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Americans come together on July 4 to celebrate the nation’s birthday and Independence Day. On this day, most Americans enjoy grills in their backyards, at beaches, or in parks. Some partake in parades or marches and enjoy the fireworks that are often launched at dusk. We kick off the festivities with details, trivia, and anything else you need to know about Independence Day. Happy Fourth! 1) The first public 4th of July event at the White House took place in 1801. Thomas Jefferson was president, and, according to the White House Association, the day was filled with music, food and even horse racing. 2) Francis Hopkins designed the American flag. Or, more specifically, he claimed his did, but this claim has not been officially verified with evidence. 3) When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, few colonists wanted complete independence from Great Britain. Those who did were viewed as radicals. 4) It was Dwight D. Eisenhower who added "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. 5) Federal regulations specify that an American flag can only be flown from sunrise to sunset…unless it is illuminated at night. 6) And technically, you're not supposed to wear American flags, either. The flag code states that "the flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." 7) You can always catch a ball game on the 4th of July. And this year, all 30 MLB teams will play on Independence Day. 8) The population of the U.S. was about 2.5 million in 1776. Compare that population with about 340 million Americans today. 9) The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was just 26 years old. It was Edward Rutledge, who is a Founding Father and former governor of South Carolina. 10) Fireworks are a huge business...to the tune of about $600 million in fireworks imports to the U.S. each year. 11) In the early years of the republic, Independence Day was commemorated with speeches, parades, and other festivities. These events gave rise to the federal political party system, with formalized venues and occasions for leaders and constituents to discuss issues. 12) The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first of the American Revolution. These confirmed the majority of the colonists' alienation from England and set the stage for the colonies' guerrilla warfare defense against the British. 13) The Seige of Yorktown ended military operations in the American Revolution. This joint France-America effort trapped a major British army on a peninsula at Yorktown, Virginia, forcing it to surrender. 14) The Safe and Sane 4th of July movement came about in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was a response to the heavy drinking and injuries that had risen along with the holiday traditions. 15) Americans spend close to $10 billion on 4th of July food......according to WalletHub. 16) The Star Spangled Banner became the national anthem in 1931. President Herbert Hoover signed the congressional resolution making it so. 17) About 50 million Americans travel more than 50 miles from home......during the holiday weekend, according to WalletHub data from 2023. That's a new record. 18) The oldest continuously running 4th of July parade is in Bristol, Rhode Island. It dates all the way back to 1785, according to the town's site. 19) But the longest one is in Alameda, California. According to the town's website, the route spans 3.3 miles. It takes folks about two hours to complete. 20) Americans consume about 150 million hot dogs per year....according to data from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.

Bought a 704 from a lawnmower graveyard hoping to bring it back to life again have all the parts for it except the gear shifter and the fender pan I put a wanted add here this is going to be a little bit of a project but love this kind of projects

Thank you to our service members who keep us independent! Thinking of all those who died, the night that Francis Scott Key was held captive in the bay and we were bombed over and over, but that flat never stayed down, I get the chills every time I hear our National anthem. Now let’s celebrate our freedom, and keep all our fingers!

That looks like it was parked overnight in a bad neighborhood......

This was the largest mountain I've tackled in several years. I feel GOOD! 7.09 miles. 2050 feet Elevation gain. Substantial !! Here's a passel o' pics...

Put some J B Weld on , it'll be fine

Flex seal? I believe if you spray it in a woven pattern, it’ll give better holding properties!

