David Steinbach

Sorry, what I meant about the casting is that did you come across a date/year stamp anywhere on the frame? Your farmall probably has a month-day-year cast into the engine block for example. Supposedly the #9 mowers have the manufacture date cast into the main frame but I could never find one on my #7.

Did you ever find any casting dates or letters on the frame or in the gearbox?

I don't know much about pulling these with tractors. I know they made the Trailer Gear for that purpose with short tongue etc. I've heard you dont' want to go too fast but I really don't know how bad it is or if that's just internet mythology. Also, I know you can get an aftermarket steel grassboard for these that supposedly work well. I have a wood board and stick on mine because I like the looks and they work well.

When you were rebuilding this did you happen to inspect or remove the axle roller bearings in the frame? I suspect a problem with mine and was wondering about your experience with them. I know they have a split outer race and the right/center is different from the left.

Also, what did you use for a gasket in the gearbox cover? I've been using permatex but I don't like that it also glues it on.

Nice work! I think you'll find that you need a grass board and stick once you start mowing. The stub guards are nice, I have them on mine too, but you still need the action of the grass board to clear the way for the inner shoe and wheel. Do you still have the original draft rod and draft bracket? I notice its not on the tongue yet. I have an "after market" one on mine.

Original owner's manual said to use 4 qts of SAE 20 in the gearbox and not to use heavy transmission oil, just FYI.

By the way, I noticed the nuts are all on top of the bar. I assume they are tapered nuts. What thread size are the bolts and where did you get the nuts and bolts from?

Did you have any trouble getting out the tapered bolts holding the axle to the main gear/pawl holders? If so what did you do to get them out? I have a no.7 and those bolts won't budge.