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Got the Little Green Tractor finished up and ready for next years show season. New rear bumper, added 2nd set of horns, and totally rebuilt front end were a few of this years improvements.

When we were cleaning out the dealership, dad was gonna toss this sign. It hung from the ceiling in the assembly area for about 35yrs (+/-) . I grabbed it and had some made. The original was 2 sided printed cardboard, the new ones are printed on vinyl decals over a plastic backer. Anyone ever see these before? Can't be many left.

I bought a nice running 4 HP Kohler motor the other day. I plan on using on an RJ Wheel Horse rebuild project.

Nothing like being in the country. Spent the day on the property and organized the shipping container I have there. Built some shelves and offloaded some more stuff. I had traded Brian @Super-C 4 me for a complete GT14, GT14 parts machine with no transaxle and a C-175 Eaton transaxle. I got tired of having to lift them so I married them together for a roller. So now I have two gt14’s with eaton 1100’s. Also loaded the Xi roller and a gt14 frame to take back home to figure out how to get them two together.

Thanks Eric @ebinmaine . I can’t wait to get up here for good. There is a lot of deer traffic through this place. I plan on doing a lot of back porch animal viewing with a nice cup of coffee in a rocking chair...... if she let’s me.

Had about 6 inches of snow today so it was plow day no blowing required. fired up the Charger 12 and went to work. Didn't get much seat time only took a bout 35 minutes (see pics in the show me your snow machine thread). Running up and down the drive way I have to plow to one side after the first pass at full throttle full speed...she rolled the snow off beautifully. Now I know there are a lot of opinions about "best" plow tractors. Gear drives 400 series 520's but to paraphrase Gordon Gekko (Wall street) SPEED is good. I know most like Etons over Sunstrands but look at the top speed difference between a Charger and a 520. Now seat time is good but sometimes getting the job done and going inside for a hot toddy is better. Besides it rolls the snow over better . Gear drives with their low top speed and slooow reverse are not in consideration. Also note the similarity in weight (I always thought 520 were heavy... ) When it comes to plowing horse power is not terribly relevant unless it can drive more speed traction is the limiting issue. First pic is 520 second is Charger.12 Let the disagreements begin....

Seen a JD Wheel Weights add on CL, and man does this person have some! Middle of Pa. just below I 80. Just wonder how you end up with this much?

Hey, I thought you guys would get a kick out of this. Messick's is a farm equipment dealer in Pennsylvania, the show is at their Elizabethtown location in Lancaster County. Check out the videos at the end after you click the link. https://www.messicks.com/messicks-2019-christmas-light-show?mc_cid=333daf3be2&mc_eid=751951b64e

I think this nautical rope barometer gauge would be an outstanding addition. Doubles as a hood ornament...

Still snowing a bit so I will wait for tomorrow to plow down to the barn. #1 Plow Charger 12

I built a BIG BOX and mounted it to the Johnny Bucket. 24x24x40 . 4 pieces of 1`/2 plywood, bottom, mounted to the bucket with 2x1/2 bolts/lock nuts thru existing holes , two sides mounted to the bottom., they will be mounted using 2x 3/8 bolts with lock nuts. The sides are notched so they fit directly into the rear of the bucket and the rear upper panel which uses 4 tie wraps to hold it in place I did also make a front which slides in and out. This is 1/4 ply. The whole thing takes maybe 5 min to install or remove. The value ? Oh yeah, holds easily a large tarp full of leaves , compressed, then drive off and dump it ! Leaves, debris, whatever . I actually don't mind LEAVES duty, I hate the hauling part., Whoever thinks the Johnny Bucket is too expensive needs to rethink "BACK " Of course I do have a dedicated C81 for the Johnny Bucket. even at that, the JB detaches in minutes. The uses are only limited by our imagination ! My BACK has been sending me private messages of THX daily !

Lee : Your re enforcing weld job on the Wheel Horse spindle reminded me of a neat trick that a 90 year old Wheel Horse owner taught me. (Earl McEvers of White Hall, Illinois passed away in December 2016) Earl would make and sell two pieces of metal shaped to go over the ball joint on the Wheel Horse steering tie rods so that the tie rod would not come off even when it was very worn. He use to sell these two pieces for $5 and I bought several from him. They work great and I have had on several of me tractors. I am posting as some folks may want to make a set or two for your own tractors. Oops, got the metal upside down in the pics! Here is the way it is suppose to go:

First time I’ve seen that one. I bet the dealers were just chucking signs like that in the trash never knowing that some day it might become collectible or desirable.