In response to borrowing and lending, There are some fellows who I won't loan my old wore out tools to, while others bring them back in better shape that when they left my shop in. I always try to return borrowed stuff in better shape than I received it. This past spring I borrowed a van from our church. I washed it (long overdue) and reported to the church administrator damage that was done to the top when someone drove it under an overhang as well as other small items. It was offered to me anytime I need it. I was fortunate that dad recognized he was "slipping". It was a bit awkward him asking my advice on things that I sought his advice on for fifty years. Now, mom depends upon my brother and I handling her affairs. There was a good bit of well thought-out advice on educating young tractor drivers at shows. Litigation society has it's plusses and minuses . This past week, I was notified by insurance company that the "umbrella policy" that provides a bump in liability insurance went up 40% this past year and they expecting 100% increase next year. Some time ago I posted a picture of granddaughter operating my 520H. Today I helped direct her in mowing her parents yard with their zero turn. I mowed a serpentine track in the unmowed wide open back yard. Once she was able to negotiate the track I mowed for her, I let her turn on the blades and mow an area I laid out for her. I wouldn't call her first mowing job immaculate, but she did mighty fine, Wish I had taken pictures. Last Sunday we had a family get together. My aunt wanted family pictures with grandpa's Farmall in the background. I believe it's a 1947 he purchased new and it's now in the hands of a cousin. The cousin's 12 year old son brought the tractor from the barn and returned it when finished. He told my son-in-law "That's the tractor I brush hog with." This boy will likely be as hard working as his dad is. Enjoy the 4th and take a little time to reflect on what a great country we live in.

This isn't a "what I did with my wheel horse today" post (although I did some trail mowing with my GT-1848 after it cooled down a bit...) Yesterday my wife and I went to our local county fair - lucky for us the fairgrounds is only 4-5 miles away. They were having their tractor pull and we hadn't been there in quite a few years. Turns out the sled for the big tractor pullers didn't make it there in time, so it was only garden tractors. I didn't get pictures of all of them, but I particularly liked this one (it took third in it's class) - "Wicked Horse": It had a V-Twin in it but can't tell what brand or size. They had a lot of mostly big, some small, tractors on display inside a pole barn. Here are a few pics: Thought this ice cream maker was pretty cool:

Worked on the 314A that @c-series don gave me at the big show. When I brought it home and unloaded it, the engine ran fine but it but barely moved. I put it in the barn and planned to leave it for a winter project, but today curiosity got to me and I had to open it up. Got the choke cable freed up and working. Then pulled the tins off to find the problem that seemed to have the motion control system locked up. I disconnected the link to the cam plate and with some cleaning and lubrication, got full motion from the cam. The motion lever was still locked up. Then I saw it, the brake pedal spring was missing and allowed the pedal to fall down and lock the motion control lever in the neutral position. Duh ! Added a spring to pull the pedal up and all is well.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Picked up this 315-8 at the show from @ljsdad414. Carburetor and various linkages were missing. Acquired all the missing pieces. Had to settle for a cheap carburetor for now. Happy to report she’s alive and running. Replaced the rear tires, fuel lines and filter. New seat from @76c12091520h. Small oil leak around the valve cover to fix along with complete fluid and filter change. Then a good scrubbing. IMG_1436.mov

“We are all glad you were born!”

Have a wonderful day everyone. Celebrate your freedoms. Have fun and be safe. We're heading up a hill this morning. Largest one I've done in several years. It'll be quite a test for me.

OK, here's my wedding ring story. When I started working in the Allis Chalmers Hydro turbine lab, we measured test pressures with 200 inch mercury manometers. This required climbing a ladder as high as 20feet many times. I would run up the ladder, read the mercury level, and with my hands and feet on the outside of the ladder rails, slide back down fireman pole style. Yep, one day the ring got caught on one of the thin metal angle braces . I was lucky to be under enough control that I could stop before the finger was ripped off. After the swelling went down, the ring was put in the jewelry box and not put back on until 50 years later when I retired. When I did put it on I discovered it no longer fit my gnarly index finger but it did fit the little one.

I wrote a check to renew my Red Square supporter status when I discovered I was unable to load a picture to this thread. It is going by snail mail, so it will be a week or 10 days before I can do that again. Guess I should check my email a bit more often....

Yes that's it.

Well into stripping a late 90’s P220 off a 520-H that came to me as a parts engine with major internal injuries--one piston moves but neither the other piston nor the valves move at all. Not too hard to see how it came to its demise. Most of the airflow in the main shroud was clogged with grass and leaves--the rear fins were all but totally clogged and there was no gasket around the oil filter. Every nook and cranny atop the engine was littered deep with acorn shells and other small animal detritus. Most vivid is the differing states of the two heads with the rear one showing signs of extreme overheating. I paused to take a picture as I was draining the oil and chasing the holes to get ready to pull the flywheel--gotta make a puller plate today. Only have the electrical and governor parts behind the flywheel left to go, assuming they are usable.

