An Unlikely Mower Restoration: 1991 MTD 12/38

I got this old MTD for free. My plan was to simply fix and sell this tractor, but I decided to do a full restoration. It's a "rattle can" restoration, but still, I think it came out pretty good!
#restoration #smallenginerepair #tractor #lawnmower #lawncare #repair

[@davidlaws1438]

I bought a MTD in about 1987 or 88 from a true value hardware store I worked for, paid 500 dollars for it and it lasted for years. A darn good mower. I even used it to clear off 2 acres of land with weeds as tall as me.😊

[@michaelentingh4626]

I'd sure would like to have that deck ! I'm looking now for one for my 97 . Having trouble finding one I can afford .

[@whatsnextgarage]

Well done!! holy cow that is really nice looking!

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks!

[@MarkMeadows90]

I'm wanting to challenge you to find an old Lowe's branded lawn mower from the late 80s. My dad and I have been disagreeing with each other about the branding behind those older Lowe's mowers lately. But friendly disagreements. He's saying that Noma owned, or manufactured mowers for Lowe's in the past, and then Murray took over the branding rights in the early 90s. But what I've seen is that MTD manufactured mowers for Lowe's back then as well. Not sure who is right on this LOL But yeah, I have hardly seen anyone make a video on restoring or refurbishing an old Lowe's mower from the late 80s. My dad owned one in 1989. It was his first true "new" mower that he bought with his own earnings. He used that mower for almost 12 seasons. Wish he would've kept it though. He said that was one of the best mowers he has ever owned. Would never quit on him.

[@michaelbritton9778]

Lovely job. Well done young man.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks so much. Consider subscribing to the channel. It’ll help me out!

[@ThatBlueHoe]

Great work man! I love seeing these old mtds kept alive. The poor things usually just get junked sadly

[@Kylebythecreek]

Very true! Thanks for the compliment

[@ThatBlueHoe]

@@Kylebythecreek no problem keep up the good work!

[@wandawTube]

Nice job Kyle. Your restored mower is gorgeous.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Much appreciated! I was happy with the way it came out

[@JoshuaAndMom]

My mom used to have the same lawn tractor years ago. It was back in the time when things were easier to service.

[@jackhuddleston6830]

I know this is 6 mos ago but I’m glad to see you getting some nice weather to work on mowers. Seems like the last few videos you were working in the rain and even some snow with really cold weather. As I’m watching the video you are back to working in the rain. Good job on the video Kyle.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you!!

[@ivantruckman1]

I have the exact same tractor . Its a Beast, I cut out the battery spot and used a 29 dollar walmart battery. best mover ever and it was 40 bucks.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Glad to hear! I sold it back in the fall. It didn’t fetch too much, but I still made a profit!

[@mowersbymitch]

Really good job Kyle 👍

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks Mitch!

[@harpoon_bakery162]

Those MTD's will run and run and run. I even have a broken one and it cut for an entire summer, I have to replace the PTO Seal , which should be easy by just jacking up the front (Hopefully don't need to take the engine off of the 12.5 HP Briggs & Stratton to replace the seal on these MTD's). Yea, so then I'm going to replace the spindles because one side is binding a bit (got the spindles before the Biden inflation so I got lucky there)

[@darrelldubree9658]

Looks great man :) Old school, better than todays tin cans :)

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you! It was a fun project

[@herbertabegg]

The lawn mower john deer that burnt you need a corb.. buy a cyclone carb and theu are cjeeper.. thank you for tje informatoon in your video i really enjoyed it and thamk you.. Herbert Abegg

[@michaelentingh4626]

Well done ! I love my 97 and doing everything I can to keep it going . If I could just find that deck ! I am trying to find out if I can replace it with a 42" or another size and if so would it take the same belts . I have also been wondering if the rusted through area's can be repaired with JB Weld . What do you think ? My 97 12.5 / 38 has been such a good dependable mower . It's amazing how it will climb my hill out back , as long as it has good ( 5/8 ) belts and it's not too wet . So I was happy to see you keeping this beautiful Yard Machine going !

[@Kylebythecreek]

Jb weld will probably work. Depends on the damage though

[@tow786]

I just picked up a barn find Lowes rider that has the same battery box. I replaced the batter with a alarm system battery that so far is working...

[@Kylebythecreek]

Oh! That’s pretty interesting. I’ll have to look up an alarm system battery

[@darellsunderlin4670]

Got one just like it sitting out by the shop , if not a close resemblance ! Was a good mower

[@danielpadgett2831]

Awsome job looks great alot of hard work 👍👍

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks so much!

