Yard Man 20HP Garden tractor

[ZJ_HR]

Does anybody have experience about Yard Man B&S powered 20HP garden tractor?
I'm loking to buy one.It's 13y old, and asked price is about 1200$ (price is on chep side here, whether new one was paid about 4500$). This is pretty rare model here.
Engine is B&S V2 20HP, 40 or 44cu in (don't know exactly).
Clock shows 210 operating hrs only.


It has 12" rear turf tires and 8" front weels with cast iron axle and ball bearing hubs.
Transaxle has halfshafts of 1" dia. Gearbox is has 2 speeds forward and one reverse (Hi-Lo+R) with belt variator. Is this belt variator problem (except expensive belts)? Does it slip or drive is OK?
I can't find hydrostatic drive, but this one is simplier and cheaper to repair.
Mowing deck is 44 or 46", with 3 hubs and blades, not worn too much. PTO engage is by electromagnetic clutch with brake. Is it reliable? It make squeaking sound during braking.


Problems:
- engine generates white smoke (not a vapour). When was cold started, it was not working smooth, make brm...brm...with lot of smoke.
- strange sound on gearbox during drive (can't compare it with other machine)
- warn belts, burt still useable
- rusty, but not too much

Does anybody have operator manual and spare parts list for mentioned tractor?
Model is: 14AU804H643, as it's not available to download here: PDF Manual Web Archive

Here are few pictures:

Thank you!

 

[MitchellB]

$1200 for a 13 year old MTD mower with problems is way too rich for me. That is about what we paid for a new MTD 18HP/46" cut Industrial/Commercial Twin Lawn & Garden tractor with a triple bagger & high/low range transmission back in 1992 that we finally sold about 2 years ago for $300 still running strong and mowing grass, but in need of new drive belts. I don't know that I'd pay much over $600 for the one pictured and that is if it ran good and mowed good.

 

[Walt 2002]

I am sorry I don't want to insult anyone but MTD Yardman is a bottom rung box store mower in my opinion. Unfortunately MTD has taken over and ruined many brand names. B&S Intek engine, stamped steel deck, 13 years old = $300 - $400.

Walt Conner

 

[ZJ_HR]

Well, unfortunately, I'm not in US.
In Europe ching are much more expensive, especially in my country..
New 12...17hp cost about 1800...2300$.
Asked price for that one is cheap here. Probably the cheapest one, compared to that tinny new ones.
This one is twice heavier than new single cilinder mower.
I'm concerned about quality. I know that MTD is on low end, but we can choose only between Husqvarna, Viking kStihl brand) and MTD brands.

Does anybody have some documentation: user/service/parts manual?

 

[4570Man]

I would pay like $100 for it. It does look better than the average MTD.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

ZJ,

The Husqvarna models have a better reputation over here... Maybe cost a little more NOW, instead of a lot, LATER...

SR

 

[ZJ_HR]

I know, but...
This is a garden tractor, not a lawn tractor. That means heavylly built.
Usual lawn tractors, either MTD or Husqvarna, are about 180kg (400lbs) heavy, and this garden tractor is 380kg (850lbs) heavy.
So, I'm expect that heavier built must last longer, used in light jobs, koje a lawn tractor.
You have to understand that here we don't have much choice, especially with used machines. And used machines are expensive too.
90% of them are MTD, which is built in Germany, from American engines and transaxles.

Sales tax here is 25%!!! , that's why I'm looking for a old one.
I didn't make decision yet, and I'm waiting for somebody there who have/had machine like that to share experience.
I'm good with mechanics, hydraulics and electric, so repairs are not strange for me. Only what is concerning me, is parts availability.

Just trying to avoid big mistake.
I have two ag tractors, and one of them was totally overhauled at home, in my workshop.

Sorry for my bad English.

 

[Walt 2002]

Your English is perfect, didn't notice your location so would have no idea about prices, etc. there. You are right that MTD made some heavy, well built garden tractors but I thought longer ago than 13 years.

Walt Conner

 

[davesl708]

I know, but...
This is a garden tractor, not a lawn tractor. That means heavylly built.
Usual lawn tractors, either MTD or Husqvarna, are about 180kg (400lbs) heavy, and this garden tractor is 380kg (850lbs) heavy.
So, I'm expect that heavier built must last longer, used in light jobs, koje a lawn tractor.
You have to understand that here we don't have much choice, especially with used machines. And used machines are expensive too.
90% of them are MTD, which is built in Germany, from American engines and transaxles.

