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I just uploaded a Brochure in the document section but thought I would share one of the best parts of that brochure. This is a really nice fold out Centerfold IMO.

On February 15, 1965 our national flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. Every year since 1996, when Parliament declared February 15th as National Flag of Canada Day, we celebrate our beautiful flag. In 2017, the National Flag of Canada is celebrating its 52nd anniversary. Canadians are invited to celebrate this important symbol of our identity by organizing their own events and by showing their pride on social media.

Well my friends, this will probably be the last update and the last of the work on the 500 Special until we are officially Hoosiers again. We are scheduled to close on our new place up there March 10. We will then close on this place a week or two later. But......you all know the potential pitfalls in real estate. But so far everything is moving along quite nicely. I was already working on the hood so I decided to finish and install it before the move. I think it will travel better. I made a modification at the hood hinge so it doesn't tip too far when open. I installed Terry's beautiful decals this morning and noticed something when I put the hood ornament on. The back hole was about 1/4" off center. This hood was originally on a 657 and of course it didn't have a hood stripe and it wasn't noticeable.. With the 500 Special stripe you've got a perfect reference to see it. I would have been compelled to fix it had I noticed it before painting the hood. Now it stays as is. This one is going to be a worker. You can see the axle bracket on it. Yup, this will be my snow pusher. I'll be looking for a blower for my 2005.

My old Carhartt hadn't been on the bed in Mom's spare room for 10 minutes when Miss Emily figured it would be a good spot to nap while the humans ate & visited .

The DAFFY dills are sprouting.

I keep the blade on one of mine all year just to make sure it wont snow in the summer!

Well it is green but it is not an off brand tractor rather a Polaris Ranger 2011 EV. All electric 30hp motor. I like this unit a lot. It is a 2011 with 199 hours.

The 551 is nearly ready for spring. Here's the before and after.

There are probably 2 notable issues with the "Big D" line-up -- The Sundstrand hydro drive and the steering box. with the tranny being the biggest. And I'm sure you know about other typical things to check --- The drive is very beefy and is a good unit --- when its not worn! and with the ages of these models they can be just that, worn. If the tractor runs/drives butt it up against a tree and apply power and see if the wheels will throw a rooster tail of dirt - check reverse for good movement. Parts for it are getting more and more scarce for them and repair is quite an undertaking, but there are lots of info and help for that here on the forum. The steering is prone to get a lot of slop in the box and even blow out the steer box (its called a Ross box) While a bit of a pain to remove, the repair is relatively simple. Theres a bit of a love/hate for the D's Some love them (me) and some think they are the ugliest of the horses! I have 3 of them and would fight a bear if somebody tries to take em away!!

Took the snow blade off yesterday and changed to turf tires! So I'm sure it will snow now! Oh well gonna roll the yard this weekend, suppose to be 66!

Haha! Yep, cats are like that. Mine jumps into any spot just vacated on the couch (warm). Mike.....

Thanks for that, I wish I had those on my old 312-8 when I filled the over sized (massive) rear tires Thanks Jim, not long now until the little RJ is done. Thanks Ewan, having seen the pic's of your Cadet you more than have the skills Glad you like it, it is a sweet little machine. Your start dribbling when you see the next lot of pic's Neil Yep, having great fun doing this restoration, it's nice to see it all come together now.. Yesterday the little RJ started going back together, lift cable first followed by the engine. I put a couple of bit's of inner tube on the frame before dropping the engine on.. It makes it easy to line the bolt holes up and stops the frame getting scratched while moving the engine about. Cleaning out the grease nipples in a little petrol Pulleys and drive belts on. Front axle and steering on. The crowning moment..... The tank isn't fixed under the hood yet, but we just had to have a look Not much left to do, the paint for the wheels and the fuel tank sealant should arrive tomorrow, and I need to sort the carb out now the rebuild kit has arrived..

Check this out on You Tube. Lots of good info. I did a decent amount of research before buying even tho it was a used machine on CL at a very fair price.

They are coming along fine thank you. I hope to return to work this Monday which will slow my progress on the tractor. I am happy to have had all this time to work on it anyways so something good did come of all this. The feeling in my lower left leg has returned quite a bit. Thanks again for asking and back to the hood, yeah its going to take a little work but im sure others have fixed worse. It will be worth it.

Got the tranny rebuilt and painted. Lost the drive pulley woodruff key so the pulley is only place but not bolted on yet for those eagle eyed patrons. Setting up the wife with a half dozen chickens the few days and won't get a lot done on tractor. Not a ton I can do regardless as I'm am mostly inhibited to basement shop until weather turns. This 8 speed will match the Restomod "Elijah" so black undercarriage and red body.

The key should be the same as any other tractor. Just take your tractor key along.

It worked! Only problem is the snow is out here. Please keep it in your own area! Maybe install the mower deck?

10 speed manual........hi and lo range.I have two of them.Like the brochure says......no other garden tractor like it.They're HUGE.And yes Aldon,they have an automotive type clutch,pressure plate and throw-out bearing.

I thought you were going to reference the new SI centerfold! Got me good on that one Aldon.

I can hear these guys drooling on your possible score from here so shame on them for not ing you to ist! ( I do get their problem tho ) My take on your problem is GO GET it ALL ...... & keep us posted!

