Leaderboard

14 year old Elam making perfect zero turns this morning. Video Project 3.mp4

Hi all, started working on my 856, ended up rebuilding the engine and while waiting for parts started working on steering, lots of slop. Pulled tie rods, steering wheel and shafts. Front of frame was wollowed and shaft end worn. Steering block got two bushings and steering wheel shaft cleaned up, installed upper dash bushing, reinforced bushing with steel puddy and new lock collar. Ordered hiem joints for tie rods and will machine new rods when I get parts. Don't forget the green high temp grease.

To all Vietnam Vets and Vietnam Era Vets, thank you for your service. Today is Vietnam Veterans Day. I was reminded of this by an email to pickup a free sandwich at Mission BBQ today. Just walk in and show a copy of the email or your credentials.

@peter lena this post is for you! I fed the paint and it’s wild seeing it spread over a couple days. Keep some oil on that old machine, it’ll keep making you happy. I rubbed some used motor oil on my 1445 Auto the other day. It’s about an inch wider now! I’ll eventually rub the whole thing, but I want to see how far it reaches.

Well oops I did it again! Picked this up today. Runs ok at about half choke but is clearing up so may just be bad fuel. But a carb cleaning will still come. This is the only picture you get today. More to come tommorow.

Robert Campbell Davis, age 68, of Niles, Michigan, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 9, 1957, in Niles, Michigan. Robert was a man of deep love, kindness, and wisdom. Known by many as “The Duke,” he was strong-willed, dependable, and a lifelong friend to those fortunate enough to know him. If Robert gave his word, he kept it. A devoted Christian, Robert was a faithful attendee of Hope Community Church, where he cherished fellowship with friends and family. He found joy in bringing people together and was always looking forward to his next visit with loved ones. Robert was truly a jack of all trades. He owned and operated Energy Efficient Heating and Air Conditioning, where he applied his skills in HVAC with pride and dedication. He also served for 21 years with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department as a Building and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, always striving to save the county money and improve operations wherever he could. A proud veteran, Robert served his country in the United States Navy, and military honors will be rendered as part of his service. He had a passion for life and a wide range of hobbies. Robert loved fishing, camping, and traveling. He was deeply interested in technology, including flying drones and 3D printing. A licensed pilot, he owned his own plane at the Niles airport and found great joy in flying. He was also a talented musician who loved playing the harmonica and guitar, with a collection of over 50 harmonicas. In addition, he was an avid Wheel Horse tractor enthusiast, rebuilding tractors and snow equipment, and even contributed writings to Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine. Robert was a dedicated Freemason and Shriner who gave back to his community in meaningful ways. He made multiple trips to Shriners Hospitals transporting children and played an active role in organizing the Shriners Christmas Party. He helped collect gifts and create memorable experiences for children, ensuring the joy extended beyond the event through thoughtful goodie bags and continued celebrations. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Mae (Davidson) Davis and William Campbell Davis; his siblings William C. Davis (twin), Pamela A. Roberts, and Brenda S. Leverence; and his nephew Jonathan Latislaw. Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Maryjane (Harkrider) Davis; his children, Rebecca L. Davis and Mindy M. Haynes and her husband Ronald Haynes; and his cherished grandchildren Lalique Haynes, Hennasey Mahone and her husband Deshaun Mahone, Brooklyn Wade, and Harlem Wade. He is also survived by two expected great-grandchildren, the Mahone twins. He is further survived by his sisters Dolores M. Roemke and Carmel D. Fey and her husband Curtis Fey; his nephews Matthew Latislaw and his wife Kyanna, Philip Latislaw, Harold and wife (Kali) Roberts Jr (twin) Michael and wife (Angie) Roberts, William Roberts and wife Daphne Roberts; and his nieces Anna Latislaw, Kelly Poulos and Jennifer Robert. Robert’s legacy of love, generosity, and ingenuity will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 2, at 1:00pm-2:00pm family member viewing, 2:00pm-3:00pm public viewing, 3:00pm-4:00pm Service at Brown Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan .A luncheon will follow the service at the FOP Lodge in Niles at 5:00pm. Browns Funeral Home & Cremation Services (521 E Main St, Niles, MI 49120) FOP LODGE 95 (531 N State St, Niles, MI 49120)

