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Beautiful day here in east central WI. Finally got to do something that needed to be done several weeks ago but I had to wait for the snow to subside and melt away... Leaf cleanup! I picked up a 48” mower deck this summer with a complete bagger that had very little use for Caleb’s JackRabbit (418-C). I asked Caleb which tractor he wanted to use to haul the collected leaves back to the compost pile and he chose Comanche (thanks again @Sparky for helping us make that tractor a reality for him) He was really stoked to get some more seat time on it. The idea was that I would run JackRabbit and collect the leaves, he would dump them in the wagon and run them to the back while I was collecting more. It worked especially well because we have two sets of bags. I’d sometimes have another set full before he’d get back. I could take those off and set them on the ground, throw on the other set and continue working. Then he’d get back around and dump those while leaving the bags in a handy spot for me. It is awesome to have such a competent and able coworker! Once we finished the bulk of the yard, I came back by the pile while Judge was raking up the debris. I took off the residue and then put everything away. It was a fun couple of hours getting to use Caleb’s horses and work with the boys.

You never know what kind of a hand life will deal you. In my case my hands began to become progressively more numb while this project was going on. Long story short I had Carpal Tunnel Release surgery on both hands in October (two weeks apart) and have been following doctors orders. The right hand continues to have some numbness but It should go away and using them will do no harm I was able to resume work on the GT-14 assembly a few days ago and finished it today (with the exception of some @Vinylguy decals that I have asked Santa for ) The transaxle is working well and while it was apart I repaired the parking brake. The repaint is a twenty footer at best, no need of making this worker a trailer queen. Figured I should take a few pictures before I get it dirty.

Got my GT1600 and my Arien’s blower ready. Fresh oil, grease, gas etc... The factory fuel shutoff was leaking on the Ariens, had to remove a bunch of stuff to get to it including the fuel tank I literally JUST FILLED UP! Oh well, all fixed now. My C105 is my back up plow machine, that one is not ready yet. Bring on the white stuff!!

Getting closer to having my HY-3 rockshaft done! Got home and test fit it in the tractor and it all lined up and operated smooth!

Hot oil. The crud is in suspension not laying on the bottom where it will stay while you drain. i have never heard of draining cold oil as being the best choice

This is my ‘62 702 that is almost completely finished. I’m having trouble finding some final parts including a new steering wheel, fuel cap, and starter belt cover! I can’t seem to find these parts anywhere! Does anybody know of any available?

Price was right, 48" deck runs a drives great. Woo hoo. I've officially run out of space. Just kidding............. if I sell the JD 185 and the Massey 12 I'll have more room

There may be a new wheeler on the horizon though

Just a point, Eric. If your going to use it to put things in, I'd drill a hole or two in the bottom. You'll want dry gloves and water in a bottle.

One of our hiking friends is a fabricator by trade. She made up the spacer to go between the frame and transmission. It's 7 x 7 x 7. 5/16" thick. One side is solid capped and the other has a 5" hole to access the bolts. I was originally going to mount it "hole side" down but Trina and I have decided to keep it "hole side" up because it will be EXTREMELY handy for holding general items. Small tools. Gloves. Water bottle... Whatever..... For reference the tiles are 12" square.

I havent been liking the amount of slop in the steering shaft to block assembly. Thanks @WHX24 for the idea.Here is why The steering shaft was worn more that the block so i decided to turn down the shaft and press on a bronze bushing Super tight now! i also decided to do the same in the steering wheel end this way they cannot rust together again! Fun pic Max (4) decided he wanted to clean in the garage so he started maintenance on the mower deck

It wouldn't have leaked if you didn't do that!

As stated by pfrederi, use a 5/8 dia bolt...4 or 5 inch long. Here are a few pics that may help

Got it some new "Simulators" I think it makes it look like a whole 'nother ride...

