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It depends on what I'm using it for: Overall work and long life Kohler Money no object quality and long life Honda Easy starting and light weight Briggs If I have money and all the time in the world to fix it Onan If I need a good boat anchor ( Because of it's weight not it's quality) Wisconsin If I was giving the piece of equipment to my brother in law Tecky

i get to redeem benefits on my man card by doing housework........

1. Kohler, reliability and parts availability 2. Honda, Reliability and durability 3. Onan, Torque 4. Tecumseh, If Tecumseh still built engines and made a twin it would give you twice the problems. 5. Wisconsin, An 18 horse Wisconsin twin is about the size and weight of a VW beetle.

Looks like the basement to me!!!!

75 C-120 auto, I use at the farm. It snowed about 4 inches. Better than 5 feet!

Benefits? There's supposed to be benefits? Wottavok??

Martin, all I can say is Thank you!! I made the Final cut! Now you know I'm going to have to buy two calendars, one that will be open all year long on the month of May and then one to actually use. They both look awesome, a very Nice job. As always, Terry Dennis and yourself put out Top Notch work!!!

more.....

Don't for get wiping the water glass rings off of the roundhood end tables!

Does look good, but here... I was expecting something more like this.

All my valve stems are to the inside. Why? Who knows? At least I don't have to remove the WH hub caps.

I thought of that, but if i were to reverse the rims they will hit on the fenders.

Sounds like its made itself a nice 35 amp heater from the fried components. (The 40A is probably what goes to the resistor fan control). Glad to hear it stopped burning! I had a similar experience: My first car I had a pretty nice sound system hooked up but I couldn't afford a nice sub woofer amplifier so I bought a Bazooka brand or something like that 700watt mono amp (fuses rated about 80amps). I am a amateur radio operator and my antenna wire ran through the trunk next to where the amp was mounted. Apparently Bazooka does not shield their amps from ANY RF noise because the MOMENT I transmitted on high power there was a LOUD THUMP. Moments later my car began to fill with smoke. I have to pull over on the side of the interstate and I dive in my trunk (i had a Bonneville and the amps were mounted against the back seat, I could have slept in that trunk) and start tearing out this amplifier that now has flames licking out of it. Luckily I always have my tools with me so I was able to toss it on the embankment before my whole car burned to the ground. The amp totally roasted itself in the grass.

I've always heard, and it sounds logical, it was to accommodate wheel weights... Bit of a pain to get to them tho aint it?

When I was selling these new tractors I asked one of the reps why they always put the stems on the inside of the wheels and he told me it was for cosmetic reasons. But I wished they'd forgot looks and just put them on the outside, so much easier to put air in!

Maybe the valve steam is on the inside so you dont have to worry about wheel weights hitting them? Just a guess. Im probably wrong.

One question, is it Harbor Frieght? You'll be taking it back if it is, hope they don't mind the Red paint!! Friend bought one used it for about ten to fifteen minutes went back to it, turned it on and basically was a fishing hook (not big enough to be boat anchor) JUNK

Here are some pics, this one is all original and works. Also has the correct tag on it.

You guys got a secret handshake too?

I'll stick with my pre 1980's

I know where that one is, ya better hurry...

Oh yeah, almost forgot... folding the laundry on the HY-2 702.

cmon Craig, just admit that it was harder than you are letting on. you don't have to hand in your man card or anything........ you had to go and get a camera, walk up to the calendar pinned on the wall. then take a picture. just be honest and admit that it was a lot of effort. we won't think anything less of you. you probably even had a rest along the way, maybe cracked open a cold one , watched a little tv......

Excellent calendars Martin. The pictures from the members that you used are Top shelf. I am humbled that you chose one of mine...Thank you. OK, take a deep breath and get out the lawn chair with your favorite cocktail. You deserve a nice long break. Outstanding Mate. All should know also, the calendars that Squonk will be taking orders for are professionally done...they are like if you bought them in a book store. :)

coming apart......

