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I just got done cleaning and touching up my wheel horse, so this morning I drove the my horse up to the farmers market up the road from here to get my corn and tomato's. Can't have a farmers market with out tractors. my horse is now kind of ready for the tractor show next week.

9-17-1965 Amphibious cars arrive in Frankfurt after sailing across the English Channel On September 17, 1965, four adventurous Englishmen arrive at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany after crossing the English Channel by Amphicar, the world’s only mass-produced amphibious passenger car. Despite choppy waters, stiff winds, and one flooded engine, the two vehicles made it across the water in about seven hours. The Amphicar’s design, by the German engineer Hans Trippel, derived from the Schwimmwagen, the amphibious all-wheel-drive vehicle that Volkswagen had produced for the German armed forces during World War II. A company called the Quandt Group produced the Amphicars for seven years, from 1961 to1968; in all, they built about 3,900 of the little swimming convertibles. Amphicars came in four colors–Beach White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue, and Fjord Green–and were powered from the rear by a 43-horsepower, four-cylinder Triumph Herald engine. On land, the cars used a four-speed-plus-reverse manual transmission. In the water, they used a transfer case that had two speeds: forward and backward. With the top and windows up, the Amphicar was remarkably seaworthy: Its front wheels acted as rudders and two nylon propellers chugged along in back. The car’s builders called it the “770,” because–in theory, at least–it could go 7 mph in the water and 70 mph on land. To see an Amphicar hit either one of these speeds was rare, however: According to one owner, it was “the fastest car on the water and the fastest boat on the road.” The four Englishmen left London on the morning of September 16, rolled down the ramp at Dover, and headed for France. About halfway across the Channel, a blocked bilge pump flooded one of the Amphicars; the other towed it the rest of the way to shore. When they arrived at Calais, the four travelers (with the help of the crowd that had gathered to see them) managed to drag the cars over the beach and to the gas station. The next day, they headed off to Frankfurt. About 3,000 Amphicars were imported into the United States. In fact, Quandt sold such a large proportion of the cars to Americans that in 1968, when the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Act raised emissions standards to a level that the Amphicar couldn’t meet, the company just stopped building the cars altogether. Amphicar enthusiasts estimate that between 300 and 600 seaworthy vehicles remain on the road today.

Found out my good neighbor is moving soon, just joking I asked what he wanted for his shed. Make me an offer he said, well 2 weeks later it is in my yard. 10 x10 x 9, door opening is 50" perfect stable for my horses. Have about $450 in it, new ramp, leveling and wiring, still finishing putting in shelves.

Well here is the FINISHED product. I ordered 20 more now or a total of 32 and changed the Pitch on all of them to 32 Degrees which is the best all around for my location. The past 5 days I have purchased -0- zero electricity from the grid and have banked 40 KWh. life is good!

Mechanically speaking, general maintenance with lubrication oil, and filter changes are bound to prolong it's life. Also, after mowing it is a good idea to blow out any clippings that might have accumulated around the engine cooling fins, especially under the tins. The best thing to do when shutting the engine down is to bring it to an idle for a minute prior to stopping the engine.

I'm thinking... something that combines the three of these into one would be the perfect snow machine.

Build a couple of big shelves for double-decker storage across the back and you could get four more in there!

I'm late to the thread but I did wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday. It was great talking with you. A moderator can delete the green thing for you.

“the fastest car on the water and the fastest boat on the road.”

MaryJane and I went to the Show yesterday and she sold a few Items of her Glass Ware. My Puppy BO took to the tractors quite nicely! Thanks Gene for letting BO Steer your tractor!