We did some reorganizing in the yard, outdoor workshop, and basement workshop. Moved a couple things for Colossus into the basement and also a rolling table that my grandfather built many many moons ago, from the outdoor workshop into the basement. Trina likes to use that particular table for a lot of her projects but particularly for wire brushing and scraping down parts. Yesterday we had some friends over to the house for a fall gathering. @Stepney Spenser was nice enough to bring over his E16 for display. I had the Cinnamon Horse out as well and also Trina's 867. The Cinnamon Horse was being a bit temperamental. Turns out the battery is no good. I had intended to take the battery out of the Patriot horse for winter storage anyways so that battery just went into the Cinnamon. At least temporarily. I got the Cinnamon Horse into the outdoor workshop and changed the oil, mounted the plow, and swapped out the battery. Also took a couple minutes to replace the idler pulley. It's been noisy for quite a while.

Polished my wheel covers up!

Trina and her mom spent some time moving and stacking wood that we'll be able to use next season. This is her 867 known as "my otha tracta" or "pigpen". The trailer is a 1976/77 Ohio Steel brand. Note the round tongue.

Looks good Bear... didn't you have the deck wrench floor boards on it once or am I nuts as usual? You wake up alive for 2020 Portage show you best have that on the load or there'll be no fish fry or pulled pork in your future! We sure enjoyed seat time on your tractors last year!

My block was 1.51 x 1.37 x 2.19. The 1.37 is the height to the chain. Holes are .34 with a .75 counter-bore .42 deep and 1.21 apart and .50 from flat side. Note that these dimensions are from a wood block and are not real accurate. The only thing that really matters is that your holes match. Here are some photos, note that the groove is entirely wear from the chain.

Universal failure and idiot proof fuel gauge used on all my tractors.... Per Owner manual for D200 Oil Change is 25 hours filter ever other change.... In your case then an hour meter would be a good idea.

I bought a second tractor last year so that I could have one of each ready at all times. My driveway is a bit long for a walk behind blower (alright maybe I'm just lazy) but this way no matter what type of snow falls I have a machine ready.

Take it all apart, new bearings and bushings, one hub is broken. Little wet sanding, paint rims, see what the Clinton needs

Here’s what I use and recommend...Carlisle All Trails.

I think I may resort to using one of these for this years snow cleanup, could help to get rid of the neighbors too.

That’s how I do it...plow equipped tractor and a walk behind when it’s to much snow for the plow.

Hello, all. So some years ago, I came across a 1981 Toro gasoline Power Shovel. (I'll have to get a photo of it tomorrow). It's not the usual paddle wheel job, it's actually an electric shovel with an engine in it. They seem to be quite scarce. I've yet to find another and I've had wanted ads out for nearly 5 years. Well it's beginning to tire and I began hunting for another type. The houses I use it on have no exterior power outlets, so an electric is out of the question. I ended up buying a 1960's Polaris Power Pole. I've yet to have it running but .. it's surely not the rig the Toro is. I've looked high and low for a long time and never have found anything else particularly 'small' (read TINY) with a gas engine. I've tried a little Battery Electric but wasn't impressed. Do any of you know of some other model machine, under 14", lightweight, and gas powered? Even a GOOD battery model?

@pfrederi When plowing speed is definitely king. I found that to be absolutely correct while plowing my neighbors 1/4 mile driveway at a steep incline over the years. Used to plow it with his C series in third gear. Then started using my Electro to do it. Going up hill Electro is much faster rolling snow off plow much easier. Then going downhill I actually have to hold it back since it will go twice as fast as uphill. Downhill snow just literally flies off plow. I do it the same way as you do. First pass with plow to side full throttle and speed at center of driveway, then up and down on opposite sides so I don't have to turn blade. This thing is absolutely unstoppable. So many time guys driving by with plow trucks just stop and watch me plowing it giving me the thumbs up.

maybe the quickest and least expensive way to gain more speed is to pump up those rear tires way up lol

Gauges? We dont need no stinkin gauges! For a machine like that in particular, oil and charge couldn't hurt. None of mine have gauges, the E16 doesn't even have a charge lamp.

Love that.... It's what I use now.... Is that the round special fuel level indicator or the one with square corners?

I went one better not near as cheap, but should last a life time. The frist ones have been on since 1989, Heims Joints. This set up with 1/2" heims joints runs around $50.00 I have been there when I needed to mow and the tie rod fell out. That why all my Wheel Horses have heims joints.

