a New England club.
A diesel trailer toter- that has to be a rare one. Does Guido know about it?

[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine

**53k** · 07-21-2007, 11:00 AM

quote:Originally posted by garyash

I got a call from a Studebaker friend who offered me a 1963 Gravely Model LI tractor with mower deck and rotary plow (in back of mower deck in picture). It has been sitting a long time, but the engine turns freely. The tires are cracked but still hold air. I just need to get a 12 volt battery, add some gas, and maybe I'll have a running Gravely. It does have the label that says "Division Studebaker Corporation". What class do I enter it in for the next international meet?
My friend's father, now in his late 70s, cautioned me about the use of the rotary plow. He said that he had been plowing a stony field with it, hit a large rock, and the tractor spun sharply, breaking three of his ribs. Sounds like a useful warning! Anyone got other advice on these things?
They are cleaning out their house, cellar, and barns to move to another place a few miles away. In the basement is a 12 ft tall dealer neon sign in pretty good shape, though some of the neon tubes are broken. Out near the barn is a Stude "Trailer Toter" with diesel engine and 150 gallon fuel tank. I'd hate to pay for a fill-up on that!

Gary,
That's a bullet proof tractor. Gravely made their own cast iron engine then with pressure oiling and a full-flow filter. The ignition system is a magneto. If it has been sitting very long, it will probably have to be serviced before the thing will run. You can start it with a rope, but it isn't easy to turn. There is no generator/alternator so you have to recharge the battery periodically. That mower is more of a bush hog than a finish mower. It will take down small trees and large weeds. The rotary plows require some watching, but are pretty neat. They are great foir digging holes for planting trees and shrubs and you can work up your garden with them, but they are a lot of work (I use a tiller for that). Chances are your friend's dad was hit in the ribs by the tractor handle bar when it kicked around. This can happen with tillers too. Where the handle bars really get you is when you are riding the sulky and you got through a ditch or such. You can imagine what kind of damage I'm talking about especially if you are turning at a slight angle when the bar comes down on you.
There is a national Gravely club. In 1997 I was in the Charleston, WV area when I saw an ad in the paper for the "First Annual Gravely Mow-In" at Dunbar, WV. I went over to it and it was a hoot. They had a show, activities and a banquet reminiscent of our early Internationals. Google "Gravely club" and you will find a number of link including one to a New England club.
A diesel trailer toter- that has to be a rare one. Does Guido know about it?

[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine

**studegary** · 08-12-2007, 06:00 PM

At one of the auctions that I was at yesterday, they sold a Gravely tractor. It had a Gravely, Division of Studebaker-Packard Corp. ID plate on it. It was a walk behind unit, like I remember using in the '50s. It came with a brush hog/circular mower, large snow blower, plow and a few other accessories. One bid of $10 (not mine) got the whole thing.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

**studegary** · 08-12-2007, 06:00 PM

At one of the auctions that I was at yesterday, they sold a Gravely tractor. It had a Gravely, Division of Studebaker-Packard Corp. ID plate on it. It was a walk behind unit, like I remember using in the '50s. It came with a brush hog/circular mower, large snow blower, plow and a few other accessories. One bid of $10 (not mine) got the whole thing.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

Announcement

Ran when parked... (Stude Gravely tractor)

Ran when parked... (Stude Gravely tractor)

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment