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Just sharing a couple of my favorite early tractors in our collection that are in my opnion, two of the most historically significant garden tractors. I was very fortunate to have been able to aquire these tractors last fall from another collector who had them for years; each restored 10-15 years ago. The 1946 Pond lever steer is one for the very first tractors hand built and sold by Elmer and Cecil Pond, which evolved into the Ride-Away Senior model, mine being a 1955 example. These were the first two and only two "large" post WW2 models that were marketed to vegitable farms/truck gardens using recycled automotive parts, including the Ford rear end and transmissions. Each time I sit on either tractor, I can't help but to imagine the Pond's hands who built each one by hand and think of the history under my seat. If tractors could talk, I believe these would have a facinating story to tell!

This afternoon I heard a little commotion outside the shop. Quite frankly is sounded like a stampede. Went out to investigate and to my surprise I found part of my herd surrounding my trailer. They all wanted to get onto the trailer because they just knew it would be headed to the "Big Show" tomorrow morning. I had to break the news to them that the show won't be held this year. While they were out of their stalls I took advantage of the opportunity to clean the barn floor.

Had an unusual thing happen went to change the oil filter on the Wheel a Matic and as I was spinning off the RED WH FILTER the stud that it mounts to started coming off with it! I almost didn't notice it. It has a hex but with it all the way back in you can't get a wrench or socket on it due to a boss in the casting. What to do? I ended up using a 3/4" heater hose on the threads and grabbed the hose with pliers and tighten'd it enough so I can't take it out with my hands. Then I went to a WH owners 2nd most favorite job removing the hitch pin. I want dual hitches on this. The pin was stuck in the slot hitch and both ends of the pin were peened over. I buzzed down the side with the least peening and then whacked it with my IR air hammer and it moved. Best $200 I ever spent on a tool. That air hammer has cashed more checks than I can count. Finished driving it out with the smaller punch.

The other two that followed. Used to take my great niece and nephew to car shows. We got more attention then any car at any show. I sold the red one. Kids have out grown them. All they do now is collect dust and not memories. Sad

Lucky he didn't go over backwards. Any of mine tried that they wouldn't be sitting down for a week.

A couple of my Wise Crackin Wheel Horse pals from Minnesota stopped by the Ranch yesterday to do some Horse Tradin. They dropped off a wagon I bought and pick up a WH 701 I sold them. While here they thought they’d try to rustle my “Black Horse” into their trailer.. (No, I didn’t sell it) Bud Wilkins, you can cancel the grief therapy appointment you made.. lol. Don’t worry, it’s still here.. Your friends have a twisted sense of humor. Of course a little “Horsing Around” is always in order. Got a short video of how the Hydraulic lift on the D-Rod works, And a few pics of Michael Prondzinski on the newly rebuilt “Rat Horse” Great time with great friends! with Tom & Michael Prondzinski. Sorry, I don’t know how to tag them. IMG_2085.MOV

Well about a week or so ago found this one Facebook Market Place. It is a1994 416-8 come with the deck. The hood says 312-8 but the P.O. stayed it is better looking one that was on it. It does smoke a bit on startup, but oil needs changed, dirty needs a bath, needs a few odds and ends but overall not to bad. Deck had a belt missing so only center blade was turning. The hour meter (IF accurate has 446.8 on it) all the dash lights work. Looks to have original rear tires.

Kept my horse's mind off of the big show by playing pick up sticks. Finally cleaning up some litter that came down in storms a few weeks back. Actually, was a couple of trees on the neighbor's property. I just picked up two trailer loads and a log that came down on my side of the line. Missed the shed where the horse sleeps by about 8'! Also dragged this away - just call me EB Junior

I grabbed “Steve” my C-81 down from the racking, I need to finish the build on my David Bradley gearboxed Jari sickle mower and put him to work! Took my niece for a stroll on Stormy through the field and around the yard too!

Is putting it lightly! Be warned these guys are on the loose and on a mission to ! Lock up yer steeds and load yer shotguns! @Bear G@Shynon @prondzy

The most useful thing I've ever got for free. Multi purpose, mobile, hydraulic workbench. Ex hospital bed rescued from going in a scrap skip. Even the ply top was free.

Doing some maintenance work today on two of my RJs ! Putting newer idler pulley with better bearings on one. A new drive belt And making some more RJ belt cover spacers from the originals from one of the RJs. I measured 1 7/16 long and used some aluminum tubing for my other RJ project tractor. Also painting my seat and putting a seat lift block to keep the seat off the fenders! Filling an unknown bolt hole that appeared out of nowhere also. This Covid quarantine has done no favors to my seat - if you catch the drift!

Friend of mine is the builder, I gathered parts and ideas. this was the first one. Radio Flyer Rat Rods.

Outstanding. How did you know? Used to determine if you are plumb or level while using brace. Particularly useful for drilling at 45 degrees which is the most useful for me. Can also be attached to a framing square to use it as a level. Its Stanley’s No 44 bit and square level.

