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So Wednesday I am driving down my street and there is a huge pile of garbage at the curb. I had to stop and look. I picked out this coffee table. Thought it was kinda cool. Mid century modern stuff is getting hot. So I brought it home. I cleaned it all up and waxed it. Came out pretty good. If you Google you see people asking 400 - 1200 dollars for one. I knew I had good taste !! It's in my living room now. This morning I went to an estate sale I bought this old Waterloo tool chest, loading with everything inside of it for 15 bucks. Add in the one owner little Wheel Horse I picked up Thursday for 75 bucks I think I'm having a good week.

For the first time in a long long time the “twins” were both out doing yard work. I worked this morning and then came home to do some yard work. I try to base my timing of my yard work (thatching, aerating, fertilizing, etc) on when we do it at work. We started a couple weeks ago at work but it seems like every weekend it’s rained and kept me from doing it. Sure enough it poured twice while I was out. I only did the front yard and part of the side. The back which is the biggest piece of the property can wait. The twins are my 71 Bronco 14 and my 73 12 automatic. Both with 18hp vanguard v twins so that’s why we call them the twins. The 12 auto pulled the green thatcher (don’t hurt me gotta use what I have) and the bronco was on the vac system. Alex isn’t home this weekend. It definitely felt weird being able to drive a couple tractors of my own and do work with them. He usually jumps to do it as soon as I mention anything tractor work related.

Red-E Tractor Red-E Tractors were produced by Pioneer Manufacturing Company which was founded on March 19, 1922 by Earl Welbourne, William J. Meyer, James A. Mould and John Buday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its focus was farm machinery and began in West Allis, Wisconsin (1922-1946) then moved to Richfield, Wisconsin in 1946. Earl Welbourn, a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, took an interest in a concept tractor built by a student of his. It’s not known if the student got an A for his project but Professor Welbourne must have been impressed. His first two wheeled walking tractor was built in 1918 and served as the model for the first Red-E steel wheeled walk-behind tractor. "Universal Red-E Power Cultivators" could be configured with many different implements including plows, cultivators, discs, S & H set onion planters, Nash Acme harrow, seeders, drags, spike harrows, furrower with wings, orchard style front fenders, wheel hoes, Iron King wire seeders, many cuts of different cultivator shovels, various wheels, sprayers, snow blade, Type T-22 Red-E mower, type T7-60 Red-E gang mower with riding seat, riding roller, and much more. Pioneer Manufacturing built their own engines but used abundantly available Ford Model “T” pistons, connecting rods, intake and exhaust valves, and the Model “T” Holley carburetors. The engine crank case casting included the tractor’s transmission. The air-cooled single cylinder sleeve and head was bolted to the base casting with an air shroud fitted over the cylinder and the top of the transmission casting. The flywheel had fins cast into it which drew air through the shroud cooling the cylinder head. This same style engine was used on all cast engine/transmission tractors until they were phased out in the 1950s. In 1942 six models of garden tractors were offered, five models of the cast engine/transmission configuration RED-E tractors including models 11 and 12 as well as the 11R and a 12R which offered forward and reverse. New additions were the model ZA-5A steel wheeled tractor and the ZA-7A with rubber tires. All models came with standard cultivator attachments and the new 5A and 7A came with Briggs and Straton one and two horse-power air cooled engines. By 1945 changes were occurring at RED-E tractor. The cast models 11 and 12 now had pipe handles instead of wooden plow handles. The factory was relocated to Richfield, Wisconsin, and started producing an entirely new line of tractor. While cast models 11 and 12 were still being manufactured at Richfield, they were being phased out in favor of four wheeled riding garden tractors. The Page Dairy and Farm Equipment Co. of Milwaukee had been in the Garden tractor manufacturing business since 1926 and had developed a rear engine four wheeled riding garden tractor that was of interest to Pioneer Manufacturing. The Page tractor portion of the company was purchased by Pioneer in 1949. By 1951 the four-wheel riding tractor had gone from the rear engine Page design to a front engine model. It is believed that the four-wheel garden tractors were sold under the Page and Red-E names. James E. Turner, the son-in-law of founding partner Earl Welbourne, worked for the Pioneer Manufacturing Company as a designer. In 1946 he left the company to begin work on a four wheeled garden tractor that would use easily obtained automotive parts. This tractor, the Economy, was manufactured by Mr. Turner’s company, Engineering Products of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Much like the Pioneer manufactured units his tractor was also based on simplicity of use and ease of repair. The unit had a Wisconsin air-cooled single cylinder engine. It was attached to a modified Crosley bell housing and transmission. The transmission unit was modified by adding pulleys for belt power transfer. A modified Ford Model-A rear axle assembly with reduction gears at the axles was used as a final drive. The Economy tractor was tested at the University of Nebraska in 1952 under test number 483. In 1964 the Economy name was replaced becoming known as the Power King, it was also known as the Country Squire and the Jim Dandy along the way. More about that tomorrow. During the many years it built tractors, RED-E Tractor Company and Pioneer Manufacturing Company always strived to make a simple quality product that could easily be repaired or modified to suit its owner’s needs. Production of Red-E tractors ended in 1962. @oldiron613 posted some good information about the Pioneer/Page/Economy lineage in the attached post.

