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You need one of these with a manual trans!

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/01/f9d14272e7dc1f9023e865ae224062c7.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/01/c1d5d93c53a388d1cfa0806b2ebd217b.jpg] Front tires are shot and missing the guard on the left side

I just scored this nice find today. Looks like it will go directly onto the belly of the 520-H. It's in great shape, and all the parts are there. A little paint and it will be good as new. I've been looking for a 50" mid grader blade but haven't had any luck in my geographical area until now. I can't stop collecting (and using) cool attachments for my herd. I think I officially have a problem... haha

Years ago I asked a friend at work how big his lawn was. He thought for a moment then said "Oh its about a three beer yard." Nuff` said!

Finally a topic I know something about. While I do not ride around with a beverage, unless it is a trip around the block, I always have something before I start and it sits in the garage waiting for me when I return. Understand, it only takes about 10 minutes to mow my yard, and I do not want to run over any flamingos...while mowing the obstacle course. But having that cocktail waiting for me at the end, is like having a cigarette after sex.

http://www.neatorama.com/2013/06/21/Horse-Rescued-from-Tire/ Didn't see that coming, did you?

John, its always sad when one of the pet members of the family have to leave us for whatever reason. We all consider them to be a big part of the family and it looks like you had the same opinion with your buddy. We have a 17 year old Lab cross that is nearing end of life and its sad seeing the decline happening in him especially the last 6 months or so. He has bad kidneys and is also loosing muscle mass in his hips and rear. He still tries to keep up with the two others, a Beagle/Harrier and a Rat Terrier, but i can see his frustration every day. He is now on a special diet ($$$$) and it seems to be slowing the decline, but its still a decline, none the less. He is still a happy dog, but as soon as that seems to change, it will be a decision based on his comfort and quality of life and not our feelings. Hang in there, you made the right decision, its always better to not have them suffer any discomfort or pain, even though we would love to keep them around forever.

So sorry to hear that. As difficult as it was, know that you made the right decision. The quality of life in any time you could have bought him wouldn't have been good.

Looks like the little one has already staked a claim on the Work Horse! You wife wouldn't want to upset the little one by getting rid of it, would she?

im working on it i'm heading out to give it a good cleaning and will post more pics when done

I will be there Saturday for sure, I'm not sure on Friday at this point yet but I'm planning on it. Here is a picture of the exhibiter plaque for this year

Not sure I'd be able to drive correctly with her sitting on me. That motor in the video was very soothing. Thanks for the clip.

So... The maiden voyage. Well, the first attempt at a maiden voyage didn't go so well! As I was backing the boat down the ramp when I had it in deep enough I went to hit the brakes that was a no go! I'm pushing the brake pedal down and I'm thinking why am I having to push the pedal down further than normal? Yeah, no brakes! (Blew a front brake line, kinda surprising because underneath my van its spotless.) The ramp is kinda steep and you'd be surprised how fast you pick up speed. Luckily I got past that WTF moment pretty quick and dropped it in drive pretty quick. Of course the ramp is slippery as all hell so there was a little spinnage but I didn't float the van. So, I pull out a cigar, light up, re-secure the boat and say to myself, now what? Screw it, I'm only ten minutes from home I'm outta here. hey, ain't that why they put e- brakes in cars? I get home and decide to hook up to my Grand Cherokee. I haven't driven it for a few months and when I put it in gear, no go! Front caliper is locked solid! I just replaced that caliper last summer. I pulled it apart and the pistons on that caliper wouldn't budge. Ist attempt at a maiden voyage TOTALLY UNSUCCESSFUL. I figured I'd tell the whole world before some other clown does... So.. Second attempt the next day was almost as crappy as the first one. The motor fired right up, which is usually a good sign. I'm pulling out and as soon as I hit the throttle its banging out of gear. More than likely a bad clutch dog in the lower unit. I turn around and head to shore. I think to myself, let me call my son and if he's home little does he know it but he's gonna earn some keep. he's home and he is going to run another motor down to the ramp for me. Thatta boy. I put the Evinrude on and after one pull of the recoil I'm holding the rope in my hand! So, off comes all the covers and I wrap the rope around the flywheel and after the 50th pull it decides to start. It usually starts in the first or second pull. It ran like crap and started hard every time I shut it off. I met Stevebo on his yacht and we hung out for awhile, thank God he had some ice water! Yesterday it rained, So I rebuilt the recoil and took the carb apart for a cleaning. I guess the old sayin is true, third time is the charm. Today I went out and the Ole Evinrude started on the first pull and purred like a kitten all day and I was able to get a pretty good feel for the boat. Its a lot more fun than it was the second day when the motor was running like a turd...Next I will try my Mercury and I think that one is gonna go pretty good.

