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As a retired 61-year-old who inherited 4 of my Grandfather's Wheel Horse tractors, I found a valuable resource in this forum. Here, I connected with Bob Parks (Racinbob), who at the time lived nearby and kindly agreed to help me identify all of them. I ended up keeping the 1964 Model 854 and sold the others. The 854 is a solid, primarily original tractor, and I've been using it since I was 6-years-old. I also had the RM-364 mower deck attachment, which had not been on the tractor for many years. Once again, this forum proved its worth as I could identify and obtain some attachment parts that I was missing. Last week, after some adjustments, I put the mower deck to use and mowed nearly an acre of grass without any issues. The sense of accomplishment in identifying and restoring the equipment was truly inspiring, and I felt like I was a kid again. As someone who doesn't consider themselves 'mechanically inclined,' I've grown and learned much through this project. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of those who guided me and showed me that with the right support, even the most daunting tasks can be tackled.

Most new small engines are shipped with out oil from the factory. They should on the other hand have some type of preservative oil in them. If the price is right I would not be afraid of a NOS engine. As a precaution I would pull the head & check the bore for corrosion before I installed it.

Prevent Plagiarism Day is observed on February 19 every year. This day is observed throughout the country to bring awareness to plagiarism issues in industries and careers like academia and media production. While the definition of plagiarism may differ depending on the institution, the act typically involves presenting someone else’s work as your own original work. Plagiarizing someone’s work is considered an ethical violation; in some countries, it is even considered a crime. However, there are some cultures where plagiarism is condoned and even seen as flattering, making Prevent Plagiarism Day essential for people working in the country. In observance of Prevent Plagiarism Day I am making all of you aware of the fact that I did copy this word for word so that I can serve as an example of what you shouldn’t do.

I bolted my receiver on the side of the frame so I could see to hook up. The deck and it's mule dive is still usable.

Mine has two fixed supports inside to distribute the load. Made up out of a rusty Tach-a-matic Mule Drive and an $11 HFT ATV front hitch adapter. Bonus - the "D" ring makes a great handle to mount it...

As you get older for a chore utility tractor yo can't beat a Lawn Ranger. Much easier to get on and off...at my age I don't give a damn about what people may think about me on a little tractor

Depends on what trailer is behind what truck ... I'll never stay at no stinkin hotel ... way to much going on to ever leave the show grounds.

Three reasons: 1. I'm a moron. 2. I like my tractors ready to go for their assigned duties. 3. I sold two with tractors to good people. 4. Did I mention I like cheese curds?

Nice!! The 854 is one of my favorites. I inherited my FIL's 702 and it came with 2 decks - the original "suitcase" style RM-362 and a later RM-326. IMHO, the later style outperforms the early model (but that cut grass looks great.)

It’s been a while since an update. I took the weekend off for family stuff. I did my first actual test fire yesterday and had a couple hours of pure bliss as it lit up and took off! Huge success! Momma gave me some input on shop location. A spot I had not thought of, but makes the most sense. Go figure! Videos coming soon.

Well we didn't get the snow we were supposed to get. We have a nice ice glazing that will hang around a few days and got a snow dusting. So decided to have some fun in the 5 degree temps and do some spin outs and figure eights!

This procedure is for the valves installed in 300, 400, and 500 series. May be others as well. This valve is from a 520HC Here is the valve ready for new O rings. You know the O rings are worn because it had a leak and the control rod is very easy to turn. Getting ready to remove the screw retaining the rod. Screw in end of rod removed. Rod pulled out. It came out really easy since the O rings offer no resistance because they are worn out. O rings removed using a brass pick to prevent damage to the rod. You can use any tool, just be careful not to scratch the shaft. New #111 Nitrile O rings ready to install (Viton would be better but Nitrile is what I have on hand). I also used 111 O ring lubricant which is basically silicone grease. O rings installed. O rings lubed with the 111 O ring lubricant. Rod inserted into valve body. This will take a bit of a push with the new O rings Screw installed into end of control rod. Valve is now complete and should no longer leak. I did not touch the pressure relief cap as I have never had one leak from there and don't want to mess with the relief setting.

Always such a good time Wednesday night hanging outside the hotel with the usual crew doing screwball shots and van’s special shine!

Did you finally warm up to indoor plumbin' too ???

Kohler says that engines with "slinger" oilers need to idle between 1100-1200 rpm. Does not state how long.

A lot of us share this feeling every time we get on a Wheel Horse that we have repaired or kept going.

These are some pics from my friend Bruce in Camden NY

Probably not. Some still use clutches, stick shifts, and blowers w/o cabs.

Heard a good math joke: What do you call people who like tractors? Wait for it... Protractors...

Slag/clinker. Could be from a locomotive burning coal, but might have been deliberately dumped as part of the rail bed gravel. The steel and coke plants in my hometown generated lots of slag from their processes and it was used in every kind of fill imaginable around there. Steve

I've had to train myself to shut down for pauses longer than a minute. For many years I was exclusively using recoil starters and it took awhile to take advantage of ‘lectricity!

My sister & BIL live on the Tug Hill and she sent this picture this morning off the back porch. They’ve gotten 262 inches so far--the most ever (my BIL is a recorder for the national weather service). BIL is about 5’9" and he’s walking back to the house from the barn (blue arrow pointing to the barn roof which has been cleared twice already this year).

My FIL passed in '92, but it's like he is always there when I turn the key & press the starter button....

