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We miss you Jay, for those who didn't know him let me just say that @roadapples was one of the easiest people to get to know and hardest to forget.

Yep, you got that right! He walked right up to me (a total stranger mind you) at the Wheel Horse Show years ago and said “Are you Sparky on RS?”…and then we talked for awhile like old friends catching up. We met up and chatted every year at the show like old friends. I’ll never forget him.

November 3, 1998, Jesse “THE BODY’ Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota. The retired professional wrestler served one term as governor and declined the opportunity to run for a second term.

A personal fave: A button spotted being worn at an event: “Help stamp out ‘Help Stamp Out’ buttons"

Not a sign, but a meme that really hits home.

I went through the carb last night because it has been barely running even with full choke and this is what I found After going through it and cleaning it up the engine now runs very smooth and is able to throttle up without needing choke

Spark, fuel, compression, and correct timing....and it will run.

I struggle with videos with my phone. What the heck is HEVC???? I finally got YouTube to do it's thing and hopefully it will work here. This is the first start up. Spark good, fuel to carb good (currently using a cheapo thumpy thump electric pump) and wiring checks out. It actually surprised me how fast it started. I had fogged the engine a while back and it didn't smoke as much as I thought is would at first start. It didn't care for the base carb settings but I got it to smooth out some. Still needs some tweaking. Took a mini cruise through the first woods just cuz. I used the battery from my 05 and found out it's 5 years old. I was going to park Dino for the winter and put the battery back in the 05 but I'm just going to leave it in Dino and buy a new one. I still have some odds and ends to do I'm waiting on some crimp lugs to redo the battery cables, I may repaint the fender pan. Something got on it and it feels more like sandpaper. I've got a good electric fuel pump on the shelf but I'll just leave the thumper on it until it quits. There seems to be some noises that are more obvious on the video than from the seat. I'll be chasing those down. Hopefully it's nothing internal. https://youtu.be/e1FIVKRNTlM

I went out to the shop, put the Horse mask on my hand and blew the horsie horn!

Rest easy my friend.

My neighbors Austin Bantam. Check with the club for parts .https://austinbantam.club/

What is the tag on the dipstick is it a reminder to add oil before starting? Sounds good

My son sent me this video of his new Deere lawn mower in action while his 417H watches. The Deere is self propelled, fuel free and fertilizes while mowing. VID_20261102_074920.mp4

After opening the files and reading all the good information on them, I looked closer at the mower and found that the tensioner cable broke at the z bend. I did a temporary fix and that mower pushed light as a feather. I ordered an aftermarket cable for ten bucks and it will be her in a few days. Meanwhile the plan is to wire in some clips to the system so my wife can start it easily. No need for another battery to sit there and go bad between uses.

Here’s a little bit more advice: Stay here on Red Square, this is where the best and most knowledgeable Wheel Horse people are. The guys here are very smart and willing to help. They will get your tractor running. Be patient and listen to them, it will pay off.

@peter lena that’s not a horrible idea Greasy Pete! I used the 1/2” steel because it was here already, and a huge improvement over stock.

The 754 has had the fuel tank apart and whoever did it used some kind of gummy sealant on both sides of the gasket. I noticed that it randomly shed drips of gasoline. By randomly, Maybe a drop or two one day - then dry for 3 or 4 days, then a drip - not necessarily in the same location. So, I took it off today and opened it up. The first thing I noticed is that none of the Allen head screws holding together were very tight. The second thing I noticed is that one of the threaded holes appears to have been repaired with JB Weld (or something similar). Perhaps that was their reasoning for not over-tightening the screws. The gasket is still perfectly flat with no indentation from being compressed, and the use of whatever kind of gasket varnish it was coated in. Anyway, the repaired crack appears to be contained to the inner side of the tank and everything else seems okay to my unexperienced eyes. I'm ordering a new gasket but looking for tips or advice from anyone who has had these tanks apart, or experienced anything similar. EDIT: I see Lowell references "Permatex Aviation Sealant" - possibly the goop I found on my tank? Anyone using something better?

