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Todays operation was a total success, pulse this morning was aro9und 110 -125 and not very strong, now it is 60 +/- and very strong.

Picked up the first batch today, just to test run the Cyclone Rake on the back of my 16 auto. Also fired up the C-160 with the Mighty Mac and turned them into powder for the garden. Photo from last year - the 16 Auto in the background wasn't ready for lawn duty yet. Replaced the C-141 in the foreground with a C160. The C-120 has a pine straw rake on it this fall to help spread the ground up leaves prior to my neighbor tilling them in with his B-100.

Don’t know what you will be doing Friday but I will be having a couple closed-chest heart surgeries. Your prayers will be appreciated. During my hospitalization in January a Cardiologist did a Coronary Abrasion to correct Arterial Fibrillation which resulted from the removal of blood clots from my lungs. Follow up imaging and appointments revealed Hart Flutter and the likelihood that a Watchman device would be called for as well. The Watchman device is sort of a miniature umbrella that will be placed in the heart to close off the appendage of the heart that develops clots. Needless to say, I will be under general anastasis for all of this. The route of entry will be a long catheter that will be inserted in a large vane in the leg. I will be laying on an x-ray table with a receiver hanging directly over me. A Radiologist will monitor the procedures on a huge screen so the Cardiologist can see exactly where the device is being placed. Once the location has been confirmed my heart will be stopped while the Watchman is deployed and seated, then he will start my heart and confirm there are no leaks. The insertion device will be removed and the x-ray turned off and they will prepare for the next procedure, two Ablations. The difference between heart flutter and murmur is the murmur is caused by valve leakage and Flutter is caused by the electrical impulses from the brain not always getting where they should be. The analogy the Cardiologist used was right up my alley, he said it is like a pair of spark plug wires that are arcing to one another, the cylinder that should get the spark receives less than it should and the other cylinder gets a spark at the wrong time which fights against peak performance. Utilizing the same catheter the doctor will insert the mechanism used for this procedure, the x-ray unit will be reactivated, at this point he will stop my heart, do two Ablations inside the heart to block these nerves from each other, and then restart my heart. After a period of monitoring my heart if nothing else needs to be done the catheter will be removed and a vascular surgeon will close the vein. The Cardiologist doing both of these procedures specializes in Watchman installations, he did over 600 last year. I am extremely confident that everything will go well, but a prayer or two sure couldn’t hurt. Thank you in advance for your prayers. 953 nut AKA Dick Schmidt https://www.bch.org/media/video-center/bch-news-segments/watchman-implant-animation/

Success! This morning my pulse was 110 -125 and not very strong and now it is 60 +/- and very strong. Thank you to all who offered prayers, I am a firm believer in their power.

Got um painted ended up using Rustoleum Metallic. Its closest thing I could find local. I thought they turned out pretty good fer spray bombs. They actually look better in person than in pic’s, sun was really shining, and believe they will match factory closely after they get dirty and washed a time or two. Going to wait untill Monday before mounting tires to let paint cure a little. They are dry to the touch all ready definitely cures faster than the Regal Red spray bombs .

I'm believing for your total healing in the mighty name of Jesus. I declare it done with faith believing that it will work out for God's glory for we know that all things work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. I know that you are doing your best to follow God and you are called according to His purpose. If you ask anything in His name it shall be done. Whenever two or more agree in faith believing it shall be done. I know there are many more here in faith believing with you. Amen.

I'm inclined to agree with @JCM The Eastwood kits I've used have a base coat and clear in rattle cans. It lays down well and the clear offers good protection. It's a bit brighter and glossier than OEM, but it wears in good over time.

Rainy evening here so in garage tonight. Got the 702 ready for winter.

October 16, 1958, Chevrolet begins to sell a car-truck hybrid that it calls the El Camino. Inspired by the Ford Ranchero, which had already been on the market for two years, the El Camino was a combination sedan-pickup truck built on the Impala body, with the same “cat’s eye” taillights and dramatic rear fins. It was, ads trilled, “the most beautiful thing that ever shouldered a load!” “It rides and handles like a convertible,” Chevy said, “yet hauls and hustles like the workingest thing on wheels.”

