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This little Tom Thumb Engine caught my eye. Then I saw the owners name on the sign..Glen Kennell. Turns out this was my cousin that I hadn't seen for 70 years. What a great surprise. Mr Eric Johnson

The letter for today is “W” Wonderful workers with wartime wait Today we will look at the wonderful world of Department Store Tractors offered by Wards. Wards Tractor Mongomery Ward & Company was one of several companies to offer what some call “Department Store Tractors” through their catalogs. The Wards “Twin Row” tractor was manufactured by Cleveland Tractor Company (Cletrac) and was identical to Cletrac’s “General GG” tractor with the exception of the color. The Twin Row was powered by a 113 cubic inch displacement four cylinder Hercules engine, had a three speed transmission and weighed 2100 pounds. Options included an electric starter and a belt pulley. They were offered for sale as 1941 and 1942 models but production was cut short due to World War Two. In 1942, B.F. Avery acquired the tooling and equipment from Cleveland Tractor to produce the General as its own tractor. This Montgomery Ward advertisement features the Wards Power-Grip tires on the Twin-Row tractor as well as several accessories. During World War Two Cletrac supported the war effort building the M2 High-Speed Tractor. The M2 is a fully tracked vehicle designed to tow aircraft on primitive airfields. It was equipped with a 10,000 pound winch with 300’ of 3⁄8” cable, an auxiliary generator, and a three stage air compressor capable of producing 16.7 CFPM, 2,000 PSI. The second generation of Wards tractors were built from 1950 to 1952 by Custom Manufacturing of Shelbyville, IN. In addition to their own Custom branded tractors Custom Manufacturing built four other brands which were identical quintuplets, Wards, Lehr Big Boy, Regal, and Rockol. Colors and badging differed but the tractors were identical. It is no coincidence that the Custom branded tractors bear a striking resemblance to the Co-Op B2. You see, Co-Op model B2s were produced at Shelbyville, IN. from 1939 to 1941 and the designer of the B2, Edward Ashley, went to work with Custom Manufacturing during World War Two. The WARDS and other Custom Tractors were powered by Chrysler Industrial engines and used Dodge five speed truck transmissions with a chain driven speed reduction box and Dodge 2 ½ ton truck rear end and differential. Early models had a conventional clutch but on later models the Fluid Drive “Gyral” (torque converter) with a clutch was added. Later models also moved the speed reduction to the rear axles. All were equipped with hydraulic brakes, belt pully and hydraulic lift but they lacked a PTO. When amateur tractor pulling added open classes many Wards/Custom tractors were converted to V8s because the Chrysler Hemi V8 will bolt right up to the bell housing of the tractor. Operator comfort was assured using a Knoedler hydraulic cushioned seat. Frederick E Knoedler received one of the first patents in seat suspension systems and began to revolutionize seating for both on and off highway applications. You can find Knoedler seats being used in the trucking industry today. When a farmer bought a tractor from Montgomery Ward, it was shipped to the customer’s nearest Ward’s Farm Store. With a limited number of Ward’s Farm Stores, some were shipped by rail to the buyer’s nearest railroad depot. The Wards tractor could be purchased in a row crop or wide front configuration. If you chose the wide front it was convertible to a row crop by removing the front hubs, removing the tie-rod pitman arm and bolting the hubs where the pitman arm had been. Not something you would be likely to do very often but a nice option to have. The Harry A. Lowther Company of Joliet, IL, purchased Custom in 1950. When Montgomery Ward exited the tractor marketplace in 1952, he lost his largest customer. Lowther continued to sell tractors under the Custom name through Dodge Truck dealerships then sold the company in 1954.

Just picked this up from the original owner for 200.00 , I even told them it’s to cheap, all the paperwork in a folder , deck included just removed it to get in the truck

Throttle and choke knobs broke on my B-80. Ordered some reproduction ones, in the mean time I made up some from some copper tee’s with a wood dowel fit into the bull of the tee’s. slotted the dowel to match the levers, and contact cemented them in place. I’ll see how they hold up. But they look pretty cool, if you ask me.

A few pics… It was a hot day with full sun all day, brought TWO cans of sunscreen @wallfish @Retired Wrencher @Docwheelhorse @PWL216

Push mower sounds like a good solution. The old fashion non powered reel mowers are still available. I was using one maybe 10 years ago to mow my 90' suburban lot. A couple of kids of junior high age were walking down the road. One of them said "oh, it's a lawn mower". I replied that it ran on cheeseburgers and beer.

