Matt, my youngest brother who is a threat to all things mechanical had the tractor for a few years. He did NO maintenance on this machine. I'm sure the zerks never saw grease. Fortunately the linkage to the throwout lever broke and he stopped using the tractor. It wasn't running when I got it and it has been a project bringing it back to proper maintenance.
What trashed the bushing is the T/O bearing was completely locked up and he kept right on using the tractor. I don't think I could have taken the awful noise it must have made as it ground away against the T/O lever. That locked bearing must have beat up the end of the bushing every time he stepped on the pedal. I guess not everyone thinks to see what is wrong when a machine starts making noise. It was painful to see the condition it was in when I got it back.
The tractor was given to me by a couple in the neighborhood where I grew up in Illinois. They had an only child who died in a car wreck when he was in his 20's. They treated my middle brother and I like sons. We maintained their 2 acre property for many years in junior high, high school and during breaks when I was in college. I practically grew up on this 1000 and I think of them every time I am on it. It's a joy to use and work on.
I started using the tractor in about 1987 when it was 10 years old. The pin behind the compression spring on the driveshaft snapped once and it was repaired by a local shop. They didn't replace any other parts. That and tune-ups are all that were done to it since I started using it. I maintained the tractor and made sure the oil was changed and the zerks were greased. My younger brother certainly didn't do any maintenance but then again don't get me started...
Fast-forward to the end of July 2013. Me, my wife and sons moved sold our home in town and moved up into the mountains above Santa Cruz, CA into a house on 2 acres. I had some things in Illinois that needed to be shipped out. The load was underweight so the tractor and 44" deck rode free so I had it sent west. That month I picked up a basket case 1450, another 44" deck, a set of wheel weights, a rear lift, a #2 tiller and a Brinley box scraper. I wasn't looking for a second tractor. I checked craigslist on a whim and found this deal. CCs are rare in California so I can't believe I found it. I took it down to the frame and did what I call a mechanical preservation. It needs paint desperately but is functional.
This turned into a longer post than I intended. If you're still reading thanks for following. Every time I get on one of those tractors I feel like I'm 16 again. The 1000 really brings back memories. I think of Bob and Sherry Loncar often. Bob passed away on July 4, 2012. Sherry is not doing well. Another neighbor, Al Novak, welded the seat on the springs. I'll never change it. I was a pall bearer at his funeral. The positive battery cable that I replaced in high school is still on it. That tractor really brings back memories.
My boys are 5 and 7 and talk about who will drive which tractor when they are old enough. They way these things are built they'll probably have to decide which will take the 1000 and 1450 when I'm gone. I'm glad to have them at my house. I like to think the 1000 is enjoying a second life on the west coast.