Forgive me father Pond, I have strayed to the green side. Please don't ban my Redsquare account I have a friend who says, " Even a A blind hog finds an Apple every now and then" A local estate sale had this tractor for sale on FBMP and at the sale for way to much. The previous owner had 10 acres of horse pasture that he shredded. Around here Estate Sales are outrageous price Thursday, 25% off outrageous 2nd day, and 1/2 off 3rd day getting closer to reasonable. I was the last person on the 3rd day just looking around and she was counting cash to close. I didn't intending to buy a tractor, but sure needed something I could put a post hole digger on for some repairs on the family farm. We have a great guy leasing the 300 acre family farm for cattle. But we are responsible for the 3+ miles of exterior fencing. Being in Texas I guess I should call this our "Ranch", but Dad always called it the Farm! Thankfully we don't need to build new fence, but there are cedar line post every 5th T post that are rotting off at the bottom, especially where there are low spots that stay wet longer. I'm the youngest son in the family, and still able to do some work around the place I inquired about the tractor and she said she couldn't do 50% off on it. I made her an offer and she took my number and said it would continue to be on FBMP. 2 weeks later I got a call and she said she needed to wrap up the estate sale and get seller their money. I interpreted that as, if she didn't sell the tractor she wouldn't get her 30% commission off it. She played the game of she had other offers to call and got me $500 higher. Surprisingly wife said "Go for it", you've been looking for something and you won't have to work on it before you use it like your backhoe one' PS there was kind of a wife jab there about my greasy farm clothes....the old Oliver always has a oily hydraulic seep somewhere. So its a 2021 John Deere 1023E with loader and shredder. It had 67 hours. I didn't steal it, but a really good price! I even got to transfer the last 6 months of the 5 year warranty over to me! The old Oliver doesn't have power steering, plus the JD hydro transmission with foot control sure is nice for light work. In 2 weeks I've put 7 hours on it shredding 2 passes around the perimeter fencing, and cleaning up some light brambles and dead wood along the fences. A lot more could be done around the farm, but we owe it to our leaser to maintain the fences When I got it the bucket didn't have a single scratch in it. I've put a few! Nice 4 ft shredder Going through the service list I've greased everything. But see it has an initial 50 hr engine and transmission oil and filter change. I can tell the filters are the black factory painted one with no writing, so I need to do that. Interestingly besides the transmission hydraulic filter, it has a screen to remove and clean for the pump suction. While most would consider this subcompact too small, I like that I can put it on a 16 ft trailer and pull it with my 1/2 ton truck. It weights 2600lbs I have my my old White Oliver 2-44 for any heavy work. With loaded tires it weights just under 10,000 lbs. With the weight of the backhoe and a bucket full of gravel it can put all 44hp of diesel grunt to that back axle. I try to be careful, as I really think it has enough grunt to break that heavy back axle.

I was able to work on my tractor today. Given this fact I have some progress to share with y'all. Started by going back to work on the engine. Ignition components installed. Engine buttoned up and ready to mount on the frame. With the engine ready I moved on to the chassis. Front end assembled. All the fixen's installed on the tranny. Where I left off for the day. Tune in tomorrow for more progress, hopefully.

This was an old horse drawn bog that was on the farm. Dad had taken it apart to use some disk. I selected some of the better parts and made this. Trying to reseed some bare spots on a bank. Used this to catch some of them before thay washed away.

Spraying fences again today. Have to do this once every couple years. You can see the difference in front of the tractor vs behind...

Rest in Peace Bob !!