We are ready for snow in Central Pennsylvania. (Not Buffalo Snow)! I would like to say I won't need to even fire them up this year. I find the older I get, the less I deal with snow and cold weather!

i have both versions of the 2015 calendar done. before i go any further i need to personally thank Terry Dennis for his help today on making both calendars more 'red square' than they were. i have limited editing privileges with the iPhoto calendar program i used to create them and needed some of Terry's expertise to make them look right. I'm having problems uploading them to the files section of the forum, so i uploaded them to google drive and the links to the files are below. you might get a warning that google can't scan these files for viruses because of their size. i didn't put any viruses in the files, but if you have virus software for your own piece of mind you can scan them if you really want to. i need to communicate with a moderator on whether I'm missing something here because the upload feature of the forum isn't letting me upload them to files section and i think its because of the files sizes. they both run about 28 MB. members, i hope you are all ok with my choices for the calendars, i thought long and hard about which pics to use, some pics were perfect except for a tire cut off or not enough background or something else. some of the pics weren't big enough and i asked for higher resolution shots, most of you were good about providing better pics. this task has definitely been an eyeopener for me, i am willing to do it again next year if you guys want me to, but I'm going to need more help from some of you with the quality of pics submitted. here you go...... calendar 1 https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B-Mtecq9EjlkclV6Y1BlUHpzbVU calendar 2 https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B-Mtecq9EjlkQzFUQzB0WXJHVG8

Today I did some Horse tradin with Craig (AMCRules) I have always liked the 877 tractor's and I've had my eye on Craigs since the day I laid eyes on it. She's a keeper and will stay in its original condition. I went for a little ride on it today and when I tried to light my cigar my lighter wouldn't stay lit. I then remembered the factory cigar ligher, and it works! I bet Stevebo don't even have a working cigar lighter... Thanks Craig!

You guys know it's only a matter of time before I have a complete shop, equipment included... Gonna get Terry to make a decal for it. Started on it yesterday, will wrap it up tomorrow. Think this will void my warranty?

Ya I will try to find the link so you can print one out.

Kohler is my 1st choice. I'm having problems justifying that decision since purchasing and now using my '90 520-8 20 hp Onan. Geeze that engine can idle through tall grass, grade, plow, without ever any grunts. Guess I left the grunts at Camp Lejeune. I owned a 4 cyl Wisconsin, 12" dia wood chipper, long stroke. That too ran very well, never any crying. Have owned Briggs and Techys, mostly small stuff, ran OK. My latest acquisition is my 16 hp Briggs Twin, sat for ten years, now up 'n running. 16 hp Kohler, one cyl, in my 416-8 is my bet for a long life. Semi-retired, I am a bit anal 'bout PM (preventative maintenance). A USMC motor pool thingy that works for me. My PM schedule is perhaps double the norm but, I have the time and the Horses deserve my time. They work tirelessly when I ask them. The Stallions all want oil changes, grease, cleaning, wax, tire bright, air cleaners, cleaning, plugs 'n hugs for Christmas! They deserve it too!

I know that a lot of folks already have had snow, but I had Dad's B-80 out finishing up the leaves. I just use it here and there but she is really retired from the big chores. other than having a Cyclone system, I have had good luck with the Parker sweeper. I do run the 42 RD deck (416-H) and sweep but the best way is to hit them with some speed and boy those brushes sling the leaves all the way to the back of the sweeper. yes, it fills up quick that way, but I run it up on the road, dump, repeat, repeat and then dismount to rake them just off the road. I started doing it at night. I can then see if a car is coming, safety first.

I put Cub rear wheels on a few of mine to get the stem to the outside. The offset is a little different also, the cub wheels set a little further in under the fender.

Great addition to the stable!

for sharing the info/picts Geno.

sorry, i read your post then replied quite a bit later! must forgot, thank you

Based on my engine experience, I'd take the Kohler although I figure most of these will give good performance and long life if properly maintained. I've owned several Techys, a Honda, and several Kohlers (granted not all of these engines were in tractors) and the results were that the Honda ran very well without mechanical issues but it would sometimes get finicky in the cold. The Kohlers like the Honda all ran very well plus I never had an issue in the cold with any of them. The Techys were a real hit or miss affair. A couple were great and a couple were problematic including a brand new one that had no end of problems. I have no experience with Wisconsin or Onan but their reputations are good so I figure if you maintain them well, they'll give good service.

