I grew up with Gravely tractors. We had a 68 convertible with sulky. I cut down the mailbox and the paper box with it (both were on steel fence posts). That thing ran and ran, I hated it when Dad sold it, if I could have I would have bought it. They were built in Dunbar, WVa, (not far from where I grew up) until some time in the 1960's. Best small tractor ever built.
I never even heard of Gravely until recently. I saw a Gravely UTV. When I started searching more about the brand, I was really surprised at some of the older equipment still running, including a snow blower that is 50 years old. The snow blower is a beast, it cuts right through deep snow. I also like the design, it has a lower height, but longer body then more modern design snow blowers.
We had the sickle bar attachment, which was also quite dangerous. Amazing machine. We had a trailer attachment and a roller too. Seeing you pull the starting strap brought back memories, as well as how you attached it to the handle. We did the same. Killing the motor was the same.
I have been in awe of these machines - and particularly in your brush application - since I got my first one in 1976. Three things might enable an even more satisfying performance: 1. Don't be shy with the RPMs when you approach challenge. Momentum of that 9 pound blade as well as the drive train is more important than the horsepower in breaking down all that bio-mass. 2. Try to get a used governor. It helps to have that instantaneous fuel augmentation when you begin to bog down. 3. Remove that two inch curtain of steel at the top of the front deck opening. Put it back when you cut around people, especially the litigious ones, but when the going gets tough, you will make more headway with an open forward exit for generated debris. I also agree about the need for caution. I had three Model Ls like yours where the tractor went the opposite way of the shift lever. Now I have two of the 5000 series that are the opposite. In a tight spot, I sometimes revert to my now inappropriate reflex from twenty five years with back means forward. Always reminds me of a guy in Maryland who backed himself into a tree trunk. It was a ruptured spleen that killed him. OSHA and economics assure there will never be another Gravely, so take care of that thing. Walter Colorado
My grampa had this same unit 55+ years ago when I was young. He even had a sulky to ride on. He wouldn't let us kids come to close when he was running it. Great machine!
Hello From Ky; The mid 1970s version Gravely had a kill button located within the inside of the right handlebar grip. If I remember correctly, The switch was spring loaded with a pretty strong spring that you would have to push in and hold until the engine quit moving due to the fact that the magneto would pick up quickly if the button wasn’t fully depressed. We installed the starter on one of our Gravelys which was a total back saver. If the contact points get corroded, That magneto absolutely will not fire the ignition system. Thanks for sharing your Gravely video. It brought back a lot of memories.
As others have stated: get a governor and kick the PTO into gear (don't tickle it!). I'll add, get rid of that red inline fuel filter. They'll filter out big stuff but not the fine small stuff. Thanks for sharing! I love 'em Gravelies!!
The plow is 48 inches. As somebody else stated just kick the pto lever right in and don't let it grind. It's a nice tractor but dangerous so always respect it. Good video!!!
We had one when I was a kid. Had a sulky, mower, rototiller, and snow plow. Spent many hours mowing and plowing the driveway. A very reliable machine. For fun we would coast downhill in neutral.
Brings back the memories. My father bought one of these used, a late 1940's model I believe, with the brush mower deck and a rotary plow. Growing up, I used it to mow almost everything. If I could get the deck over it, it would chew it up. I sold it in 1991, cause I didn't need it any longer. Now I've bought a house with some land and I sure could use it again now.
@@katsheetz I just bought an Gravely with some attachments but would sure like to find an auger or post hole drill or post hole digger whatever it's called. I would also like a snow blower and front loader bucket along with any other attachments I might use on my property with overgrown areas. Thanks in advance for any help you could provide HOD BLESS
Last week, I purchased one for $500.00. The last time I used one was when I worked at a summer camp. I got a new battery for it. It's at a repair shop getting several minor things fixed. It needs a kill switch instead of just a bare wire to touch the metal handle. It also needs the old gas line replaced. I'm looking forward to using it.
