Jacobsen 1200 super chief

[Auto Doc's]

The differential should be an inch below the fill hole to allow for heat expansion of the fluid. That is how I fill most manual transmissions.

As for ATF. Just regular old type "A" or type "F" should do just fine. A basic cheap hydraulic fluid will work as well. Nothing with a bunch of additives.

The ATF should be filled in a similar manner. Knowing the exact amount for a machine this old will be very hard to find.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Build information:

Jacobsen Chief 1200 Garden Tractor Build Dates​

The Jacobsen Chief 1200 garden tractor was produced from 1966 through 1968 TractorData.com+2. It was manufactured in Racine, Wisconsin, USA and was part of the Chief 1000 series, designed for residential and light-duty landscaping use.

Key Production Facts​

• Production years: 1966–1968 TractorData.com+2
• Manufacturer: Jacobsen Tractors, Racine, Wisconsin TractorData.com+1
• Engine: 12 hp Kohler K301 (476 cc, 1‑cylinder, air‑cooled)

 

[McTurff]

Build information:

Jacobsen Chief 1200 Garden Tractor Build Dates​

The Jacobsen Chief 1200 garden tractor was produced from 1966 through 1968 TractorData.com+2. It was manufactured in Racine, Wisconsin, USA and was part of the Chief 1000 series, designed for residential and light-duty landscaping use.

Key Production Facts​

• Production years: 1966–1968 TractorData.com+2
• Manufacturer: Jacobsen Tractors, Racine, Wisconsin TractorData.com+1
• Engine: 12 hp Kohler K301 (476 cc, 1‑cylinder, air‑cooled)

Interesting the original owners manual discusses the hydro transmission and using 90w but nothing about ATF??

 

[McTurff]

Build information:

Jacobsen Chief 1200 Garden Tractor Build Dates​

The Jacobsen Chief 1200 garden tractor was produced from 1966 through 1968 TractorData.com+2. It was manufactured in Racine, Wisconsin, USA and was part of the Chief 1000 series, designed for residential and light-duty landscaping use.

Key Production Facts​

• Production years: 1966–1968 TractorData.com+2
• Manufacturer: Jacobsen Tractors, Racine, Wisconsin TractorData.com+1
• Engine: 12 hp Kohler K301 (476 cc, 1‑cylinder, air‑cooled)

The differential should be an inch below the fill hole to allow for heat expansion of the fluid. That is how I fill most manual transmissions.

As for ATF. Just regular old type "A" or type "F" should do just fine. A basic cheap hydraulic fluid will work as well. Nothing with a bunch of additives.

The ATF should be filled in a similar manner. Knowing the exact amount for a machine this old will be very hard to find.

Got a few quarts of this?

 

[Auto Doc's]

Interesting the original owners manual discusses the hydro transmission and using 90w but nothing about ATF??

So, do you have a manual shift trans with a hydrostatic unit, or just a manual transmission?

 

[McTurff]

So, do you have a manual shift trans with a hydrostatic unit, or just a manual transmission?

Just forward and reverse no gears! Hydrostatic

 

[Auto Doc's]

Not sure why ATF came up early in the posting. If the manual says 90W then that is what you should use.

 

[McTurff]

Not sure why ATF came up early in the posting. If the manual says 90W then that is what you should use.

The diffential and pump are separate!
My transmission is the same as in the Ford 120 they are basically the same machine and there is more info searching for the Ford than the Jacobsen!
Took this pic earlier this is the fill hole for pump diff fill hole is in back below!
I still have not taken a look at the pump fluid to see if its red? Or whatever is in it!!

 

[McTurff]

The diffential and pump are separate!
My transmission is the same as in the Ford 120 they are basically the same machine and there is more info searching for the Ford than the Jacobsen!
Took this pic earlier this is the fill hole for pump diff fill hole is in back below!
I still have not taken a look at the pump fluid to see if its red? Or whatever is in it!!

Took a peek in the hydro pump and it is nice and clean looking ATF!!
So hopefully this is a good working Transmission so far it seems fine but won't know until its running!
Did some cleaning getting familiar with this tractor took the mower deck off and some other parts so I can clean it up lots of dirt grease and grime!
The Kohler k310 is missing fuel tank, carburetor, air cleaner and fuel pump i have sourced these parts the fuel tank i will have to figure out but found something that may work!
K301 Rebuild kits are available!
I can turn the engine sounds like some compression it rotates until it stops? Maybe stuck valve?
I will need a repair manual!!
Just wondering where to start on the engine right now just cleaning it up and doing all the research I can!!
I definitely will need help going forward!

 

[Auto Doc's]

Took a peek in the hydro pump and it is nice and clean looking ATF!!
So hopefully this is a good working Transmission so far it seems fine but won't know until its running!
Did some cleaning getting familiar with this tractor took the mower deck off and some other parts so I can clean it up lots of dirt grease and grime!
The Kohler k310 is missing fuel tank, carburetor, air cleaner and fuel pump i have sourced these parts the fuel tank i will have to figure out but found something that may work!
K310 Rebuild kits are available!
I can turn the engine sounds like some compression it rotates until it stops? Maybe stuck valve?
I will need a repair manual!!
Just wondering where to start on the engine right now just cleaning it up and doing all the research I can!!
I definitely will need help going forward!

Hello M.,

My advice is don't jump into buying parts or contemplating a "rebuild" until you have a full evaluation of the entire machine. These projects can be a joy to work on, but surprises do happen. Keep in mind that this thing got parked a long time for a reason.

Considering looking into a complete spare machine for donor parts (if one can be found) is never a bad investment.

The Ford 120 machine you spoke of earlier may have been built by Jacobsen under a private contract for Ford. That happened a lot even back then. Other private label builds were White yard products and Minneapolis Moline along with Sears Suburban. Even Montgomery Wards and Western Auto had private built versions of riders back then.

If your engine partially rotates, that may indicate a stuck valve or most likely a piston ring rust ridge in the cylinder. A good shot of PB blaster or some Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinder spark plug hole works well if you let it sit for a week or so. Then gradually work the crank back and forth gently to see if it breaks free.