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Just got my new Lawn & Garden Tractor Magazine today, and our buddy Jake is featured in a very nice article. Way to go Jake.

I was excited to locate the problem and did not properly thank everyone. You diagnosed it early but I wasn't sure what I was looking at. The split was on top and I could not see it. Oldredrider called and talked to me and his questions got me on track. Thanks again to all who had input, couldn't have done it without you guys.

What could possibly make quicker work plowing snow with a horse?.... Plowing with two . That's my fathers 520-HC in the back and my 518H. We have a few inches here in Pa,and my old Hahn blower is working better for what I have to do at my house. So the 518 went back to my parents to make room and this is what transpired.

Air cleaner bead blasted, painted and installed. Decal applied (thanks Terry, this looks great). Rear hitch bead blasted, painted, and assembled (thanks Al). Cleat

It is interesting! The valves are seating properly. I think it's the angle and shadowing your seeing. I see it too now but only on the picture. I put Seafoam to this motor 4 or 5 times when the carb acted up. It doesn't remove hard carbon deposits though once cleaned out, it may help keep it cleaner....longer. There is some carbon on that over-sized valve seat that may have some bearing on the compression loss. I can't wait to see how out of adjustment the valves are. My 416-8 Speed didn't even remotely look like these nor did the spare P220G I put in the loader. Oh well!

Got the new tires on yesterday, a new idler pulley and drive belt and finally took it for a ride. I also put new bearings in the mule drive pulleys, when it warms up I'll replace the idlers, spindle bearings and the belt on the deck and that should make this a pretty dependable worker.

Almost 17

Oooooops... I did it again.

The dates for the next Annual Garden Tractor Daze have been posted. This is an all brands show at the fairgrounds in Portage Wisconsin, just about 10-15 miles south of the Wisconsin Dells. There is a swap meet area, and last year they had a Garden Tractor pull. I thought it was a great show, and am planning to go again. This year it will also be the 50th Anniversary of the Case Garden Tractors, celebrating the first (130 and 180) models. At the bottom of this post is a link to last year's thread on this show. It was a good time, and there were a few of us Wheel Horse guys there. Be nice to see some more this year. No matter what you want to bring, it's sure to be a great show! The following was posted by Bret Esse on the Facebook page. Here is a link to last years thread on this show.

Hey all. Just joined. I have a 312-8 (91) Kohler engine. I also just purchased a 417 Hydro that I think is an 85. I picked it up a little over a week ago. I had originally started looking for a blower unit for the 312 but ran across the 417 and 2 stage WH blower for $850...talked the guy down to $700. Looks like it needed a starter however so its sitting at the WH repair shop down the road getting the starter rebuilt and having all the general maintenance done. I actually work for Sherwin Williams with the OEM division of the company and sell paint in both liquid and powder. If anyone has questions about painting, please ask!

Well, a new Horse arrived in the stable today. 1961 551, and in really straight condition. I believe it to be an early restoration. I need to collect some parts, namely the fuse-box cover, belt guard, and muffler shield. It came with a straight mowing deck, and what I was told is an original seat cover. First, some pics: Mowing deck's tight, but I hope it will loosen up with fresh grease in the spring time. Now, first thing is first... to get the electrical system buttoned up: The tractor came with these parts: I know where the points and condenser go... but not the ignition brake? And can someone tell me what type of fuses I need? Next, why do the front rims only have one hole in them? I'd like to mount front wheel weights if/when I can find them... I assume I'll have to drill the other two holes. One the way here, is seems the trans froze up. I'm guessing water in it. Once it gets above freezing I'm going to drain the fluid. If the trans doesn't look good, I may replace it with an 8-speed. And I spent a little time cleaning up the hood once the ice melted off of it from the trip here... (Not too sure why this one uploaded upside-down, but okay...) Well, goodbye GT-14 and welcome 551! Now to find a brother for it... Thanks!

The KOOL KAR guys add flame throwers to their cars, you already have one. As Theroundhorsernr said, just a little unburned fuel; I would rather have it a little rich than too lean.

Hope you make it Jake. I would really enjoy meeting you and seeing your great work in person.

Unfortunately the throwing it away after ten years mentality has been in effect for a while anyway since most people that do not do it themselves, will not change the oil in their lawn mowers or snowblowers anyway. As long there is oil in them a lot of them will last about that long. With lawn equipment shops charging just about hourly as a new car dealer around here, no one takes their lawnmower or snowblower to do any maintenance, since that will cost at least $150.00 each time, plus the hassle of taking it and bringing it. That's why it is so easy around here to pick up free snowblowers. People never drain carbs after the winter and then it won't start next season. They call, then get a estimate of at least $200.00 assuming nothing major is wrong, plus transportation fees, so to the curb it goes. Might as well buy a new one specially if they had it for a few years.

