Odd Gravely Model Number

Jeff0253

Member
Hi All--

I recently bought an old Gravely Model L. Something does seem a bit odd to me. According to the serial number, it's a 1956 (2M14064). The manufacturing number is H7262. However, the plate says it's a Model L-8. It has the older design of red sheet metal engine cover. So is it a 6.6 hp? I thought the L8 came later and had the white sheet metal. No?

Any info appreciated! Thanks, Jeff

42115.jpg
 
Ya Jeff here is a possibility. Actually myltiple of choices. First off
as far as I know the electrical start was an option on the machines
thus dealer installed. Now what that means is you Do Not have the
orignal hood. This is a shorter hood for the battery holder. Next
somewhere along the road your machine might have needed a new gas tank
and thus the serial plate has been changed. The machines that came
along a little later have a high hood that covers the battery and a
longwise gas tank. Older engines have a fat sparkplug. Newer machines
of 6.6 and 7.7 hp have a smaller plug. Anyone else who wants to throw
in some other advice, jump in.
 
Juzt saw your new post of pictures. Looks like your throttle is on the
wrong way around. The paddle should be to the rear. There is a spacer
that allows it to clear the handle bar. Ooooo you have the little red
plastic trim cover caps on your wheels. If they are in good shape I
would unscrew them off and put them in your safe. Valuable for people
who restore these machines.
 
Hi Jeffcat--

Great how you jump in and help with Gravely questions. What you say does make sense. Here's a clue:I can't find a trace of a decal anywhere on the tank or the hood. Possibly that speaks to the idea of them having been added later? It does have a high and low range lever.

So I take it I have 6.6 hp?

Jeff
 
One more detail. Looking at the serial numbers here:

http://sherwoodspower.com/DIY/GravelySerGrid-mstr.htm

I see the first L-8 was not supposed to be built until 1961. But the plate has both "L-8" for the model and the 1956 serial number.

Curiouser and curiouser, eh?

I'm going out to get the plastic end caps off the wheels now!
 
My "L" is from 1962 and has a 6.6 with the side leaning big fat spark
plug. It is also a special plug cause it is over a 1/4 of an inch
shorter than a regular plug. The hood will bang on top of the plug if
you use a regular lengnth. If you look at your serial plate see if the
letters match perfectly and are in a straight line. Your machine could
have had the swift-O-Matic added by a dealer and the numbers will be a
little out of wack when they restamp the numbers. Tooo much trivia in
our brains?
 
You have misread the serial number table. S/N M14064 would indicate your tractor is a 1956. S/N 2M14064 indicates your tractor is a 1964 which is a 6.6 HP. In the fall of 1963, Gravely introduced the high hood which covers the battery. I do not understand why you would have the earlier hood.
 
pauljac, you are right that I missed the "2M." Thanks for correcting me!

But the table I am looking at says that in 1964, they switched to the 10 hp Kohler and the 7.6 hp convertible, and this is what threw me off, as it's not either of those.

I think jeffcat is right that perhaps a dealer added the electric start and bolted on the older hood to have room for the battery to stick up. Would you agree?
 
Sorry, for some reason the forum won't let me edit :)

Jeffcat, I will go and look at the plate again and the sparkplug and report back.
 
Gotcha, thanks again! Wonder what was going on with the hood, guess I may never know. Not a bit of a decal on it or the tank, not even painted over.
 
Hope you went and checked the Gravely tractor club site. TONS of
information and loads of PDF files. Your serial comes up as 1956 and
the hood is mosy likely a dealer install. The regular hood is about 8
inches longer and pivots from the front set of holes where the handles
bolt into the castings. The short hood has a decal if YOU put it on.
Did you turn your throttle lever around yet? You want to tighten it
just enough so it is a little snug with a plastic washer. If you ever
get to a good junk yard take a look at some older machines. Get down
on your hands and knees along the front right hand side of the
machine. Just behind where you bolt on the atachments you will find a
little 1/8 pipe plug. That is where you check your oil level. NOW in
the junk yard you want to look at an older machine and see if you can
find the optional pet cock. Is made out of brass and has little bat
wings on it. Check the oil??? Easy as pie. Just like an old tractor.
Just be very careful removing it cause brass is soft. Wrap only 2
layer of teflon when you put it on your machine.
The true Gravely engine started being replaced with mostly Kohlers in
1966. First ones had motor generators and mine being a 1969 has the
little starter on the side like a modern engine.
You need to under stand that Gravelys could do damn near anything and
could be adapted as so. Go find when they made teramite backhoes!
Those things were like $4000.oo back then!
 
