OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions On Ride On Mowers Frames dayton ride on

Hi guys
I have a dayton 8/30 ride on mower currently restoring all most complete.
Would any body have any info on it , i can not seem to find a lot about the dayton name.
Any leads would be great.

cheers dayton 1

Hi dayton 1, and a warm welcome to the forum.
I have done some research for you this morning and as you have found, information is very thin on the ground.
The best I could do is find a reference to Dayton ride-ons as being manufactured by MTD in Cleveland Ohio, and the name Dayton may possibly be a "store brand" Nothing in concrete....but perhaps a lead.
Once again, to OutdoorKing!

The 8/30 reminds me of the mtd built victas, on a plate under the seat should be a full model code. That could get us a bit further.

Hi Joe, its strange that so little info exists for these machines...It's almost like they don't exist...but they do and somebody somewhere must have manuals or some data surely.

thanks guys for your quick response.
Just posted a picture off the mower it may be better to identify.
There is no id plate at all, may be made by mtd and possibly the same as early model victa.
Would it be around 1976 to 80 vintage
Many thanks for getting me started it all helped
cheers dayton 1

Ok I am almost certain it is a mtd produced victa, Now as to which model I am not a full on expert but depending on what help you need there are a couple of us here that know our way around the briggs and stratton engine amd there is information available on the gearbox dependant on the exact unit.

dayton1, if you begin by posting the long string of numbers stamped on the cooling air cowl of the Briggs engine, we can at least identify when the engine was made and a few details of its specification. (Of course it is not necessarily the original engine.) The other parts of the mower that may be distinctive are the transmission, mowing deck drive, and front suspension/steering. If you can post pictures of those parts, and post any numbers or letters stamped or moulded on the outside of the transmission, we'll see if anyone recognises them. Also look on the longitudinal frame rails in case there is an identification plate pop-riveted to it.

It looks a sturdy machine, it reminds me of a machine I have seen elsewhere on the forum...It would be good to have some more pics from different angles...

Dejay, looks pretty much like a Victa 8-30 or 8-30E if it has electric start. They are made either by MTD or AYP don't know model number be haven't been able to find any info.
Cheers Keith

Thanks for that, Keith, yeah mate, info is very thin on the ground for this one...

Hi guys happy new year .
On recent feedback i have come a cross some pictures of some dayton
ride on mowers in usa the writing very hard to make.
All the models are a 3z series
Thay must have been made by mtd because there is a manual posted on the forum 133-480 recoil all most the same just a of couple changes.
Thanks for your feedback another step closer

cheers dayton1

And a Happy New Year to you too Dayton1, I see you are on the trail...hoping you find out more info...
Happy Hunting,

Looks similar to the 8/34 Victa as well. Ive seen three of the 8/34's and they are all different, trans missions sheetmetal and minor differences.

Hi rodeobob thanks for reply
I see you have a victa ride on, the same bonnet shape as my dayton.
Are you restoring it or is it for parts only,i would be interested in
buying the grill if four sale.
Could you possibly now about what year those early 8/30 victas were made,thay must have been around the same year because most parts are the same.

cheers dayton1

Do you have a picture from the front. Theres a couple of different styles.

I dont think the inserts in the grilles in mine are any good. Only reason i have that victa is for its pannels so i can build a racing mower.

Hi Guys,
Had a bit more of a squwiss at Victa 8-30, he basic chassis appears to be the same but the 8-30 has a 3 forward and 1 reverse in a H pattern where as the Dayron appears to have a 4 or 5 forward and 1 reverse in a curcular arc similar to a Victa 8-26, the Dayton could be a "crossbreed" for the US market. The front of the bonnet is different as well.
Cheers and Happy New Year Keith

The 834 had both, the H pattern 3 speed and the 5 speed (peerless???) with an arc.
Depended on the model. The brake setups where different and the steering was different, there were three different dashes and bonnets.

Hi all just posted a picture of the grill front as requested it may help.
On more research i have found that the dayton brand was possibly made by mtd for a usa company ww grainger.
Also come across a picture of a early montgomery ward , it is same shape only diffrence is 3 speed h pattern ,the dayton i have is 4 speed in the arch (501 peerless)
The victa 8/30 and 8/34 with dayton 8/30 are all the same mould with
gearbox and mud gaurd changes.
Lets us know your thoughts
cheers dayton1

This is the 'grille' that it possibly should have in it.
Hard to say what should be in there given that it does not have the head lights either.

Not sure if i should put this in here.

Found this one on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ride-Mower-/230731386931?pt=AU_Lawnmowers&hash=item35b8a99033

Looks more like the older one of the two victas ive got here.
Where as the one this thread is about is like the later victa ive got.

Heres the pics.