Pat the plumber here is your 172

Thanks for posting, Thats one long PTO shaft on that.Looks just like the one I use. Is the PTO shaft original ? Mine is set up same way but beleive there is a piece missing where it mounts to drawbar and splits the shaft into 2 shorter sections.

On our farm as kid we had the same set up with the wheels behind,Better for mowing close to objects but heavy on drawbar and harder to hook up.The one I use now has the wheels on the sides in the middle,balances nicer and easier to hook up.No jack needed. I like the tires,,,No flats


Again thanks for posting, love to see orange equiptment still in use.

       I am not sure what you mean about a piece being "missing", please elaborate. I did measure the PTO shaft though, it measured 74" start of yoke spline to mower clutch,is that what you meant?

Auntwayne wrote:         I am not sure what you mean about a piece being "missing", please elaborate. I did measure the PTO shaft though, it measured 74" start of yoke spline to mower clutch,is that what you meant?

Here is a pic at an auction of one in almost perfect condition

See the metal bracket near front of PTO shaft.Bolts to drawbar and hinges back and forth.U joint splitting shaft into 2 smaller sections

Pat - I have 172 in original condition and the PTO shaft is set up like the one you just showed in the picture.  I also have the factory ratchet to go on the other side from the hydraulic cylinder to use as a depth stop (or it can be used in lieu of a cylinder, just no raising it from the tractor).  You can see it in right side of this photo i the background.  I wish mine had the optional chains front & rear.  Mike

Edited by Skyhighballoon(MO) - 17 Jun 2011 at 9:41pm

The mower sitting by itself is not mine.I took a picture of it at an auction back in March.I should have bought it but set my limit at 500.Afterwards I realized should have valued it much higher.Where else are you going to find one in as good as shape.Sold for 650 I believe.I should have gone up to a 1,000.
The one behind WD45 is mine and the "carrier bearing" was gone long before I got to it.I bought a slip clutch and long PTO shaft at TSC.I noticed yours did not have the carrier bearing on it either.Mine works fine just have to have a bolt with a flat top for a hitch pin so the PTO shaft won't hit the top of the hitch pin.Believe that original carrier bearing held the shaft up and kept it off hitch.Love those tires on the back of yours.My dad had some on ours back in the day.Best money he ever spent.
Mike ,,, that ratchet set up reminded me of an accident I had.I was working ratchet on ours when I was 13 and it came apart.My feet were under edge and mower fell on my foot(no safety chain).Well there I was in pain and stuck.My brother saw me and ran over and what did he do? He jumped on mower and tried to put ratchet back together.Ouch!!!.Finally my brother my dad and I all lifted and got my feet out.Then my dad got his fingers stuck and we had to lift again to get him out.Both my feet swelled up like grapefruit but X rays were negative.Dad put a hydraulic cylinder on after that.

Edited by Pat the Plumber CIL - 17 Jun 2011 at 10:36pm

     Took some good pics at the farm today of the combination of hook ups available from A/C Owner's Manual, I know you will like them !!!Great info. Will post after lunch Sunday.

Does not look like the 172 came with a carrier bearing on the PTO shaft.Maybe early years did not and later models did.Would think they figured out that shaft may be too long and changed design.The pic of the one at the auction was a 172. The one I have now (the one behind the WD45) is a 172 also.Here is a pic of ser # on mine.Not far off yours
Thanks for posting pics of manual.Great info.Have seen 5 foot 160 model with a snap coupler but never a 172 with a snap coupler,may have been too heavy.Someone on here said something about a 3 pt hitch on one.I have thought if I took wheels and axle off.Bolted on some angle iron and fabricated a 3 pt. hitch.Make up a tail wheel and away I go... Ahh too much work and I don't want to dismantle a fairly original A/C mower.I imagine I will get a 6 foot woods w. 3 pt hitch and retire this A/C before I wear it out.Still works good and gear box is still in good shape.It will not go to china!!!



Again thanks for posting pics

      I took a lot of pics of the PTO ,for some good old forum info, and took a lot of pics with the digital cam, felt like a spy vs spy kinda guy, taking pics out of the IT BOOK, learned a major lesson in photography, DO NOT TAKE PICS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE MACHINE SHED AT 5 PM !!!

       "KEEPS THE CAMERA FROM SHAKING" ,I am pretty old, but, no camera of mine ever "SHAKED".

Thanks Mike.Good info to know.Mowers are over 50 years old and still working.We must of had a newer one on the farm.