Great job Martin. Thanks for all your efforts.

Scott, when I first saw this one at the BIG SHOW I fell in love with it. I then found out Craig just bought it from you. At the time I thought man, bummer, but I knew Craig would take care of it so I was happy for him. I never thought I'd actually wind up with it but I'm happy I did! For me, my collection always seems to have a theme or revolve around something and yesterday I kinda noticed that my collection is revolving around 8 hp tractors. It seems I have four 8 hp machine's now! I forgot about my sons Cole's little Super Suburban that I wedged an 8 hp in...

I'm thinking the resistors that control the fan speeds went bad and finallythings got hot enough to start melting away. I have seen tons of melted fan resistor blocks, connector plugs ect for blower fans on all makes and models. lots of amperage there. Usually the connector gets warm, the terminals get weak and lose connection and up goes the amps until POOF!

Isn't nature just wonderful

thanks guys! heres a few more...

Looks awesome! Great work ya'll!

Thanks for taking on this project, great job. stocking stuffers for friends and family this year..

Here are some more pictures for you guys. I even got a 50 pound solid brass air horn! The walk behind you can spot in some of the photos is a very rare pioneer from the late twenty's. Unfortunately I am missing a lot of the parts so if someone needs parts, let me know. This load minus the steamer and horn will be up for sale sometime, so if you spot something, let me know! I was going to use the wheel horse, but I have about 10 others that do a pretty good job as well! Lol!! I believe you are right. This one was last inspected in 1984, therefore, I am thinking that it last run under live steam back in 1984.

The only offense i take is to the bad name you are giving us rednecks! I do not see a single tire or piece of duct tape anywhere on that contraption... you should be ashamed calling yourself a redneck like that!! (yea im from a barely southern state's suburb (KY), im a wannabe)

The 416-8 is definitely a Stallion! A favorite of mine and my grandsons too! Post your progress fixin' your wonderful big red machine! Ready for winter duties! Always! 416-8 on the left, 414-8 right. Both now have 48" blades, chains 'n weights. Best of all, they have my grandsons!

I've been collecting different Wheel Horse models the past 3-4 years and I just had my first deal go wrong. I have 9 of them and the next one on my wish list is a 520. A few days ago, I found a 1990 520h (745 hours) with no deck less than an hour drive from my house for $700 or best offer. This 520h appears to be in nice condition but not perfect by any means... torn seat, lights don't work, some surface rust, missing decals on hood, at least that's what I know about it. I thought I would take a chance on this one, so I made an offer of $400 cash plus a 1962 552 Wheel Horse trade. He asked for $450 cash and my trade (perhaps a $300 value)... total deal value at $750. So, in my mind I was actually giving up more than what he originally wanted for the 520h. I accepted with condition that I couldn't pick it up till end of next week because I had to work eight consecutive 12-hour shifts. He agreed, deal sealed. Now, I just found out this very same 520h is for sale with a deck for $775. So, I ask the guy what's going on, thought we had a deal? Now he says he doesn't hold tractors, they're first come, first serve. Apparently, he's trying to get more cash for it before I can get time off work to pick it up. I'm sorry, I don't deal that way. I'm not going to clean up my tractor for him, load it on my truck, drive an hour to his place only to take a chance that he won't sell the 520h to someone else before I get there. So, I took my deal off the table... My best offer now is $500 cash, no trade. He refused my offer. I will be looking for a better 520 deal.

A month or so back I came across a nice C195 that I guess I couldn't live without. So after saving a few pennies here and there I said yes. I seen the tractor at Mentone and told the owner I was interested. After seeing all the interest the tractor had at the show it didn't take long. I took the back blade off of the GT16 loader to play a little bit, grading the alley.

Here is a video from a local band,, they have a lot of good stuff..