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I picked up this 1944 Ford 2N from a friend of mine this past week. I have been wanting a Ford or Ferguson tractor for a few months now. I really wanted a NAA or 600 or 800, but most that I have found were 9Ns, 2Ns, and 8Ns. I almost bought a early 50s Ferguson TO-30, but I waited too late to make my decision, it sold on me. I knew my friend had this 2N (he thought it was a 9N) and he recently told me he thought about selling it. Knowing him and knowing that he did a lot of work on it, I knew it would be a good buy. So I pulled the trigger on it. Now, I have had so-called experts tell me it's a 9N, but the serial number says it's a 1944 2N. If you know the history of the early Ford N-series, you know that 2Ns retained the same serial number prefix as the 9N, meaning the serial number starts with "9N". You have to tell them what they are by certain features and by the serial number. Now features also may be confusing. Take for example, most so-called experts think that the 2Ns only came with the oval shaped radius arms, but that's not true. The early ones came with the I-beam shape arms that the 9Ns had, Ford changed the shape of them half way through the 1944 production run, so 1942, 1943, and early 1944 2Ns had the 9N styled radius arms. Grilles and dog legs are also another feature that will indicated what you have, a 9N or a 2N. And there are other features. This one is a 1944 2N by all things I've researched, so I'm going with what the serial number tells me. My friend also threw in the back blade, which is very heavy. The only thing I have found wrong with it, the lower lift arm on the right side is leaking. I'm sure my friend didn't know that as he definitely would have told me. He kept it outside under a tarp, and it only leaks if you drive it a bit. Gasket is only $2.00, but it will be a bear to change as you have to pull the axle housing and the axle to get to it. Yikes.

Same shack too dark without lighting for pictures, was at the farm shop having a leg repaired I guess the boys were a bit inebriated and forgot to raise them, when you run out of beer a quick run into town with your tracked jeep will get you there and back to the shack.

Having been blessed to retire early, thank goodness cause the old body gave out, I was offered an opportunity to spend a couple hours with retired others for breakfast. aka "Breakfast Club" Covid and not having enough time under the belt I'm sure slowed the invite process. An elite crowd of very opinionated people that just share a few moments of their time face to face rather than on Social Media. Topics ranged from Sex to Politics, the latter is like quicksand. Other discussion, what are you working on this week. I think if you told those guys you were putting trusses up on a skyscraper they would say "we'll be over in the morning to help, have coffee on" Two hours of pretty well spent time. Hope to get another invite.

This is in my mirror. 4.5hr Road trip today to meet @ebinmaine and a couple other members. Good times doing a bit of "horse tradin" so to speak.

@JoeM you’ve got my vote. There has been a study I seen or heard somewhere can’t remember, that it is showing it is harder on the body to keep changing the time. My thoughts are if you want to do something just get up earlier and do it and leave the time alone..

At least in PA it is tonight and we spring ahead tomorrow. I think we need to change the time and leave it alone. What do you think?

Please follow along. Part I https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10216144652162534&type=3 Part II https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10216185253577544&type=3 Admin If this is not allowed please remove.

Man that’s nice... I thought this was all you needed for ice fishing...

Don' put them in ... most guys here don't. The general consensus is if you don't have them in right and even when you do they can grenade and ventilate the block. Reports are there is little to no difference in vibration.

@haydendavid380 this is big show. Take a tractor to ride or golf cart. You have to have insurance for that but you can rent a golf cart and your good to go. My wife and I went to the fall one last year and if it was not for renting a golf cart we would never have seen what we did! Very big show in fall not sure about the spring show. You can find all kinds of parts and other stuff like emery cloth, gojo, tools etc.....

Oil change on the C105... Ready for summer kid hauling duties with the SL&WHN RR...! No word yet on whether the City will have a Memorial Day Parade (COVID ), but if so, the train will be full and in the parade!

This is the one I use -- cub cadet. Relatively inexpensive on the bay (under $50), good tone (to my ears anyway) and adaptable in many ways.

I need to ungainly the weight from Covid!

thinking on this muffler?

ONE was built in green..... https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/1966-ford-gt40-mk1-sale-1234601338/

There's gonna be a few accidents at some intersection somewhere tonight...

Thought about some clean rock. Wrap it in a couple towels, put it in the dryer. Have to wait til my wifes gone though.

Not a wheelhorse but did follow me home. Should look good in the shop if I get it built

Did some spring clean up of winter duff. Cleaned out the bluebird boxes. Have to stand on the seat to reach this one. Tilled up some beds.

