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Showing content with the highest reputation on 09/09/2016 in all areas
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7 pointsI briefly met Adam a couple weeks ago to purchase a few parts from him(deck, snow blower, etc). We discussed many things, mainly wheel horses/tractors of the green variety. I do not believe Adam is slamming the wheel horse way. It is more of an inquiry as to why some parts were designed the way they were. He is looking to restore an already nice C-160 and had several questions. Some of which were asked here. He is new to the wheel horse scene, as he stated, but certainly not to tractors. He was in the middle of restoring a cub when I met him. As far as I can tell his restorations are to better than showroom condition. I've been around wheel horses since I was about 8 years old, nearly 30 years, and must say there are times I have questions as to why a part was designed the way it is. Not because I think it is junk, but could it be made better, if so why didn't it get manufactured that way. For instance I've wondered for the last 20 years or so why the foot rests on my 312 are made of thin enough steel that the brake pedal bends the foot rest down on the corner. It is not like the spring is that strong. Machine was bought new, never abused. As Adam asked, was it a price point concern? Something that got overlooked? How about the floppy hoods on some models? I love the machines. I will always have one for their simplicity, attachments, and durability. Those are just some of the questions I asked occasionally. The reason I'm on the forum is because I had a question years ago and all the gurus here were quick to answer. The innovative minds here have an answer or a solution for everything.
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7 pointsYes, same here. And congratulations to all of you who took the time to give this young man an encouraging word
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6 pointsI haven't bought it, as I'm been looking at buying a 701 from wh500special (Steve). I would rather have the Kohler engine than a Tecumseh, but it's tempting at $100. Owner bought it to restore, but lost interest, or time, or whatever. Doesn't run, but looks like it's all there and original. Nice patina also.
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6 pointsHi all, Well, now that the ragged C-125 my friend Homer gave me is complete and ready to mow my lawn this weekend, I went to hopefully bargain for the two remaining in his yard. The older of the two was his regular mower and cultivator back on the farm in Missouri. The disk is still attached and the mower leans on a tree nearby, though he says a bar underneath it needs welding. It was originally a 6HP Tec he repowered to an 8HP Briggs - says with a little TLC it will start and run just fine. I love the old Briggs carburation - reminds me of Dad's Simplicity growing up. I can't tell what this is so maybe you can help - there is no identification and the lone label on it below the steering is unreadable. The C-120 appears to have a good side discharge mower deck but no one can move in these weeds for long before having to pull the biting ants off exposed areas. She has service labels on her from his favorite Joplin MO dealer that did not survive the tornado. I am hoping to obtain the newer machine but would like them both. Like a good Southerner, Homer wants to keep them rotting in his yard - sigh. Says he might start another garden and has the energy at 92 to do it! There is also a large Bolens on a trailer with attached tiller and with its deck leaning on tree #2. Food for a Friday for y'all. If you can identify for me where else to look on the old timer, happy to do so. Homer can always use another visit and may just let me move these out for inspection.
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6 pointsHello all: Latest up date for my cheap trailer I made a set of aluminum ramps. Trailer cost me $300, tires with mounting was $150,small stuff was $40, recessed hangars $16, and registration $53 gave me a total of $559 in the trailer. every thing else in the trailer came from stuff I had on my shelf. Now I needed long and lighter ramps so I made then out of aluminum only thing I bought was a sheet of diamond plate of 16 gage aluminum at $40, everything else I had in stock (lol).
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6 pointsMy first job was a dishwasher at a golf club. My father ran the restaurant. IT WAS HOT in the kitchen. They asked me to make the salad one night so I took the pan ,fixins and a chair and sat in the walk in cooler. My first expeirience with refrigeration!
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6 pointsMy first real job was mowing the weeds along township roads. No we didn't use a Wheel Horse, I used a mowing scythe. The pay was $0.60/ hour and all the berries you could eat. That was a few years back....I think I was 13 then. It sounds like you have a great attitude and I am confident you will be a success in everything you do. Just remember, the wages you earn will be spent and gone, but the experience you gain from every job will be with you forever. Best of luck with the new job.
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5 pointsWell I went to an interview today and I got my first job! I can't start until I'm 16 which is in almost exactly a month but I'm happy. I'll be a busboy for $8 an hour but i guess you gotta start somewhere!
