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@12Horse Paladin It is easy to get discouraged when you buy some thing and feel that you can't use it right away. I usually pick up tractors for under $200, this way I expect them to be a POS. There are a few ways to go about getting your tractor ready, I'll share 2 different ways that I've used. First my C145 - I bought this tractor drove it around a while kicked a few "shoe man" (cobbler) repairs out of it and now I'm using it as a snow plow tractor. The hubs are tight on the axle so I have not looked at them any further. One "shoe man" repair that still remains is the alligator clip that connects the spark plug wire to the spark plug, doesn't seem to effect the performance so I'm not too worried about it. It ain't purty but it seems to be holding together. Then there is my Raider 12. I bought this tractor & left it sit for a bit before doing any thing with it. Then I decided it would be a good tractor for mold board plowing. @WHX24 was having a plow day at his house and of course I waited till the last minute to throw a few Band Aids over some issue that it had and drug it over for a plow day. The results were not exactly satisfactory. Most of my Band Aids held but I shook out a whole bunch of other issues and before the end of the day it died do to a charging issue. There was only one way to tackle this tractor. Turn it into a pile of parts & start over, Here is the end result. Now I know you're thinking "That's great but I'm not looking for a show tractor" Well I'm not one bit afraid to work this 'ole girl like a rented mule. It has spent most of its new born life dragging a Brinly plow through the dirt. Don't get discouraged & if you find some thing completely out of your realm that I might be able help you out with, I'd be happy to. Heck we don't live that far apart.

I got the power king for free!👍😄 the power king had sat outside for 5+ years outside in Maine; through the snow and rain! The motor was wrapped up in a tarp. I dragged it home with the two rear wheels locked. Found out that the brakes were locked up on it, the finals drives on each side were filled with water, the clutch was locked, the coil was gone and the points were stuck! The kohler k series 10hp purrs like a kitten! The tractor is as simple as it gets!! Lots of never seize! 1965...lots of steel💪💪it plows decent without chains, no frills or anything, no hydraulics, and just a 3 speed transmission!

I was working on an old Kohler and the PO installed a pipe nipple and sprinkler head muffler. Wanting to change the configuration, I set out to remove the old nipple and found mother natures Loctite, (rust), was used. I have had these in the past and most come out with a big pipe wrench, but this one was not go. It was so tight the nipple was distorted. I removed the last one like this by cutting the nipple off within a 1/4" of the block and used a loose hacksaw blade to cut through the side wall of the nipple, in two places, until I nicked the threads. If you have a good blade, it cuts fairly easy. Then bump in the piece and removed the nipple, Tapped the thread and it worked out okay. I figure there are others that had this issue and I am sure there are other ways, possibly easer. It is just simply amazing how that rust can hold on and make metal stick. I included a few pics.

have been working on Irv and like a fool I open the garage door and couldn't resist pushing this one in the shop . All complete except for it needs a motor. No repaint sand it down and leave the patina ! all the hardware and deck parts are intact hopefully the transmission is good!

Just kidding. I like plowing woke up to this just finished leaf season yesterday

Finally got “The Stretch” finished up. (Yearly improvements) Ready for next years shows.. Time to bring another one in the shop. This was originally built & stretched by a Karl Stohry. I just did a few modifications and added a lot of bling.

I did a little tree trimming around the yard today so I woke Radpferd from the start of his winter nap to haul brush and some chunks of wood. Given the fact that he is glow plug deficient he doesn't really like the cold much, but I figured since it was 44 degrees today that he would like to stretch his legs a bit. Well he wasn't very happy about being woke up. To demonstrate his dismay over the whole ordeal first he filled the garage with white smoke. After that he sat outside and huffed & puffed white smoke for a few minutes. What a Big Baby! . Well eventually he got over his little tantrum & we were able to get some work done.

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!

What a happy block, Buster.

If the engine runs good and the transmission seems solid, the rest can be done over time. Post a picture of your clutch and someone on here can advise you of the best way to test it and any possible repair options. @12Horse PaladinI have 2 electric clutches that I got with a pile of items. They are stored at the farm/barn 2 hours away. The next time I am down there I will pull them out and compare to what you post a picture of. I don't know much about these clutches either. But we'll both get some advise/lessons from others. If yours is toast, and one of mine is the right one for you, its yours for the cost of shipping. One of the wonderful things I've learned is we have the greatest members on Redsquare. Others on here have helped me out with parts, so now maybe I can pay it back.

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

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!!

Patick stars cousin...kohler star

HAPPIEST CARTOON ENGINE EVER

Another trick that has worked well for me. Before you try to loosen the pipe smack it a few good times with a hammer. Not so hard as to crack the engine casting but some good whacks. This jars the rust & will help the threads break loose from years of brown weld. I learned this trick from a pipe fitter & it has worked every time for me.

