Weights on lawn tractor

[TWG1572]

I'm guilty of over thinking this one, but wanted peoples opinion on leaving weights on a lawn tractor year round.

I've got a Deere 116, which is a lawn tractor (not a heavier built garden tractor). There are 130 lbs of weights that bolt on above the back hitch, they give additional traction/counterweight when the snowblower is attached.

Is the amount of additional transaxle wear that these weights may cause even worth worrying about, if I were to leave them on year long? I know there may be other impacts, like compaction and potentially lighter front end, but I'm curious about the wear impacts. It's a peerless transaxle. I know there may be some more wear, but is it of concern? It doesn't seem like 100 lbs would be that much, but you never know.

Just mulling it over on a cold Sunday morning.

 

[JTK]

Given the 116 was made in the early 1980's (I believe), you're doing something right!! I personally would think 130lbs of weight, an operator and the weight of the snowblower attachment would be too much for this little unit, but if it's worked this long it can't be all that bad. What trans is in it; Peerless gear drive or Eaton hydrostat? This was prior to JD using Tufftorq transaxles. A Briggs horizontally opposed twin gas hog I presume?

Joel

 

[CourierDriver]

see below,,i hve a jd rider,,i use what the dealership sells me,,if it blows,,i will blame them,,lol

 

[TWG1572]

I can't take all the credit, it was my grandpa's long before I had it. I remember going to his farm and driving it up and down the driveway when I was a little kid. That's why I don't want to beat it up for no reason, in fact I will probably retire the snowblower this winter.

It's all OEM parts (weights and blower) so the manual isn't much help. And I work for Deere corporate, so blowing it up and blaming them isn't going to get me far.

It's got the five speed gear drive, with the Briggs horizontal twin. It's a stout little engine, I've got no real complaints with it. It smokes a bit on startup, but no where near needing to tear it down.

 

[JTK]

Good deal TWG. I just Googled "JD 116" and I had some of the facts down on it. I didn't realize it was JD's top of the line "lawn tractor" back in the early 80's. It's got some of the old school 100 series parts on it. The Peerless gear drives were the best available IMO. Obviously things aren't made like that anymore. I keep at it as is! Yes, you can't beat the smoothness of the Briggs horizontal twins. Much of the smoking can be alleviated by making sure it's not over filled w/ oil and by switching it to a 15w40.

Joel

 

[wapacz]

I use my 110 built in 1967 to help me back a few boats into the garage for the winter. One of the trailers is a bear to let down low enough to get on the hitch. So I have to figure it weighs more than 130. The first time I used it I was worried a little bit that the bracket the hitch was on was might bend a bit. It turned up I had nothing to worry about as it didn't move a bit. Any ways I have been using it for this for the last few years and theres not a single sign of it causing a problem.


There are probably wheel weights you could get for it if you don't want to have the weight on the axle. I have a set sitting around for mine but I have never put them on as I have never put the snowblower on the front.

 

[JTK]

Yep, we used to tow our 21ft Starcraft around the yard w/ our 1970 JD 110, but the 110 is heavier and has a larger wheel base than the 116.

Joel

 

[wapacz]

it really is massing how long these things keep going. Only problem with mine is it is dang loud but I can't justify spending the 30 dollars for a muffler for it when I have a headset for ear protection.

 

[JTK]

$30 isn't bad!! I recall asking the dealer for a replacement muffler for our 110 many years ago (like 20) and it was like $60 back then. The original stayed on. It was intact, I just don't think it had any innards.

Joel

 

[TWG1572]

Tell me about it... I shelled out more than $60 for my new muffler a couple years ago. In hindsight, buying used on ebay might be a much more cost effective option. Of course, then it's buyer beware.

I also figured out that the two weights I have on the back of my 116 are only 43 lbs apiece - so quite a bit lighter than I was guessing.

I may have to try the 15w40.... That would let me step up to something like a Rotella. I like the idea.

 

[wapacz]

From my reading on it the muffler was that jd sells as a replacement is made by nelson.

The tractor has a muffler on it and its okay but a bit loud than i like when mowing or moving stuff with it. The problem comes when I have to drive between houses. Where it becomes really bad as the it bounces right off the walls. The worst one is where the walls of the two house are only about 5 space part.(small 50 by 150 lots on a lake)

 

[yeehaw1960]

A little plumbing (pipe) work and a large cigar muffler pointed away from the operator and you're in business.