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5 points9-9-1850 California becomes the 31st state in record time Though it had only been a part of the United States for less than two years, California becomes the 31st state in the union (without ever even having been a territory) on this day in 1850. Mexico had reluctantly ceded California and much of its northern territory to the United States in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,. When the Mexican diplomats signed the treaty, they pictured California as a region of sleepy mission towns with a tiny population of about 7,300-not a devastating loss to the Mexican empire. Their regret might have been much sharper had they known that gold had been discovered at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California, nine days before they signed the peace treaty. Suddenly, the greatest gold rush in history was on, and “forty-niners” began flooding into California chasing after the fist-sized gold nuggets rumored to be strewn about the ground just waiting to be picked up. California’s population and wealth skyrocketed. Most newly acquired regions of the U.S. went through long periods as territories before they had the 60,000 inhabitants needed to achieve statehood, and prior to the Gold Rush, emigration to California had been so slow that it would have been decades before the population reached that number. But with gold fever reaching epidemic proportions around the world, more than 60,000 people from around the globe came to California in 1849 alone. Faced with such rapid growth, as well as a thorny congressional debate over the question of slavery in the new territories, Congress allowed California to jump straight to full statehood without ever passing through the formal territorial stage. After a rancorous debate between the slave-state and free-soil advocates, Congress finally accepted California as a free-labor state under the Compromise of 1850, beginning the state’s long reign as the most powerful economic and political force in the far West.
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5 pointsBest of luck on our job, do a good job and some times the wait staff will share some of their tips with you if you help them out a lot. One of my first jobs was working restaurants, a good place to learn what work is all about, really.
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5 points
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5 pointsWay to go man! I remember my first job, I worked decking houses in the texas heat for 6 bucks an hour that was good money back then. I stayed friends with the owner , he taught me how to work with other people and how to have a good time and still get the job done...first jobs cab help shape the way you aproach work and helps you learn to deal with the stress of a job.
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5 pointsGlad to see some young folks understand that work yields opportunities to advance. Be sure you keep up with your school work, education is priority #1 and it will help you the rest of your life.
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5 pointsThat is great news. Usually the first job is the one with the most memories , good and bad. I got my first job at 15 1/2 at a burger joint making a $1.00 an hour. That was back in the dark ages.
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5 pointsWe ALL started some where, so good job on finding a job! You'd be amazed how many think they should start off as the vice president of the company without any experience!
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4 pointsI think that before I went to all the trouble to make that change, I'd just get a 1977 C series. The frame, for one is different, the PTO levers, battery holder gas tank holder, etc. are all different.
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4 pointsThe PO said it needed a new coil and a new carb. He did add a new electric fuel pump and new points and it still didn't run. After 15 minutes of wiring checks with the meter, I found the wire between the points and coil broken. Fixed that and I had fire at the plug. A squirt of starter fluid and a full palm choke (thanks WALLFISH) and she lit up and ran like a happy young colt. It does need a new bushing in the throttle shaft.
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4 pointsWe moved to a dairy farm in 1955. I was 9 years old. My main job was to get up at 4am and open the barn for the cows to come in for milking. Then start the feeding process while my step father started milking. Then when the last cows were fed I would help finish the milking and gather eggs and eat breakfast take a bath and get dressed for school. After school everything started all over again except gathering the eggs. As for the pay, i got all I could eat of my moms great cooking. Hard life especially in winter but instilled in me some very good work ethics.
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4 pointsAgree with what others have said. Just having a job at your age nowadays is worth quite a few dollars in self respect. You have our respect for going after it...
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4 pointsAnother thing. I want to thank all the Wheel Horse nuts that post to this thread, or do the "Like" thing. It is appreciated more than you guys can know. The words of encouragement, witty comments, suggestions, and all else, is taken by me most seriously. While I really look forward to getting off work, or on the weekend, and finding the time to work on the tractor, I relish just as much, and look forward with the same anticipation, the posts that you guys write. In point of fact, I log on first to read the forum, then go diddle with the tractor. Thanks guys.
