End of an Era

RonL · Jan 31, 2004

Ariens has discontinued the Gravely 2 wheel tractor. I bought a 16 hp model two years ago. If I keep it I guess I'll have to stockpile the wear parts. I expected to have this machine for the rest of my life.

RonL

NIXON · Jan 31, 2004

Ron, If your Gravely is anything near as reliable as my father in laws mid '60's gravely there aren't a lot of things you'll need to stockpile . Other than Blades it just hasn't broken anything . We ( the son in laws ) use it for COMBAT Mowing .
Basically if we're unsure of the type of conditions We'll get into ,we get the Gravely . She isn't pretty, but she's been as reliable as an anvil . John

RalphVa · Feb 24, 2004

I've a 5665 Gravely and am looking to get a 4wd tractor with FEL that the Gravely can't do. Will have a bit more traction to pull my cart up my hill out back, too.

My right wheel seal is leaking a bit. Richard says I only have to drain the oil and then remove the 4 brake backer plate bolts. The whole axle assembly will then just slide out. He said I can just put the new seal in doubled up against the old one.

Otherwise, the tractor is almost like new. Had only 104 hours on it when I bought it 3 years ago. Now has about 340.

Ralph

s1120 · Mar 10, 2004

Well, if your new one is anything like my old ones, it will last a few peoples lives. I have a 1944, and a early 60's L. Still running strong.

AndyM · Mar 11, 2004

<font color="blue"> If I keep it I guess I'll have to stockpile the wear parts. I expected to have this machine for the rest of my life. </font>

I would think they would continue to make parts for it, as many of them as there are out there still.

slowrev · Mar 11, 2004

Some parts for the L's are already not available and we have to scrounge for used parts. Airens wants to sell new units not parts.

Solo · Mar 11, 2004

Ron
I talked to my dealer the other day he said parts had to be made for 35 years. I e-mailed Gravely they said parts had to be made for 10 years.
Solo

frank_f15 · Mar 11, 2004

i think u are right on that, parts are to be made for 10 years, but a lot of things use parts from one production run to the next, so some parts might be had for many years.

RonL · Mar 12, 2004

Solo

If I decide to keep the machine I'll have to figure out what the wear parts are and stockpile them. I may just sell the Gravely and my 36 inch Ariens snowblower and get a Power-Trac.

RonL