1975 MTD 990 Farm King

So, I was going to go buy a Murray to get the tranny out of it for the WeedEater, and while I was there...I couldn't help it.  The guy said it was going to the scrapyard if someone didn't buy it.  I bought another tractor LOL.



It is some sort of MTD, I can't make out the stickers or find a serial number.  It may be a 990 because it's a 16 hp briggs.  This monster has a 50" deck, a shaft drive, a hi-lo hydro trans, 27x9.50-15 tires factory, wheel weights, a freakin hydraulic 3 point lift (the main reason I bought it), and the deck is driven by a drive shaft and 2 RAGBs.  I don't know the condition of the deck.  I don't have too many good pictures of it, it's still in the truck, lol.  We broke the ramps trying to get it in, we'll have to buy more tomorrow and try it then.  Here's how we got it in.



The engine is points, and it has a starter generator running off a keyed flywheel.  The carb is different looking.




Yes I have the filter and box, I took them off.

The seat I think is from a round body John Deere 110 or something, partially because it's yellow, partially because it's welded on lol.



Wheel weights (50 pounds each), tire size, and disk brakes.





The rear tires seem to hold air.  I want to put ags on it some day, but for now I'll probably keep these because I imagine tires that size ain't cheap lol.



Parking brake, hi-lo selector, and hydraulic lift.

Anyway that's about all the pictures I have at the moment.  The plans for it are to get it running, maybe get the deck working because it's a 50" cut, get it plowing, and probably not much else.  I really can't think of many improvements it needs lol.  This thing will pretty much be the tractor, it's pretty close to a subcompact tractor as it sits.  I'm really happy and excited, lemme know what you think!

For those who are wondering, I paid $75 for this.

Great find!! She's a tank for sure, I imagine it'll do anywork you ask. Can't wait to see 'er running!

Also that carb is a Briggs updraft unit, that's why it's so different looking compared to the usual side draft carbs the single cylinders have.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Great find!! She's a tank for sure, I imagine it'll do anywork you ask. Can't wait to see 'er running!

Also that carb is a Briggs updraft unit, that's why it's so different looking compared to the usual side draft carbs the single cylinders have.

Thanks!

Ah, okay that makes sense.

So the PTO was engaged, I managed to get the belts off, they were pretty much melted on. It has compression, and the inside of the gas tank looks extremely clean, someone at least drained the gas out of the gas tank. Probably too much to hope for, wonder if someone drained the gas out of the carb. Either way, it shouldn't take much to get started. Not much I can do with it in the bed of the truck though lol.

15 inch rims on the back. You can run to a used tire shop and get some snow tires for it from a car.

Check out this video before you tear the carb apart. Especially starting at 7:25.

Oh yeah, good idea. You gotta completely remove the main jet on those carbs before they will split apart, haha.

Well...now I know why I couldn't split it, LOL. I typically don't tell people when I unsuccessfully do stuff unless I really need help.

Nice that thing is cool, looks almost like the size of a Case tractor. I would do what the other guys are saying & run thru the carb before even trying to start it. Then check for spark & the usual stuff. I have no idea what the correct seat would be for it but that is the only thing that looks out of place, maybe just paint it.

I'm gonna guess a MTD 990A FARM KING 

This may be helpful?

http://manuals.mtdproducts.com/mtd/Safety.do?pid=190479&model_num=148-990&serial_num=0&filename=770-7478.pdf

mrshaft696 wrote:

Nice that thing is cool, looks almost like the size of a Case tractor.  I would do what the other guys are saying & run thru the carb before even trying to start it.  Then check for spark & the usual stuff.  I have no idea what the correct seat would be for it but that is the only thing that looks out of place, maybe just paint it.

Thanks! Yeah, I was planning on checking the carb.

Yeah, the seat is pretty comfy I must say, for being metal. If I painted it, it would look even more out of place, because I'm kinda digging the patina on it, and I'm probably going to clear coat it and not paint it. I don't really like the way the 990s look all shiny and new, but I like the rusty look of this one.

