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I don’t know my birds of prey well, but I am continually attempting to improve habitats out back. As much as I don’t want mice, I know they have a place in the food chain, and they move in with the habitats I create. Along with having my chickens and cats around the place, I have more eagles, hawks, coyotes, and other predators around here. It’s a nervous balance of mine, to keep the habitat growing and keep our farm animals on the ground.

And I thought you were asking about the MPG fuel stats on Mrs Ks favorite ride.

Tony boy does that bring back some memories good and bad. I’ve had four of these 1257 one of my favorites. It has a nice feel at the steering wheel and the foot rest. I’ve always liked sitting over the tractor not in the tractor. The engine sounds good. Nice smooth idle.

I figured I should get in a ride while the getting is good because of the uncertain weather conditions nowadays. I used the Side x Side to pack roughly 6 '' of snow on the ground. The 418-A is my mowing tractor and it's nice to get behind the wheel with no mower deck and wind it up some. This was on Thursday after lunch.

So as may of you know in September I bought a 1257. We fully rebuilt the transmission. I got a new ignition switch a few weeks ago and put that in. Then we got snow so it got pushed to the back. Today we finally brought it back in. Cleaned the points and it fired right up. More to come later today. IMG_1453.mov

Got my latest C-160-8 to pop off today. Think she was auctioned off because starter motor was bad. Fixed some wiring issues replaced starter and she popped.. ( can't spray carb cleaner and film at the same time) This is the tractor with the unique K 431 engine.

Throttle knob ready to install. I like the T style knobs the best. Hair dryer used to heat knob for easier installation and so knob dos not crack. This little hair dryer is used a lot in the shop whenever I feel the heat gun might cause damage. Block of wood and dead blow hammer used to tap knob into position. Throttle knob installed.

Went for a drive to visit our friend yesterday. Got some lunch and went for a nice woods walk. Fresh squirrel tracks. These stone walls are very unusual in our area for several reasons. The height is extreme at about 4 feet in the middle but the length doesn't justify that for any obvious reason. It's only a few dozen feet long and also follows a pretty steep downhill. And... the rocks are flat!

I only modeled the hydraulic surfaces from the intake to the discharge. So I never got involved with the size or shape of the upper and lower reservoirs. I only needed the max and min water levels and the flow rates to conduct the model tests. There was one TVA project where the prototype index test showed 4.5% less HP output than the model test. After extensive testing and inspection of the new runners we supplied and of the modifications we made to the draft tube shapes, we determined the turbine was not seeing the correct flow. Divers were sent down upstream of the intake and discovered a silt build up that was blocking a lower corner of the intake. Using a Garmin depth/fish finder with GPS I made a map of the silt and installed the same scaled down obstruction on the model. The model test now matched the lower output of the prototype. There is a lot of reluctance to disturb these silt deposits. I do not know if TVA ever removed the silt or just lived with the reduced output.

Thats a fantastic rescue story, well done for showing such care and responsibility by doing the right thing. We have all kinds of problems over here for our birds of prey. From road collisions killing owls as they hunt and gamekeepers poisoning hawks to stop them taking game birds. But we have success stories too with reintroduction of some species that had been extinct in some areas. We are only a tiny country and space is in great demand for housing and other building projects, so our government ignore wildlife at every turn and only pay lip service to nature conservation. Look after your wildlife, while you still have it.

Yes you can solder the hole closed...after you get all the gas out. use a soldering gun not a torch

Lift. PTO, and Tach grips ready to install. Mid tach latch ready for grip to be installed. Mid tach latch grip installed. PTO lever ready for grip to be installed. PTO lever grip installed. You will note that the grips used are the older style as I don't care for the larger new style ones. Hydraulic valve control handle ready for grip to be installed. Hydraulic valve control handle silicone applied to retain grip. Hydraulic valve control handle grip installed.

