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So 2 years ago while at a local show a old gentleman came over to our display. He specifically wanted to talk to me and even knew my name even tho we had never met. He had traveled a hour to talk to me. We talked tractors for a little bit and he said hey by the way I have half a dealer sign in my truck. We took a walk and I looked at it. He wanted 150 for it. Unfortunately I had already spent my limit at the show and had no free cash on me. He said he wouldn't sell it to anyone but me and I took down his number on a piece of paper. I also entered it into my phone. Well I have a problem where I smash screens on my phones quiet often. I broke my phone and lost his number. Well fast forward 10 months I was in the garage and found the piece of paper I had written his number down on. I figured there was no way he still had the sign but I gave him a call anyway. He answered and sure enough he said he still had it and that when he said he wouldnt sell to anyone else that was his word. He didnt care that 10 months later he finally heard from me. To my surprise he said he had the other half of the sign mounted to his garage and would sell both halves for 250. So we settled on a time and I drove out with my wife and kids and bought the sign. He was excited to show me his tractors while we were there. One stood out since it was a rj58. It was buried in his shed and hard to see. I knew the engine wasnt the typical Kohler but that's about all I could see. As we were getting ready to go he asked if I was interested in it. I said sure if the price is right. So he thought a few minutes and said "would 100 be to much since the transmission is stuck". My wife who had cut me off from buying anymore tractors (😂😂😂 jokes on her) gave me the look that I thought I would never see. Approval. Once I had that quick look I said I tell you what I will do 150. Which I know is still extremely low for one of these. Well he was just tickled pink. He was going to use it as lawn art in the spring. I paid him but couldnt fit the tractor without breaking the sign so I said I will come back up. Well when I went he had it sitting out side and we loaded it. It was even nicer in person than I thought originally. It's a beautiful all original tractor with the Clinton on it. I got the Clinton running after thinking it had a broken rod cause it would spin and stop. I pulled the head to see what it was doing if anything and it had so much carbon under the head that the piston couldnt come up all the way. Then once running it wouldnt drive. Turns out all the bolts on the differential were broken. I fixed those and it runs and drives like a dream. Easily one of my favorite tractors in my collection. Long story I know but hopefully you enjoy it.

I would like to show you my winter project, i call it the TUB-RAT. I was totally in love with the car and motorcycle that @wallfish made and wanted to do something myself but how could i be different? I also challenged myself to use only parts i had laying around and some steel from the scrapyard. I had an idea and layed some parts out here was the rough draft of my idea Here it is at a later stage fitting the steering wheel position still a long way to go I kept plugging away at it and this is what i came up with it has a 3speed transaxle, and standard long frame. I used a kohler k161 from a gear reduction snowblower. The only place i splurged was on front tires thanks @Achto for the white wall idea. My image i tried to use as a model was an old T bucket. Well here she is TUB-RAT

I've always been a stickler for cleaning under the mower deck after every mowing but I'm not going to remove the deck every time. My usual method has always been to lift it with a floor jack under the transmission. I've pondered one of these Harbor Freight lifts for quite some time but just never pulled the trigger. Well, I did a few weeks ago and I have to say that for well under a c-note it's one of the best investments I've made. Much safer than the floor jack. I love it!

Picked this up last night for $40 not a WH but still a good worker fabbed up a hitch today and now shes ready for work

Well this makes #7. There is 6 other Seniors at home for it to play with.

Just got a text from my friend who has my rj35 hood saying he was going to be dropping off tomorrow morning. Exciting since he has had it for 10 months to do some body work to it. Thankfully we have both been busy and I havent had time to finish my 35. The hoods the last critical piece I need to put it all together minus the pulley with the friction disk. I will need to prime and paint it but I'm happy with that.

I like it! What's the plow handle for? Hope you didn't keep the tub dump feature!

Don't know about that Robby,

Happy Birthday @nylyon, we are all glad you were born! Hope you can make it to the "Big Show" this year; otherwise we will have to bring back "Karl on a Stick"

@nylyon Happy Birthday! Thanks for putting up with us yahoos on a daily basis, and for all you do in the Wheel Horse community!