Hi all, I hope everyone is well here. There are some updates with the Wheelhorse. Firstly my grandfather got me some rear chevrons as a birthday/Christmas present Living on Dartmoor in England it is very damp especially this time of year, and getting stuck can be easy so the new "shoes" help the Horse a lot Also my friend West and I fabricated a custom bracket for a front LED light. I have never actually had front lights other than a side-light that was once on it, and wanted to keep the original Wheelhorse look but be able to drive back to the garage in the dark after bonfires or cutting logs etc in the woods. I am really happy with the results and it throws out plenty of light. I also installed the rear light which I used to have on the Wheelhorse over a decade ago. Finally the Horse was used to get some furnature to the house when the driveway was too slippery for a delivery van earlier this year.

That rooster wouldn't last one day...

Some of you are interested in doing a raised panel by hand but do not have a special plane for it @CCW. Not a problem . It can be done with a smooth plane and a rabbet plane. A little more work and a few more things to keep in mind but still easier and better than using a table saw or a router. It is simple, quiet and most importantly, safe with predictable results, something that cannot ever be assumed with any power tool. Most if not all are able to accomplish the task with a couple of inexpensive tools that to many seems not possible. With a little practice it can be done much quicker and better than with any power tool unless of course one is doing a few dozen of them. Even with such a quantity it is a very satisfying and rewarding way of doing it.

tnk...tnk...tnk...

@Horse Newbie I got a call from Fastenal yesterday that my 953 has arrived. So it took exactly 2 weeks to move through their excess shipping space. You did a great job strapping it to the pallet everything was still nice and secure. Got it loaded for a trip to the barn I was pleased to find all the goodies in the loose parts that came with it. Since these are all the transmission external parts I wonder where the transmission went? More loose goodies that included some rear cultivator parts. Ooo and the actual 953 grill in great shape 🙌 I’ll have to check if the Kohler spec and serial number confirm this is the original engine. I was also excited to find the Rear tires to be Goodrich Silvertown Ag’s, and they look to be in fairly good shape. One front tire is an original Wheelhorse tire and my other parts 953 has one original WH tire. If my wife read this she would shake her head about me being excited about original 953 grills, WH tires, that oil bath air cleaner smiling on the front of that Kohler, the HY-2 hydraulics, and Silvertown Ag tires! But she tolerates my craziness... It’s now tucked in my dry barn. I got it off the skid and the front wheels back on so I could move it around. I’ve got to get my Suburban project finished. Then it’s going to be some tough calls to decide how I combine this 953 with my other parts 953. I believe I will have everything I need to build a really good tractor. Many Thanks Again

Shaw Du-Al, R-8 Model tractor. I took these piuctures several years ago at a very nice small tractor show held in Owen County, Indiana near the Town of Gosport, Indiana. I only attended one year but it was a nice show. The Shw Du-Al is an inportant tractor in the history of Wheel Horse as Harold Pond, Elmer Pond's older brother worked at Shw-Du -Al in Galesburg, Kansas before starting Speed-Ex Tractor in Alliance and laterr Ravinnia, Oho. Elmer worked for Harold assembling and selling Speed-Ex Tractors. However, around 1946 or 1947 Elmer and son Cecil decided that they wanted to improve upon the Speed-Ex Tractor and make their own two wheel garden tractor. Harold was not happy aboput that decision and as a result did not speak to Elmer or Cecil ever again. But the Shw-Du-Al is an interesting tractor. The R-8 is one of the finest and rarest examples and the one shown is very original. https://www.farmcollector.com/tractors/shaw-du-all-good-bargain

I feel sometimes ungainly in sorting my Mind.. 😎😂😂

Thanks everyone! Spent it at sea - all the crew made me a lovely cake and I got a pile of lego to make into something! Sorry for not being around lately, life has been frantic!