Pretty sure this is the Model 400 I picked up in Canajoharie last year from Baerpath(Duane)... if I remember correctly, he scored it from a local auction, and had been sitting outside for a long time. Engine was siezed, and the trans locked as well. Not too suprising, considering there was no spark plug in the head... and a virtually non existant shifter boot that allowed more water into the trans, than not. Except for the missing belt guard, and exhaust heat shield, seemed to be a pretty complete tractor though... also came with the complete mower deck, and foot controls...the correct snow plow, and mount. Was originally thinking about parting this ol' girl out, but thought I'd spend a little time to see if I might could get the trans to free up first... then see where it goes from there. Of course, I discovered it full of water, virtually no oil came out of it at all...but, decided to fill it with diesel, earlier this week anyway. Kept messing with the shifter until I eventually got it to drop into first, then later, reverse... second and third seemed to be frozen solid though. Couple days go by, and I decide to swap out the siezed engine for another K-90 bullet I've had in inventory...pretty sure the original's rings have become one with the cylinder wall...and seems it isn't freeing up anytime soon either. So this morning, I started again...reinspired now, with a good running engine...gonna get this trans shifting again. Set it's rear up on a couple jack stands...hooked up a drive belt...put fire in the hole...and just let it run full of diesel in the two gears I had...back and forth for a minute or so... dropping the dirty diesel, then refilling with clean. Took me about four times, run maybe a gallon through it before it finally freed up second, and third. I then repeated this process about four times with clean oil..until it ran somewhat clear...low and behold...it's shifting pretty smoothly now...considering, what I started with. Couldn't wait to slap the ags back on it, and do a couple hot laps with it, before calling it a day today. Hard to imagine, from siezed, and frozen...to up and running within a couple hours today...the power of the almighty is truly amazing. So...can you blame me? I've decided I won't be parting this little guy out now.

Some progress was made this weekend. The front axle is tacked together to see what it will look like... I think there will be a bit of a challenge to get the tie-rod geometry to work properly on this build. I may have to re-configure the way the two axles mount to each other... It looks like the front axle will be moved back an inch from where I have it located now. As it sits, I wont be able to use my 48" deck on it, which bums me out, so I may be shooting for a 42" deck instead. Here are some pictures of today's progress. Enjoy. Oh, as it sits, if I maintain the current course of assembly, I'm going to need to raise the rear end by 5.5 inches to maintain a level profile. This build is going to make this tractor sit up higher than the C195 I just sold!

I use approx. $2500.00 in Electricity a year. Way more than the AVG Person but I have 18 Security Cameras rolling 24/7, My Wife's 3,000 gal Pond and waterfall that's running, Plus I weld and am in my Garage a Bunch So I use more than the Avg Guy. I have Spent a Total of $17,000.00 for this project. IRVING "R: SHYSTER is giving me a 30% Tax credit so I will get $5,100.00 Back so that leaves me a Bal of $11,900.00 So lets call it 12,000.00 / 2,500.00 <<< what I spend per year = 4.8 years Now if I have a surplus that will cut it even further because they will have to pay me for the Extra I make. I have done the Math and that's a 18-20% Return on my money. What Bank will give me that kinda return? on my $$$$ MONEY $$$$????? It's kinda a NO BRAINER. Besides what does an Ole Retired Guy have to do?

Nice job... At that rate, how long will it take to pay for itself?

i know they claimed to be seaworthy , but you would have to be very brave...or crazy....to be out there with the possibility of big waves. there is a :LOT of scrap metal at the bottom of the English Channel and there was a good chance of them adding to it

It appears that Wheel Horse used the Bercomac two-stage snowblower until 1989, according to my 1989 WH catalog. The 1990 catalog shows the Toro-influenced two-stage snowblower for use on the 500, 400, and 300 series tractors. Bercomac still manufacturers the snowblower in different widths and applications so parts shouldn't be an issue. Reading through the specs it appears that it has shear pins to save the gearbox which is a plus. It also seems to be slightly lighter in weight.

My three RJ's ! Roger Parmley of Greencastle, Indiana - - - Wheel Horse riding in a 4 wheel wagon!

On the "lubricant" for the hone, on steels I generally use a light oil say 3n1 or any of the light machine oils or even say thinned out 30 weight. On aluminium or non ferrus materials I use a heavier oil like light coating of 30w. with ferris materials they don't tend to build up in the stone as easily so don't require heavy oils I have personally used simple green or similar type solvents. However for nonferrous metals it's preferable to use an oil thick enough to suspend the swarf so it can evacuate the stone and not clog, but not so heavy that it decreases the friction of the stone across the surface. This is just a general rule of thumb there are outlying materials that this won't apply to.......

Well, today I got two coats of the clear acrylic lacquer applied to the Kohler recoil that I was planning on using before I bought the Fairbanks Morse one. The recoil had at least three coats of finish applied, and was last wet sanded with 1500 grit before the last coat. Now granted the recoil finish didn't have the shine on it like my other parts do, but after two coats of the clear, I think it would turnout pretty nice. Keep in mind, I'm not spraying this extra part to see how well it will shine, but rather to see how well the lacquer will adhere to the enamel. Here are before and after pictures. So far, no crackling, bubbling, or separation. Before: After: Can almost read the Tallmans spray can. I think it will work well, and I think I'm going to pull the trigger and spray the rest of my parts tomorrow. That is unless I find different results tomorrow morning after the recoil has had time to dry over night. I'll keep you all posted tomorrow afternoon.

