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A guy can never have two many projects It's 10 years since I almost finished one, and I decided to start another.... With an early two piece trans lying around and a few pictures, I decided to build a 551 from scratch. Big shout out to @oliver2-44 and @Shaun turner for pictures/dimensions and bits to copy. The frame came together pretty quickly. It gets a bit trickier after that - especially on the steering, but I thought I could do my own spin.... drilling and filing a 7 tooth 3/8 sprocket was fun! but the principle works well onto making an axle from bits! 2" flat bar and Volvo C30 driveshaft.... you guys know I love a bit of recycling. Lots of layers and bending. quick modification to C series spindles. and some experimenting to get the tie rod and ackerman perfect. more to follow....

In keeping with the "Old & New Technology" and "Screwdrivers " threads, and since nothing is broke and it's not snowing I'd thought I'd share what I've been doing during the 2 days a week I actually work. @WHX?? and @elcamino/wheelhorse think I just sit and eat doughnuts all day. . I have started refurbishing the mechanical mechanism's for the Pneumatic tube stations at the hospital I work at. We have 33 of these stations that all have been neglected (A.K.A. the guy who was supposed to be PMing these things was just signing them off and chasing women all night. ) They transport 6" X 1' plastic tubes that are very heavy for what they are. They move medicine, blood samples and paperwork ( No ladies in the ICU they are not meant for Cosmo, Avon magazines and Spiegel Catalogs) In the screwdriver thread I mentioned I needed a special driver so I can remove a motor with out gutting the unit. But to do what I'm doing the whole she-bang has to come out. Not really hard. There is wall trim to remove, unwire the front panel and remove six nuts and it pulls right out. Then a few more plugs and loosen the band clamp and the whole unit slides out. The original 1998 vintage stuff is all welded steel and quite heavy for what's there. The newer 2013 vintage motor plates are extruded aluminum with a little bit of steel. This is what the station looks like. This is a 2013 unit. Notice the buttons are worn. They don't support this panel any more. LCD upgrade is 8 grand! A look inside the unit. The lower motor is the one I need this special driver for. This motor plate is the extruded kind. I had to replace both gearmotors as they were worn so bad they were leaking grease. The black box is an infrared sensor that tells the system a carrier has passed thru. The lenses got cleaned. New seals and guides and this is ready to install. Here is a view of the screw I need the driver for. There is no way to get your hands in there when it's in the station and almost impossible when it's out. Here is the welded older style all apart. The white square is a new slide plate already installed. A view of the old slide plate and dispatcher seals. Going to install upgraded crank arms. The old Beige ones had a tiny T15 screw that wouldn't stay tight and it would loosen causing the station to go into alarm. New arm is beefier with a nice big socket screw. Chute infrared board. View of the 2 infrared lenses. I wanted to repaint everything but there is no place to pain with out paint fumes traveling into somewhere causing a complaint. Crank arm installed. The little finger passes thru another infrared beam to tell the computer what the position of the motor is. Slide plate gearmotor installed. They are 110V so we have a little test rig wired up so I can run the motor and check operation. Next time you go to the drive thru window at the bank, think of all of this.

You need a barn cat!

Courtney and I have been talking over buying a new farm truck for quite some time now. We have my 2004 F350 and a 1991 Chevy half ton. Both are good trucks but the half ton really isn’t heavy enough to do much with and my Ford is loaded down with the air compressor and welder and all that, which makes it unusable to pull our gooseneck stock trailer. That has left us with having to trade trucks with her parents and use their 2012 Ram every time we need to haul calves to the sale or move any cattle from pasture to pasture. Was really in the market for another diesel, but the price on them has always been out of our range, and we couldn’t ever agree on what to buy. I wanted another PowerStroke, she wanted a Cummins. I love the Cummins engine, but can’t stand the truck wrapped around it. About the only thing we could agree on is that we didn’t want a Duramax. So anyway we’ve been kinda casually looking, last night my Dad called me and he bought Mom a 2025 Trailblazer, so he is taking her 2018 Silverado for a fishing truck and selling his 2005 2500HD and wanted to know if we were interested in it before he listed it anywhere else. 6.0 gas and 2WD but should make us a good truck for hauling calves to the sale. $4000 later and it’s ours, they’re bringing it down this weekend on their way to OKC to pick up the new Trailblazer.

