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So I just picked up a project 606 with a plow that is rough around the edges and does not run well at this point. The original has tank was replaced some time ago with a plastic tank that was mounted off center and does not allow the hood to close properly. The hood has a piece cut out of the left front and the hood latch assembly is missing. It also does not have a choke cable. The engine is not original either. What it does have going for it is out is still a wheelhorse and the wheels, tires, tire chains and plow seem in good shape and it rolls well. I was also told the transmission is good. I paid 150.00 for it. Now I see a 1257 mostly original that runs and has cut grass all summer long but has an oil leak available for 200.00. And I know I will not get permission or forgiveness if I pick it up without getting rid of the 606. Oh bother...

Sometimes, you cheese heads can be absolutely amazing. As a couple of wise dudes once said..."Be excellent to each other...and...party on dudes."

9-7-1813 United States nicknamed Uncle Sam On this day in 1813, the United States gets its nickname, Uncle Sam. The name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812.Wilson (1766-1854) stamped the barrels with “U.S.” for United States, but soldiers began referring to the grub as “Uncle Sam’s.” The local newspaper picked up on the story and Uncle Sam eventually gained widespread acceptance as the nickname for the U.S. federal government. In the late 1860s and 1870s, political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902) began popularizing the image of Uncle Sam. Nast continued to evolve the image, eventually giving Sam the white beard and stars-and-stripes suit that are associated with the character today. The German-born Nast was also credited with creating the modern image of Santa Claus as well as coming up with the donkey as a symbol for the Democratic Party and the elephant as a symbol for the Republicans. Nast also famously lampooned the corruption of New York City’s Tammany Hall in his editorial cartoons and was, in part, responsible for the downfall of Tammany leader William Tweed. Perhaps the most famous image of Uncle Sam was created by artist James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960). In Flagg’s version, Uncle Sam wears a tall top hat and blue jacket and is pointing straight ahead at the viewer. During World War I, this portrait of Sam with the words “I Want You For The U.S. Army” was used as a recruiting poster. The image, which became immensely popular, was first used on the cover of Leslie’s Weekly in July 1916 with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” The poster was widely distributed and has subsequently been re-used numerous times with different captions. In September 1961, the U.S. Congress recognized Samuel Wilson as “the progenitor of America’s national symbol of Uncle Sam.” Wilson died at age 88 in 1854, and was buried next to his wife Betsey Mann in the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York, the town that calls itself “The Home of Uncle Sam.”

What's on the agenda for today ? Going out for some maybe some then more . Don't forget the . You know you're getting older so send an if you start feeling someone will rescue you . Drink some water and a Ensure before you go to , so when you wake up your not and feel like you got your ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE !!!

So yesterday I picked up a very clean 315-8 with an excellent 42" RD deck, couldn't pass it by @ $950 ! 414 hrs. Everything in tact, fully operational, no issues, clearly garage kept and even the seat has no tears. Burns no oil, has no apparent leaks, starts on a half a turn , runs exceptionally smooth. Tight steering, no play or shake in the wheel. 42" deck in excellent shape, 3 blades, no rust. I also own a 1987 / 310-8 ( bought it new) which is still in full service, been mechanically restored once a few years ago.We use this as an "also" mower and for our yard 'lugging" machine. Here's a couple of questions, mostly in comparison to the 310-8. 1)When did they start making this model ? 2) the clutch assy on the 315 comes up slowly , almost hydraulic like so the tractor does not jump forward. Is this common and normal ? Is this a safety thing ? 3)The headlights work but only in the ignition switch setting of lights...whats up with that ? 4) is the power take off electric ( is that what it is ) clutch assy an improvement over the previous handle > tighten belt assy like the 310 ? OR is this a safety thing ? The machine is excellent and although we just gassed it and cut grass yesterday, I will rear it down, change all fluids including the trans-axle, grease it up, check ,clean and grease the deck pulleys etc... So far my initial reaction is this is a standard 300 series with some safety add-ons and perceived improvements. I initially bought it for the deck but after using it I think this is a keeper ! As is the 310. Any and all comments/replys appreciated with pro's/cons to this machine. thx ahead of time

Well after a week it is starting take shape. My wish is at least to start it this year. That would make me happy. I hope you enjoy the pick`s.

Let's assume that everything is in very good condition with minimal rust. Chances are it has plastic covered concrete wheel weights, value $65.00, chains $35.00, single stage snow thrower, $150.00, and 60" deck $500.00. That totals $750.00 leaving $250.00 for a low hours, fairly rare 520-8 speed. I'd say that's not a bad deal. If you check eBay you will see a 60" deck that recently sold for $750.00. Just my 2 cent worth.

