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Just wanted to publicly thank our friend Terry @ redoyourhorse for a little project he undertook for me recently . I've been looking for quite some time for NOS control knobs for my 520 hydro that i'm restoring, and I've also had numerous people contact me looking for these same items. They just don't exist. Most of us with 300 thru 500 series hydro tractors have the knobs, but the print is completely worn off. A couple of weeks ago I sent my good (but worn) knobs to Terry and I think he solved this problem pretty well. He will now be offering these for sale along with all the other great stuff he offers.

While looking around for things to do, I spied a little toolbox on a workshop shelf. Now all three Wheel Horses have toolboxes fitted to their fenders, but not the Sears/Roper. I've been reluctant to drill holes in it's fenders. Looking at the back end, I noticed a couple of bolts securing the seat mount sticking out with some thread showing. Just enough to fasten something on. So yesterday the toolbox got a rub down and a coat of primer. Followed by a couple of top coats of mat black. I've no gloss. This morning I fitted it. Nice fit methinks.

Thanks to @Stepney Spenser who has connected me with multiple tractors and engines I now have my oldest member of the fleet/team/collection.

I guess I will start this one with the point what should be the end of it, which is claim what is rightfully yours before they take it away and standup for yourself. So here it goes the reason for it. My wife worked 40 years as a school teacher in the same school teaching first grade children. This was not only her job but a major part of her life for her dedication was well known. Not only she was a teacher but she bought groceries, clothes, school supplies, and many other items on a constant basis for many of the not so well off children. These were inner city children and a majority were from impoverished families. Every time we go to that area which before this current situation it was every Friday to go to our favorite restaurants, there are always former students now adults that flock to her and embrace her constantly, a few times actually Police officers that stopped their car and came to greet her.It always brings tears to my eyes to see this. Many times she does not recognize who they are at first since it has been so many years, but they remember her as if it was yesterday. This woman worked her but off all of her life not only in her job but in every aspect of her life. She would leave home at 6AM to take our children 40 miles to a family member for day care, drive another 20 miles to work, leave work pick them up, drive another 40 miles home, she cooked dinner every day, did the laundry took care of the children and me, and finally at around midnight everyday, did her lesson plans and school work for the next day. Following day the cycle started all over again for years and years. And, I am not even mentioning all the activities she was a member of in that community. At around 2011 she began exhibiting some peculiar symptoms and sure enough she was diagnosed with Parkinson's. By 2013 this became a big issue at work for several reasons.First she lost the ability to write due to her tremors and stiffness in her right side, but the worst of it was that some of the children would cry when they would see her tremors thinking that something bad was happening to her. She couldn't handle that, so she decided to retire then since she was also entitled to her full pension from the school system. This was a devastating blow to her, to have to give up the job she loved so much and a contributing factor to the quick progress of the disease right after that. So now the reason for this post. I and most everyone else advised her to file for disability. Being the proud woman that she has always been, she outright refused and was actually insulted by it many times, stating that not only she was not disabled but more strongly that she was not going to do it just to collect money like many people do faking a disability. We all knew that was not the case but in her mind she has always refused to admit any disability. Now fast forward 6 or so years. Every year when her Social Security Statement came it said on it that if she decided to apply at that moment for disability her benefit would be her pension maximum amount. That was until the statement from 2019 arrived. On that one it now says that she is not qualified due to the recent changes in the system. The change being that to qualify one now has to have at least 20 credits earned in the last 10 years. She has not worked for seven years so there you go the reason why now she does not qualify. So now upon seeing this, the woman that never stood for any wrong doing from anyone to anyone and fought for what was right all of her life wakes up in a rage. She now decides that this is not right and wants to apply for disability. She calls Social Security Administration about it, and all I can say is that I should have recorded that phone call. This woman gave them such a tongue lashing about fairness, morality and politicians not working for the benefit of the people they represent that I tough, that is it, they think they are talking to a crazy person and they either will hang up on her or they will just ignore her. Well. that did not happen at all. Although at first they stuck to what the statement said, finally after putting her on hold for a few times while they conferred with supervisors ,stated that they want her to apply for disability from the day that she stopped working and not now. That they would have an agent review her situation and call the next day to review it with her. Doubtful she said after the phone call that they would never call and it was only to shut her up. She was wrong. Not only did they call at the exact time they said they would, but they proceeded to file her application on the phone with her. We were not ready for this and required substantial documentation which we had but not at hand at the moment. They just waited every time we had to look for such documentation this process taking about 3 hours. Agent said that naturally this has to go through the regular approvals and process like any other application under normal circumstances and no guarantees are made at this moment but for her to rest assured that it will be a fair process taking her circumstances into account. Also that if she is approved, although they would not pay her from that date she stopped working , they will pay her retroactive for at least one year from now. So we are waiting to see what come of this. This change will affect a lot of people specially if one does not work on a steady basis and does not earn the full 4 credits in a year. Also don't be proud and claim what is rightfully yours immediately.After all we worked and contributed towards it. And stand for what is right and do not be afraid to speak your mind. All I can say is , boy did this woman speak her mind, always respectful but left no doubt whatsoever about what she thought about what is right and what is wrong. She will be a fighter to the end.