I went to pick up a tractor that was forsale and ended up coming home with 5 but that's a story for another time! It was this 1267 that I wanted originally, has new Firestone ags on the back a decent 2 piece seat and front weights. Unfortunately the rear weights are bolens but I still call it a win. This poor tractor has had so many modifications over the years, for starters someone put an electric over hydraulic lift on it, I just opened the hood to see someone also added a sending unit to the fuel tank and had a gauge in the dash. Floor boards we added, he drilled a big hole in the hood so he wouldn't have to open it to put fuel in it. 🤦‍♂️The list goes on and on but i thought it was kinda neat how people adapt things over the years. He definitely had some ingenuity! Now it's time to unmolest it and give it a second life.

OK, where do you get the invisible paint you used on your decks? They do make a nice cut.

Yup that's some cantankerin goin on. I hope he ran some big wires to that fuel sender! Those 1267's empty that little tank pretty fast. That me be why the hole is there too. My 1267 is modded too in a different way!

@Beap52, So glad to hear your mother is doing better! God is good, and God is good all the time!

Yep I’ve got one ready to go. Fully rebuilt.

Ribeye, potatoes in aluminum foil and mushrooms for supper. Mom is in charge of mushrooms, I grilled steaks and cooked the potatoes on Green Egg. Great to see mom doing better. If you remember, she had major surgery a few months ago following a mistake during a biopsy. This is the first mess of mushrooms I've found in several years. I rode my electric bike and found them along the "railroad to bike" trail.

Correct!

His wife makes him bath in the yard when he makes her mad. Pressure washer makes him dance.

Did get the front tires changed out . This to this

After going through about three multimeters in recent years, I decided to invest in a Fluke model 101. I read good reviews about it. It measures voltage and resistance/continuity , but no current/amperage. I use mine primarily to check voltage and continuity on my garden tractors and household alkaline battery condition. The device does not have a hook, so sometimes I need a third hand. It does not have a lit display screen. If one needs those features, there are other Fluke multimeters that cost hundreds of dollars more. The 101 is compact and has a quality feel to it. It meets my needs. It is available on-line for under $50. Several years ago, I decided that when I buy a durable good like a hand tool, I will spend more for a good quality item that should last the rest of my life. Fluke instruments have good reputations.

Nice day so I changed the oil in onan swapped 314. Leveled the deck and tried a test cut. I’m out of town in a few weeks and wanted it working for GF to cut the grass if needed.

Using the Horse to haul some logs with my Dad today for his log burner

Cut my yard(notice I did not say grass). Grady didn’t like me getting buried up in the wet part of the yard between our two houses( actually the wet places is mostly in his yard) so I am only cutting to my line now. Then I took the Wheel Horses out for a neighborhood romp…

Yes and no. Just one line from the house to the shop. I have valves in the basement so I can turn off the cold feed to the line and open another to supply hot water to the shop. Tankless water heater so once I get the cold water out of the line it's hot and stays hot for as long as I run it. I only use the hot if I have to clean something really nasty

I have about 6 brands of meters. I'm a tool junkie! (Sorry @WHX?? no UEI self electrocuting models dragged out of the trash) Sometimes a Fluke was too sensitive. I carry a Fieldpiece HS36 at work. I got called to a school with a Sanyo mini split AC not working in an IT room. Nothing made sense so I got on the phone with a Factory guy. He wanted me to test the signal from the indoor sensor right at the sensor. The school lead mechanic was with me (I called him Pete The Hammer) and he hands me his Fluke. I measured the sensor resistance with it and it showed it was within spec. The factory guy was sure I was going to find the sensor bad. I then tried the Fieldpiece and it showed out of range. I ordered the sensor and the issue was fixed. I just got this Zotec meter to play around with now. Testing speed drives at work now will be more interesting

If you will be dragging the washer over rough terrain, get one with large wheels. I have two and the large wheel one gets used whenever the job entails moving it.

Definitely try this. But don't leave it connected when not cranking or running. It can overheat and burn up a coil if left connected. A couple (3 - 5) minutes at a time is fine..

Had the Herd out Grazing today.

That is a cool looking table. Take all of those cheap old tool to your neighborhood Habitat For Humanity resale store, some people actually buy them and it helps fund the program.

That's the one that's going to his father, I think 🤔

Update: •running now, but can’t explain why …oh well, until it breaks again thank you, gentlemen!