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4 pointsCongratulations on your first job! I respect you as others do for going out and finding a job and being willing to work. Earning your own way in Life is the Path to Manhood. Good Luck- Al
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4 pointsThanks! Hopefully all goes well Wow, makes me feel lucky! Thanks! Can't wait to make some memories
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4 pointsDo not worry Van, I won't get discouraged. I grew up pretty poor, and know well how to "make do", and keep things going. Lived for a few years in house without electricity. In very good shape now, kids are grown, nice home, vehicles, etc. I can indulge in the C-175 now because I want to, not have to. One of my rules, is to not pack sand down a rat hole, or throw good money after bad. When I decide to rejuvenate some machine, structure, property, whatever, I ascertain whether the candidate is worth it. Many factors go into the decision, but one of the biggest, if not the biggest, is whether the thing was quality to begin with. Wheel Horses, most anyway, fall into that category. The basic machines are very well made and engineered. So even if it is a total disaster, you generally still have something to work with. About the only way I would scrap it, is if was involved in a fire and burnt to a crisp, or rusted to the point of falling apart. This machine certainly isn't like that. But it is a definite mess, and I seem to continually find things wrong with it. But I take heart! There can only be so many things to fix. The problems, and the solutions, are finite. I got lucky with my 312-8, a true diamond in the rough, though not really very rough. This time, I am being brought back to reality. This sucker will run like new again, and look good to boot!
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3 pointsSound sort of like the "Cupping" therapy that was being administered to several of the Olympic athletes.
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3 pointsLet me clarify, The FISH was not actually here to apply the choke. But, in another thread, he recommended the full palm technique when choking the fixed jet Walbros with the big holes in the choke plate. He didn't tell me you may get giant hickeys on your hands though.
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3 pointsI use rubber chains on my GT-14. No more scarring the asphalt. Also have loaded rear tires @ 100# each plus 130# of wheel weights. No, as long as your driveway is flat (no root lifts), the blade shouldn't mark it up.
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3 pointsI knew the government was pulling a fast one on us with that puppet in the White house! Just never dreamed the real Obama would be a WH collector too! Or an old white guy from Springfield for that matter.
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3 pointsThink it's just a matter of opinion/preference and whatever someone is used to using. I use both types but since my first one was a manual, that's my preference. I'm not as old as Steve so no problem with the leg for us young guys!
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3 pointsI just uploaded a few pics to the album section they are of the old Horse I used to have and a home built tractor my dad and I built (just for viewing pleasure)
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3 pointsI agree with much of the above. The hydros you will find in wheel horses (sudtrand, or eaton 1100 with hydro lift) are plenty strong enough for anything you can get that little tractor to pull, however, having the gear drive with low range is just really nice for certain tasks as mentioned above. I've had a few and the have never had problems in winter with sluggishness or in summer with overheating. For me it is hydro for snow plowing, snow bowing (while i had it), and mowing without a doubt. I use gear drive for grading, tilling, and I would use it for ground plowing if i had a plow. There is just something nice about having a consistent low gear speed for completing those tasks.
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3 pointsThis one has had a rough life, but the sleeve hitch and the NAPA electric fuel pump made it worth $100. The 8 speed and the transplanted K321 may end up in my Low Rider project.
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3 pointsCongrats Ed, Looks like you got a real keeper. My wife and I will celebrate our big 50 anniversary next may. Guess time really does fly.
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3 points
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3 pointsYou have been given a lot of good info on what to look for so I won't add to that list. I agree with AC Man, For a non runner, I would not pay over $100 unless it is a rare tractor or there are parts on the tractor that add value. ie sleeve and clevis hitches, axle brackets, hydro lifts, electric PTO clutches. etc. Then if it ends up not being restorable, you could part it out and possibly make some money or keep it as a parts tractor for you next project.
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3 pointsTake your own battery and battery bolts and just take the crap battery that is already in there and set it aside. Now remove the air cleaner and use a lacquer thinner based carb cleaner and give it a squirt. Crank it to see if it fires. You need to at least hear some fire in the hole as the motor hits a few licks. By the way, the carb cleaner is much easier on the tractor than starting ether is... These guys selling these mowers told the guys they bought them from that they would give them a cheap price for a non-running machine, yet they expect you to give them prices for a runner. I bought a cast iron Kohler 10 for three bllls and it ran as demonstrated by the owner. Replaced the belts and it is now my favorite mower. Patience is the key. Sooner or later some older guy who stepped up to a big zero turn will want to sell a decent tractor and this tractor will be one he knows personally.
