Leaderboard

This was our first Wheel Horse, bought about 12 years ago. I love this tractor and am feeling pretty proud of how it looks. 1987 312-A, as far as I know, all original. I have a 42" SD Deck to restore to put on it, mule has already been repainted. All done with Rustoleum Regal Red rattle cans. I've been working on this a little at a time for about 2 months. Not as nice as I had hoped for, but I don't have the time to invest in all the paint stripping and glazing to make it all perfectly smooth. Tried some clear coat on top on the fender, and it bubbled so I gave up on that. Maybe I'll give it some wax to make it shinier. The hubcaps had some rust that I mostly got rid of. I still need to do some detailing on the tower tins and engine tins, but am not going to try to repaint those completely. Many thanks to @Vinylguy for the decals!

Spouse and I just got back from a week in Arizona. She's a Jane Austen fan, and we attended the JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America) conference in Tucson. She was an official 'attendee,' and I was just listed as her 'companion.' There were over 700 people at the conference, so it was a fairly big affair. I only attended one lecture and the dinner, which was kind of fun, since almost everyone at the dinner dressed in Regency period clothing (including yours truly). I must say that we really looked the part with our Regency get-ups, (even though I don't know how to line dance or play whist). Wife attended a bunch of different lectures and events, and while she was getting 'Jane Austen-ized' I ventured out on my own and visited the Pima Air & Space Museum, which has a massive collection of aircraft, and the Titan Missile Museum (Titan missile silo), which was very interesting but kind of a somber experience at the same time, since it was sort of weird standing in the control room where mass destruction could have been wreaked upon the world. The tour guide had a couple of people in our tour group act as operators and follow the actual sequence that would have been used to launch a missile, which was a bit spooky. Looking down at a disarmed missile in the silo: We had a free day at the conference and visited the Sonora Desert Museum, which I thought was excellent. Here's a scenic view from the museum grounds: We also spent a night in Bisbee, which I rather liked. Very laid-back, artsy-craftsy old copper-mining town. Lots of arts and cultural events for such a small town. There weren't many tourists, despite the nice weather, and it still retains a substantial amount of its old mining-town atmosphere. We may go back someday and spend a little more time there to see if we like it well enough to use it as a winter getaway spot---not necessarily for purchasing a house, but possibly renting a place for a month or so during the dead of winter, since their winters are quite mild, and they rarely get snow. While we were gone, lots of leaves decided to fall here in Maine, and of course they've been soaked by rain, so my backpack blower won't move them very well. I've decided to wait another week (or more) until almost all of the oak leaves are down, and then use one of the Wheel Horses with mulching blades to make three or four complete passes over the lawn to grind them to oblivion, rather than trying to blow them away or rake them up.

Good morning Horse Family! Road trip and storytime! I drove 8 hours round trip for this one. It was advertised as a Charger 12 Automatic but, that's not what is interested me. The seller, Mike, worked at a Wheel Horse dealer in Monee IL when he was 16 until he was 22. He seen a lot of tractors in his time and this one in particular had been traded in and motor overhauled. He went to the owner of the dealership and purchased it for his mother so she could mow the lawn and got the snowblower so she could clear the driveway. Purchased in 1974. She used it up until 2 years ago when it became too difficult to get on and off anymore so it sat. It's not pretty but, it's all there. Yes, it runs, yes it mows. Had a carb fire a few years ago and is charred but relatively unharmed. It will take off forward if you are not sitting on it holding the motion lever. Parking brake, hydrostatic disengagement not working. It has the K241 that runs well for burning oil (don't think it was changed often). Now, did this have headlights? I see there's two silver nubs on the side of the hood and a taillight. Is this a 1076? I can read the tag under the steering wheel. It will be steam cleaned and see how good the paint really is. The snowthrower is not doing so well. It's sat outside under a tree for 20 or more years and was sunk in the dirt. Stuck like a hedge post. Not even the idler pulley moves. But, in all, it's was worth the story to me and Claudia made me promise to take care of her kid. Still attached to it and glad it went to a collector. Please let me know if this had lights at one point and if this is in fact a 1076! Myself, I like the original work clothes but, it could be a candidate for a repaint of it doesn't clean up. By the way, I was sent the picture of the Wheel Horse parade tractor that was assembled in the dealership in Monee. Anyone remember seeing this? Sweet set up. Three were gear and one hydrostatic. The hydro pulled everything

I love Fiskars brand firewood tools!