Hi Jeffcat--

Haven't done anything to the throttle or anything else yet. I know where two parts tractors are, so next time I can get back there, I will do as you suggest!

What you say about the hood makes perfect sense!

Tomorrow I am going to a scrapyard to look at a genuine Gravely dump cart. If it's not too rusty and the wheel bearings and whatnot are ok, I'm going to buy it. Anyway, when I'm there, I look around and see what else they might have.

I've been looking through the GTCA website, and you're right, there's a ton of reading to do there!

Here's a picture of the cart. Any reason not to buy it that you can see?



42166.jpg
 
Sorry, for some reason when I try to edit, the page tells me editing is disabled. Any idea why?

Anyway, just looking at it, I'm wondering if it's even intended for a two-wheel tractor. The tongue looks too short. What do you think? Is it for a four-wheeler?

Thanks, Jeff
 
Nice cart! No problem if it is in the $100.oo price range. Now if you
want to take it apart and sand blast and paint, it should be very
nice. Very tough trailers by todays standards. Has the same wheels as
the sulkie. Were is it ,I would buy it if it anywhere near sj. Now
for the bad news. That is for a rider tractor and not a walk behind.
If you put a board across the front for a seat and you install a hitch
kit on your machine you might just be able to make things work.
Understand that you will need something VERY heavy out front to
counter balance you and the trailer. It will work but you will need to
be a little creative.
 
Ya know, that's what I thought after I looked at it again last night.Looks like the tongue would be too short, and I'd have to add something, like a hitch kit or an extra bar, to get it to work. Actually, the scrapyard just wants $50 for the cart!

Good news is that I know where a regular sulky is. Maybe I will get that instead. I'll think it over.

Thanks for your advice!
 

I didn't read all the replies, but it is not at all uncommon for gas tanks to get switched. Once that's done the ID plate is useless.
 
Bret that seems to be the outcome here. Although I need to take the hood off and get a closer look at the engine.

Here's the sulky I'm looking at, although it may be gone by now:

42179.jpg
 
Hey Jeffcat, I live on the Connecticut shoreline near Westbrook. If you want the cart, let me know and I'll go pick it up for you for the price of the cart plus fuel.
 
That looks like the correct sulky. There is also a steering model of it but that is
for the machines with the commercial rear hitch. It can be addapted and it is a hoot
to drive them with a steering wheel. See if the trailer is solid ,so many of them rot
out in the front from sittng out and fertilizer just raises heck with them. Look at
the metal underneath were the seams are folded. Thanks
 
Will do! Over the years I've had occasion to buy some farm implements. Anything that works anywhere near fertilizer is usually rotted to bits:)

The guy selling the sulky on Craigslist only wants $50 dollars for it. Trouble is, he only left a reply by email to Craigslist to get in touch with him. No phone or text number. So I sent him an email this morning, which he hasn't answered. Prolly doesn't have it anymore at that price.
 
Well, good news-- the guy still has the sulky, so I'm driving up to see it today. On the phone, he said the wheels and bearings are fine. So, if there's no hidden rust, I will buy it. Only wants fifty bucks, which seems like incredibly good luck. More when I get it home!
 
PS: meant to add (still editing isn't working for me) that Cheshire's not that far away. Since I've been watching craigslist lately, it seems like there's a fair amount of Gravely stuff around for sale. I could go and buy a couple more tractors at reasonable prices, but my wife would kill me, lol :)
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top