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I have cut down one end of a scrap piece of 2" channel iron and bent it to allow a hitch with a ball to ride a bit higher using the sleeve hitch in the up position.

Hey guys. I bought my Wheel Horse 312-8 back in October with one sole purpose in mind: moving firewood from where I store it in racks, up to the house to burn in the wood stove over the winter. I sold the mower deck it came with for over half of what I paid for the whole thing (live in the woods, only mow a few times a year anyhow). Anyway, over the last 5 months or so I have found so many more uses for this thing!! I bought a plow for it and plowed my driveway all winter with it - didn't use the snowblower once! I've also just used it to get around the property when carrying things. Loading up fuel cans, transporting firearms and ammo and targets to and from the firing range, etc... Well, the best use case I had not planned for has finally happened. We had to fell a maple that unexpectedly died, this time in the FRONT of the house. This poses a real issue, as the front "yard" is greatly sloped. I am bucking and splitting the tree in place, but in order to get the firewood down to the back of the property to the firewood racks, I actually have to move the splits UPHILL, to the road, then down the driveway to the woods, and down to the firewood racks... because of the lay of the land, the house being in the way, and a field of boulders that naturally occur where they are, I can't simply go downhill with the wood. Have to go uphill to the road. At a 15 percent slope, I don't think I ever could have found a remotely easy or feasible way to do this without the Horse. This tractor has had zero problem pulling a firewood cart uphill on a steep incline. She's powerful enough to do that, yet small enough to safely drive down the side of the road and go in between the trees through the woods. I just love this thing so much and thought you guys would enjoy hearing about it. Thanks all!

My 1955 RJ35, and 1958 RJ58 plowing in the garden!

Even the ones you can never find...

Worship of Tools Day is celebrated annually on March 11. Tools are really the unsung heroes. Unfortunately, we don’t give them enough commendation. There are so many different types of tools, and this day is meant to worship each one of them. Upgrade them, organize them, or buy new ones. They come super handy when you need to build or fix something. We wonder who created this constructive holiday dedicated to the worshipping of tools. It most definitely has to be someone very passionate about their tool kit. In ancient times, humans were able to build tools as simple as knives from rocks. In fact, the screwdriver can be traced to the 1400s. However, with the advent of technology, there is a surge in the creation of modern tools that can almost do a job as good as a machine. Many tool enthusiasts know a good tool when they see one and have their preferred brand or style. Tool lovers end up having an extensive collection of tools, and it’s almost like a hobby. There is even a code in tool borrowing and loaning as they often don’t get returned. This phenomenon has been picked up by many sitcoms and shown humorously from time to time. With the ever-growing need for tools in our home, it’s only right that there is a day dedicated to worshipping these objects that play a significant role in our lives.

RIP Lance. The unfortunate thing is that each year there will be an exponentially higher number of members lost. This is due to the fact that we 'baby boomers' are the core of a forum that was started in 2006.

Ordered Donna a new Bosch 800 (Deluxe) dishwasher. 🤕💰. The old LG is on its last legs. Installed new seat bushings, & gas strut with mounting pins on the 414. I don't remember if I said anything about the new shifter knobs when I installed them the other day, or the battery hold-down, but those are new too. Received the carb kit for the Walbro carb, to be installed after manual and ultrasonic cleaning of the carb. Tried to remove the pulleys from the mower deck with the kit I ordered, not a chance. The kit won't fit. Thanks to @adsm08 for offering to help me out! Cleaned the new to me sandblaster, installed the DIY metering valve through the hopper lid, installed air intake where exhaust was, marked where new vacuum connection will be, removed the "screen" from the bottom in prep to cut out the support "bars" in order to lower the screen for extra room. Found out the blast handle is damaged 🤬 so I ordered an Eastwood foot control and blast handle. Ordered blaster-mounted water separator/regulator and 50# garnet blast media. Cleaned plastic view window, cursed. Need to replace the plastic window with lexan or glass. Need to order thumb screws to replace nuts around view window to facilitate easier "lens" replacement. Need to apply metal HVAC tape to all seams.

What Dan showed. Just guessing a draw bar was also a desirable option in the day since there is a ton of them out there. I like to run a regular draw bar and a sleeve. In our business we seldom use a sleeve except on plow mules.

@Red Horse Lance was a local friend here in NC, and I'm ashamed to say I didn't even know of his passing in January. His son called me today about a couple Wheel Horses he had. Lance had been a member since 2008, and though he didn't post much he was very knowledgeable about these little red tractors. Lance was a great man, and a friend to everyone who knew him. It was a privilege to know him!

You can't do that Richard ... Not sorry but the rules are quite clear... and you of all people should know this. If a ball hitch is desirable one must obtain another horse dedicated with a permanently attached ball for such use. Preferably a round hood...

I like my 10” Wheel Horse rims!

Sorry to hear buddy. RIP Lance

My guess is a Wheel Horse model 5066 transmission used in the vertical shaft Commando V8 tractors that were only made in 1969 and 1970. I have a 1970 Commando V8 tractor that has that style of transmission, the shifter is a front mount where the horizontal engine Wheel Horses used a top mount shifter, it's kinda an odd ball transmission.

A flat piece of metal, at least 1/4" thick ( up to 5/8" ) with 2 holes drilled in it works well. 1 hole to hold it in the sleeve hitch and one for your hitch pin. I have made several.