Got this 416-8 with a Kohler I am working to make a reliable tractor again. I'd like to identify the exact model, and it does not have a label on the fender anymore. Are there any specific details I can look for that are unique enough to tell me the year and model of this 416-8?. The engine label is there, but faded badly enough to no longer be legible.

Many years ago I was looking for a cab for my 520H w/tall chute blower. Browsing thru barns at the big show, I saw one piled in a corner. I asked a young guy how much? He said he would check with his brother, and I should stop back in an hour. I bought the cab, installed it on the 520 and several years later I had it displayed at the Fawn Grove Olde Tyme Days show. A tall lanky bearded guy walked up and asked me where I got the cab. It was Jay's cab and the guy I bought it from was Jay's brother Guy Meyers. That was the first of many hours and days spent with Jay and Guy at Fawn Grove, Dover, and the Arendtsville shows. Then after Jays passing, with Guys help found homes for Jays great collection of tractors and parts. Your cab is still keeping me warm Jay. Thank you for the cab and your friendship.

Did you find out whether that repaired screw hole will hold properly when the tank goes back together? That would be the bit Id want sorted before spending time on the coating and clearcoat. Interested to see how it turns out.

Today after school and work I am planning on finding somewhere I can tear the tractor apart to check if the F plate is square to the rest of the frame and go from there.

I think they are pretty tight still but there is a slight crack on the frame where the f plate attaches

Its for job security

Ah, I did miss that. I did see those pictures but didn't read all the text in between. So you're fully enclosing it, right? Sides and ends? Personally I've always thought it was silly when I see people using these with just the roof on it. True, better than nothing, but maybe they haven't noticed all the bad weather that comes in sideways, or that the sun isn't always shining straight down?

He is a hard working man with two jobs. I still can’t believe he had the original key in a bag for the B 60 tractor. I guess I can say it was kinda lucky getting that.

This mower has probably 25 years of mostly sitting . It was a three hundred dollar mower even back then. I got it for a family member who had a husband who had a quad bypass so the wife could make the yard. It came back to me when her health declined as well Now my wife has been bugging me for a mower that she can just start and run so with the electric start feature this one will be it. The tank was empty and the air filter foam on the outside was nasty so I gave her a squirt of penetrating oil in the spark plug hole and also the carb and pulled it a few times. It has the patented carb bowl with no room to get a wrench underneath. Maybe an offset wrench would work but who knows. Anyway after thinking about grinding a socket for the bowl nut, I replaced the rotten fuel line . She fired on carb cleaner and caught on the first pull. I have to replace the final drive parts at the wheels if I can figure it out, but at least it will start and run . Maybe YouTube will show me the way on the drive repair . She's a beauty but pretty heavy to push around . .

On Lawn Rangers since they had the techys you could get the electric start and it still have the pullstart since they have the bendix style starter instead of the starter generators.

I strongly recommend checking your front axle pivot before too long, if it hasn’t ever been addressed. https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/92609-xi-series-front-axle-pivot-repair/

With the help of a lot of people from this forum, we were able to get the Onan fixed with a new (and correct) flywheel key, and a new ignition trigger module. Over the last few days I put the bucket loader (Thompson TC10) back on. A little bit of new plumbing, a new hose and fluid and I’m back in business!! I also discovered that the Hydraulic pump is from a Cessna airplane. I started the ballast box build as well. Pics attached.

@953 nutYou’re right. It’s a Johnson TC10. Not sure why I said Thompson…

@953 nut we were there years ago https://www.google.com/search?q=home+of+hues+flying+boat&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS866US866&oq=home+of+hues+flying+boat+&gs_lcr , loaded with ww2 aircraft and related equipment , had a walk on, also german fighters . that oregon coast , is awesome , for jet boat trips , also terrific sea food , then on to jedediah smith national forest , make you feel very insignificant , redwoods , make a plan , its more than worth it , pete

Do yourself a favor and cure one problem at a time, Get the ignition system working properly, get the engine running, and then you can do a functional test on the charging system. Have you done the static timing yet?