Set the mowing deck low and mowed the lawn for the last time until Spring. Then drove it for another 10 minutes until the gas tank emptied. Pulled the battery and shelved it. Went thru and thoroughly cleaned everything and put it in storage.

Hi! My grandma is closing her small engine business which has been open for over 50 years. She was a Wheel Hose dealer, and is looking to sell tractors, parts, and memorabilia to fans who would appreciate them Please private message me if you are willing to travel to Marion, IN for pick up.

Order online. I'm ALL FOR supporting local businesses but they just don't have the space or financial resources to stock a bajillion different paints.

I only saw in person one other fiberglass hood! Yes they made a fiberglass rj hood early on. Wheel Horse made the first fiberglass hood for the Senior, the earlier and bigger Wheel Horse. . My understanding is the supplier of fiberglass was from Indianapolis. The first photo is from a Senior ad piece. Second shows fiberglass hood in a private collection in Toledo, Ohio that i saw several years ago when i bought a 603 Wheel Horse from my friend John “ Brrly” Campbell! John had stored some of his tractors in this business building. The former owners main office was used to store a number of pristine restored Wheel Horse tractors! The last photo is the fiberglass hood Wheel Horse and as i have been told and recall they were called an RJ 25!

I came across this guy a few days ago in a group of tractors I bought from an estate. It appears to be in early production 1955, and has a fiberglass hood. It has welded on nuts for the grease zurks on the front steering, a solid bar axle stop no muffler clamp holes or shifter stop it also has a suspended fuel tank without a stand, along with a cable brake. The steering mechanism does appear to have been changed as the steering shaft is the only unpainted metal on the entire machine. The steering links appear similar to the rest except the steering link attaches to the top of the drag bar on the one side and then downward on the other like standard. It has a 1200 Clinton 152 series and a large diameter rear end pulley.... The previous owner had it for 30 years. And it's exactly how he received it. I'm curious as to what the experts think? I know these little guys have had quite the life since new, but the lack of modification holes, and the completeness make me wonder if this truly is a survivor? I have more pics but hit my 16mb limit

Finally got my widened wheels painted today. They actually look better in person than in pics.

Hope you are in recovery and feeling better, Richard. I keep checking this thread to see if there is any news. Thoughts and prayers.

For sure the new vehicles after sitting a few weeks will cause a battery to go dead. If vehicle was originally equipped with an AGM battery be sure to replace it with the same. Most newer vehicles now have keyless remotes w/push button start. Be sure keyfobs are far enough away from vehicle, definitely not being left inside it. Whenever they are "in range" they will be transmitting/communicating with vehicle theft/start modules therefore increasing battery draw.

Good thread. My ’22 Volvo had a “low battery” message for me when I returned from a 10-day trip. Service team gave me @adsm08’s advice about the tender and so I’ve done that whenever the car will be unused for than a few days. I also learned that this car “stays awake” for a time after shut down that depends on a slew of sensors--one being that the hood is open and another that it is unlocked! So, once the tender is on, I must close and latch the hood and lock the car lest the car’s “thinking” draw more current than the tender is providing!

I like the 2X drying time, but lately I've been using the "5 in1" with the multiple spray patterns. I've not had any spray issues and it let's you lay down a beautiful smooth finish!

I swapped @cafoose one a while back. Had to scoot on my rear all way home after that one it was on fire. .

My safety classes I preach three points of body contact with the tractor when getting on or off. Especially true for high wheel or big tractors with ladders. Never grab or use any levers or shifters.

I would love to do that but I still need to grind up leaves as they fall. Last year I was grinding them in the snow, I hope the trees drop them earlier this year but some are still green.

