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Hello Horse fans. We've all had a chance to get something cheap enough for no reason so, why not. And people say $50 don't buy much. However, it does buy a C120 sitting for 15 years. New battery and fuel line was all it took. Will get a bath and better pictures tomorrow!

For years I've let my electrical parts float around a large tool box. Every time I needed something I had to hunt and dig. Used scraps of plywood and 1x4's. Components that require crimping on bottom and wire nuts on top. I suspect I'll never have to purchase some of them ever again.

The boss wanted the front porch/deck spruced up since it was getting pretty ratty and she's getting tired of restaining it every year. She wanted composite so we bit the bullet and after much research went with Trex. If the cost of the actual decking doesn't kill you the additional odds and ends will do the job. Started with this. As with most projects preparation is key and often time consuming. Composite requires a minimum of 16" c/c joists and we had 24" so I added a joist in between the existing. Looking in the window you'll see that I was closely supervised along the way. Some (many) of the existing joists were marginal so I replaced them. I should have just torn is all off and started from scratch. I ladder back from each post to the house so I could 'picture frame' the new decking. I'm thinking it was a step that was more work than it was worth. Finally got it done, coated and ready for the new planks. I didn't take many pictures along the way so I just fast forwarded to the final project. Railing, post wraps and redesigned steps. I didn't expect this to take as long as it did between the weather, a host of other projects and the fact that I don't get the mileage that I used to it consumed a large part of the summer. Next summer the rear deck gets the same treatment. It will be even more involved as it is larger and I want to tear down or move that funky structure.

I went looking for a decent reversible scoop, and saw this:

I was gone all afternoon. Got home and headed for the shop. Much to my surprise there was a snowplow sitting in front of the small overhead door. While I was looking it over a neighbor lady came and gave me a description of the person and his truck who was here. Said she knew I wasn’t home but since he was dropping off she wasn’t too concerned. It was from a friend who felt he owed me something. Told me it was a payback. I just sold two with brackets. Now I have to scrounge some or fabricate some.

Prepping some wheels I picked up from @Retired Wrencher for this winters plow tractor. Kinda neat that they were made by Firestone. Just grey primer went on tonight. I’ve had these never mounted Carlisle All-Trails on the shelf for a few years, will be nice to put em to work!

Checked the trail cam this afternoon. First time I've caught them going at it. Seems like a bit of a mismatch though.

There is a Toro dealer about twenty miles from me. On Monday I was going to be within ten miles of it and made the side trip there. Asked if they had any clunkers out back they wanted to get rid of. I didn’t need a runner, didn’t care about engines or hydros. The two owners just stared at me for a few seconds, then said follow us. Showed me a Toro Time Cutter 4235. No engine. Said they had just unloaded it 5 minutes before I got there. $20 and ten minutes later it was in the back of my truck. Took it home and stripped it. Talked to the owner of the local mower repair shop. He took the hydros, wiring harness, rear bumper and rear shield, and the two struts. Wouldn’t take anything for it since he takes care of me with parts and mowers. Went through my steel and came up with enough to fab a rear axle and tongue. Got done and gave it a test drive just before the rain came. Clean up and paint next. Then decide if it will be a flat bed/hay rack or put sides on it and make a wagon. Thing is I don’t need any of those. Just wanted to make something.

I put a different Schnacke recoil on my patina 1958 RJ today! i had Joe Papke replace a spring and stainless steel cable in my spare Schnacke recoil! This old motor with the Schancke starts on the first pull! I changed oil in the oil bath air cleaner and motor! Still smokes a bit but runs best of any Kohler I own! I also changed air filter in my 314-8 today!

The boss found this blade on FB for our daughters Commando 800. I made a trip to South Bend and brought it home. It came with the weights. It was dirty so I pressure washed it and also the 48" deck since mowing is done this year. Not bad for a 50+ year old deck.

Replaced front axle pivot pin/bolt, drilled drag link out and made a couple bushings on lathe for drag link on 701. I didnt relize how wore everything was until I really got to looking closer at front end. My niece was driving it around the other day and I could see it better watching it go by I guess .

I have been having fuel issues with my 1054. I have changed the fuel pump to electric and have not gotten over a year out of three different Amazon pumps. I ordered a Facet pump and installed it and also changed my fuel line, fuel filter and removed the sediment bowl. The sediment bowl would catch some trash in the tube and not allow fuel into the bowl at times. I rode it today for about 10 minutes and the issues are gone, runs great, starts quickly and not starving for gas. I think this new setup has taken care of the fuel issues.

@BPEisenhower @WHX?? @ebinmaine Did someone say something about collecting C-Series tractors? 😂 I just happen to have a few! And a few other models as well !!!

