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The original 5025 Unidrive on my 502 roller was completely full of water when I got it 8 or so years ago - what was left of the shifter boot looked like a used-up faucet washer, so I scrounged thru the "Parts Department" and came up with 2 potential candidates. It is not easy to find a 110-volt motor that has reversable rotation. My other 2 choices were to find a double shaft version, or to overhang mount the motor off the frame - not a good choice. I did find one off of the Shopsmith Mk 5' complete with 3 prong plug and an On/Off switch - and it did have 2 additional wires with Fast-ons - switched them and it now runs CCW. (like an electric Kohler!!) The first Unidrive had noise issues and 4 leaking seals; after 2 flushes it got no better. The second one as shown was quiet and had 2 leaking seals. Drained what oil was in there, raising the front of the frame. Set the front back down, added 2 quarts of Diesel fuel thru the shifter hole and ran it on low speed thru all 4 gears, 10 minutes apiece. Repeated using the middle step and the largest step. Drained that, ready for new seals. If you think you MAY have a seal that is leaking, the thin Diesel fuel will let you know very quickly...

Well we've seen lots of nice tractor pictures on everyday of the week. But I know to our suspicion or surprise they weren't all perfect inside when we found them. Plus some of us have broken a few things working them hard, or just dumb moves lol.. SO LET'S SEE YOUR CARNAGE....BROKEN, TWISTED, CORRODED, RUSTED but beloved Wheeelhorses and other thinks! My 1st 3 Piece Transmission to open. The well rusted cluster gear from that transmission. Another transmission the PO swore had been under roof all its life! A beautiful David Bradley 2 piece rim ready for repair. Who hasn't opened up an ethanol encrusted carb these days. How did that happen! Just a little thin and bent up filler neck. Not a tractor, but tree roots cause some "FUN" home repair problems!

I think I need that spell checker!

This is Rebel. See Rebel smoke. Smoke Rebel smoke.

I turned 62 in March of 2012. That's when I started getting Social Security. However, I was still very active. Then in 2015 I needed spine surgery. That slowed me down for about a year. Since then, retirement has been almost as busy as when I was working. I am never lacking for one of my kids to need help with, or want me to do a construction project for them. Fast forward to yesterday. I spent all day correcting an out-of-plumb wall in my son's bathroom so he (we) could build a new shower. Point of my story here is that retirement is what you make of it. I am never lacking for things to do, and as long as my health permits, I will continue that trend. Friday April 1 is my wife and my 50th wedding anniversary. She keeps me busy too.

Came home to a beautiful wind free evening after work...doesn't happen often around here...so took advantage of it and painted some more parts to the 1927 Maytag 92 I'm rebuilding. Also built another set of skids, probably won't be permanent as this is probably gonna be the engine that gets belted up to an ice cream freezer. But I figured it would be nice to have it on a skid for reassembly instead of having it slide around on the workbench

OK, here's another old farts retirement story. Growing up in the '50s on my Grandfathers small farm in the Appalachian Mts. in SW PeeAaa, like all mountain kids, I worked the farm and the hand dug coal mines at a very young age. We were pretty much self sufficient, living off the land by hunting, fishing, home gardens, mining coal for heat (granddad had 3 hand dug coal mines on the farm), cutting pulp wood and timber and delivering coal to the homes in Cumberland ,Md for cash. So, when I was 62 and had allready worked for 50 years, I got in a dispute with my 42 year employer over the amount of my vacation time I had earned. So I retired as an employee and took my full pension that was locked several years earlier when most companies switched to 401K pensions,. The next day I signed a good contract to continue working as a consultant. All benifits ended and I was payed a flat hourly rate. but I could now work to suit my life schedule that was rapidly filling up with four grandsons ,family vacations ,hunting, fishing, and crabbing trips. I actually now had excess income, so I did not take social security until I was 65 when I signed for medicare and SS. I was able to invest heavily into our 401Ks during this time. At 65 and on medicare, social security, and monthly pension, I tapered off working during the next few years and did most of my work at home with only one or two in office meetings per week. The only downside to retiring before 65 was my company group health insurance ended when I retired. I did use the COBRA law to buy my same company insurance for the next 18 months. Then I had to purchase a private plan for the remaining 18Months till I was 65. This was expensive. One interesting detail I learned when I decided to apply for social security. We used to get a summary of the exact amount you paid into your social security account. Using this, I knew exactly the amount I had paid in. The US death rate stats are used in the calculation your monthly payments. Based on my health history and age, was scheduled to take the dirt nap at age 77. Using 77 as the payment end date, my total SS return was within one hundred dollars of the amount I paid in. This was true regardless of when I began collecting SS ie early 62, full 66, or late 70. I'm past 77, so I am finally reaping some interest on my SS investment. What would I say to youngsters that may want to retire with security some day? buy American made products.....regardless of price, you can not afford not to buy American... do not borrow money.... save until you have enough cash. chances are you will realize you didn't really need or want it take full advantage of Roth IRA savings and company match 401K plans live within your means No one owes you anything...work for what you want Take care of your family, friends and neighbors where you can see your charity being properly used Sorry for the rant, but this is what old farts do when it's too cold to play outside.

