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We were aboard the U.S.S. Missouri a little while back, just after our visit to the U.S.S. Arizona memorial. Aircraft carrier U.S.S. Nimitz came into port. I muted the majority of the audio, and chose to enjoy some waves. Some of the mindless chatter behind me seemed to take away from the moment. I thank each and every service member, from the bottom of my heart.

December thirteenth is the U.S. National Guard’s Birthday. The U.S. National Guard’s birthday is a significant event, marking the establishment of America’s oldest military organization. It honors the establishment of the National Guard in 1636. The Guard plays a critical role in both community and national security. This day honors the brave people who serve in the National Guard, showcasing their dedication and contributions to the nation. By celebrating this day, we acknowledge the vital role of the National Guard in maintaining peace and stability across the United States a The Massachusetts Bay Colony organized its local militias into three permanent regiments, forming the first militia units in North America. These early militias were essential for protecting the colonies from threats. They set the foundation for today’s National Guard. Over time, the Guard evolved, but its core mission remained the same. Guard members continued to serve both local communities and the nation, responding to emergencies and participating in military operations.

It was my maternal grandfather "Grampa" that deserves credit/blame for my initial fascination with Garden Tractors. He had an IHC Cub Cadet of the yellow and white variety back in the 70s. Then around 1980 they bought a new (?) IHC 682. A few weeks ago I was perusing the interwebs for an entirely different reason and found a model of just that.

Glad I’ve never done anything silly to be in this thread….

Not a great look, but walk behind snow blower tire make excellent steer tires. No added weight, goes where I point it.

We got a few inches of snow over the last few days. Not enough for the snow blower on the GC 2410. But if I didn’t clean it up, it would be a mess. So I drug out the 314-8 and took the mower deck off. Put the front and rear wheel weights on and the chains. Gassed it up. Got my 42” plow put on. Couldn’t find the short lift link to go to the deck lift arm, so I made one out of a piece of garage door opener lift arm and a couple clevis pins. Done. I haven’t really ever plowed snow with the 314-8. Have a blower for it and always used that, until I got the blower for the GC. It worked great, and didn’t dig up the gravel driveway much. Good seat time today.

Glad you made this post. Changed the oil in the 418-C yesterday. Drained the old oil, drain cap sitting on the foot rest, put the funnel in the fill tube, measured the new oil to be put in, got a phone call, went over to neighbor's house to assist him, came back, picked up the oil can - - - - stopped, asked myself "What would @Bar Nuthin do next?" Put the oil can down, looked at the foot rest, installed the drain plug and saved myself from wasting a quart and a half of oil.

I used to work on Valves for aircraft and we used to do a lot of wire lock or lock wiring. So I had an idea to do this to the chains for the rear tires when you plow snow. I have to say it’s a lot easier. You have to get the wire as tight as you can. So far so good we had a storm last Saturday. It was at frozen big chunky stuff which turned into a ball. They worked well and they’re easily removable and installed a lot easier. I just thought I’d bring it up.There for link I had them why not use them. You don’t have to use the twister that people use when they do lock wiring. You can just use some vice grips. Give it a good snap when you’re making the first twist this will tighten everything up a lot better. I was using mechanic six gauge I believe they call it. Mechanics wire. Enjoy your day.

Sister tractors. Everyone must have one! Had these on for a while, just can't go on the concrete.

Careful...Looks like frozen poop, talk about a photo bomb! ROFL!

No time to do anything....Too cold ......Retirement takes up too much time with phone calls, and paperwork...It STINKS Medicare ,SS , NYS Retirement....the list goes on. Its easier to just stay working....I don't like being on the phone on HOLD for Hours at a time !!! I will get to it in due time. Its a C-160 ,

Back when the original owner owned my 1992 312-8, he as the story goes let a neighbor borrow it to do some yard work (mowing etc…) as luck would have it. the neighbor was near a gravel pit and accidentally rolled it on it’s wheels and barrel rolled it down the pit wall. The tractor was hammered out, and fixed up,and put back into use. It still had the significantly mashed in hood when I got it in 2021. I did attempt to fix it. But, I eventually swapped the hood to a straight one. I still have the old hood. The tractor is still going strong today.

And that is why I have a orange tag that ties to the key saying "no oil". Cause I know I'm going to do just that when I leave and I coming back later.

I agree - rear weights for traction, front weights for steering with the plow angled.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mending+plate&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS866US866&oq=mending+plate+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABNIBCDU0NjNqMGo3qAIAsAIA often suggest a linkage lift assist , the garage door version of this , is very useful , cut off what you need , just an idea , pete

As recommended by Handy Don, I replaced the 5/16 x 1" bolt with a 5/16 x 3/4" bolt. It protrudes through the nyloc by a full thread so it is good to go.

Sorry, the camera angle made it look close. I can actually fit a finger between the bolt and the hydraulic line.