Better late than never. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I decided on your birthday present after pondering over what the perfect gift would be that also went extremely well with any type of alcohol..... TWO HOOKERS IN A MOTOR HOME OF COURSE!!!! They left about 20 minutes ago from Iowa City and should arrive at your front door in Elgin in about 4 hours....... I will PM you with their cell phone number. YOU'RE WELCOME! HERE ARE SOME PICS.

This is why I won't look at Craigs for at least a month after I buy some thing. Seems a better deal always comes up right after I've made a purchase. I think I would still try to get the 1257 though.

It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Tell her the deal has to go down now and you'll sell the 606. Good luck!

Good Heavens .... Steve is 67!!! I think Marcy's laughing...can anyone spot "The Mug"???

A close friend of mine just calls me. He is on his motorcycle riding home, about 2 miles from where I live. There's a wheel horse for sale in the driveway. He gets me the number and talk to the owner for a bit.I just got off the phone with the owner, he isn't sure of the year, BUT, he bought it brand new. He says the first year for wheel horse toro. He says the motor starts with a O. I say Onan, he goes that's it. My friend Pete tells me he spots 520 on it. . The old timer says it has much less than 500 hours on it. He also says the big 60 inch deck, wheel weights, chains and a single stage snowthrower to. Here's the clincher, I ask how the transmission is, the hydro, any Problems? He says it's not a hydro, it's a hi / lo shift. Bottom line he is asking a thousand bucks. Tomorrow I will go look, take pictures and report back. My friend Pete says it's a little paint off here and there but not bad. Ok, we don't know how she looks, we don't know exact year or hours. But considering so far what I said. Do we agree that a thousand dollars is a fair asking Price? I think it might be, and I can't believe it's the rare 520-8, shift model......... Give me your thoughts, thanks men. I am all excited,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,oh, another thing, don't tell my mrs. Shhhhhhhh,,,,mums the word. Glenn

Go get the other one. And then get some flowers. Glenn

I have been servicing and cleaning the 520 I got this past Saturday and hit a wall tonight. The PO has stripped out the 1/4 hex hole and it gave me fits. My xtractor kept bottoming out so I kept grinding some off of the bottom till I got it to bite. Took a 12'' cresent to break it loose. I put an external square drive back in it. Wow! What a chore.

maybe wash that wine down with some Metamucil & a Geritol spritzer...

A HUGH Thank You Everyone...It is a great day because of all of you. You all humble me and I really appreciate all the friendships with you guys...and ...gals. I am sampling some of the Home Made wines today...pulled out a Concord from 1979.

Buy it and tell her it's always been in the garage. Play confused and ask her if she's feeling ok. Lol

Besides, the 1257 is 1 year newer and twice the HP...in case it turns into an argument!!!

Don't tell....Don't ask.

So Cindy being who she is made these cool photo albums up for the Pioneer show as well as the Big show... nice coffee table pieces!

Just your basic 300 series with a few updates. Looks like a keeper. Have a friend who loves his, Kawasaki engine runs well and hasn't had any issues with it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER!!!!! DON'T PARTY TOO HARD! I SAVED YOU A ROAD APPLE!!!

Happy Birthday Steve

Sounds like a 520-8. It would have to be in good working condition for me to consider spending $1000 but i'm kinda a cheap skate. But it is worth looking at you never know what price you may get him down sum if you decide you can't live with out it. Good luck!

Let me throw a wrench in this. Tell her to get her shoes off and get back in the kitchen. Is she going to help you clear the snow?? Is she going to help you mow the lawn?? If the answer is "YES"...you need to have 2 horses....if the answer is NO, you need to have 2 horses. Easy as that.

Glenn is right, a bunch of flowers can go a long way. May not totally absolve you of all guilt, but may keep you out of the dog house.

No more $500 boots and purses then, if I can't have 2 tractors that total less than $400.... And be forceful........ She won't be able to say yes fast enough.....

Let me know where the '67 is and I will buy it for you and keep it at my place, you talk her into it it's yours for the 200, that would make a good pair with my 1067...

Interesting concept! Imagine if the GPS receiver quits working and that thing goes Rogue!

Looks like the daughter will be able to go, although she has a doctor's appointment in the morning. We probably will not get down there till noonish. Just got through looking at Google, and the trip won't be as bad as I thought. Forgot all about I-69 going through the area. Worst part of the trip will be through the hills and hollers around Nashville to Bloomington. Will definitely take my POS camera, and post some comparison photos. Ones taken around 20 years ago of me with my daughter and her riding on the barrel train, and my grandcritter getting to do the same thing now. Difference is that the daughter was never much interested in tractors and machines, although she liked to go for the food and flea market stuff. Grand daughter is enamored with them, so she should be a lot of fun. I expect there will be a non-stop stream of questions and chatter from her the entire afternoon.