[@netguru78]

@@Kylebythecreek I found the video very interesting, I have one just like this. I was wondering if you know why it might be that my mow deck and the belt seems to shake when i have it engaged? Any help would be very appreciated?

[@Kylebythecreek]

@@netguru78 some shaking is normal. But if it’s violent shaking then maybe the tensioner or idler are damaged. Or possibly the belt is damaged

[@netguru78]

@@Kylebythecreek well i just replaced the belt, this is my 1st riding lawn tractor. So not very familiar with how they work? I just that I engage the deck which puts tension on the belt so i don't know where to look what would place tension on the belt?

[@netguru78]

@@Kylebythecreek I just replaced the belt. I don't where to look to find what would place tension on the belt, I just know that it has two pulleys for the deck blades. I engage the deck and it starts spinning the blades, maybe the blades are old and need replaced?

[@rulif2092]

Yet one more great restoration! Keep it up :)

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you!

[@chadneuman1945]

Very clean rider

[@philliphall5198]

Some time it easier to brass up holes in deck if you take your time and slowly build it up

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks for the advice!

[@Andy-nm9dw]

Great job on the restoration!!! I just sold one almost identical after my restoration. A couple of tips. WD40 works great for removing the stickers and tape residue. Gas is great for removing overspray on stickers without ruining the stickers themselves. Rust oleum X2 works great I used Strawberry fields for the red. Anything that is just faded and not needing paint you can spray the X2 clear coat. Good luck with your channel. I am a new subscriber.

[@Andy-nm9dw]

The reason I like the X2 is the paint can be handled in 30 minutes on a hot day as well as it has primer in the paint.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Great tips Andy, and thanks for subscribing!

[@billkrause4585]

You did good!

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you! Consider subscribing to the channel!

[@mavision6525]

I like this channel. I like that you show the work that you do. Subscribed.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you very much!

[@jimamccracken5783]

Kyle show that little beauty some love man. Wow did you ever the Ol Gal has on new makeup and ready to go daancin!! I mowed with one of those for several years back in the 80s I think it was and they are tuff.

[@jeffroberts600]

Its a good one . Got a 1995. It's a beaut.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks!

[@rooba63]

What a brilliant job, well done. I'm so envious of that mowing deck. Every year I have to weld new steel onto mine to repair rust damage. Here in Scotland the grass is almost always wet, I'm guessing it's quite dry where you are.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Hi Pete. Thanks for the compliment! Yeah, I got lucky with this mowing deck. I wouldn’t say Connecticut is dry, but probably not as wet as Scotland!

[@jonathanb.9150]

1) love the restoration 2) I’m sick of everyone finding free mowers and they fire right up!!! Meantime I’m struggling to keep my daily mowers even running 😢. 😂😂😂 But congrats.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks! This one needed some engine work before it ran. I wish I had filmed it on KZbin but I filmed that process on my Instagram page. It needed carb work and ignition work before the engine was reliable. So, all in all this thing took a bunch of work. But I totally understand about having trouble with your own personal machines. My personal lawnmower is a disaster- it’s always in my shed for repairs

[@WorthlessNickores]

Great job man, that looks terrific!

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you!

[@posttopstreetlight1055]

I have a 1998 mtd yard bug mower. I am going to be restoring to brand new

[@Kylebythecreek]

@@posttopstreetlight1055 can’t wait to see it! That sounds fun!

[@danielbierwirth2190]

Kyle, beautiful resto/overhaul. It looks wonderful. 1 suggestion, get some riv-nuts/nut-certs and lose the self tappers. They will look much more professional, more of a factory look, without costing anything more then the self tappers. When I started using them, they were an instant game changer for me. Just found your channel and sub'ed already. looking forward to more.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks for the tip!

[@robertmailhos8159]

The diamond plate is a unique style of the center console cover

[@Kylebythecreek]

That was my attempt at fabrication! Ha

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@Kylebythecreek well at least you got it done with the piece of diamond plate aluminum

[@Kylebythecreek]

@@robertmailhos8159 very true! I got it done

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@Kylebythecreek glad to see you got that done with pride 😁

[@jimmycarter9099]

Hey man much respect more people ought to be like you and me it would be a better world people are so lazy they don’t want to do nothing no more

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you, much appreciated

[@GaryAhl]

I just found your channel today and watched several of your videos. They were entertaining and I thank you for it! If you cannot braze the holes in the mower deck as suggested in a comment below than I would use an epoxy instead of Bondo. Great video, Thanks

[@Kylebythecreek]

Good tip on using epoxy. I don't have any experience with epoxy, but how difficult can it be, right?!