Yes. Yes it is.

If by that you mean it showed open or infinity all the time then you need to clean your points again they aren't closing. When they are open you have infinity .no continuity, closed should show a very small ohm rating . One other thing run a temp ground jumper from a clean spot on the engine block to the battery neg. There is a small ground cable under your engine on those isolation mount tractors that can fail and the engine is not grounded. Jumper bypasses that potential issue.

I buy from Brian regularly.

Welcome! Do you have an Automotive Jobber near you that has mostly Commercial Accounts - garages , fleet truck service, etc? Like NAPA. Ask if they can do a matchup to your hose in question. Years ago, I needed a specific hose for an engine swap in an old car - the ID on one end was different than the other. The sales person told me that it looked like what I needed was a section of an early Monte Carlo upper hose - that hose was about 2-1/2 feet long with molded bends. Sure enough, the perfect fit that I needed was just a portion of it. Try to ask a more senior person there, not the youngster (though the kid may surprize you). My . Or check with some of the Forum Vendors - and place an ad in the Classified Wanted section with the above info...

@Thegearhead0324 use SUPER LUBE on all related o rings ? a dry ring will ROLL TO A SMALLER DIAMETER , if dry , causing related leakage , another thing about seating , tightening connections , go at it EASILY to sense , make up . the O ring is the binder , pete

Finally got around to taking a few pictures of this little beauty that I picked up from @Dan 312-8 back in June.

Yes. The other difference is that the T series MAY have a smaller and shorter output shaft size than the WH spec ones...

The main drive belt on any horizontal shaft WH is a right angle side load, even though that belt is the closest to the engine block. The double groove bell style PTO on a C series ot the triple pulley on earlier models places the load out towards the end of the shaft and necessitates the use of a side-load capable angular contact ball bearing. A regular single row ball bearing will fail under heavy side load. Inline coupling the engine shaft to the load shaft, when they are truly inline and supported, there is negligable loading side-to-side. The engine in question - the K161-T, may only have the single row bearing.

It is a K161-T Magneto ignition. Most likely off a pump or rototiller. Also most likely NOT rated for a WH with a PTO due to the side load. Meant for shaft-to-shaft coupling, like a pump or generator.

I just had a 312-8 with no spark. Po had put in a new plug. I checked coil, condenser, points with no change. removed the new Chumpion plug and installed an old NKG. Runs perfect.

leaf cleanup begins 2026 it had been a couple years since we last ran Comanche ( @Coulter Caleb’s 854) and so we got it out, dumped the fuel, cleaned the fuel bowl, fresh fuel and then fun! Zach loved driving the little tractor and I was reminded that is seemed like yesterday his older brother was helping with the same work and he was riding in the trailer they grow up quickly this guy looks right at home on the 62 year old tractor then big brother stopped by unannounced (I love it when he does that)! Zach asked Caleb if he would drive him across the backyard for “old times sake” (I’m not crying…it’s just the dust from the leaves🥲)

Wow guys. What a help. I messed around a bit at the Toro site and they were saying that only present production models were available for download. With the great weather we are having I will be doing this in the shop during bad weather. Soybean and corn yields are great this year and I want to see my nephews new combine Fendt class 8 that fully optioned can exceed seven figures. The front has tracks instead of tires. He lost his other combine when it burned down in a field. He is hoping for fifty percent depreciated on the insurance claim. An eighteen row head and 250 bushel corn and that thing just eats. Here at the home place the guys are running a John Deere class seven and running while unloading into a grain cart.

Some more great plowing today in Polo, IL. Hosted by John Boelens and a bunch of Cub Cadet guys. Still some good representation by Wheel Horse. My wife was able to come along and had a great time. I guess now I need a second plow tractor!

