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First of all a big hello to members I haven't seen in some time. After selling all my WH tractors near 9 years ago and moving to a smaller lot on a home we built by the beach. I hope everyone is well. I stopped by many times over the years to reminisce about the Wheel Horse days. Now it's time to sell this home. Get another home with a bit more property and get back into this great hobby. I had some great tractors and look forward to it again. Anyway I will be posting a bit more and am glad to be back. Will be good to share words and see who is still about. So to all new members and old members from my days here. Thanks for having me back. Glenn

Wait a minute... the classified add @ebinmaine responded to said "gently used on sunny mild days by an elderly grandmother to plant petunias in nice, soft sandy loam soil ".

-19F here this morning. Thinking about putting on a wet Speedo, & pair of flip flops and going for a nice 2 mile run.

Feel free to watch a few of my or Trina's videos. See how we move snow. We have a gravel drive and keep the plow angle forward to the third hole down. That helps it roll off the ends. Lots of folks use a wax or spray lube. We rarely do. DRESS WARM. If it's heavy snow you'll want to plow a lot more often so you're moving less. Or, take very small bites. Maybe a 1/4 plow width. If it's light fluffy snow you can move a good strong 8 to 10 inches off to the angles side with decent speed. Do NOT let the snow get piled up and come over the top. That'll bury the plow frame and get you stuck. Stop. Back up. Take a smaller bite.

What @ebinmainesaid is very correct. This is a question with a lot of variables, like temperature, weight/wetness of the snow, the plow, the tractor, the unladen weight of an African Swallow. The general rule of thumb I have been using is 3/4 the height of the blade is doable for your initial cut, but don't stop for anything until you break free into the road (be sure to clean up after yourself there), or you get it to where you want to leave it, of you will make a lot more work. After my first pass up the middle I angle the blade and don't ever take more than a 1/2 blade width, less if the snow is deep, or heavy.

Yes, but you can get ahead of the crowd and make a killer deal on a mower deck!

I think we're pretty much ready. We actually got more snow (19") in the previous big storm than what is predicted for this storm, but that was a bit of a hassle, so I'm taking a couple of extra steps this time. The last big storm was 'comparatively' local and caused a lot of power outages, some of which took a few days to remedy. Since the coming storm is so widespread, if there are a lot of power outages, the service crews will be spread thin, so outages may take a long time to fix. We have a backup generator, but major outages can affect a community in other ways besides loss of residential power. Prep stuff: Set up a temporary plywood cover over the air intake end of the automatic backup generator to (hopefully) prevent snow from drifting up against it. During the last storm the snow built up very high against it, and it sucked in so much snow that it clogged the air cleaner. When I heard it running roughly and saw the snow, I figured out what happened. It was an easy and quick fix, but but I want to avoid that happening again. Exercised the backup generator when it was 5 below zero last night to make sure it would start up OK. No problem. It has a heater that wraps around the oil filter and automatically warms the oil and block a bit when it gets below a certain temperature, which I'm sure helps. Bought a new bag of calcium chloride de-icer. Connected an extension cord to the oil pan and block heaters on Mr. Case (loader/backhoe), which might be our snow removal tool for this storm (as mentioned, my 522xi snowblower tractor isn't back in operational mode yet). Connected a trickle charger to Mr. Case's battery to keep it up. Checked the propane levels in the tanks (our generator and stove run on propane). Had our heating oil tank refilled a couple of days ago. Mrs. Blue Chips picked up some extra groceries (so far, there has been no run on the stores here, probably because they're not predicting an ice storm in our area). Checked the fuel levels in both of our vehicles. Recharged the flashlights. Put fresh fuel in my Husqvarna backpack blower and started it up. As mentioned, I want to experiment with it a bit to see how well it can blow snow off the driveway. And of course, I checked our supplies of 'comfort food' items (rum, chocolate, cheese, etc.). Bring on the snow (but not too much of it)! Stay warm and safe!

I am going to rearrange my snow horses so the blower (which I haven't used in a few years) can be first out. This is supposed to be fluffy snow and the wind pattern around my shop puts a big drift in front of the doors. Pics are from 8 years ago expect something similar Sunday'

January 24, 1935, Canned beer made its debut. In partnership with the American Can Company, the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company delivered 2,000 cans of Krueger’s Finest Beer and Krueger’s Cream Ale to faithful Krueger drinkers in Richmond, Virginia. Ninety-one percent of the drinkers approved of the canned beer, driving Krueger to give the green light to further production.

Got this AWESOME shirt 👕 yesterday. HUGE thank you to @Mows4three !!!

Had a scare today! I went out to start my B-80 which is my snowplow tractor this year! I have it just outside the garage door covered and it was 8 degrees at 4 oclock this afternoon. I just wanted to check gas oil, lights etc to be ready for Saturday annd Sunday snows! i normally do a couple of my neighbors who are older than me so then can get out to Drs , grocery, etc Well when i went to start my B-80 i had trouble getting a good ignition. Plenty of battery and it was strong. I finally decided to look at the spark plug! It was pretty gummed up and carbon loaded. So i just decided to put in a new plug. I had one of my led headlights go bad too so i changed it. We are suppose to start getting snow around noon to 1 o’clock tomorrow but supposed to be about 3 or 4 degrees in am after sunrise! I should be all set tomorrow! Warm clothing and short snowplow sessions will be the key tomorrow!