[@davidcressy588]

I restore these old mowers all the time. Some i buy for scrap and some people just want them haul away. I try to restore one a month .

[@harpoon_bakery162]

How hard will it be for me to replace the PTO side shaft seal on a 12.5 HP Briggs & Stratton (part # on the seal is 291675S). Briggs & Stratton engine is a Model: 28T707 Type: 1154-E1 Code: 010302ZD. And it's an MTD Yard Machines MODEL NUMBER: 13AH66OF352, so approx. 1999 to 2001 era I'm guessing. I'd like to just jack the front of the mower up with a floor-jack, I'll have to get the Double Pulley off the shaft first, then hopefully there's enough room to get the old seal out with a dental pick, and then put the new seal in with a PVC tube or something that surrounds the Seal properly. Any tips would surely help me (from you or anyone who sees this). Thanks so much!!!!

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

I always thought that proprietary battery was pretty stupid. They stopped doing it for a long time, but now I'm noticing it on their new machines again at Home Depot/Lowes.

[@Maik1968]

Hello Kyle, greetings from Germany and thanks for this video. The tractor came out very nice and I hope you can sell it now, although it’s almost too nice to sell. I hit the subscription button and I am looking for many more videos. Have a evening and weekend. See you soon on this channel 👍🌞🍀

[@Kylebythecreek]

Wow! Thanks so much. I appreciate your support. I posted a few new videos since this one. Check them out when you get a chance!

[@Maik1968]

@@Kylebythecreek I will do, just randomly started with this. I finished watching and since it’s now almost 3 am on Saturday morning I sleep now 😄😄😴💤💤

[@Kylebythecreek]

@@Maik1968 this video seems to be getting some good attention. Thanks again. Have a good night!

[@rogerallen3206]

I just made a battery tray for the rear and mounted a regular marine battery.

[@rogerallen3206]

This was on a Lowes brand mower, similar to yours.

[@user-nm8zr3px3l]

Always use Blue or Green tape in the sun, it is formulated to seal but also to release after being in the sun .

[@Kylebythecreek]

Good tip. Certainly the tape I used was not ideal

[@davidcressy588]

The first mower like that i restored, I forgot to check the variable drive pulley and the mower would not move.

[@megaaggron9778]

Do you know where I can get replacement decals for a very rare lawn tractor? And possibly older style goodyear turf tires?

[@Kylebythecreek]

Possibly eBay

[@nickekleberry7176]

What size belt does this take

[@philliphall5198]

If I don’t sale them it’s ok with me I just keep looking for others to rebuild anyway

[@ededmund5685]

where did you get the sticker for the deck chute ? 😀good video thx Ed Loretto Ontario Canada

[@Kylebythecreek]

I ordered a few of those stickers off eBay for a different project. I had one left over so I used on the grass chute

[@jimmycarter9099]

I got 3 best dam mower I love mine I cut the woods out with it they are tough

[@Kylebythecreek]

Good to hear!

[@Shorty4808]

I forgot to ask what type of paint did you use on the muffler?

[@Kylebythecreek]

High heat spray paint

[@harpoon_bakery162]

Make sure to use Krylon brand (high heat -- make sure it's rated for way over 500 degrees)

[@nomanjones4803]

An old flat head Briggs, diffidently a keeper.

[@Kylebythecreek]

I know, it would be fun to keep. But someone left a deposit on it last night. They’re supposed to pick up the machine tomorrow! Hopefully it sells!

[@philliphall5198]

Fact is the older mowers are built better and cost less to keep them running plus they mow grass just like the brand new ones That cost three times more and last only a few years and cost half as much to fix as other new ones

[@Kylebythecreek]

I have this one listed for $450. You’d think that’s a crazy bargain. But people in CT are hard to please. Most of them would rather spend $3500 on a cheaply made new one. Or they just pay for a lawn service

[@michaelhoit9186]

Hey man, if you are still by any chance in need of that piece of metal where the gear shifter sits I have one!!

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you for offering, but I sold the tractor the other day!

[@mikedavis2969]

👍

[@davehimlin2374]

In your opinion, what are the easiest riding mowers/ tractors to work on, when it comes to replacing the belts/ blades/maintenance ? IMHO, it should not take more than a few minutes to put on a new PTO belt or deck belt but many of these mowers are a engineering nightmare when it comes to doing such maintenance.

