Leaderboard

I'm not getting any younger and everything I work on gets heavier.... picked this up the other week for £30 ($33) and with some recycling of an old bike rack brought back from the US that was built like a tank. I've got this A handy crane with a 4ft boom that swings inside the workshop (the axle is for my 3rd 4x4 I'm designing)

Well it is starting to take shape carb is being rebuilt have a nelson bid on e-bay. This will be a plow tractor only. The engine looks good inside no score marks. But there was a bunch crap built up around the carb block in side as usual. All cleaned up now should be a good runner. Looking at getting a seat for it. The original was trash. I am going to change out the front tires Enjoy the picks.

Just picked up three more horses and a pair of Ag tires for $300 today! Could someone please help me identify them?

10-13-1953 World’s first traveling art museum opens in Virginia The world’s first art museum on wheels—an “inspiration for the nation,” says a representative from the Smithsonian–opens today in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was called the Artmobile. At the dedication ceremony, the state’s governor declared that the project “initiates something new in the cultural and spiritual life of the Commonwealth which has never been done before anywhere.” It took the staff of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts almost five years to get the Artmobile up and running. The Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs paid its operating expenses, about $11,000 per year, while Richmond department store Miller & Rhodes paid for the Artmobile itself: a $20,000, 34-foot-long air-conditioned trailer with museum-quality lighting and walls that hinged out to create a lean-to-esque exhibition space around the vehicle. The trailer was pulled around the state behind an enormous blue truck; at the wheel was William Gaines, the retired registrar of the Virginia Museum. Visitors entered the Artmobile in small groups and were free to look at the art on display for as long as they liked. (Admission was free for schoolchildren and members of local women’s clubs; everyone else paid 25 cents to get in.) Meanwhile, a 15-minute mini-lecture explaining the significance of the works in the exhibition looped in the background. The lecture was very informal and was usually narrated by a local radio personality, so most visitors felt right at home. For its first tour through the state, the Artmobile carried sixteen paintings by 15th- and 16th-century Dutch and Flemish “Little Masters”: Bosch, Brueghel, Cuyp, Jordaens, van Rhysdael and Terborsch. The museum had borrowed the paintings, worth about $500,000, from the collection of Walter P. Chrysler Jr. (Chrysler, an art collector and theater producer whose father founded the Chrysler Corporation, had an estate near Warrenton, Virginia.) In all, the Little Masters traveled 20,000 miles in their first 53 weeks on the road and had 60,000 visitors, mostly students who had never been to the brick-and-mortar museum in Richmond. The Artmobile was so successful that other states began to plan similar projects. By 1965, there were four Artmobiles in Virginia and a handful of others in places like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Today, there are dozens of Artmobile-inspired museums on wheels in cities and towns across the United States and around the world.

I'll tell ya what Glenn, you have sure been on a roll lately... That looks like a real nice find. I grew up cutting a lot of neighbors lawns on a new B-80 way back in the day. It had a side discharge deck on it as well. That tractor was such a pleasure too hear run thru the Nelson muffler. I loved it when the governor kicked in when it hit the tall grass. The tractor belonged to my friends Dad, he let us use it as much as we wanted and we sure did, cutting many neighbors lawns in the 10-15 buck range. His only rule was that we don't abuse it and that we clean it after each use. I remember him saying that if we didn't clean it after each use we could no longer use it and if we abused it or were caught being reckless his exact words were he'd kick our a$$e$. I knew he would have and I knew my Dad would have been just fine with that! My friend didn't like to cut grass much so he sat and watched which was just fine by me.. I got 5 bucks for each lawn I cut with it, I was the happiest kid in town. I would have done it for free just to ride that tractor! I know his Dad still has the tractor, he owned his own auto repair shop back then and the tractor was always garaged and serviced.. Great memories for me on a B-80...

Got around to sharpening blades, greasing spindles and installing the chute fabbed from baseboard molding. Just in time to store it until spring. but it it looks like it will at least block some if not all the clippings from collecting on the hydro.