Dad doesn’t let any “grass grow under his feet” and that is evidenced by yesterday’s progress! The package from Terry showed up on Friday and so we wrapped it and gave it to dad for a Father’s Day gift. I think that motivated him even more to wrap this thing up. He had painted everything on Saturday and it had the weekend to start curing. What’s funny about this is the fact that I bought this tractor for him knowing that he likes them with clean paint (not a big patina guy) and I felt like the paint on here was acceptable from 10 feet away. It was, in my mind, the perfect worker because you still didn’t have to worry about scratching the paint. However, I could tell that the paint brush paint job was heating on dad as he began to drop hints that he would paint—at least the hood and fenders! Next thing you know we are detailing the engine, painting parts in various colors, and generally making it look like a restore! In one day he has it nearly assembled. Hoping today or tomorrow to be finished and ready for Terry’s awesome decals! Old Clyde will not only continue to be a great worker but will look sweet doing it!

On some remodel jobs we tear out old switchgear and replace them with new. This was a very large switchgear I salvaged the back and side panels from. It's 48" wide and 32" deep. It opens from the front for easy loading. The new switchgear had shipping supports that had to be removed so I salvaged them and built this press to remove stubborn steering wheels.

I have had these two cabinets for over 20 years. They were supply cabinets in an old hospital. I scraped the old paint off and replaced the glass with plexiglass and applied a new coat of paint. Now I have 2 tool cabinets.

We are the same, always reusing old items. I seem to always be dismantling people's sheds and garages and then either keeping the wood for various projects or rebuilding them after taking care of rotten bits. This year alone we have taken down two sheds, a pidgeon house, a garage and two greenhouses. All free as no longer wanted. I needed a garage a few years ago and found a half rotten one for free. It ended up half the size by the time I had rebuilt it, but cost very little. I got it in Pitlochry Scotland, it moved to Perth, then Lockerbie with me, then I gave it to a friend in Doncaster England - it's had an interesting life! That's the one in the photographs. The doors and trim all ended up painted black but for some reason I can't find a finished photograph.

I told him I have a 3/4" spindle on a non running tractor that I could use, but I got to thinking I might as well swap it out to a 1" front end.

A little better view:

Whoo Hooo! Christmas at Jim's Enough pulleys to make 2 tractors go faster & put hydraulics on another one.

About 20 years ago or so, I got a 10" F.E. Reed and Company engine lathe from my brother. She's old. Really old. But she's has less wear than many much newer machines I've seen. Look at the condition of the ways, right under the chuck! When I first got her, I didn't not have a chuck key, so I used a good old trusty Swagelok wrench. Kinda of a pain in the butt, so I used my lathe to make a tool for my lathe. Nothing fancy, but I did add a set screw to the shaft. I didn't have the correct one so I cut the head off a 6/32 and file a slot in it. Ground the end of the shank square And epoxied a spare socket onto the end. Love this old girl! NEVER leave your chuck key in your chuck. I know. It's for the paparazzi! I hope you guys enjoy ancient machines as much as I do. They JUST WORK.

Being recently retired , I thought I would restore a tractor to keep me outa the wifes hair. Well I found 2 G14s about 3 hrs away and carted them home. After repairing and repainting one 1971+ I have a 1969 left over. I thought it would make someone a good project tractor or parts tractor. The engine runs(new piston,rings and rod)however the hydro is in need of refurbishing. Even though there is an excellent step by step tutorial on this site to repair one, I think it is still above my pay grade. Would like to get about $250 to cover parts I have put into it or would consider a trade. Say like an old Raider from the 70"s.

A good air hammer can do amazing things I have a Mac tools one that is awesome Good job getting that one out A little never seize on the new pin and you should never have that problem again

What's this, "I'll have to fix the spindle" or I'll have to check the splines"? Sorry, but I'm thinking this could be a excellent opportunity to actually learn something constructive. Like I told my boys and my dad told me growing up; You abuse it and it breaks, YOU fix it!

I feel so ashamed! My only re-purpose item around here is I used the only part of a Tecky that never breaks, THE AIR CLEANER HOUSING!! I drilled a hole in my outer shop wall and use the Tecky filter as my air compressor intake instead of the hot air inside.

It's new life in the woods..

Did a major degunking on the Wheel a Matic!

I wish.. the 2 incher only has a 1/2 bore. Hey that's what you told me to get! Course I am about to pull the trigger on another order & I bet they would have a 2 with a 3/4 bore?!?!?

When l worked for a high end appliance place a few years back they where changing out their display cabinets in their showroom and discarding all the cabinet doors. Took them home ,cut them up and put this bed side table together.

Ouch...Looks like Jr. is gonna learn how to fix a D front end...!

Excellent thread idea!! Trina is famous (or infamous) for using and reusing absolutely whatever we have laying around. "Use what ya have" Couple weeks ago she made sliding door panels for the chicken coop from scrap lumber and pvc boards. Here's a few pics of her/our projects. These garden boxes were once the shelves of cantilever racks in my warehouse at work. Egg laying box was once a garden box. On this woodshed the roof frame was a greenhouse roof structure. The floor is 2 old pallets. The wall studs are old ones shaped like bananananananas. This shed ramp is made from the same cantilever racks and the base boards are reused deck rail posts. And the front steps are self explanatory in the video.