My 857 I bought from HHHOOOWWWAAARRRDDD!!! in 2018. It's my go to utility tractor for haulin, mowin and plowin. Turns nice and sharp which is nice over the long frame models. I'm 6'1" 240 and I don't look like a circus bear on a tricycle on it. More like a water buffalo in the Serengeti

The Year 2015 really started out with "The Tailgate of Knowledge" at the Old Comfort Inn. A few of us hung out after dinner at the motel behind the Late Phil Bowling's truck and he had this multi-fueled small engine in the bed. Aldon was there along with HHHOOOWWWAAARRRDDD and a couple of other guys. Next year was the " Customs" show so the boys from the Mid-West came. We hung around at the tailgate of @stevasaurus 's truck after dinner and talked transmissions. It was getting late and the conversations got louder and louder. I was expecting the to show up. Then the Comfort Inn moved across the street. So that year it was just me @stevasaurus and @rjg854 out at the tailgate. Then a lady emerged from the hotel who looked just like Steve's wife Chris but she wasn't Chris. She walks past us and Steve's like "Where the heck are you going? " Then we realize it isn't Chris! We had a good laugh. She was on her way to Mcdonalds to get her mom a burger. The following year it was just me and the Mexican Construction workers with their cases of Corona stacked 6 high under the canopy. The next night they had a big party going out back with the stereo cranked. Then the following year I think we had the big party with @Pullstart's camper out in the overflow lot. We prolly had close to 30 of us out there. We finally moved to the Quality Inn I think 3 years ago. They have the tables so the bull session moved to there for Thurs and Fri Night. Wednesday night is along the driveway of the car wash under @stevebo's NEW toy hauler.

Rylee can climb a ladder and do your bidding…

We’re going side wall with a cleanout stack to get above the roof line. I believe code is 2’ above anything within 12’ radius.

This is my burner plate stack. I popped a hole in the top plate and oil drips down from a 3/8” tube into the center of the burner.

That’s exactly what my wife has been doing for years! And I never mention anything about her spending money because I’m not sure what is going to happen on my end 🤣🤣

Please don't tell me you are going to put a hole in my nice metal roof for a vent!

For whatever reason, a lot of people run oil through an open tee. It’s like a cheap sight glass. I decided to make use of one of my 100 1-7/8 hitch balls and make it a funnel with an open drip.

I think 4-500 is a good range for something unmolested. I give Tom about that for a really nice one. Smoked abit but only when it was running. He's got it back now traded for a tool cab i needed worst but keep in mind a couple of things. They ALWAYS look better in pics and expect to travel for one unless you get really blind out house lucky. A nice 855 all orginal I got from Craig down in MO when I picked up the FEL. Think I paid around 5 for it and shoulda never sold it but it went to a really good home. Being patient is the key when looking for one I guess. Someone mention a 857 KP? This one dropped off at my door for around 4-5 WITH the mid mount! She'll never leave my harem.

OK, scattered fingerprints or not- I put it together. On to the next project!

It can sometimes get a little more risque' than just dad jokes, but any comedy is ALWAYS good! No matter what you bring or even if you don't bring anything, it's always a good time for everyone.

Hey now.! Couple years back, I learned Waldo trained copter pilots during Nam. And a few years before that, every thing about WH transmissions.

But you need to bring the knowledge! Have you even seen those guys?

Gonna have to dedicate the front table to Waldo.

Can outsiders "crash" your picnic table of knowledge? 👍🤓

Hey hey hey... I represent that...!

Doesn't look like a hard thing to make. Bet a moron like me could even do it. Stupid question tho is why would a guy need more than one when you can just clip it on other tractors?

Of particular value here is the “U” that fits around the Attach-a-Matic locking rod putting the lower support directly against the hitch's frame to carry a heavy load. Can you share the dimensions? I'd ask a fabricator friend to give me an estimate to replicate it.

Microswitch built into the range selector lever. Not a big job but bit of juggling to get it to fit and work. Hopefully now I can ditch the huge power switch that came with the kit and use a relay.

I have no idea why but lately .... all of their tunes but this one's a ear worm...

I’ll also add, that the cuts in the tank were laid out with a marker, but cut free hand. The control that the plasma cutter has is quite remarkable.

Hi Eric, I lost a load of weight as I previously posted and it's all gone back on with some interest. So I decided to lose it again, the same way that it came off last time. Which was exactly as another poster mentioned, no eating till supper time, just water. It's a tough grind but for me it works. Wife is on a slimmers plan and is weighing everything and eating low fat allsorts, she is miserable and down because of it, which makes her want to eat chocolate. I told her how it would go when she was pressured into this slimming class by her friends. Can't say how many times I've told her that the dieting industry is an industry because it doesn't work, just hooks you into this yo-yo weight watching. I'm doing good on not eating during the day, sure it's tough if you are not busy, but it works and doesn't have me watching what I do eat, just limiting the amount. I understand this doesn't work for everyone, but it is all down to the habits we have around eating. Three meals a day, big portions, processed crap, sugar etc. I have no intention of living like a monk but I can see that being a bit more struct on volume is a benefit. My last bout of weight loss was definitely down to depression or at least anxiety. This one will be down to my choice to feel a bit better in my yoga stuff lol. Whatever works for you, stick at it, it's worth it for sure. Mick

Much appreciated sir! It can be a strength... given the right circumstances and personal tools. The ability to hyperfocus on things. The RIGHT things. That can be great!

Finished the handle up tonight. Also got the spindles worked out. Just gotta wait for the (ugly) paint to dry so I can assemble it. I made the handle to work in the hand or on the back of any tractor. Angled the grip up so it sits high enough for my big self to stand up straight. Finished pics tomorrow. Paint is drying slow in the garage...

Also known as "cinders". They used to crush them & cover the roads & make trails with them. I grew up with three paper mills within five miles of me, one directly across the street. They're also extremely sharp, I still have some imbedded in my ring finger from wiping out on my dirt bike when I was a teenager, (black scar). My grandmother had them in her knees from when she was a little girl. They still pop up in my yard from time to time...