Sales tax here is 25%!!! , that's why I'm looking for a old one.
I didn't make decision yet, and I'm waiting for somebody there who have/had machine like that to share experience.
I'm good with mechanics, hydraulics and electric, so repairs are not strange for me. Only what is concerning me, is parts availability.

Just trying to avoid big mistake.
I have two ag tractors, and one of them was totally overhauled at home, in my workshop.

Sorry for my bad English.

Your English is fine. The mower is not. Not sure where the 850lbs are on that machine. It can only mow and maybe pull a small trailer or spreader.
If prices are such in your area that $1200.00USD is a good price then I would offer $800.00 due to the problems with it. You are going to have cost to get it back in shape.

230hrs on a 13yr old machine is not a lot for the problems you list.

 

[ZJ_HR]

Asked price war 1600$ and i negotiate to 1200.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Well, perhaps the MTD's are made better over there, but they not known for being a long lasting tractor over here...

I hope it works out for you, it sounds like you are really limited in your choices over there...

SR

 

[ZJ_HR]

Will see what time will bring.
This was only garden tractor for sale on ads. Rest we lawn tractors, from 11...20ho, most of them with single cylinder, some of them with Tecumseh engine, with prices range from 800...2500$ USED!!!

Choice here is pretty narrow. It's possible to find JD:
Traktor-kosilica John Deere L120 automatic
or Kubota mower :
KOSILICA KUBOTA G -18 DIZEL too,
but for 3...6 times price (3 to 6000$)... I'd like to have Kubota diesel, but...that's out of my price range.

For price in $, divide asked amount by 6.5.

 

[farm boy00]

Will see what time will bring.
This was only garden tractor for sale on ads. Rest we lawn tractors, from 11...20ho, most of them with single cylinder, some of them with Tecumseh engine, with prices range from 800...2500$ USED!!!

Choice here is pretty narrow. It's possible to find JD:
Traktor-kosilica John Deere L120 automatic
or Kubota mower :
KOSILICA KUBOTA G -18 DIZEL too,
but for 3...6 times price (3 to 6000$)... I'd like to have Kubota diesel, but...that's out of my price range.

For price in $, divide asked amount by 6.5.

That's what a kabota goes around here for me too. If this mower is a steal for your area get it and fix it. I own a few mtd tractors. From cheap ones to craftsman. All good so far. But Have bad ones. If you can fix it your good.

With electric clutch for deck you always have to have a good battery and they are slow to fully stop. Never has one that squealed

 

[ZJ_HR]

I decide to go into that adventure.
There's no New Yard Mans any more. They are replaced with Cub Cadets.
Same class CC costs 4 times more new.. OK, all new are hydrostatic. It's more comfortable and safe, but This one is cheaper to maintain and repair.
I plan to spend up to 200$, and it will be like new.
If it has some major issue, I'll resell it.

Does anyone have.User / Owner manual and spare parts list to share it with me?
Thx

 

[ZJ_HR]

Yard Man 20HP Garden tractor - overhauling

I was looking for other mowers too, but that one was unique. It is bigger and heavier built then other on ads.

Maybe little overpaid, but still...for that money I can buy 5...7y old small MTD!
I borowed van and broght it home. As owner didn't have 2 boards, it was tricky to load it into the van. Before that, i removed mowing deck.

As it will be my son's tractor, I parked it, between bigger brothers:

My 8y son tested it...

...and was very happy. His happiness is worth more then any money.

Problems about tractor:
- hood ears are broken by vibrations and age:

It will be repaired with small steel bezel (frame) soon. Need to make a drawing to laser cut it.
- drive variator belt is worn, and need to be replaced soon. Variator need adjustment for now.
- some squeaking sound on drive system. Probably some bearing is dry on idler pulleys.
- brake is non functional at all
- steering system has some "air"
- frame little rusty here and there
But engine is runing pretty fine. My concerns were little pesimistic.

 

[ZJ_HR]

Yard Man 20HP Garden tractor - overhauling

Mowing deck. As I mentioned before, it was removed before loading, and then was a moment to see "what kind of cat in bag I bought".
First what was visible, was that right lifting ear was broken and welded wrong:

It needs to be cut down, aligned and rewelded. Not a big deal.

I saw that was necessary to do modification on hanging points, that pin will go though into another hole, to avoid unexpected uncoupling (which happens in past).

Deck looks never washed out in it's life. There are lot of dirt on it, especially from inside, slightly rusty from outside, on some spots.

All in all, I expected worse.