It's our last night here and there's a full moon.......pic time! Mike....

Thanks to all for the kind words. I spent the afternoon looking through the numerous photos that I took of him over the past three years. I got him as a rescue and he was blind in his left eye. This photo popped out at me. Mal's get a pink nose in the Winter which was his favorite time of the year. I'll miss the change this year.

Moving the parking brake knob to the side was another Toro change. The old original wheelhorse way of a simple piece of square keystock up through the tunnel cover works great and there is no silly small roll pin to deal with. I have switched mine all back to this way. Cleat

I took a close look at the Diesel engine option. I would love to swap out for that (but then restore the engine slowly over time as a hobby. But I didn't want to cut into the hood and make other, permanent, modifications. There is also a very good chance I need to use the tractor during the winter. And it gets into the -20's here at times. I read that it becomes a bit tough to start in the cold. I just dropped off the short block at a local machine shop. The place is amazing, like a toyground for gear heads! Scruffy dude in an old shop with mills and other super heavy duty machining equipment. It's a a place where engine blocks, things like a random bucket filled with Pistons that have had the skirts broken off, cylinder heads, and all kinds of random engine related parts off all sizes are just everywhere. There was a massive 2 cylinder crankshaft standing on it's side. About 3 feet tall and what must have been a three to four inch thick shaft (heh). He'll get the needed parts and get it all sorted out. He said the last engine he did of this kind ran about $400 in labor and like $200 in parts. He asked if I wanted to bring my own parts or have him order original or generic. Since I did not want to reuse my $80 eBay rebuild kit parts, I asked him to take care of getting them. He recommended generic due to the price difference, and no difference in quality. Seemed like a good dude, seems like it is in good hands. I will need to drop off the cylinder head, he said it looks like it is warped by the black "tinted" metal on the block (top of the cylinder part) and a $300 deposit for the parts he is ordering. I'm excited! Will keep you posted.

The 42" decks also have had cracking around the spindle mounts that cause the pulleys to not be line up.

Steve, they are talking beer, not Rock 'N Rye! LOL

that's the reason why you've got a hydro right? A skilled man can drink and shift... LOL

Many of these models are hard to nail down totally without a ID tag. Sometimes a tag doesn't even matter, because so many parts are interchangeable that machines have just been cobbled together to get something that runs and works. Without complete records from an original owner, you can never know for certain. From your pictures....most likely originally a 65-67 Tecumseh powered machine, meaning 605 / 655 / 606 / 656 / 607 / 657. Clues... the squared off gas tank which would have originally been mounted to the engine the 6-12 rear tires and skinny front tires (Kohler 8HP machines all came standard with 23x8.50-12 rears and wider front tires) Rear fender pan is skinny size (wider pan started in 1968) More likely to be 65-66 than 67 due to the belt guard indent, but in my opinion not definite. I seem to recall discussion way in the past about early runs of 1967 using up the supplies of already stamped belt guards before they changed the tooling to eliminate the indent. I can't locate a picture at the moment to back it up, but regardless, like anything Wheel Horse, there were subtle small changes constantly through production. Take that for what you will.... YMMV (your mileage may vary)