He didnt have the frame work so I had to get creative. I thought about making a frame then hanging it in the middle of the garage but I would hit my head on it. So I bought a sheet of 1/4" plywood and ripped it down then bought rope lighting on the plywood and covered it with the signs.

I need to get my wife in that mindset!

I made some for my 312-8.

I’m sure Ill catch heck for saying this ...but I don’t bring my wife with me to tractor machinery shows. Her and I both know she’ll quickly be bored and that will shorten my time at a show. Plus I’m not on the move all the time. I’m quite happy ( like this last Zagray Show with @wallfish & @SALTYWRIGHT ) just sitting in our spot watching the show attendees and machines roll by while shooting the breeze about anything that comes up. Does anyone here know that Russ (saltywright) once put a diesel motor in a Corvette?? Those are the kind of cool stories you miss out on when you bring someone who is not gonna want to hang out at a tractor/machinery show. Not saying we do everything seperate because that’s the farthest thing from the truth, but after almost 27 successful years of marriage my wife and I know when to hang out and when to not hang out

The GT mafia @WHX22 and @Achto posted a video a while back with a game of "chain piling" using tractors to run back and forth to pile a 30 ft piece chain. I couldn't find the post with the video but maybe Jim or Dan can post it? I was think'n of bringing some chain so we can compete or do it just for fun at the Big show. Couple of ways we can do it. 1) pile the chain in as short of a pile as you can within 2 minutes, then the pile is measured and the shortest pile wins. Donation $1 to enter 2) run a race with 2 chains and pile the chains within a 30 inch marker, the faster person wins the heat and takes on the next challenger. Looser pays the donation for both $2 *****WHCC gets all the proceeds. Side bets are up to the contestants and or spectators Plus an extra chain or two for the kids play with. One concern is people going as fast as they can on their tractors so not sure if WHCC will approve of this. I'd like to set it up on the infield and will use some yellow tape to "rope" it off. Anyone have any input and or interest?

Having been give some felled, actually ripped out with a digger, trees, that are in a field close by. To make life a little bit easier, I decided to make a box for chainsaw etc, rather than have carry them in the trailer, then on top of a load of wood. I'll be using my Sears GT16 for trailer duty as usual, so I made this out of scrap wood. That fits on the front of the Sears. The hitch pit has to be removed to fit it and stops it from sliding out. Next was a box. Again made from scrap wood salvaged when I dismantled the dog kennel. 9" deep x 19" x 36". The box has yet to be finished, but it has been tested for strength. It takes my weight, all 12-1/2 stone so should be fine for the chainsaw etc.

The Rat Fink ain't got notten on you, very cool!

Haven’t done much yet with this. Here is what I have so far. Have to do some thinking for this one. News at 11. Lol!

Kind of a dump feature, its the hand clutch

Thank you all. So far it’s been great. Started out early today, treated my truck to a full wash, then off to get some bagels. First sunny day in a while around here, so got some seat time on the 416-H, got most of the lawn mowed, except where newly formed lakes are. was able to take a nice long drive in the convertible, all by myself, the off to Texas Roadhouse for a wonderful meal with my family. Now just sitting here reading these Birthday wishes, great to read these, they really added to a fantastic day, waiting for my cake now, then maybe a couple beers on the deck with the puppies.

Well the sand blasting didn't work. It's a long story. But the wire cup did pretty good. Hopefully it holds up! Regal red is a little brighter than the new Toro red but it's close enough.

I got the engine back together and ran it a little. Now I’m ready to take this tractor back apart and start prepping it for paint.

It's getting there. I also learned from a old timer to use a paint/primer as the primer on rims cause its less apt to run. He was right.

I appreciate it but you wouldn't want to see the result of me trying to "fry" pieces of steel together

Happy Birthday and thankyou for the idea and for giving us the opportunity to not only belong to a great source of knowledge and learning but also to be able to get to know and interact with many great individuals whom otherwise we may have never come across. A truly great service.