Found on local FB Marketplace. And of course, not running, no surprise there. Small block Chevy engine, exhaust in the face, what more can you want?

On Tuesday we were able to snag a 6 speed for a Ulysses S Grant

I've made several pairs over the years using 3/8"-24 threaded rod with 3/8" ID steel tube over it. Also made them with heims.

I've done this before just to see if I could- but will just spend the money next time on a wide set of wheels. It is alot of work. But yes I used a side grinder with cutoff wheels and a narrow strip of steel to align both sides when finished. I also used the tractor itself to both mark and cut the wheels. Just jacked up the rear and let the wheel spin in low range and don't try to cut much. Just let the grinder do what it does. The good thing was because of where my cuts were, the leftover parts make up some nice 6 inch wide spares.

First coat of finished color is on…

Scored a FREE vintage Coke cooler and unloaded it with the 520 FL. It cools but the wiring is pretty scary so replacing.

#41 off the assembly line

Now this is definitely a “side shot”!! I posted this elsewhere on the forum but just realized how perfect it is for this topic

Great grandson was here for a couple hours. 28 months old. We went for a ride with great grandmother sitting with him. Drove the custom Cub Cadet 1864. He is still leery when you fire up but loved the ride around town. Waved at everybody. Went to the drive up at the bank and got a dum dum sucker. Then went to the drive up at the village office and got another one. After that we stopped at a local resale shop where the elderly lady who owns it made over him and he left with a chocolate bar. After we got back home he was wanting to go again. He wouldn’t pose for a picture.

Found a LTD24 to add to my collection, UW645, LTD244 & my homemade tilt trailer. Just can’t have a Tractor collection without these Gems.

Ready to go

Did some work on the wagon yesterday and today. Made a framework high enough to clear the rear tires. Got all the welding and grinding done yesterday. Today was cleaning and painting. The only paint colors I had enough of were orange and blue. Two different oranges. The lighter orange was close to University of Tennessee orange. I used it on the bottom of the chassis and both sides of the bed. The other orange and the blue are University of Illinois colors. That orange was used for the top of everything except the bed and framework for the bed. The bed framework and wheels are blue. I will probably put wood sides on it at some point. Any other pieces for maybe bed sides will be blue and or stained wood . The last two pictures show the difference in the two oranges.

Update time. Because my better half has horses the one of the first things we had to do is get the fencing up around the pastures. We put up around hundred fence posts in one day with a couple of people. Simultaneously we had someone come in with an excavator to "rotate" some soil for making a riding arena. Not bad for a day of work. The following day the piles of dirt got flattened spread out and compacted to get a nice base for the riding arena. After that, in the following week(s) we could also put up the fencing around this part of the horse accomodation. First ride in the new riding arena. And in Dutch we have a saying that translates to something like "after hard work it's more enjoyable to rest"... Next update: working on a roof or two.. Greetings from the Netherlands, Mark

Last few days was very productive, I made clevis hitch along with rockshaft and other small pieces. I can't take credit of this version completely because I found many ideas on this forum . Unfortunately clevis hitch is not perfect, my tools are basic and mechanical skills too, but everything works well. I don't have any hitch attachements but that will probably change. I think about some kind of rakes and weeder/ cultivator. I don't need plow or tiller. Clevis hitch is slightly bigger, measurements are little bit different (slightly longer and wider at trans shaft) - I adjusted it to my homemade receiver hitch. Receiver hitch had to be improved too. Shaft is not moving (7/8- 22 mm diameter),secured to side plate by nut, washers and spring cotter pin. Other spring cotter pins secure moving arm at one side and shaft itself. That arm is moving freely

I have made a few improvements to mine. 18 HP Vanguard, 5 lug front wheels, transmission frame brace, tie rods with heims joints. and rebuilt the axle pivot, Added brass bushing at clutch and PTO shafts.

Leaving for Delaware for a week of crabbing and fishing. Looks like rain all day today then clear but cold for a few days. Then a warm up the last few days. I'm afraid all the fresh water from last weeks Nor easterner may have pushed the crabs out of the rivers where I crab. We shall see. There's always the hot tub.

Trina's family has had an annual apple pickin day for decades. Yesterday we met at Ricker Hill Farm in Turner Maine. All the best tourist trap stuff you can find there. The apple cider donuts were still warm.

Early morning with the Hotsy. Big believer in Citri Blast and Cascade. I did get everything cleaned and I think it's a good candidate for a repaint. No dents or holes. Surface rust isn't bad but, I do like the wet look. LoL 🤣. Also, I did get the original rear tires with it and do hold air, no cracking. I can see myself adding more C series to the collection. Show more pictures later! Enjoy your morning Horse fans! 🌞 Apologies for the hazy photos but I had my washer set at 280°. Can't stand greasy build up!