A project long time coming. First you must endure a little history. My main man @Rp.wh scored this bounty quite a few years ago now and I (may) have since taken custody. He's pretty much worthless but has this uncanny knack for finding desirable tractors so we keep him around. Since Ryan came from her fruit of the looms Cindaaddyy assumed illegal ownership and pyrated it as her tractor. Yah guess who gets to rehab it tho. Although I had several lucrative offers for it including @Shynon flashing obscene amounts of cash. Since it was so called "marital property" I would just sell my half. I did not cherish the thought of bringing it back to life given the amount of labor & pieces of eight it would take just for a show piece. That did not go over well so after threats with the frying pan AND rolling pin would she not let me sell it so buried back in the corner of the warehouse it went... until now ... after threats of a lashing with the cat-o-nine tails and walking the plank it came in the shop. I been into pirate things lately can you tell?? I have no idea why ... too many episodes of Black Sails me thinks ... but can't wait for @rmaynard 's talk like a Pirate day... Nearest we can figure is it started out life as cable steer. For those not knowing early RJs were built with a cable and spool steering of sorts similar to a short chute snow blower and vintage steam engines that used a chain type steering system. The Ponds quickly realized that there was a better mousetrap and offered a drag link type of steering as a dealer fix for the troublesome cable. This one was converted. There are threads here where guys contemplated, or accomplished, converting back to a cable steer for factory for as factory purposes. This one sat evidently out side for many years and the front end was brown welded solid as well as the cast AL steering wheel wobbled out. I managed to free it up and bush the steering for ease in moving stalls over the years. The before pics. She was highly POed but mostly there. The hood & gas tank was lifted on wood blocks and the hood cut. That will not get repaired as this is a mechanical resto. Adds character is my only offer. Ok 'nuff sitting around in my knickers typeing ... time to get to the shop get the TV out there fired up... Lordy it's great to be retired ...

January 2 is National Buffet Day. A good buffet is like getting all of the presents on your Christmas-wish-list. Every member of the family is left satisfied and you leave feeling like you won’t need to eat again for at least a week. National Buffet Day is for those who can never decide what they want from the menu, for those who enjoy a plate piled high, and for those who just love to eat.

Awwww..... Condolences to the family....

@elcamino/wheelhorse RIP...

@WHX?? You seem to have a small amount of engine taking up space around your mouse nest.

Ugg...

Last week I noticed a Craigslist ad for “old lawn and garden tractors”. The ad pictured a couple views of a boneyard but there were at least two Wheel Horses. Nothing that tickled my fancy and I’d just resolved not to start any new projects I’m unlikely to finish. (Someone else on the forum noticed the ad and posted it here but I think it got admin removed). Today, though, I got to thinking that maybe there was something there of value I could help someone else put to use so I decided to take one for the team and drive 45 minutes each way to look it over. I’m glad I did. The seller has been contracted to clear the lot over the next couple of weeks. Whatever doesn’t sell goes to scrap. According to him, he’s already taken two loads of push mowers with busted decks and seized engines as well as some trashed tillers. EVERYTHING here has been left outdoors for years. I’m not an expert, but this looks to be Suburban or 400? The tires are rotted out and all four rims are rusted through. The hood is in surprisingly good shape and it has the dual slots for throttle and choke as well as a tiny toggle switch. Gas tank is in place. I’m not sure this is an original seat, but it is in great condition. The engine won’t turn but it has a carb--some corrosion and rust but I’ve seen worse. The clutch mechanism is there as are both footrests. The frame seems complete, including front axle, tie rod, and steering but the steering wheel has some of its plastic missing. The gearshift is stuck and I didn’t want to force it. The rear wheels were too embedded in the ground to move to see if the rear axle would turn. There is a mower deck under there and the slot hitch has some sort of adaptor in it. Sorry, I forgot to get the transmission casting numbers. The other useful find was this frame. This time I DID get the casting numbers (below). This transaxle seems pretty good--shifter works and the diff works. I didn’t try to turn the input shaft because the brake seems rusted to the drum. Front axle is there with spindles, tie rod, and the steering socket but no other steering parts. Slot hitch is one of the welded style slots. Elsewhere were a C-111 and what looked like an S/G 8hp from 66-70--maybe an 856 or 857?. The C-111 is in poor condition overall but the B&S looked salvageable. The 8hp tractor is in slightly better shape, (3-speed, flip rear seat, hood latch near the steering wheel and chrome hood ornament). Both seem more or less complete and have flat tires with rot showing. I didn’t go over these closely. (Picture from the ad) The only other WH items were a 32” geared mower deck from a Lawn Ranger (or possibly for the frame-only Suburban, RJ, or 400?) and one 36” geared deck, probably from the 856/857. Neither was in good shape--maybe usable for parts. Also on the lot: a Bolens 850 tube frame, an Allis Chalmers B10 and its Simplicity twin, and part of an old Speedway (the hood, frame, and seat). As well, loads and loads of sad push mowers with B&S engines (most with the heads removed?) and boxes of plastic mower wheels. There was a 6’ ride-on disk harrow. Tires and rusty wheels. Sticking to my resolution, I didn’t bring my trailer and so I didn’t bring anything home! The seller made it very clear that he’d like to see things put to use so pretty much any offer reasonably more than scrap value he will take. He said he’d leave the WHs until last to give me time to share this and see If anyone wants to pursue this, I might be able to lend a hand. PM me, we’ll exchange numbers and speak.