MightyRaze wrote:

I'm gonna guess a MTD 990A FARM KING 

This may be helpful?

http://manuals.mtdproducts.com/mtd/Safety.do?pid=190479&model_num=148-990&serial_num=0&filename=770-7478.pdf

Thanks! That's very helpful, I think you're right! Dang, they made a hydraulic front-end loader for this thing!!

What a great find and I agree the patina looks great. This will be perfect for your ranch with or without the deck.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

What a great find and I agree the patina looks great.  This will be perfect for your ranch with or without the deck.

Thanks! Yeah I agree, it's going to do great.

I forgot to mention this engine is physically massive. It's very tall, and it's 531 ccs. The deck lift is also hydraulic I just found out.

That thing looks interesting!

Nice Widebody there!

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

That thing looks interesting!

Nice Widebody there!

Thanks!

Eh, the widebody is either going to be the mower or scrapped for the trans.

Looks like that would make a dandy work tractor. That what I would have done if I got the one Rocky got. Cuz I coulda... haha

[adm]Parts of the thread has been pruned. Please stay on topic.[/adm]

Thanks Mighty!

TheBeal wrote:

Looks like that would make a dandy work tractor. That what I would have done if I got the one Rocky got. Cuz I coulda... haha

Hahaha, yeah I think so too.

Managed to get it out of the truck. Not sure what's going on, but it won't go into neutral anymore. I had it in gear so it wouldn't try to roll out of the bed because the tailgate couldn't go up, and now, even though the hi-lo shifter moves, it doesn't seem to do anything. I'll have to look into that, maybe I'm just missing something.

The good thing is that when I was pulling it with a truck to get it where I wanted it, both rear tires rolled and turned the engine over, LOL. So at least I have really good traction LOL.

More pictures, as promised.








I should have a walk around video of it later.

At the moment, the only thing holding the deck on is the driveshaft is stuck.  I'll figure something out.  I haven't decided if I'm keeping the deck or not, depends on what kind of shape the driveshaft, PTO bearings, RAGB, spindles, and the deck itself are in.

I'd rebuild the deck!

that thing must have good grip & be xtremely heavy when U get the engine turned over by pulling it!

I'd tear in the Engine & Trans before trying to drive it cuz maybe U damage stuff badly

Interesting... that 50" deck looks like an old early 80's vintage mower deck a little bit.  LOL

Man, I am still uncertain if this is a Farm King or a Hydro-static 16.  Regardless it is a 990.  3 Lug front wheels?

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

I'd rebuild the deck!

That thing must have good grip & be extremely heavy since the engine turned over by pulling it!

I'd tear in the Engine & Trans before trying to drive it because maybe you damage stuff badly.

I'm going to see what the trans oil looks like before I try to drive it. The engine oil actually looks brand new, lol. I think the engine is in good shape. I'll probably pull the plug, pour some oil into the cylinder since it's been sitting (it's not seized btw), then see if it has spark, then go from there. It has good compression, so if it's sparks, it shouldn't take much more than that.

MightyRaze wrote:

Man, I am still uncertain if this is a Farm King or a Hydro-static 16.  Regardless it is a 990.  3 Lug front wheels?

Yes, 3 lug in the front, 4 in the back. What's the difference between a Farm King and a Hydro-static 16? I might be able to find out.

I think just color shade and name.

Nice score

MightyRaze wrote:

I think just color shade and name.

Ah okay. Then I guess I'll just go with Farm King because it sounds cooler, LOL.

diddie wrote:

Nice score

Thanks!

So, I jumped it, and it turns over, has compression, but no spark. So I pulled the grille off, removed the S/G belt, then the S/G pulley which went easier than I thought it would, then the shroud. Yeah, yeah I'd say there might be a problem with the coil....



I did film the process, I need to edit it, and then I can't upload it until like 10:00 tonight when nobody is using the internet, because it literally keeps anyone else from using it.