1) 12.3V is slightly to somewhat discharged, but not enough to cause problems. If the amperage is low enough to cause issues that indicates the battery may not be holding enough charge and needs replaced. 2) Do not install a battery disconnect, it will cause other issues. Particularly if you are in a jurisdiction that has emissions testing. Disconnecting the battery will reset the computer's memory, this means you are also wiping out learned adaptations that make it run smoother and shift better. 3) Modern vehicles are not meant to sit for weeks at a time not being driven. You either need to drive it at least once a week, keep it on a proper tender (not solar, 110 outlet) that is hooked up correctly to allow the battery monitor to see the proper power flow (the ground side of your tender needs to be hooked up on the body, not directly to the battery), or get rid of it and get something older with less constant draw on the system (I would suggest a brand not owned by Stellantis). 4) This vehicle is, by default, equipped with a fairly high amp battery. High amp batteries sulfate and die faster when sitting than low amp batteries do. 5) Have you actually checked to see what the codes are, or are you just assuming they two things are related?

Im slow but I am getting there. You know how it is an hour here and a few minutes there making shop time. Ready for final wet sanding and then some paint. Any recommendations for a rally color that closely matches the Wheel Horse silver/Rally color? I believe I will break out the spray gun instead of using spray bombs 💣. Its been hit and miss on the spray bombs lately some sprayed ok and then a few was awful.

Looks like you made it out ok Richard! My family was a GM family in the 50' s through the 70's. Grandmother had a 59 Biscayne with the cat eyes and bat wings and then a 60 Impala. Uncle graduated from college with a 57 Belair and traded it for a brand new 65 Impala SS. He later had a 73 El Camino which was based on the Malibu. I was thinking about that car/truck the other day. I took my dog for a walk in my old home town and drove by a shop and lo and behold there's an identical El Camino on a lift! I wonder what became of Walsh's El that drove him nuts?

Agreed. Forklifts. Truck cabs. Truck bodies or beds. Cranes. Always use the correct supplied handles. I've had discussions and refused to sign off on instructions for forklift training at one point. Some ball of brightness in management wrote that the steering wheel is an improper grab point. Incorrect in many situations. Some machines and most semi trucks have the steering wheel as a primary point of the 3...

Tire shops! After changing and fighting tires for more than 20 years , I take them down the street to the Mennonites! Funny story about that shop. When I first moved here in 88 there was a old barn. he was a farmer/tire dealer. You had to catch him when he was there. He had a folding chair and a little tackle box for money. Then later I was working at Napa. He had kids, lots of them and they grew older. They built a 2 bay shop off of the house. The boys helped with the farming. The wife and girls ran the tire store. She would call for a case of hand cleaner once a month. They used it as tire lube. I would deliver the cleaner and there would be these 2 girls about 8 yrs. old wrestling a farm tractor tire with a couple of tire spoons. One day I was driving by and here's the mother wearing turd kicker boots rolling this giant tractor tire down the driveway by herself! When the boys got old enough to run a business the got sick of farming and built a Taj Mahal tire shop and they stay relatively clean whilst the hired help get all crappy.

We have available the outer spindle pulleys ( # 106074 ) for mid 70's thru early 80's 48 inch side discharge decks with the keyed spindles. These are brand new, never installed pulleys. Price is $40.00 each plus shipping, continental US only. Private message me here, or call / text during normal business hours. DO NOT COMMENT ON THIS POST AND NO EMAILS . If you see this ad they are available and prices are current.

The only thing that I have found around here was some primer with the 5 in 1 spray nozzle and it did seem to make a better pattern, but I haven't had a chance to try actual paint with that style nozzle.

Prayers for you and yours.

Interesting that it has the marks of a early RJ but a later steering wheel. Tells one right there not completely original yet??? The other strange things certainly point to a early that has been messed with. One would think that if the tank stand were cut away it would be obvious.

Hope all goes well, we’ll be praying for you

You will be in our thoughts and prayers today.

My prayers for you, your family and your medical team.

With the 2X line we've had very good experiences. The others can vary a little...

I think @Lane Ranger and @stevasaurus will be helpful in this matter. I’d like to know more myself!

My prayers will be with you tonight and tomorrow Richard. I too am looking forward to seeing you at the 2027 show!