Was stoked when I saw a package left on the porch by fedex... cat 0 hitch work for the Super C....amazing this pretty big chunk of steel was just 65 Washingtons shipped! Even more stoked when the missus came out to the shop and handed me a package from the mailbox loaded with go fast pullies so as I can keep up @Achto on cruises and do some lawnmower racing with @Racinbob ! Bonus pully for Dan's patented flywheel side PTO. Now for the ... I ordered the wrong pulley... FYI the input shaft on a 3 speed is 3/4, a six speed is 5/8. I ordered a 5/8 for a 3. DINO have you not taught me nothing! You have if I could remember it ! Looks like I am gonna have a six that goes fast. Add insult to injury in my haste in the quest for the need for speed I busted the the orginal in my hurry to get it off. Not a big deal as o am heavy on stock input pullies but this one was painted candy apple...

The powers that be filed a complaint that her petunias were too close to the porch supports. When the wind blew it would cause them to rub against the porch supports and damage the flowers on that side. To remedy this issue I scrounged around my garage for a solution. What I found was a couple of spring teeth from a dump rake. Why did I have these?? I might need them some day & today was the day. I welded a piece of 1/4" by 1 1/2" steel to each of the spring teeth to use as a mount to the porch support. This new hanger will keep her plants plenty far enough away from the porch support.. Plus I get amusement from lifting the plants a bit & then letting them drop. They will bounce for a long time!! What can I say, I amuse easily. Let's see your repurpose projects.

thought this generator was interesting made by kohler, powered by a briggs engine, wonder what the agreement was or why they didn't use a kohler engine?

You go ahead and call yourself whatever you want but if you use that name you'll start getting kicked out of respectable establishments everywhere in the country.

Got yourself quite the pile of rabble-rousers there. You best be keeping a tight loop on your remuda or the herd is going to bust out... You'll be getting phone calls from two states away about how they've been stampeding deers and such.

You'll do well with an old Wheel Horse. The folks on this site are awesome to get information from Parts network is excellent given the sources that we all have. If you're not careful you might even make a friend or two.

@squonk Hooby-Dooby's can be used for many things. You gotta love tools that are multi-tasking. I would use it to check the square of the stringing on my racket ball racket. One could also use it to check the depth of a fishing lure...by knowing the angle and length of the fishing line off the pole when trolling, one can determine the depth of the lure. You could also attach it to the rim of your eye glasses to see if you are listing to port.

This is the new exhaust running with no glass wool or anything in the silencer can. Pretty quiet now that it exhausts under the chassis.

Firstly harvest this year ( 2 Plants) next i try my new Fatherday‘s Toy... least i mow the complete new Area just let few flowers for the bees

Yep, I heard the same thing. Strait from the Horse rustlers mouth.. lol

I heard Prondzinski Gang might show up in my back yard tomorrow.

Somehow I'm thinking that your go fasty is going to be faster than my go fasty.

Pressurized sand blast pot made from 100 lb propane tank, top is cut off then inverted and welded back onto the tank, be sure to cut holes for the pipe fittings before closing the tank. With the inverted top it makes it easy to load the tank with blasting media, the filler hole has an over size gasket you can actually purchase the proper gasket from Empire The aluminum stopper has a pig tail that fits loosely inside the air supply pipe, when air pressure is applied the aluminum stopper pops up then seals against the Empire gasket. But the pig tail is long enough to keep the poppet from falling out. On the larger 600 pound sand pot a proper sand regulator was purchased, The smaller pot just used a rubber lined squeeze valve to control the amount of media being fed to the blast nozzle. Proper respiratory gear is a must and many of the paints etc. being removed contain hazardous materials. Below the crappy drawing an image showing a proper commercially made media control valve.

A new main engine piston and cylinder head turned up on the ship one day. I had to take the wooden packaging to the skip, so it ended up in my van. We found an old steel framed BBQ on the farm, so stripped it down, repainted, new stickers, added a temperature guage and then turned the wood into a BBQ trolley. Total project cost about £20 and it's a great little unit that fits nicely in my garden trailer so we can cook anywhere we like. Making the custom sticker and nonsense instructions was fun. Then my brother pointed out that I had spelt my surname wrong in the graphics! Oh well, will change it some other time.

I like the ones, (spindle covers), with the open ends. Some don't go back on cause the threads get shot, loosen and rattle. I really can't remember my foot slipping off and hitting the deck. The hillside I cut, there is no way to use a regular seat switch. I have had one hooked up and used a sponge inside the seat to create a delay. But normally I disconnect. No one else runs the machines now.

You're an Outlaw

What a small world! Yes that's him, his name is George. Nice guy seemed like he really liked the tractor and did not wanna get rid of it really.

Honestly, it’s quite impressive to get such a big ole’ block that high no matter how he did it... Glad he was ok, and had the humility to tell you what he had done.