November 8, 1966 Movie actor Ronald Reagan is elected Governor of California.

One of the few finishing touches to the new shop that has gone neglected to this point is the expansion of the shop air system. Most of today was spent running to the store and back, and cutting, threading, and hanging iron pipes for air. All the new line is installed, I just have to button up a few end-of-the-line (literally) things before I can turn the air on and check for leaks.

Another day another implement, another project. Small one though so that's allright. Bought a grader-blade for the 585, it's about 2m (6.5ft) wide and can be angled both at the tractor and the blade side. This enables me to scrape under the fencing to pull the sand that gets piled up under the wire back inward. Tested it on the riding arena and levelled all of it. Still a WIP here. Then attacked one of the paths and tried to "scalp" it a bit (is that what you call it?).. sides low, middle higher so the water drains to the sides. Worked pretty good for a first try (not pictured). Pretty close to the end result here. Anyway, the blade withstood the first test but I was not pleased the way it had to be parked. There was no leg to park it on and using a car-stand thingy got old fast so I took out the grinder and welder a came up with this.

In the continued effort to make certain parts of my life more physical, I've recently picked up this new 36 inch Fiskars splitting maul. It weighs something like 8.5 lb. Trina just a few weeks ago, picked up the little 17 inch mini ax that it's pictured with. Her mom wanted a smaller ax to use for splitting kindling up. The box arrived with two axes in it, so now each one of them has a mini. I did a couple quick test splits with the maul. VERY IMPRESSIVE. I like it so much I think I may have to get the ax that goes with it and has the same size handle. Here's the maul head in my big mitt. I'm hoping to make this part of my better Fitness regiment.

My furnace will burn both wood or coal, you guys just might convince me to order a few tons of coal.

At the Polo, IL plow day 2 weeks ago, the 520-8 started running rough. It would just quit like it was loosing spark. When I got it home, I verified that it was. Ordered the engine ignition system kit and got it installed and back together this weekend. While I had it apart, I figured I would adjust the valves, since I was sure that the PO hadn't done that at 1,000 hours. The Onan 4 piece kit p/n is 166-0785 and is available on eBay. Here's how it ran before: IMG_9315.mp4 Here's after: IMG_1176.mp4

Sleeping next to someone you love makes you fall asleep faster, reduces depression, reduces anxiety and helps you to live longer. Until they start to snore & fart in their sleep.

Remember when we used to laugh at the commercial on TV “I’ve fallen and I cant get up”? Well, it is not so funny any more … The lady said she got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. She said it was the best game of “Hungry Hippos” she has ever watched. What did the DNA say during the conversation –“Do these genes make me look fat?” What are the worst IQ test results? When they come up negative… Why cant you trust atoms?? Because they make up everything. Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine… What do you call the wife of a hippy? Mississippi … What is the difference between an outlaw and an in-law? Outlaws are wanted. I started to sleep in the fireplace, now I sleep like a log. If you think I am annoying now, imagine if I could play the banjo!

@953 nut Lets not forget the ole Eyecrometer 👁️ for the precise measurements 😂

LOL @ Finished One is never TRULY finished.

Rubber tire straps/chains installed on 416. New seat coming tomorrow.

Something like this may save the paint on your pretty wheels. Those 60+ lbs weights are hard to wrestle by hand

My 60" deck has the PTO belt on the bottom.

I bet if I write Fiskars on the side of this machine it’ll work twice as fast!