I have had good luck with my ten year old Troy Bilt. The extra cost for the Honda engine was well worth the money in my opinion. If you are doing decks, sidewalks etc, the B&S Rotary head is a must. It gives a nice uniform finish and if you are working next to flower beds it won't blow mulch and dirt around. https://www.google.com/search?q=rotary+pressure+washer+attachment&rlz=1C1JZAP_enUS981US981&oq=rotary+pressure+washer&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDwgDEAAYQxiABBiKBRjkBTIRCAAQRRg5GEMYgAQYigUY5AUyBwgBEAAYgAQyDwgCEAAYQxiABBiKBRjkBTIPCAMQABhDGIAEGIoFGOQFMg8IBBAAGEMYgAQYigUY5AUyDwgFEAAYQxiABBiKBRjkBTIKCAYQABiABBjkBTIKCAcQABiABBjkBTIKCAgQABiABBjkBTIKCAkQABiABBjkBdIBCTE4NzI5ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

@kpinnc agree with you on the connectors , also battery connection detailing , batteries have been good to me , regularly , touch them up with plug in battery tender , also don't have any newer horses , with related / extensive wiring set ups / failures . cable wrap all my stuff / re route original , tight / chafing / shorting issues . pete

It's a shame when everyone wants to electrify earth, the battery quality has gone to crap. I don't think it matters what brand you buy anymore. They all are substandard to even 10 years ago. I find Anderson connectors very helpful. You can buy them on the Jungle site. I have them on every one of my tractors. For one thing, they make swapping batteries a 60-second job. But also if one is gonna sit for two weeks or more, it's a quick disconnect just in case. I've never had one fail, and they are Kevin-proof. They can't be connected wrong.

There are 2 mechanical relays inside the voltage regulator. One gets energized and goes from NO to NC to allow curent to pass when the key is on. Key off- it must reopen. Only had one where the contacts were "welded" together, allowing the battery to discharge.

If there is a drain, you will see a spark when you disconnect the battery.

First one I had ten years ago was a HD cheapo model. Around $100 then. Pump died after the first year. Purchased a NorthStrar from Norther Tool and been happy with it. Used primarily to wash the deck.

You may get lucky with Fram Ultra synthetic or Titanium. Xtra Guard = junk Fram on the right Napa on the left

I haven't used a Fram since about 1993 when the parts store I worked at switched to Baldwin. There were all kinds of advertising promos FOR Baldwin and of course showing the inherent reasons not to use other brands. Thin shell and cardboard ends were the end of Fram for me. Since then I've used predominantly Motorcraft and AC Delco. For our equipment I use Wix 1410 bought as NOS so they're still USA made.

Oh no not Fram thing. Fram does makes both high and low quality oil filters. So... you got to pay a little more to get a little more. And many Kohlers run without a filter but the oil change frequency is greater. As far as air filters go, that is the most important filter on a tractor, it doesn't take much dust getting into the cylinders to start wear. If it is working for you, keep doing it. I am a wix or napa filter guy.

There is no debate, a filter made with cardboard end caps is junk. Do you feel lucky today?

You don't need an OEM belt. I just put a new 5L840 belt on my 76 C 160 hydro . Basically the same tractor. Works fine. The belt that was on it was a 5L840. Sounds like you got something routed wrong. The 7478 belt crosses to a 5L840 Another possibility. Did the 84" belt you get actually say 84 on the belt? People return belts and get the sleeves mixed up all the time. Make sure it's an 84" belt. Also. Did you buy a "B84"? A B84 is actually a 81" belt. Here is a picture of my tractor with the 5L840 belt. Parking brake in the on position.

I have both electric & gas pressure washers. The electric one does most every job I need. My gasoline pressure washer is an older Craftsman model from back when they still made decent tools. 4200psi so it's very capable of damaging siding, wood on decks, even cement. It will take most paint off surfaces. Last summer I purchased a new Stihl RE110 Plus electric pressure washer. At that time I recall it was on sale. Last time I was at my local equipment store (former Wheel Horse dealer) where purchased I noticed the price went up. I do business with them as they are a local, family owned company, provide great customer service, & they like hearing bout my Wheel Horses! The price wasn't much more than a box store or Amazon private branded model. I really like the integrated hose reel.

The Simplicity, 702, 420, 318, and 416-H stay in my shop, the C100 stays in my shed. The 425, 445, 312-8, Z-master, stay under a large tarp. The residential Deeres and husky stay out for now...hopefully getting rid of them soon. Working on getting a 20x22 pole barn soon as well

You can run RV antifreeze thru it before storing.

One of the other teams at the robotics competition we attended last weekend had a white board with their question of the day - "What is your robot's name and what is its favorite food?" I wrote our answer - Axl, and his favorite food is knuckles. @ebinmaine - your comment on shooting makes it sound like you are left eyed.

Loaded up and ready!

Now to stress test my Harbor Freight handtruck … had to add some wind to the tires

And of course, this is almost always a part of wrenching

Pretty Sunday. Got all the boys out for a half hour of run time. 867 needs a plug wire, so he played hookie...