184 nube with questions
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:51 pm
Howdy, This looks like a great site!
I'm thinking about buying a '79 or '80 184 Lo Boy to cut my hilly 4+ acres and retiring my smaller Ford LGT145.
Before I make the move, I am on a hunt for info. I have driven one, but still have some unanswered questions. Thanks in advance!!
How are the gear ratios for mowing hills? Apparently one with a gear splitter(?) would allow for more choices. After using the Ford hydrostatic, I'm not sure what gear and engine rpm is best for steady mowing. Or is this a seat of the pants, learn as you go process?
What's the weak link in this model? Clutch? HP and torque? PTO design? How does it perform with 3 pt attachments? How about with a FEL? Any way to judge hours with no meter?
I can do any repairs, but need to know what to look for (or run away from) in one of these.
One I drove has slack in the steering lever (idler arm) pivot; worn upper column bushing; LOTS of trans (?) noise in 1st gear, not so bad in 2nd; and an annoying puff of exhaust smoke going from low to high rpms (valve guides?)
What to look for in the Woods mower? This one has tight spindle and pulley bearings, good sheet metal and wheels, and cuts pretty quietly.
And lastly, am I better off to buy one that already has a 3 pt and a FEL, and add the mower,
or get the one with the mower and hope to find the 3 pt and FEL someday ($$$). The difference in the two tractors is about $1K, initially.
Give it to me: the good bad and ugly! I need some larnin'