Well, it was actually yesterday... Picked this McLane edger up for $40 on October 27th in Ohio on my way to Cleveland for a business trip. PO said it ran when he bought it in the spring. I didn't try at the time of purchase as I had to keep moving. IT had good compression and oil in the crank case, so I figured I'd take a chance on it. Spent the last week doing cleaning, changed the "oil" if you could call it that, replaced the old gas, cleaned the plug and regapped it (new one in it now). Using the @c-series don method of trying to get a combustion engine running, I sprayed 50:1 gas mix in the carb, and within a few pulls it started, and began running on its own only it I held the governor back, if I let it go it would stall. So not knowing squat about carbs and what to do, I contacted Bob Koch, some of you may know him, he always sets up his tractors right near me and Don at the big show, he has a sweet B-60 that he brings, Bob runs a small engine shop on the side, well in 5 minutes Bob had it running like a top yesterday. Then I had to deal with the broken lever for the throttle cable, ever try to find an exact match of something close to 30 years old... Notta, so I got to looking at the broken plastic lever closer and said to myself, "I can make one", so my new throttle lever made out of 1" x 3/16" steel flatstock will outlast this edger 10 to 1... I brought it home yesterday from Bob's shop and had about 450' lineal feet of sidewalk and curb edging done in 20 minutes! New air cleaner will be here Tuesday and I will drain and replace the crankcase oil again. That's all folks! Have a great day!

I have used and still use a few knockoff carbs, but whenever I can I clean/rebuild the originals. Once you do a few there really not that hard to do.

Very few things on earth can bring more "physical" than gathering and preparing firewood. The last few years that I did it was blessed with the largest hydraulic splitter I have ever seen (my FIL built it). It had a K321 and a two stage pump on it, and hitched up behind my truck. I've split 30 inch diameter sweetgum with it and it never even made a grunt. Even with that, it would make you work like a dog. I don't have to tell you obviously, but you will get a continual workout.

I wonder if there is a lot “c”.

This doesn't always "work". I fell off a 12' ladder onto the concrete floor in my shop in 2024. Initial x-ray led to an orthopedist visit where I was basically told to suck it up while it healed. So I sucked it up until mid 2025 as it just kept getting worse. At that time I was told it was in my neck. After having THAT checked out with nothing found, I insisted upon re-evaluation in late 2025 (by a hand/wrist specialist). New x-rays showed 2 "non-unions" so a date was set for surgery. The surgeon decided he wanted an MRI just before surgery, and that showed 2 severed ligaments. During surgery, another severed ligament was found, as well as a pulverized bone. The ligaments were severed by constant rubbing against bone fragments. My wrist had 2 bones removed & 3 pins installed, leaving me with between 30 - 40 degrees of motion. Also, my pinky is in permanent "tea time" configuration, and I have hugely reduced use of my (right) hand. In short, see your doctor. Even if he or she says all is well, if something does not seem right, get a second or third opinion, and keep doing it until it is fixed or healed.

5:30 to 8:30 this morning. Saw a buck chasing a doe in the cut corn field but 200 yds away. Then a doe and two yearlings. Then this fat guy waddled past. I think he was returning to his den to sleep off a night he spent in the Amish Hen House feasting on wild wings. VID_20261107_083016705~2.mp4

Finished the C-145 auto today…she’s ready for battle!! 25# inner and 65# outer weights. Brand new rear Carlisle All-Trails and a 48” 5 sector plow (yes I removed the swept axle extension kit for this install) I have cast iron 8” front weights and a set of rubber tire chains on standby if I need it.

Eye doctors dilate (die late). Eye doctors skip tape measures because they're great at eyeballing Eye Doctor had a patient complaining of a stabbing eye pain during coffee, doctor advised him to Take the spoon out of his coffee mug. Optometrists and teachers both spend their time testing pupils. A smartphone was wearing glasses because it lost its contacts.