As Richard says you could get the block magnafluxed.That is the best way to make sure that the damage hasn't let unnoticed cracks cause a problem.If that service isn't available to you, try a dye penetrant test.While not as good magaflux it can detect cracks.Again if little money is at stake and you know the risks button her up and see what happens.These old Kohlers are some of the toughest air cooled engines ever built.JMHO,JAinVA

It is a fantastic tractor Glenn. I added an electric fuel pump and new tires. Its like a new tractor now. I hate to run it with the low hours. Thanks, Kurt I resemble that remark Glenn, Even with that said, I am adding rear ballast weights to counter balance my two stage. 75# wheel weights and my fat a$$ weren't enough when I had to back up the hill with the blower raised. Kurt

At least someone's havin a good day!!! Foot rests are later model but solid seat pan on the 'burb a plus ... I would have tripped over myself getting to those ags... looks to be Carlisle tru powers

1st-- Model # comes up as a Commando 8 2nd one looks like my 654 but not sure 3rd one is a 1960 400/550 Real nice score today!

A little teaser shot, original owner, 342 hours on the clock, 42 inch deck. Glenn

Ok, so I must be cracking up. The old saying is you can't take it with you ( $ ). Anyway, while checking craigslist, and yes its dangerous, I came across this original 1 owner, garage kept from new B 80. So I write him on it. He shoots back some pics, tells me he guesses about 10 hours a year use. Last year he goes through the motor, that started with him doing a decarbon on it. Says it runs like a top. Then rattles off it comes with a plow, chains, rear attachment bracket and all the original manuals to. We all know I am a sucker for all the provenance, fancy word for books. So I say to me, you know I wouldn't mind a B 80. Why Not? He's asking 400 bucks for all, I offer 350, he says deal. And that's it, now I own a B 80. All I have to do it get it. Haha Enjoy the pics, point out the flaws, don't stab me to deep. Glenn Oh, can anyone tell me why some pics are Sideways? It puts a damper on the post.

Knock the sharp edge off of that hone it or bore it and use it. My K301 is similar to that and has been in service since 1985. It could be sleeved as mentioned above.

I've successfully rebuilt blocks in much worse shape than yours. Sleeving the cylinder is another option if necessary.

Looking again, it appears someone was starting to build a hot rod outta that 400. Lengthened the frame, changed the steering wheel and cut the original foot peg bar. Maybe to fit a huge instant nut roasting engine in there, or maybe he was 6'6" or more and wanted to comfortably ride a suburban. What is that piece on the side of the frame?

If it is not in need of being bared I would think it is going to be OK. You may want to have it magnafluxed to be sure there are no cracks.

If that damage is below the piston skirt bottom at bottom dead center and there are no radiating cracks from the damage you should be good to go.The piston doesn't travel all the way to the bottom of the bore anyway.If you won't have to put a lot of money into I say go for it,JMHO,JAinVA

You didn't win because you were in the wrong spellin bee; you should have ben in the ebonics bee!

This is the new style cab. I have been told it is a much roomier cab interior wise than the older style cab.

Aldon: Smart idea to tuck the ends of the rubber on the ends, I like it.

Nice score on the Kohler sign! An Onan sign? I think I can find one....:)

I would go around to local car mechanics shops and ask who they use/recommend for engine machining, I would also go ask your local auto parts stores if they know of any engine machine shops in the area, if there are multiple places in your area don't be afraid to get quotes, don't go with the cheapest or the most expensive either. I have a great machine shop I use here in MN, but I have to travel 30 miles one way to get there. A great machinist will help you out, and some are worth driving to

What 608KEB said that has work well for me in the past.

Good score there Glenn. That's a sweet little horse. Tell you what though. It's much too nice to continue living up North. I'll gladly volunteer to keep it at my house and you can come down here and mow with it anytime. You can even come here and ride it around in the Winter. Just think how happy that little Kohler 8 will be living where it can have straight 30 weight year round LOL

I have a 76 and I use it all the time. It is a great garden tractor. I pull a 12" brinley plow. Also a tandem 3point brinley disc (2 single gangs welded together). Also, I rake my lawn grass hay with it too because it can go relatively fast for raking. I pull a small "hay" wagon with it too. The only issues I have had? Fuel pump went out so I replaced it with an electric pump. Also, the governor mount kept coming loose. A little lock tight on the threads cured that. The only thing I would like to have on it? Heim joints on the 2 lift arms on the three point. Otherwise? it is a great tractor. Engine Parts? I get them from NAPA. Tom, Nice plowing video. Not trying to be critical. But, you plowed it backwards. You should have started on the right and moved left. Your right rear wheel should have been in the furrow. It would have rolled the sod over and filled the furrows. Pat

Nothing personal Dick, but if the missing bolt fits..... This is my own two scents and the pinions and concussion I have formed after reeding these posts and inhailin too much Kohler exhaust for two many jears. Maybe that's why I lost the spellin bee.