made up a couple dual wheel spacers. Indoor stuff only today.

Finally finished the H60 for the 654. Started this before Christmas but didn't think it would take so looooong. Mainly searching for parts then waiting... waiting.... and waiting. Still looking for diodes for the charging. Just can't see myself paying $30 plus $ conversion plus shipping on ebay. Would likely end up costing close to $60 for one. If I can't find them for a reasonable price I just might make my own, encapsulate them and assemble metal plugs on each end. Shout out to Snoopy for providing the crankshaft for this little fella. Turned out better than expected. I misted some acetone on the red paint prior to the last coat to give it a crinkled look for that casting effect. Compression ended up at 78 PSI which I think is pretty good for this little engine. Now onto the tranny...... More parts..... more waiting. Actually just a bearing set, ball and needles I already have a replacement shifter fork.

Tired 312-8 as given to my son As restored

@Ed Kennell yes I saw that on the tube , very obvious today is the brain dead state that people are in , never looking ahead never sending an intended move , guesstimate passing , never using your mirrors . regularly use my 4 way flashers on an up coming problem , to try and fend off a rear end smash . love the NY drivers that will never give up the left passing lane , and oblivious to traffic issues . when giving tips to my grandkids , always point put what's going on , keep your face in your mirror . there should have been a combined flashing warning exposure to that pile up . mirror pete

I was forced to retire five years ago because of health reasons, multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in1998. I worked as long as I could drag myself to work. I'm not liking being retired, mostly because I can't do much physically, I changed the oil and greased my C-80 yesterday and that about wiped me out. My wife has to do much of what I always did, that hurts me deep. She has MS. Also, diagnosed in 2006 on the day she turned forty. That just about broke me, but we got through it. She's still able to work. I had time to build my 401-K and was able to pay my home off a few years before retirement. SS. For disability is one hundred percent, so that helps, still less than a third of what I was making. As long as we can stay in our home that's the most important thing and I think we will. I've been married thirty seven years, we both have had good jobs and we closed on the home we're still in, two weeks before our wedding. I guess my point is, you never know what the future will bring. I've had lots of time to think about it, I don't think I'd have done anything different, if I knew in advance. I worked every minute I wasn't sleeping to make or save $ and I'm sure I still would be. I enjoyed working, I enjoyed working on my home and building barns and sheds. I plowed twenty driveways and had that many lawns too. I worked in a paper mill for thirty three years, the overtime was almost always available, twelve hours, sixteen if you're relief called out, seven days, weeks at a time.I worked a swing shift, so a different shift every week. When on nights and running seven days, I had to stay over Monday for day shift. I was a part time police officer for thirteen years in the town I live in. I cut eight cord of wood every year from dropping the tree, to the stove. I most years harvested three or four deer, hunting two states. I don't know how I did it, now thinking back on it, but I did and I loved it. I made the best of my health when I had it, I'm thankful for that. Red Square is my get away and therapy now, when I start feeling sorry for myself. I apologize for ranting my situation, sometimes it helps, enjoy life, if working is enjoyable, keep working, if not retire as soon as you can.

