Total newbie - first post- need help

[NNNNNN]

Hello Everyone,
I've been reading your forum for a while and finally decided to take the plunge.

I have owned several lawn tractors over the years, but never a CC. And the one I just acquired as a "retirement project" has me stumped from the beginning.
As most of you are aware, the one thing you need to know before you get going on any machine like this is . . . the model number of the tractor. As some point in the past someone tore off the label from under the seat and painted the whole tractor some shade of putrid grapefruit/ lemon yellow.
Anyway, I was hoping I could just tell you what I've got and you guys could figure out what model I'm dealing with. How's that sound?

This tractor has a 13HP Kohler Command engine, covers mount to each side to protect the engine. It has shaft drive and electric PTO, with 6 levels of deck adjustment. I don't know what else I can tell you.
I will add pictures when I figure out what I'm doing.
Any insights would be awesome. Thanks in advance for your help.

NNNNNN

[Sam Mac]

I'm going to guess that it's a 2130 or a 2135. Model number tag should be on the frame just in front of the foot rest's. Pic shows what the tag should look like. Otherwise we will need pics. If it's a 2130 it will have a 6 speed transmission control on the right side in the fender as your sitting on the machine. If it's a 2135 it will have a cup holder in that spot. I hope you have the cup holder. 2130 is what's called the AGS short for Auto Gear System. If it's a 2135 it's what's called HDS for Hydro Drive System.

[NNNNNN]

but I was wondering if the cupholder was actually important.
As it turns out the cupholder is there on the right side.
So that makes my model a 2135 then, correct?

I also forgot to mention it came with a snow plow attachment and a frame support to hold additional weight for the plow. It's quite the beast.

One thing I've also found out is that the starter/solenoid is bad. The starter spins but the drive doesn't engage. I've done a little research and I can get a new solenoid on Ebay. While I have it out I may replace the drive as well.

I'll look for the tag you mentioned, but what else can you tell me about this machine?

[olds45512]

What Sam was pointing out is that the you don't want the 2130 because it's a pos, the 2135 has a better tranny.

[Sam Mac]

If the starter spins the solenoid is OK, the problem is with the drive. It's supposed to engage from the spinning of the starter motor. Take the starter off and inspect the drive. If nothing is bad clean and lube it. You can download a Kohler service manual from the Kohler engine site.
http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec.../tp_2402_a.pdf

[ACecil]

Originally Posted by olds45512

What Sam was pointing out is that the you don't want the 2130 because it's a pos, the 2135 has a better tranny.

I wouldn't say the 2130 is a POS. Jenn has had her 2130 over five years, and it's been a great cub. If the 2130 has been taken care of properly, it will serve you well.

[NNNNNN]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

If the starter spins the solenoid is OK, the problem is with the drive. It's supposed to engage from the spinning of the starter motor. Take the starter off and inspect the drive. If nothing is bad clean and lube it. You can download a Kohler service manual from the Kohler engine site.
http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec.../tp_2402_a.pdf

I guess I was misinformed. I thought the solenoid was responsible for engaging the drive. Anyway, I'll take a look at it. If everything's OK that will save me some serious dough. Thanks for the engine link. That's a lot of great info.

[Shotgun Wedding]

Originally Posted by ACecil

I wouldn't say the 2130 is a POS. Jenn has had her 2130 over five years, and it's been a great cub. If the 2130 has been taken care of properly, it will serve you well.

Excellent reply Allen. It does cheese me off when people call other's equipment POS just because. Whether it is, or it is not is not up for debate unless expressly asked. Off hand comments like that show lack of respect.

There are more millions of box store tractors out there than IH garden tractors. Most of which are machines serving their purpose and serving their owners. Not everyone drives a Cadillac, not all non Cadillac's are POS. Plus, we are not in grade 7 anymore.

[Sam Mac]

The AGS system is OK as long as the owner understands that it is NOT a variable speed hydro. If the owner selects the proper gear and holds the pedal all the way down so that the clutches are not slipping they are OK. That said I prefer the hydro tractors. The AGS setup got a bad reputation because the dealers told the buyers it was a hydro and a lot of them ended up getting the clutch packs burned up.

[ACecil]

Exactly Sam. Use it as it is intended to use, and you'll be fine.