Add on Craigslist: "Ran when parked..." Should be a fun project!!!

Agreed. I assume you're asking about your 856, and the engine isn't the limiting factor. That transmission is capable of pulling thousands of static pounds. But the axles can only support a few hundred pounds, and the brake in most cases barely can stop the empty weight of the tractor. In short, you can tow a full size truck on flat ground, but it will run you over on the slightest incline. And using the gears to hold a heavy load from getting away is a terrible idea just because of the type of differential you have. If one wheel slips, it's all over. Florida may not have a whole lot of hills, but it doesn't take a steep grade to get away from you.

My retired father worked and all three of my brothers work in industries, Welder/machinist and forestry/land clearing and firefighter/EMT where rings and loose hair/clothes are also heavily discouraged as well. There are stories I've heard where somebody lost fingers in a skidder chain, got caught in a lathe etc...I've heard the PSA's from them as well. I definitely like my Hannaford to go Shopping job, simple and straightforward.

I'm a rock climber, usually twice a week at our local climbing gym. I had been wearing my gold wedding band until another climber told me about something similar happening to someone he knew. Peeled the finger like a banana. I wear a silicone ring now. Many years ago I worked in a printing factory. Wearing any jewelry or having long loose hair or a loose shirt was a big no-no there. There were plenty of older dudes walking around missing a finger or 3 who would promptly remind anyone who forgot this....-

Or this guy (with all due respect of course):

Bought an 875 from a friend months ago. He got it from his neighbor. Hauled fire wood most of it's life. When I got it I noticed a little flex when the park pawl is engaged. Expected to find a cracked F plate or loose/ missing trans mounting bolts. Looked it all over and couldn't see anything. Was out mowing today and it felt like the seat got loose. Got off and nope the seat was tight..Got back on and my top half went one way and the bottom half went the other way. Looked down and found this! The F plate looks ok so hopefully a quick buzz job from Billy the Welder!

I'm pretty tired but considering the last several years I'm doing quite well.

Fates of the Declaration signers: (From the interwebs) Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

I have no idea what the correct wheel looks like, but I have this one.

Happy 4th of July

Hello, I am new here and from Holland. Anybody knowing where i could buy new 16 inch blades for my a800 with side discharge deck? My search on the net and with our local lawnmower dealer didn't find anything. The only site we could find is in france......they don't send it to Holland.

The solenoids with two big terminals and only one small tab are grounded through their metal mounting bracket. Make sure it has clean paint free contact with the tractor

Told you the gasket would be missing, don't run without it because 30% of the cooling air is lost there. People complain about valve seat issues with this engine but continue to abuse them. I run only Onan 122-0800 or Fleetguard LF3339 oil filters. I see that the current filter is too short.

This website has lawn and garden belts in Spain including the 4L configuration you need. https://www.ajantabelts.com/spain/v-belts.htm#:~:text=When it comes to V,for your machinery in Spain.

Wow. That is one ambitious project. I wish you luck.

The RJ belt guard is flat the 1960 has a vertical I and the 61 has a +

Model number tells all: 31-20OE01 1988 520-H Garden Tractor Automatic OnanP220G-I/10540A

And shes already ready for the shows!

Now here’s some pictures. WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY 😂😂

Check all of those bolts on the engine around the PTO bearing. When they loosen you lose all the oil real quick!

Good luck with it young man. Be safe and have fun with it.

Unless it has a bad intake valve !!!!

@ri702bill regular reference to dreaded 9 pin connector , has anyone dared to mount that in a cooler safer spot ? personally look for , a repetitive problem / issue to make a change , you already know what fails , why not eliminate it ? a cooler air flow , wire chafing , etc . would be worth a try . one of the first things I would add / try is a slotted / holed belt guard , it insures heat removal . just my view of a consistent problem , thats like living with bearing failure issues , make a change , pete

There was a seller at the Wheel Horse Collectors Club “Big Show” a couple of weeks ago with a pretty good assortment of NOS deck blades. He isn’t a vendor on this Red Square forum. You might try to contact him and see if he has what you need and is willing to ship to the Netherlands. https://www.davespartsworld.com

if you look close, there are 4 hoses