This close tolerance would bug me until I’d emoved and shortened the bolt. And I am not nearly as meticulous as you are!

Their version of LOTO. Lock Out Tag Out

Our village is home to a major railroad equipment maintenance facility that occasionally invites the public for tours. One year I learned that when mechanics begin work on a train that must be completed and inspected before the train can be moved, the mechanic hangs his name tagged blue-flashing lantern on the controls. Only the mechanic should ever remove it.

I have 3 or 4 of the black posi-flo pumps. never an issue over several years now. I am sure the metal one you found would work well also. i buy them because they designed and Manufactured in the USA actually Elmira, New York.

Arizona is a truly solemn place, the sheer horror of that December day is hard to imagine. All our war memorials were built after the first World War, when remembering the sacrifice was important. None were built after WW2 as everyone wanted to forget the horror of a war that should never have happened. Names were added to the ww1 memorials but no new ones. In Australia I was blown away by the number of memorials that have been put up and maintained, even recently. There was a beautiful memorial to every military dog that served in every Australian action or operation right up to date. Not killed, served! Hundreds of bomb, security or search dogs, lovingly honoured for their service. And we cant gather the resources or support to care for our veterans properly, never mind those in the forces enduring poor housing, pay and conditions. If Russia comes knocking they reckon we would run out of troops and material in a month! A month! And Ukraine has been holding out for over three years. Lord help us all if putin flexes any more muscle.

While working on a Habitat For Humanities jobsite I used my 1055 with the mid mount grader blade for the finish grading around the house. A fellow volunteer managed to back in to a ditch and get stuck so I flipped the seat and fender of the 1055 back to lend him a chain I had in the tool box. Another truck pulled him out and he put the chain back in the tool box and flipped the seat down. After a bit of rake and shovel work to make the ditch look presentable I jumped on the 1055 to put it on the trailer. The fender had not been latched and when I let out the clutch it almost bucked me off. That tall tale was retold countless times with no mention of the guy who got his truck in the ditch precipitating the entire incident. All that was remembered was the Wheel Horse nearly bucking me off.

I've had several projects that were sloppy enough that the steering gears would jump teeth on a hard steer.

From the manufacturers website:

Any pics or videos of the process?

These bar nun. Aviation class fuel pumps. I say good enough for aviation good enough for tractors.

It had to be removed before it melted or blew away!

Never done that on a rebuild but ... ahhh ... yeah maybe shoulda checked the oil on that new to ... Like the time someone lost their gas cap and accused everybody at the show of takin it ... to find it laying on top the head after how much running around at show?!?!?!

Yes NO BIG NO ...as stated above higher plies just means the tire can take more weight. Another NO ... all the plies in the world will do ABSOLUTLY NOTHING in preventing loss of air. . The only thing that will is the type of rubber the tires are made off. There are many grades of rubber used in tire manufacture. Some softer and pliable ...some very stiff and hard. Skid steer tires as I pictured above are a very hard rubber due to the nature of how a skid steer operates. It also just so happens a skid steer weighs a hell of a lot more than a GT thus the higher ply rating. A higher ply rating also generally means a stiffer sidewall so if they don't have any air in them you'll never know it so don't worry about it. Me thinks you are a bit over thinking & overconcerned with your picker bushes blowing tires out. Guys Like young @Pullstart have been know to romp in the nettles to try and puncture a tire. Get a fine pair of Tru Power ags, mount them on standard rims & you'll have no problems.

They seem to work pretty good the way they are, never have an issue with them plugging up. Might be worth a try swapping them around though.

Jim & I went on a short trip to purchase a 520 for $1.00. Guy said that it would crank over but would not start. Pushed it on the trailer, paid the man & away we went. Got it home & discovered that he had hooked the battery up backwards. Placed the cables on correctly & it fired right up.

First video on the revival published today!

That tractor took off in third gear and the seat pan flew backwards. Been there done that Eric at a tractor show. It was quite an entertainment for some people getting a good laugh.

I picked this up yesterday, a 1997 Ford New Holland 1715. 26 hp, 3 cylinder diesel, 9 forward speeds, 3 reverse. I really like these Shibaura built Ford compacts. This is my second one, I also have a 1986 1310 4WD. If anyone has a chance to pick up one of these Ford compacts, I would recommend doing so. For a little history lesson, around 1986 Ford bought New Holland. Then in 1991, Ford decided to focus on car and truck production, and sold their ag line to Fiat. The agreement was that Fiat could use the Ford name on the tractors, but to phase it out. This tractor is a 1997, which might have been the last year the Ford name appeared on a New Holland. In 1973, Ford brought their first compact, a Shibaura built Ford 1000. Shibaura built all of Ford compacts, even after Fiat took control. I believe 1998 was the last Shibaura build Ford or NH tractor. Today LS makes the New Holland compacts and sub-compact.