My fondest memory of Jim was not trying to find him at the show and the whole "Where's Waldo " but the following year and trying to find the BBQ joint in Chambersburg. He was really looking forward to it. I thought I knew where it was. I looked at a map before I left to go to PA but I had it upside down! We traveled down Rt. 30. and it's strip mall after strip mall. Looking for the address number. Well we keep driving and now we are in downtown. Jim's like "DO YOU KNOW WHERE THIS PLACE IS?" We keep driving and driving. Finally I give up and call the restaurant. Put the phone on speaker and this girl working there can't tell us how to get there! She says " We are right across from the Dollar General. " I'm like "what Dollar General?" She responded " " I don't know! Keep driving until you see one! " Jim is in stiches! 2 years ago we are driving in separate vehicles. And the BBQ is gone! @rjg854 and I return to the Chambersburg diner to eat. No sign of Jim. Turned out he stopped at a Sheetz gas station and got a day old sandwich. I have been razzing him about that ever since.

I am so sorry to here this. Jim will be missed around here. My condolences to his family.

My prayers go out to his family. Jim will be missed around here for sure.

I ran the machine yesterday but did not video it. This is a cold (well, 53 degrees in the shop) startup. This Briggs runs quieter than any of my other machines, time will tell if it works as well. Sorry the sound is low it's just how my phone recorded it.

A couple of weeks ago I mounted up my newly acquired NOS @stevebo 48” plow on my C-175 ( For display purposes only!) I was ready to put it away for the winter, but decided I should take a few pictures first. My next little project is to switch over the other plow from the 418-8 to the 418-C. I figured I’d give plowing a try with the extra speed of the C. I plowed a little bit last year with the 8-speed but found it and the electric lift a bit slow for my liking. Here’s a few pics for you folks!

There has been a hole in my heart and life since my beloved pooch Bryant died suddenly last Sept. My wife talked me into adopting another dog to keep our coonhound Bella company. So last week we went to the shelter and met a dog with the same pink nose that Bryant had. Faith is about a year old and has a lot to learn but she's off to a good start already.

Crap ... RIP Jimbo https://obituaries.virginiacremate.com/obituaries/richmond-va/james-winder-12149508 Very nice Fred. Fred Siegfried Friend 01/02/2025 Sorry for your loss Brad, Jim emailed me daily in Pa, we were buddys from that Wheel Horse tractor forum, i brought him parts down when he couldnt make it. I was worried something happened, no email after 28th dec, i lost my last Friend, its hitn me hard. God Bless you and your family, i notified the tractor community of our loss. Fred Siegfried in Pa 0SHARE Add a Comment

He was very fond of you squonk. He talked of you offen.

I didn’t get to talk to him much on here, but I know he will be missed. He sounded like a wonderful man. Condolences to the family

Jim was one of those guys that would help anybody and was fun to be with. He will be missed.

Rest in peace old friend. You will be missed.

One of my best buds. I'm devastated.

Not that I am approaching 75 ever closer -the hardest job is now getting ON and GETTING OFF the Wheel Horse (no matter which one) without physical injury!

Posted 12 hours ago Good gosh that black hood ALL of @c-series don's tractors are beautiful! @kpinnc I fixed it for you.