Just for fun I lined up the wheel horses. The front 520-H is complete, the center one is my 520-HC in progress, and the rear one is my 520-H that will be getting torn down and converted to be just like the front 520-H which is a 1988 model. Cleat

hmmm revenge can quickly become sweet

A friend of mine from my other hobby (O-Scale and HO-Scale streetcar/interurban models) sent this link of an interesting convoy parade in England from 08/16/2014. Remembrance of WWI is highly regarded there. https://www.youtube.com/embed/huQhqXiB8O0 Here is the explanation: Amazing GDSF WW1 Steam Convoy - 'Gigantic' bounces around the roundabout! Mark Thomas Published on Aug 16, 2014 The Great Dorset Steam Fair WW1 commemorative convoy from Bovington Camp to Tarrant Hinton, on 16th August 2014, arrives at the roundabout in front of the Bryanston School Gates - just before Blandford Bridge. A vintage (Ford?) staff car forms the escort at the front. McLaren road locomotive 1332, Gigantic, then appears hauling the 72 ton Pickfords trailer bearing the 1914 WWI Holt 75 HP gun tractor, 'Ben'. The strain of turning the Pickfords trailer through ninety degrees gives Gigantic cause to slow down and then bounce forward with accompanying chuffs as the driver expertly brings the trailer around. McLaren road locomotive 1652, Boadicea, pushes from the rear making up the 80 foot train. Burrell road locomotive 3257, Clinker, follows bringing troops. Roger, son of the late Fred Dibnah, is (I believe) at the controls of the 1917 Foden steam lorry that follows. Roger is co-owner of the Holt tractor. Show co-founder, Ronald Harris is with his 1915 Daimler lorry which was army owned in the war. The rear is brought up by the 1918 GMC water bowser owned by Rowley Moors of Bridport. After a stop for sandwiches at the Crown Hotel you will see the lead driver check that all are ready, a blast of the whistles to signal the start and then the convoy setting off for the final leg of the journey. Please comment with any further information / corrections and don't forget to tick on 'Like' if you enjoyed this video. I was lucky with the shots/light and think that I caught the vehicles at their active best - especially the early sequence showing Gigantic being turned around the roundabout. All credit to those who have restored these vehicles and who handled them so well. It was a truly spectacular and memorable event.

This is how added some weight to the front end of my unit. C-85

Just like last year. We had 4 or 5 guys snapping them lifting blowers

Hey,ya gotta remember......these tractors are 30 to 40 years old.Wheel Horse built these bell cranks to last waaaaay over their guarantee.

Keyways are the thinnest part of the crank. I can see why it would go first. My guess is that there was a small defect in that area, and the stress did the rest. I don't think the cold had anything to do with it. "Good" steel can withstand stress far below -20 F. But the thinness of the steel at the bottom of the keyway is questionable.

I not only mentioned the bell crank but gave you the part number

Do NOT weld the donut to the shaft!. While it was ok on the older models, the newer ones have a magnet pinned on the shift rod that interfaces with a microswitch under the transaxle tunnel. (so you can only start the machine in neutral). On the older machines, you can slide a new shift boot over the shift rod from the top down. On the newer ones, you either have to remove the magnet (and risk breaking it since it is held on with two really small roll pins) or force the boot over it and risk tearing up the boot. I put mine on by removing the donut and sliding the boot up the shaft, reinstalling the donut, and then reinstalling the shifter into the transaxle. A word about roll pins...the are two types, a Spirol pin which is rolled up into a spiral and is the stronger of the two types and a split roll pin, the more common type. In either case, there should not be any load on the pin that would cause it to shear. I think the real problem you had was that the set screw backed out and cause the problem (happened to me the first time in a snow storm). Get a new dog point set screw and a jam nut. Put some blue loctite on both of them and reassemble. Do not screw the set screw in so tight that the shifter will not move (or only moves with difficulty). If this happens, back off the set screw by 1/4 turn and tighten the jam nut. Of course, if you do weld the donut on, you can always bypass the starting safety switch. Not recommeded, but many folks do this. That is also why you see many machines with dented hoods

She looks happy now Ed. Nice work on the seat. The Mrs. Did a great job.

The 301 crank has the bottom of the weights milled off and is too light in weight for the 341. The same with the 321.

There is not that much difference between a 4 pinion and and 8 pinion. If you were building a Pulling Tractor you need an 8 pinion, but most things done around the house you won't see a difference. People brag about the old sears tractors and they don't have near as much transmission as a 1" axle 4 pinion 312-8 Wheel Horse.

