Leaderboard

That is my breakfast. Onion, green, banana, jalapenos and tomato's. Some land raised chicken eggs, Viola good eating! Takes me back to when I was a kid, My dad made this pretty often.

It would make a great display piece for a tractor show. Maybe pumping water up to a small flume that operates a small waterwheel that turns a fan, ice cream churn, etc.

I believe this to be a picture of the sponsored Clydesdales at the Kentucky Horse Park wearing the harnesses from the previous pictures that started this thread. I've posted a PDF scan of this document in the files sections

Done correctly, a rattle can job can be made to look very nice. The tractor below was rattle can painted with no clear overcoat. Prep work is everything! You just have to allow a few weeks for the paint to truly cure. Until then, it's easily scratched.

When my Dad was able to take only a modest bag of tools when he moved to a senior living apartment, I persuaded him not to specify recipients for the rest—let them choose. We drew lots for children order and also for the interested grandchildren order. Three rounds for children, one round for grandchildren. Keep going until finished. We brothers mostly took the larger power tools we didn’t already own then smaller tools to fill out our own shops. Movingly, each and every grandchild chose a tool or two they had actually used with Grampa to make something in his shop. I have kept a collection of his tools to pass on to his great-grandchildren.

We adore fairs, carnivals, and amusement rides, so how could we not love National Merry Go Round Day? Celebrated each year on July 25, this day spotlights the fun ride known as a merry-go-round or carousel. A highlight of amusement parks, these circular rides are still widely popular across America and the globe.

I used to work on them for Sears doing appliance repair, including water softeners. Softener resin has a life of around 20-25 years depending on usage. The resin is only made by 2-3 plants in the entire world, so all brands are basically doing the same job no matter what brand of softener you're buying. You do not need to clean it unless your water has something like iron or sulfur (ie well water not city water) that can harm the softener over time or buildup in the resin, which will basically make your water pressure drop. The cleaner can shorten the life of the resin if you use it too often. The cleaner is basically acid (in liquid or powder form) to soften the particles the salt rinse doesn't remove. The issues with them is typically 98% of the time (not counting major obvious leaks) around the regeneration system, where water mixes with the salt to form a brine solution which is ran back through the resin in the opposite direction of the normal water flow to rinse off the hard particles. You can usually rebuild the moving parts portion of the regeneration unit for less than $200 (may be more post covid or on a higher cost unit like Culligan) Common issues most people have are: 1. Keeping the tank full of salt to the top. This is bad and can create a "salt bridge" or blockage as OP had. Keep the unit half full at most, or let it run down to less than 12" of salt before refilling if you have a circumstance where you have to fill it all at once. 2. Buying a unit not adequate for their water. (This is typically an issue with well water but if you have a larger home or more than the standard 4-5 people in your home you may need a bigger capacity unit. Capacity listed in grains on the specs is what you're paying for as it is the amount of resin capacity a system has. More capacity of resin, less salt usage and fewer recharges.) 3. Do not ever call a "advertised on TV/Radio" local hvac company or plumber to repair your system. Call the company that sells your brand or anyone locally that has experience fixing your brand. 90% of the time the local plumber or hvac company will make up a BS story and say it needs a part they can't get or that's $800-1,000 plus labor. 4. Keep the hardness level set (98% of the "rust belt" can set one to 21 grains or you can get your water tested at most stores that carry softeners for free, take only hard water to test) (if you set it higher than this you get a little cushion so you won't run out but you're mostly just wasting salt) 5. Keep the time set, some units won't recharge if the time isn't set OR they will recharge at the wrong time when you're using water. When a softener recharges you're getting hard water supplied to the house so if someone runs hot water the water heater will fill with hard water which can make it seem like an ongoing issue of no soft water even if the softener is working ok. Ecowater is the company that made the Kenmore softeners for Sears. If you liked a Kenmore water softener or have one needing repair there are a ton of videos on youtube or look for a dealer of an ecowater made water softener. Currently the Rheem softeners at Home Depot are made by Ecowater as are the Morton units at Menards. There are a decent number or independant Ecowater dealers around the country as well. GE, Morton, Rheem, Whirlpool were but I'm not sure if they still are or where to buy one if so. -Culligans are over rated and over priced. They have a brass valve which indicates better or longer life but they have plastic internal wear parts and rubber o-rings that operate their regeneration system like anyone else. They aren't horrible systems but you're going to pay for them. They do typically have decent service and local dealers which is a plus though. -I don't know anything about a water boss or aqua systems. But yeah, don't throw out resin for new unless your system is 20+ years old but since you did you need to make sure you get the right amount. Often they send out a random sized bag that isn't measured out. So call the company and make sure you're using the correct volume of resin for your system. If you have a dip tube to shove down into the resin, you can partially fill the fiberglass tank with water and the tube will go in easier. My personal recommendation currently is to get a Rheem at Home Depot or Morton at Menards (whichever store is better/closer for you) for $400-500 plus install (which a local plumber can typically handle for $200-300 if you have the unit sitting there). Some may tell you they won't install it if you bought it they only install X brand and the cost for that is $2,000+ installed, say thanks and keep calling around you'll find a decent plumber at some point. Also... as of 7/25/2025 and writing this I have never seen a saltless unit that actually works. Do not buy the hype! Ask to have your water tested if you get one installed and don't trust the installers word. They typically only are helpful at all if your water is barely hard, something around 4-5grains they can put a dent in that but for 90% of the country they do almost nothing. I have tested water in many houses using them with white hardness film on their dishwashers. You can use potassium if the salt is a problem for you but a properly working softener should add no measurable salt to your water unless you have a major mechanical problem.

