OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions on Greenfield Ride On Mower Frames 1966-67 Greenfield HD-8 ride on mower

Hi,
Reading a post from some time ago on the age of a Greenfield ride on mower. I recently acquired a very early greenfield with various seized parts. With a little maintenance and a new spark plug I have just mowed 1 1/2 acres and now the yard looks like a golf green (Best cut I have ever seen). I do believe this gem is 99.99% original.
At this stage I think I have a type two model greenfield. Paint is a yellow primer undercoat with a 2nd coat of a burnt orange-red, on removable panels and a pale green main chassis. The engine is a Honda Motor 6.8 hp 240cc G65 serial number 107 3779 red in colour with a large 5-6 litre white fuel tank on top. Tyres are large and thin on the back and small but thin tyres up front. I have been searching hard for a parts list, paint colour names and if there are any small parts missing(springs mostly) especially on engaging the blades. If anyone can direct me to past posts of information or has recently acquired knowledge on the very early greenfield ride on, please let me know.
Cheers.

A warm welcome to the ODK forums, Grannic!

It sounds very much like you have a Greenfield HD-8, which were made up to the early 1970's.

You may find the pics in THIS past thread helpful in identifying whether it is the early or late series of the model.

HERE is another thread with useful info and pics for this model. Also THIS one.

There is an Illustrated Parts List for download on THIS ODK page, too.

See how you go, once you've digested those.

Wow thank you so much for the warm welcome and post info. After reading through the links and past forums, I believe my Greenfield is about 90% complete and original from the 99.99% previously stated(woops). Although this is a bit of a let down, it is in no way not worth pursuing a full restoration for the Gold anniversary in a few years time (too bad I ain't got the 66 model as I also turn 50.... dang)
When I get used to this site and work out how to load photos, and if possible, video, I will post them.
By the way what a awesome forum and information site. Everyone who asks questions and gets help with information or links, have certainly added great valuable information, all should be congratulated. Even if the confirmed answer is not at a convincing stage of determination of make year and model. Someone who comes along like myself, starts to see the patterns emerge and pick up on the changes in technology and slight variations for each year. This could help to possibly fill in the blanks, if any.
There was a post from Arthur11 some time ago on an early Greenfield. I am really convinced that model is the "Grandaddy" as stated for sure the 1966 (first one). It seems Greenfield made slight improvements and alterations every year (subtle changes)while maintaining the original chassis. I'm also in favour that mine is the 1967 model and the person who has four HD 8s (originally redobobs)has a 2x 1967, 1x 1968,1x 1969, model. 1966 was a full pale-mud green colour, high square hood and large thin wheels(no cut out for fuel tank). 1967 model kept the mud green on the chassis and went to the reddish panels still maintaining the high hood but with a gable style now and cut out now for the fuel tank and the large thin wheels. The 1968 model (Super Swift) went to the red then yellow (probably the same year) and as above. 1969 has gone back to a square shape for the hood and changed the wheels all together. Also looking at the styles of grills and the changes to engaging the cutting pullies year by year, body shape, wheel sizes, etc. As a ex-painter it makes sense as using a yellow primer under coat and then using two top coat colours(1966-1967) was not cost effective. If I had a company selling ride on mowers and the name being "Green"-field, I would have started in a green colour as well. Another point is the decals, red to green, back to red, then green again lol. I'm very keen to load photos and repost old ones to show where I'm coming from and give examples of paint colours and the subtle engineering changes for the forum to scrutinise and deliberate on, confirm if possible and help others who will come along in time to come, if any are interested?.
Once again thank you for the welcome and congratulations on all for contributing to such a fine forum/site.
catch you all later.

You're welcome, Grannic.

As I've mentioned in one of those older threads, there was only one readily visible change to the chassis, during the HD-8 model run.
That's the front axle mounting, and yours is the later type.

The bonnet mods are a bit harder to fit into a definite sequence, e.g. the louvres used on some examples.

But I can say that the fuel tank cutout is engine-specific, not related to year of manufacture. It's only found on the G65-engined HD-8 examples, as the Fuji Robin EY25D engine [which was fitted to HD-6's IIRC, as it was 'nominally' 6hp] had a lower profile, and didn't require the cutout.

Your machine does look to be in very original condition, allowing for its age; very few dings - the leading edges of the rear guards and bonnet usually cop a few on these machines. The engine looks very original too, except for the muffler. Which is no surprise; even though the originals were made of corrosion-resistant aluminised steel, the leaded fuel of those days made for short muffler life.
Edit: And genuine replacements were always pricy - we Honda dealers used to put them on the 'monthly stock order', which had a higher discount off list price than routine parts orders.

The original rear tyres had a much 'squarer' profile, though.