Nice gravely, you have the extra high/low option giving you 4 forward and 4 reverse speeds. Most only have 2 speeds in each direction. That is a real help if using a snow blower in heavy snow, or the rotary plow. It would help if your tractor had the optional governor. Keeps it from over speeding/stalling between heavy cuts. Also there are two blade options for it, a grass blade, and a brush blade, the brush blade is ~3/8" thick, the extra weight adds to the momentum. From the way it handled the saplings i'd say you have the brush blade. Read up how to adjust the slip clutch on the mower, it can save damaging the tractor if you hit something like a pipe or hidden rock. The older gravelys the reverse lever was designed to latch into position if pushed all the way forward. That was later changed to having to always keep forward pressure to reverse. With the old style yes, it can back over you without missing a beat. I only use finger pressure when reversing, walking backwards in brush has a high risk of tripping. Stay safe, a gravely can be unforgiving of mistakes. I had often planned to install a deadman switch with a lanyard on the handlebar, but never did.
Yah I tied baler twine on the spark plug wire and attached it to the handle. Not perfect but better than nothing. You could wire a dead man switch on the magneto ground. I just like old tech.
Don't walk backwards when you are in reverse, turn around and use your right hand to operate the lever and walk alongside the machine. It's much safer and easier.
It’s funny but I grew up on a farm and my Dad would tell me if you get next to the pto shaft it would kill you and a few other things. I guess I got used to dangerous machinery.
I just received one just like this but missing the carburetor on filter and back tire are original and no good . If you want it for parts let me know I'll let it go cheap
Studebaker didn't make the engines. They owned the gravely name for awhile is all. Gravely based their engine design on a T head Indian motorcycle. The T head has a tendency to over heat the exhaust valve because the intake isn't cooling it. That's why they switched to Kohler later on.
Wesley, I agree with your information that the Gravely plant in Dunbar, West Virginia used their own T-head engines. They were manufactured by well trained and dedicated workers that took pride in their product. Those lower RPM engines had amazing torque. As everyone has pointed out this engine needs the governor back on to compensate for the load. When Studebaker bought Gravely, the plant was moved and Kohler cast iron engines were used. The Kohler engines are amazing engines in their own right.
I had an operators manual that showed how to unstick the exhaust valve. It happened pretty frequently. There was a screwdriver slot made into the top of the valve so you could work it loose after it seized. The cooling fan was also inadequate I thought. They would probably be fine going down the road in a motorcycle. It would be awesome to link 4 of those engines in line. You'd have a big aircooled, twin cam, flathead, torque monster!
i grew up using a gravely for both mowing the grass and rototilling dad's garden. Someone failed to give you proper instruction on the operation of this machine. first of all you must disengage both the high and low range lever and the forward/reverse lever before you engage the attachments. This disengages the clutches so you grind the gears way less. Plus you kick it in FAST. the engine doesn't have a governor on it and it sounded like you where overrevving the engine some what.
Probably if the diameter was less than an inch or so. Bamboo can be substantial. If you have a 20 foot tall grove of Bamboo it probably couldn't handle it. It had no problem with saplings. If I could bend the brush over with the mower it would tear it up. Good luck
I grew up with Gravely tractors. We had a 68 convertible with sulky. I cut down the mailbox and the paper box with it (both were on steel fence posts). That thing ran and ran, I hated it when Dad sold it, if I could have I would have bought it. They were built in Dunbar, WVa, (not far from where I grew up) until some time in the 1960's. Best small tractor ever built.
I had no idea they were made in wv. Charleston boy here!
I never even heard of Gravely until recently. I saw a Gravely UTV. When I started searching more about the brand, I was really surprised at some of the older equipment still running, including a snow blower that is 50 years old. The snow blower is a beast, it cuts right through deep snow. I also like the design, it has a lower height, but longer body then more modern design snow blowers.
We had the sickle bar attachment, which was also quite dangerous. Amazing machine. We had a trailer attachment and a roller too. Seeing you pull the starting strap brought back memories, as well as how you attached it to the handle. We did the same. Killing the motor was the same.
