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Just a few things left now and I will be able to use the refurbished 42" blade. My Foreman likes it, he's a Wheel Horse guy too.

That's the tractor finished at last, time to continue with the re-build of the cutting deck.

I had the idea to add skis to the front of the go cart. Rear tires are great in the snow but the thing wouldn't steer very well. I pulled together some extra sheet metal and treated wood and heres how it ended up........ https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=91a_1516102899

I have 2 97 520's one with a loader other with a cab and blower. Life is fun.

Getting plenty of use out of the snow blower and this year, always warm for a change with the cab on.

It would take me 4 fours to clean a space for the tractor , then I would not be able to find anything so I could pull it apart.

I found this on a forum for restoring vintage paintball guns. The paint costs about $200 for 20 ft of coverage. The results look amazing. Check out the gas tank being painted: Here is the company page: https://alsacorp.com/easy-chrome/

Really good thread here @Desko So many calendar shots! Here is my pair @ebinmaine had a thread like this awhile ago and I offered this pic there ... my favorite sno rig... the Mrs. with a shovel!

C175, 20+ years of snow plowing. I cleaned and painted for this season, replaced rear plastic fender with metal

Ok, we have dual winners, the o ring seemed not to be seating properly. And the breather was moist / freezing up. Seems the assembly was a bit off. But what wasn't helping was the fact of one headight and headlight trim ring was missing. Letting snow, bitter cold air right in. He ordered the trim ring, I couldn't believe 40 bucks, and will get headlight. Everything back together. Test run showed no dipstick pop out or flooding oil THANKS FOR THE HELP FELLAS. Glenn

@PeacemakerJack, Josh sorry I'm late to the party but I was going say it was a "Johnny Cash" tractor, close but I reckon we ain't playing horse shoes, @cpete1 there's a few little things that can be improved upon but with anything one manufacturer has this the other that...then WE take what we see as better and adapt it, I have one of those in mind for the snow plows anyways enjoy the forum, Jeff.

Thanks Pete! I’ll share what you said with him next time we talk. I’ll definitely get more pics. Now that you know that it is mostly homebuilt—you can look at how he developed most of the systems. Knowing that our beloved ‘s were originally conceived and built by two men in their garage, this build I thought would be of interest to you. Every system on it pretty much is original to this tractor. I have to sit down with Uncle Ken to get the whole story but I believe that he started working on it in the late 1960’s. He used parts that he could find but much of it he fabricated himself. He was the guy that built a lathe when yet a kid using an old bicycle as the drive system. My dad would sit on the bike and pedal while uncle Ken machined wood pieces and parts!!! As one of my favorite quotes states, “Necessity is the mother of invention!”

A few days late but, 4hrs before this pic was taken this pile of parts was a running driving Raider 12. Time for another resto!

Guys—I want to have a little fun with you. Many of you are very well versed in not only all sorts of GT’s but also all things mechanical. I want to you to take some time and look at this one closely. I suggest pinch zooming if using your smart phones but honestly, you probably want to look at it with your computers because you’ll be able to see the details better. All comments welcome—good, bad, ugly, etc... I’m taggIng a few of you just to generate some action. This section of the forum doesn’t get seen quite as much as others for obvious reasons So @Shynon @CasualObserver @WHX14 @ebinmaine @shallowwatersailor @Aldon @Achto @19richie66 @953 nut @WVHillbilly520H And anyone else interested, what do you make of this machine? It is a family members and it has a very interesting history but I can’t wait to hear your takes on it...

Ssshhhh, don't tell 'em they'll be try'n to rustle that monster for further north...

Remember Eddie Munster coming out of the Closet hahaha, well that maybe BRF too, Snowing like crazy here boys, i seen a 520H on my street coming home with a 2 stage kickn up the white stuff, didnt know he exsisted on my Lane

Usually takes four hours to get the hubs and hitch off, you done GOOOOOOOD!

I’m just a regular guy and I like making things. If I ever finish something, then what do I do? I have a whole shed full of good intentions and ideas But I do appreciate it.