If you like "ancient", it would be right up your alley. There are 4 lathes, three mills, a surface grinder, 2 shapers, three drill presses, a die filer, two upright, and one horizontal saws, two hydraulic presses, one Bliss punch press, couple wire feed welders, a TIG, and a very ancient Hobart "bomb" welder from 1937 (still use it on occasion). Other stuff too, such as sanders, scales, etc. Even have an aluminum casting room for green sand molding, although I didn't set it back up after I moved the Shop in 1998. All the stuff is there though. The machines are all American made, and date from around 1895 (one of the shapers) to 1978 when we got our last new lathe, a Rockwell. The "H" frame press in the center of the photo I picked up in the mid 1990s. Almost everything is under power, and in operation, although I rarely use some things. The Bliss punch press hasn't been turned on since 1998, and the Westinghouse wire feed welder, one of the first made, hasn't been ran since the early 90s. When I closed the doors in '98, didn't have the heart to scrap it. So I built a building and moved everything in. Wired most stuff up, installed a phase converter, hung lights, then locked the doors and moved. Didn't go back for about 9 years. Fortunately, my neighbors watched the place, and nobody messed with it. Began going out occasionally on the weekends a few years ago, and started to clean up and oil. Was out last weekend and mowed waist high weeds with the 312-8. Since the temperatures have moderated somewhat, will start going back regularly to get the property cleared of brush, wood cut, and get some of the things fixed that need attending to. Been rebuilding fluorescent lamps (many are from the 50s, and you just can't get that quality anymore, so I install new ballasts, strip, and paint them up), stringing more conduit, and try to get the molding room back in operation.

All shined up and no place to go.Next to start on the patching of the deck. I have 1 more thing to do to the first and that is set the toe-in. It is out and you can tell it.

Seriously???

Aldon, you are right it is a mythical giant lizard with horns and claws. Don't ask, I dont know the story.

@stevasaurus ,You better make it two Tylenol , water , Gator Aid , and a Ensure !

Stevasauresses have Birthdays? Great- hope you a good one- keep the Faith!- Go ILLINI!- Al

Happy Birthday Steve!

THX ! I am thinking by the S/N, 240000-440 and other web info that it is a 2004 built machine. I suspected the damper on the clutch, no biggie either way, on or off. The lights switch was a tad puzzling though, a simple ON/OFF switch would have been sufficient. But I did learn that once the machine is started it stays running in the LIGHTS ON position on the ignition switch . I guess the thought was this is how they insured the lights went OFF when we were done with the machine at night as I doubt many folks turned them on during the day as " running lights" but it is possible ! When I lived in New England, upstate Ct, I plowed snow at night with the 310-8 often but I don't recall ever leaving them on without recognizing it. I'm pretty pleased with the 315 compared to the 310-8 I have , but the cup holder makes it all worthwhile ! Searching belts now, always good to have 2 or 3 spares of each, especially the PTO belt to the deck. Who can say if they will be available in 10 years ! Oh yeah, this one has the Kohler Command Pro 15 , not the KOW.

Happy Birthday Steve and have a great day!

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Hope you have a great day.

@stevasaurus

you have found the best place on the net for anything Wheel Horse related, but I must agree with everyone else here, be wary of CL ads as they can be misleading at times, if you have an idea of what you want keep an eye on the classifieds here and you are sure to find it, great group of guys here at RedSquare, bought my wife's tractor from a fellow member here and was very happy. Good luck with your future purchase and remember as always

Made me think of Ralphie when he opened that Red Ryder B-B gun in the Christmas Story. WTG Bob.

UPDATE - Today I picked up some new hoses and a couple of o-rings. Denny Clarke gave me a bag of large o-rings in case I needed to rebuild any of the cylinders (thanks Denny), but I needed four one inch o-rings which act as oil seals around the 1" shafts. I knew that one of the cylinders was bad, but I didn't know which one, so I rebuilt all of them. Not hard, just time consuming. So six hours and 16 o-rings later, all the cylinders are rebuilt and back on. So, the moment of truth...does it work? Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

Wheel-n-it just admiring your man cave . I see you like chainsaws too Sthil , Dolmar , Poulan , and is that a old McCollough up on the shelf . Looks like a good place to hangout , hide , or getaway !