I just picked up a rear discharge deck that was on a tractor I bought for 250 bucks and it is in real good shape. As you stated, it needs painted and the deck spindles gone over. (And some real good blade sharpening too). There should be no need for you to drop that kind of money on a used deck and never, IMHO, on a new old stock deck. The Wheelhorse decks were some of the heaviest built mowing decks on the market. Way over-engineered! This is why you see so many decks still being used on 20, 30 and even 40 year old tractors. Welding shops charge very little for hole repairs on decks that were not cared for. (Rode hard and put away wet). Spindles and the spindle bearings are easy to find and so are the roller and deck wheels. Even if you spend 250 buck for a used deck that better darn well be hole-less and quiet for that price, pressure spray it, dry it off very well and coat the bottom of it with a good sealer. If you clean it out just decent between mowings and grease the spindles and wheel regularly then super clean it and store it inside over our winters like I'm sure your tractor is, it should last your lifetime. If you don't care for it, it will still last many years but repairs will be required in all the usual suspect places in time. My opinion and never given unsolicited!

To celebrate the D-200s return to working order I thought I'd show it at Netley Marsh this year, first time I've taken a tractor, usually it's military jeeps. There'd been no real rain for pretty much two months in this area, just the very occasional light shower or drizzle so the ground was rock hard and the grass not exactly lush. All that would change though and it rained pretty much all day Friday with no vehicle movements on the show ground and no arena events so the D stayed in it's trailer. Friday is generally a pretty quiet day at the show anyway so I could see the logic of preserving the site. Saturday the weather was good so off to the tractor display area first thing where tractors of all sizes were gathering including the little ones. Met Charlie who'd brought along his Cub Cadet, his Grandad with a Wheelhorse, and Charlie's friend with another WH. I think in all I counted six WHs, a few years back I think there was only one, possibly two. Charlie's response to the D - I didn't realise they were that big! We'd just started talking when it was time for the off round the arena led for some reason by the big JDs. Too early in the day for there to be many punters round the arena to appreciate the big turnout of agricultural machines of all shapes and sizes - but here's a selection.... That's a friend of mine, Ashley, with his combine. Heavy rain again Saturday night and showers on Sunday. Where the ground was so hard from previous lack of rain it wasn't draining. So no arena events on the Sunday in fact it was a wash out really and most exhibitors were leaving from midday onward. Always a shame when the weather does this as the show is put on to raise money for charity but although it was crowded on the Saturday I'm pretty sure it will make a loss this year. Andy

Sometimes there is nothing more soothing than the putter of a Wheel Horse. Some people just don't understand.... IMG_5387.MOV

Here is a Video that my buddy took of me plowing today! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwE592s-tDw I guess I don't know how to insert the video like bmsgaffer did. Hopefully you will be able to click the link and watch it.

I would still get an estimate from a machine shop. (Honestly, they are not that expensive around my parts anyway).

I just finished wire wheeling, cleaning, and POR15ing my 42" SD. I am in the process of putting it back together now. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.

So... Chris was able to finish up on all his work late last night. I ended up driving it home about 50 min ride and left my newer truck there. It has been a fun 24 hours for sure. First thing this morning I got some help from my boy and my neighbor came over and we installed the bed, bed wood and a few other little things. Made a few trips with it to the store and it is really fun to drive. It has been a long time coming that is for sure...

I could not agree more. finally told my wife she was being cruel by letting my dog suffer, and she finally agreed. We cried like babies, but it was the right decision. They do become just like one of our kids.

X-2 We're here for 'ya man .

Well, horses don't get coffee, so they need a little extra shot of fuel to get going.

That is a nice looking horse...looks like it was well kept. It does look like somebody else likes it also.

You may be right. I am thinking that if I took the time to spray a touch of starting fluid down the carb, she would pop with out the choke.

That is one awesome looking plaque! Wish I was close enough to go to get one.

I have 2 ten horse Kohlers, and I do that with both of them. You are able to turn off the choke after starting, right? Mine crank a little slow at first and then get up to speed...I don't know why, but I would say it is common with the 10 hp Kohlers.