I have been in awe of these machines - and particularly in your brush application - since I got my first one in 1976. Three things might enable an even more satisfying performance: 1. Don't be shy with the RPMs when you approach challenge. Momentum of that 9 pound blade as well as the drive train is more important than the horsepower in breaking down all that bio-mass. 2. Try to get a used governor. It helps to have that instantaneous fuel augmentation when you begin to bog down. 3. Remove that two inch curtain of steel at the top of the front deck opening. Put it back when you cut around people, especially the litigious ones, but when the going gets tough, you will make more headway with an open forward exit for generated debris.
I also agree about the need for caution. I had three Model Ls like yours where the tractor went the opposite way of the shift lever. Now I have two of the 5000 series that are the opposite. In a tight spot, I sometimes revert to my now inappropriate reflex from twenty five years with back means forward. Always reminds me of a guy in Maryland who backed himself into a tree trunk. It was a ruptured spleen that killed him. OSHA and economics assure there will never be another Gravely, so take care of that thing.
Walter
Colorado
Those tractors are awesome. I also cant believe how easily they start. Once the flywheel gets going its hard to stop. Thanks for the reply.
My grampa had this same unit 55+ years ago when I was young. He even had a sulky to ride on. He wouldn't let us kids come to close when he was running it. Great machine!
Hello From Ky; The mid 1970s version Gravely had a kill button located within the inside of the right handlebar grip. If I remember correctly, The switch was spring loaded with a pretty strong spring that you would have to push in and hold until the engine quit moving due to the fact that the magneto would pick up quickly if the button wasn’t fully depressed. We installed the starter on one of our Gravelys which was a total back saver. If the contact points get corroded, That magneto absolutely will not fire the ignition system. Thanks for sharing your Gravely video. It brought back a lot of memories.
The kill switch on this is by the magneto. I put bailer twine on the plug wire in case I need to stop it.
As others have stated: get a governor and kick the PTO into gear (don't tickle it!). I'll add, get rid of that red inline fuel filter. They'll filter out big stuff but not the fine small stuff. Thanks for sharing! I love 'em Gravelies!!
Holy Crap that thing is a beast!!! I can't wait to get mine running!
The plow is 48 inches. As somebody else stated just kick the pto lever right in and don't let it grind. It's a nice tractor but dangerous so always respect it. Good video!!!
We had one when I was a kid. Had a sulky, mower, rototiller, and snow plow. Spent many hours mowing and plowing the driveway.
A very reliable machine. For fun we would coast downhill in neutral.
Awesome machine !
Brings back the memories. My father bought one of these used, a late 1940's model I believe, with the brush mower deck and a rotary plow. Growing up, I used it to mow almost everything. If I could get the deck over it, it would chew it up.
I sold it in 1991, cause I didn't need it any longer. Now I've bought a house with some land and I sure could use it again now.
I just like the brute simplicity.
I have a collection of Gravely tractors with attachments TO SELL to the right adoptive person...including the famous DOG EATER snow blower
@@katsheetz I just bought an Gravely with some attachments but would sure like to find an auger or post hole drill or post hole digger whatever it's called. I would also like a snow blower and front loader bucket along with any other attachments I might use on my property with overgrown areas. Thanks in advance for any help you could provide HOD BLESS
Last week, I purchased one for $500.00. The last time I used one was when I worked at a summer camp. I got a new battery for it. It's at a repair shop getting several minor things fixed. It needs a kill switch instead of just a bare wire to touch the metal handle. It also needs the old gas line replaced. I'm looking forward to using it.
Nice gravely, you have the extra high/low option giving you 4 forward and 4 reverse speeds. Most only have 2 speeds in each direction. That is a real help if using a snow blower in heavy snow, or the rotary plow. It would help if your tractor had the optional governor. Keeps it from over speeding/stalling between heavy cuts. Also there are two blade options for it, a grass blade, and a brush blade, the brush blade is ~3/8" thick, the extra weight adds to the momentum. From the way it handled the saplings i'd say you have the brush blade. Read up how to adjust the slip clutch on the mower, it can save damaging the tractor if you hit something like a pipe or hidden rock.