Yes, the shaft fits correctly in the donut. The set screw end is fine, the pin broke leaving some of it stuck in the shifter, and two additional pieces in both sides of the donut. I would say it's abut .125" dia. The piece in the shifter had to be driven out. I'm breaking out the welder. Nice to know some of them came welded and that's an option.

Tins, starter, bearing plate, fuel pump, dipstick, oil pan, gov gear, gov linkage, etc..... should all fit. Crank, piston, rod, head, valves, carb, air filter tin, etc should be specific to the K341.

Started some bok choi today some arugula and chamomile.

Thanks guys --going to do a diesel flush as soon as it warms up. Too cold for me. Everything is frozen solid, and this tractor needs time to thaw and dry. It's rather cold and damp to work on at the moment. Until then, I'll work on cleaning up other things, doing research, and cleaning up that beautiful seat-cover.

My grandfather was a farmer so I learned to drive mules and tractors, the Dillon boys have a "Pop-Pop" that has a NASCAR team, they will never know the fun I had with my grandpa!

933168 roll pin for the shifter donut 5/32" x 13/16" Replaced by Toro 32121-114 spirol pin Garry

I'll bet that was a real pain in the.. uh.. uh.. pocketbook. Couldn't resist Mike, but you knew someone would go for the carrot. And for GOSH sakes Lars we're in no way makin fun of your past situation. I remember that was around time of Chevy collapse also!

I saw a guy sit on a still spinning 7 inch body grinder once!

HEHE Craig.. i can tell you it was really painful.. not the cut but rest of the leg because i hit the muscle so it was a bit torn.. But as Neil said 2 years ago since it happend... it all fine now just a scar that reminds me of it!!

GOTCHA It's that time again .... out with SAINT VALENTINE In with SAINT PATRICK

Flushing the tranny with kerosene before refilling with 90w gear oil. So I took her for a romp in the snow to wash the bearings and gears.

Imagine he's even healed yet?

This post is 2 years old

Sorry for the stiches, and glad you're on the mends. Thanks for sharing your experience. I am also guilty of running a suburban without guards in place.

Lars, hope you get well soon and I am glad it wasn't worse than what it is. I also want to thank you for sharing your experience because since my accident a couple of days ago my mind is now racing through all kinds of possible injuries and their causes. I am also guilty of using a RJ without belt guards. It happens to be my grandson's favorite tractor and I can't keep him away from it. I have always been self-conscious when he is next to it while it is running, worried about his little hands. Guard needs to be a custom one (longer than stock) so I never got around to make one. I can tell you now, that thanks to you that tractor will never run again until such a guard is in place. However sadly, at least there is some good that comes from our misfortunes, in the form of real lessons learned from them. Get well soon.

Hi RC, I think on the blowers another cause this year besides the more frequent use of our machines during a particularly bad winter is the snow that accumulates on them. After I sheared my cotter pin on my lift tube while blowing snow on my neighbors driveway a few storms ago, I wanted to see just how much weight that snow on top of the blower housing added. The snow itself was pretty powdery but not after it cakes on the housing. I would venture to say I had an extra 25 lbs if not more of heavy melting snow on it. Is it a pain to get off the tractor and push the snow off multiple times? Yes, but after we lifted it dry verses lifting it with the snow on, it would definitely add a lot more stress to the whole lift mechanism. Add in the cold and something is bound to break besides our nerves!

DOHH, glad your ok though!

I'm old enough to remember working before cell phones were in everyones pocket or glued to their ears....seemed to get more done in a day without it (and the wife couldn't bother me!!). Hope ya heal up fast! Mike........

I will unfortunately not be able to attend this year. I say unfortunately only because it's such a great time with great people, but I'll be attending my son's wedding at the Outer Banks on the 25th, which should also be a great time with great people. Have fun, I'll be thinking of you all!

857 and blade from saturday. Do the drive and the street between property lines. Don't mind the ghetto neighbors. Bunch of rentals

I remember the early 80's, eatin pizza with Bud Moore on the pits during practice at Pocono and shootin the breeze with Junior Johnson out side of Martinsville Speedway. By the way, those Buick V-6's were murder to your ears when Martinsville had the roof on the front straight

im a fan since I was very young,i agree about not being the same,but I still watch in winter,and Saturday night,my all time fav was the silver fox david pearson

Hi all, Had a play with the 312-8 today and also got a few jobs on the 'to-do list' completed Parts of the yard are quite muddy but it didn't really struggle much, the ags worked well! Tom

Made plans to be at this show all three days Looking forward to it!!