Here ya go...Caption This

@12Horse Paladin I’m just beginning this adventure down the wheel horse addiction. I’m 57 years and never really paid attention to when my dad rebuilt his Kohler engine on the wheel horse I grew up mowing with, but I now have 2 running and 1 I’m going to rebuild. I said I’m going to rebuild, my wife was not happy with that but I told her that it’s not something I have to do tomorrow, it may take a couple of years for all I care. My point being is that after finding out what these machines can do I’m not getting rid of them. So don’t give up, take your time, spend only what you can afford, do research while your in between the extra cash flow and it will come out to your satisfaction in the end. Plus you will have the same knowledge you thought your dad had. Good luck I wish you all the best. I know I’m enjoying all the frustration and that when my horse is done it will have been worth it all!!!!!

You might be better off buying a mini tire changer machine instead of paying someone else to tube those tires. Ask your father if he will split the cost and also use a 20% off coupon to go even less expensive. Then you will be able to do your own plus charge your father to do his and make the money back. Now you'll have the ability to do more in the future and it cost you zero over time. https://www.harborfreight.com/mini-tire-changer-61179.html?_br_psugg_q=tire+changer Advertise your unwanted attachments on local craigslist. It's free and most likely to attract local buyers so there's no shipping hassles. What are you asking for the attachments? If your price is too high no matter what you think they should be, they won't sell if other options for less expensive items are out there. Take the time and search craigslist for those exact parts or attachments. If others are for sale then that will give you a better idea of what they are selling for. Just because they are listed at a price, doesn't mean they are selling at that price so look at how long they have been advertised Even though this has absolutely nothing to do with me, thank you for being part of what makes this forum what it is!

That's about what I was thinking. It's ok that you don't know. You'll figure it out. Trina and I have had our own very challenging lives until just before we met a few years ago. Each of us overcame those challenges in our own way. Now we're together and have a great time building, fixing, maintaining Wheelhorses and every other thing. Neither of us had the skills or some of the tools 4 or 5 years ago. When it's a good value to do so we buy a tool and learn to use it instead of paying someone else to do the work. We needed to change tires so Trina bought us a manual changer. I made up some tire spoons and bought a low pressure tire gauge. There have been many other examples.... You've pretty much already answered your question.

Your dad wasn't born knowing everything, bet he learned it by doing things and asking questions. Take on one project at a time and feel free to ask specific questions on here and we can provide some guidance. Good group of helpful members here.

Nice friend and nice job! You know, looks perfect size for a wine chiller... little ice, foam around edge to keep bottle snug, drain hole with drain tube, couple hooks for glasses off the side...very romantic for a date night...or you could add a compressor and go with a micro refrigerator unit off the PTO...

And I got the 73 wheelhorse free from the same guy! 14hp/hydro. This one had been sitting inside for 5+ years. This one did not take as much work as the power king! Battery, plug and tranny belt! This ones my lawnmower! @ebinmaine I wish I had a day like that every once in a while, getting two free tractors!!😁👍

You're a Block Head Charlie Brown !!!

not a caption, but put a candle in it and it looks like a carved punkin

So, carb set to the initial settings as per the manual. Fuelled up, primed, choke on, press the starter....... Cranks over, float chamber fills..... She fires, she runs! Bit lumpy, bit of back firing but she runs. I can move on to finishing the details and making Fred looking good. I had a strip of edging strip left over and put it on the bonnet closure lip, looks neat and the bonnet closes beautifully.

They're using the tap to chase the existing threads after the nipple material has been removed .

Jack it up the try pushing the wheel up and down and front to back There should be no wiggle. Pulling it out and pushing it in there will be some movement about 1/8"

Here in the road salted Northeast and especially near the ocean... We have huge and constant issues with rust. I learned a neat trick from a tech awhile back. You can almost always TIGHTEN something but you CAN'T always LOOSEN that same thing. One of his most simple and best ways to defeat corrosion was to tighten a bolt just a few degrees, then loosen. Repeat.

Or take your old cables to a shop that rebuilds starters ect. They will have the correct crimper for the lugs. I always go up a size to #4 cable when I get new ones made.

She really is awesome. Second only to my amazing Trina as the nicest person I know. So that (adult beverage) cooler idea........ Hhhmmmmm...... We may have something there..... Not wine for us . But other drinks... This is what it's all about. Sharing great ideas amongst our fellowship.