OK, any vertical shaft transaxle experts out there? I have a 1970 Commando V-8 which originally had the 5066 3 speed transaxle but it has been replaced with the 5075 3 speed transaxle pulled form a '71 or '72 CG-7. In the Commando V-8 owner's manual it says the 5066 had limited slip. However before mine fell victim to my 15 year old many years ago it never showed any signs of having limited slip, probably worn out. I can't find a CG-7 manual to check but the transaxle I pulled from the CG-7 most definitely has limited slip as well. The Commando V-8 has been idle for about 3 years while I searched for a suitable replacement engine. Last night I snagged Briggs 16HP oppose twin to put in it, I had a Briggs 14.5 HP single setting in it but I figured if I was going to have to modify the hood I might as well make it worth the effort so I upped the ante with the twin. I'm wondering if it would be better to rebuild the original 5066 (provided I can find parts) or just keep the 5075? The plan for the tractor after the repower is to mount a V-plow on it for opening up sidewalks and breaking a hole through the pile of crust at the end of the driveway from the state plows so I can then chip away at it with my Raider 9 and 42" dozer blade. On more than one occasion I wasn't able to get the end of the driveway and "upstream" shoulder cleared before the state plows came and they plowed me in so bad I couldn't break through with a dozer blade or snow thrower. I'm thinking the V-plow would at least break an opening though I could then open up with the dozer blade or thrower. In nice weather I'd use it as a backup mower in case my other would break down. This is after several hours of trying to get through with my B-100 with the dozer blade AND digging by hand, I finally had to get a full size tractor with a loader to dig it out. It's all hard packed snow from the state plows. To give you some idea how deep that pile is I'm 6' 1-1/2" and my driveway drops off quite a bit about 6 feet in front of the car so I'm standing on 12-18" of snow in the picture. Maybe my "drift buster" wouldn't be able to get through something like that either but I'll sure have more fun trying than I did that day LOL.

It was an interesting trip to say the least. I thought i would let my phone take me on the trip via google maps. Well not the wisest decision I ever made. Between dropped service and my phone up dating the map "recalculating " the shortest distance repeatedly the 4.25hr trip turned into about 6. Along with slippery road conditions. The wife and I had a chance to meet some great people. @ebinmaine, his significant other Trina, @JCM @Stepney, it was very nice to meet the faces behind the screen names. Eric gave me a great deal on a pile of parts. Enough to keep me busy for a while. I just want to say thank you and Trina again for the parts, the food, the hospitality and the chance to meet some members. After 16.5hrs we are beat. We all know, without a pic it didnt happen lol so here ya go.

@ebinmaine we just walk thru the door.

Jim Kemp stack. Have another on the 656 in the backround.

On the whole I can only argue one point. Most of the Kohlers I have done, I removed the balance gears with little difference. Kohler made engines for hundreds of companies and some opted out of the gears . I have a 14HP bare block on the bench that was never drilled for the balance gear shafts. I thought I had one, and I just checked seeing only solid castings where the shafts are pressed in.

You will find many others here that will give you the same advise.

Oops! Forgot the FOOT! (Didn't mean most Wheel Horses had no motion control ...) "Foot Motion Control"

@OldWorkHorse Steve and his Other Half came for a visit and left with a Patriot Horse!! She's going to give it some color and use it as a yard worker. It's going to a great home.

Those are some incredible ice shacks!! I know people that have these and use them all year around. Ice shack in the winter, camper in the summer.

Pullstart, you can walk across a field and the crows over here will sit and watch you. Walk across with a gun or anything that looks like one and they'll be off as soon as they see you. Don't call them crafty crows for nowt.

@krystolo It's certainly a monster compared to the one on my K181

or sit out in a comfy camp chair and a handful of bird shot and a 20 gauge

That is many times what I need to do also if I find opposing grain. I use them left handed or use them in reverse pulling rather than pushing them. There are literally thousands of planes with different functions. I don't know how many I have but they are in the hundreds (easier to hide from wife than tractors). Many are displayed inside house on the first floor. They are not allowed past the stairs lol. Any one can do this work. Its like any other skill. I was just lucky that in reality I was born into it and was always surrounded by people in the same situation so it was never just a job but actually a way of life. Making planes has always been perhaps my favorite activity in this craft and I wish I had more time to do it. I still have herein stock enough irons to make a couple of thousand more. Most of them extremely rare one over 100 years old. Some of my "stock" below. Thank you I appreciate that coming from you. I always hope more get into this interest we have.

Here is my snow coverage map this morning:

I imagine that if I have to ask the price I cannot afford it. Why even dream. I know I cannot afford it.

@pullstart Kevin, I THINK, you're going to need more racks, or a nice big addition by the looks of that picture.

Toro is generally very proud of their parts. After market should work. The early electronic units are not cooled by fan air but are also 20x bigger. These large ones should be mounted with the terminals down so the heat from the power transistor can naturally rise away from it. The body of both styles must be grounded to work which is done by the mounting screws. Garry

Excellent Sir. Sounds like a good busy.

A categorical syllogism... (sort of): All John Deere’s are puke 🤢 green. Puke 🤢 green is ungainly. Therefore, all John Deere’s are ungainly Moral of the story... Not everyone can look, work or feel like a ...

I think these are genuine 1/15th HP models. Originally bred to pull small children in tiny carts these horses are now used in the film industry to make diminutive actors appear normal size. Tom cruise has a herd of them on his ranch in Pasadena where he rides them and feels huge. Mikipedia