what is the "best" model gravely 2 wheel tractor?

[brooksto]

I am looking to purchase a gravely 2 wheel tractor. Its primary use will be brush mowing on slopes too steep for a 4 wheel tractor. I had considered a BCS type tractor but cannot afford one at this time and used ones in my area are rare. Lots of gravely though, many with several additional attachments. I have been reading and researching and am having trouble finding out which is the best model gravely 2 wheel tractor to seek out. It seems like the L8 was the best of the L models because of the transmission, but I havent seen info on how it compares to the many later models. Is the L8 the king of the hill? Or should i be looking for a different model and why? Thank you!

 

[hawkeye08]

Perhaps Richards Lawn and Garden in West Virginia can help. He has been a Gravely resource for many years. Looks like he sells new stuff now, years ago, I shopped and bought parts from him for my older stuff.

 

[bob11x]

L8 is a very good choice. The older Gravely is a full pressure lubrication and works well on hills. The L8 is a 4 speed tractor with a hi/lo range and a 2 speed axle. They also made 2 speed tractors in 3 flavors :
L - a fast tractor for mowing.
LI - intermediate speed for all around use -gardening , mowing
LS - slow tractor for industrial uses - these are not very common
The 2 speeds did offer an axle extension that worked well for hills. They are simple machines with lots of used parts available.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had this Pro 12. It cut the grass around the house better then anything I have owned (and that's a lot).
But it was very heavy and although I got the adapter to use the old style attachments, the machine was just too cumbersome.

 

[mark02tj]

I've owned a Gravely of one sort or another since 1984 - an old Model L. My current Gravelys are both "newer" (still late '70s, mid '80s models) with Kohlers on them. I prefer the Kohlers just because those engines are what I'm used to working on. The older Gravelys use magnetos instead of points/condenser. If it's a manual start machine, it's done with a strap. If you're comfortable working on stuff like that, the older ones are tough old machines.

For mowing on the hill, make sure you get dual wheels. Up until 9 months ago, I'd never used a Gravely with a steering brake, but I can see how it would be super handy going across a hill side. Get something with the 4 speed transmission.

My machines are 10hp and 12hp. I've never owned an 8hp Gravely. I might think that it would be a bit underpowered, but these things are geared pretty well so you might be OK. But, I'd opt for at least a 10hp if you can find one you like.

Something that I want to eventually do is buy an older Gravely and then repower it. There's a guy named Bruce Guthrie that makes the appropriate adapter plates to take an old Gravely where the engine and tranny were integrated and then remove the engine and replace it with a Honda clone from somewhere like Harbor Freight.

IndustrialToys mentions that a Gravely is "cumbersome". He is right - they will work you to death! When I lived in a neighborhood, several of the neighborhood men asked me to try the tractor when I was cutting my lawn with it. It was always fun to watch them struggle to control it! Once you get the hang of it, you can handle it pretty well. I wouldn't be without one, regardless of the other tractors I might have.

Good luck!

 

[RalphVa]

If you get a Gravely, either get one of the smallest 8 hp ones or get a 12 hp one with steering brakes. Otherwise, unless you're very strong, you will not be able to handle it on slopes. I got a 5665 (12 hp) back in late 2000 or early 2001. I absolutely could not handle it until I found some steering brakes to retrofit onto it. Then, I could steer it with one hand.

Ralph