Gravely 5260 (and basic motor help)

Code54 · Oct 14, 2013

I been around 4 wheel tractors and have done some work on them in the past but only been working on Gravely's for, well, about 24 hrs....
Yesterday I bought a well used 5260 that didn't run. After working on it some today I finally got it to run. I know most would think that is good news but it really is not.
Once it started it smoked, I don't mean like a little puff, I mean, filled the shop with oil burning smoke. Now I am guessing that this means the rings are toast and the K181s needs rebuilt. I can pull the engine myself and tear it down pretty easily, but I have never fully "rebuilt" an engine. I know the gist of it and know the motor will need machine work (bore, hone, valve seats, etc). I have a fairly decent shop and hand tools, press, air/power tools, etc are all there. I don't mind buying a ring compressor and some other little stuff to do it, and I have found rebuild kits for around $120.00 so the cost does not look bad at all. Now the big question - am I out of my mind for trying this? It seems to be a very simple little engine, and seems like something I should be able to do. I have redone a bunch of gear boxes, implements, fixed motorcycles and stuff like that without a lot of problems. I also thought a good engine shop may give me the correct measurements for the oversized pistons and such so that would help.

My other thoughts are is there any "new" engines that are a direct replacement (such as "CS12-Gravely-2W-R1 12hp Command CS, OHC, CIS, LOS, Recoil & Electric Start, Fits Gravely Two Wheel Tractor Kohler Engine" which I found on the small engine warehouse site). I like the idea of a newer, engine and see the threads on the Honda/honda clones but thought this may also be an option.

On another note: How do I slow this tractor down a bit - seems to run just a little fast for me. I don't have the gear reduction hubs and it appears I don't have the optional selectable axle thing (don't recall the name) - is it possible to add either of theses? I have a 6' brush hog for my 4 wheel tractor so I really want something slow and steady for getting in tight areas where the 4 wheel tractor cant fit.

I also noticed that when I engaged the PTO today I had a little bit of a gear grinding noise. Is that normally the case (guessing not) - I did have it in gear but was not moving. I tried it again with it out of gear and it went smoother but still didn't seem right.

Thank you in advance for you help

js5020 · Oct 14, 2013

The ole Kohler is pretty easy and cheap to rebuild, there are plenty of detailed "how to's" on the web also. An engine conversion is also another option for those who are willing to part with the Kohler. How fast is fast? a 5260 should have the swiftmatic trans and low low should be around 1mph. If you dont have the dash mounted high/low axle control then its not really a 5260 as these are stock with the swiftmatic. If the ground speed is somewhat insane(literally run to keep up) then the H/L planetary could be stuck or have another issue. You cant add the gear reduction hubs to a swiftmatic without doing some machine work, however they should go on a newer machine without the swiftmatic as long as the casting flange is drilled to accept them and you have the old style hubs with tapered and keyed axles. PTO engagement is very mechanical to say the least, best way idle the engine down, put the left handlebar control in neutral and sharply pull the PTO control, it "grinds" , it just "grinds" less this way.

Code54 · Oct 15, 2013

Thanks for the information.
It does not appear I have the SwiftAMatic transmission but I do have a "hole" in the dash for it so I am a little confused and thinking maybe the model number is wrong. It seems that it could be added or maybe the rod is missing? Could it have been an optional item maybe? Here are a few photos - I know nothing about this machine and am trying to find about it every way possible so any info is a BIG help!
Thanks!

js5020 · Oct 15, 2013

The great thing about these machines is most stuff swaps around (my Com12 has a Pro14 H/L planetary in it). 5260 should be a swiftmatic with an 8 hp e start Kohler. A 5220 would be an e start 8 hp Kohler without the swiftmatic, I have never seen a 5220 so I dont know if someone swapped tin or just changed decals on you. I cant tell from the pics but if the ends of the axle housings have 2 holes through them the gear reduction units should bolt up as I can see you have the tapered and keyed axles.

Heres some sales info for the series,

http://gravelymanuals.com/pdf/Conv_5xxx_Broch_0378.pdf

The swiftmatic is the most versatile trans as you can change speeds with no more effort than moving a lever, a non swiftmatic is stronger but to change gearing requires lots of effort. Im not sure if you have an 8 lead diff or a 6 lead (likely a 6) they did put a 4 lead in the old L model to slow things down again Im not sure one would work in yours and they are hard to find. Easiest/cheapest would be to locate a swiftmatic and swap it in, then you would have speeds from 1 mph to 4 mph.

Code54 · Oct 15, 2013

Thanks!!!
I really like the idea of 1mph as an option. In my case slow is good. We have a LOT of hills and I want the Gravely to mow where it is to difficult to get the big tractor so a lot of those areas are tight or on weird angles.
i am pretty sure someone changed the stickers to what they wanted also. Once I looked at the engine and turned a few wrenches I found the head is in bad shape. It appears warped and has a small crack (as well as the spark plug threads being 1/2 stripped) so I am going to replace that. I also noticed the top of the piston is stamped "STD" which I am guessing means it is standard and it has never been bored which is good for me. I sort of want to replace any issues and get this running 110%, even thought I know I will end up with a bit more in it that it is really worth. Part of it is I sort of like messing with it so it is a fun project if nothing else.
Any suggestions on where to find a swiftmatic? I will also check on the holes in the axle and maybe get lucky and have them. Gearing it down that way would be fine also.
Again - Thanks for the help

js5020 · Oct 15, 2013

I see your in the capable hands of the MTF Gravely guys, a good bunch. Cant place a price on a 2 wheel Gravely, they dont make em anymore and likely never will, oh there are new machines out there but they are not Gravelys,,, and new is pretty spendy so it takes alot of coin to justify a new one.