Bought a 1450
 

I just picked up a 1977 1450 with a 44” deck. The guy said he bought it 3 years ago and it has been very reliable, but it does need some work. It seems to run good with no smoke. Everything works. It shakes a lot, but from what I’ve read, some shaking is normal. The motor feels pretty solid.

It needs a good cleaning. The rear has about a quarter inch of dirt on it. When I pulled the air cleaner off, it was full of corn. I’m going to pull the motor and check the tins for mouse nests or other debris.

Good deal! 1450's a nice machine. :beerchug:

Excess shaking can be bad motor mounts, and/or worn driveline because of worn motor mounts. I put new ones in mine when I had it and it made a world of difference. That coating over the hydro looks like a leak to me.

Thanks!
I’m going to check the motor mounts and driveshaft. Im most likely keeping this one, so it wouldn’t hurt to replace them anyway. I’m sure the hydro is leaking, but I don’t know where. The engine is also leaking.

If your motor mounts are worn you likely have loose or missing bolts holding the engine to the cradle as well, and if they’re really bad the cradle is probably slapping against the cross member under it. I saw all of this with my 1250. Part of the oil pan was even worn away.

I can rock the motor a little, about a quarter inch. I would think some movement is normal, but don’t know what would be too much.

Seems like a lot. But I don’t know either how much is “normal”.

I’m going to pull the motor out next week and get a closer look. Hopefully they aren’t too bad.

I tried mowing with it for a couple minutes today. A couple things I noticed:
1. It seems to run hot, the hood was too hot to touch after a few minutes. I’m going to check the engine tins for a mouse nest or grass buildup. Is there any other reasons it could be running so hot?
2. The drive lever is really touchy, but I think it is just tightened too much.
3. There is quite a bit of whining from the hydro, more than my others. I will change the fluid and filter after I fix the leak(s). Hopefully that fixes it.

Other than that, everything seems pretty good. It mows nice, the engine sounds good, the hydraulic lift works good. I’m going to pressure wash it tomorrow or Sunday, then begin making some repairs.