Finally got it done, might need to shorten lift arms but will use it for a while to see, the disc's are an old set I got free, now I need to start making attachments will post drawings after some use and mods.

This tractor started out as a 1056, swapped the 10hp for a 16hp, the 3 speed for an eight speed, modified the dash tower, added lawn ranger fenders, replaced the hood, slammed on about 280lbs of rear wheel weights, 30lbs of front wheel weights, and a custom 50lb weight out front. It's sporting firestone flotations in the rear and firestone tri ribs up front, a NOS 1054 hy pump, and a custom shortie hi/low shifter to fit the pump on. A special thaks to @wheelhorseman1000 for the briny clevis hitch, lift cable, hydraulic cylinder rebuild, and custom hydraulic lines. Here it is a 1056 modified so hard the only original peices are the frame and front axle. Now all I need is for the crops to come out so I can go plowing Sorry phone doesn't rotate pics

If she dont need a bath, then I give up. 625 hours short snoot snowblower, 60 inch deck, weights chains. No smoke, runs great original owner. Serviced once a year at the dealer where it was bought brand new. Plenty of paint off, no dents, no rust through holes. More info down the road. I took a picture of my finger trying to get the decal under the seat. lol Enjoy, Glenn

Heres a little back story to my 1986 308-8 that I'm restoring. In 1986, when I was 6 years old, my Grandfather bought this tractor brand new from Reardon Briggs Power Equipment in Pleasant Valley, NY. It's a fairly basic model with a 37" side discharge deck and a Kohler engine. Shortly after he bought the mower, he passed away due to a heart attack. The mower was given to my father and we used it until this past July to mow our property. It's never let us down! My father gave me the tractor because I wanted to restore it. Pictures will be coming soon. Stay tuned!

Ok here I go. I'm in the snow plowing business and have an F-350 diesel with an 8' plow so when I get done with my route and finally get to my driveway I park out in the road and walk in. Nieghbors must think I'm crazy. But then depending the depth I bust out the 417-A with 2-stage blower, cab glass front with wiper,lights,and heat. If not too deep it's the C-165 with 48" blade. To scrape up ice off the blacktop it's the GT-1800 with 50" mid-mount grader blade. Then I clean up with the C-141 8 Speed with cab and Sweepster 48" broom. If stacking snow it's the C-141 with FEL. I'm with Dennis, I can't imagine changing all these attachments which explains why we need all these tractors. Wait I think I my need some counseling, is this rediculous?

...and the magic begins.

Snug, cozy and perfect. Another place to hide from the mrs. to. Homerun. Glenn Take out the back wall, you could put ten more in the front door. Glenn

New fluids and tires that hold air and...have some videos as well but it takes forever to post them

Looks great Bob!!!

It will fit the Charger 10 but not the 312A without modifications

I appreciate it. Cause yes I agree that paint does seem like it has a real good quality and finish.

DELETE!!!!!!!!!

Makes a nice lean to shed, too.

Very nice... calender photo.

That is why to me my L-107 Lawn Ranger is the most collectible. My Father bought it new in May 1967 and she is still working every week.

.....that paint does look far superior to any rattle can not just surface finis but depth and how "hard" it looks as well. @Chris G I did go lookin and if you Google tallmans pain't you can find quite a few distributors and the company site.

Lighter in weight would most a very welcome thing and shear pins a plus. I had a Wheel Horse 2 Stage on mine and sold it and got a single high chute. I just did not like that big boat anchor, but that's just me. I know nothing about the Bercomac but I think it deserves some investigation.

Have you checked your oil for gas smell?

Unfortunately I lost all of my before photos because my phone decided to act up. Here are some pieces that are headed to the glass beader. The overall condition of the tractor wasn't bad, but I'd like it to look showroom new when I'm done. Glass beading completed and surface prep applied. I have some repairs to make as some cracking was seen during glass beading. Self etching primer is the next step.

Yes it is. I just can't say enough about this paint. I've tried so many different brands of paint, and after using this Tallmans brand, I won't go back to anything else. I'm probably sounding like a broken record, but this paint is easy to work with, sands nice, goes on smooth, dries fast, and gives off a terrific finish. Couldn't be anymore happier! I highly recommend Tallmans to anybody looking to do a restoration. Just so you all know, this brand of paint is available in gallons and quarts as well for any of you that only use spray guns. Hardner is also available, however the hardner is only available for spray gun use. If you haven't checked out their website, it might be worth your while to give a look. They carry all shades or colors of the major tractor manufacturers, and will custom match any color that you need if they don't already carry it. Agriculture paint is all they specialize in, so no house paint or automotive paint, just tractor paint. Fade resistant, rust inhibited so if you happen to miss some rust removal before painting, this paint is engineered to stop the rust and keep it from bleeding though. Dries to a hard finish within time, and did I mention how well it gives off a shine????? OK, I'm done preaching!

