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Hey guys, I logged on yesterday for the first time in several months and was inspired by Dells68 and Crazywheelhorseman to post my find from last summer. Short story: I bought an 876 off of craigslist a couple weeks after coming home from the WHCC show last year. My 1st child came a little early, so I stuck the tractor in the shed and haven’t touched it since. Don’t have plans to touch it for now, but I’m glad I bought it! Long story: I went to the wheel horse show in PA last year and managed to hold off on buying a short frame that I was really jonesing for. There were several there, but Richard’s 857 with the dual wheels was really calling my name. Anyways, I held off because my wife was about 7.5 months pregnant and it wasn’t the responsible thing to do. After all, this was going to be my last WHCC show for a little bit, and I had already sold my other 3 short frames and a gravely walk behind in the spirit “growing up”. Well folks, It only took 2 weeks. While surfing craigslist on my lunch break an ad popped up for an 876 in Richmond, VA. There were no pictures, but it said that it had original paint and ran when it was last parked in the storage shed 10 years ago. The only implement it came with was a disc set. Not sure what brand it was. The price was $225 for everything, so I figured that was good enough to take the gamble. I checked the oil and tightened the alternator belt on the ol’ horse hauler (1984 toyota pickup) and headed north…well started to head north….I didn’t get but about 2 miles down the road and noticed the truck was running a little hot. What? How could this be? It’s a Toyota, that’s not supposed to happen. I thought, eh, “It’s all highway, I’m sure it will be fine.” Stupid. This is what happens when you have your mind set on a wheel horse. I mean, I’ve built a couple different chevy motors for my project vehicles. I work at a transmission manufacturer. I’m not new when it comes to motors/cars/maintenance. And when it comes to overheating, I knew with all of my being that it should be addressed very soon. bad bad things might result if an over heating problem is not addressed SOON. Clearly, I was not thinking rationally. So anyways, like I said, I headed north. It was an uneventful 2.5 hour trip up there until I got off on the exit where the WH was located. The temperature needle creeped closer and closer to the red line and as soon as I pulled into the guys neighborhood I cut the engine and coasted to his driveway. I thought, no big deal, I’ll get this thing and head home. I was there for literally 30 seconds and the guy starts wheeling the tractor to my truck…whoa whoa whoa…wait a second, let me at least pop the hood before we load it up. It definitely was not what I imagined. The seat was torn, the choke and throttle cables were frozen, it didn't run (which I knew going up there), fluid was leaking from the axles, and to top it all off, one of the sidewalls on the rear tire blew as he was rolling it towards my truck. After talking for a few minutes, it was clear that he wasn’t coming much off the price. More worried about actually making it home, I decided to just pay him and get the heck out of there. The truck started fine, and I was able to get on the highway before it got into the red. I plugged in my address (well, what I thought was my address) and headed….north… Fortunately, because I’m so smart, I realized that I was driving north. Now I’m not the brightest cookie in the jar, but I know that if I had just driven 2.5 hours north, I needed to at least go 2.5 hours south. After realizing the GPS was going to my exact address, just in a different state, I corrected the issue and turned towards home. About the time I got the truck turned around, the battery light came on…. Great… OK, no big deal. I knew the belt was on the fritz when I started this trip, so I came prepared with the tools. By this time it was about 8:45pm and I knew time was running out if I wanted to make it to the auto parts store before they closed. So I picked the closest parts store to the highway and headed that direction. I arrived at autozone around 9:00 (they close at 9:30) and I popped the hood. Much to my dismay, the alternator belt was intact. Awesome. Who’s Idea was it to drive this truck, knowing it needed maintenance, on a 6 hour round trip during the work week? Oh yeah… mine. Genius. Anyways, I head inside with my fingers crossed that they have an alternator. Of course they didn’t. The only alternator in town is 30 minutes in the other direction. There was no way I was going to make it there before it closed. No problem, I have a plan B. My truck is carbureted and doesn’t have too many things that run off of electricity, so I’ll try to make it home on batteries. So I bought 2 batteries, a new belt (just in case), some coolant, a new thermostat, gasket sealer, and a bottle of water and headed out the door. I started the truck and got back on the highway. Only 140 miles to go. I called my wife and told her that I was going to turn my phone off because of course I didn’t bring a phone charger. At this point, I was so mad at myself, that she just told me to get home as safely and quickly as possible and she would see me when I got there. The truck battery that was in the truck lasted all the way to the house! I was amazed. The headlights didn’t dim but just a little bit, but by the end of the trip the electronic ignition was acting funny and the horn was really weak. I rolled in at about 12:15am and went straight to bed. So the moral of this story is: Don’t do stupid things. I am looking forward to getting it running and preserving the great patina! I have since sold the disc set for 75 bucks, so ended up having 145 in it (not counting gas, of course). Anyways, here are the pictures I took last summer.