@kpinnc yop think the grease is about enough , also agree with the LED lights , also have those in my taillights , getting close to road edge , you can tell that people see them , the wide red glow is effective , pete

LEDs will spoil you. It's nice having lights that actually light up what is in front of you...

I haven’t put together a video yet, but it is soaking in the fridge in water. It’s yummy! Tastes like raspberry water to me!

@Stone I have a 520-H with a Thompson TC10 loader, 350lb lift capacity, that I would consider selling. Pictures below. PM me if you’re interested. I’m 90 minutes from you (in MA).

Due to circumstances that we have both created and not being in control of, we've either inherited or been given different things from several folks over the last several years. One example might be a weed wacker that some guy from New York State brought up. Both of my sisters are pretty good at attacking DIY projects. Maybe more so than either one of their husbands. But my mother is highly cognizant of the extreme level of activity and the dozens or hundreds of projects that my own BBT has and will accomplish. My mom was following in my late father's own footsteps after he passed in that both of them were trying to make sure all of his tools and supplies landed in the most appropriate hands.

I am looking to hang up the wrench professionally in the next year, while I am also trying to build a garage large enough to put up my lift, and accommodate my 10 foot long tool box (Pretty sure my wife doesn't know how big it actually is). I should soon be able to do most things I do at work at home very easily.

I used these with just a light lap in the ID with a die grinder.

Several days ago I began another weight loss phase. This morning I was down 5.8 lb in a week. 255.1 Based on similar human comparisons and educated estimations I would say I am 45 to 55 lb too heavy. I'm in the middle of a Protein Sparing Modified Fast.

Pretty much what we do. We do not tackle house electricity or plumbing. Too much insurance liability. Otherwise all options get weighed carefully.

On our fishing trip last year, we had a couple nights of trodding out in the rain to turn on our bilge pump every couple of hours. This year, I talked my buddy into letting me get his boat out of storage and doing some much needed work to it. Degreased the rear bilge compartment Replaced leaking fuel fill hose Re-wired everything in the back end - counted 17+ butt connectors in my trash can. Repaired a broken bilge pump. But today I did an upgrade that had a very satisfying result. I installed an automatic float switch (solid state) and wired up a new 3-way switch for it (on-off-auto). I've had float switches in the past that fail. If they don't turn on you risk sinking your boat. If they don't turn off you can burn up a pump or completely drain your battery. So, I decided to see if I could add an indicator light to at least let me know if the thing was cycling on and off. No guarantee the pump is working, but at least I'll know then it's powered on.

Today, after giving my yard a haircut. I attempted for the 5th, 6th and 7th time to make a headlight lens for the C-141. By the 7th time SUCCESS! It’s still a work in progress, as I’m painting in the black part that’s like the original in a bit at a time.

