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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:

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

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!

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

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.

#41 off the assembly line

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

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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.

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.

In full disclosure, I took these pictures the other day to post in this thread. I had the 418-8 and 70’s vintage Cyclone spreader out to spread some lime. Last year before putting it away and giving it its usual cleaning, I put tire shine on the tires. Then I started to think? I wonder if anyone else is wacky enough to do that? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Another shot of 701 but I was feeling pretty patriotic after making a new front axle pivot pin and making bushings for the wore drag link. Using my homegrown flag bracket and the bestest flag in the world. A special thanks to my shop fan for helping with the shot.

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.

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

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!

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.

I marked each rim where I wanted to cut them. Bolted the rim on to a tractor, spun the rim in high gear full throttle, & cut through it with a 4 1/2" grinder After all 4 rims were cut, I cut the center out of the outside rims and welded them together. Finished product.

"Another topic!?" I hear you think.. yes.. this thing has been sitting in my yard for way to long. Now with the darker, colder and wetter weather coming up I would like to get it going. The idea is to use it around the house and for the better half to use it to rid the paddocks of horse crêpe.. Bought it off my neighbour a few years ago where it had been sitting long enough a small tree grew through it. "It" in this case is what started it's life as a walk behind Toro Greens Aerator. Kind of a coring machine specifically for golf courses. Somewhere in it's previous life somebody deleted the aerating part of the machine and put a dumping bed on the frame along with a seat. What you see below remains. Lots of stuff to do. Started to clean up the rims, ordered new tires, valve stems and a bit of paint yesterday. Took the fueltank which was full of water off along with the improvised hydraulic oil tank which was also full of water. I'm hoping the pump has survived, if not I might have to order one for it. Good news is that it has a Kohler 16hp engine which seems to be in good condition. Carbs' clean, airfilter Ok-ish, oil on the dipstick. Only thing is the starter does turn when connected directly to a battery however does nog engage the flywheel gear thingamabob.. might be a solenoid issue?? Stripped down a bit for cleaning/inspecting Other side. Note the hydraulic pump is driven off the flywheel side of the engine. New rubbah.. Quite a wide load. Thanks for reading! Greetings from the Netherlands, Mark

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.

Excellent visit with PT and Med Doc today. Ankle movement is Excellent. Strength is top notch. Ankle joint stiffness and pain are very minimal. I am "released from care" and back on Regular Duty.

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!

In October of 2025 we bought ourselves a new camper. Smallest least expensive model we could get and yet still more than we needed in features. We had it tarp covered last winter and always intended to build a hard sided structure. Both Trina and I are firm believers that campers (and many other things) should be protected from the sun and precipitation as often as possible. After waiting patiently for about 10 months to get an excavator here for site prep, we're finally ready to get our part of the building process going. The camper living space box is approximately 13' long by 8' wide. Add the hitch and we need a 16' minimum storage length. After a fair bit of reading and searching we decided on this metal framed unit for the beginning of the structure. At 14' x 20' this will be more than large enough for the camper trailer and several extras. Other pieces of equipment and tools will also be stored here. Once the above pictured structure is built we'll add the rest of the metal to fully enclose it. There will be large doors both front and rear. Here's a few pics showing the proposed location of the new camper cover building. This would allow us to drive a tractor out the back side of the building because it's about 8' from the drop off by the trees. It would also allow us to drive a tractor along the right side of the building and be able to use the ramp our excavator operator left for us. That ramp is to the right of the 3 trees at pic center, and curls around to the left and behind them. This pic shows proximity to the house. Better zoom. The openings of the ends are 14.3' according to the online pics. 20 foot front to rear. 14.8' to top middle peak. The blue flags are for the Code Enforcement Officer to see so he knows we actually measured. Not guessed. 75 feet is the minimum amount of setback. We'll have about 79' to the angled support leg closest to the road. Today I ordered a set of 16 mobile home anchors. These are USA 🇺🇸 MADE. 30" depth with a 4" round fan width. By the chart I found we should use 12 of them for a 130 MPH wind resistance. If we get a realistic half that it'll be fine. One big thing to figure out will be how to open the front for the full 14' wide and 13 ish foot tall door.