I've taken my wife to three different tractor shows, including twice to the 'big show' because it's always on her birthday. Stayed at a nice bed and breakfast last time (even though it made me late for show) and took her out to a nice dinner, but she was completely bored by the tractors. Fortunately, she found another bored wife to talk to, and just sat in the pavilion most of the day chatting. We do a lot together, but at this point we agree that she has her 'girl get-togethers' and I have my tractor shows. Some time apart makes for a better marriage when we are together. Jim

We appreciate all you do. Have a great day.

The ONLY engine show the wife goes to is the Bernardston MA show because they have a huge flea market side as well as the side with the engine show. She can spend all day over there trinket shopping and have fun while I play around on the tractor side. Took her to the big show ONCE and that was enough. All she wanted to do the whole time was leave and do something else because she has absolutely no interest. Time apart is just as important as time together

WHAT? Isn't it much easier to change your screen name to WHX100?

Bob i use a guy out my way for all my metal work. I have the parts you are looking to make. I’ll bring mine down to him. And get a quote. I’m sure it won’t be $200 a set. WHx22 knows his work, I had a part made for him. Brian

At school woodwork was not my favourite class. Metalwork yes. Wood work no. Though as the years have gone by since those days, like maths, my woodworking skills???? have improved a bit. I'll only miss the nail head one in three.

I thought i was the only one that did that, well i guess im not crazy after all By the way nice rj there, i am looking forwards to seeing it when you finish.

Nothing better than cooking with adult beverages, even if you decide to use some on the food.

Expecting the kids to show up for Mom's Day and knowing my sons legendary appetite I asked his mom to double up on the munchies for her day.First batch.I wondered how many of my beers she was using for the baste and she wouldn't say.

Got my Craftsman GT out of this shed this past weekend, gave it an oil-n-filter change, a new fuel filter and of course a bath. They get no respect but this one is about to take on its 16 season mowing for me. It was a Father's Day gift for me 16 years ago and it's never let me down, very comfy and not to loud. It came with a 46" deck and a triple bagger which it's a perfect combo for my yard and we all know mowing with a hydro is faster and easier than a gear driven tractor. Other than the basic maintenance I have never had to wrench on it. Pics of course; Mike........

I don’t get a ton of pics but here’s a couple that caught my eye

Gave it a bath. Some the red is comeing through

12 1/2 stone 175 pounds? That should carry a chain saw +.

When not installed one actually wonders how the heck it goes on since it is such a klutzy little contraption.

Nice looking RJ there!!

Nope. I told Trina about the card trick after seeing on Redsquare somewhere. She tried it... Works like a charm!!

Is that a fancy way of saying “I’ve been organizing my shop and found parts enough to build a few! Let’s celebrate and grab a 516H!” ???

Looks fine to me. Look in the manuals section here to find the manual for your deck. Go through it step by step and the rod Richard is referring to will be obvious.

The attachment looks good. At the rear of the deck there is an adjustment that may need to be changed. Look for a long threaded rod going toward the front.

A very large bear left us a present in the driveway last night.