Worked the heck out of the 16 auto and the 877 today on my 1/4 mile driveway. And what fun I had Just got the 877 at the big show this past year, and put a 48" plow blade on it. What a difference there is between the standard and automatic. I'd be hard pressed to go back to a gear jammer, now that I've used the auto.

funny you should say that- i have a pic of one 312-8 next to the YardPro 12hp on the trailer. it looks like a toy sitting next to the Horse. the rears on the YardPro are 16x6.50x8, which is the same size as the FRONT tire setup i want for the 312-8. My 9yo son is stoked since he's getting the keys to the YardPro, not sure if it's going to stay a mower or not yet. it might have the deck ripped off and get some ATV/Snowblower tires on it for trail riding.

Got a BIG pile of parts back from the sandblaster (25 total) and epoxied them Saturday. Painted the rear wheels and cleared them right away since they're the only silver parts left to paint. Cleaned and detailed the fuel sending unit and made a new gasket.

Oh that’s not worth much at all in that condition...there are a couple little scratches on the sticker...! Ship it to me post paid and I will take it off your brother’s hands so he can just borrow yours... But seriously - WOW...Nice blade!!! Not the one to appraise it’s value but it is in perfect condition so it should get top $$$...Others will be along who know such things...

Real nice Mike ... I'll just post this here so some know what they can look like when opened. A three piece I opened awhile back and I expected to be trashed was quite nice. Opening trannies are like a box of chocolates. .....you never know what you are gonna get!

FINALLY getting the final touches on this rig. Put these wheel weights on the 520 tonite on loan from Jack. Kind of pain to put on Josh but will be well worth it we get some snow I'm sure. Also fitted with Hillbillie's mandatory sno chute. Just waiting for Dan to get "grilling" and burn some things for me! Many thanks to Hillbilly Jeff, NEPA Kurt and Brian aka Super C for the lift rod and helping me put this thing together. Best advice to those who want to join the deuce bag club is buy one that is all there!

typical Kohler ! the pullstart pawls would barely engage on our 704 - but it barely mattered because it would start almost instantly year after year after year - up to the point when it was parked during the late 90's and nothing more than minimum maintenance never touched the points - never even looked at them

I wonder what Frank’s overall top speed is? 10 hp, Sunstrand, big wheels and tires, stock pulley configuration! Maybe with the hydraulic lift, I should put my plow on him for a couple rounds with the white stuff!

@Wishin4a416 Speeds for a 1989 312-8 are as follows Low Range 1st .4 2nd .6 3rd 1.1 rev .5 High Range 1st 1.6 2nd 2.5 3rd 4.3 rev 2.1 MPH According to the original owners manual.

I put this little beast In 2nd or 3rd gear and let it rip, it rolled the snow right off the plow. Todays snowfall was mostly sleet and was a bit rough on the snow thrower. To heavy.

still have a couple of shifters - and also have a Muncie M21 ! I stockpiled those things ... lol ... could be bit tough on those back in the day

As part of my Fall-Winter changeover, I clean out the accumulated debris by removing the seat, fender, gas tank and floor mats. The following photos are of a 520H that was clean and only used for the Fall cleanup. It was given a quick wash with a garden hose before the parts removal. If this were not cleaned, major over-heating and rust will happen. While apart, I oil all moving parts that are exposed. Hydro stuffed. Leaves that were brushed out. The remainder was removed with Gunk and garden hose. Crud under floor mat that will cause rust. Here is the after photo:

Now that's just funny right there. I don't care who you are. That's just funny.

Same here, anytime I have to use the blower I go back and “clean up “ with the plow.

Its a 69 to 70 something charger 10, the engines was a tecumse but now its the 12 hp Kohler K-301 I think??? I just baught a 8 speed and just finished fitting it in about 2 weeks ago. Right now Ive been tacking up a rear frame setup so as to move the gas tank and increase its size to I figured with the cubic inches in the cavity Ill have almost 6 gallons for fuel, it'll be a custom tank obviousely.....hopefully I can fab a good stainless steel one eventually.Here are a few pics of where Im at on it.

I have both and they each have their place. A plow works good for lighter snows but for really deep stuff a blower is better. However, a blower does not like really wet snow and that will plow better. Of course for the really big snows (or if it is too cold out) then the big girl comes out. She does tear the yard up unless it is really frozen.

Got the bracket changed out from the tow hitch and mounted the plow today. Should be ready for the upcoming blast-o-winter.

Last winter... IMG_5963.mov

When they drive they generally do the speed limit !

Rodney Burger and I are In Plymouth, Indiana picking up an RJ 35 and four wheel wagon for Clay Brooks destined for Ringold, Georgia!