Quickie paint job…wiped the garage dust off these 65 pounders and gave em one coat of glossy black. Hopefully mounting em later this afternoon on the C-145 Auto.

Another place that has a good deal on knives is tractor supply they have some SOG and Camillus knives for around $15 I picked up this SOG there

A newcomer looks around a packed church service and whispers to the usher, "Wow, there are a lot of good people here today." The usher chuckles and whispers back, "Oh, don't let the nice clothes fool you. This is just a massive support group for the spiritually clumsy."

Nice! Only thing better would be the Horse leading A couple of Deere & Cubs!

Not necessarily, harmonic resonances are the combination of vibrations of different parts at different frequencies. That’s why some discerning ears listening to a three-key piano chord hear a fourth tone.

If it occurs to you to ask, are you eligible?

Score one for the Gipper...

@adsm08 , I think the cylinder may come apart after taking off the hydraulic hose fittings, I could be wrong but that’s how I saw it in an exploded view picture. I don’t see any welds or snap rings after a quick look.

Yeah, it looks better than it did when we bought it. My wife said "I think it looks too good to mow with now" ... and it probably won't do much mowing, unless it's the only one I keep when we downsize and move, which is quite possible.

I don't own a 5xi, but the transmission is identical to classic hydros with the only difference being how the orientation of the Eaton 1100 is mounted on the gearbox. All that said, most of the issues I've seen on classic machines are the result of slop in the linkages that actuate the cam assembly. The amount of movement between slow and fast is very small. A loose connection is plenty to rob all the travel in the linkage.

My cheapo mentality forced me to abandon the last of my Onan engines. ...But I do love how they run when dialed in. Sure purrs like a kitten!

Sorry Mr. Richard, I don’t even know what a GT550 is

Yeah I have 3 stubborn trees that haven't dropped yet. Then i can be done with the cyclo vac

Picked up some MORE leaves today. The garden is pretty well saturated, so these went to the street. And the Fat Lady hasn't even came on stage yet.

Launched from drones Live streaming trail cameras that report activity.

The slot shows wear on the middle left side above the eccentric. Make sure the edges of this wear area are smooth, use a file and emery cloth to remove any metal burrs. While this is probable not you mai problem, it can contribute to rough movement.

Download the manual for it - look to see if the OE pins have the undercuts. Years ago, my son worked at a local Ma & Pa Hardware Store. A customer came in looking to replace all the shearbolts on his Ariens walk behind SnoThro with Grade 8 bolts & nuts, as he was tired of replacing them. The Customer left with them, after my son warned him about their designed-in function... After the next storm, the same Customer returned - quite upset - because the bolts held and the gearbox internals were now trash. The Store owner reviewed the prior sale, complete with the warning, and told him he got exactly what he specified and paid for..... "Darwin Award Trophy Bolts".

With all that is going with the house I just haven't had any seat time for a couple months. But today we are swapping campers out and I wanted to grade and level the gravel driveway where the new one will get parked. So I got two machines out and got to work. Makes me feel almost human again, and the horses did what they always do- made hard work easy without complaint. I do love these little tractors! Of course the dogs were not impressed...

Added a receiver hitch to the rear of my RJ-59 to attach a garbage can hauler. I have a very steep driveway and at 66 it is difficult to get the heavy trash cans to the curb. Worked better than expected and I still get joy out of driving my grandfather's tractor he purchased new. BTW this is how I learned to drive!

You know, there something about the sound of a Kohler cast iron engine that will just disappear if you do all those mods. I don't know if I'd like that. The K241 engine on my first B-100 has never had anything done to it other than oil changes. The guides may be a little worn, and the cylinder may be a little out of round, and it just might have a bit of wear on the crank pin. But when I turn the ignition at -10 degrees with a foot of snow around me, and she fires right up and plows my driveway, I listen to the sounds of that cast iron Kohler and am thankful for the most dependable, noisy engine ever built.