Task Force (MTD) Build

Hey Guys,

I am new here but I am starting my first build with a 1989 Task Force 95185 (MTD) riding mower.  It has a 12HP B&S on it (Model 280707 0128-01).  The motor hasn't been cranked in a year or two.  I acquired it from my father when I took over the family farm.  I am planning to use this as a buggy for the farm to haul my chainsaw and gas around.  It will need to be able to go in to the woods, fields, and some boggy areas with me.  I am excited to get this underway!  Let me know of any pointers or suggestions you guys have!

Plans:
Oil change
New spark plug
Clean (rebuild maybe?) Carb
Flush Gas System
Buy new tires - Aggressive tread (as large as I can - maybe new rims to accommodate a larger tire up front)
Remove mounting brackets for the deck
Change out rear pulley for smaller pulley
Power wash it CLEAN
Weld up rear basket for carrying stuff
Weld up simple front bumper with Fog lights
New paint all over

Looks like you have a good project there! Be sure to take us along for the ride!

That engine doesn't have a "tag" the numbers are stamped into the front of the blower housing, right above the spark plug. Does it have the FNR and vari-drive setup?

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

That engine doesn't have a "tag" the numbers are stamped into the front of the blower housing, right above the spark plug. Does it have the FNR and vari-drive setup?

Ah! Thanks for the info. I went to the B&S website and it should there should be a tag on the top, but I guess with it being older, it is probably where you said it is. I'll give it a look when I get home.

As far as the FNR and Varidrive goes...I have no idea. I am not exactly sure what either one of those are. Sorry, I am completely brand new to riding mowers all together. I've never owned one or worked on one until now. I primarily work on cars, trucks, and outboards, so this a brand new venture for me.

Looks like the Varidrive has a a pulley between the engine and transaxle that moves between the two? Correct me if I am wrong, please. I can check when I get home.

Is the FNR a type of transaxle? Is there an easy way to identify it? Sorry for the lack of knowledge. Thanks!

I'm looking forward to seeing this build come to life! If it's an F-N-R transaxle, you will have a forward and reverse shifter on the fender, and another shifter for your ground speed. If it is an F-N-R trans I would recommend swapping in a more heavy duty one like I did. But it's your call man!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

I'm looking forward to seeing this build come to life! If it's an F-N-R transaxle, you will have a forward and reverse shifter on the fender, and another shifter for your ground speed. If it is an F-N-R trans I would recommend swapping in a more heavy duty one like I did. But it's your call man!

If I am remembering correctly, it does have a shifter for for F, N, and R and another shifter for speed.  I could maybe just run it and if it does ever break, swap it out?

I do have a second mower down there.  Its a slightly newer Yard Machine (MTD) with a 18.5HP motor.  But, the cutting deck is good on that one so I was planning just to tune that one up and use it to cut the grass that I can't bush hog.  But I am not sure on the details of the transaxle on that one.

Yeah you could just run it. I did for a while, but the F-N-R transaxles don't handle big aggressive tires very well.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Yeah you could just run it. I did for a while, but the F-N-R transaxles don't handle big aggressive tires very well.

Ah, I'll keep that in mind. Right now the tires that are on there are 15x6-6 and 18x9.5-8. I don't think I can buy a bigger tire for the front without buying a new rim. For the time being, I am considering a Carlisle X Trac 15x5-6. As far as the back goes. I was thinking of a 20x10-8 Carlisle Super Lug.

Nice! Those Super Lugs would look pretty mean on the back of that 'ol girl!

Yes the FNR trans is a single speed transaxle (FNR = forward neutral reverse) and the pulley between the engine and trans has a slider in it that changes your belt ratio and that is your speed setting. It is basically a CVT. But it has two belts (prone to belt slippage if they are wet) and the trans is weak. The FNR shifter goes to the trans and is your forward neutral or reverse shifter, and your speed shifter goes to that center pulley. Very interesting design, but not great for what we do with them.

I definitely have the FNR. I got the motor running today though. Did oil change, new spark plug, new fuel filter, cleaned carb, fresh gas, and new battery. Runs like a champ.