HUMBLED???? I have 2 wh that I want to restore and the biggest concern I have now is how in the heck am I going to "hold my own" when I do the restore after seeing work like yours and the other machines on this forum. Not to mention how decent everybody is about helping or suggestions. Your work is exceptional right along with Uncle Kens unit. I've made some stuff myself which I intend to post when I figure out how to post pictures. (plus I'm becoming a "supporter soon) A person can learn an awful lot when he sees work like you guys put out. One of the things about the Wheel Horse is there isn't a lot of room for improvement, I found that out making the linkage for my snowplow. Everything is pretty well thought out and person really has to reach to make a design improvement. Oops I forgot, everybody is nasty here, lousy work and they're not interested in anything anybody posts, absolutely useless forum!!!! Rotten, rotten bunch of people....Sorry Eric, I keep slipping up... And Peace maker Please do tell your Uncle how much we enjoyed seeing his machine, its an honor . Chris

Could be a prototype for a Case. But i'd say homemade with the exception of the hood and fenders and very heavy with a Lawn Ranger steering wheel.

@Walt Thank you for the tip! The cotter pin was missing, and I was able to use a finish nail to plow today. Thanks!

After I got it that far I spent many hours plus broke a few tools getting the steering wheel off of the shaft. I was successful & was able to save the wheel.

@TIGman, excellent work, you could always extend that 42" to 50", when my dad still worked in a sheet metal factory he "rolled" and "broke" me 2 side extensions for the 42" I found used when I bought my first 520H brand new 2 months shy of 20 years ago, look closely you'll see what I'm talking about, Jeff.

The fun only started when I kicked the ex down the block years ago lol. The only not-fun is having to live with a crappy HF $100 welder. What doesn't kill you just makes you stronger. Things are lookin up though.....

I have found a used complete K181, and I've got it on there, so it is fixed now. What a tune up! Now to figure more about how this happened. I think going to a 12hp would have been great if I had one, but I don't. My little 8hp tractor has plenty of power for what we've been using for - plowing snow and some dirt work. Oh and occasionally some rock work! These rocks that I dug out are on skid (sheet of plywood) that I was pulling - It is totally amazing to me to know what this little 8hp tractor has done! Like I said when I posted this that I had never seen a crank shaft break and I'm still puzzled by this. I know I'm carrying a lot of weight, but it seems like there's so many weaker links (like the connecting rod or drive belt) that would have broke or failed before the crank shaft! When I was in the equipment business, I saw plenty of engine damage, but not like this. We had lots of customer lawn mowers come in with bent crank shafts (from hitting rocks or something solid), but never a broken one. Has anyone else seen damage like this? Thanks for everyone that has taken time to view this and weigh in! C-85

Dang! I have more parts tractors than I have working tractors. Crap! I guess I need to spend more time in the frigid barn to make things happen! (Stop procrastinating Jimmy!!!) (Ok, Ok! I heading out now!) (Damn is it cold!)

Doesn't matter if you finish anything as long as you have FUN. It's ok Chris. We all make mistakes. Just keep working on your negativity and lousy attitude and we can conquer your good demeanor together. AAHHAAHHAAHHAAHHAAAAA !!!!!!

What an incredible piece! There are museums that would absolutely love to display a machine like that. Josh, please do take the time to sit with your uncle and get as many details about that as you can. For the history of it if nothing else. We'd all love to hear more about it.

Very cool.... how about some pics with the hood up? And I'm guessing with all that plate steel, just the tractor has to weigh in the 800-900 lbs range by itself! I am always humbled by the people who have the time and talent to envision a project like this and see it through to completion. Thanks for sharing for sure... looking forward to more details and story.

Oshkosh!!!!! That explains the 1/2 " steel everywhere. My God, this gives made to last a whole new meaning! Not only that but your Uncles got along,(not always the case) as your Uncle Bob got the paint for him, and the hood. Thanks for posting this, very, very impressive. Chris tremendous amount of thought applied to the design, access to get on and off, Steering wheel location, pedals. implement engagement levers and such, very very impressive....

Uncle Ken is the ultimate fabricator—I should probably start a thread that is based on all of the cool stuff he has built. Give him a shop of basic tools and enough time—he’ll build you almost anything. He worked for Oshkosh Truck in assembly and multiple fabrication jobs during the 1970’s. My uncle Bob worked for Case most of his life—hence the hood and the Case themed look. The mower deck is also completely fabricated by him. Much of this machine is not simple to make and would cost a fortune to mass produce but it has lasted a lifetime and will continue on in the future.

Uncle Ken was the designer and fabricator for this “RUGGED” piece of machinery. Hood is factory as mentioned from above. The rear fender pan was manufactured by him and contains the fuel tank just like a Case would have. Notice the thickness of the plate welded to the front of the tank that holds the gear reduction housing (contains a #80 roller chain) from the Vintage Chevy (think 1920’s) gearbox down to the rear end. The steering wheel is from the REO that my grandpa bought new but was completely worn out in about five years. More info to come...Keep inserting your thoughts—you guys are hitting the nail on the head for sure!