Parts are suddenly accumulating fast, and scored a bunch more from fellow horseman @Bert on Friday. I started a ‘if you could build your ultimate horse’ thread awhile back and it put a fire under my rear, and with the 520 gone and 1277 running grass duty, now is the time. started mocking things up today: C120 parts machine (that I robbed the hydro out of for the 1277) 8 pinion 8 speed, round fenders, stirrups, late 60s long hood, Brinly hitch, and skipping the original plan for Onan power, going to run a 14hp Kohler, and it’ll probably get warmed up a touch. This one will be running ags and tri ribs for sure! Follow along and make sure I don’t do anything stupid😄

The D-180 lives! I took the monster on its maiden voyage yesterday, and took a picture of the machine on my front lawn with a boom hooked to the three point hitch. The hydraulics work fine, all that’s left to do now is to adjust the neutral position (which sounds like fun). The trans-axle went together fine the second time, as I manage to wipe out to needle bearings by leaving the woodruff key on the end of the shaft, not one of my prouder moments! After taking a picture on the front lawn the tractor didn’t start correctly, and was acting as though it was flooded. I managed to limp it back to my garage, we were upon examination I found that the vacuum hose for the governor had come off the carburetor. I reconnected it but still, it was not running correctly and eventually stalled. I spent a good hour examining that last night and found that the vacuum governor hose had become disconnected at the carburetor, so I reconnected it. Still, the engine would not start and act as though it was flooded. I pulled the plugs, clean them, sprayed ether in the carburetor, but no start!I simply assumed that I must’ve flooded the machine, and decided to let it sit overnight. This morning it started, but again it ran very rough and would not warm up. Every attempt to shut the carburetor off resulted in a stall. I broke out the manual, set the idle mixture and the fuel mixture screws pulled the plugs again, clean them and gapped them, and was able to start the motor. However, it was running very rough. As I looked into the carburetor I could see that the butterfly valve was closed however, the choke lever was set to run! I don’t know how this is possible, and I do seek advice. I have an OEM dashboard and an OEM carburetor! Ideas?

I painted the wheels satin black and the hubs/bolts bright red... The look is growing on me. I also put some nice stickers on it Then I used the gorilla cart to haul away some brush to the burn pile and took some loads from the gravel pit out to the woods Fixing some ruts we caused during spring mud season All in all a great wheel horse day!

Hi guys! I am back as your narrator... The original engine was very tired and I really liked plowing with it So we are going to rebuild the original engine so dad got another engine(named iron man) that we are going to put in it temporarily or permanently depending on how long dad takes getting it rebuilt So I started last night by taking the engine out. The steering shaft has a ton of play in it and we want to be sure to take care of that while we have it apart. Any changes we make, we want to leave the option open to turn it into the original because this is such an original tractor...

If a guy had the time and resources, a mini belt driven shop. We have this one about a mile from my place, pretty cool old belt driven shop and foundry. Worth the $5 tour. Especially when they turn it on!

I towed a project C100 up to the driveway with the Cinnamon Horse. @Jaydubz83 stopped by to give it a new home.