Sent ole Blackie down the road today. Kinda sad as I bought her back in '95 brand new. Brought my second born home from the hospital in it. Dino splilt his wine in it. Cab corners gone and lot of rust but hopefully keep him out of trouble and he's real good mechanical. Sold it to @jeremi3210 's boy Jacob for a buck. Figured what the heck only get a couple hundred for on market. He's a good kid and due to get his DL the end of next month. 'Sides he does a lot of work for me at plow day and camp. Now i can really boss him around! Certain stipulation tho are grades in school and no more missing or tardy! It's more than road worthy yet but Jer got a brand new 10k trailer and wanted to take it's 🍒 Really a nice rig. 20' and very wide. Get a few GTs on it.

We always called them Bush Hogs. You have not committed a mortal sin but in attornment you need to say three Hail Cecils, four Hail Elmers, and recite the Wheel Horse 23rd Psalm. The Wheel Horse is my garden tractor; I shall not want. It moweth my green pastures: it leadeth me beside the still waters. It restoreth my soul: The Wheel Horse plowith the snow on the paths of righteousness. Yea, though I drive through the valley of the green tractors, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy Unidrive and thy Kohler, they comfort me. Thou preparest a Wheel Horse Collectors’ Club show before me: thou anointest my engine with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will drive a Wheel Horse forever.

Yep, they are clearly operating at idle. The fertilizer truck arrived just as Elam finished. The Elam went over the field again. Notice the two outside horses are black buggy horses. The colt on the left is in training, learning to pull in step and follow voice commands. Then David and 4yo Amos are laying irrigation tubing and plastic. The pumpkin, watermelon, and cantaloupe plants that are growing in the greenhouse will be planted thru the plastic with a wagon wheel planter after last frost. The plants will be fed fertilized water thru the line under the plastic.

Same here. I'm going to retire ( again) at the end of July and it's going to start then

I had the same thing years ago that I picked up somewhere. Used it once and finally scraped it. Now that I am around the house a lot I've been getting rid of a ton of stuff at the transfer station in town and donating clothes and some really nice Winter jackets some never worn in Town as well. I just have accumulated WAY TOO MUCH STUFF. The time has come to let it go.

Dethatched the yard today, first time I’ve even done it on this yard. The 867 was awarded the job and performed flawlessly.

careful with the rags you used to apply the stuff. Left wadded up, they are capable of self igniting.

Several months ago one of the other drivers at work mentioned he'd been given an old chain saw by his neighbor. He already had a newer one and his first thought was how Trina and I harvest our own firewood. He's been here to help and take some home in the past. Never even tried to start it or compare it to his current saw. He's not normally a person who keeps extras of anything so he offered the saw to us. That saw is a 1990 something Jonsered 2054 Turbo. The numeric designation back then meant Jonsered installed a 20" bar and the saw has a 53.6 cc engine. Round up to 54. No pics of it yet because I took it straight to my favorite small engine repair place. They'll check it over and advise. Likely (hopefully) just needs a tune-up and a bar & chain. I got to texting back n forth with @Stepney about it and he mentioned that he had another Jonsered that maybe I oughtta own. He came up for a visit yesterday and we swapped some machinery around. He showed up with TWO saws & left with a tractor. The Workhorse GT1800. The saws are a Jonsered CS 2171 and a Stihl MS291. Pics below. The label pic is of the Stihl. The 2171 is a 70.7 cc. Currently outfitted with a 24" bar. There's also the original 20" bar. That may end up on the 2054 if it'll fit. Interesting thing about this 71 cc saw is that I've occasionally wanted a larger more powerful saw than my current 49 cc Echo CS490. That's a great saw but every once in a while we tackle a larger tree. This year we're clearing more land and felling several bigger hardwoods. Excellent timing. The Stihl is a 2017 Model year. 56 cc. It'll need a repair to the spark plug threads and a tune-up, at minimum. I'll post follow up info as the repairs are done. With any luck I'll have three saws larger than the 49 cc.

Pulled all three tractors out of their trailer today. Need to use the trailer for something else tomorrow, but also got the the Brinly mounted up to the 73 today and switched the AGs over to the 73 from the 77 for temp use.

And women of the world reacted with various expressions that gave rise to many subsequent emojis: etc...