The changeable inserts are pretty cool too bad they weren't with it. Still bet Pullstart could blacken a finger with it...

Spent my morning at the office:

Good point and makes me wonder why Wheel Horse never made a kick start.

I hope I didn't goof up the pictures. I first tried to drag them from the camera. That didn't seem to work. There should be four. So for the update. I found an old junk 5/8" belt and cut it, then wrapped it around the pulleys after I blocked the clutch pulley. I clamped a straight edge to fill the gap and measured the gap. This gave me a guess of 82 1/2". I researched some more and found the original hydro belt was 84". My son has a tractor he built with a hydro 12HP motor and he used the hydro belt. I bought an 82,83,and 84. Tried the 84 first and it worked out. Lee1977, you were right on the money. 83 was too short to stretch over the clutch pulley. The pictures show my progress on the guard. I probably tacked it too many times if I didn't allow enough clearance and have to take it apart again. I'll get it running first before I finish the guard. I have to dig through my stash of old harness's to find the right plug for the new 5 terminal ignition switch. I plan to copy the 1984 wiring diagram, less the interlock switches and ammeter.

No I just purchased it it had a throw away carb on it. I replaced fuel lines all new and filter it's running good now.

If it can be all mowed with a Wheel Horse It's already too easy. You didn't say how old he is, maybe he needs a kick in the rear to get him started.

I grew up driving a David Brown 990 and your tractor looks like a scaled down model of it. I love it. This is just a picture of a similar one I found on the internet.

4 loads in with the bike & trailer. 1.25 miles per load. Damn good workout. Now for some settin' and munchin'...

Obviously a hammer but for what specific purpose? Got it for $1 at garage sale...

Waxed the sedan delivery today. It's been several years since I took time to do that. It was painted about '73. As paint chips off, I touch up with a rattle can so it's getting a little splotchy and thin. Wife and I went for a drive here in the Ozarks this afternoon. Cowl vent, wing windows and the other two windows rolled down--actually pretty pleasant with all of the moving air. The tractors today featured Montgomery & Wards tractors. My buddy and I bought an engine overhaul kit from Montgomery & Wards for the 1957 235 Chevrolet engine we used to replace the 216.

Give them a coat of clear so they stay shiny. Or you could paint them black. Either way good job.

Just picked this up, cut and drive amazing

Wow! Killer deal! Great grab on it. 310-8 are handy rigs. That condition should last you a very long time.

Hard to beat a 310-8. Great power, sips fuel, rugged as can be. Congratulations!

I gotta say, must be some zero turn morons cutting around you. I can't speak for every brand, but zero turns only do one thing: mow grass. They are optimized for that and nothing else. No clumps, no scalps, and as quickly as possible. If someone leaves a lawn looking bad, they likely not only have no clue how to use one, they also can't maintain it. If they tear up a yard spinning wheels, they clearly can't operate it correctly. I love my Wheel Horses. They are "Jack of all trades" flexible, and tough as can be. That being said, my Scag zero turn literally runs circles around even a 520-H with a 60 inch deck. I have one of each, and can literally compare each side by side. Point being: if someone makes a mess with a zero turn, it's the operator's fault.

0 turns are fast but most of the lawns I see cut by them look like crap. I think that's mostly from landscapers mowing at 10 +MPH and the bouncing all over. I see 0 turns stuck every spring like abandoned Camaro's and Firebirds at a trailer park. IMHO nothing beats the cut of a 60's WH gear drive deck.

I think you guys are right about the zero turn, lol , at one time he did mention his friends mower is easy, maybe I settle this with a push mower, 😂😂, I ain’t spending 5 grand on a mower when the 2 houses together ain’t a acre, thanks guys

The 73 auto is the least amount of work to drive unless he has trouble steering. The 73 should not be hard to steer if it is in good condition, lubed well and the tires inflated. Maybe try tri ribs on the front and inflate them to 20PSI.

Been a long time since posting on here but thought I would post the ol 701 for frontend Fridays….

Sorta front end... Ready for the Memorial Day parade!!!

