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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.

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!!

Congrats on the find. I'm going to go against the crowd here and say restore it make it look new again. When people go to tractor and car shows they eh and ah over the shinny ones. Just my option. Good luck and have fun with it. Jeremy

The rear rim on my 953 was rusted really bad (rotted through) around the valve stem. I repaired it with a quarter and epoxy on the inside and just moved the location of the valve stem, drilled new hole in the solid part. I would etank the rims or sandblast and see how bad they are. If just really pitted then fill them with bondo and paint them. If too far gone then go with Derek's suggestion of new rims... I would do a deep cleaning on everything, check fluid levels and fill to correct level and see if they leak prior to changing any seals etc. I am very much looking forward to watching the progress you make in this thread.

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 ?

Here's a few more pieces that got finished up today. I did my trans with a good trusty grinder and cup brush from good ole harbor freight. The other pieces I blasted using my sand blaster from harbor freight. And soon I'll paint them with my paint gun from harbor freight. Gotta love that place.

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.

The Decals??

I saw a real nice cigar store indian on CL. First person I thought of was our resident Dino!

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

John, Here is a picture of the hood. I have the bottom propped up a bit so you can see the tab and hole. image.jpg Scott, Thank you very much! Looks like I will have to get a tab welded onto the front of my hood. Like the ribs on the front too. I still have the original WH tires on mine but may swap if I can find an extra set of rims.

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=

Bob, Are the tires totally shot on yours? The fronts are suppose to be 3.50x12 and not being made anymore in that style. the backs have the j hook tires on them that are totally cool. If they can be saved I would do EVERYTHING I could to make that happen however if you would rather go new, send me a pm and I will gladly buy what you have if they can be saved..... Mine came with the Goodyears with the diamond pattern on the sides (not sure the names). Mine were dry rotted beyond repair. I had the exact same tires on my economy and they were basically new. I used those on the sr and ken b had a set of turf tires he gave me to replace them. The fronts were replaced with a newer style 4.00 x 12 I am looking forward to the story as well....

Is that the Rodney King model?

It's a Tecumseh. It does not start easily. I usually have to pull it about 4 or 5 times when it has been sitting. After it is warmed, it starts easily.

That I have.

Any kids in the neighborhood to give you a hand?

Ain't nothin' gonna stop you Lane... please don't forget our annual plowing video.

Im pretty sure i ended up with a 1056,857 and the commando 8. I have all the reciepts and original invoice for one of them. Ill post photos of them soon. My wife wants the 857 and I am going to restore the commando because both of them are complete. The 1056 is rough but rat-rodable. Its going to get the custom touch along with a 20 horse Kohler Command twin. I ggot the idea from another member althoigh mine will be somewhat different. Hope to get started on them in the next month or so when the honey-do list gets smaller. Thanks for the information.

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!

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

That'll keep ya busy this winter. Nice find Bob.

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

Glad you finally got one Duke! Give us the story of how you found it and whats it's history.

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

She complains sometimes when I work on my tractor but today I said: " Ill give use one task and that's to start cleaning this trans up and you gotta help today to see what its like!" She agreed and actually had a good time haha. Plus she loved riding my reactor before I tore it into a million pieces so yes, she's a keeper .

Wire brushing my trans down to metal. And I got my girlfriend to learn how to use a grinder today! Worked out pretty good.

hmmm, don't know what to say about this one........

Leafing with Ezra.

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

Few more pics

hey I've got another one........

It had to be didn't it

604 & 500 special

After the storm, the clear up.

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?