OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions on Rover Ride On Mower Rover Rancher 2 - 5 Speed

G'day guys,

Picked this old rover rancher 2 up a little while ago for a little project to tinker with. It runs a 12.5hp I/C B&S, 5spd g/box






Just wondering on what model it is? If you can tell from the pictures
Also "putting a larger pulley up the front and a smaller one at the back" would increase speed correct?

Great site you have here

Thanks Tyson

I have one the same but its a 8hp, looking at the old motor from it could suggest they were made in the mid to late 70's

You can find the year of manufacture of your engine from the code stamped on its cooling air cowl (the orange bit that wraps around the cylinder head). A larger pulley on the engine's crankshaft, and/or a smaller pulley on the transmission, will make it go faster but will reduce its ability to go slowly, climb hills, pull loads, etc. You will end up using lower gears, and for the jobs you currently do in the lowest gear, you'll be in trouble.

That engine is a lot newer than the mower, originally these mowers had something along the lines of a 8hp briggs.

G'day,
once again i totally agree with grumpy that playing with pulley sizes can spell trouble especial if you are towing things around with it. the simple facts are that ride on mowers are geared to mow lawn and maybe pull a small load as present. when you start altering the sizes and effectively putting more load on the gear train things start to snap, grind and burn. i had a friend who set up a normal ride on with a 6" front pulley instead of a 4' and literally got from his drive way to the road before he grated the crown gear in the box, probably due to his handy clutch work.
but the point is that and mower of this vintage has seen allot of lawns, and probably already has a dicey gear box as it is so playing around with it isn't going to contribute to its longevity, and as grumpy says you will no longer be able to achieve low speeds for towing ect.
regards jay

i have a rancher 2 myself, it has the original 10hp briggs that was built in 77, yours is probably around the same year, would have had a similar engine. also did you pick that up on ebay? looks like one i was watching!

Hi guys,i too have a rancher 2 (pics in photo gallery)details of mine are
engine;8 hp briggs,mod-191702 type-1138-02 code-80120410

on the chassis of the mower;mod-II044
seriel No-4010824
I use it regurally to mow lawns and tow small trailer(fire wood)has never let me down.does any one know if a grass catcher was an option,i would like one...ken

i have one to i put a 11hp honda engine on it, its the best mower I'm fixing up the gear box putting new bushes in it to make it like new i dont know what year it is but if anyone can tell me that would be great

i had one it had a 8hp 1979 engine on it the rover mower itself should have a compliance plate on the right under the bonnet hook