Today had to sort out the wiring for the lights and something was drawing down the battery when not running. The most the alternator would charge was 20 amps. I believe I've found the problem and now it's charging up to 40 amps and I don't see any sparks when removing the negative battery cable. The front tires need balancing and I plan on use tire beads as these wooden spoked wheels won't fit on a balancer. There is some slack in the steering that needs addressing. The more the engine is run the better it sounds. Had it up to 40 mph but that sounds about as high as I want the engine revving. Took a drive to the lake this evening. Lots of waves and smiling people. I think I'm going to enjoy having June Bug in the family.

This is actually the first rear, side, top, front discharge deck I have seen.

Honey ..... Do these hubcaps make my rear end look fat?

That why I enjoy or Steam Pageant. And see all the cool things people do with them! CHECK OUT THE GUY ON THE WHEEL HORSE!!

That thing chugs along like a fat man running down hill !

Terry's the best!!

Little JB Weld on that engine & deck... You'll be mowing tomorrow...

The 1277 completed her first true work day with the new hydro, deck pulleys and belts. Ol girl never missed a beat!

I have bee working a lot of hours and haven’t had the chance really to post much. 16 hour shifts lately! 😬. Will be changing that in July! Well it’s done a lot of raining lately so the other day when it let up the youngest wanted to play on the horses! So we gassed up and drove around before playing in the back yard ditch! The Arkansas RJ and the 753 and hubby’s 854 was our choice! Our oldest desires to ride the cart thing! We all had a great time! The RJ never slowed lol!!!!! The 753 and 854 belts got wet! Earlier the 753 had to be towed home where the carburetor got cleaned out and the sediment bowl. Easy fix for the hubby! Guess had stuff in it and wouldn’t stay running! Youngest and her father was cleaning the road side up! Then we relaxed around the fire for a s’more or too! IMG_0794.MOV IMG_0840.MOV IMG_0842.MOV IMG_0846.MOV

Lots of work yesterday. The deck in the back isn’t a Wheel Horse but my son learned how to replace bearings and spindle. Then went right into more fabrication of the adjustable weight bar for “Lunch Money”. The adjustable weight bar is almost done. Hopefully we will paint the weight bar and weights today.

my wife is totally cool with whatever stupid ideas I get into or whatever junk I decide to drag home.

Got tired of cleaning and changing spark plugs due to worn rings so pulled the engine out slapped in new piston and rings , lapped the valves and now its sweet as a nut ! have ran it in and its back to work now....

Any guesses ? It looks like it winched .... something , but it's in the middle of nowhere .

I finally got my $50 Gardenway tiller running today New Chinese carburetor from amazon $21.95 and two days later it arrived! https://www.amazon.com/Affordable-Parts-Carburetor-Assembly-Gaskets/dp/B0733CF5N3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1YU8S0VD007QJ&dchild=1&keywords=kohler+k181+carburetor&qid=1590365153&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=kohler+k181+%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-3 I checked reviews and it rated highAll I had to do was drill out the throttle linkage hole to about 7/64 I also had to change the points because there was no continuity when they were closed. It seems to run too fast at full throttle so I believe I need to set the governor.

A few side shots

So I have been reading this post for quite a few times now and although wanting to reply to it, I really cannot find the words to express what I feel or think about it without struggling. Saying I am sorry for all the suffering you are going through is of course the easy and the first though that crosses my mind.You state that you are not sure what the point for writing about it is for you and although I cannot tell you for certain what that is, I do thank you for doing so for I believe I know what that point is for myself at least. We all like to talk about our accomplishments, activities and wonderful lives in general but many times avoid telling others about the not so wonderful things going on with us, myself included. I guess it is a normal human reaction, reasons being whether because of not wanting to reveal our innermost sufferings, misfortunes or what ever it may be. It takes a bigger person to do that than to just show the "good stuff" for life is not always kind to most of us. I find in your description of such unimaginable life changing suffering inspiration and reason not to be so petty or secretive about things and situations that I myself may or could be in that in no possible way could ever be rightfully mentioned in comparison to yours. More should be reading your post and take it as a good lesson about life and realize that the fact that it can change in a second regardless of how beautiful it is now. It is in my opinion not our accomplishments that contribute the most to human knowledge or well being,but our worst moments in life that not only will teach others to be better to ourselves and others, but will keep others leveled in what are the actual realities of life. I thank you for writing it and sincerely admire your courage and unyielding spirit, and although I may not be able to reduce your suffering, if you ever have to travel to NYC for any treatment you can directly call on me and I will take you and help you in there in any way you may need.