Up next: tires

Nice! Your tractor is an older one so I imagine it has the old school one piece carburetor?

That's right. I didn't fully dive in to it, but it is 1 piece.

All right, so with the motor running good, I decided to pull it off the trailer and make sure everything worked in the transaxle before buying the tires. Something is up with the varidrive.

From my understanding, the speed selector allows the clutch to release only so far depending on what speed was selected. The clutch is what actually moves the varidrive pulley forward and back. The issue is that the clutch is only moving the pulley from "park brake" to first "gear". If I move the speed selector to anything from 2 through 6, the clutch does not release more and the pulley does not move more. Something must be frozen. Any good leads before I tear in to it tomorrow? Thanks!

Ah yes, I experienced this issue with my MTD as well when I first got it, it was stuck in first. I'd pull the belts off the Vari-Drive, drop it right out, and try and lubricate the slider in the middle and break it free. That's what I had to do.

Nice project. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it. I love those older square style lawn tractors! Those side valve Briggs's are really tough and durable engines. Especially the older ones.

I second Matt's remark, can't beat a Briggs flatty!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Ah yes, I experienced this issue with my MTD as well when I first got it, it was stuck in first. I'd pull the belts off the Vari-Drive, drop it right out, and try and lubricate the slider in the middle and break it free. That's what I had to do.

That was exactly the issue. I pulled the belts and pulley off and lubricated the crap out of it and pryed it to slide. Worked it back and forth a few times, cleaned it, lubricated it. Good as new. It now shifts easily between 1 and 6. Thanks!

Also gave it a bath and started removing some of the hardware leftover from the deck. I am trying to decide if I want to remove the lever that engages and lowers the deck. I'd like it but it looks like I have to remove that whole shaft that it rides on. Not sure if I want to go through that or not lol.

No problemo! Glad ya got it figured out.

New tires being put on as we speak!! I went with the Carlisle Super Lug 20" in the back and Carlisle Turf Master 15" in the front (better price than the X-Trac and way easier to source for my tire guy). I'll post pics tonight when I get it back!

Nice! A decent set of tyres will change the look of the mower completely.

MatthewD wrote:

Nice! A decent set of tyres will change the look of the mower completely.

I totally agree with you MatthewD.

Looking forward to seeing 'er with 'er new paws!

I'm very excited to get her back today and see her with the new tires!  So I will be picking it up today...hopefully haha.  The tire shop called and they couldn't fit the 20" tires on the back without removing the fenders (they said it was WAY too big), so they are putting the 18"s on it (still the Super Lug).  And also the wheels were seized on the lawn tractor and they couldn't pull them off so they had to let it soak in PB Blaster.  

But, I did get the sand paper and the Rust Converter to begin the process of getting her ready for paint.  

Also, bought some of the supplies to do her exhaust work.  It is LOUD right now.  I was thinking of doing an exhaust stack with  a small tractor muffler and rain cap.  I already got 1" black pipe for it, just got to get the tractor muffler.  I thought that would look pretty cool and I have a Ford 2000 Tractor and thought it would be cool to sort of mirror the tractor a little.  Pic isn't my tractor but looks identical almost.

Hey we have a ford 3000 about that era. Looks just like it! Diesel too! great machine, but the power steering is messed up on it. Not the tractors fault though...our friend left it idling out of gear at the top of a hill while he was on his phone. it was 50 yards away from him by the time he knew it was gone. Hit a tree at the bottom and cracked the steering column, bent the front axle, and a bunch of other stuff...not a call dad wanted to get. Still isn't really fixed a year later

Ouch! That sucks! Mine needs a new hydraulic hose on it. I got to do that sometime very soon, but luckily I was able to bush hog the field before that happened.

Just got off the phone with tire shop...I have to wait one more day. They just started work on it and they still can't get the wheels off, so they will have to make a puller tool to pull it off. The bright said is they said it would not cost me any more. So even though I did pay for someone to mount the tires instead of doing it myself, they are having to deal with this headache and not me lol. So one more day of driving around with a trailer hooked up to my truck lol.