I bottom it gently, then back off until the shifter is just able to access all the gears smoothly and easily--it'll feel a bit "loose"--then I tighten the lock nut while holding the dog point in place with the hex wrench.

Its not a rod but a cable that runs to the rockshaft on the lift lever. 2nd pic the same. I don't have the cable hooked to the slot hitch but you can just see it hanging there. Not all tractors came with a rear hitch or the cable. It was optional. For example if it was bought new for just mowing no need for nothing more than perhaps a drawbar.

You got it stripped down that far Bill I would be tempted to split it and check things out.

Darb- My wife has ms as well but is doing ok at this point. She was diagnosed in 2009 and she is now 51. I am in a situation that I could retire now but plan to go a few more years as that will make a significant difference in my financial situation. I have watched my father pass at 64 and a very good friend pass at 53. I want to be able to spend some quality time with the wife. Ms is tough and it is starting to effect her in terms of balance and lack of energy. I respect people for working until later in life but that is not gonna be me.

Actually, 6 1/4, one set of rims is the standard WH offset and the other is 3/4". With the spacing of 1 inch between rims, (I like the way yours looked) so I tightened them up a bit. These will be going on the WH Truck replacing the 10.50's for the show this year. They will stick out past the fender and look cool. I hope!

The 2 spacers are different lengths. Pulleys should be about 1/8" apart...

Every year he tries to call April Fool on me, and every year he fails Mrs. M.

This happened awhile back, just a woodruf key and worn axle and hub, but she is still going today!!

There will be soon. Last minute I had a moment of indecision on the engine and trans so I decided to think on it a bit and moved onto a different toy. This is almost finished so then back to the golf cart build. Even though I still haven't nailed down an engine and trans combo.

Happy Anniversary! 50 years, awesome! Seven to go here.

Ahhhh.... a go fast stripe now!

Latest custom order.....a 20" tall Gary the Snail ??????!!!!!!!! Will take 14 individual pieces some weighing almost 2 lbs and requiring 2 days to print the larger pieces. Yikes!

I sometimes remember the good old times with my Friend Emma when we Wrenching together on his Lincoln, he someday lent me his Car when we finished it, dunno if i showed allready. it was still a pleasure to ride it.

Funny you mention MCACN, Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals held every year the weekend before Thanksgiving in Rosemont, Illinois, Chicago suburbs. One of my low mile survivors was invited to be displayed during 2015 show. A 1972 Duster340 with 34,000 miles, original paint, interior, drivetrain, tires, plugs, plug wires, well, you get the picture. Truly a great honor to have been part of that show which is THE top muscle car show on the planet.

Is this like telling the kids to look in the end of the garden hose to tell me when the water is coming out? LoL

...and where does one purchase one of those? Asking for a friend...

One thing i was big on when the kids were teens starting to drive was snow driving. I remember we got a few inches on a Saturday. Told my daughter lets go out for a drive. She said really? We went down to the local school parking lot and I made he gun it and turn the wheel hard. After a 360 and a half we stopped and I ask her how did that feel. She told me that was scary. Yeah out of control huh? Now lets see how we can push this thing and not have that happen. Lots of learning went on that day. kind of fun too. But she found out where that edge was to losing control Losing control.....a bad feeling. A few big rigs and person that has never been there before, bad recipe.

Afraid not @Pullstart… I’m just a working stiff, so I went to work on my borned-on day. I am grateful that God saw fit to let me take another trip around the sun, but I’m gonna use that vacation day for the Big Show trip ! Thank you for thinking of me ! … and all the rest of you fellows too !

All very good tips. Probably going to skip the oil cooler for now then. External ports in my mind should be at least one single acting one on the back for a tipping trailer of some sorts. And maybe a double or single one to power a hydraulic motor for implements like a tiller. Ideas are running crazy in my head.. oh well maybe better to get the three point working first and then expand from that. In other news my dad sent me some pics of the sheetmetal for the hood of the tractor. Since I have no break to bend sheetmetal and my dad works at a company where they do that kind of stuff daily I asked him if he could help me out. As soon as I get the part i'll mock it up and post some pictures. Pretty excited to see what it will look like

Yup - the Parts Department coughed up a worthy motor...from the "I just MAY have a use for this thing, but not just now, I'll leave it here shelf !! Bill

It shouldn't hurt the trans to run it in the opposite direction, but if you look down the shifter hole when running it in the counter-clock-wise direction, you will get the appreciation for how the transmission oils itself. It is worth the look !!

