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Nothing a good wax job wont fix!

Well I think it would be a shame to restore that tractor. People at tractor shows flock to the old original condition machines. The more I look at your tractor, the more I think it should be left dirty and in as found condition. I see a lot of original condition WH's that people tear into and restore them right away, rather than just backing off and letting it be. You do lose a lot of patina when you clean up such a time capsule. To me, it takes away the history of the tractor. Like Stevebo said, if you clean up the hood, you may take some color off the decals and that would suck since they are so original. I would try to get it running though and I would fix the rims or replace them if they are fried. A descent welder guy could probably fix them without charging you as much as a new set. I'd even keep them old raggedy rear tires for history's sake, just throw them in the barn, there ain't none around! But it is your machine so do what you like to it, we are all behind you on this one. Good luck with it, she is a beautiful old lady! KJ

Update!!!!! Well it is again Wednesday night which means TRACTOR CLUB!!!!! We have finally hit a stumbling block. I went out during my lunch break and turned on the two heaters full blast. Much to my amazement, or should I say disappointment, they couldn't keep up. It was darn cold in the barn tonight. Our group was small tonight and about half focused on the cold, while the other half was focused on working. I tried to encourage them to keep moving while sanding and that would help, but it fell on frozen ears! The kids didn't complain but I could tell that it bothered a few of them a bit. Now I am in the brainstorming process and trying to search for available grants that could possibly help remedy our situation. I have some creative ideas brewing in my thick noggin that hopefully will work. I am going to do my best to figure out how we can get that pole barn insulated before too long or we won't be able to stay on schedule. We can't afford to have this winter a bust! Transporting kids over to my dad's heated building is out of the question so we will have to come up with a solution, and fast! I didn't get any pictures taken tonight as I was working away to hopefully set a good example for the kids. It was still a productive night but not as good as it could have been. We will adapt and continue to move forward. Hopefully I will have some good news that will pop up around the corner. And oh yes.....for those that know me. Yes I was wearing shorts and a sweatshirt and felt fine!

LOL no hard stops I want to take the top half of the chute off and make a video blowing the snow over the cab and label it Polish snow blower. The motor is call a globe motor. I got it from doing high school robotics competitions. I did fab it all myself. That is the exact reason I did this was the worm gear screwing up and not engaging the ring gear. Drives you nuts. As for a kit I'll talk with Matt and see if he wants to do one.

I paint my engines with the same paint as the rest of the tractor. The only part of the engine that gets hot enough to effect the paint is the area around the exhaust, and that will eventually turn dark even with high-temp engine paint.

No reason that I know of, but on the 312's an H meant you had an Eaton 1100 with hydraulic lift and an A was the less desirable Eaton 700 with manual lift. On the 400 series machines the A on a 418-A does not mean an Eaton 700 is under the fender pan but rather an Eaton 1100. On the 500 series all the 520-H's came with the 1100 while the 516-H and 518-H came with the 700. Must have been a different guy in charge of naming tractors each year.. . Mike.............

Looks like that truck met it's Waterloo in Waterloo.

Worst record this week buys the donuts for the boiler room . Penn St., Wisconsin, OSU, Northwestern, Mich St.

After much deliberation, I can finally present to you... The Mrs. Rules first RJ ride.

As well as tractors I am a casual collector of flashlights. By casual I mean that I am not always on the hunt for more and usually stumble on them somewhat by accident. This past weekend I hit a local flea-market, had my eyes peeled for any kind of Wheel Horse memorabilia but as usual there was nothing. Then I spotted this 70's era Ray-O-Vac Sportsman on a sellers table and it was love at first sight . Its a nearly perfect light with the cardboard sleeve still intact inside of the barrel. It holds 7 "D" cell batteries and when full is somewhat heavy, wouldn't want to take it on a long hike. It can be broken down so that you only use 5 batteries or 3 batteries. HOW BRIGHT IS IT YOU ASK?? I wish I knew, I loaded it tonight and the bulb flashed for a nano-second and blew. I wonder if the bulb has to be rated for the number of cells? Maybe it was a 3 or 5 cell bulb? Oh well, I'll hit Radio Shack one of these days. The priced tag was $20, the seller saw me eying it and immediately shouted out "$15 and its yours"! I looked inside, saw no battery corrosion and offered $10 and he took it...sweet!! In mint shape and with the leather shoulder strap they bring around $50 on e-bay (I dont have the leather strap of course so mines probably worth $5 ) Not an exiting thing to collect but way cheaper and easier to store than Wheel Horses!! Mike.............

I got sick and tired of the worm gear loosing engagement with the blower chute gear. So I modified it a little heeheehee And here is a video!!

While checking the craigslist ads I found this: 856 model 8HP with snow plow. Runs good - needs clutch ($200 or B.O.) Do you think it's missing the belt guard?

I think I would try to save the rims.Maybe electrolisys or vinegar,not too much sanding or wire wheel.Shoot them with a couple coats of filler primer.Even if you have to patch a little,it would be worth it.