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3 pointsSense you are are buying a fixer upper i would mainly look for a complete tractor not missing any parts at least you will have something to work with if its all their.
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3 points
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3 pointsGood to see a youngster wanting to work and not wanting to have something handed them . You still have a month keep filling out apps , maybe other opportunities await you . Return to other places you've already been . Showing someone you want to work may yield you a job .
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3 points
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3 pointsI have a 1974 C 120 with the Sunstrand hydro everything works great but I just don't like the hydro trans. I have a 1987 310-8 , 1988 416-8 and the first horse was a 1972 Commando 800 gear trans. I'll take a gear trans over a hydro any time. Just my
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3 pointsCongratulations! Yes, we all had to start somewhere and I'd say you're off to a great start.
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3 pointsI don't think feathers are ruffled... it's just a discussion. You asked about price point... Wheel Horse prices and marketing were very comparable to John Deere and Cub Cadet back in the day. Even some old Cub Cadet salesman literature I've seen shows some of the arguments a salesman could make to talk a customer into a Cub over a Wheel Horse. Here's an example from the 1968 literature. Wheel Horse was a larger name in the garden tractor market back in the day, because yes, they were one of the earlier names. The first Pond tractor (the predecessor to the Wheel Horse) was made in 1946. Whether or not they are the actual first, is always debateable. There were others out there such as Shaw, Red E, Page and Speeedex. Cecil Pond is typically credited with "inventing" the modern day riding lawn mower. The crudeness or simplicity of the design is because it was evolved from machines built by hand in a garage in South Bend. They didn't come from the engineering department of an agriculture dealer. They were designed to be owned and serviced by common homeowners, with common tools. I'd encourage anyone new to Wheel Horse and with a true love of garden tractors to read Straight From the Horse's Mouth, The Wheel Horse Story. http://wheelhorsestory.com/ It's a bit pricey for a book, but it is privately published. (no personal benefit to me in this plug....) The author is also a member here, who became friends with Cecil Pond, and was given access to be able to document the history of the company. It's truly a unique book. You'll always generate an argument here whether or not Toro killed Wheel Horse, and the downfall of the name toward the end. No one "wins" this argument. It's just a nice fiery discussion every now and then.What it comes down to is that Toro didn't need to purchase Wheel Horse, they already had their own consumer level market products department, but they did, and continued to make the same tractor until the very end. (With other product line offshoots as well.) Not only that, they took over support of product lines going back 40 years prior to the acquisition.They kept the Whee Horse alive in a struggling market, long after the consumer interest focus had shifted to the efficiency and speed of zero turn mowers, and even though more and more parts are going NLA, they've kept up support for a product line they discontinued 10 years ago now. A good read on the acquisition of Wheel Horse is in a book by the former CEO of Toro during those days. He discusses the strategy behind the Wheel Horse acquisition and some of the intentions and reconsiderations during the transition. The book is called Making the Grass Greener on Your Side by Ken Melrose. https://www.amazon.com/Making-Grass-Greener-Your-Side/dp/1881052214 I hope you continue to post, and look forward to some of your other experiences. It's fun to see the reactions of the newcomer to the Wheel Horse world. You are correct, they are not at all like any other tractors. That's why we love them!
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3 pointsThere was a time when I had some of the same thoughts on Wheel Horse tractors. I thought why couldn't they have put a bearing or bushing here or there? Why didn't they make the frame a little beefier? Why did they not use a nice steering box instead of the Fred Flintstone fan gear steering? But in the end I'm glad they did what they did because obviously it's kept me around Wheel Horses for 25 years, and I still enjoy them to this day. Adam, hopefully you will end up with the same smile on your face about Wheel Horses as most of us here on Red Square have.
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2 pointsYou may want to remove the incoming fuel line from the fuel pump and hold it over a can until some fuel runs out. Seems the fuel pumps do a better job of pushing than pulling.
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2 pointsThe carb link you have correct. The other piece is used to change the direction for the throttle cable to pull from the shaft side of the engine. Mostly push/pull controls.