Foot control pedal assembly ready to install. Foot control rod end ready for Heim joint. Foot control rod end Heim joint jamb nut screwed on fully. Foot control rod end threads greased. Foot control rod end Heim joint screwed on fully (this will be adjusted later). Foot control pedal slid onto shaft. Foot control pedal retainer installed . Retainer is just a large nut drilled out and a set screw added. Heim joint bolted to foot pedal. Heim joint bolted to foot pedal with temporary non locking nut (a nyloc nut will be installed once final adjustments are complete).

January 11, 1838, First public demonstration of telegraph messages sent using dots and dashes at Speedwell Ironworks in Morristown, New Jersey by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail.

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Check forward and reverse valves springs are known to break. One of are vendors have them. Clean and check valve bore and piston for smooth operation

This service work was done for a 30 year customer by me in their Master Bath installed by others. These fixtures are at least 35 years old. The tub faucets are in polished gold finish which have been very well taken care of over the years. The Symmons shower valve is brass but the trim is not. Always enjoyed working with quality Plumbing products and buying OEM parts knowing full well you could walk away and stand behind your work. I use food grade silicone grease on all parts on reassembly. In todays world you keep your fingers crossed and walk away. One of the main reasons I work for certain customers on a semi- retired basis. Lately I have been going through a LOT of stock and it bothers me to toss it out but I just will never use it all. SAD

What a lot of folks do not realize is that Symmons will replace all the tub & shower parts, except the brass body, for free as long as you own it. I remodeled my bath in 1985 and installed their Model B unit. About 8 years later, the hot side would not shut off tight. I could not remove the metal 3 flute knob! I called their Customer Service, and a VERY knowledgeable person told me the exact steps to cut it apart and remove it. I received a new loaded valve stem, gaskets, new style plastic knob, and snap-in cover. Shipped to my house - for the bubble.

Can you push the tractor with the tow valve closed? Lift means the Charge pump is working OK. Mark the axle ends make sure the axles an wheel are turning together . no sheared woodruff key on the axle.

If you don't have a problem with the colors I've bought a couple of these when they go on sale for under 9 bucks. Four-Way Trailer Wiring Connection Kit, 25 ft. They separate easily and are very flexible. I do keep some red and black for certain things.

Decided that's the way to go here. I'll have to drill holes whether they're 2.25" or 2.5" OC. The larger bearing mount is substantially more heavy duty than the original WH one. It also has its own set screws. The larger spread will also help ease of spacing for fasteners. I also decided to make a serious upgrade to the locking collar. Getting on & off the tractor without using the steering wheel as a handle is extremely cumbersome for me. The existing single set screw is degrading due to corrosion. I've personally had them move and I've seen several other tractors with that collar moved down the upper steering shaft from previous owners apparently doing similar. I have a 2 piece collar with 2 screws. Pics later...

Envious of the snow, yesterday we had about an inch of rain... Definitely digging the maintained survivor! She's a beaut Clark!

I love my 1257, had it since my dad gave it to me 10 years ago. My favorite WH tractor. Yours looks like a solid rig 👍.

Stevasaurus would say that ...

I have a soft start module on a Magnum 18 with an electric PTO. It makes a huge difference. I originally ran it with a manual PTO so I knew exactly how much of a difference it made.

Oh man. Like I need more bad ideas.

@WHX?? sold me a 1257 with a HY2 unit installed. Brought it back with me from the Big Show in PA. and it is awesome. Have a 48" snow plow on it. You will love it. To quote @WHX?? from another thread, "Just sumin special about looking down the long square hood of a 60's model Wheel Horse". May not be exact quote but close enough for guberment work. @TonyToro Jr. hard to tell in pic but does it have the 15" steering wheel also.

Good looking rig! I’ve got a soft spot for the 60’s square hoods

Absolutely beautiful trails in the snow! Always good to take the horses for a brisk walk on occasion!