I sold my sleds about 15yrs ago, I do miss them the one or two times a year when I would actually be able to use them. For the most part though I felt like I had too much invested in them for the use I was able to get out of them,

I left the snow cab, snow blade and tire chains on the 95 520H this spring knowing I was getting old and having trouble with duties... last year were not a problem. Glad I did. I am ready for winter I do need to install new battery for this snow season it is 4 years old and cranks kinda slow..........Like me.......... Mother always told me I was a little slow....

My guess is that the factory lifting device made three point contact, two of which were resting against the side and the third one went through the eye, If memory serves me right I think @ebinmaine has a lifting rig that works well.

Ever seen “Home Alone”? Steve’s recreating the window / ornament scene!

The Ponds’ original NOS Wheel Horse Ouija Board Game. Meant to provide hours of fun in the garages and man caves of the midwestern suburban WH owners... The idea did not pan out when WH owners realized they could make their own ouija board pieces simply by buying green and yellow tractors and using them like a ... They fell apart, providing a ready supply of pieces...

Head is milled, ported and polished now. Stainless valves installed with heavier valve springs and automotive style keepers so it won't eat a valve. Next to install the head and measure and order my pushrods

Hey @stevasaurus. Did you get those off of @WHX24's bench??

Nice Towel

Well I managed to get some paint on the seat tray. I'm not 100% happy with it but needs must at this time of year. Now its painted I have assembled the seat and fitted the rear lights.

Looking good there Sparky! Ariens snowblowers are made too far from us I’ve got the diesel Cub with the hydro turn blade mounted and ready to go. I’m hoping to get Zach’s Blackbeard (GT14) ready with his 36” single stage to play with this winter in the appropriate snow levels. With the 16hp Magnum upgrade, we should have the power...not sure if the single stage will give me the launching power to hurl the snow far enough. I haven’t hooked up the deuce to Kelli’s RED quite yet...

I was in band practice. B&W TV with Walter Cronkite....Can we reincarnate him???

That's awesome Josh!! Looks like you guys had some great bonding time while getting some work done with the horses. I woke up this morning with big ideas but... was out of ambition by the time I got home from work. Maybe get some thing done tomorrow after work...or not

Ed, you gave me the idea for the 2nd picture. Now they are 1" hubs.

I worked for 40 years in the automotive wheel industry. The company also made wheels for 18 wheelers. In one of the trade magazines, I saw a single frame cartoon of a mechanic inside the safety cage, inflating the tire that was leaning against the cage with the locking ring starting to peel off. I never thought anybody would actually do that! Seeing the safety video on assembling multi piece rims showing what happened when you got it wrong was good enough for me. I never wanted to see one come apart in person! One of our computer labs was separated from the wheel bullwheel test room by a cement block wall. One day I was happily working away on the computer when one of the truck tires on test decided to let loose. I felt the explosion as much as heard it on my side of the wall. That was more than close enough for me! Semi tires run close to 100 psi. Multiplying that pressure by the area of the sidewall makes a very large number that is worth of much respect.

@Digger 66 I feel exactly the same way you do, a lot of work to put into it to ride and before you know it your loading back up to go home. A lot of awesome memories, scenery, mountains good friends and good times, unfortunately all good things eventually come to an end. I still have two very clean Ski-Doos and a nice covered aluminum trailer that I say I am going to sell because I do not use them anymore, I just need to place the classified add and get over it, still hard to do.

You might need a little more Horse Power.

Well Steve, I see you've tried the duct tape repair already, what about the JB Weld and super glue?

Not now . I just don't have time to ride anymore . Half the day is hooking up , loading , unloading , tying down , driving , unloading . When I had 6 weeks vacation time , it was worth it to drive to find snow but now I have just two weeks a year . There's also not as much snow locally to make it worthwhile . I really love it but the work to do it now outweighs the reward .

When God closes a door he opens a window...or a spot in the garage for another sled...or Wheel Horse

"Some assembly required "

Never say never.

