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I was cleaning up the lot after the plow truck left yesterday with my 876 at my friend's foster care/adoption agency. I enjoyed some quality seat time for a good cause!

Found out the 20HP in it is a repo.. motor has a build date of March 1994 and the tractor is older than that. First letter of serial number is month 1st two digits are year of build.. They quit making them in 83 or 84.

For options at the other end in terms of storage - look into the newer generation of "shed in a box" offerings. They have gotten a lot better, especially the outer materials and off a lot of options in both size and cost. For what they run now, if you have a very limited amount of room I'd consider doing that and keep at least 2 . The biggest reason I'd almost lean to the GT14/16 model is weight and brute strength - plus, it's not hard to convert it over to use the later quick attach implements although some mods as it is not just a bolt-on affair. Frame strength and all of that comes into play and that model is a beast, probably in many ways better than the bigger D too with no drive coupling on the pump system. The C series is so attractive due to it's rugged layout and overall simplicity - they are a pleasure to work on compared to the newer offerings and would be equal in choice to the bigger GT14/16. Having two with that engine, perfect combination...as well as trans choice as a bonus. Sarge

Great time working on JackRabbit with Caleb this afternoon. Caleb is getting excited now because he is starting to see it come together. Even as an adult who has done this multiple times before, I’m excited at this point too! Thanks @Ed Kennell for the advice on the petcock installation. I had Caleb read your advice on installing that fuel shut off and he did it! Let’s take a minute to talk about the shut off. One of my local circle buddies Dan stopped by and gave Caleb a shut off and grommet that he had in his tool box at work for some time. He also gave Caleb a box of 1/4”-20 Button head stainless bolts that you will see used on the dash, tunnel cover, and other visible areas that need some bling! @Achto for your investment once again into my family—you are a great friend! It isn’t a stock shut off in that you just move it 90 degrees for off and on. I prefer that for easy of use! Then Caleb turned his attention to cleaning up the floor boards. They are in pretty ugly shape but FOR NOW we are just cleaning them and installing them. Eventually (maybe this summer?) they will get restored. I picked up some new stainless carriage bolts and Caleb loosely fit them in place. While he was working on that, I removed the old starter wire. It was about 2” too short and was riding on the back of the drive belt. I had a longer one in my collection and fit that for length. Caleb crimped a new end on and then fed the wire loom over for an extra level of protection followed by installing in as shown above. Next up: finish the wiring investigation and repair, then tackle the steering column, dash, and wheel assembly...

I've been slowly making my '88 312-8 my ground implement tractor. Last week I removed the seat pan, the shift plate, and instrument plate. I got height adjustment assembly and the right shift plate and instrument plate from A&Z Tractors. I also got new decals for the plates from Terry and rear rock shaft assembly from Lowell. While I had everything off I decided to put a marine hand pump on the fuel line. I had one in the boat box stuff. Cut 6" off the fuel line, put it on, gave it about three squeezes, started the tractor which hadn't been started in about 4 weeks. With choke on, it started within 3 seconds. I think it is going to work fine. Just have to lift the seat and give it a couple of squeezes. Also, moved the seat back an inch and raised it an inch, sure helps with the bad knee. The vendors on this site are some really great people to deal with.

Been trying to figure a way to get an 8 speed transmission from Mass to Maine for about 4 or 5 months... it happened today. Thanks to @JimmyJam and his wife! Looking forward to seeing you in the spring. VERY nice folks! We picked up a roller chassis and some other stuff and got more than I even knew he was bringing up. Some new parts for my C160 build as well.

I don't know if you have a wiring diagram or not. But this diagram is of my C160 . The wires may be a different color then yours but trace a wire and it should be routed just like this.

@Big_Red_Fred, i have a 417-8 with electric lift option, this is my personal opinion I would take an onan anytime over a KT17, not sure if mine is running correctly or not but it just never seemed to run as good or have the power that a P216 onan has. My 417 was bought new by my dad so I will never sell it if I can help it. I didn't care for it right from the get go for some reason.. Maybe if I could get ti running better it might make me like it better. Right now it sits in the back of the shed to be a someday project. I know that this is going to draw some flack, but my opinion and a dollar bill will buy you a cup of coffee eric j

As long as you are in production mode! Prollybetter than by guessing and goshing with a inappropriately sized socket! What I do need is to get off my keester and pick up a bearing & seal driver kit!

