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As some of you may know, I am also a Coleman lantern addict. Lantern collectors have one thing very much in common with us here- clean up and run, full restore, or custom. Decided to start with one for the ‘original patina’ crowd. Think it goes well with my patina 655. Hope you enjoy!

Making a raised panel the old way. Only 3 tools needed Rough mark field for adze work Rough it out with adze end grain first Rough work completed Finish with panel raising plane set fine end grain first Long grain next panel complete Smooth face Completed panel.

A few online auction finds that got picked up today, 2 new 8” hub caps and one 11” and one of the wheel horse books that came with the newspaper. Same auction had all 3 editions and a 417 with an Ark 550 Loader

A guy that my son in law works with knows of his fast growing addiction to tractors and asked him if he wanted another one. Apparently this tractor was given to this guys uncle from a neighbor. Not knowing what it was I asked for pictures. Once I got them I told my son in law that we are going to get it right after work! It was less than an hour round trip. We got it home, checked the oil and it looked brand new. All we did was put gas in it and it ran beautifully.

I saw the post about the Garden Master tractor. I watched the video and low and behold I found #2. It’s my neighbors. He’s an elderly gentleman who kindly let me snap a few photos.

Got the transmission back together saturday, made a few upgrades, double set screws, new woodruff keys, and studs/lug nuts. I noticed some cracking on the gusset plates need to address this next.

Although I am a die hard wheel horse guy, I have been wanting to get an original for quite awhile. Got it at a really good price and got it running have way decent after sitting for 30 years.

By 'eck! Your flying along with this build. Amazing what can be achieved in a month. Isn't it ERIC?

Made some more progress today with my current RJ resto. Thinking this stuff is almost clean enough to paint now.

New Engine Horsepower Rating Standards The new SAE J1940 standard requires all engines produced after and including October 1, 2013 must be within 95% of the declared rated power and torque as opposed to the old standard of 85%. SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) has also stated that the engine manufacturer must disclose the rpm for rating and with the GROSS (SAEJ1995) or NET (SAEJ1349) horsepower. Note: Engine produced before October 1, 2013 are labeled and rated by the old standard. In most cases the engine displacement (cc) has not changed. Example: Model CH740 with 725cc, before it was rated as 27hp and will now be rated as 25hp under the SAE J1940 standard. The engine has not changed, only how it’s rated under the new SAE J1940 standard. In the Kohler Engine specs you will also notice a SAE J1995 horsepower rating. This rating is based on approximately 10 engines off the assembly line and then tested and the horsepower rating is the average out of the 10. Power (hp) and Torque (lbs ft) specifications for Kohler general purpose engines are rated pursuant to Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1940 based on gross output testing performed according to SAE J1995 without the air cleaner and muffler. Actual engine power and torque can be lower and affected by accessories (air cleaner, exhaust, charging, cooling, fuel pump, etc.), application, engine speed, ambient operating conditions, (temperature, humidity and altitude) and other factors. This J1940 / J1995 rating provides consistent measurement to customers who may want to control the intake and exhaust features of the engine. For more information, contact Kohler Co. Engine Engineering Department. Kohler Co. reserves the right to change product specifications, designs and standard equipment without notice and without incurring obligation. Kohler J1995 power and torque has been certified by 3rd Party Witness.

I still have the 1 my father bought used in 1977. 1st pic is me the following year... Last basically how it is today... Good luck with yours.

I will tell you this video is my favorite on big hp garden tractors. The guy needs to re shoot this video in High Def Tho! Just the sound of it is so awesome. ok Im getting off topic sorry!

So, I’ll do a little commentary here. I did two oil changes in a week, the first, using that sea foam in the system for a day or two. After our 4.5 hr trip hauling the camper last weekend and a trip to town, I figured I’d check fluid levels. I mentioned the coolant must have burped a bit, it was a tad low. The oil after the long haul still looks brand new. I’ve never seen any diesel with anything but black oil. That sea foam did such a good job flushing the garbage out of the engine, it’s got to be brand new shiney in the entire block! Woo hoo! Norman hauled the camper at a brisk 80 mph on the way home caravaning with my FIL and the motorhome. Never an issue!

Wrong forum, your engine exceeds the 1 litre displacement. This SAE Standard is applicable to small spark and compression ignition engines, having a maximum of 1.0 L sweep volume displacement, which are commonly operated outdoors, powering lawn and garden, construction, and general utility equipment. It is not intended to cover engines powering boats.