I tried that on one of my big tractors once about a gallon of Rotella 15w-40 on the floor

I'm not sure, but I think Howard just solved all of the world's problems in one post. I always knew the world's problems were about OIL, but I did not know that changing it would fix everything. Thanks Howard!!!

thumbs up !

Listening to our crowd talk,,,,sounds normal to us,,,,,servicing our machines...charging the batteries and even giving them a good rinsing off and even a soapy bath....But today its different....neighbors dont even know the next door neighbors first name,,,the last thing in their mind is an oil change on the yard equipment,,,if,,,, they keep the oil full, can be a wunder,,,,,much less a filter change,,,society is changing....they know more about their cell battery life than they do for the one under their truck or cars hoods,,,that they depend on to keep them mobil,,,, even my 2 mid 30,s children are perfectly content sittting quietly,,,,,consumed with their social media,,,,,,, I wunder,,,,will they be content one day going to their social media for thanks giving and other big holidsays,,,,,, as you were gentlmen.... stay safe,,,,,,,

Milton Bradley.newest puzzle. Recommended for 4-6 years. Get yours for the Kindergarteners in your home!

Parts diagram "exploded view"

Just an observation, but you are missing the brake. PTO will never stop spinning without it. Also, the little spring on top is only used to keep tension on the rod to keep it from rattling. Inside the PTO at the end of the crankshaft, there should be a stud (14-106 in drawing) screwed into the end of the crank. Over that stud should be a spring (14-107) that helps push the PTO out when disengaged. This spring pushes the PTO or against the brake pad to stop it. The gap between the pad and the PTO bell when disengaged should be .012". In later models the stud and spring was eliminated and the PTO bell was held outward by the action of a redesigned engage/disengage lever attachment at the end of the PTO bell.

Fitting a primer bulb between tank and pump will get fuel through, without a lot of cranking. Or remove air filter and spray petrol into the carb, while turning the engine. You'll find carb settings in the manuals. Not sure off hand. Maybe 2 turns main and 1-1/4 idle. That skateboard non slip material is ideal for the footboards.

There are no current recalls, below is a list of previous recalls. https://www.toro.com/en/product-safety-information/product-recall-information-archive Date Product Affected 11/24/15 Toro Recalls TimeCutter Riding Mowers Due to Fire Hazard 04/16/15 Toro Recalls Recycler Mowers Due to Injury Hazard 05/28/14 Toro recalls equipment with Kohler Engines 12/10/13 Toro Recalls TimeMaster and TurfMaster Lawn Mowers Due To Injury Hazard 05/09/13 Toro Recalls Zero Turn Riding Mowers Due to Fire Hazard 11/27/12 Toro Riding Mowers Recalled Due to Fire Hazard 04/26/11 Toro Recalls Power Clear Snowblowers and Recycler Mowers Due to Fire or Burn Hazard 03/29/11 Mowers recalled by the Toro Company Due to Injury Hazard 07/14/10 Snow Blowers Recalled by The Toro Company Due to Fire Hazard 10/22/09 CPSC, The Toro Company Announce Recall of Liquid Cooled Z Master ZRT Mowers

The 312 will come with front and mid tach-a-matic brackets, no issue. The Raider can be adapted to use them quite easy, if they aren't there already. Both gear driven and 12hp. Its an even field mostly. That Raider will likely have a limited slip diff though. Something the 312 never offered. Makes going much easier on mud and snow. I also prefer the way an old narrow hood drives. The steering feels smoother on the Raider, and .. while the 312 isn't complex .. the Raider is as simple as it gets. Personally I'd take the Raider.

messed around with the lights just because I got bored, once I can make up my mind on an engine I will finalize the brackets and wiring, until then let there be light. tomorrow hopefully finish up the seat pan. it's ugly but it's solid now. I picked up a nice square cover for it

Warm/hot oil will also flow more easily for draining purposes.

Tilt the tractor 30 degrees.

Hubsmitt