I think this is what cool people these days call a life hack. But I was in the garage this morning cleaning my engine block and some other parts and thought of something semi-genius when my wire wheel finally gave out. I have an old needle scaler for my air chisel gun and while using about 1/4 to 1/3 trigger, it peeled away the paint, rust and grime to a clean metal finish!

Took these pics last October and as you can see, I junked the Tecumseh!! Warmer weather is coming and getting ready for a new project as this one just dragged on too many years.....So I'm calling this one done!!!

A couple more pictures to add. One is the sticker on the hood that says "Pohlig's". The 2nd picture is of the disc set. I'm curious if anyone knows what brand it is. The 3rd picture is of a tractor that I always admire at the WHCC show. It is what I would like the tractor to look like once it is cleaned up.

When I was still in the hydro turbine business and I had to prep rusty corroded steel parts for painting, the needle scalers were the tool used if sand or shot blasting was not practical. Just be sure to use good ear, eye and breathing protection.

So, i was just looking at my last post and noticed that before this year, my last was in 2014. I've just been reviewing the site and WOW, has it grown and it's even more amazing to see the collecting has reached the height it has. Wheel Horse has always been near and dear to me especially as a young child. What a great group that has gathered here. The group was great before with no doubt but the wealth of helpful people and information is amazing. Anyway, it's great to be back and a great big hello to the great people I already know on here and another hello to those I've yet to meet. Jack

Well guess what Mike...here is a picture of Doug C and here is Chris Sutton and Norm. (Stormin)

I'm on a couple of forums revolving around old engines, RV's, etc. This is the only one where I have actually met a bunch of people in person and consider them friends, had phone conversations with guys from other states that I never met in person, etc. It is awesome to be able to pick up the phone and talk to someone and it's like you have been friends for years (and you may have been on the forum). It's great to meet people on here and then run into them at other shows. Not to mention, this particular forum has the best format and functionality over any other I have used because we have great people dedicated to it Anyway, welcome back

Well I saw 18” so I went with that. I am having my niece cut one out for me on her plasma table. If it makes it back home it will be put up over my shed door. The horse is 6” tall but the rest is 1/8”x 4” x 18” long. Don’t know if that fits the requirements but if not I’ll have a nice shed sign.

Please remember, if you jack up the rear with the jack centered, the tractor can unexpectedly tilt to the side and possible fall off the jack. The swiveling front axle will not keep it stable.

Thanks for the comments guys! My daughter is 7 months old today. And she is a chatter box just like her dad. She is In to everything! Ed, We actually drove separate to the hospital because we met at the doctors office for her routine 38 week appointment,. At that appointment they told us to go ahead and go to the hospital due to her blood pressure. Everything worked out fine though. And the hospital food was actually really good! Sarge, I'd love to see a picture of that land cruiser! I love old toyotas, I just wish they didn't rust so badly! My 84 was given to me by my dad. He said he didn't want it anymore. He bought it new in 1984. It was the first "new" car he ever purchased. I grew up learning to drive it and couldn't stand the thought of it being sold to someone else. My daily is a 1997 4runner with a 5 speed manual. Love that truck! New enough to have amenities, but old enough to still be "stoopid."

Old Toyota trucks are too stupid to die, about the same as the WH...congrats. I went out yesterday and charged the battery in the 77 Land Cruiser , fired right off and ran perfect despite sitting for 6 months and having very old gas in it. The old 2F inline six is too stupid to die...but reliable, lol. Sarge

You have to know that this would require a video. or at least pictures of the needle scalier. Not to mention pictures of the parts you cleaned.

Chris is actually the younger by a year, Jim. I'd best not comment on Steve and Mike. Steve keeps threatening to come over here for a visit.

And a picture of Suspender Jim... @elcamino/wheelhorse and the Birthday Boy!!

For those that don't know. That's Chris on the left and I'm the handsome, younger looking one on the right. Oh! And I now sport a beard.

Great now I need a new monitor. I thought a vampire's image won't reflect? Pretty cool. I have almost the same glass cabinet here!

lots of us have that sat in a barn or out in the elements for decades and have come back to life. Being up on jack stands won't harm it, but you won't be getting any seat time and that is what it's all about!

I've never had an issue lifting from under the transmission and front axle. Yor may want to use a short 2x4 with a hole in the center to straddle the grease zerk on the axle but I've done it without many times.

Congratulations! That tractor will clean-up nice! it was smart to put the pics at the end...otherwise I may not have read your entire dissertation

I'm restoring a 518-H. It has the Eaton 700 Transaxle. I have located a Gentleman that has a replacement 1100. He also has all the parts to turn it into a 8 speed. I have a 310-8 that I love. I'm seriously considering making the change. What are your thoughts. I live on hilly property, The Tractor will be used for mowing and snow removal

I love my 876 it was my first horse. I got it at an auction in the early 90's for 300 and had the engine and hydro rebuilt. It's very dependable and moves snow, dirt, pulls trailers, mows, and just keeps on going

Try a foot controlled hydro with hydraulic lift for plowing or blowing snow and you'll never go back to shifting gears.