A “Sparky”

Exhaust covers and air deflector ready to be installed. Engine ready for exhaust covers to be installed. Right exhaust cover tucked under side cover as it was originally. Right engine lifting lug loosely bolted through exhaust and side covers. Both lifting lug bolts have never seize applied to threads. Left engine lifting lug loosely bolted through exhaust and side covers. Note the exhaust cover is on top of the side cover on this side. Both engine lifting lugs loosely bolted through exhaust and side covers. Air deflector sat on muffler and loosely bolted to exhaust covers. Chrome muffler cover attached loosely with the two center screws. Chrome muffler cover attached to muffler with all 6 screws, this also firmly attaches the air deflector to the muffler. Note, all screws have never seize on the threads. Air deflector bolts tightened making sure that there is no contact between the exhaust covers and the intake manifold. Exhaust covers and air deflector installed.

Yep, I bought those from a vendor up here and replaced them when I put the replacement on and they are still good. From the info earlier it sounds like the plug loose/falling out. It went from awesome to nothing in a very short time. Looking forward to pulling it down to see and will post back what I find. This thing has had me pulling out what little hair I have left, lol.

Since I’ve got TONS of extra parts, I have been thinking about what to do with them. I had this idea that I could make a C-Series hybrid tractor. I’d like to have electric clutch, hydraulics, forward swept axle and gear reduction steering, Eaton 1100 or 5091 8spd? Maybe C-195 3pt? I don’t know what else I could do, but my end goal is to have a tractor I can plow, till, harrow, and snowblow with. I’ll get pictures soon of my parts selection.

I didn't tell you I installed a 6-71 blower on it ??

Things I'm doing to my '74 C160-8 currently. Also a larger steering wheel, new low back seat, and Briggs vanguard swap. Previous mods included 24x12.00-12 tires on wide rear wheels. I'll be looking forward to your progress. Manual vs hydro transmission is a personal preference. Seems the majority like a manual for rototilling. Snow plowing could go either way. I've gotten used to a hydro with hydro lift for plowing because of my VERY heavy plow. Trina wouldn't be caught on a hydro unless her manual tractors are buried or broken. For any other usage we both highly prefer a manual transmission. Adding a hydro lift to a manual transmission tractor is certainly possible but obviously starting out with a hydro transmission and hydro lift would be beneficial.

Was thinking of you for sure.

Electric clutch - why so??

Just don't get you "Hooby Dooby " caught in it!

You have more room there to use one of the 2.5” OC flange bearings, if you choose. I seen that enhancement posted by a couple of members in the past. So many members have added “small” improvements to both tractors and implements--including me. When my neighbor asked “Why didn’t the company do it that way to begin with?” I pointed out how quickly adding even minor parts to a manufactured item escalates the cost and, hence, the price. In a manufacturing process, the design, testing, supply chain/inventory, and labor far exceed the cost of an individual bushing, bearing, or widget--it’s a critical price vs. value comparison. We devotees, applying these as one-offs, are willing to invest our time, energy, as well as some dollars.

Downright difficult to do after the engine is installed! And yes, clearances inside the hoodstands are minimal for every WH I’ve touched. Those WH engineers didn’t waste much space!

As Don said the PO may have changed some things. I've only ever seen the 7.50 front tires on the swept axle 520 models, but have seen them with 6.50 as well. I put both on my modified 14hp tractor. The difference is minimal. The pics below are 6.50 and then 7.50. Same exact tread pattern, so it's quite hard to see the difference. Tiny bit more bulge in the sidewall is about all that is visibly different. The third pic is a close up of the 7.50 with weights.

Good progress today. The engine is off and setting in a roller dolly. Battery tray is out too. Next is the steering system. I've decided that since this tractor has great potential as a worker I'll install one of the Gear ⚙️ reduction steering setups I have.

Fair amount of area to clean. Might be easier to remove the magnetos or mask.

Definitely. I can lift the Vanguard with one hand. Very heavy. The plan is to hang this. IIRC it's 115 lbs. plus whatever bracket..

Tecumseh's are definitely not the best engines of that era haha. From what I understand the Vanguard is one of the best engines Briggs made. Kohler's I would say the K series and the Commands are their best work.

Bushings are in place. Here's a wheel installed. Next project is to build tie rods.