What is this garden tractor?

[loosanarrow]

I posted the engine of this tractor on here several days ago, and it was generally agreed to be a Briggs Z or ZZ.
Now I wondering what the tractor frame itself is, and what the deal with that rear end is? Someone put a hydraulic unit on it with a single acting cylinder under the machine and a power steering pump for pressure, and added some funky footrests and a starter generator, I am aware of all that. I tried to include several pics of the thing from different angles and perspectives.
So basically wondering if anyone can ID the brand/model of the tractor frame and then also wanting to know if there is anything “special” or any info on that rear end - the rear end does not seem like just a standard “make the rear wheels turn” type thing, but I don’t know enough to know what it is or how it works or what its “features” are.

 

[zendriver]

Who did you buy it from, Red Green?

Since it looks like the original tractor was all bolted together (no welds) my guess was a Sears Suburban, which some have six speeds, but I don't recognize the lever layout.

Sorry, no help.

 

[PCustoms]

Who did you buy it from, Red Green?

I think duct tape is the one things it's actually missing...

 

[toplessHO]

I agree without duct tape its not a Red Green possession.
Had he lived long enough he might have supplemented duct tape with crazy glue

 

[finn]

I agree without duct tape its not a Red Green possession.
Had he lived long enough he might have supplemented duct tape with crazy glue

He’s still alive, best I can tell.

 

[Jay H 237]

That frame I don't reconize. It's not any Cub Cadet or Wheel Horse. Doesn't look Deere to me either.

Bolens and even Ford made garden tractors and those I'm not familiar with.

 

[toplessHO]

He’s still alive, best I can tell.

my apologies to Mr Smith whos (80)

 

[loosanarrow]

Actually it came from a widow who’s husband passed in 2012. The county sent me to eradicate the beaver in a ditch that runs through her property, and she asked me to get rid of groundhogs under her shed while I was working there. After that, she asked me if I could get that old tractor out of her shed to free up space, so it was a freebie.
I was out there recently and noticed an old woodsplitter cobbled together similarly to the side of the tractor path, which in itself is not noteworthy. What is noteworthy is that the splitter has an 8-3/4” hydraulic cylinder on it. I dont think I have ever seen a splitter with a piston that big before. She told me I can have it. Would probably need new packing but I am tempted to make a project of it.
Back to the tractor - Anyone know anything about that rear end? What is up with that thing?

 

[firebirdparts]

It's definitely serious. I can't identify it either, but I like it.

 

[justsam]

The rear end looks like it may have an option or access for a PTO, (Power Take Off)

 

[mikegt4]

I don't know about the tractor but the foot rests are hacked out of a 70's or 80's conversion van running board. I have a pair of them sitting in my scrap metal/future project source pile.

 

[bassJAM]

Google image search says it's a Bolens tube frame, check out the first image in post #17 here.

https://www.mytractorforum.com/threads/best-bolens-for-loader.56776/

It's probably worth making an account on mytractorforum.com and trying to get some more information there.

 

[tweidman]

It's definitely what remains of a Bolens tube frame. 70s-ish.
There are some Bolens experts on GTT that could help you with a more specific ID. www.gardentractortalk.com

 

[loosanarrow]

Thanks, I will go over to that forum for sure!

 

[tweidman]

Oh, and your question about the differential, that model was equip with a locking mechanism.

 

[loosanarrow]

Do you happen to know how the locking function works?

 

[NHtoolguy]

It looks to me like a G12 or G14 ("G" for geared transmission, not hydrostatic). The G10 had a manual belt change for high and low range.

 

[tweidman]

Do you happen to know how the locking function works?

I don't, I am not that familiar with the Bolens GTs.