Made good progress tonight on mounting this cab to my tractor. Be carefully studying the pictures here and in the instruction manuals I found in the manuals section I was able to correct a few mistakes in my mockup and the parts started fitting better. I had to make 2 brackets for the rear as what came with it just was wrong. Hit the seat, gas cap, and was too low. The2 brackets I made fixed rthat. I would say I am 75% there. Just need to fabricate some brackets to extend the wishbone looking front panel frame to the footboards. I was able to mount the doors and they fit well and open and close without binding so I guess I'm on the right track. I also did a test sit. Well it's a chore getting in and out. Clearly not designed for tall old fat guys. But I do fit and can't wait to get the skin on and give it a test drive.

Not if his new buddy from last year is there, she hardly ever stopped talking.

I would go with the 1100. If you go to the eight speed you will be giving up the hydraulic lift. Unless you installed an electric lift from a 417-8 (hard to find) you would have to change the whole lift lever/rock shaft as well as the clutch and brake system. As tough as an Eaton 1100 is I can't see going to the eight speed. This was my first winter plowing snow with a hydro (418-C) and i have become a fan of hydros.

You can cut some small "wedges" from wood and drive them into either side of the front axle pivot point to safely jack the rear up with out the tractor falling off of the jack.

I need to see this.

I bring my Tundra to an independent shop that specializes in Toyota. Once a year before the Big Show I tell them to tear it apart and fix whatever it needs. 3 yrs. in a row it has needed nothing. When I go there there's almost always a customer there that wants to buy it to have when their truck finally dies. Going in after Memorial Day. Just turned 197,000. In 4 years I have replaced the Radiator (no leaks but the fins were getting soft) 4 shocks (nothing wrong with them but I figured they had 180,000 on them. Replaced them with Bilsteins) and a muffler and tailpipe. I think I'll have them change the airfilter this year.

(I'm shopping around for needle scalers at the moment... LEGIT interest mixed-in with the b@ll breaking )

@WV Hillbilly hey Jeff, you saw the before pics, these are after my 1st cleaning. $50 bucks I paid for this!!!!!!! Needs some work obviously, but think this was deal of the year, and it's only Feb. Runs great. Thanks For listening to my gloating but a deal like this deserves touting. 717 hrs

Skittles: the sign. Nah that ain’t happening. Let me rephrase..... It will be painted to match my tractor, after it’s painted. Red, black & grey.

So you are painting it blue, green and yellow?

Whew, I was on edge just reading that story. Did you use the Toyota to take the Mrs. to the hospital when the baby came? Chapter 2 Sure glad it all worked out and you got 2 new gems. Welcome back and congratulations.

That looks like an item that should be available for purchase. Is your Niece interested in being a vendor? Don't forget the two screw mounting holes near one end of the sign.

Congratulations on the new addition...er..I mean the.the baby of course!!!

You may be the only man in recorded history who can document he was right, his wife was wrong, and live to tell the tale!

@c-series don, that's the correct Toro/WH part # and the belt is actually 64.5" , Jeff.

Ya not lookin to fab stuff up. I'll wait. Thanks @WV Hillbilly. Here's a couple pics, not unloaded yet. 50 bucks !!!!!!!!!! 717 hrs. Should have some life.needs work but that's what I do. Man I miss my 520😣

I enjoy converting these small boats. This is the one I'm working on now. It's a 1960's Lund 12'. Installingn a carpeted floor, pedestal seat, dash, remote steering and controls. On the last one the dash was stained and varnished but haven't decided what to do on this one. Where the red was will now be Royal blue as will the front deck which will be aluminum. This one will be powered by a 1956 Johnson 15hp that I just finished going through.

I bought some of those, sent them right back. Now I'm waiting for my ship to come in with my new ones. we'll see how they look. A lathe makes quick work of the socket fitment issue, maybe you could get @Achto to fix you up

Winter isn't over, he is hibernating!

No - it’s a 90% of manual transmissions thing.

@Stormin Who is younger ? Both good looking Chaps . You don't want to see @squonk or @stevasaurus before they put on their make up. They make their wives travel with a huge pile of make up so the boys look pretty for their photos.

Yup now I've done it.

The second pic is the oem kit. @Rp.wh got a slew of those for a ridiculously low price but he has yet to share his source ...so much for his inheritance

Hello Mr Jack...pleased to meet you . Yes great bunch of extended family 'cept maybe for the hoarder above Welcome back Mr. Cotter

Howard WILL make an exception for a fantastic sign like that!

Nelson mufflers are not cheap, but they are good! http://www.nelsonglobalproducts.com/catalogs/ Years back I had a portable welder with a 14 HP Kohler and I went to a local muffler shop and he sold me a used compact car muffler that quieted it down to where I could carry on a conversation while welding. Not that anyone wanted to hear what I had to say.