Very glad to see this topic of blacksmiths and the skill and importance of blacksmithing as a skill. My dad Clifton E. Ralph was a blacksmith for 68 years by until his passing in December 2018. He was an industrial blacksmith for 35 years at Youngstown Sheet and Tube ( later LTV steel). After retiring at 50 as his plants blacksmith shop was eliminated he chose a more important route. it took him some time but he started going to steam shows, tractor shows and blacksmith events that they called “hammer -ins”. He read called “ton”, “hammerman”, and tons of other names but he built a reputation and began to teach and demonstrate until his passing in 2018! He also was a tremendous fan of Wheel Horse tractors and bought his first in 1961 and passed on his passion for them to his sons! He loved to pass on the nuances of smithing . He was one of 20 blacksmiths and woodworkers asked to remake the original John Deere plow in Illinois by the Illinois Blacksmith Association. What mechanical and inquisitive nature I have about machines like our Wheel Horses came from being around my dad. His shop was always filled with projects. Thousands of his students and various blacksmith groups around the country benefited from his interest in keeping the art and skill of blacksmith alive. I am pleased to see Red Square Forum members who are doing the same! As dad use to say keep hammer-in!

Heres my latches and hinges. And alot of stuff I made for a local sale but the virus shut me down.

Found a piece of paper that I wrote down the numbers on this motor before I cleaned it all up. Stuck it on there and I think I need to talk to @Vinylguy!! I don't think this tape is going to hold up much longer!

A C 160

Oil gas air filters Grease zerks lubrication all Blade snow ready waits

Well it's not a wheel horse but it will find a few wheel horse projects I sold my 1998 hummer after 17 years of owning it

I'm telling Trina on you.... Actually never mind. She probably would think it's just as funny.....

Battery tray / stack support under construction. Also getting all my electrical pieces dug out. Maybe start wiring tomorrow. Maybe a ride by the weekend.

Fronts are spot welded to the top.

This is what moves me so much. Its a shame that most people just dont care anymore. So much talent time and effort. Most kids today dont even have the patience to sit down and watch a full movie let alone learn a craft. I hope my sons carry it on after I'm gone. And it looks like me and your father have the same vise! Thats neat to me because his is the only other one like mine that iv seen thathanks for sharing I'll most likey always remember this story.

Guys I have to tell you I love this thing! It runs like new and the hydro is perfect. I’m new to hydrostatic tractors, the 520h being my first. I really prefer the C161 controls. The rubber engine mounts? Being a life long Harley rider I have to say they are great. It’s spooky how similar they feel to my current Roadglide. Vibrates like hell at idle and smooth as silk at operating RPM. Love it! I really want to restore it but I love using it. She hauled 1/2 cord of split wood today without complaint. What to do!

Not to mention prepping “Joe” the new green machine!

So far I've only had one critter in my new pole building and that was a chipmunk. I saw him run in when I was getting ready to close the overhead door. Never saw him run out again. So he is either dead, or he got out. Don't smell anything, so I guess he escaped. Rodents were a concern when I built the building, so all openings were filled with expanding foam, and the seal on the bottom of the overhead door extends beyond the width of the opening. The concrete floor seals the perimeter. I had my grandson shine a flashlight from the inside at night to make sure no light was visible at any location where there was a possibility of entry.

I would say brain dead, but we are not to discuss politics.

That input pully is huge... what gear do you run in? I don't remember the few times I have plowed with that tractor. I also put the thick washers behind the lug studs. I feel the studs just seat better.

@Lane Ranger That is a beautiful write up about your father’s life and passions. Sounds like he was one heck of a guy. I’m just sitting here thinking how close his path was to a couple guys I know in this hobby/profession. Wish I could have known him. Thanks a million for sharing all that with us. You must have some wonderful memories of your pop. Dave

The seat on the 654 would in fact work on the 701.. my husband and I have been told the only difference is the seat needs painted white but someone else on here might be able to shed light on that for sure!

I appreciate that alot! That time of smithing is my favorite time of smithing. It was the life until the cast iron age took over and put all the smithys out of buisness and into their factories. :/ but yes those are beautiful fall colors!

Bob, in the same boat as you. Got my first Auto, C-141, and enjoy it as well as you like your C161. I did a semi-restoration on the deck, PTO clutch, seat, and some electrical, and painted the rear end fender, footrests and belt covers. Will get to the hood Over the winter. go for it and listen to Eric, more horseys .........

Simple fix. You needs another Horsey!!!

If you only need one, I bet that young man in your first pic would love to have the other....

I went with an earler fix, didn't use bailing wire, ducktape or zipties. I used a big hammer when mine came apart good for a year of unlimited miles. Then I moved up to ss sieel brass lined heims joints. I know they are good for 31 years of unlimited miles and they are still tight. I even put some ss steel brass lined heims joints on the control rod of my hydro when I installed a new cam and cam plate. Thats good stuff Ed, but electric fence wire is on the farm now. You fellows arn't keeping up with times. p used a big

I wouldn't expect to fail at any other time !! LOL

Are you still running the original petcock with the brass screen on it?If so I have had them get so gummed up that it would starve tractor for fuel.Most definitely a fuel issue.Dont worry it will show up again at the most inopportune time,like when you are in a hurry trying to get done before rain storm ⛈ or sumin ...