Great move. I love those engines. I always wanted to get one just to have it here running the whole day when I am outside so I can listen to it

I did the same thing on my old homemade. I wanted to use an old beat up metal tool box but was too long and hit the tires so I had to use this plastic one. I just had to put a little plate under it so I could still hook up the dump cart and lawn roller. I put some chain in there an ax, screw driver, pliers, gloves...etc

Nice! But what are you going to use it for, besides boiling eggs?

My prayers go out to you sir. I locked horns with a squamous cell carcinoma on my tonsil, larynx, & tongue in 2003. No surgery for me, my treatment called for radiation and chemo. One great day for me months after treatment was when I bit into a cucumber and could actually taste it. By the second bite the flavor was gone again, it may seem like a small thing but at the time I thought it was one of the greatest things that had happened to me since I was diagnosed. Still have some issues with dry mouth and the taste of salt is very faint at best. But I'm still kickin' so those seem like minor sacrifices to me. Keep your spirits up & relish every victory that you get.

Some closeups if the tractor I bought today!

The other first is the meteorite hitting a Horse engine...Never seen that before...

Follow along I can do. Prevent stupid... Well I'm not so good at that.

Looking good Caleb! I can’t wait to work some more with you on this and get Comanche up and running stronger. The generator engine that we picked up seems to be a strong runner. It will be so much fun to “beef” this little tractor up for usage over the next handful of years and yet preserve its originality should you ever choose to return to it. Maybe this winter we can rebuild that original K181🤞🏻

Unless you can find a NOS rod, current replacement rods only come in .010 over. (Several us old guys have them squirreled away but they no longer make rods .020 and above). Piston and rings are available up to .030. K161/181 are non adjustable valves so they will have to be fitted. Additionally, the vast majority of the 161 and 181 engines, that I rebuild, require valve guides. Be prepared to have it bored, crank ground, new guides knocked in and valve seats ground. no sense of doing it if it’s not done right.

1978 Sears/Roper GT16. B&S 16hp twin. Only made for one year with that engine. Bit of a rarity we believe. There's the restoration thread by Alan Robinson who rebuilt it on MoM. https://myoldmachine.com/topic/2544-1978-sears-roper-gt16/ I bought it of him as he could not keep it at home.

Now you got me really thinking about them. I have a stream that runs in the property and one of those would be the ideal thing to have slowly pumping water from it. Almost every year they declare a drought around here and I need to keep my lawn green.

Wow! I knew Dan is a standup guy, but ole Jimbo pulled through too! In all seriousness guys this is a fantastic thread and what you did for Jason is the ultimate example of what makes this hobby great! Fantastic job! Now, if you happen to find time to come to old Virginia ... I’ve got a few in need of a little love as well! Heck, I’d even meet you half way! You guys really are great friends with huge hearts!

I really don't have a specific use yet. It's just a cool ole piece o' iron. I did measure the length and it would fit in a Wheelhorse if the frame were extended about 13+ inches....

Once you have checked out the functionality of the transmission by hand if you have a small electric motor and a way to temporarily mount it I would suggest testing the transmission with that. Next jack up the front end of the and drain the transmission. If it is good clean oil that came out (highly unlikely) you will want to replace it with new 80-90 gear oil. If it looks more like a chocolate milkshake the transmission needs to be flushed out with a couple quarts of diesel fuel or kerosene. this is where that electric motor will be very useful, you want to work the diesel/kerosene into the bearings and slosh it around well to flush everything inside. If you have any seals that need to be replaced they will show up with the lower viscosity fluid too. Another task you need to tend to is the fuel system. Check the fuel tank for cleanliness and leaks, also replace the fuel line and filter.

Don't put them on backwards!

