Tractor Conversion one row

jm. · Jan 20, 2021

Several times on here I have mentioned wanting to convert an AC G to a Kubota diesel engine. Never
have found the right candidate. Had a friend tell me about something that sounded interesting so I
went down and check it out yesterday. Mad the deal and went back and brought it to Tennessee
today. Turns out is a close copy called Tuff Built . Manufactured in Cumming Georgia back in early
70s by Tractor Mfg. Co. Found a post on here back in April 1999 with a little information. This
one has no engine so perfect for my project but my question to you guys should I keep it original.
Original had a Tecumseh /or Kohler engine. Check the photos and let me know what you think and
check back in about a year and see the finished product which ever way I decide to go. Picked it
up from the original owner now 89 years old. Last time it ran was summer of 2002. Neat little rig
with electric lift. I got front and rear cultivators with it.

47fivewindow · Jan 20, 2021

If Tecumseh is the correct engine there would be no question about keeping it correct. It looks easy to adapt any powerplant to the lovejoy coupler. The radiator might be the hardest thing.

DeltaSteve · Jan 20, 2021

Something like that I wouldn't worry or care about keeping it 'original'Aan air cooled engine of some sort would probably be easiest to install.The thing is probably geared to accomodate the higher RPM air cooled engines as well.

jm. · Jan 20, 2021

Appreciate both replies. Steve gearing is no problem in that the thing has a hydrostat pump there that couples to the engine then a drive motor THRU a 3 speed gear transmission to the finals. One of my concerns was getting the rpms from the diesel direct coupled as the air gas original was a 3600 rpm engine. Also have to worry about a radiator as the other poster says. I have a real nice twin cylinder Briggs that looks like it would just couple up. I may do away with the electric lift and add hydraulics if I really get in to it. Thing is original as ever fenders are perfect not a bend or weld on the tractor anywhere. Anxious for bad weather so I can get it in and go to work on it . Right now we are having 55 days and 35 nights just unbelievable for January weather .

oldsarge · Jan 20, 2021

Somewhere in the murky past I remember reading about somebody advertising diesel conversions with full hydraulics on AC Gs .Only problem was the price was $9K

Janicholson · Jan 20, 2021

this looks pretty decent! Jim
not too many bucks

SDE · Jan 20, 2021

As they say, it's only original once, but it is your tractor to with as you please. You can even paint it your favorite color

Traditional Farmer · Jan 20, 2021

I have 3 of the Hines H-1600 tractors built in Rocky Mount NC they are very similar to the Tuff Bilt tractors, the drive is hydrastatic like the Ford LGT and MF garden tractors used.The Hines
had hydraulic lift.They used a 16HP Kohler motor.

dzc3 · Jan 21, 2021

Take a look at Hatz diesels. Not sure if the RPM's would match up

super99 · Jan 21, 2021

Did you buy it to use or resell? Probably not a lot of them made but is there any added value for keeping it original?? If it's for your own use, I'd set it up like I wanted it to be. Hang a radiator on the side with an electric fan and put it to work. Heck, you might even increase the value of it!

jm. · Jan 21, 2021

I,mm a KUBOTA dealer , has to be a KUBOTA if I convert it.. That was my original reason for searching for an AC G

jm. · Jan 21, 2021

I have several air cooled electric engines if I decide to go that way already here.

JK-NY · Jan 21, 2021

It is probably a lot rarer than any AC “g”. If your looking to preserve the collector value I would try to keep it close to oem. If you want to convert it to diesel a well done repower might be pretty easy to sell to a market gardener or smaller tobacco growers. I don’t know if there’s still many smaller tobacco growers left? But with cultivators with it I would say it would be marketable either way. If you want it just for you then do whichever you want. I would think you could find a Allis g needing an engine to convert, there were a lot of them up here at one time, very popular with vegetable growers and onion growers on the muck ground years back.

Dean · Jan 21, 2021

I would love to see a small Kubota diesel engine adapted but I expect that doing so would add quite a bit of weight behind the rear axle.

Maybe a 2 cylinder?

Dean

jacksun65 · Jan 21, 2021

Rig master used a two cylinder Kubota in their truck APU's.

Doug - Iowa · Jan 21, 2021

When I am deciding on the original or modified question, I factor in whether I'm making permanent changes or leaving it unmolested so it can be changed back. That can take extra effort to make brackets or whatever to match existing holes, but when removed you can't tell it was ever there. To me that's the perfect compromise, I get to run it like I want to but if a future owner wants it original, then I have left them that opportunity. There is risk to running anything, original or modified, but that's the enjoyment these tractors were made for.

1sarge · Jan 21, 2021

Friend of mine has a Tuff-bilt. His has the K series 16hp Kohler. Almost sure it has hydraulic lift also.

jm. · Jan 21, 2021

Yes I have several and that is probably what I will use if I go the diesel conversion.

gab · Jan 21, 2021

Any engine you can do a neat, clean install on would be good. I like to look at fabrications that make a guy scratch his head and wonder if that's factory or not.

Tractor Conversion one row

jm.

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47fivewindow

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DeltaSteve

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jm.

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oldsarge

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Janicholson

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SDE

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Traditional Farmer

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dzc3

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super99

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jm.

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jm.

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JK-NY

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Dean

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jacksun65

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Doug - Iowa

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1sarge

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jm.

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gab

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