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Jacobsen Chief 1200

Z

Zoilo Colorado

New User
Hello yesterday's tractors members! I'm new in this forum. I just bought a 1967 Jacobsen chief 1200. My mind is blown because I'm 43 years old and have used many garden tractors. This tractor is impossible too use because 2nd and 3rd gear are insanely fast. It would break my back or I would roll the thing if I used it in 2nd and 3rd. You couldn't plow or cut grass at those speeds. I never would guess this would be the case. Please help. I can only guess that a pulley is the wrong size or it's a weird transmission option. I don't have an owners or service manual and I haven't found anything online on the subject. Thanks a lot.
 
Here's what Tractor Data says it should run.

I guess it's possible a pulley has been changed. How's the RPM sound? Could the governor be out of adjustment or not working?
Speeds
 
I have a 1000, which is basically the same tractor, just a 10 horse instead of 12. They scoot along in high gear, maybe 7 MPH at full throttle. I'm guessing someone changed pulleys on yours to change the ground speed. The one on the side of the transaxle originally is a 3 spoke, probably about 6" across.
 

Thanks for your reply. If by governor you mean that which controls the carburetor, I think it's fine. I can set the throttle between barely running and fast, and it holds engine speed well on and off load. It runs pretty good. I have to change the fuel line, filter and clean the carburetor. I have a 728 broadmoor, and 2nd gear on the 1200 is way faster than 3rd gear on the 728. My 1200 has 3 forward gears and reverse. The speed data you provided is cool, I hafta find a way to test my 1200. I'll hafta time it maybe.
 

Thanks for your reply also. I'll check the transaxle pulley. I think mine is about 6" too, but I'll check it. Yeah, there's no telling what people have done to this thing in its life. I'm not giving up on it because it's so badass and I've wanted one for years. I have chains, wheel weights, mower deck and a snowblower for it.
 
67 should be a 4 speed transmission. Does it have the shift pattern cut out of the sheet metal? If the slot opposite reverse is longer, there is 1st and 2nd gear in the same location. 1st is all the way to the left and 2nd is part way (about the same distance as reverse). There should be a tab that sets across the slot to stop the shifter in 2nd. 3rd an 4th are opposite each other in the rear slot.
 
I mowed with a "100" (10 HP) Ford for years....second gear was just about perfect for normal mowing and "low-low" when you're in real heavy stuff.
Do you have the little steel mower deck or the real nice cast aluminum 42" deck?
They are great little tractors.
The newer ('72 and up) pipe frame tractors are even better.
 


Yeah, you're probably right. This is the first forum I've ever been on. I'm computer illiterate. It's a miracle I even successfully posted anything. I'll ask there. Thanks.
 


Thanks so much. I'll totally check. Shifter is sloppy. Maybe I missed that somehow. I'll mess with it. I very much hope that's all it is.
 

I have the aluminum deck. I'll need to weld it a little because there's a small crack. I also have to replace the bearings. I'll take the deck inside this winter and do that. It's nice to know that your 100 was perfect in second. I know Jacobsen knew what they were doing. I don't know what the owners before me did to it. In addition, this machine is still all new to me.
 
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