I didn't think I would ever see the day when I would come into the possession of one of these, I have never been a fan of the cox design, fixed and driven too many rough ones. However. When one comes up for $250, looks original, is close enough, and has an extra part to go with it I couldn't not go get it!
He had advertised that it had a drive problem (chain related - more to that!) and that it would need a carb clean - normal stuff, and that it came with a dozer blade! So I jumped on the internet and did some research, found one photo on cox's facebook page of an early tractor with a blade. this one would appear to match!
So I went and got it. it is bloody tidy! Shedded all its life, stickers and badges all in great nick, needs a good service and cleanup. Engine is dated 1976, which according to the parts manual is a 928 series 1. Few things a bit different about these machines, the blade clutch is a tiny little lever, operates much the same as a rover. Quite different to the greenfields/rovers of the era. haven't had it running as yet, pulled the carby off to give it a clean fuel was very stale.
onto the drive problem, fella I bought it off pulled the chain and sprocket off, found missing teeth and went no further. One look and I knew 3 missing teeth on a drive sprocket won't stop it. However, this machine has something I've never seen on a cox before. The drive axle with the discs doesn't go straight to the chain. It appears to have a 2 speed reduction gearbox! I haven't looked much further but it appears to have a low or crawler gear and a 1:1. My guess at the moment is it had probably dropped into neutral in this little gearbox stopping drive. everything appears in working order.
Later in the week I will clean the carb up and see if she goes, then I will investigate/clean the little reduction box and she should be a goer!
after I clean it up I'll take some photo's, whens the last time anyone saw a 70's Rover, Greenfield and Cox in the same place?