Built to last! Looks like a narrowed nine inch Ford rear end, perhaps a Crosley transmission and a chain drive down to the driveshaft. Hood I agree is from an Ingersoll/case.

I've been following your thread Richie on your rebuild, very impressive, This thing is right up your alley! I retract the thought about the steering box, looks home made as well. Same here, waiting for the details. Ok, ( my hypothesis) your family member was an employee of the case company, (maybe a welder ) and had access to old or disposed inventory and fabricated the machine on his own. Based on your details, factory was near you and now you're in possession and you know a bunch of us will be intrigued by this thing.... Those are Case (Old style) colors also...(Before Case got tangled up with Ingersol Rand)

I'm thinking that steering box came out of a Combine for God sakes.....Massy Harris to be exact.... Who ever built it wanted it to last forever... and then some. Motor maybe came out of a Bolens? First I thought cub cadet but no shaft drive. ???? Chris

I owned and drove this early 1960's era modified race car from 2004 until I sold it in 2016. This was some of the most exiting fun that I have ever had in my life. I have loved dirt track racing all my life. In recent years, I have been helping sponsor one of my buddies and his sprint car racing team. He even put my name on his race car and lets me put a Wheel Horse sticker on the top wing side panels.

Ordered a regulator, some gaskets, and a few new ignition parts for the K181 on the 857. Hopefully I'll feel like putting them on when they get here. BTW, sure am glad this thread is back!

-13 this AM on the Sienna thrmometer. Ran out to get the cable luber for the 520. Got home and wanted to clean up the driveway and sidewalk. C-160 went 10 ft. and died. Electric fuel pump quit. Went and got a pump and finished up and almost got run over by a state plow. Now I got carb problems on the 160 as well. Maybe if I buy 5 more tractors I'll be able to plow once with out an incident.

Hear tell they sell new ones at auto parts stores case you've never been in a NAPA Mike

Just came in from blading 5" of that fantastic white stuff...temp about 24 F and dropping. The 857 is just loving the snow and lots of waves and honks from the traffic going by. No socks yet...not cold enough.

Well had fun with my 1979 C-161 B&S 8 Speed with the single stage snow thrower... during the last blizzard that dumped 16" on Eastern Long Island. Did the first pass during the blizzard and a second pass afterwards. Ran like a charm though with 10F weather and nor'easter 50 mph winds the side cooling grill would get frozen and the engine almost over heated in the arctic cold. So kept a snow scraper to keep air-flowing through the grill And it's self-driving too as you can see with zero computers Made in U.S.A with American hands! #MAGA Click to See Youtube Video. As I can't figure out how to EMBED!!!!! lol https://youtu.be/bxKlqe8UkkI

That's why I have to heat my house. ...

I keep one of my 520’s in an unheated barn. It must have gotten jealous because it peed transmission oil all over the floor. I’ve seen this before and now I’m convinced it is extreme temperature changes that causes the uncontrolled bladder problem. The oil appears at the dipstick tube, runs down and spills quite a bit on the floor. Oil level shows correct on the dipstick.

'66 L-156........super powerful for its size and couldn't plow any better.

My other interests are probably too many to list, however besides family, the one that takes a hold of my life is my profession which is also my hobby and the main passion in my life. Somehow everything is interwoven with it and many of the other interests such as tool collecting emanate from if. Here is some of it:

Check under the dash thats were they are on chargers.Looks like a charger/raider but could be an 857.If you can take a pic of the ID on the blower housing of the engine I could maybe give you the year of the engine.

.........As long as his wife doesn't have snowblower Envy ........

HAHAHAHAHA !!!!! Oh yeah. ... it's still funny.

Can’t wait to see this one come together! I think I’ll have to arrange some time in my schedule to come over and turn a few wrenches with you on this plow mule! Dan is a maestro when it comes to these and I’m looking forward to the symphony... Those sure look sharp on there Jim. I’m looking forward to seeing them in real world action where they belong—in the furrows!

We got 4" here , temps are right at 10* and 30+mph winds. Still got the flu, today has been the worse so far in the last week - 102* fever . The wind can move the stuff for all I care...not going out until maybe later in the week. Sarge