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2 pointsI think the steering deign could have been a cost thing for Wheel Horse. My father-in-law had a lot of John Deere tractors and after mowing for him I realized why most had the knob added to the steering wheel. Just do not take this wrong, they reminded me of driving my 50 Chevy. The Wheel Horse reminds me of a car with rack and pinion steering. Could the design have been better probably. So many of their have not had the maintenance they should have had. My 69 Raider I have that I have owned since 74 or75 still has the original steering gears in it. When retired I did shim everything so the clearance was minimal.Steering nice and snug. If one has the capability can bore the axle put bushings in them, same with spindles. I think my axle there has minimal wear there. A friend of ours who was the foreman at a foundry where these parts were made brought me two of the fan gears both are raw pieces no hole for the shaft. Also have a front axle that has no machine work done to it. Again both are different designs both with there own design pitfalls in my mind. Each may have their better points but I think the Wheel Horse is the more simple design overall to work on. Even though I own Wheel Horse I have worked on Deeres and Cubs as well as others for about 35 years. Seems they all have their own why did they do it that way designs. Not putting any brands down here just my observations over the years.
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2 pointsok , my take along with whats been mentioned. A $300 tractor sounds like a good deal, you know, too good to pass on until you get it home.Then you learn in a NY minute why it is $300. Also remember you are not the only one looking at these $300 tractors, You did not discover gold, odds are someone else has already passed. I realize this is a $300 tractor, but these things still apply because a $300 tractor can turn into a $1000 tractor in a hurry. I use a checklist when buying cars, it's the same checklist for a $2500 VW or a $25,000 Corvette. 1- if it doesn't run assume it doesn't run or serious motor issues and thats why it's advertised as non running, make an attempt to get it running 2- check the tires for dry rot and excessive wear 3-pull the dip stick on both the motor and transaxle , you will learn a lot right there 4- rust, outdoor wear from sitting under a half of a cover for the last 15 years 5-belts ? Frayed , missing ? Wrong ? 6-torn or missing seat 7- front end steering play ? 8-attachments ? deck etc..rust ? extreme rust ? Wheels ? Blades ? Spindles ? 9 -pulleys? do they spin or are they frozen or real gritty 10- frame built or chassis built ? Each of these items, while alone may not appear to be much, but add them all up and you are getting into a wallet full of cash. for me personally I walk from any project tractor that does not run or the seller can't get started. I wanna see it run. All this being said, with all the negative items on the check list , if you can grab a worthy project for $300 go for it. Use the list like a grocery list, pick and choose whats important and whats not. Restoring an old Wheel Horse can be both fun and satisfying but knowing what your getting is fundamental or there will be no fun. I will say this though, over the years I have probably dragged home a dozen old Wheel Horses in project shape, each one did run though. I sold each one and with each sale the buyer wanted to see them run. A running tractor eliminates the biggest concern. Most folks looking at projects are looking for specific parts, OR, a motor ! For comparison only, I very recently picked up a 2004 315-8 ( Toro label on the 300 Series Wheel Horse) paid $950 for a complete and excellent running machine with 400 hours. I did tear it all down for cleaning, lube and ALL fluid changes. About $50 in cash for maintenance materials and 10 or 15 hours of SLOW labor. A few years back I restored my 1987 /310-8, same thing, maintenance , fluids , belts, PAINT and about 30 hours of slow labor. That machine is still in full service although the deck has some rust holes. Motor wise , over 1700 hours, Kohler Mag 10, it runs strong, burns no oil but does have a finicky fuel pump which I will replace. The older models are indeed great fun , just know what you are buying and whats ahead of you before you pull the trigger . Good luck, best to you on your journey.
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2 pointsFom the Kohler service manual. The 22 ohm 1/2 watt resistor sounds like a good idea. Would not be so confusing if the "to ignition switch or coil assembly" in the last picture read to ignition switch and/or coil assembly Garry
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2 pointsMy only Hydro is on a GT-14 with front end loader, it is strong and in spite of loaded tires, 130 pound wheel weights and a 200 pound weight box it will still spin the tires when it encounters an immovable object. Most of my herd was built prior to hydros so I am accustom to using the stick shifts and find they are my personal favorite.
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2 pointsI've got three boys 3,5,and 6. The older two help a lot the youngest he likes to think he's helping lol