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Car Alternator Added To 1979 Gravely
A long career as a machinist and the wisdom of 90 years on the planet came in handy for Robert Cole of Salem, Virginia. He uses a 1979 Gravely 2-wheel tractor to clean snow off driveways and sidewalks. One day the tractor gave out and he came up with a creative solution to keep the old machine running.
The 12 hp. Kohler engine quit running after the charging coil quit. That meant he had no way to charge the battery to operate the starter motor. It would also cost quite a chunk of money to get going again.
“If I wanted to replace it, I would have to update to a newer fly-wheel coil and regulator,” Cole said. “That would have cost me $700.
“So, I went and got an alternator off a 1970’s Chevy vehicle,” he said. “I added a crankshaft extension and made brackets to hold the alternator in place. It works perfectly, and I only spent $80.”
He said 56 years in a machine shop came in handy when making the brackets. Once the alternator was successfully secured, it was easy to get it wired up and provide electricity to the engine. “It puts out more amps than the other one did,” Cole said.
Contact FARM SHOW Followup, Robert (Bob) Cole, 1411 W Carrolton Ave., Salem, Va. 24153 (ph 540-389-6670).


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2021 - Volume #45, Issue #6