Nothing wrong with them that way Craig but they are backwards. The longer hub goes to the inside putting the stem and zerk on the outside. I was at odds with myself as to which way to put them on my 400 and finally multiple vintage pictures in the Horses Mouth book made it clear.

Either all the safety switches are bad or someone ran a new wire form the start terminal on the switch to the solenoid switch. Got any extra wires hiding in there?

I am thinking of modifying my GT 14 to use a foot pedal for Hrdyo control in tandem with the shift control. Were any right side foot pedals of similar looks to the GT 14 pedal on any other tractors made that don't have BRAKE in raised letters on them? The GT14 pedal below. Left side. The true Brake. I am leery of having someone not aware in future hit that peddle thinking its a brake when it is in actuality the accelerator.

that's the reason why you've got a hydro right?

OH! Man... I thought we were gonna see a drunk horse in a tree.

Nothing that I can see, the 161 had lights. Did a bit more today.

I do like the look of the tractor with the different rear fender pan. Very nice looking tractor.

If the threads are good, just a little pipe joint compound will do. I use the yellow stuff in a tube that is safe for gas and oil. I don't want to use anything that is going to make that plug harder to get out next time I try.

I'll be there all weekend...too far to drive for just one day. It looks like we are going to do the golf thingy on Thursday (the day before the show) this year...because of some commitments on the Monday. Let me know if you want to golf with us. As Tom said in the next thread...Golf on Thursday...not Wednesday. Thanks Tom.

Might be a possibilty??? I know the chrome horse is up to it...

Rebuilding an engine can be cost effective if you don't have to pay for a lot for machining and part replacement.I just did a 12 horse Kohler for the cost of after market rings, (no cylinder wear, good crank and rod),gaskets and new bearings.Total cost was less than $100.00.Fifty hours on rebuild so far and it runs well.Bought a real low hour 16 horse Kohler for $350.00 locally.If you don't have to have a running machine right now,and shop around you can save a lot of money.In some ways I would rather buy a used tractor that runs well rather than spend $500.00 or more on a rebuild.JMHO,Luck,JAinVA

I have rebuilt a few kohler singles and a few horizontal Hondas too,i bought all the specialty tools but I found that my local rental shop rented all of these tools other than the torque wrench which any home mechanic can use sometime or another,this is not a home depot but a professional style rental shop,up here the shops want your first born and you need a second mortgage too afford a rebuilt kohler,I had one quote of 1800,00 for a 12 hp with kohler parts,so I do it myself other than the machining

Don't worry about tags, they aren't widely used yet and are not required. Yes, please do keep us updated in this thread! Also, check with the shops what it would cost if you brought them all the parts for the rebuild. (Then buy the stens parts from ebay). The shop I used could only get Kohler parts (and the price was looking just like what you posted), but then when I brought them the parts it dropped down to like $300 something. (plus $130 or so of parts) Just a bunch of fellas that didnt know how to (or care to) use ebay and didnt have another source for stens.

As gaffer say, best solution (if possible!) is to have the work done. When you find a place confirm with them just how you will receive the engine back, ideally it will be in "short block" configuration - crankshaft back in & piston/rod & and valves installed. This will leave the owner to install the head, flywheel, manifolds & carb and exhaust etc etc. I havent found anyone local to do small engine boring and crank grinding - luckily, in the half dozen Ive done so far none needed it. Doing re-assembly your self you would need at minimum - ring compressor, cylinder hone, torque wrench, feeler guages & valve spring compressor. Cost on these items would vary depending on where bought - guessing? probably in the 250-350$ range? You also need a pretty good comfort level in doing this kind of this job.

I love my 856, for a verity of reasons, Big enough to do the jobs I need done. Small enough to get through yard gates. Simple enough to repair, most of the time The parts I need can be found at the local Hardware store. Time tested technology from the 60’s that Was good enough to put a man on the moon. And face it, grass and snow hasn’t changed, That much in the last forty years.