Thanks for the great write up and pics @Andy N.! We went to this Plow Day in 2020 and had a really good time although it was cold and windy. I got some great footage of @Coulter Calebplowing and the moldboards shined up like a mirror in that soil. If moisture conditions are correct-that soil cuts and scours awesome. Sorry to hear about the “breakdowns” but that’s “in the cards” for a true plow dog! Thats why I recommend a dedicated Plow Mule if an individual is going to do a lot of earth turning… starting out as a Cub guy in the GT hobby, I really enjoy seeing the variety of Cubs out there at the plow days however, when I met the RS forum group—these horses grew on me. Plowing is common in the Cadet and JD communities but it wasn’t as common with the horses back in 2014…so I built GhostRider to see how it would work out—no complaints! overall, the Cub community has been friendly to the Horse club (at least that has been my perception) I love the IH trucks. Not uncommon to see one of these pulling a trailer with period correct Cadets on it😎 I always thought this little custom 71 was a well executed study into what a custom plow mule CC would look like in red instead of yellow. Dan’s @Achto Radpherd reminds me of this only cooler with diesel power! I always enjoy looking at custom articulated machines…can wait to see @Shynon’s in person one of these days. this one back in 2020 did a decent job. for those of you that have kids that enjoy doing stuff with you as they are in late adolescence or early teens—CLEAR your schedule as much as you can and make these memories WHILE you can. They grow up FAST! Caleb is now married and has a busy life of his own. I’m so glad we did these things when we could Now that’s a shine that puts a smile on any true “plow dog’s” face! Turning earth is a truly fun experience…

Oops, too many letters. And yes, that is the kind she drinks.

Is that the kind of whine yer old lady drinks?

Went back to Polo, IL today for their annual plow day. Turnout was great, weather was great, field conditions were great.....and breakdowns were a plenty. Took my 2 plow rigs (418-8 & 520-8) and was basically done by noon. I didn't get many pics of the day due to the breakdowns. IMG_1108.mp4 Never had a valve stem break off before, but got a clump of dirt stuck between the trans and and the wheel and it must of hit the valve stem on the way by, because all of sudden, I'm leaving a washer fluid trail. Nursed it back to the trailer and parked it with the valve stem up as there was still fluid coming out. No worries, I'll move to the 520-8...Well, she ran good for about an hour and was spitting and sputtering and the engine kept shutting down. Nursed it back to trailer and looks like I'll be replacing the ignitions system (which I probably should have done when I got it anyway). IMG_9314.mp4 IMG_9315.mp4 Since I headed home early, I was able to get everything cleaned up nicely and moldboards protected well before dark.

Had the daughters xi in for a oil leak issue, (turned out to be that quarter turn drain valve), replaced with an 3/8 nipple and hex cap. But anyway, looked up and seen the dreaded loose pivot pin issue. I did notice when running it to heat up the oil for drain the steering seemed funky. The machine has 863 hours, and is in pretty good condition. The PO took decent care of it. Was plenty of grease in everything. So looking at the failure I was trying to put my finger on the whys. Pretty beefy set up. The frame is 1/4", pin 3/4" and the threaded area 5/8". I don't think lack of grease is the failure. Just looking around at the mechanics of the pivot axle, I think the way the axle sweeps forward it puts the most stress on the 5/8" area of the tread. Eventually it wears the frame and binds the axle to the pin. This causes the pin weld failure and the pivoting self machines the pin in the welded cross bar. Even at that point if greased it is toast. The fix Kev made was the best adding the larger pin area will definitely strengthen this area. It is strange how the 520 machines have the 3/4" pin through the entire length of the bore and hold up better. Toro should have torn a page out of that book. I didn't do the Kev fix but I think the next best thing. (kind of pushed for time you know being retired and all) Rewelded the pin, built up the worn area on the pin. And installed a 3/8" plate to the front frame. There was room enough for an 1/2" plate under the threaded keeper nut.