You are most correct about foot wear & clothing both. I routinely wear boots in the woods and I have an excellent set of snake proof (at least snake resistant) leggings which I wore religiously when younger, but I rarely ever wear them these days. I do like the added protection they provide, but they are hot, heavy & make extra noise, all of which I do not care for. I also, almost always, wear gloves when working and hunting both. The gloves chosen for each activity are selected to afford the greatest security to my hands during each pursuit. Hunting I am most concerned with warmth yet having a fine touch or feel for manipulating safeties, triggers, etc. When working, I strictly want thick gloves which provide the greatest defense against briars, thorns, cuts, scrapes, stings and bites from any & all things. Just picking up something off the ground which disturbs a fire ant nest not previously seen, with gloves on, will often prevent a lot of stings to the bear hands, from the little spit fire monsters straight from the pits of hell! And as Paul Harvey used to say, "The other side of the story, is...." I suffered a massive heart-attack in 2012, and I have been on a blood thinner, and take a single 325 mg Aspirin daily. I don't bleed like a stuck pig as the old saying goes, but gloves prevent a lot of cuts and scrapes especially from briars, thorns & vines, when mowing and doing other activities about the place. I also wear long sleeves when doing any activities where I may come into contact with briars, thorns and other items which could scrape, scratch, cut or tear bare skin. Admittedly a with the gloves, but worn for protection from any & all things, does include snakes too! I encounter Copperheads & Water (Cottonmouth) Moccasin's more than Rattlesnakes, but Rattlesnakes are definitely encountered. I can not recall ever encountering a Rattlesnake, which rattled before I killed it. Some didn't rattle even when action was taken to remove them from all thing living, and others told the whole world they were ticked-off, when their own demise was at hand. Early in my career as a compliance officer, I encountered a Copperhead in the milk room at a dairy barn one morning. Later asked if I cited the dairy for the snake, I said no, I just killed the Copperhead and went on about my inspection. I am like the missionary who said one time, I hate all five kinds of snakes. He said he had been told there wasn't five kinds, but he said he knew differently, that there were venomous snakes, non-venomous snakes, live snakes, dead snakes & rubber snakes, and he still hated them all. I don't molest the rubber, dead & non-venomous ones, unless they startle me so suddenly, I have killed them before I have time to realize they were not venomous. So occasionally there is some collateral damage where snakes are involved. I have been told by others various snakes emit an odor, but I have never detected an odor about a live one, nor any I, or others, have killed. Unless it is a very potent perfume, or aftershave I rarely ever smell, either unless I am extremely close to the wearer, like in a crowded elevator. I do not go about smelling people, nor do I try and smell a live or dead snake. I guess my olfactory receptors are not as developed as some peoples, so I prefer to visually observe for snakes, over trying to smell for them. For those of you that can smell snakes, you have an added advantage when in snake country, I wish, I shared with you. I did have a Copperhead, I was searching for, which had just bitten my German Shepherd, try to imitate a rattler. The Shepherd was still a young dog and had probably never encountered a snake before. I knew in my own mind it was a snake by the way she acted and then when she went to crying after being bit, I knew it was a snake. The Copperhead was in some leaves, but I had his location targeted. I had a long handle brush clearing hook, and had stabbed it into the leaves a few times in an effort to injure, kill, or run the snake into the open. It went to vibrating its tail in the leaves which did imitate a Rattlesnake, but it did not sound like a Rattlesnake. It did finally run under a six foot length of tin on the ground. I took the Shepherd and placed her in the back of the Jeep and told the wife to take her to the Vet just up the road, and to tell them she was bitten probably twice on her nose, by a Copperhead, which I saw. Then I proceeded to go back, find & kill the Copperhead. His only chance would have been to simply vacate the property, because that was one snake, I intended to hunt down & kill. Once I could provide my undivided attention to the Copperhead, I cautiously moved the tin with the brush hook. There was a small hole in the ground under the tin, so I set the water hose next to the hole and turned the water to a steady flow then waited. It probably wasn't as long as it seemed. but it seemed like forever waiting. Then slowly a little flickering tongue appeared at the opening in the ground. I also had a flat very sharp edged shovel handy, and as the little beedie eyed monster had his head one to two inches above the opening, I slammed the sharp flat shovel at a shallow angle right through the hole, and I ended the career of one more Copperhead. Once the Copperhead was out of the hole, I continued to watch the hole as it completely filled with water, should there be any others there, but none exited, even when the hole was no longer taking in any water. I broke the Copperheads backbone in a dozen places then threw it over the fence and watched a buzzard swoop down and carry his carcass away. Mia Belle stayed at the Vets office until closing time, when they discharged her. She was so full of pain medicine and antibiotics, she was feeling no pain and swayed like a drunk as she walked. She slept in the utility room that night. I let her out for a few minutes, just before going to bed myself and she walked a little better, but still swayed a little as she walked. By morning she was running around/about normal, and it was hard to find where the Copperhead had bit her.

If you can make it to the "Big Show" you will find that lots of us bring Wheel Horses that are wearing their work clothes!

Made up another exhaust stack for the C-125 this morning. The one on was an old BSA motorcycle silencer. The outlet pipe was rather holey, with a cut up tin can wrapped round and held by jubilee clips. So cut off the bad bit off the BSA one and the tail end off a tractor one. The result.