Pipe sizes can be deceiving 1/2" pipe is .840" OD (approx 27/32") 3/4" pipe is 1.050" OD (approx 1-3/64") 1" pipe is 1.315" OD (approx 1-5/16") 1-1/4" pipe is 1.660" OD (approx 1-21/32") Pipe taps can be expensive. Places like Harbor Freight may have a set reasonably priced and good enough for cleaning up rusty blocks. A trick I learned from a servicing dealer 60 years ago. Clean up the threads. Apply Never Seize to the male and female threads. Add an electrical conduit lock nut to the male threads as far as it will go by hand. Insert the male threads in the block by hand as far as it will go. Back it off 1/2 turn. Now tap the lock nut with hammer and punch to tighten the assembly to the block and maintaining that 1/2 turn out. This procedure was repeated spring and/or fall as they were servicing equipment for the next season. It works - they never have a chance to seize. Garry

It was at that moment Steve realized he couldn’t use this segment as a “how to” video.

I've got most of mine ready to go finally. I put tri ribs on my 416-H, turfs with weight and chains and my single stage thrower tall shoot. Hot the hood and conversion almost all complete on my C-161 with the 44" 2 stage. Blower got a new belt too. All I have is a few small things to button up. I need to wire up the electric PTO still and put the weights and chains on the back. Still need to figure out the anti sway brackets and the big lift spring.

So cool! Good idea of the steering wheel bushing too... what a way to one up Uncle Jim!

We were decorating the gymnasium for a Thanksgiving themed fund raising event to raise money for our high school senior trip. I remember it like it was yesterday. The announcement was made over the PA and we all kind of gathered for a group hug. Very sad day indeed! Today's "News People" are too busy chasing after concocted nothing stories to pay homage to great people who have defended the freedoms we all enjoy. Now if I could only remember what I did yesterday.

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.

I heard this story from a guy I used to work with. Back in the late 80s he was working in a tire store that did everything from tractor tires to tractor-trailer tires. They hired this know-it-all kid right out of Vo-tech who was pretty cocky. Bob told him to get started on some 18-wheeler tires with split rims, and to be sure to use the cage while inflating them. He left to do something else, came back about 10 or 15 minutes later to check on the kid, and he is in the tire cage, inflating a tire that is not in the tire cage.

One of my favorite WH pass times NOT!!...Tire day 4 to do and then sand blast a couple rims

I get to go in a !!! I get to go in a !!! I get to go in a !!!

It’s alive. Muuhaahaa. We used the old 3 pole switch for now. We’re going to put a switch in where the choke cable was to energize the anti backfire solenoid. Gotta get a longer throttle cable but we may do a foot throttle after hearing it. Lol Gunna have to wire in a voltage regulator to the charging circuit. Jumps up to 18v when you rev it. IMG_6490.MOV Hood modifications are currently underway. 😂😂

Yesterday Trina and her mom spent some time working on the shed again. You can see where they reversed the direction of the diagonal brace on the back wall. They also worked on putting the clapboards on the walls some more and installed vertical braces on the inside for the wood piles to rest against. Those braces are pieces of harvested forest wood. Saplings. Today we installed the gable pieces and put some Typar type material over the top just to make it waterproof until we get time to install the metal roofing.

Sorry when I told how to test and hear a click I didn't realize your PTO had been taken apart. The part in the last picture and on the chair is the field coil. Use you multimeter to check for continuity between the two leads. You should show 3-4 ohms.

don't go crazy with the leaves, mask off all around it and just "dust" the whole leaf lightly with copper spray. you want it to look black but with certain light the leaves will reflect the metal flake

Yesterday I was using a couple of the "Horses" to finish up leaf cleanup in the back yard.

I purchased a Cargo Pro Enclosed trailer to be used in my trade because I had my eye on it for 10 years and mentioned to the owner ( another contractor ) that should he decide to sell it that I would be interested. Trailer is a 2002 model and by looking at it you would never know it is 18 years old and was used locally. It is extremely well built and because the only thing not made of aluminum was the axle so I replaced that with a Dexter 3500 lb torsion axle, 1 tailight lens, coupler, jack stand, rims , tires and spare tires. I could have bought a new trailer, not a cargo Pro for less money, but you get what you pay for, I highly recommend this brand IF they are still BUILT with this type of quality in mind. The other trailer i highly recommend is a Triton aluminum snowmobile trailer that i have owned for 24 years and other than replacing the axle just because, a very well built and trouble free trailer. Hope this helps.

I don't have any personal experience with them. A LOT of builders here in Maine use them. Never heard a bad word...

Double bonus for Christmas theme and

the seat is on. cover is decent too, fits really tight. almost time to make the final check list. need to make a steering wheel cap, parking brake. replace all the grease fittings, I am going to add a volt meter instead of the amp gauge.