Kernel Sanders slept at that house

Thanks Guys, Yep she is defiantly a different beast. well I'm gonna show some closer Pics of the tractors condition. It looks like someone down the road did a lil painting on the hood. Also the hood has 3 holes drilled in the top of Hood, The tires are dusted and the rims look mucked up and I'm not sure they can be saved. Can A Guy get these rear rims? The tractor is filthy with grease and I would think the whole thing should be cleaned wherever Grease or oil is seeping should I replace seals and gaskets? I am also thinking of cleaning up the brakes (Should I Install New?) My Muff is awful RUFF So I need to find one of them. Any leads on Parts? Rims, Brakes Prolly can get bearings and seals and so forth from Motion Industries. How far would you guys go on this? Thanks ~Duke

I would love to have a 12HP back on it or even a 14HP-16HP but for now it will probably be cheaper to fix the situation with the 8HP that is on it. I'm really surprised at how many of you like the tall stack the best. I really though it was too much. Anyone else have thoughts on which exhaust looks best ?

I'm with Bob on this one - you've still got some of the old seal in there. There should have been some metal come out along with the rubber when you pulled the old seal. I'll bet if you pick around in there some more you'll eventually loosen up the metal and once that's out your new seal should do the job. You said you filed and taped the axle, which was good. If you don't have any lateral bearing play, I think you'll have your problem solved once the original seal is completely out of the way. Good luck! ~Duff

The differences were factory options. The Electro tractor itself is identical to the Charger. The electric clutch and hydraulic lift were standard equipment on the Electro. They were add-on options for the regular Charger.

I believe the new seal is flush with the axle housing I will have to check when i get home. What concerns me is the lack of the old seal i pulled out. There just wasn't much there and as mentioned above if there wasn't that much seal left it should have been leaking at a faster rate.

Two things you said concern me, First, the statement that you removed very little seal material. If there was that little of a seal remaining, you would have been getting more than a slow seepage. Secondly, you said "I checked the axle movement and it was very little". When you say "very little", there should be virtually no movement, up or down, front to back. You can have about 1/8" movement in and out. Any other movement indicates a bad bearing, or a worn axle. Having said that, always make sure that the recessed area where the seal is to be installed is clean and free from debris. Make sure that all of the old seal (rubber and metal) is removed. When installing the new seal, be sure that it is pressed in squarely. One way to do that is to start it into the recess, then slide the hub onto the axle and drive it in with that. That should assure a nice even, square insertion.

First time for everything! Wait stop hold the phone, what happened to the Fighting Illini in your picks? What's up with that?

That's quite a find indeed. Perhaps two on the way?? Let the good deals roll!! Can't wait to hear this story either. (BTW---I like old rusty clunkers too.)

i have used skateboard grip tape and also the reflective stripe stair tread. skateboard shops have the grip tape and the stair tread can be picked up at lowes or home depot type stores. (much more economical alternative) a post about it in one of my threads...... lowes product..... http://www.lowes.com/pd_96650-1681-67304_0__?productId=3185621&Ntt=safety+grip+tape&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dsafety%2Bgrip%2Btape&facetInfo=

The suspence is killing me , to hear the story

Is that a flip phone? thought those went out with AMC's?

Is that the Rodney King model?

that's a beast of a set up there!

Nice plow rig 633 looks great and the nice part about it is you don't need to worry about a dead or weak battery. I have the same plow on my 502 and 552 they are kind of a pain to use compared to the ones that have the trip lever on the handle, I think they need a little longer foot lever, takes a little getting used to. My 552 was my primary snow machine last year and I had a lot of fun using it, I went into snow drifts that I though for sure I was going to get stuck in but it pushed right through. I was not stuck in this pic I just got off to take it and jumped back on and went right through this drift.

OK....time for a come back...Penn St., Wisconsin, Ohio St., Northwestern, Nebraska. I am only unsure of the Penn St. and the Ohio St. games.

Wow! Mary Jane finally has a tractor to call her own! You did buy it for her, didn't ya Duke? GREAT catch. Welcome to the club!

On Thursday, our local High School will be putting on a Veterans Concert, with all the bands, and vocal groups. BOTH of my girls have elected to miss their Varsity Football / Cheer dinner celebration to participate in the concert! Thank You!

Nice addition!

what a sweet oldie that is!

Great find bob! I would just clean it up and leave it as is, looks pretty nice to repaint.

Wow, great find! I'd like to read the story behind this one too. Way to dig em up Bob.

its just lackin a little finishing! thats all, Great fine

You aint kiddin' me... that ain't no rusty clunker.

Now Bob , why would you wanna be cluttering up your stable with that old thing , let me come and & take it away so you can concentrate on other worthwile projects

Just take the blinders off the horse next time..

Steve look for a truck bed gas pump and tank second hand, you should be able to rig up from that

Few more pics

Here's a few of my tractors.

It had to be didn't it

604 & 500 special

My 50th anniversary 314 and my Son's custom pedal tractor.

1968 commando 8

I did one 2 weeks ago. Does it count? http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/Mike604/media/IMG_0465_zps2c17e1b7.mp4.html

Am I the only one that chuckled when he read that title?