Thats really cool👍 Think the max speed here isn‘t any interest, here it’s more the „Hey it‘s survived in original“ - effect. btw fantastic Pic‘s! nice surrounding on the lake, the beach fits optical to the wooden spoke! Nice contrast. ok the pict‘s can maybe be improved.. a male guy well dressed with a hat deep in it’s face and a Machine gun in front ajar the Car is missing 😂 Also great you have found and solved your electric troubles. Can be the slack in steering being a result of the unbalanced Tyres or did you have some slope or play in steering gear ? I have myself no experiences with Wooden Tyres at all and maybe it‘s a myth, but i have heared that wooden spoked tyres have allway‘s some play in it depening on Humidity, Type of wood and few other things they are happen on wooden Spokes. I talked at a historical meeting once with a Guy who has an old Hispano. He tell‘s me that. It is also possibly to bring the wooden type of tyre roadappoved here on historical Vehicles but only with a speedlimit to 60Km/h. That could maybe the reason in my opinion. But at all it is a dang aged Beauty at all 👍 no doubt.

My prayers with you as well. Stay strong. I have same issues. My mouth is always dry but in the back of my throat I have mucus. Always have to spit it out. My taste has come back but it took a long time. After the surgery anytime I tried to drink something if I didnt swallow tiny sips it would come out my nose. Had to train myself to swallow. I always say I would rather go through what they did to my stomach 10 times then what they did to my mouth and throat one more time. Dr Meri Atanas, my radiologist, She was wonderful, Dr Stephen Ettinghausen was my stomach surgeon. he is the man when it comes to pancreatic, stomach, all gastric problems. Dr Paul Topt. My Ear Nose and Throat man. After one minute in his chair on my first visit he was booking me for surgery. He did the surgery on my throat. I had the A team every step of the way. The nurses and hospital staff made all the doctors work possible. True HEROEs Every last one of them. Prayers to you and your family as well. My story is nothing special. There are far to many people effected by cancer. Either having it themselves or knowing a family member or friend going through it. Not just cancer either. People go through many hardships. Like I said I am blessed my story so far is a good one. I hope i am through the worst of it. I didnt write this for pity. Sometimes I have to think about where I have been to feel better about where I am now. Where I am now isnt as good as where I was 5 yrs ago, but its better then where I was 1 year ago. It isnt alway easy to see the light you just need to never give up looking for it.

Snagged these today too. 50 bucks, disc harrow and plow. I have several people keeping there eyes open for me

Well worth the trip, now you will be required to self-quarantine in your shop for two weeks!

I woke my "Rat Rod" up from hibernation and put it to work. Nothing too strenuous, just hauling a tub around to to help get plants potted up.

Well i dont know if its the cancer, corona lock down, or just that I am getting old, but when I woke up this morning I thought today was April 23rd Not May 23rd! Dosnt change my thoughts or what I have gone through but reminds me that I should go buy a big calendar ! I went in a year ago last month ... @Cvans yes sometimes it does help to put in words or say whats on your mind. I live alone and maybe dont express them as much as I should. Im sorry to hear about all others who have family and friends that cancer got the best of them. I want to add one more thing. So after I had my throat surgery and before my stomach surgery I met with my Radiologist for the first time. I sat in the examination room waiting for her. She came through the door with the biggest smile and says " So here you are I have been so excited waiting to meet you" and gives me a hug. Then she tells me " Do you know how lucky you are and how excited I have been to finally meet you?" My spirits were very low at this point. At the beginning of my diagnosis the radiation had always been my biggest fear. Now here is some quack telling me how lucky I am that I have 2 cancers. I didnt get it. Then she tells me " here you are with 2 kinda rare forms of cancer and we are going to talk about your treatment, how we are going to get through this". With a smile and excitement in her voice. Then she looks me right in the eyes and got very serious and says " Do you know how many people who sit where you are sitting and I have to tell them that there isnt any treatment thats going to help them and here you are with 2 cancers and treatment for both". Took awhile for that to sink in. All through my radiation she had that same smile and optimism. I totally understand her words today. I do feel blessed, I know things could have been much worse for me. I know all of this. That being said... there are still those days when I am just scared. Afraid that I am going to have to do it all over again. Hard not to think about... " what if they didnt get it all ?"... " what if it comes back?" ... " what more can they cut out of me?" I hope that I and everyone else have more of the " I feel blessed days"... take NOTHING for granted.

Well I finally got around to putting the new painted wheels on a tractor, now need to get the fronts painted. I assume I will paint the same way. Any suggestions?