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Did you know that National Blue Jeans Day lights up our calendars on December 5 every year? This special day honors the timeless appeal of blue jeans, a staple in wardrobes worldwide. From rugged workwear to a fashion favorite, jeans have truly seen it all. Their durability and versatility make them a go-to choice for any occasion, easily paired with casual or semi-formal attire. This day reminds us of jeans’ unique role in fashion and culture. Their adaptability allows them to blend with any wardrobe, earning them a permanent spot in fashion. It’s not just about wearing jeans; it’s about celebrating their journey from workwear to a fashion statement.

Balmy... Trail cam at @ebinmaine's place this morning...

A Haiku... I have very good jeans Hear tell Sydney does also So where is my check? A Limerick There once was a man with great jeans Who really liked to eat beans His flatulence was known far and wide And it really did damage his pride That people thought Sydney had better genes

I don't wear blue jeans. I don't even own any. But I don't mind Sydney advertising them for me.....

Thanks Don for the thoughts on the bolt. It was handy (like your avatar) and I’m on a time constraint (I leave for Israel on Monday). This upcoming summer, I’ll get a custom rod made up. Today’s project was to clean up the hood and fender pan, then load the tractor, and head to Caleb’s house. This tractor is in such good shape (the seat notwithstanding) and so I felt that the chalky hood would shine up nicely… I wasn’t wrong…I only spent about 20 minutes on it for now but was excited with the results! Not bad for 37 year old paint! my little 5’x8’ trailer was “just big enough” to fit the tractor with blower attached. Caleb got off work about an hour early so that he could be the one to clear his own driveway for the first time! For those of you that have known him for a decade—can you believe that he is now a first time homeowner??? unfortunately the throttle cable is not functioning well. We are going to need to outsource a good used one or find something better. however, even at about half throttle, that Ber-Vac was handling the snow with ease and the torque of that Onan is impressive! For those of you that enjoyed reading the Iron Horse thread, this picture is also there. This is my dad in 1975 clearing the snow at his first house with his 1965 875. 50 years later, his grandson is clearing his driveway at his first house with a 1988 520HC! Wheel Horse—a generational experience for the Stertz household (like it is for many of you!) Job well done for the old machine! using the bagger frame to hold some weight (about 100 pounds) may not be the prettiest situation, however it works just fine. Caleb has a full rack of suitcase weights but no bracket. I suppose that next spring/summer we can fabricate something to hold those. At least, he can now clear any accumulative snow moving forward this winter…

Sort of. I FOUND them in one of the older local hardware stores - on the side of the road. This place is the hardware store is the go to when I need something unusual.

Watched this 13yo lad operate this 10,000 lb. plow machine. He plowed from 8AM to 4PM with an hour lunch break(for the Belgians). He turned about 5 acres.

I do wear blue jeans occasionally. I agree with @ebinmaine She fills hers out better…😁

I have bulk cable & sheath in stock. If the throttle lever is in good shape, I can hook you up with the parts for a new cable.

Proof positive you only need 5 horse power to turn a single bottom plow...

No. Small block Kohlers (6/7/8hp) do not have balance gears.

Glad to help!! I haven't forgotten about your tie rods. Just busy. I'll get some out this weekend. All excellent. I'll be very curious to know how those work. Your impressions. Thoughts. Corrections. Etc... I have two kinds here. Honestly not impressed with either. I've considered making a solid full width pvc pipe edge protector... Also excellent! One BIG helpful hint on the plow vs gravel situation. Tilt your plow FORWARD one more hole. See these pics. Bit of a tough angle. Trina and I both keep a forward tilt. This makes the chiseling down effect far less.

Final inspection, including electrical, was signed off today. Still waiting for gutters to be installed, but that isn't on the inspection check-list (still needed, but apparently not holding anything else up now). Now I just have to wait for the paperwork to process before I can get the final occupancy permit.

It's not your fault if she didn't understand the tractors are amazing

And lets not forget... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levi_Strauss but in my working days ... I wear Duluth Trading cargo pants for the sole purpose of being able to comfortably carry a stupid phone. But there's an idea... blues jeans with cargo pockets?!?!?

Here too!!! The old furnace is getting a workout.

Carlisle 9.5's Right - about 8 years old Left - about 4 years old One made in USA, one not... Unfortunately, not a new problem.

Now that is funny right there. Good job whoever took the pictures.

Great thread for modifications as well as the family and generations points! Definitely some of the things here that drew many of us to these machines and this hobby!

Normally I would say between these the Kohler is superior. A Kohler Magnum engine is nearly bullet proof with decades of longevity built in. The engine in your pic is unfortunately not suitable for Wheel Horse in any way due to the stubby PTO shaft. No adapter made will make it capable of supporting the side loads generated on these machines. If you made it work, it would eventually fail and likely damage things even possibly the operator. If the Briggs has at least 2 and 3/4 inches of PTO shaft it will work better in this case. If you have to sleeve it to 1.125, it is still a safe option. I'm a huge fan of Briggs Vanguard v-twins. I have several of them. That being said, I do not expect them to last like a cast iron Kohler will.

