1960s MTD Rallycross Build

ok here we go... found this mower when i was a kid, my grandpa helped me get it going... used it for mowing for about 3yrs then it got moved up to the camp and got used maybe 4 times then it was forgotten for 12yrs, i saw this forum and starting thinking of what i could build... mentioned it to my mom hopeful that she would know of a friend with broken craftsman or something. No such luck... then she calls me one day and says what about your mower up at the camp? BAM! it comes back to me "I have a mower that will be a great firstie!"
so i go up and take a quick look at it and grab a couple pics for online research (outside uncovered for 12yrs, pull rope and it turns over!!), no way to transport it home that day... I look and look and decide it's a Rugg from the 1960s (hence Username) another 6mo go by, finally have time to go grab my project. got it home and did some wiping down and leaf removal. I found the build tag...   Oops it's an MTD from the 1960s...

http://lawnandgarden.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/mtd/130390.html?p=1
it is not the exact model but real close, mine may have been a licensed MTD, mine is 159390

SO... my plans are to make this a "run-about" for the yard and mild trails, it's small but built with real metal, i should be able to beat on it good for a while... now with the small size in mind you'll see that my choice for the new rear tires is what many of you have put on the front of yours... 13x5.00-6

now on to the good stuff, i forgot to grab a couple pics before tear down but i'm sure we all know what a mower deck and seat looks like...






oh and the tire split when i try to pump the tube up after 12yrs  

Wow, at least the inner tube took air, I had a bike tire do that, to funny. Them mini mowers are so cool. Also makes you think how goofy you'd look mowing a yard.

Looks like a cool project. There was just something about those mower that was cool. Good luck with it .

Yes goofy for sure, I looked better on it when i was half the size i am now... going to put the seat back as far as i can and lower, without making it look too silly the other direction... i would like to find some aggressive tires for the front but options that small are limited and may just go new of whats there, 20yrs+ old i think i can spring for some tires... I also know of a couple mower graveyards that i'm gonna try to access and see about a cowl/hood...

RuggBateman wrote:

Yes goofy for sure, I looked better on it when i was half the size i am now... going to put the seat back as far as i can and lower, without making it look too silly the other direction... i would like to find some aggressive tires for the front but options that small are limited and may just go new of whats there, 20yrs+ old i think i can spring for some tires... I also know of a couple mower graveyards that i'm gonna try to access and see about a cowl/hood...

i like the look of it i like things you dont see all the time hope this gos good for you

so i got into the mower a bit last night, gonna need an engine... the amount of stuff i have to replace from 12yrs of sitting would add up to the same as new... plus the pulleys are rotted onto the shaft etc... and its time for power tools to remove parts as well...

I got the same mower! There pretty cool, I threw the rod in mine last fall and haven't really messed with it much since.

this is not dead... i just have a ton of things going on and this is a side side project, got hold of a push mower engine that will have to do for now, was told it has the turtle and rabbit speed adjust so that will help, but have not even looked at it... did more looking over the rig itself and will need lots of new little parts, this is gonna start to add up $$$. Might have to go bigger and do it "right" the first time, put the back wheels up front and go bigger in the rear...

Needs a fiberglass hood. Neat machine.