Space is my limiting factor now. I have this thing about leaving things outside, can't do it....but parts could fit in the basement.....your close by, maybe I could swing by some time for a looksey.

Rebel’s in the shop. Will he pull a plow this year? Two weeks will tell us...

Here is your hp!

No, they relied on the injection pump alone at first. These years are known for “bad injectors” but the entire fuel system was poorly designed. Let’s talk filtration and fuel system design. These injectors were spec’d for 10 micron fuel supply. Injection pumps are now known to need fuel volume supplied to them for less cavitation and better performance of the overall system. The stock fuel filter is a 40 micron filter. 4 times the diameter of the injector’s design! The fuel filter is above the passenger side valve cover... so fuel runs along the driver’s frame rail, across the engine, through the filter, through the injection computer (not sure why), then to the cp3 pump. That’s a ton of suction that pump isn’t designed to do. It’s bound to get air bubbles and dirty fuel! The lift pumps pre-filter the fuel, supply huge volumes of clean fuel to the injection pump and have a return to the tank for excess fuel and any air in the system as well. Big improvement there!

@Lane Ranger Precious stuff. Thank you for sharing it with us.

those horns were usually blunted. Thats awesome to see one still sharp! I have a couple of anvils to show you guys.

While everyone was replying to the posts today I drove up to the ridge above where we live to see a guy about an anvil and some tools. Here are some pictures of the 200 pound Arm & Hammer anvil I got today and some tools I bought yesterday. There are still some decent tools and anvils out there if you’re patient. This anvil has a pristine face. Level, good edges, no chips around the hardy or pritchel holes. You can still see where the hardy hole was drifted with a round drift then finished with a square drift. Sharpest point I’ve ever seen on an anvil. It was well cared for over the years. The cutting table shows some wear, but that’s to be expected when you’re this old! Came with a nice white oak base. Got some good tools, too. A 20 pound sledge, some nice handled hot cuts, a small flatter, several tongs including a couple nicely made bolt tongs and pickup tongs. To top it off, I got to drive across the top of the ridge and see the vista below. That’s a shot looking northeast toward Chestnut Ridge and overlooking Latrobe, PA. It was a good day. Cheers! Dave

Thanks Tuul Crib! Those fur stretchers were donated to me by a friend as source metal for making small hooks when my buddy Rex and I do demonstration work at Hannastown. Turns out the spring steel they are made from is excellent steel for flint strikers. You should see how brilliant white the sparks are that come off of this steel at the grinder. They really do a great job on a flint for primitive fire making. We used up all the larger coyote sized stretchers and are working our way through the raccoon sized stretchers, now. I wish I could find some more around here. I’ll have to keep my eyes open at the flea market! Take care, be aware and stay safe.... Cheers! Dave

Hello TC, I’ve been a crafty kind of guy all my life but usually concentrated on wood butchering. I met up with a fellow that I knew when I was in my teens, many moons ago, found out he was an accomplished blacksmith, and I started smithing at his shop a couple years ago. He has been tremendously influential in the development of my work and skill set. Right now I have a small shop at my home in western, PA. I am currently working out of a propane forge that I built and should have my coal forge running in a few weeks, if all goes well. Getting the service drop from the power company installed this week and will wire up the shop for electric. I like to do architectural and colonial blacksmithing. Things you’d find around a farm/homestead in the 18th century. Door hardware, logging tools and equipment, hasps, hinges, fireplace, cooking and hearth ware. I demonstrate at Hannastown Fort near Greensburg, PA with my buddy, Rex. He just set up a colonial blacksmithing shop in a log cabin that will let us work on site without having to trailer everything to events at the Fort. It’s going to save a lot of time setting up and tearing down. We both belong to a great group called PAABA (Pittsburgh Area Artists-Blacksmiths Association) in Pittsburgh and to the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association. Both groups have given me access to some wonderful people (not unlike those on Red Square), resources and venues to meet and work at forges. In good times, Fort Allen meets at our +/- 60’ x 100’ forging building where we have a half dozen forges set up and 12 work stations. Classes for beginners through advanced smiths are held every Thursday night from April to the end of October. Right now all activities for both clubs are on hold. Tell us a little about your interests and what you do in the forge. Don’t forget the photos! Everyone here likes pictures! Cheers! Dave Star Forge + Ironworks 724-875-9991 Below are are a few photos you might enjoy. First two pictures are of the Fort Allen blacksmithing shop. The third is my shop.