I'll have the tie rods. You're all set there. As far as the axle pivot, at the recommendation of others on Red Square I purchased a reamer a while back. If I recall correctly it goes to 7/8 inch so I buy bushings that are 7/8 by 3/4. Not sure if a 520 is the same. I believe so. The steering gear backlash, there are a couple of great threads here on Red Square about that repair. I can get them out of my notes and post them here later.

As a regular commuter in those days, I was very reassured at the standards for maintaining both worker and rider safety and for high-quality repairs. That particular part of the operation had gone hundreds of days without a lost time injury to a worker or a delay-causing repair failure. It put a new light on the inconvenience/crowding for riders like me when a normally 8-car consist was shortened to 6-cars because of maintenance backlogs.

Precision

Hydraulic hoses #905 Viton O rings. Hydraulic hoses #905 Viton O rings installed. Hydraulic halve and hoses as removed. Make sure to install the hoses the same as removed or the hydraulics will work backwards (don't ask how I know). O rings on hydraulic hoses oiled then screwed tightly into valve.

Foot control auto center spring ready to be installed. Spring hook tool made from an old screwdriver. Foot control auto center spring hooked into auto center lever. Spring hook tool ready to install spring. Foot control auto center spring installed.

Parking brake cam plate assembly ready to be installed. Parking brake cam plate installed. Pivot point was lightly greased.

I do have two more on the back burner, a 312-8 and a 314H. Problem is that the cleanup and paint requires warmer weather so one of those will be next years project.

I think we are cut from the same cloth. Rebuilding the entire harness for a 520 is a different ballgame. I am looking forward to learning how it is put together though. When I went to auto diagnostics school, electrical was what I really gravitated towards. I find it logical and rewarding to figure out and build.

Hood-stand plate decals fully applied. Hydraulic control handle grip decal applied after filing the grip nice and smooth where the decal goes (it had slightly raised areas where the old lettering was).

Terry's fantastic decals came in today for both this 416 and the 42"RD deck I refurbished this past summer. My tractors would be so incomplete looking without Terry's decals. Thanks again Terry.

Valve covers installed and bolts torqued to 18 in/lb I used this 1/4" drive torque wrench and these gaskets.

I did that to one of mine that had the bolting locations completely broken off. This is on a 520-8 but those crack spots are the same. Any that I have welded then bolted back together using large thick fender washers underneath have never cracked again.

Front tires masked off and a final coat of silver paint applied. Two coats of clear applied.

There were no leaks so I left the seals as is. If one leaks later on i will replace it then.

All right all right I got to get in on this. We're going to file this one under crazy story. I don't have any pictures because my photographer was inside the house at the moment... Many of you know that Trina and I had a major oil spill in the basement about a year and a half ago. During the cleanup process of that whole affair about 40% of our basement floor had to be removed including the part that the oil tank was standing on. Because of that there was a 20 or 30 gallon stainless steel tank outside the house right where the fill pipes were. Basically right by the front corner that's at the driveway near my side door. That was also the point in time where we were doing final assembly on Cinnamon and of course that got put on hold for about a month. Well as things with the oil spill, DEP, EPA, insurance, HAZMAT Remediation and whatever else started to calm down we went back to work on my Horse. Eventually we got to a point where we needed to start doing some test drives so we could work out the bugs. Two of those bugs were ... for some reason the clutch was every kind of jumpy you could imagine but only once in a while. Another one was that the seat pan latch wouldn't quite catch just right every time. Those of you who have had 1975 or earlier horses are probably already adding up where this is headed. I was out in the driveway fiddling around and just driving around trying to figure out what was cooking. I let go of the clutch and it super jumped at the exact same instance that the latch let go. Worst part is, I knew about both of these. I had been fiddling with them as mentioned. I was DEFINITELY PREPARED for both of them to happen. Nope..... That tractor took off in third gear and the seat pan flew backwards. CINNAMON TOOK OFF AND BUCKED ME RIGHT OFF THE BACK!! Well I landed on the driveway right dead square flat on the small of my back with all four of my limbs sticking right STRAIGHT UP. Of course I was yelling all kinds of colorful language that would most likely make the most sour-mouthed person blush. It took me just a second to realize that I hadn't been hurt at all. Lucky. So I got up and ran over to the tractor which was proceeding to try to climb up that damn stainless steel super expensive was not owned by me tank. I was super impressed to find that the tractor did exactly 0% damage to that tank. That sucker was some kind of rugged. Right about that time BBT come rip roaring out the side door to see what all the hubbub was about. It took her somewhere near 3/10 of a second to figure out I wasn't hurt and also what had happened. I'm telling you people. She laughed so hard she was in great pain. I didn't think it was quite so funny at that particular moment In time but I knew why she was laughing and I couldn't hold that against her. Now? That was hilarious. No way around it.