Eastwood Rally Wheel Argent Silver is said to be a very close match. Never used it , but have known others that have in the spray bombs. A General motors match. Good luck.

Rustoluem, sometimes I wonder if it is where I get it from and think it may be getting a little age on it.

Here are some more pictures including the unpainted steering column and the rear end

Thanks for the welcome ! @953 nut. I thought so too. Being that the early ones were still being built in the garage and the collective agreement seems to be that no two are quite the same, the fuel tank mount in general is weird. It's fully suspended like the later ones, but completely hidden, nothing sticks down whatsoever and the tank seems long and flat compared to the others I've had. It also has the push button lever for the lift, which the very first did not, not that pond hadn't made that change while still using the glass hoods. It has so many other older indicators. I would suspect a late frame would be possible but the missing muffler holes, the solid bar axle stop, and the large pulley rear are correct for early. It's so strange...

Looking good. I am no expert when it comes to the early RJs but I think the first ones had the fuel tank mounted on a stand and and cable steering. I'm sure @Lane Ranger, @76c12091520h or other RJ experts will be along with more information.

A lost dog wanders through the jungle. In the distance a lion sees him and whispers: "I'm going to eat him, I have never seen anything like that before." The lion then began to approach the dog in a threatening manner. When the dog realized this, he panicked, but as he tried to run away, he saw a bone nearby, and he got the idea to speak out loud. "Lion meat is delicious!" The lion suddenly stopped and said: "Wow, this guy is stronger than he looks, I better go while I can." A monkey was watching this from the tree. Apparently, the monkey thought that if he told the lion, he would get something in return. Then the monkey told the lion the truth, and the lion got angry and said: "Go on my back, and I'll take you with me." And he began to run after the dog. When the dog saw this, he realized what had happened and began to panic even more. Then he had another idea, and he yelled: "Where the heck is that monkey! I told him to bring me another lion an hour ago!"

@Retired Wrencher thank you for the shout ! most important phase ? try it on a small area ! dare to experiment on dry / dull faded paint spot , thats how I started , notice second / third photo down , rear fender bolt down base has initial penetrant recovery , nothing else , OUTER FENDER AREA has had the 6" electric hand buffer with cleaner wax , always trying something . once recovered , brought out , its perfect period correct , WAS VERY CAREFULL NOT TO OVERDUE IT ,! this lets you just clean ,penetrant cloth wipe down , for freshen up , love experimenting with REPEDITIVE ISSUES , WHY NOT ? ITS ALWAYS THERE ! this mind set , is home base for me . notice other seat frame base base springs ? dial in your comfort range , pete

I have both the small and large HF tire rigs. I picked up the large one a while back in a bulk deal and hadn't mounted it yet, so this weekend I drilled holes in the garage floor, put anchors in, and set it up. Then I realized that the 8" fronts I wanted to work on wouldn't fit on that rig. I was going to abandon the small one because the vertical threaded bar got all bent the last time I used it (where do they actually manage to get metal that soft? ) Anyway, I was actually able to get one tire dismounted on the floor, using downpressure on the large rig's arm. These are so bad that the tubes are stuck to the inside of the rusty rims... I have the second one half off, using the small rig. using a lot of soapy water. Rears, no thanks. Belle Tire will mount those for $10 each - that's a better option for me. I don't think they'd want to deal with the rusty fronts I'm working on right now though. Hope the shoulder didn't take any lasting damage. I had cortisone injections in both of mine last year and have been going easy on them since then.

Installed some of the goodies I picked up at the Portland Swap Meet. Changed out the lug tires for this $50 set I picked up. Popped on the "everyday" set of hubcaps (keeping an NOS set stored for shows or potential restoration). Installed a different ammeter - the original was bouncing around like crazy. Hard to find a 15-amp ammeter. Installed the snowplow bracket that came with an HY-3 kit. Soaked up some beautiful weather putting around the yard and tending to a pile of limbs I was burning. Next on the list is to replace all the seals on the transmission. After that, popping the head off, checking the valves, breather, and repairing or replacing a leaking fuel pump.