You see Eric—we have to come up with “creative terms” otherwise people on the outside look in a drawer like this... and say, “when are you going to clean the junk out of this drawer?” I could’ve run to town and bought a new wire for JackRabbit but by saving most of the wiring from old projects in the past, I looked through it until I found what I needed I’ve got enough stuff (some new and most used) in there to probably wire a couple of older tractors!

A little bling bling on the 520 Josh... Thanks for the dumpster diving Dan!!

I voted gt16 due to the fact that I love that tractor and how much work you have in it. You know the hydro is good as is the engine but afterwards I thought about it. My choice would be the C-160 and the 314. When it comes down to overall usability, those two would be it. Hate to see any of them go but sometimes you just have to do what tou have to do.

Poll is running currently 51% for C160, 23% for 314H, and 14% for GT14/16 resto. I was hoping to make a decision before next weekend and start listing it all Saturday. I was leaning towards selling as a package but not sure many have that kind of slush fund sitting idle for a hobby. Decisions..decisions...... Like a few have mentioned, it would be a lot easier to reduce to 2-3 rather than 1. Storage at the other end of my relocation ihas the most impact and is driving the decision. I need to further research options which might delay my decision a few more days. I can say with confidence that the RJ35’s will have to find new homes at this point.

I kinda do already.... just also have a very leaky building. ...needs replacement. We'll be working on that within a year or two. Looking into a house addition either this summer or next. Garage is part of it. THEN a separate workshop space the following year.

Someone on the forum here on Red Square provided this example for securing the hubs more firmly to the axles. I pulled both my hubs, tapped two small pilot holes at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions, then drilled out the pilot holes with a 5/16" bit and tapped the holes with a 3/8-16 tap and screwed in some new 3/8" locks. Inserted two new 1/4"X1" woodruffs and reassembled onto the axle. Hopefully the hubs will remain in place on the axle now.

Leaving emotion and your time spent completely out of it I would keep the C-160. You can show it and use it as it's the most versatile of all you have and I think the C series are built better than the 300 -500 series.

At least he didn't do this!

Well, most of the regulars here are aware I will be relocating this Spring/Summer. I had hoped to take the remaining collection of tractors with me. However more and more it is becoming obvious that this plan wont work out for numerous reasons. As such, once I make up my mind as to which one to keep, I will be posting the remainder as well as most parts etc up for sale in the Forum Classifieds and CL. As I hope shows in poll info, I have 2 Stage Blower, Restored 48 & 60 inch(195) decks, 54 inch blade, GT14 style Tiller and a project Sickle Bar. The Sickle BAr can likely be made to work on the GT14 style tractors and the C160. I enjoy working on them but as I get older I may not have time or ability to do so. As such, maintenance and parts and ease of use of a single tractor are part of the equation. A couple of these I have poured a lot of time into but I am not emotionally tied to them and I believe if I relocate back east where Grass and tractor need becomes more necessary, I can re-create them. So help me out with my decision. A couple pics of the beasts in question:

So I picked this up for 40 bucks over the weekend..... this is one of the only places on the web that I can even find any reference to it at all. I assume it is because it is not the most popular and has a vertical engine... This one has a 8hp Tecumseh , looks to be in good shape. It hasn't ran in a while but the oil looks clean & hoses in good shape. Is there any info out there on these? I can find manuals for a commando 8 or a charger v8... I am really annoyed that I don't understand how to free wheel the hydrostatic trans yet, so its a problem to move around. When I jack it up the wheels spin opposite (open diff). Gonna try and start it this weekend after I hook up some new fuel lines.

Doubt if the Red Tractor Shed ever rivals the magic shed of Craig @AMC RULES ...

@dells68 check out @WVHillbilly520H storage shed I think he is going into the used tire business. He may be in partnership with @Big_Red_Fred about selling tractors , parts and tires at the Big Show. Double LOL

I'm not too concerned about the long term affects of the lead, the Carbon Monoxide will kill you long before the lead poisoning can cause neurological changes.

I will offer him 500, see what he say's, its been posted a year, keep yours on back burner

Most, if not all, have a tiny vent hole toward the bottom of the cover, be sure not to cover it, as I have had them "sweat":inside. Not the best scenario.

I voted for keeping the RJ-35. I'm just a Roundhood kind of guy. Beside, you can always find a "C" or a "D". It is actually too bad you have to let any of them go...they all look like new.