Hay!!!!! Watch it there Ed; I resemble that remark.

Yes, it was, very low hours to. Kurt NEPA is the proud owner now, a great guy. I remember when he came out, he wasnt used to Matts foot pedal kit I put on it. I told Kurt drive around all you want. Well anyway, it went to a good home with a good guy, it's getting cared for. But now, it's time for my replacement. Always missed that 520 hydro. Glenn

I have a tractor supply one with the drop down side gate on it. It works well.

If you are interested in one, look for a later model which have revised transmissions which are less prone to breaking (you can tell it's a later model by having the 4 hydraulic connections on the front, and the shifter comes from front of the rear fender NOT straight up through trans tunnel cover next to all the other levers ). I read someone describe the 1976 model as having "self-destructing" transaxles. I've had decent luck with mine, I would honestly say that I wouldn't DEPEND on the tractor. Mine always starts, drives, and performs wonderfully, but I wouldn't want to use it every day doing hard work, It's an impressive and cool machine, but finding parts and hoping that it doesn't have any issues sometimes worry me, but don't get me wrong, it is a sweet machine. Here's some videos I've taken of it.

Probably. My memory is fading fast.

Run her

That extra 130+ lbs hanging back there made one heck of a difference this past winter even with the addition of a 2stage out front vs the single stage before and the 2 link chains on the AGs and my 180 in the seat,Jeff.

Thanks Doug........ I just noticed, NO REAR WEIGHTS ????? just curious hows that treat you....no problems ,,.albeit,,, ,I am blubbery. fancy word for fat..haha......how about I threw the albeit in there to.......lol thanks, Glenn

Mike, I pretty much filled it when I rebuilt it, but I do have a leak somewhere on the back of the pump...so for the last few years some keeps coming out. It is a very slow leak, and I was ready to go after it (when the 857 died). I did add some a few months ago...so, I would guess about 1/2 full. I'll get out the 702 this weekend and run it for a while and check the heat I might get from the pump.

So I got a new voltage regulator and installed it. The voltage is correct now but the fuse still blows. I was looking at it yesterday for a few minutes and found a break in that wire below the hour meter. It had been rubbing somewhere and had some burn on it and it was down to a few strands. I cut the wire and spliced it with a butt connector. I put a new fuse in and went out mowing and it was good for about a half hour and it blew again. I notice that the terminals on the backs of the gauges are dirty so I will remove them this weekend and clean them. I will also remove the seat pan and battery to see if I can locate any more issue with the wires.

Thanks everyone for all the tips and suggestions they have been great. I did find a 2-stage from a gentleman in Toledo and gave me a hell of a deal. I am going to see how it goes this winter with this one and keep a single stage in mind.

Well, the black wire coming from the 9 pin is to ground the Hour meter. If that was connected to the plus side of the coil nothing would happen except the hour meter would not work. The only other thing I can think of is someone got power from there to run an accessory on the tractor at some point.

Did you clean and grease the PTO? Also after draining transmission. Fill with kerosene or diesel fuel. Run it a while. Drain and refill with oil. Also lift front of tractor up to completely drain.

No problem RJ, just another symptom of the dreaded WHA disease. We all think we're a couple bolts short of a full set.

just a guess but it sounds like the drive belt is slipping because the transmission is too hard to turn. I don't think the bearing will smoke but a belt will.

Well I'm gonna say it, by the looks of the photo, FREE would not even be a good deal. Regarding the LAWN tractor Series , I bought an A110 new in 75 and ran it for around 12 years no issues. It was garage kept and maintained all the way. I only sold it to step up to a 310-8 in 87. The 212 is a nice machine as well, but me, my opinion, I wouldn't spend $100 on the one in the photo. just my take

I opted for the bi-fold gate to cut drag. Has the added benefit of not having to look through the gate whether or not the trailer is full. 6.5x14 ft PJ Trailer. The 14' length lets me carry four tractors with some attachments mounted if i want.

The Caravan? Well the van is silver! Why do you ask? Oh!............ you mean the tractor! The color of the tractor is "FREE"! That's one color you can't pass up!

I built my own so I could make it the way I wanted it. 18' with 3500 lb axles with electric brakes. I wanted something I could haul anything I have without worrying about it.

All looks mighty familiar! think your tires look a bit knarlier than mine! Good to see you cracking on with it

Found a little time to play around this morning. Maybe some Black and White?

This is one that Mike Chase (Squonk) found on facebook so I borrowed it for your enjoyment..