Heavy freezing of everything is the worst!!!!! That's exactly how that backhoe build was born. Ice had ripped the power line down from our house to the pole and even the vertical house portion was on the ground. 3 weeks+ without power, maybe, but I can't remember. What I do remember is the ridiculous quotes to bury the power lines to put everything underground instead of aerial. EFFF That!!! I'll dig my own trench was the solution since the 416-8 loader tractor was already there to put it on. 2 summers of hard labor in the evenings after work and voila, a backhoe to dig my own trench! 4 ft deep about 100 ft long and I beat on that thing hard since it's pretty boney with rocks around here. Ripped the stabilizer arms off and had to beef those up afterwards. But that tractor definitely proved itself capable again and again since we did many projects like a few retaining walls and big stone steps. @ebinmaine Eric has it now and I hope it serves them well. A true work horse of a garden tractor!

Got a pane of glass, 180 & 220 sandpaper @ HD, 24 bucks. I laid a sheet on the glass and used painters' tape to hold it. Sprayed water and sanded. Took 3 sheets of 180 & 3 sheets of 220. Too cold to do anything else.

Magnums could have a variety of oil pans each would require a different amount of oil. I doubt AI knows which pan you have. Use the dipstick.

Whatever transpires we (North Carolina) here specifically WILL lose power. It hasn't been persistently cold, the ground is not frozen, and these DIPS here brined everything. Bridges overpasses and my roof will be icy... Briefly I have food and perishable food. Folks get crazy here when any weather event happens. I do not know an actual percentage however I would guess mericans in general have enough food water etc. I own a generator. I have been searching for 3 years for a human to make it run my house. 12v makes sense to me. 10 or 20 times that Stay safe boys and girls!

Guess I need to pay Mows to be my friend...

The mercury has plummeted to -19F this morning. Don't think it pays to try to heat the shop up today.

The two tractors on the left (C-120 Auto and No Name Johnny) both have add on lifts from earlier models. Noticed a slight leak at the cylinder on the C-120 which is currently carrying my snowblower. Forutnately @wheelhorseman was able to hook me up with some new lines. That only leaves 2 lines that haven't been upgraded yet (not counting the originals on the C-141), but I'm sure at some point those will need replaced as well. The short ones go on the C-120 and the long ones are custom fitted for Johnny (ORB -5 at the control, and ORB-6 at the pump). Now I just gotta warm up the garage and swap 'em out before the snow gets here. Right now, I'm letting the hoses warm up after setting on the porch at 5°F It will be the snowblower's maiden voyage (for me) if needed. Pretty sure I have everything dialed in, but there's always surprises!

Snow bank in Oswego co. and our snow arrives after midnight tonight!

I think you'll be ok. Many guys here use off shore pistons but elect to use genuine Kohler rings. Not a bad idea if the tractor is going to be a daily go to. I do use Little Red Barn rings if just a occasional tub puller.

As long as they fit in the groove, not too tight, not too loose. I just came across the same scenario on my K91 with what I believe is a stock piston. Original had a 3 piece ring set. NOS replacement is a 9 piece set.

When I was your age Joe I used to have to go get the blower & it was uphill both ways ... No bizzard/snow /ice here but -17 this AM. A pot of bean n bacon soup in the works & a balmy 72 out in the shop tho & more work on the 520 FEL. Found a nice stack of well seasoned oak I didn't know I had but going through it fast. That's ok four nice stacks of @Achto maple up next. Will start the 520 deuce today just to see if that dollar ninety eight electric fuel pump was worth it.

Well we are finally getting real snow here in Oklahoma. They’re calling for 12-15” by tomorrow morning. Supposed to be lighter powder snow. 416-8 is ready and waiting! Question, first time I needed to wonder, what is the snow height where the plows start having trouble?

It certainly has and will many more times. We have plans for a complete restoration on a new C Series chassis with upgrades!

Ice always scares me more than snow. I'll take 3 feet of snow over an inch of ice any day. Forecast here is 12-24 inches of snow. My driveway is too small for a plow or blower on my tractor. I use an older Toro Powermax 1028 LXE. Stay safe everyone.

Anywhere from 12-25” is expected here. Today brought the C-121 in and changed the oil and greased it. Also added a rear work light and put different tires with chains on it. Tommorow bringing the C-145 up to change the oil and that one should be ready. Also going to flip flop this year and have the snowblower on the c-121 annd have the blade on the c-145 as it has been on all season and see what happens as I don’t really want to plow snow with no hydraulic lift any more! Ill update tommorow with the fleet ready!

Couple thoughts... A. Make the wife/swmbo/ball n chain clean em? B. Careful use of the FEL?