SAE 30wt. This is what I use in all my old Kohler engines. I know it says for diesel engines. It is a close formula to what your old Kohler requires. This may be a better option in your area. https://www.q8oils.com/fr/product/q8-garden-oil-sae-30/

Not much to do on it while waiting on the axle work. Not gonna sit around an suck old fashions all day... ahem @wallfish Found some nice vintage Silvertowns in the tire pile. Getting mounted, rims cleaned up & painted.

I’m not the original owner. I found a guy a few years ago near Germansville, Pa who did home / estate cleanouts who listed it for sale with a bunch of other stuff including a 520-H. All low hour stuff sitting in a garage for many years. I sold off some stuff but kept the 418-A. I try to put a few hours a year on it to keep it running good. Always use ethanol free gas in all my stuff and it makes a huge difference in performance.

March 25, 1993, Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, worried that his status as a high-school-dropout-turned-burger-mogul sends the wrong message to kids, earns his GED diploma at age 60. Local high school seniors vote him "most likely to succeed."

I have had a few text with Duke over the years. He did a beautiful job on his 520- H Snow Chucker after the C 120 was sort of under powered with the 2 Stage blower. Inside the cab it looked like Las Vegas at night. We both were members of the Masons and Shriners and served as officers and worked our way up to serving as Master of our local lodge's. Quite a guy with many talents as well. I remember he was telling me he had a very bad experience with a Chiropractor and he was never really the same. We never met in person but I consider him a friend. Rest in Peace my brother.

It finally warmed up enough to get the tractor started. Some fresh non-ethanol fuel was added to the fuel tank I pumped some air into the fuel tank with a hand pump to fill fuel line and prime the carb. Rear of tractor was jacked up so it would not take off on me since hydro neutral has not yet been set. Engine started virtually immediately. I let it run for a while to warm up and verify it was running well. Air cleaner housing installed. Air cleaner element and cover installed. Air cleaner cover installed. Idle speed base and governed set as per manual. Hydro neutral set as per manual. Tractor rear was then set on the ground and I was finally able to take it for it's maiden drive. It drives perfectly. Here is the manual I use to set the idle and hydro. Wheel horse service manual.pdf

I was going a couple miles to pick up a long shute snowblower and a 42” SD rusty mower. Free mind you!! I got talking with the owner and i said “whats this tractor?” The owner said it was a Sears w/ cast iron briggs 8 or 10 hp, with plow (didn’t run due to electrical issues) and it was free too!! Well, i loaded a bunch of free parts and a sears tractor and was headed off!! I was taking pictures of the Sears tractor and came across this, a serial #. I was wondering what year it is? Im into WH, not much of a Sears guy, pretty cool ol tractor! Im just gonna sell it.

More progress today. Did not get it finished but I'm definitely in the home stretch. Should be able to finish this up with another days work. Maybe It will be ready for some Easter glamor shots.

@JCM When I do finally get up there I will bring my LSE and we will put some time in the clock! I think it’s getting ready to turn a whopping 25 hours on the meter! Also like to bring my 418’s to put next to your 418-A. But I would also like to show you my Work Horse GT-1800 and my restored C-Series and that all original C-101 I picked up last year. Now that I think about it I’m definitely going to need a bigger trailer 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I worked at the Hershey Medical Center at the time and we were given the option of going to work or staying home since we were within 20 miles of TMI. I went to work anyway because I was essential to the hospital and felt it was my duty.

Here is my 418-A. It now has 138 hrs and it is such a smooth running machine! It is a bit dusty still holding up.

I’m sharing this to possibly help anyone without a welder to repair an early short frame trans pad. This is my 655 with a 16hp kolher, I shortened the rod dipper and used a 10hp oil pan. The trans mount was cracked so I tried a hack repair instead of doing it right. It was cheep easy and is holding up well enough to just leave it there permanently. It’s a later model mule drive, axle pin bracket flipped upside down and trimmed. The holes lined up and the width firmly slid between the original rails.