Well it’s a bit hard to say with absolute certainty as I am not only looking at a relocation which will put me somewhere I will likely have some longevity but also a potential role change or promotion which would put me in an unspecified location. And then to top it off, there is always a chance that the management does not make any of it worth the trouble and I stay put. id say 65% Boise ID, 15% Salt Lake City or Austin tX or Portland OR and maybe 15% I stay in current location. 5% of something completely unknown. Boise & Salt Lake would be very light mowing and hauling and Austin would be similar but slightly more mowing. Boise gets very little Snow. SLC gets some but not enough to keep the 2 Stage. Portland would be heavy mowing and little snow. As it stands, only high probability is that we are going to relocate. The Promotion could come after the relo requiring another move. As such we will need to rent until things stabilize. So storage is very likely going to have to be additional rental storage not on the rental house property. Home lots are small and rental homes that have enough space for large trailer and tractors are on the expensive side. A lot of variables that make it very fluid. So I have decided to take the conservative approach. I can always start the journey of rebuilding a herd once things stabilize if it makes sense or should I retire somewhere Horse friendly. It does well enough but one has to be sensitive to how fast you try and make it cut through snow. Can’t just hit the forward speed at max.

The SAE 40 thing came out in a service bulletin as a band aid to a shifting issue. Then they modified the shift rails and it was no longer needed. They neglected to change the owners manuals. I use 90 wt in all mine but if you use the 40 it won't hurt.

Aldon, as you spent TOP dollar on all these gems I think in the end you may have to decide what is the minimum dollar $ amt you would accept for each steed and then those go that make the cut list. While all our fellow constituents are perfect gentleman we all are also known for our tightness of those 6 inch green presidential notes. Love ya man we will all miss you.

My choice would be the 3/4 restored RJ. That way you have a project that can be completed while you re-organize your requirements for the new location. I am currently doing the same thing although my move is now only about two to three months away. Mrs. Sailor and I have been working with the seller of our future home for over a month (they are in a nasty divorce) and we are being very patient about it. A final agreement was reached over the weekend so now moving ahead with further downsizing my collection. The new property is different than my current one so requirements have changed. Going from two acres to a bit less than half an acre with no trees means saws, chipper, and splitter are definitely getting sold. Not doing five neighbors drives and my own means little snow removal. A 40" gate presents a problem with mower decks so that will need to be addressed with probably with a new beehind purchase, although gear driven - with an accent .

I'd say that's a reasonable assumption and approach. Someone might lust over one of the RJs for example, and have absolutely zero interest for instance in the GT22-8, or anything else for that matter. That could be deal breaker for sure. I think you could maximize your return by selling each of the culls individually. Of course, it would require more time and communication on your part with prospective buyers, but I believe it would allow you to find the highest bidder and get the biggest dollars for your equipment. Individual selling of tractors would likely foster more competition for any particular model.....i.e increases your likelihood of a interested potential buyer(s) with cash in hand at a maximized price. I think the numbers of individuals interested in a one time, buy-it-all-at-once deal would be dramatically lower due to the sheer money involved. Just my

Aldon, we all will have to make this decision (or our heirs) sooner or later but hate to see it happen. I would keep the GT-16 because it has your fingerprints on every part. You showed it a lot of love and did a wonderful job on the build.

Redundancy is nice and you don't have to switch implements as often. The tiller is a nice tool but how often do you use it (and the tines look a bit worn). The GT 14 is a beast ...but an older beast and is less flexible in terms of implements.... One last thought. as you age getting on and off the tractors gets less easy... Which one is easier for you. One reason I love my Lawn ranger as a chore tractor easy on easy off...

Voted C-160 but that G-16 looks tastey too.

The baby dumptruck is incredible! Love to know more about that...

Thats Alex the Farmers Cuz !

Today testing the two way plow

This manual on your transmission should be helpful.

I'm an hour from Austin and go there almost weekly for work. If you end moving this direction let me know if I can help you with anything. I could store a few horses in a barn at the farm if it would help

Leave the wings on but flip them over. The single-stage snowthrower needs to be loaded with snow to operate properly and they help to draw in more snow. Attached are photos of my #79360 that I ironically never used as it was replaced with a 5xi #79365 that summer.

This might help https://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-25342?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-oem-specialty-tools&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuDTBRDUARIsAL41eDo67gx3xGg3j_bez2pTZAYuWiQukGpa0he-myjK-0NWoYi6K6887psaAr_IEALw_wcB

Drain it out and see if it's red or like goo or whatever. Should have the 5047 tranny in it. Keep in mind Tigger never know what a PO could have done in 54 years!