They're saying 20" or + for us here!. Ugh!!! We usually get more in this little area due to the elevation. The older I get the more I dislike winter. And yes the colder I feel too. Been freezing my $%^ off and this next week temps looks brutal to be working outside. Got battery gloves and they work well, just not for long periods of time, like past 2+ hours they start to fade

Same here for my hands and feet. Mine were nearly frozen when I was a 12yo. I never lost any parts but they were white. I remember mother put my hands and feet in a wash tub of cold water and added warm water very slowly till the color came back. These glove/mittons with a zippered pocket for chemical hand warmers is the only thing that works to keep my hands warm and still be able to fully use my hands. The rubber boots with 1/4" thick felt liners work for my feet.

the extra 1/32 inch OD should not cause any issues in that location.

The last snow we had was just under 6 inches but was rather sticky. I could see the snow pushing in front of me as much as 8 feet and bringing me to a stop. I had to push that to the side to continue on several times. The point is that no two snows will be the same, just don't leave much come over the top of the plow and back off before it brings you to a halt, it sounds like this snow will max out your plow and you will need to take smaller bites, kinda like eating an elephant.

The other 9% couldn't respond to the survey for some reason...

I just ate and, well...

Well duh... you got the BBT... you really don't need any of that other crap...

Hey Sylvia Dan's in a speedo ...

Don I thought mebbe you were a little confused there so I fixed it for ya.

We ALWAYS have a couple weeks of food & sundries around. 3 tractors, big generator, and the walk behind snowblower are all full of non ethanol fuel. 12 plus gallons in cans. Plenty of coffee. Some milk. Several days worth of firewood upstairs for us and in the basement apartment for the Trina momma. Gotta air up a tire and rearrange the order of the way machines are setting by the barn and get the cars under cover. That'll be Sunday when it's warmer. We're ready.... as always.

They should be fine.

Works well for light fluffy stuff a couple of inches deep. You'll have to get it quite few times for 16"+ I use a small battery powered blower for light fluffy stuff about 1" deep and as long as it's cold like this, it works very well. Wind can certainly put a damper on that too. Like peeing against the wind. LOL

Having a whale of a time at plow day. AQM0Xq7jyqk7ZyEgjfH14PBJor9YDb5YGdiGT7W6acIrQ_FHmAfE0HbsQ9U8xKHPKbzaPv-r3-H6hmP-hlv4WYN2d8QUQn1dMu7Kwl5WubnBEw.mp4

I got the 417-A with two stage blower out for the first time this year. Last year I serviced it and never used it, but it looks like tomorrow it will be put to work. The C-175 was blocking the 417 in and when I moved it I noticed it wasn’t charging so I brought it in the shop to have a look. The 418-C is ready to go, I’ll probably use that first until it gets deep and then use the blower. Not pictured is the C-160 automatic with 56” plow as a back up, the C-141 8-Speed with loader to pile snow. C-141 8-Speed with C48 Sweepster rotary broom for clean up and the GT-1848 with 50” grader blade in case I need to scrape some ice. So I think I have this snow removal thing covered! Now if I could just have an attachment that does the front steps instead of me shoveling!! Be safe out there everyone 👍🏻

This whole thread is one of many that I can't say much on because we (in NC) just don't get snow and winter weather like many of you do. That being said, if this incoming storm is anywhere close to what they are forecasting, we're gonna get slammed in a bad way. No snow, but sleet and up to an inch of freezing rain followed by several days of single digit cold. Whatever we get is gonna hang around. My wife started early with the prep work. We got plenty of food, and a couple heaters with enough fuel for several days. I have about 55+ hours of fuel for my generator (all my gas cans) just for the evenings. We will hopefully be fine for several days if needs be. It's been over 20 years since we had a bad ice storm. Some folks were without power for weeks back then. Typically our long power outages come in summer after bad thunderstorms. At least then folks don't freeze to death... Looks like areas west of us may actually get more freezing rain than we will. I would ask all of us to remember those folks in your prayers. This is not something we southerners are used to dealing with and it could get very bad. Forgive the hijack. Just seemed like a good place to put this.

Look, we've all been drunk and desperate at 2 at the bar and let the beer googles get the best of us once or twice and ended up plowing a whale, but this gives it a whole new meaning.

Happy Birthday @daveoman1966, we are all glad you were born,

Ha! I bought a double axle enclosed trailer to haul tractors to the big show, it now also doubles as a shed!

This should have balanced out the overload caused by the Three Gorges Dam in China.

Good morning, I'm replacing the rings on a k181, piston is 20 over, aftermarket type A piston, ( think its a stens ). Bought a 20 over, kohler OEM piston rings. The middle set of rings is different, (see pics) Can I use these kohler rings or do I need to get Stens ring.

You are welcome, Big Unit…..! Now the paint department can keep track of you at Walmart. LOL Dave

I can't tolerate the heat either. Much easier to get warm than cool down. I can always layer up in the cold. In the heat, I can only take off so much before the neighbors stop talking to me, or call the police.😄