Does this mean you are going to start doing on this day threads again Richard!?!?

Amen. Thank you so much. Thank you very much! Have to keep moving forward. Faith and hope keep me focused on getting well. Thank you so much for your kind words. Life can certainly deal out a bad hand sometimes. You just have to play it out the best way you can. I don't plan on losing though.

Just picked this up this weekend. I have mostly wheel horse but Always wanted one of these.

Picked this up late this summer. Finally got time to post some picks and start on bringing her back to life. I started tearing it down today and couldn't resist trying to clean all the rust off the ID plate. I couldn't read anything on it in the beginning. Truthfully couldn't tell if it had anything stamped in it. But after a slow process of cleaning. I got it looking good. Serial number is faint but reads as 42388.

the new dash is on the 701. and got new Vr on too (the nos delco one i had bought was DOA) so i got a chineese VR and stuck the delco cover on

Mine have been blooming for a few days already.

Rather convenient being able to read the news paper without moving the hood! How are the back and leg doing? My guess would be good considering the work you are doing.

If you look at the parts list for the 1968 Commando 6, the image shows what was commonly referred to as a Snoopy key. Cole Hersee 83353 or 83357. However, my Commando 8 uses a standard key as stated above. You might want to take one of each if you have them.

LOL no shows for me unless its looking at everyone elses! I did weld a tab for a strap although I wont be reusing originals. I may not even put fuel in the tank depending what motor ends up in there. It came out of a Simplicity just like the 2 that TIGman picked here recently. Thanks for comments.

well i got more done and hood is stripped and etched, gas tank painted, rear wheels cleaned and ready to be primed and seat and front wheels primed. About the biggest problem is the work the hood will need. Fortunately my Dad has restore a few pedal cars and gave me some good pointers. Im just going to have to be patient with it. I used rustoleum etching primer on everything and now going to rustoleum light gray for the finishing part .I dont know if the dent in the tank was on purpose or not? Im not that worried about since there is already enough against this tractor to keep it from getting a prize but as I said iin the beginning, I want to use it.

@Aldon Thanks for the centerfold! I have looked at a lot of centerfolds over the years!

Something tells me they are a bit over-anxious...Gonna end up with cold noses!

Believe you may have answered your own question. BUT, has it been fine in prior years and previous cold spells doing this? I'm no expert but my guess is that pump has got to be working extra overtime just moving the oil when it's very cold, let alone adding the pressure of working it that cold. OILUJ52 makes a good point about the oil viscosity. What is in there for oil? Could the pulley on the pump be too small? Another good question

The same transaxle was used on the larger models and the trailer hitch was mounted there but would be too low on the Lawn Ranger with the shorter tires.

Did it used to work OK???.. Are we sure the bypass is working OK when the cylinders are at full extension? A loose belt will slip and heat up

I love the D's I have had all of them and even one with a backhoe. They have a few problems, but what don't?

Congratulations to our neighbors to the north, and Happy National Flag of Canada Day! I was actually born in Canada many decades ago. There was a time in my late teens when I considered moving there, and lately it seems that thought enters my head more often than not. It wouldn't have to be permanent, maybe four years or so. My wife won't have any of it, however, says it's too cold for her. Hmm. Enjoy your day, guys!

@indytractors to I have a D-200 and it is a beast of a tractor!

Pacer: Thanks for the guidance. I also think these are good looking tractors and are on a level with the Simplicity Sunstar.

OK guys thanks. Steve is the thread for the fill plug a 1/2-14 NPT? I also have to get a new 1/4-20 x 3/4 inch dog point set screw for the shifter then im ready to rock. I made gaskets yesterday and have weight ontop them to flatten them out then I hope to assemble in the next day or two. I will be returning to work after surgery so I am trying to use my time for this project as much as possible. Your videos have been very helpful Steve.

I started out with a frame .no motor or hood or wheels . Got frame painted and motor done

Frame and blade are coated. This was the 1st and 2nd coat. Just finished applying the 3rd and final coat a little bit ago.

I'm getting itchy teeth now , I can't wait to get junior home , amazing work chaps , I hope you are having fun and enjoying the restoration

Really moving on with the RJ rebuild now, the frame has been cleaned up, primered and the underside has been top coated hence why the frame is on it's side Is this strange two part valve arrangement a USA thing? We had never seen it before! Top coat time, Meanwhile I find this old WH rear wheel with bolts welded through from the outside (not by me I should add)... Makes a perfect tool to hole the RJ's front wheel for a clean up. Note the crack in the paint... Well, the crack is actually in filler!! Someone did like the ol bondo in the past! And to bring this build thread up to date, lot's of freshly painted panels and parts

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No outfit is complete without a few cat hairs.

Shows? She's getting ready to pull the garden cultivator and trim around the trees in the orchard!

I drove across to bring back some more of my belongings and picked it up while I was there....it was a long drive, but something that I was doing anyway...Maybe not a long drive by US standards but plenty long enough for me! About a 4000 km round trip. I will add some photos soon....Just dropped off the rear rim and footsteps to be sandblasted....will be mounting some new AGs....

As always I really like your detailed pictures. Keep up the great work. Can not wait to see the finished RJ. Cheers from across the pond.