After dirt scraping with wooden spade, I untightened nuts with air impact spanner, and removed blades., then applied WD40 to all bolts which need to be removed

As you can see on the hub, there's grease zerk, which was never used

...and started to disassembly it. First were taken off pulley protections, and belts:

Then hubs, idler, protection parts, casters...

...and deck was empty:

It was visible that it needs rust removal, evenatually rust holes patching, and new properly rust protection.

Knives are worn, but can still be usable, but wings are totally worn. They need to be replaced soon.

But, all of that was expected, and was not a problem. Biggest concern were blade shafts: on all three shafts/spindles, splines are worn out, so blades are rotating freely on it!
Some idiot didn't set it properly before nut tightening!

Shafts/spindles need to be replaced. Each one costs abour 30$, and this really pissed me of!!!

Then I untightened top nuts, and removed pulleys, and pull spindles out. I found grass in the bottom bearing, protections fell of, bearings were dry...

After all suprises, I need a bed...

 

[ZJ_HR]

Yard Man 20HP Garden tractor - overhauling

Two of them went easy, but...

On third one, pulley went out with hammer and woden piece, but shaft won't. I try to "convince it" with 5lbs hammer, heat inner bearing ring with gas burner, cut it with an angle grinder...but it didn't give up! I broke ball cage, that I can group a balls:

From piece of 1/8" thick steel plate I made a kind of puller, with T-shanks from two M6 (1/4") 8.8 grade bolts:

and tried to pull it out. Puller bolt was M16 10.9 grade bolt, with ball on it's end. One shank broke, but bearing didn't move, even a litle.

So, if the rough force don't act, it was not properly applied

Now was a time to use drastic measures.
I made another puller from piece of 3/4" pipe, with welded M16 nut on the top of it.

Anther side of the pipe I MAG welded for inner ring:

On this photo it was set back after it was removed, just for example, as it will not be visible on place.

Bad thing: Nor this attempt was sucessful again, as the ring broke near the welding!
But good thing happened: weld broke off bigger piece of iner ring...

...that I could take out balls, one by one, and disassembly bearing into two parts,

pull the sahft assembly out, and release the hub:

But ring still didn't give up! I need to cut it with angle grinder and hit with hammer to broke, and then pull it out from the shaft.

Worst job (up to then) was done!

 

[ZJ_HR]

Yard Man 20HP Garden tractor - overhauling

When I cought a time, I continued with deck works.

Wrong welded ear was cut off. As you could see on previous pics, holes were pretty worn out, and that was a chance to repair them.
Holes were filled/closed by MAG weld, and drilled again. Fortunatelly, there was pilot hole, so I could align ear properly and weld it on.

I noticed that left ear bracket (where is teeth wheel for deck leveling) was misaligned set in the factory, so I cut it off, align it by pilot holes and properly welded.

Deck was pressure washed and dried with compressed air, so rust inside was nicely visible.
Thank Godness, there weren't any holes or too deep "valleys", so it was not necessary to patch it.

All in all, deck was in pretty good shape, according to it's age (14y) and (lack of) maintenance. Maybe even better: dry deposits protected it.

 

[ZJ_HR]

Yard Man 20HP Garden tractor - overhauling

Deck was powder painted, but paint had bubbles and fell off on some spots. On places where paint was OK, wire brush on angle grinder couldn't rip it off. BTW, wire brush on angle grinder couldn't remove rust from inside the deck (as it was not smooth).

So, it was decided to do the job on best posiible way.

First, and most expensive, step was this:

Professional sand blasting. It cost me about 35$, but it was worth every penny
Just for ones who don't know: compressor for sand blasting was driven by 75hp Deutz 4-cylinder engine

At the end of the day it was looking nice:

A few days later, deck changed a colour slightly outside...

and inside:

and it was brought to the factory for make best possible protection: hot zinc coating

It loos pretty from outside...

... and even better from inside:

Zinc coated were and other exposed parts:

 

[ZJ_HR]

Yard Man 20HP Garden tractor - overhauling

But, that was just a first step. Few steps will follow later.

Deck was, after zinc coating, painted with 2-component reactive primer:

Primer is sprayed at high pressure.

so, I think that it will be good protected from inside too:

Now I need to assembly inside protections, and do a final painting.
I tought that good protection will be with car under body protection (I don't know proper name), and pain it over. What do you thinka about that idea?

As I don't have dark green or yellow paint at disposal, deck will be painted either in light grey (ivory) or in red colour (I didn't decide yet).

I know only that spindle pulleys will be red