I don't know how to label / caption pictures. I will just include them (hopefully in sequence). Since the input pulley is large, pulling it is a bit of a problem. I made a puller (plate) to be able to apply pressure to the hub. Using the plate for alignment I drilled two through holes in the pulley. That allowed for passing the puller bolts through the pulley and the plate. Now let me tell you, that hub was in love with the input shaft. The dummy who installed the pulley failed to use anti - seize on it. I was not happy with him. I performed many cycles of heat and penetrant on it and finally got it apart. Made a seal puller from a small blade screwdriver and pulled the seal. Cleaned things up and installed the new seal. All back together now, ready for the hood. In case you didn't guess it, I am that dummy.

Nice good to see some members hob nobbing at a show! ' Fish get a little gassy in the crapper?

Most of the Kohler carbs have a "cup" of sorts around the top of the upper throttle shaft. That cup holds a particular bushing that moves the contact point from the worn place of the upper carb body to a new fresh surface on the throttle shaft. None of the aftermarket carbs I've seen... yet... have that recess.

I think I'd keep those if they hold up.

Brian, your office looks like more fun than my office.

Early version of a "DeadBlow" Hammer. It is missing one insert. Inserts made of various hardnesses of wood & cork....Possibly for either Leather or Sheet Metal work...??

Shouldered clevis sandwiched better the two arms. This design is confidence inspiring!

Perhaps a Suburban or a RJ? 'Sides they fit nice in any herd... Maybe a B-80 they can be easy to handle. You s that are suggesting Z turns need to sell yer horses...

At one time I thought there was a letter in the engine numbers that appeared to change each year but have never seen them published by Onan. Here are the engines used by Toro P220G-I/10540A 1988 520-H P220G-I/10540B 1989 520-H P220G-I/10541A 1988 520-HC P220G-I/10808C 1989-1992 Groundsmaster 220 P220G-I/10808D 1993-1995 Proline 220 P220G-I/10808G 1996-1997 Groundsmaster 220 P220G-I/10873A 1989 520-HC P220G-I/10955C 1991-1992 520-H P220G-I/10955D 1992-1995 520-H P220G-I/10955G 1995-1997 520-H P220G-I/10956C 1990 520-8 and 520-H

Just wondering how you are doing. Wil you be changing your Red Square name?

You need the forward swept front axle but not necessarily the reduction steering. The 520HC has the swept axle and standard steering. I believe the 1990 520H is the same way.

We went on a historic tour put together by local High School teachers. We spent one day in Normandy passing many local museums. Our bus eventually took us through Roen, Bastone, we flew to Munich and toured Dachau. I remember the first building where they removed "all their belongings and their dignity". It was a beautiful day and a John Deere tractor was mowing along the east wall. It seemed surreal. Hard to get your mind around what happened there. The next day we went to Hitler's Eagles Nest. The elevator is about 12x12. It is lined in gold, both the walls and ceiling. Hard to get your mind around that amount of evil. History and remembrance is important.

sold to blasterdad !! Another nice little mower I have had and used for fall leaf clean up for past 5 years. It runs and mows awesome! Only thing it will need is a battery. I charge it and it is good for a few days then goes dead. I will probably regret selling but just picked up 400 series with full bagger. need $350 for it delivered to big show!

Ordered a NOS one on E Bay. Finding the correct spring at the show could have been a crap shoot. Now that I found one, I'll find a bucket of them for a dollar!

Dachau... I still clearly remember details of my visit 25 years later... no book does that. Berlin wall 7 years before it came down... could walk right up to the west side. East side not so much... sniper nests, razor wire, deep sand, extreme lighting... pictures books films often show one side of a wall... perspective is seeing both sides... I fear we are losing that perspective as we lose the last few WWII vets... Thanks for a European view.

It does. My dad is a huge history nerd, particularly around WWII. I learned about the Holocaust, the concentration/extermination camps and such from about the time I was 10. When I was 16 we went to Germany to visit my uncle who was stationed there and we went to Auschwitz. Reading about it in books or seein it in film, and being in the place are very different things.

always wanted to have one of those tree shaped air fresheners made that would say old farm truck. I bet they’d sell like…… okay maybe they wouldn’t sell at all!! Oh yeah they would. I'd for sure buy one for my brother-in-law.

One more point, the diaphragm should be stretched (move the lever full stroke) before you tighten the screws or the diaphragm could rip.