The screwdriver set I ordered for Christmas has finally arrived, very slow boat from China. It's obviously been put together for folk who take mobile phones apart for repair etc. It has a multitude of bits, tweezers, sockets and special pry bars and the like to open cases or remove screens, there's even a suction cup that is for pulling the cases apart after you heat them with a hair dryer. The handset is good quality and feeks to have plenty of torque (three separate settings) and it charges using a phone charger. All contained in a kit box that looks like it would be at home on the Minellium Falcon!

Utilizing the roller chain as you did on the steering is a clever idea.

Yeah I said something like that once. I just can't remember when...

It’s with regret that we lost long time member “Elcamino”. Jim was a very kind man and loved tinkering with his old cars and Wheel Horses. He passed on December 31, 2024. He will be missed.

OK OK.... not recently! But it DID happen.

R.I.P Jim. Damn we all just sent him birthday wishes.

All too young to be taken, may he find rest xxx

The newer valves definitely squeal at both ends of the travel. But yes as far as I can tell it's hard to get the air out so it operates quietly otherwise. I have one that squealed something awful for a long time.

Yes, @Maxwell-8, do plan a visit to Niagara Falls ....and the Big Wheel Horse show. During my 45 years with Allis Chalmers Hydro and then Voith Hydro, I have built and tested the scale models for the rehab and development of nearly all the hydro turbines in North America and many others around the world. This includes the three Niagara power stations Robert Moses, Sir Adam Beck, and the Lewiston Pumped storage plant. Many of these model tests were in competition with other manufacturers. The model tests were used to develop maximum efficiency, HP, cavitation resistance, corrosion and erosion resistance, minimize wicket gate and blade torques and axial thrust. The results of these tests were used to determine which manufacturer was awarded the contract for the full size turbines. In my later years many hours were spent developing ways to help the spawning fish. This included testing fish ladders, fish screens, bypass systems, oxygen injection systems on Francis turbines, and blade shape and gap closures on Kaplan turbines. After completion of the model tests, I used the actual bronze model turbine to make a display that was presented to the customer. Many of these are on display at the plant visitor centers. Here is a picture of the Robert Moses model turbine that hung in my office till retirement and is now hanging in my barn. This should be on display at the Robert Moses Power Station.

@Pullstart's custom design ppe flip flops:

Too my ear it sounds great. You sound a little like Norm MacDonald. That's a good thing. Are you both both from the same providence in Canada?

This is the seat I am using. I have this same seat on most of my machines. Seat assembly ready to put together. This is the bottom of the seat as removed from box. Adapter plates bolted to seat. I used these screwdrivers to ensure bolts are very tight. Springs loosely bolted to adapter plates. They are installed short side down as per manual. Pivot plate assembly bolted to seat springs. It is at the back of the slots for maximum leg room. All bolts then tightened. Seat assembly complete.

I seen some guys in Michigan doing the same thing.

After such meticulous restoration, I suspected you might decide to NEVER start it!

I was getting one of these for working on the barn, but USPS lost it. I just got the refund for it, so I need to reorder it now. I already got the same sawzall you got @cleat and it's a very useful tool, I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of mine.

I have never replaced shear bolts ... yet ... Just running regular bolts but a guy could take some regular mild steel ones and grind down a groove in them in the right spot.

Good gosh that black hood is beautiful! I have one that I had set aside some time ago. Yours makes me wanna drag it back out and get it going!

Hardest thing to do on a Wheel Horse? Get off it. Put it away. Say good night. Say Good Winter!

Ok, I lied, I just picked up two more. A commando 8 and a 4speed b80 for parts

Yes, to store energy during the night an releasing it at day when more power is needed.

I am studying for my exams Electro mechanics. Just came across the Niagara falls in a lecture. As the hydro dam used the first transformer that could transform 2 fase in to 3 fase power. The Scott-T transformer. 1896.

We just used the standard plastic covered Toro Wheel Weights and chains on our 520H. Never needed any more with a sloped 135 foot driveway. 520H purchased in 1993, Blower in 1995, repowered with Honda in 2013, and added cab in 2021. Been great.

I you could have to attachments on at the same time both would need to be in place before you locked it down. Both would be up or down at the same time with the tractor lift.. There is away around that. One is on the tractor lift and the other is on the wench.

I can't wait for a video of it running.

Got GPS trackers for my keys ( Brain Farts) and dogs in case something happens during walkies. And some old man (sketcher slip in ) sneakers.