I have plowed with both style hitches and both have there pros & cons. The plow seems to trail better with a Brinly style but they can be twisted in very hard or rocky soils. The adapter style is good for occasional plowing but can bend if you try lifting it with the plow in the ground and using hydraulics. Not a big deal with manual lift as to lift it you will have to reverse a bit unless you have the arms of the Hulk. Since the slot hitch is cast you can bust up the hitch. Uncommon but it does happen. The adapter style lends its self better to a ten or eight inch plows. It would attach to the lift cable like the first pic and the knob in back of the lift lever sets the depth.

Actually, all you had to do, turn the motor around so the pulley is lined up and the motor is on the right side. Or figure "8" a fan belt, like Kevin said.

Owwww!!! Dang dude that pic should have a content warning! I haven't had enough caffeine to blur that image!

Not too far Dan I did find this.... 'course this may not apply to aftermarket rings???

That’s just like a safety stripe put on the edge of the stair step tread. The material is designed to be stuck to a stair tread. I got it at Lowes…

Like @Achto said. They wanted to be able to use the blocks that came through while the machinists were having a cup of coffee or whatever.

I think this was done to compensate for machining errors.

sounds like the guys have you covered so I'll just add if you find a possible candidate and go kick tires take lots of pics particularly ID plates of both tractor and engine. Bring the pics here for the pros of that model to evaluate and advise. Be patient in your search and don't marry the first one that comes along. You should find them in your area with prices ranging for that's nuts to smoking deals. Price vary greatly between areas but with pics we can establish a baseline.

My $.02 worth is a C series (120 - 160) or the 400 series. Love the hydro transmission for mowing. Single cylinder Kohlers are reliable and easy to work on. Like others have said make sure the spindles on the mower are smooth running.

https://www.mcmaster.com/dog-point-set-screws/

Might want to do a crackle test on that oil. A good go or no go test. We did those in the field with a steel plate and a torch. Sometimes we thought it was water but just oil that had been subjected to aeration. The crackle test is a standard laboratory test to detect the presence of water in lubricating oil. A drop of oil is placed on a hot plate that has been heated to approximately 400° F. The sample then bubbles, spits, crackles or pops when moisture is present.

Well changed the engine and gear box oils today for the 312. I did a gear box flush last year when I got it and when draining this years gear oil out it had water in it, again! I kept it inside the whole year, never used in rain or anything. Must be the condensation thing happening. I wasn't expecting it though so glad I did it again. Looks to just be an annual need at least to change it. Also took off the snow plow and put the deck back on. She's ready to go for spring/summer duties!

Bummer. If it is any solace, know that every one of the members here has done at least one "oops" like this (in fact, there was a recent thread where folks owned up to some of the most colorful ones). But that doesn't help you get your tractor fixed. Unless the axle itself or the trans casing is damaged, this is repairable. For parts you'll need the new bearing, the seal you already have, and a gasket for when you put the transmission back together. And of course a refill on the oil. I don't know the level of your mechanical skills and tooling, though. Have you ever taken an engine or transmission apart and put it back together? There are some threads here on rebuilding transmissions that are worth watching. Failing that, you'll have to have someone do it for you or with you.

Did the same exact thing with my daughter and grand daughter. The grandson is on his permit now so that will happen next winter. Best to have them experience the "out of control" in a controlled environment like an open lot. Like you say, lots of learning and preparedness so that way when or if it ever happens, they're somewhat prepared for it and hopefully don't panic.

I warmly congratulate both of you. Well done.

Some might say I haven’t posted here for a while as to not get in the way of EB’s jib jabs. I just get distracted and forget about restorations, then forget about the wheel horse section, and can’t sit and multitask at the same time. Or do anything else and multitask for that matter. Enough jibbers, @Horse Newbie this rig is looking slick! Can’t wait to see it at the Big Show!