Gravely 5260

[Mattc8832]

I 'm getting a gravely 5260 this week. Are they any good. I know I'm getting 4 attachments and its electric start. So I should have a Gravely 5260 and a BCS 830 for my hopefully new property.

 

[Tenn_Blue]

Gravely's are tough old hardware that will last forever! The newer ones (a relative term...) used kohler engines that you cans still get parts for. Parts for the rest of the gravely are mostly still available, but you may have to order them - don't count on your local retailer having stuff for you. I have a couple of the much older L models - one runs and the other needs transmission work - someday...

They are a handful and will give you a workout keeping them pointed in the right direction. But they will go places that no 4 wheel tractor can get. I keep mine for bushhogging spots that the tractor cant get to safely.

They used to be fairly common, but not used that much anymore so you can often find them and attachments for little or nothing (buried in somebodies field...) - but don't count on them running as is. All easily rebuildable and made to be fixed, not thrown away. Nowhere near as refined as the BCS/Grillo models, but built for heavy work. Would love to have a newer BCS, but have maybe $200 in my Gravelys, and can't get near even an attachment for the new stuff for that price! It does what I need it for and that works for me. But I also have a big 4 wheel tractor for most of the work we do....

 

[Code54]

Great machine! What attachments are you getting?

 

[Mattc8832]

Thanks - It works and runs great. I got a brush hog , finish mower , scaper blade, tiller and a sulky. I've already used to plow the driveway. I also purchased a another used Gravely 522 with dual wheels.

 

[RalphVa]

I had a 5260 or similar size model. Couldn't handle it without putting steering brakes on it. Fortunately, the ex Gravely dealer in town had a brand new set that someone had removed. I ended up putting dual wheels on it to try to get enough traction to go up and down our hill behind the house. Still wasn't enough. It was good for filling the gap until I could convince my wife that I needed a 4wd tractor. With steering brakes, you can run the 5260 with one hand.

The big plow is awesome for moving snow. I also had a square chute snow blower that I used once on 7 inches of sleet (the plow wouldn't touch that heavy stuff). It was much older but worked like a champ.

If you need to break new ground, the rotary plow is very good. Again, I got one from the ex Gravely dealer in town.

Below are some pics.

Ralph

 

[mark02tj]

You'll love your Gravely. My grandfather had them, my uncle had them and my brother and I both HAVE them. I bought my first one - an old early 60's Model L - when I was in college (in the mid-80's). I used it to mow and plow gardens to pick up some extra money. I bought my current one back in '97 or so. It's a 5465 which is a 10 HP electric start. I have the "Quick Hitch Horn" on it that is used for mounting the finish mower. I still use the old "L" implements on it with an adapter kit that I bought years ago. So I also have a 48" snow blade, a rotary plow and a bush hog. I also have dual wheels which I can put on for mowing steep banks. That thing is a work horse and the bush hog amazes me when I use it to chip brush that I've pulled out. I just bought (in Oct '13) a JD 3520 to do some more of the heavy lifting around here. But there are still things that the ol' Gravely is much more efficient at.

I don't know where in WV you are, but be sure to check out Richard's Gravely in Spencer (southeast of Parkersburg). He has just about everything you can imagine and will ship to you as well. Of course, WV is full of old Gravely's since they were originally made there. Last time I was in Fairmont, the JD dealer there had a few old Gravely's on his lot.

Enjoy!!

 

[GravelyMan55]

Ralph, I like the tires you have on your tractor. I have a Gravely Commercial 12 and need new tires but I can only find turf tread and I prefer the "tractor tread" like you have on yours. The size of my tires is 18x6.50x8 . According to what I read on the internet the 6250 uses the same size. What is the brand, model and size of your tires and where did you get them?
Thanks, Steve

 

[mark02tj]

GravelyMan - Check out Richard's Gravely in Spencer, WV. There's a link in my post directly above this one. I needed new tires on my 5465 (very similar to your Commercial 12) and couldn't get the 35 year old tires to separate from the rims. I ended up just buying new tires and rims for a pretty attractive price from him. You can also find a pretty amazing array of tire sizes on Amazon although you might have a tougher time finding the Ag tires that you want. Again, Richard's is probably a good bet for this.

Noticed you are from Fairmont. My folks are both from there. My dad was born and raised on Clay St. which is about a mile or so from where the Wave-Tec pool is. Mom was born and raised on a small farm out in Hoult, right by the old Westinghouse plant. LOTS of good memories for me in Fairmont!!

 

[GravelyMan55]

Mark, Thanks for the reply. Yes, I called Richards Lawn Care but they do not have the ones I want and said that no one has them. They can, however get tires that are size 16x6.50x8 but I would like to have the correct size, so I am searching the internet. I have a couple of leads but nothing definite yet.
Yes, I know the places where your folks are from. Fairmont is a nice place and has a lot of great people. Thanks for sharing that!