[@davehimlin2374]

IMHO..the F525 john deere , swisher big mow/ride king and snapper gx2000 are the 3 easiest riding mowers I know of to replace v belts.

[@Kylebythecreek]

I have really good luck with Simplicity. I’ve been able to change the deck belt without removing the deck- that’s pretty impressive. But, craftsman has always been a brand with available parts, and even though they are cheaply made, I still find them to cut decent and they are easy enough to work on

[@picklesgherkin]

curious, I wonder how much you sold it for?

[@Kylebythecreek]

It should sell today- $375

[@user-qq4sk8ec2b]

Put the tank under the seat

[@jimmorwood9715]

That motor is on its way out 😂

[@harpoon_bakery162]

Those Briggs and Stratton's will run and run. They keep their compression very well.

[@morganjones3980]

i have that part

[@jp-us9rq]

Awesome bro bring it to the pittsburgh area ill give u 500 for it lol

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thanks! I sold it some time ago, unfortunately it was sold for much less that that. People in CT are picky buyers

[@jp-us9rq]

@@Kylebythecreek u could of easily got 500 i seen tractors all reusted out look like they went through hell going for 500 lol

[@Kylebythecreek]

@@jp-us9rq lots of stuff is listed for a high price, but if they’re listed above market value they’ll just sit there on marketplace without selling. I’m pretty patient, but I try to list my equipment for a fair price. This tractor isn’t very valuable considering its age and performance. I think I got $350 for it

[@jp-us9rq]

@@Kylebythecreek who ever bought it got a good deal lol

[@Kylebythecreek]

@@jp-us9rq thank you! I think so too

[@jonathanmiddleton1141]

Do you still have this MTD, if so, is it for sale, and, if it is, how much?

[@Kylebythecreek]

Hi! I sold it the other day for $375

[@TheCaperfish]

when painting rims I armor all the tires no taping , paint the rims and let dry good then pressure wash tires overspray comes right off , taping is way too time consuming

[@Kylebythecreek]

Wow! That’s interesting. I might need to try that!

[@user-rc2ur1jc7h]

Boa noite alguém teria o manual do mtd série 600 por Favor?

[@johndenver8574]

They just don't make them like they used to. Because the parts would be to expensive. People got so used to buy cheap they throw away landfill that they lost sight of what quality meant.

[@Kylebythecreek]

I’m especially impressed with the engine. They definitely don’t make them like that anymore

[@johndenver8574]

Indeed

[@davidlaws1438]

Exactly right 😊

[@user-qq4sk8ec2b]

Bat under hood

[@leonstoffels1383]

Mine won't move forward or backwards just after I reversed it out of the garage.

[@Kylebythecreek]

Maybe the belt popped off?

[@blairfright9622]

The drive pulley is sticking,mine did the same thing. Just shoot some wd on it and it will come back.

[@rickygibson3754]

you need to watch some vids on spray painting because you sure donty know how

[@Kylebythecreek]

Thank you

[@pu2u2ao]

Rat rod it

[@Kylebythecreek]

It does look like it would convert well to a rat rod doesn’t it!? Too bad I just sold it today!

[@pu2u2ao]

I just did a cheap china ATV it looks badass and son loves it in the mud

[@herbholmberg4474]

Not too old, just too undesirable. Put your efforts into an old quality machine worth your effort and money. A John Deere, an old Cub Cadet, an old Wheel Horse, an old Allis Chalmers. Notice, i did not mention MTD

[@Kylebythecreek]

I did this just for fun! I definitely understand that mtd is not very desirable

[@sonnyc3826]

nothing is too old to restore..

[@Kylebythecreek]

Very true!

[@Jadengriffin212]

Ok tell me how this dude has a double sided ratchet but besides that ok Kyle I have a mower exactly like that one but it don’t got a motor in it but I found I little bit bigger one at my papas shop (he does small engine repair) and he said I could have it so I’m gonna try to get it running and if it runs I’m gonna throw it in the mower and take it mudding

[@wildbenny11]

I got one sitting out in my yard iam going to try to get it going friend of mindcgivecit to me

[@Kylebythecreek]

Awesome! Make a video of it!

[@liljoeii6091]

Awesome video very creative Yes I like what you do very much I just subscribed to your channel Yes I want to help you grow your channel too And thank you for the video

[@Kylebythecreek]

Wow! Thank you so much. I appreciate your support. I posted several other videos after this one, check ‘em out when you get the chance