The older gravelys the reverse lever was designed to latch into position if pushed all the way forward. That was later changed to having to always keep forward pressure to reverse. With the old style yes, it can back over you without missing a beat. I only use finger pressure when reversing, walking backwards in brush has a high risk of tripping. Stay safe, a gravely can be unforgiving of mistakes. I had often planned to install a deadman switch with a lanyard on the handlebar, but never did.
Yah I tied baler twine on the spark plug wire and attached it to the handle. Not perfect but better than nothing. You could wire a dead man switch on the magneto ground. I just like old tech.
Don't walk backwards when you are in reverse, turn around and use your right hand to operate the lever and walk alongside the machine.
It's much safer and easier.
It’s funny but I grew up on a farm and my Dad would tell me if you get next to the pto shaft it would kill you and a few other things. I guess I got used to dangerous machinery.
Have you thought about a way to use a cordless impact driver to start it possibly🤔
Gravelys are the best tractors
I have a collection of Gravely tractors with attachments TO SELL to the right adoptive person...including the famous DOG EATER snow blower
Just kick the PTO lever to engage the dog clutch. You are grinding it when you go slowly!
OK I will try it. Just trying to avoid stalling the engine. It does have a huge flywheel to keep it going. It reminds me of my Dad's 5/20 John Deere.
I've got one of those. My wife named it "The Beast".
Great machines.
I have one and I was mowing and there was a little dip in the ground and it just tore the dirt right up and ripped it all out it’s loud two
I just received one just like this but missing the carburetor on filter and back tire are original and no good . If you want it for parts let me know I'll let it go cheap
That thing definitely is a bad animal❤❤❤
Studebaker didn't make the engines. They owned the gravely name for awhile is all. Gravely based their engine design on a T head Indian motorcycle. The T head has a tendency to over heat the exhaust valve because the intake isn't cooling it. That's why they switched to Kohler later on.
Now that you mention it the motor does resemble an early Indian. Amazing how easily it starts. Old tech is cool.
Wesley, I agree with your information that the Gravely plant in Dunbar, West Virginia used their own T-head engines. They were manufactured by well trained and dedicated workers that took pride in their product. Those lower RPM engines had amazing torque. As everyone has pointed out this engine needs the governor back on to compensate for the load.
When Studebaker bought Gravely, the plant was moved and Kohler cast iron engines were used. The Kohler engines are amazing engines in their own right.
I had an operators manual that showed how to unstick the exhaust valve. It happened pretty frequently. There was a screwdriver slot made into the top of the valve so you could work it loose after it seized. The cooling fan was also inadequate I thought. They would probably be fine going down the road in a motorcycle. It would be awesome to link 4 of those engines in line. You'd have a big aircooled, twin cam, flathead, torque monster!
I like gravley even the Kohler engine one day j will own one
i grew up using a gravely for both mowing the grass and rototilling dad's garden. Someone failed to give you proper instruction on the operation of this machine. first of all you must disengage both the high and low range lever and the forward/reverse lever before you engage the attachments. This disengages the clutches so you grind the gears way less. Plus you kick it in FAST. the engine doesn't have a governor on it and it sounded like you where overrevving the engine some what.
Ok thanks, I definitely had no instruction. I will try your tips.
Would this work on bamboo thickets I wonder?
Probably if the diameter was less than an inch or so. Bamboo can be substantial. If you have a 20 foot tall grove of Bamboo it probably couldn't handle it. It had no problem with saplings. If I could bend the brush over with the mower it would tear it up. Good luck
It took 4 grown men to put it on the trailer . Those are no joke
Yep that’s for sure.
Try to do that with a dr mower
🤦♂️You are going to spoil that very good machine that way.
No it’s made for this. Plus those things are a beast! It will take way more than this to kill it.
@@2Years2Farm 😳😬😬😬😬😬 really? I need one of those.
Go troll somewhere else.
@@Icutmetal Shut up Mr. Grinch
Revving the engine much too fast. You're gonna kill the engine Pretty quick. Moving to another video.......
I bet that Gravely is still running, just like your mouth.