| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Talntedmrgreen |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 14:14:00
There's just something kinda neat about the small frames that never really struck me before. This little guy is a ball! I've been wanting to find a Serf or Yeoman, but they just don't pop up around here. I passed on a local Yeoman 637 that was a bit hacked, and the asking price was $150...ouch. I really like the older styling, but the way I understand it, the later models allowed use of rear PTO atachments.
So, I got this 627 off ebay, after lots of chatting with the seller in southern IN. It was said to run so-so and he had used it to mow, but it needed a tune up...so I rolled the dice. I used Uship.com to save myself the headache of travel, and some of the gas funds as well. It's in near perfect original condition with the original '69 Briggs, and I'm into it for about what the local machine would have soaked me for.
The problems...The plug wire wouldn't stay on...easy fix. The tractor wouldn't shut off when running...easy fix at the throttle linkage so it would ground out. It runs superbly after some tweaking on the fuel screw, but there's a tiny puff of smoke from the head gasket and some residue, so I'm thinking a new gasket may be in order. It's a fun ride!
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| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| 1014211 |
Posted - 06/29/2012 : 12:51:47
Awesome Josh, you will have fun with him!! I tried to do a little research and the best I could find is all early Broadmoor's (6hp) have 2speeds, along with the 707,717, and 727. The 728 is the first with the 3 speed. The other small frame 2-speeds are the 515, 525 Serf's, and 616 & 627 Yeoman's. The 535 Serf, 637 & 648 Yeoman's and 738 Broadmoor's are 3-speeds. However, I also found some 525, 627 reference with 3-speeds. So not sure on those. It may be early 525 & 627 are 2-speeds, and later ones have the 3-speed. It appears around 1968-69 is when the 3-speeds that allow rear pto attachments came in. I think any 2-speed can be interchanged with another 2-speed and same for the 3-speed. The 2-speeds on my sons Broadmoor and daughters 616 Yeoman appear the same. As do the gearboxes on the 738 & 535..... But then my sons Broadmoor has the dual range so his is a 4-speed!! :) |
| Talntedmrgreen |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 21:28:15
Haha...I've seen the Tribe and all those smiling faces...the tractors too! 
I mow with the little Yeoman every week. It's become my 'once around the house' trimmer, and my 'twice around the garden' mower. Runs great...great shape.
I'm keeping the juices flowing so I can hand it down to our little one (found out TODAY that it's a BOY!!!)  |
| 1014211 |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 20:01:58
Josh, I obviously have a thing for the small ones, too.
Glad to see you added one to your stable. They are a hoot, and earn their keep. They cut great and can be worked hard. And don't take up too much room!!! |
| Talntedmrgreen |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 05:39:47
I bet there's a learning curve! =] I'd love to give it a try...I enjoy doing something new with these. |
| B-16_IC |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 22:27:05
Those little ones are fun for sure! That reverse speed is a little less than ideal though, fine for mowing I guess. I had a rear tiller here for a while, they do a great job! Takes a bit of thought when using since it is not a "live" pto, it stops when the clutch is depressed. Just gotta remember to be in motion before lowering tiller. Mowing highly uneven ground with those is hard to get used to! |
| SimplicitySwede |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 22:19:49
I know my 616 has a 2 speed and its a 68 idk when they did away with the 2 speed. my 67 707 has a 2 speed also. im getting 2 717s and there 2 speeds. I think the 2 speed changed on the flat hoods. maybe about the 728 time. idk about the 727. |
| Talntedmrgreen |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 10:38:01
Jim, I was of the impression that it does share the tranny with all the small frames during that period. I think that took place when they switched to the 3-speed trans from the 2-speed. Not real sure...still edu-macatin' myself on these little ones! =]
Also, I think it's correct to say that the 3-speeds were the first one's to allow use of rear PTO attachments...I do see a keyed shaft on the LH side of the tranny, which I'm assuming is the PTO shaft. I had also heard that using a HiLo to slow the machine, also slows the PTO, which makes sense since it appears to be a solid shaft from the driven pulley through to the LH side PTO.
I'd love to find a small frame tiller locally. I've seen them frequently, but of course, not now. =] |
| canawler |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 08:05:07
quote:
Originally posted by Talntedmrgreen
First thing I noticed was that reverse seemed very fast...when I looked it up online, the machine has the same speed for 3rd and Reverse! Gotta watch and feather the clutch when backing into the garage.
I'm still not used to that reverse speed on my Homesteader. I had to mow with it last night due to an intermittent fuel problem on my Troy-bilt and I almost backed into my work van when I let the clutch out just a bit too far. Does the Yeoman use the same transaxle as the Broadmoor?
The Homesteader cut very well but its probably been many years since its been used to mow anywhere near that much grass. The vibration caused 3 of the hood thumbscrews to loosen and I ended up loosing one off them. |
| Talntedmrgreen |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 07:03:00
Got my new head gasket, and went to install. I noticed the first head bolt took no effort to turn with the ratchet...4 of the others turned by hand! I took a gamble and snugged them all to see if that would do the trick. I mowed for about 10 minutes and noticed a smaller leak was still there, so I'm hoping that new gasket seals the deal. It's such a nice starting/running mower. Hoping to take some NuFinish to the paint and borrow a niver camer for some glamour shots. I have a hitch and plow that would fit it too...It hink a 42" will look very odd on there, but I'll have to mount it for kicks =] |
| Talntedmrgreen |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 04:28:10
This is my first running vertical engine tractor, and it's a ball to drive. It cuts great, and turns incredibly sharp. First thing I noticed was that reverse seemed very fast...when I looked it up online, the machine has the same speed for 3rd and Reverse! Gotta watch and feather the clutch when backing into the garage. |
| SimplicitySwede |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 22:26:43
Im trying to get all the Yeomans made. I almost got all of the Broadmoors made from early 60s to early 70s |
| bud119195 |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 22:05:11
Looks Nice I got 3 yeomans and they all get worked .And they are a fun little tractor and take a lot for being so small. |
| B10Dave |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 21:11:42
Nice find Josh. Glad to see you're planning ahead and already have a tractor for your yet to arrive little one. Dave |