Happy Birthday Doug. Pay no attention to the big speedy green booger. This is a Red Tractor site!!

There are lots of things that should you choose to collect will gain value more productively and give you a better return on the investment that garden tractors. These things are are very much viewed through the eye of the beholder. I still have the C161 Twin Briggs with fiberglass hood that in my initial enthusiasm and following a similar train of thought as the OP decided I would acquire as my get my feet wet tractor. Predominantly due to all the discussions on its rarity. I made a jump to the conclusion that if it was rare it would gain in value and be sought after. WRONG 😀 But I did learn a lot. And I still like the look of the fiberglass black hoods better than any other style. My personal journey lead me to the pragmatic approach to hit a few shows and visit to forum members and choose something that clicked for me. I too like bigger models. Even bought a C195 which was nice but I ran across the GT14's. Pretty much sealed the deal on this being my preferred model when I first drive one. I have since driven several of the newer ones like 520H with gear reduction and 522xi with power steering. If if aliens from space came one night and removed every GT14 from the earth, I would probably look for a low hour 522xi for the power steering. If it was not for working but for looking at and occasionally riding it around I would spring for a senior as they are just flat nostalgic and awesome looking. my two GT14's, one with electric PTO and one with manual PTO:

Very nice, I fully restored this one a while back. The reason I owned a Deere is I watched the movie the Straight Story and then I had to have one. Fun little tractor for sure and a great movie...

Lift arms fab and fit, used 1/2x2 bar stock I had laying around, think they may be a little long but we'll see. Connecting links something I also had laying around fab new ones next. Wanted to add if all goes well will add drawings with all dimensions in case anyone is interested as I have not found everything in one spot and some not at all.

Quick report: ITS ALIVE! After getting back from Mentone, I just had to see if I could finally get the C-175 to fire. Put the new points in and gapped, put ends on the wires, installed the carb. with the CORRECT gasket and hardware, hooked up a rubber hose to a gas can, and the SOB lit off. Runs like crap, but fires on both cylinders and, believe it or not, doesn't smoke. Having issues with idle and carb. adjustment, so may have to go ahead and get another carburetor, but it would stay running. Took a lap around the yard, and the hydro appears to be strong. I now have a living Wheel Horse C-175 beastie! Will report further tomorrow. Tired as hell after driving 155 miles, walking all around and spending quality time with all the folks at the swap meet, and shoe-horning a snow plow into the back of my Grand Cherokee after I bought it off a nice young man at the show.

Thanks Glenn! I do think it could be a great topic if the guys who know chime in! I certainly expect my 522XI will be mated with my recently acquired XI 2 stage blower. That's pretty much a given since I too think that combo would be amongst the top choices. That still leaves me with another XI for a 48" deck, but then I'm out of XIs! Perhaps all problems could be solved with yet more XIs, and who knows, maybe another will come by! I ABSOLUTELY love my little C-85 and 48" dozer blade for light snows and cleanup after a blower but I've never used it with a cab and if I dedicate it to winter only use I will just have to have another blade combo for summer use! I also have little experience with my 416 hydro and no experience using a hydro in a cab. Working in the cab is different and quite frankly sucks in the summer and pretty much even in the winter when backing up! Even though I hate to tie up my nicest machine unless I come up with some quick way to change and store a cab anything now that gets one is going to keep it's cab and therefore be seasonal only. Thanks again for your thoughts!

some good sound advice to follow, you won't go wrong. Glenn

Well ill admit it you got me interested in trying that paint on a resto after following your resto here. Great job thus far on your tractor though it looks great. Can't wait to see it finished. But could I bug ya to find out some info on were I could locate that brand paint?

attachments? Yes please.

Update #2 I rebuilt the carb got a new set of points and condenser. Put it all together and made the preliminary adjustments and with little help she sprang back to life. moved closed the tow valve and toyed with the motion control lever it grumbled with little movement. Toyed with the tow valve once again and she took right off this time! I then leveled off on that project to tackle another (off topic) pulling the transmission on my 655 due to leaking axle seals