March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley is inducted into the U.S. Army, starting his day as the King of Rock and Roll, but ending it as a lowly buck private in the United States Army. When Elvis Presley turned 18 on January 8, 1953, he fulfilled his patriotic duty and legal obligation to register his name with the Selective Service System, thereby making himself eligible for the draft. The Korean War was still underway at the time, but as a student in good standing at L.C. Humes High School in Memphis, Elvis received a student deferment that kept him from facing conscription during that conflict’s final months. Elvis would receive another deferment four years later when his draft number finally came up, but this time for a very different reason: to complete the filming of his fourth Hollywood movie, King Creole. With that obligation fulfilled, Elvis reported for duty on March 24 and two days later, received what was perhaps the most well-publicized haircut in the history of the armed forces.

Leading the Horse to Water

I also took a photo shoot with the three running Wheel Horses and something else thats pretty special

My mom had a few vessels filled with old buttons and other .. stuff. They're from a time when they didn't throw away perfectly good items because things were often usable for a different reason and place. In that assortment of stuffs Trina found this VERY old apparently hand cut key. It's less than 2 inches long.

@JCM I could be wrong but if you could find a nice set, not scratched up and or rusted you’re probably looking at least $350. And maybe when I come up there I’ll bring the ones that I have still in the original wax paper in the original box! Sometimes I take them out just to look at them, then I see the smile on my face reflecting back at me 😂

My 2016 rookie year at the BS when we brought a bike and did a motor scooter PA tour we rode by it. We were on the 441. Quite a incredible complex. I told Cindy to hold her breath. On this date I was a 18 year old kid punching holes in the north Atlantic on a nuclear powered submarine with more than a few nuclear weapons on board. When news of this came over the wire there was plenty of talk at the scuttlebutt that we wouldn't have a home to go to. Since we didn't know exactly know what was going on the skipper assumed it might be a nuclear attack on the US and ordered us on high alert. Height of the cold war back then. We had WSRT (weapons systems readiness tests) every day on every watch for a week until more news came across. Later the Captain said it was good training and ordered steak & lobster for the crew.

Back home from the farm on the other side of the state as we continue to restore the water ways from brush and junk trees that have taken over in the past 30 years. We burned six or so piles and reduced the size of some we had already burned. Quite a job and a dirty one at that. The pond was almost un-approachable due to sprouts and trees--look at it now, just like I remember as a kid and I caught five bass (should have had eight) in thirty minutes. A new electric line is going through the farm and they purchased an easement from us. The other day, my brother who owns the house and a few acres that used to be part of the farm, called and said that trucks were coming in his second driveway and crossing onto the farm. He called the electric company and they said in the contract that, if needed, they had access to more than just the easement right of way. We did find that clause buried deep in the contract and unless you are educated in understanding contract language, you may miss it as we did. When he said that he didn't give them access to cross his property that quickly changed and they build their own ramp from the highway to the easement some 700 feet from his house. He didn't really want cement trucks and heavy equipment within 75 feet of his house coming and going from daylight to dark as it is across the road building the sub station. If you can zoom in on picture you'll see several fires. It was an excellent week to burn, not much wind and we had the disk on the tractor--just in case. The grapple we bought is a HUGE asset in this work.

Nah, all married women react that way - it's an alergic reaction brought on from the gold in the wedding band!!

Nice! About 10 years ago, A local notorious former Mayor died. My coworker asked me if I thought the funeral wound be that week. I replied no, next week for sure. They need to bring up that special machine from Jersey to dig the spiral hole since he was so crooked they can screw him into the ground....

Chain case done with BLO. It's the only thing i would ever use. I tryed Marvel MO and it just don't cut it. BLO drys a bit glossy and dust on it rinses right off. It. It brings out the best patina. Cons are kind of a pain and messy to apply. Have to try a spray bottle. It also should be reapplied every so often. Absolutely Lane That 60 yo paint just pops. Pics don't do it justice. Before and after.

@WHX?? @JCM Good idea framing the receipt. I laminated the receipt for my Work Horse that I bought brand new so I can hang it when I show the tractor.

You said rise

I’m with you Jim. That’s why I think I’m just going to bring stuff to sell at the Big Show this year, and not bring any tractors. I just have too much stuff that I know I’ll never use and other people can.