Early on, I would invest in a tool for each job I took on, rather than hire out. Fleshed out a pretty well stocked shop this way. Rationalized/ justified the cost that did not go to a contractor. Still do what I can, but hitting the age where I consider hiring out more often.

My brother is giving me his C-160! It hasn't run in at least 15 years. It was put away because his significant other did something? Don't know what. But, I do know that the motor isn't frozen and it doesn't feel like the connecting rods broken. New battery, obviously, replace the gas and oil. What else should I do?

I would say use it as a display piece as well. Chances are that the end of the crankshaft has a star style end on it. Due to the gear reduction on it. So to use for a RJ or suburban you would probably have to change crankshaft. I attached a photo of what I mean by the different end on the crankshaft. But besides all that I'd also say it's a pretty cool find

Just got home before another thunderstorm. We spent the day with my oldest Grandson in at Lehigh University. He gave us a tour of the biophysics lab where he works while working on his dissertation for his physics PHD. Then we took a walking tour of the Stacks. the stacks bethlehem pa - Search

When I started… What it looks like now. Today was more progress on the new Bezel. It just has to dry fully then test fitting and tweaking.

Presuming the engine runs well that is something that can be done later if it presents problems.

Great buy! Interesting diaphragm pump.

Loaders can put a lot of stress on the tractor in many different areas so judging price is hard. Engine, hydraulics, electrical, tires, etc. Also, many owners neglect preventive maintenance and “run ‘er till she breaks” and then fix only what’s broken. Having to dismount the loader for some tasks gives another reason for procrastination. Fixing a “failure to charge a battery" can be as simple as cleaning a corroded wire connection, a modest job of replacing a voltage regulator, or as involved as replacing a shorted stator.

Being a hydro an 84" X 5/8" belt should be fine. 28 bucks at Tractor supply. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/huskee-v-belt-5-8-in-x-84-in-oc-4461842

I think he will be sitting on that for awhile at 4800...maybe he doesn't really want to sell it

Unsure if you're planning on it, but if you're going to use that tractor at night, some LED bulbs will make a world of difference.

Sounds like the mechanical portion (PTO, Mule Drive and mower deck) are not the problem. Also, electrical and safety switches seem to be working fine which brings us down to the engine's ability to respond to a load. Could be the carburetor needs a good cleaning and air filter or something is restricting the exhaust.

Isn't it? I work on cars 9 to 10 hours a day at work, usually without issues, doing complex stuff. I come home and struggle with simple things because I just don't have the same level of tools at home.

We don't have it here. I'd go for it though. Making one's own sustenance from wild caught foods is another of many lost or dying arts/skills.

So my plan for this tractor is a plough tractor but going to try to make it nice. It will still be a rattle can job, I will at least primer and sand. Might even do some bondo.. we'll see... I think I will try to avoid that if I can. Transmission will be rebuilt and I am going to replace the limited slip spring as well. Engine I'm not sure yet how far I am going with that.

Looks like it has a forward swept front axle and heavy duty hubs added to the front. Nice wheel weights and a larger weight box. Also a nice arm rest seat. I’m thinking around $2800-$3200 ?

Load and ready to leave out at 8am Friday morning to Florida to pick some more wheel horses

My son had a mini split system installed last summer and it heated his house last winter on days that were down to zero, kept the house at 70 to 75 with no problem a large one story brick three bedroom house. They have come a long way with these units. It will heat in winter and cool in the summer,very efficient units.He actually saved on his electric bill from a natural gas hot air furnace and some electric baseboard units. Bob

Most of us (even @ebinmaine, I suspect 😁) have a collection of removed WH fasteners. I reuse any I can clean up that are NOT in high-stress or fatigue-inducing locations. But I work on workers, not show units. Waste not, want not.

A C-Series tractor with FEL seems a bit of overkill for "yarn work". My wife seems to get by just fine on that with only some crochet needles.

The newer technology in heat pumps can operate efficiently to supply heat down well below freezing (without using electric resistance supplemental heat). They are also more efficient overall. Depending on the age of your unit, the total cost of replacing it may be less (in materials plus labor), than buying and “splicing in” a new external heat supply. Keep the same simple thermostat control, add no new fuel requirements, and possibly gain lower operating costs during the spring/summer/fall seasons.

