[MiniHomesteader]

I just realized that I hadn’t started a thread on my current project. I use the term current loosely. This has been off and on for over a year now. I have a 111 that I use as a trimming mower and to occasionally bag the leaves and clippings if they build up, but my heart lies with older Deere. So I figured why not add a 60 or 70 to the fleet? After talking my father into one (which turned into 2 as one is a parts machine), I set out to find one for myself. I came across a decent 60 locally and brought it home. The next day I was looking at it trying to figure out why it wouldn’t run. At that point I realized the fuel was shut off. Turned on the fuel, gave it a pull and it fired right up! At this point it got interesting. By this time my dad was deep into the engine in his 60 and it is worn out, so he offered me $50 for the engine in mine and I did some quick measurements and agreed. Modifications ensued and at this point I’m almost done installing a 13.5 hp Briggs into my 60. I wanted the tractor to be fully functional, so as most know, the crankshaft has to be in the same spot so the PTO lines up. I had to trim the back edge of the engine mount plate, move the battery tray back an inch, and modify the clutch and brake tabs on the pedal shaft and the steering gear mount.
Here is where it sits as of right now.

I replaced the front tires and am replacing the rear tires at the moment as well.

 

[tsb3]

Cool project you have there Mini. With a 13.5 hp engine you could take that to the pulls!

 

[MiniHomesteader]

My current fleet consists of a '85 111, '67 112, '66 110, and this '66 60.

This is the only picture of my 111. I took the picture to prove that pre-letter JD lawn and garden was Classic Green. Upper portion of foot rest was touched up with Classic. Hmm, matches perfectly.

'67 112 after a few repairs and updates.

I narrowed the front wheels and installed tri-ribs, replaced rears with Deestone Ags, and made a custom Gard-N-Cart.

'66 110 as purchased.

Cleaned the points and replaced the fuel and it fired up and ran awesome, so I figured it should look as good as it runs. Tore it down and gave it a repaint along with narrowing the front wheels and replacing tires.

'66 60 as purchased.

It was listed as a 70. I was pretty happy to find out it was actually a '66 60. If it wasn't for the terrible repair, repaint, and destroyed wrong hood decals, the rest would clean up well, but it will get a complete repaint. Notice the nifty "aftermarket" foot boards? I've removed them, but couldn't bring myself to scrap them yet. The seat was happily tossed as that was the first thing removed as soon as it came into the shop. I came across a smaller pan seat at a antique shop that seems to be a little bit smaller than a round fender pan, so it should look good.

 

[Chaser]

Looking good Mini, love the engine swap. I put a 10 hp on a 70. Also put 110 foot boards on it, it's my youngest daughters puller. She would let her feet just hang in front of the tires....

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Well I think I need to rob some parts off of dads parts 60...

 

[johndeereelfman]

Can you mig weld them shut from the backside Nate? Run tubes and you won't have to worry about leaks if the welds aren't air tight.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

I can mig, but if dad gives up his spares, it’s a lot easier than smoothing the welds on the outer side, plus I have experience welding around rusted areas, and am not a fan of chasing the ever expanding holes.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

So it was pretty much just Mini-me and I this weekend, so we spent the weekend in the shop. Repaired and painted the back wheels, finished modifications to the clutch linkage, and steering gear mount, made a pair of fuel tank straps, and did a test fit.

 

[Chaser]

Coming along nicely. Any issues with the hood fitment?

 

[Kster526]

Looks good

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Coming along nicely. Any issues with the hood fitment?

No, the hood will fit perfectly. Only thing I’ll need to trim is the air filter housing. It interferes with the side of the grille.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

I’m going to make a pair of spacers to make sure the tank doesn’t vibrate or bounce down since in the stock location, it’s a bit snug.

 

[HD-JD110Fan]

I’m going to make a pair of spacers to make sure the tank doesn’t vibrate or bounce down since in the stock location, it’s a bit snug.
View attachment 11756

Very Nice 110 in your photos and Great Work on the modifications you're currently working on.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Made some progress this weekend. Mounted up the rear tires Saturday, but pinched a tube in one of them. Today I pulled that one back apart to repair. Trimmed the air cleaner to fit, finished the seat mounting adapter plate, and cleaned up the rear axles and installed the wheels.

I had to trim the air cleaner stud, and use a wing nut instead of the original nut, but it clears the hood!

After looking at these pictures, I’m thinking in the future, I may have to remove the fuel tank to replace the air filter... Oh well, that’s the fun things you encounter shoving a big block into a Vega.

 

[Chaser]

That's going to be loud!

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Lol, I’m not going to run it like that. I took the picture before I got the short pipe out of the pepper pot muffler I had laying around. I’m hoping to build a muffler to resemble the factory muffler.

According to the saying, I must be getting old. I remember the days when I would be happy with just a pipe for exhaust, now a days I cringe seeing that before it even starts up.

 

[tsb3]

Do they make Cherry Bombs for B&S??

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Crank has been machined down. Just might move under its own power today! Seemed to have misplaced the crank bolt…I’ll have to borrow bolt from my 111 to test and figure out what size it is.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Went for a test drive, then threw on the deck and cut some grass!!

Some fine tuning, and then it’s time to pop some things apart and put some shiny paint on it!

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Can anyone post a picture from the manual or “how to” to properly adjust the PTO? I have it a bit on the tight side, and figure it would be best to adjust it correctly.