Most likely they can be cleaned - but will probably reveal a nice large pitted area in the center as most do. Cleaning them helps, but if pitted they won't last long before doing it again. That corrosion is typical and it's from tiny pieces of the material burning off and getting stuck to the surface. Good quality points are about non-existent, even the Kohler made ones aren't what they used to be for sure. I miss the days of Napa's good Echlin points - especially the Gold series when I ran the old dual point Chrysler distributor in my 440, that would fire instantly. I haven't looked for awhile now, but some pulling parts guy had sourced some really high quality points for those that didn't want electronic types - can't remember who it was now but I had bought several big block Kohler sets to keep on hand - out of them now. We always used to spend the time to square the contacts to each other - it helps to keep the timing from wandering - not a real big issue on a single cylinder old Kohler. I would at minimum replace the cover gasket and that grommet - both are available from Kohler new. Keeps the moisture out - that kills points quickly. Sarge

I took the tranny apart today, I found some surprises but nothing too serious. I had figured that I had a bad axle bearing judging by the oil leaking out of the right hand side. Found the bearing for the mushroom gear was also bad. Some one had been in this tranny before me and used RTV instead of a gasket when they put the cases back together. I'm not sure but this may have put some extra force against the side of the bearings. One other minor disappointment was that the differential has aluminum side plates instead steel. My tractor is a '69 which should have came with a 5071 trans and have steel side plates on the diff. Now either mine is an early model & was made with a 5060 trans or the diff was changed out at some point. On a side note @stevasaurus, @WHX14 on the subject as to which way the diff bolts should face. The nuts on mine are one the right hand side ( facing the the mushroom gear ). Looking at the set up if the bolts don't extend past the pegs that are cast into the side plates, I don't see much difference as to which way they face.

Fred you all all over the place as usual.

Now your draggin' hoes in to this ...

Feast your eyes on this Big Red Snapper with a FEL & Hoe, its for sale, 2800 OBO

Well...........gee...........what does a guy really say???, especially with all the toil and hard work you have been through with most of these tractors. I'd say it almost equates to having 6 children and having to decide which five to leave behind with family members because you realistically know you can't feed all six where you are going......and on top of that, knowing you may never see them again. That's a somewhat bogus analogy though because tractors are merely machines that work and do specific chores for us. They aren't our flesh and blood. They don't need to be fed and clothed and loved like we care for a child or children. Nevertheless, there always is somewhat of an emotional attachment to these mechanical creatures. I think the more of them one acquires, the more deeply rooted that attachment becomes, logical or not. I'm fortunate in that way in that all I've ever had is one tractor........the first year model 1-7441 GT 14. So, from that perspective, if I were you, I would naturally be partial to retaining your superb GT 16 Restomod..........which I believe was your first major Wheel Horse project. If I were you, I believe it would be hardest for me to part with this tractor. You probably have more mechanical experience with the GT model than any other. Of course, knowing your intellect and observational skills, you could easily become an expert with any of these other models of Wheel Horses as you are with the GT 14 beasts. So, perhaps that argument is negated. By the same token its hard to argue with the other contributor's choices of either the 314 or the C160............or the the argument for retaining two with interchangeable implements. I suggest you begin by choosing to sell the models with the least emotional attachment and the least utility based on where you end up moving......i.e where you might go could dictate what your needs will be. Your needs in Idaho, would likely be drastically different than say North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, or New Mexico/Arizona. Then finally.... the incomparable, remarkable, and as yet unfinished GT22-8. I'm left speechless when I think of you parting with that brilliant creation. Life is full of choices, and as we age our goals and needs also change, especially if our working careers involved fairly frequent, not necessarily desired moves. Start with the least important emotionally to you and evaluate each as to utility based on what you know at this point in time. I have the impression you don't have to clean house tomorrow and wash your hands of it all by next weekend, so be cautious, take your time, and make a decision based your best evaluation of what your needs will be based on the location to which you will be sent. Remember..... with the herd your have and the familiarity everyone here has with you, your word, and your tractor work, you shouldn't have a difficult time selling whatever you finally decide to part with. It should almost be like selling Girl Scout cookies to all the neighbors..........

I would keep the C-160-8 , if you sell the others to Forum members I am sure they would let you visit the tractors when you come back East for a visit.

Oke...if done as much catching up as i can reading the PDF's...but im without a clue. I know he keeps his WH "clean" for as as far as "normal" persons go. (ill check, tnx !) Although i wanna drive now towards him, (just have to find out hihi) Ill go visit him some evening upcoming week, ill bring some new oil along with me...and do a "flush". That's a good option ! I didn't thought of that ...thanks ! Thanks for you guys thinking along !

That's about the only thing that could cause that but even then the only thing that turns when in neutral is the little input gear.