Speaking of wood, I hadn't seen wood stacked like this until the other day, they use this wood for maple sugaring! C-85

Or it was anti theft device.

One of the pine trees in my side yard finally gave up. It was time to take it down before the Hostas started coming up underneath it. The C-81 was chosen to help. Dead pine trees are NO fun, only ended up getting poked in the ear, unscathed otherwise. The didn't seem to mind though... Last summer... Yesterday, almost hit 70 degrees, warmest day yet this year, perfect day for yard work.

@Bill D When I painted both tractors, I also changed out the screws for bolts on the shifting pattern plate. It definitely makes it MUCH easier to get off if needed. The 308’s were rusted like yours and were a PITA to get out.

Today, in the 50 degree day we had I primed and painted a new hood for my 312. I still need to paint the black. Then I cleaned up and touched up my spare Magnum 12 before accidentally dropping it bringing it back into my basement, and breaking an ear off the mounting bracket 🤬. BUT my father has a welder and years of experience so hopefully it can be put back on. I’d rather have the ear break off than it land on me though.

Months. Maybe later.

great story of your 312 - - the versitility is amazing - - i bought my 312-8 new in 1989 - has 2,000 plus hours on it - although i have not hauled heavy loads up down incline i have used for many tasks and it has never lacked for power - tiller, plowing, pulling out shrubs/root balls, etc ----- in part thanks to kohler but also the tranny and hi/low range - Enjoy !!

Agreed. I just meant that's about the only RH you find here.

Fixed it for you Bob

Here is what I use On any of My sleeves: integral hitch and clevis hitch, whatever the Manufacturer calls it. https://johnnyproducts.com/products/generic-multi-tongue-to-sleeve-hitch-towing-adaptor-attaches-to-any-sleeve-hitch-on-your-tractor-fits-elitewill-nixface-nubehone-craftsman-cub-cadet-and-other-sleeve-hitches-black Do You have a slot Hitch or clevis Hitch ? If You Just have the slot Hitch add this https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product/toro-wheel-horse-slot-hitch-adapter/ Plus John's adapter

Don't try to do it all at once. That's how you hurt yourself. We don't need to see you in "bumps & bruises".

RIP Lance, @Red Horse

I had a slow leak from under the left side panel that I assumed was hydraulic. This morning, feeling pretty good about the initial test yesterday I decided to look for it. It didn't take long and I had to laugh at myself after all this tractor has put me through. The brass barb on the inlet side of the fuel pump wasn't even finger tight. It was hidden by the cover. I should fire the idiot that installed the pump.

Shouda seen that coming a mile away EB!

Didn't think about that hitch..he'll I've got 3 or 4 somewhere. Thanks WHX!

Had to get a new drive pulley for the transmission. There's just no chance of cleaning the original up to a serviceable condition. It clearly rubbed the guard alot and corroded from there. The outer lip is jagged and just too pitted to work with. The replacement isn't a perfect match but will work fine.

I'd like very much to have a more even temp range.... As I learn to tolerate whatever syndrome I've developed I have to admit I just CAN'T tolerate temps above the low 80s anymore. The south.... won't work.

We spent a couple hours working on cutting advantech and osb for walls in the new basement apartment.

I find my Work Horse indispensable in hauling trees out of the woods for fire wood. Drag 'em out full length. . My "wood yard" is 20' from my driveway, so I don't have to move it far after bucking and splitting.

That'd give @WHX?? more ammo....

After the vinegar, the innards are prone to flash rust. Be sure to fill it with fuel or coat the inside with some lightweight oil after you empty it and rinse it.

I wouldn't hesitate to drop a $20 on it. If nothing else, I'd take it to the Wheel Horse show and get at least $40 for it.

Pulled the carb off last night. Cleaning it and will try to fire it up this weekend. I need to look up the manual on this model. It appears it has a manual choke on the carb itself. It looks like what would be a choke cable is running to gov arm. I have a spare carb for a k181 I can bolt up to test if the original doesn't work. Just need to do some reading up on this engine.

https://www.partstree.com/models/1-4841-toro-commando-v8-lawn-tractor-1969/parts-list-for-5066-transmission-0/

!!

Wait is Colossus still a thing????

Not sure if it will help but did you try to rock the tractor back and forth while putting a little pressure on the shifters? Or are the wheels locked solid?

After getting the fruit tree's pruned today, it was like 65° today I got the Wheelhorse washed And got the oil changed, changed the coil and swapped out the sparkplug wire to a non-automotive wire (doesn't have resistance) I haven't got them cleaned up yet, but I am going to get these front wheel weights painted and mounted.

Me and Bets sat on the front deck watching the Bluebirds fight over the box in the font yard. It got to the point where the 2 females were rolling on the ground in a grudge match! No women ever fought over me like that! Then there were the small flock of Turkeys out back. One sat down to have a dust bath, and lost balance and rolled down the hill. I wish I had a video of that!!

I tacked up a snow plow mount for my plow truck with a coat hanger once upon a time. I’m pretty sure Uncle Jim won’t ever let me forget that.

It has a hole in the side of the block the size of a softball, but for $40 it's worth finding another engine. I belive it's a 74 model and I'm definitely going to save it.

Agreed. Either a 68 Raider 9 or 69 Raider 10. Limited Slip Differential in that one!

Denali on fire watch with me and Mrs Sylvan... first campfire of the spring...

How much would I have to use to get my bill down to Zero?

Happy Birthday 🎁🎈🎂