Would you work on this?

[Fuddyduddy1952]

About 15 miles away at my homeplace is this Yazoo mower my Grandfather bought new in 1970. It's been sitting in a shed 30 years. I have 5 mowers and don't need it, but sort of sentimental. From memory it has a Kohler K321 14hp motor.
When Dad inherited it, he used it some but I'd have to "un-rig" everything he did. It needs tires, seat, probably sand blast, deck repair, battery, probably carb, magneto, blades, belts.
I can picture everything I'd do, disassemble, paint, decals, etc. Question is...is it worth it?

 

[D&D]

Worth it? Resale value vs parts expense, absolutely not.

 

[Topzide]

Only for the memories. You'd probably have to fab most replacement parts. (I know that's not a problem with your shop setup) You'd have to research the deals and have someone remake for you. Don't think that Yazoo will have mick stuff left for replacement parts. If you have someone younger in the family that would be worth giving the project to, and oversee their work. That would be worth it!

 

[alexpops]

As D&D said ... if the goal is to refurb & sell? NO. Only you can answer what the sentiment is worth. If you think it would make your Grandad smile ... sure. As long as you don't wind up cursing out your Dad for all the stuff you have to unrig.

 

[RandyT]

Those are fun to drive and can get kind of crazy if trying to mower too fast. The fun ends the first time you decide to straddle that hole in the yard the dog dug and then you realize too late what is coming when the single rear wheel that you are basically sitting on drops into that hole.

 

[mllud]

I think you will for memories but consider your workload. I liked those back in the day.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Love all replies & so true.
Yes it's front drive and wheel under seat has a chain drive to steering wheel. It's a 2 speed. I remember like yesterday we were having noon dinner when Grandad goes flying past dining room cutting grass...we all said "what 'tha"???
He thought it was amazing thinking it did a good job cutting before wheels ran over grass and first zero turn we've seen.
Years ago we stopped in Yazoo, Mississippi and I asked a lady there about the mowers. She said she worked at the factory as she pointed to an empty field.

 

[mllud]

A tornado significantly impacted the Yazoo City area, including the Yazoo Lawn Mower factory, in 2010, though it's unclear if the factory was completely destroyed.

Yazoo/Kees Brand Discontinuation: The Yazoo/Kees brand was discontinued as part of a brand rationalization strategy within the Husqvarna Group, with Husqvarna continuing to produce similar products under the Dixon and Husqvarna brand

I think Napa still supports Yazoo/Kees brand

 

[Thomas]

Make good winter project.

 

[5030]

If it was mine, I'd restore it. Take your time and fab what you need and if you require machining of anything, PM me.

far as the engine is concerned, it's a K series Kohler single and all the parts are available for them readily. I consider the K series Kohler engines to be the best singles they ever built and they sound oh so sweet when idling. If you need a shop manual for it, I can send you a PDF for the entire K series of Kohlers. K series have adjustable valves (no grinding the valve stems to set the clearance and with proper care, it will outlive you....

 

[Carl_NH]

Clean it up, get it running, savor the memories, and pass it on to the next generation.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

If it was mine, I'd restore it. Take your time and fab what you need and if you require machining of anything, PM me.

far as the engine is concerned, it's a K series Kohler single and all the parts are available for them readily. I consider the K series Kohler engines to be the best singles they ever built and they sound oh so sweet when idling. If you need a shop manual for it, I can send you a PDF for the entire K series of Kohlers. K series have adjustable valves (no grinding the valve stems to set the clearance and with proper care, it will outlive you....

Thanks!
I have that same motor on a Cub Cadet garden tractor as well as Grandad's Economy Power King...both 70s.
I will get it and at least pressure wash it...see what all it needs.
Yes those engines were tough as nails! I've had my neighbor laughing...drive the Economy over and putt-putt-putt...probably 300 rpm...

 

[Carl_NH]

Had the 1250 Cub Cadet with the Kohler traded for my 1811 in 1989 - still run the 1811 today,

 

[5030]

I have the big K series single that powers my Lincoln engine drive welder I bought new over 30 years ago and all I've ever did to it was change the oil and the air filter. Even has the original spark plug in it (cleaned and gapped it a few times) I did change the carb on it as the original one lacked the high speed jet so I replaced it with the earlier Kohler carb that had the adjustable high speed jet. That has been the total maintenance on it. With the internal balance shaft, they make a wonderful sound, unlike any other engine around. I'm sure it will outlive me.

'They don't build engines or mowers like that today', Why I'd restore it even if you don't use it, would make a nice conversation or show piece. I can machine any part you might need, spindles or whatever.

 

[ScipioUSA]

Several years ago I was given one of these mowers. They are tough as nails but not exactly full of creature comforts. Mine had a large Wisconsin engine on it, and it was the biggest single cylinder engine I have seen. Starter and carburetor were the same/bigger than what was on my Farmall H. Great commercial for them floating around on YouTube....

Previous owner of mine had bolted a tractor weight to the frame behind the seat to try and help keep it on the ground. If you did a lot of swapping between forward and reverse it was easy to pick up that single wheel.

Husqvarna had a few parts remaining, but mostly everything is NLA. Biggest potential issue is the transmission. It uses a set of friction disks that once they start to go South I don't know if there is any way to repair or replace them, at least not cost effectively. I may still have some parts or service manuals for that machine if you need any.

 

[terraformer]

I still use the mower that I mowed my dads lawn 65 years ago. Have had a variety of motors on it but still runs the same. Same original handgrips.

Sell it, never!

By all means do enough to get it running again.

 

[D&D]

Clean it up, get it running, savor the memories, and pass it on to the next generation.

not sure they have the same appreciation (or frugalness) as generations past. Plus, as yards get smaller and smaller, there is less need.

 

[2manyrocks]

If it doesn't need major parts to be run every now and then, I might clean it up and paint it.

As far as a full restoration, I suspect the current generation has no idea of what these things are and they don't see their value.

 

[zzvyb6]

Well you could pass it on to your own kids if that's in the cards. How many flower pots can it hold in the mean time ?

What else could it do ? Run a generator, pump, tiller, broom, ... ?
Believe me, you'll need some projects of your own when you retire, otherwise, other folks will find ones for you.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Well you could pass it on to your own kids if that's in the cards. How many flower pots can it hold in the mean time ?

What else could it do ? Run a generator, pump, tiller, broom, ... ?
Believe me, you'll need some projects of your own when you retire, otherwise, other folks will find ones for you.

Retired for 11 years I've had projects out the Wazoo...house, cars, land and now a Yazoo!