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Some pics of the redo project. Pics of the chrome split front rims had help from @ebinmaine Upper dash console has not had replacement decal as of yet. On the list.

I didn't do any actual work on any of the tractors today, but the 1076 got to stretch it's legs today. I finally got time this morning to teach my daughter the controls, and then let her just run it around the yard to her heart's content. She came back to me for more fuel twice, and got yelled at for towing the neighbor girl on a skateboard once.

Both tractors could use a face lift on the leather seats and steering wheels from prior abuse. I do have a few leads on small local shops that I need to connect with too see if they would be interested in a Winter project. Any how I have been storing a very nice clean 1988 - 89 high back 520 original seat that is in mint condition and decided to install it on my recent second 420. Sure is comfortable and doesn't look too bad in my opinion.

That steering wheel appears to be an off the shelf Grant Industries Classic Series model. Probably faster & easier just to replace it with new. Years back, the overmolded Kelch lower hub cracked & broke on my C81 - while in use. The steering wheel came up & out in my Son's hands... I remedied that for good by machining up a 2-pc adapter and installing one of Grant's wheels.

I did not know those tractors had split front rims

Ran it around for about an hour today. So far no drips or odd noises. Feeling pretty good about it!

If I want a large rock all I need do is buy a plant in that size pot and ask my wife where it should be planted. Guaranteed there will be a rock about the size of that pot.

When I replaced the diff & axles in my C-120 last winter I did it in a rush to get back to plowing snow. I didn't get a good seal around the case and It's had a slow leak that's gotten worse little by little. The last month or so it picked up a rolling whine (from a bearing I'm guessing) I had a C-160 Auto trans I picked up for $50 to steal the hydro lift off of it. A few weeks ago, I decided to break it down and go through the transaxle proper. Tonight I made the swap. No initial leaks or weird noises from a few test laps in the back yard. Tomorrow, I'll give a full shakedown and see how well the hydro performs and what leaks develop. I'm guessing axle seals at a minimum.

Cleaned up the fuel system on the 3000 to get it ready to rake hay and WOW, it was bad. Got filters changed and flushed all the junk out of the fuel system. Turns out all my rust was coming from the filters themselves, not the tank. Unfortunately, even after all that work, the hay got raked by the big tractor, so I decided to get the parts tractor split. Actually wasn't as hard as I thought. Next step is splitting the diesel and swapping the flywheels and ring gears.

Finally got a sunny day here today. It rained just under an inch last night though. I managed to get the bottom of the hoods and fenders painted that I had sanded and primed a few days ago. Hopefully I can get the top sides painted on Sunday as it is not supposed to rain that day.

I was rummaging through old posts and realized this thread deserved an update. Last series of posts here concerned attaching a muffler nipple to a K181 exhaust port that had no threads due to rust and exhaust erosion. I was successful with using an NPT tap to get some threading and then reinforced it with JB Weld Steel epoxy. Update... After about a year of use, the epoxy softened and the muffler stared to wobble. (as @WHX?? predicted just after I’d finished the repair ). Acetone and careful scraping removed the old epoxy. Then I went through most of the sequence again but this time using the white JB Weld High Temperature epoxy that @squonk suggested (also a bit after I’d finished the first repair 😉). I was concerned that this epoxy cures to a more brittle composition (somewhat akin to ceramics) but after more than three years the muffler is still solidly in place. The 854 is alive and well as my worker for mowing (36” gear deck), towing, and plowing (42”). I’ve posted about these implements elsewhere. Full repaint. F-plate reinforcement, 6-speed, one-piece gas tank, custom dash with volt and amp meters, front attach-a-matic, solenoid start, new rubber (Carlisle and Firestone), and a couple new decals!

Added Sunday to the thread title.....KEEP ON POSTING FOLKS! Lovin’ all the pics....from rusty wrecks and projects to meticulously restored and customs