Thanks Gadge,
Getting a little ahead of myself at the moment lol, far to keen and overexcited. When I think I'm on the right track another variation pops up and I'm back to where I started.
Good news though, I was sent an old Honda owners manual(acknowledgement withheld as I have no authority to post their name)for G50-G65, the Spare parts catalogue (as on this forum) for the yellow variation and the spare parts list for what they call, OLD RED!. Old Red catalogue has a note of 1ST and the yellow, as 2nd. Slight variations seem to be within the 25" and the 28" models including the front axels. A very notable difference is the Old Red Model has a bolt in engine mounting plate separate from the main chassis as the later models have the engine mounting plate as part of the chassis. On the end of the axel in the 2nd model, grease nipples are now added, where earlier models have none. I'm still getting the impression that changes have been made using the old and the new on the one machine. Of course not knowing the machines history, I get the idea that any repairs carried out by a greenfield agent/outlets (mower shops)and home handymen/ladies, could have contributed to this whilst making repairs for owners or themselves.
I've had a little contact with a Greenfield agent who has owned the business since day dot, hopefully I might get some info there as well.
I really just like to know which way to head when I start to restore this little gem and return it to its original beautiful condition as it deserves.
Already a list is developing of parts missing...Like who has the wooden rollers and mounting plate, the tool box and tools, 5 inch wheels, the original 25" inch 28" deflector, throttle knob for the G65 lol.
Other than knowing now I do not have the original first model(one with separate mounting plate from chassis), I also know mine has no grease nipples (or holes for them) on end of axel.
Let me know if the forum does not have a copy of the G50-G65 owners manual and the Old Red (1st) parts list and I will ask the good wife to scan them onto the computer and post them for all who are interested.
Thanks again,
Back soon.

Please post any Greenfield parts lists or manuals you have, Grannic. We are extremely short of this information. With regard to Honda G65 information, that also is useful given the age of the engine.

Meanwhile, I'll move this thread to Ride-On Mowers, since that is the direction it has gone in.

Thanks grumpy, for the thread move and pic rotate.

Grannic, we here at ODK are most appreciative of any Greenfield literature/documentation our members can provide.
Much of it isn't available any more from Greenfield, for the older models. The parts list for the 'Old Red' First Series HD-8 would be particularly valuable, for our restorer/collector members.

One of the 'Old Reds' was the first ride-on mower our family had, after it came into our hands as a trade-in on a new Greenfield, in the 1970's. Our farmer customers in the Cobram, Vic area loved the first electric start 'Tractor-x' Greenfields. That way, their wives could mow the house lawn whenever it suited them, without having to call hubby in from the paddocks to start the mower!

No worries, will load the documents soon.....need the wife for that stuff lol.
Just did a few rounds on the old girl(no, the Greenfield)not real happy with the toe and heal set up. Reverse just about throws you off and the wheels would be happy to spin if I was stupid enough to let them.
Forward feels like I cant push down hard enough or need to get a clamp to force it down tight and keep it there but I don't much feel like going through a fence this week. The cork pads look to be in very good condition considering the age and how reverse responds, I'm just not sure how much more tension I can put on the drive belt at the point under the seat or am I missing another way of tensioning the forward drive.
I remember when I first came into possession of the Greenfield, when starting, it drove off by its self and the blades weren't disengaging . I took some tension off but the forward was hard to push down. After mowing a few times the drive belt break so I'm back to working out how to get more out of the forward drive. I really don't want to mowe 1 1/2 acres in reverse lol.
cheers.

It sounds as if the linkage between the control pedal and the thrust bearing between the forward and reverse clutches may need adjustment. Forward and reverse should feel the same on the pedal.

Thanks grumpy for the advice. yep, that did the trick, one more notch should get it perfect although the motor is now off the chassis for a oil change, steam clean and general maintenance. I will more than likely keep going and restore the whole thing now. Trying to take some pics so I can remember how to put it all back together. I'm really not mechanical or never had the chance to learn how motors work and what part works what. I feel the HD8 is simple enough to learn on but don't be surprised if I ask questions along the way if that's ok. The good wife will post all the manuals and other things I've come across tomorrow.

Thanks for keeping us informed, Grannic, and I'm glad you are seeing some success from your efforts. We are more than happy for you to open a thread whenever you have questions. You can learn faster and at much lower cost by asking rather than experimenting, especially in the early days while the answers are usually fairly clear and straightforward. If you later make a hobby of mower repair, you'll reach the point where you can help others more often than you ask for help, which is a sort of tipping-point that feels good when you reach it, but don't feel as if you have to do that. There are people on Outdoorking who enjoy helping, and you improve their day when you ask questions - as long as you explain the issue and support it with pictures, of course.

Hi all, not sure if this is the right area to load what I have for the HD 8 HONDA G65. Anyway,


some copies are good and some not so good.

[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...a_g50_g65_motor_owners_manual_page16.jpg[/img]

[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...al_shaft_engine_repair_manual_page29.jpg[/img]

[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...al_shaft_engine_repair_manual_page42.jpg[/img]
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...al_shaft_engine_repair_manual_page43.jpg[/img]
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...al_shaft_engine_repair_manual_page44.jpg[/img]
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...al_shaft_engine_repair_manual_page45.jpg[/img]

I hope the above manuals are helpful. Should be able to find notable differences between The first Greenfield....Old Red and the 2nd type Yellow.
If any pages are missing please let me know
Cheers.