October 10, 1966, The Beach Boys' iconic song "Good Vibrations" was released as a single on October 10, 1966, becoming an instant success and one of the band's biggest hits, known for its innovative studio production and unique sound. It revolutionized pop recording, incorporating unusual instruments and fragmented recording techniques.

Here it is running. Next up are oil/filter changes for the engine and transmission, and change the fuel lines and filter. Then I’ll button it up and put the loader back on and put it back to work! IMG_6029.mov

Agreed Pete, Ive made a few tie rods up for some of my other tractors but don't believe the Heim joints would look right on the 701. here is a couple/3 pics. The bottom pic is the 701 and they are different design than the later models.

New tires and wider rims on the 314H. Used VHT wheel paint. Not a fan of it. Turned out really rough. Re-sand and paint in the spring. Now to paint the wheel weights. Plan on using the 314 as my plow tractor this winter. Just had the driveway repaved, so going to try a poly edge on the blade and no chains.

Here is my new seat. Some 2X4 to make it level. It was free from stuff i saved and will work for now. The old seat was shot and I think it held about 50 gallons of water in it.

New drag link on 701 and made a little weight bracket out of a old repurposed mule drive. Its on the C160 but can use it on any tractor with mule drive hitch up front. Hood has about 1/2” clearance when fully tilted open.

October 6, 2023 American Simone Biles wins all-around gold at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, becoming the most decorated gymnast with 34 World and Olympic medals.

A guy in my town posted this for sale, $100 Not really practical for my yard (not to mention lack of storage) but I thought is was pretty cool!

I had some dirt to dump out back. It’s been too long since I’ve Horsed around, so I took the long way home on Steve Oh Two.

October 8, 1956, the nation’s first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall opens in a Minneapolis suburb. Southdale Mall, located in Edina, Minnesota, was created to lure shoppers during frigid winters. Southdale Mall opened with 72 tenants. The $20 million, 80,000-square-foot mall included a skating rink, a giant bird cage and a post office. The complex also included an auto showroom, a playground and a grocery store.

I for one can't stand the peeling varnish that passes for tool handle finishes,so here is a quick how to for an oil like finish very quickly The process starts with a utility knife to scrape off the gunk that is brittle to start with. I just stroke the knife in a scraping fashion and if grain digestion is felt, just peel from the other end and so forth. The before and after is obvious. The black handle has two uses. The first is the singed wood has the color under the finish. I actually turned it black,then hit it again just enough that a bit of flame showed up and sanded it while still very warm with a cheap foam block. If you are in a super hurry you can apply tung oil while still hot to the touch and it will drink on several thin coats. You can hit it after an hour is so with more tung oil wet sanded into the wood. After some time just buff it with a paper towel . The handle will be slick and feel dry. The next day you can start a linseed oil routine by rubbing slight amounts hard into the surface. Linseed a few days and then once a week.The blackened handle shown has some spots sanded thinly enough to make parts of it brown as I enjoy that type of appearance. Blackened wood makes a much better finish of the softer woods and lets you sand off the raised grain . The tung oil soaked in very deeply and actually hardens and lays down the fuzzy grain. Think of tung oil as faster drying primer for the linseed oil. You can skip the burning step if you like, but it will take days and days for the tung oil to sink in fully. A SKS took at least twenty coats before it fully sealed.

I tried a couple $10 pimps. They both died the first season. Now have the $30 Carbole pumps on three tractors for several years with no problems. I mount them as low as possible and have good filters before the pumps. Also remove the in tank screens from the petcocks. Do not let the e-pumps run dry.

Steve and his buddies were hanging out and planning an upcoming fishing trip. Unfortunately, he had to tell them that he couldn't go this time because his wife wouldn't let him. After a lot of teasing and name calling, Steve headed home frustrated. The following week when Steve's buddies arrived at the lake to set up camp, they were shocked to see Steve. He was already sitting at the campground with a cold beer, swag rolled out, fishing rod in hand, and a camp fire glowing. "How did you talk your missus into letting you go Steve?" "I didn't have to," Steve replied. "Yesterday, when I left work, I went home and slumped down in my chair with a beer to drown my sorrows because I couldn't go fishing. Then the ol' lady Snuck up behind me and covered my eyes and said, 'Surprise'. When I peeled her hands back, she was standing there in a beautiful see through negligee and she said, 'Carry me into the bedroom, tie me to the bed and you can do whatever you want,' So, Here I am!"