How much can I REALLY tow with a garden tractor?

I think he should look at all his options. He has a true garden tractor and should be able to use it to its full potential. especially if the price is close to an alternative and the parts are available. Most tractors of this size don't have a 3 point option.

First one I ever looked for, and found it on my first try. There must be more. I would try to get it for a lesser price.
I am not a wheelhorse expert. I am not sure it is complete for his tractor.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Wheel-...623?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337f27f6d7

Unless he has 3pt implements I don't see getting the 3pt hitch operational as a priority. The only place that 3pt becomes of real value without implements is unhooking a loaded trailer...lift it up...put something under the tongue...and let it down.

I'd look to add a 2" ball higher up as Jags suggested and retain the pin hitch for just that...pin hitch trailers.

It's the dude's first tractor...walk before you run (no offense to the OP ).

Symptons: At high revs, it backfires once in a while with some flames out the muffler. With a load, it gets bogged down and will stall if you don't back off the load. And of course that would be normall with a big load, but I'm talking about 6" of some wet snow. I would think it could handle that better. The carb looks to have a bunch of adjustment screws on it, and it doesn't look like it is in the best shape (things a bit loose, jiggling around on it). Everythiong else looks pretty good on it, just needs cleaned up and tiddy up the wiring a bit. But the carb scares me a bit (scares me = I don't want to turn the wrong screw and make it worse....).

Fresh fuel, filters, oil, plug, and sea foam cleaner will be #1 and we shall see how it goes. The fuel lines all looked fine. Points! Or, I guess in this case point (singular). Man, I forgot about those! Been a while since I worked on an old motor with "points"!

No offense taken. I'm with ya! I'd actually even back off walking at this point, lets CRAWL first!

Leave the carb alone for now. Here's my theory. You are not getting good combustion at high RPMs because of bad fuel, not enough spark, or not enough air...or all 3...this drops the RPM...then the governer kicks in...dumps in a bunch of fuel and it combusts and causes the backfire. That would explain any surging and lack of power too.

The backfiring was not occuring under load, just idling. If I pull the throttle up almost all the way, it would run strong and every 4 or 5 seconds backfire a good one.

Oh, the other thing is the throttle would not stay out, it creeps pretty fast back in. I know that's probably something with the cable.....

Here's a pic of under the hood:

I apologize, I don't think it has points. Very surprised for an engine of that age.

Service and operators manual link
http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinecatalog/serieslanding.htm?series=K-Series

Probably also needs a valve adjustment.

Well, one or both of you need to get over here and get busy!

The travel bill alone would be pretty steep.

How does this thing idle? You mention it's weak under load, I'd give the High Speed adjustment a touch (like 1/4 turn out/CC) and see if it's better/worse.

There is a pretty good following for rebuilding those Walbro/Kohler Carbs even if the throttle/choke bushings are worn out. A lot of the GT pulling tractor forums have some "specialists" that may be able to help you out if your willing to pull the carb and send it to them.

www.mytractorforum.com is another good one for garden tractors, especially the old ones.

Starts and Idles fine. When cold, a bit of choke gets it started with a little throttle, then throttle back to idle and kill the choke after 10 seconds and it idles fine. Reading he service manual to the motor now (link posted above by gzecc, thanks!) and I see what the carb is all about. Will give it a whirl tonight.

Definitely give the H speed a tweak and see what happens.

Nice tractor. Looks like a good old beast! Congratulations. Your tractor comes from back when stuff was made to last forever. My Cubs have the same 14 hp Kohler. It is very easy to work on. I had one mine out and apart over the summer. The carb can be rebuilt in about an hour if you go slowly. The kit should be around $15. I found with both the somewhat neglected tractors that I have bought and revived that the more you run it, the better it runs. Get some fresh fuel through it, and let it run for a while, get warm, and burn all the crap out of it.

Changed oil, plug, fresh fuel and heavy dose of Seafoam, cleaned air filter (was a mess!), WD40.... and she is running much better already.tweeked that high screw on carb a bit, seem to have gotten rid of backfire except if I go quickly from full blast throttle to a low setting, it willbackfire on the way down. This might be normal for this motor?

The only problem I have left is the throttle won't stay where I put it. It gets pulled back in. So I have to hold it in place or it will go back to idle. Couldn't figure that out... It's acting like it is spring loaded.

Generally indicates a rich running condition or setting on the L screw. I'd try turning in the L screw a tad (like 1/8 th of a turn) and see if that calms the backfire a bit, if not, it's not hurting anything.

Will try it, but always nervouse adjusting carbs, I'm afraid I'll just make it worse and not be able to get back to what/where it was.

On another note, what kind of Hydroloc oil am I supposed to use in the Hydro? Can't seem to find it anywhere in any of the manuals I downloaded??