Interesting sun rise this morning. There is a crescent moon above the sunrise along with 2 planets.

Great job Eric, I've been gaining weight for 30 plus years. It's been a up and down ride, lose 20lbs then gain 25, losted 50lbs gained 60 back My weight got up to 360lbs November 24, dropped 20ish pounds, got to 344lbs by mid March, gained some back, went to my doc at the VA, my a1c was in the 9s, put me on ozempic, low dose got it down to 5.4,. Talked the pharmacist , trying another medication, appetite suppressant, (don't like taking meds but I got to lose this weight) Anyway, been plugging along and reading this post and I've been trying the fasting thing a little , 15- 20 hours. Seems to be working between the meds and fasting . As of this morning I've lost 81lbs down to 264.4 .plan on another 20- 30lbs. I go to the doctor on Monday, maybe cut back on some of my meds. Any way thanks for this post,and your journey, it helped out. Now if I can just cure my wheel horse addiction. Have a great day.

Are now legal again, it appears. I’m OK with this. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/make-gas-cans-great-again-improving-flow

I was the winning bidder on a pump powered by a Kohler K91R engine. Based on its specs it’s a 1961. I don’t really have a need for it at the moment, but couldn’t pass it up. Here’s what I found about the K91… Model: Kohler K91 Spec Number: 31504A Serial Number: 3019680 Horsepower: ~4 HP Shaft Orientation: Horizontal (most likely, based on spec) Year of Manufacture: 1961 About Spec Number 31504A Kohler’s spec number identifies the exact configuration of the engine — including shaft size, PTO options, mounting patterns, and whether it’s for a tractor, generator, or industrial use. While full public spec decoding guides are rare, the “A” suffix usually designates a factory revision or minor configuration changes. Spec 31504A is known to have been used on early Wheel Horse tractors, most likely models like: RJ-58 RJ-59 Suburban 400 or 550

The unit is a mini split, his can handle 5 air handlers ,advertise to produce heat down to - 20 deg. granted not a lot of heat, most likely at that temp.It has no electric backup for colder weather, just able to recover less heat from the outside temps. Was installed buy a very good German Baptist gentleman with a great knowledge and work ethic, does beautiful work and very dependable. Those are people we look for where I live, great workers to do all kind of work very fair priced also. Bob

Wife and I took a few days off while the kids are away, since our anniversary is next week, and this morning we went fishing. She asked me what I wanted to do about dinner while we were on the boat, I said "let me think about it" and five minutes later pulled up the biggest bass I've ever landed. Dinner solved. Then we came home and took care of some other projects that haven't been happening but need to.

Given your circumstances it seems like the outdoor forced air furnace may be a decent option. We've looked at heat pumps here and of course.. didn't use one. The new workshop space has an AC/Heat combination unit, a heat only unit, and a large wood stove. Up here electricity is on the pricey side but we just consider it a way of life. Ya gotta be comfortable - or at least above to use a space.

Started on the 314A project. Added Sta-Bil and fresh fuel. Tuned the carb ...opened low idle jet almost 1 turn, high jet was OK Started soaking fasteners with PB Cleaned up the hub caps and wheels Jack up one wheel and spin it while using the wire brush on a grinder, then aluminum foil rub. Ya think the fronts were well greased Pete?

The last time I held a “squishy” a baby, it wasn’t oil that I got all over me. 🤣

Trina, her mom, and I have had a relatively productive weekend. Amongst a bunch of other things here's a few pics of some projects. Trina's mom got a hand built bench from another relative a few weeks ago. She primed/painted it white. Then yesterday afternoon Trina threw a couple accent stripes on it. We removed the back doors and The Paint Department sprayed on a coat or 3 of green to go with the in process orange house paint. Trina and her mom built a new improved larger sized handy dandy chicken egg laying box. Here is the result and a happy chicken saying hi. A couple weekends ago(?) I hauled 7 loads of split wood out of the forest using Cinnamon Horse and the orange dumping trailer. Today I pulled another 4. This afternoon Trina and her mom stacked all of it. The shed is now full and another cord plus is stacked outside.