Thanks Pete, they are a labor of love. I own the plow tractor a little over a year and a half. I spent over 30 hours cleaning, detailing, and polishing it. It is all original except for the black band wrapping the front of the hood. The snowblower tractor is all original except the black on the hood as well. It is how I purchased it almost 4 years ago. It has 340 hours on it. I’ve put 6 hours on it in 4 years…

Thanks for the tip on the blade tilt. I'll get the details for the skid shoes this weekend. They were a bit of a rush job, so they aren't pretty but are adjustable and I think will make a difference. I like the mechanical feeling of this tractor. The lift, the steering, the transmission, it all has a very "direct" feel. I personally really like that about the old rigs. I'm starting to see why Wheel Horse has such a following. The simplicity and practicality of the design is awesome.

I'm not sure your ESD and my ESD are the same type.

Mine hangs on the loop. 🔨 ⚒️

The front blade is installed! Thanks @ebinmaine for the axle bracket! More details to come. Made a replacement wear bar, made the solid lift link, made a new pivot pin, and fabricated some skid shoes to help with the gravel drive. Loaded the rears. Excited.

When I install an electric fuel pump on my C165 can I simply run power to the coil and ground the pump to the frame?

I wear carpenter's jeans and keep my phone in the leg pocket. I started doing that around 2008 when I bought a pair used to wear at work, and found I like it. And it frees up a hip pocket for my emotional support device. The only problems are that some phones don't fit, so I have to be careful when I buy pants and phones, and if the phone is too close to the max size (which mine is) I sometimes get my leg with it getting in the car.

If the coil is energized during the start and run positions of the ignition switch that I don't see why this won't work. The only caution I would add here, ground importance can't be overstated. Original Wheel Horse grounds were adequate at best. Just a few years of corrosion... no more ground. That's why I like to run separate grounds to every major component.

When I first saw Sidney, she looks almost identical to a girl I dated a long time ago, I wonder if they are related (our relationship did not end well).

If you go with another Briggs from a Workhorse you'll have a great parts engine.

Painters pants

Don't let a 1" diameter crankshaft slow you down if it is long enough. Simple work around. All the B&S engines Wheel Horse used have 1" diameter pto shafts and I believe all the 8hp Kohler's they used also. Just need to get a pto bearing race/sleeve to fit the 1" crank and the rest of the pto parts are the same.

PTO clutch lever cotter pin slid into hole without washer. This will make the next steps easier. PTO clutch lever 5666 nyliner bushing installed. I rotated it so the slit in it faces rearward as when the clutch is engaged it pulls the clutch lever forwards. PTO clutch lever washer slid on then grip ring installed as close to the washer as possible. PTO clutch lever cotter pin and washer installed. If you have the grip ring in the right place there should be no in and out play of the clutch lever but it should rotate easily.

But, what did she actually do? Pull the head, clean things up, reinstall with no gasket, didn't change any oil or filters, etc. Didn't checked the fuel or change it. I give her prompts for some of the things she did, but it kind of seemed fishy or fake from the get go. I want to believe it's real, but with so much fake stuff nowadays, has me doubting.

Just caught this thread Jack and looks good so far. House looks to be a fine starter for a young feller. Looks like he could use a shop/garage/man cave but with our combined sliver wizardry skills I'm sure we can bend a nail or two. You need any help Dan is sitting right here ... Don't forget I have some 520 parts. If he still needs a deck I have one here I can't let him have but he certainly welcome to borrow it!. Really ...He sure has come a long ways!

Yeah, but a box of crackers isn't advertised as being a particular size. Tires with a given size rating not being that size could be grounds for false advertising lawsuits. It happened to Lowes a while back because all their lumber was listed at the common sizes and not the actual sizes.

What did you do today... Here? What did I do? 🥶🧊🧥

Love those old stores...

I have been using a GE hybrid water heater for 15 years, the only issue was a factory fault that was fixed for free. Installation is the same as a standard water heater but clearance around it is necessary so it can move air and a provision for the condensate water is needed.

Could be a really nice find! Not sure how familiar you are with but check the frame for cracks where the 4 bolts attach the uni-drive since it obviously has history pushing a dozer blade. Not a deal breaker but checking is a must.

On my first meeting @wallfish, he lent me an RJ to tool around the Big Show. He emphatically cautioned me about its touchy clutch and willingness to wheelie. Having driven standard shift vehicles since before having a driver’s license, I paid heed and never had the front wheels more than a couple inches off the ground. Predictability and muscle memory are essential for clutching. We more mechanically-inclined and capable members do have to keep in mind that things mechanical and electrical can intimidate some of those who join the forum looking for an assist. They often need very specific and detailed answers along with reassurance.

What's faster than a Ferrari? Raceinbob on his birthday!

@stevasaurus

A K341 will have more than enough power for your need. The only concern I would have with the example you found is the stubby crankshaft on the PTO side.

Had a great Time with my RJ pushing 4” of wet snow. Pushed with ease even without weights or chains, but ground isn’t frozen solid yet. Tried to represent those old ads of those Pipe Smokers.

Here's the post telling my story... @jsoluna you'll like this one.

And the actual issue just may be a poor (painted, oxidized, corroded or otherwise compromised) ground at the rectifier to sheet metal mounting bolts. Many of us add a secondary ground cable from the battery negative terminal to one of the rectifier bolts. It must be properly grounded, at all times while running, for it to do its job...