Another project

[Hammermechanicman]

Guy just dropped these off this morning. Made by Lennox the air condition folks.
He wants me to get one working with electric start.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Very interesting. What engines are on these and are they designed to have a starter mounted?

TractorData.com Lennox Kittytrack 600 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

 

[Hammermechanicman]

They are both 14 cubic inch briggs. Some were recoil and some starter generator. The yellow one is more complete but is recoil start. The green one has the starter generator. I will probably wind up removing both engines and use the best of each to make a good electric start one

 

[k_damore]

these types of projects always interested me. i've been approached to restore 60-70 year old tractors that someone's daddy left behind or an estate sale find but i'm reluctant to take that on not knowing how to charge the client. There's always a learning curve that I feel you can't charge for as they believe guys like us know everything about every model. So do you charge a flat $$$ per hour, or half that knowing there's a steep learning curve with trial and error and lots of research?

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hello k_damore,

My advice from many years of experience is don't take in restoration projects. Restorations are a hobby, not a business.

Do one for yourself if you feel inclined but avoid customers "dreamer projects". There is no profit to be made but plenty of debt and aggravation.

Example: I have an original 1987 Snapper series 6 RER that was given to me by a longtime friend who has now passed away.

It has taken me close to 3 years just to get it back to good operational condition. He had parked it over 15 years ago in his shop because of an oil leak, and the deck spindle had stripped the blade bar threads.

It is fortunate that parts can still be found for one of these relics. (Thank you, Forrest Gump, LOL)

 

[Hammermechanicman]

these types of projects always interested me. i've been approached to restore 60-70 year old tractors that someone's daddy left behind or an estate sale find but i'm reluctant to take that on not knowing how to charge the client. There's always a learning curve that I feel you can't charge for as they believe guys like us know everything about every model. So do you charge a flat $$$ per hour, or half that knowing there's a steep learning curve with trial and error and lots of research?

I have done about a dozen different pieces for this guy. I don't restore but get them into running condition. They are far more valuable not restored. He takes them to shows. I never get any kind of documentation and there are no spare parts. I usually wind up rewiring everything besides fixing everthing rusted frozen or worn out. The welder and plasma cutter are my friend. I charge him $50/ hr. Most pieces cost him $500 to $900.

Things like this are typical

I usually wind up needing to make parts or weld up worn out stuff. He likes to keep things as original as possible.

 

[k_damore]

Hello k_damore,

My advice from many years of experience is don't take in restoration projects. Restorations are a hobby, not a business.

Do one for yourself if you feel inclined but avoid customers "dreamer projects". There is no profit to be made but plenty of debt and aggravation.

Example: I have an original 1987 Snapper series 6 RER that was given to me by a longtime friend who has now passed away.

It has taken me close to 3 years just to get it back to good operational condition. He had parked it over 15 years ago in his shop because of an oil leak, and the deck spindle had stripped the blade bar threads.

It is fortunate that parts can still be found for one of these relics. (Thank you, Forrest Gump, LOL)

i've been leaning that way, ready to retire in a year or so and i've had enough bread and butter projects (about 40 riding mower flips) to know you can quickly get into the weeds fixing things that are only 10-20 years old let alone 50-70 years. i love seeing the old 1960-70 mowers and want to try one for a "spare time" project

 

[k_damore]

I have done about a dozen different pieces for this guy. I don't restore but get them into running condition. They are far more valuable not restored. He takes them to shows. I never get any kind of documentation and there are no spare parts. I usually wind up rewiring everything besides fixing everthing rusted frozen or worn out. The welder and plasma cutter are my friend. I charge him $50/ hr. Most pieces cost him $500 to $900.

Things like this are typicalView attachment 71950View attachment 71951View attachment 71952View attachment 71953

I usually wind up needing to make parts or weld up worn out stuff. He likes to keep things as original as possible.

i'm gonna start with my own project first, work it in between my bread and butter repair/flip business. I'll have more time next year after retiring from my IT job and get to do what i really love and hopefully make some money to supplement the retirement funds with tax free income

 

[Hammermechanicman]

i'm gonna start with my own project first, work it in between my bread and butter repair/flip business. I'll have more time next year after retiring from my IT job and get to do what i really love and hopefully make some money to supplement the retirement funds with tax free income

Good luck!