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Was talking to a good friend of mine last weekend at the coffee shop we meet up at every weekend, his son (also a good friend of mine) sadly passed away about three months ago, so he has been busy settling all of that. Anyway he brought it up to me last weekend that he was ready to sell some things, and was wondering if I might be interested in the camper his son had. We have been talking about buying one for a while, for years I have attended various tractor shows and just camped in a tent for the weekend, or a whole week in the case of our show that’s right around the corner. Never has bothered me to sleep in a tent, but Courtney can’t stand sleeping in a tent and informed me after our show last year that if she was going to go this year we were either renting a motel room for a week or buying a camper. That combined with the fact that I knew Rick was going through a rough enough time and not wanting him to have to deal with all the tire kickers and idiots that come with selling something these days, I went ahead and wrote him a check for it this morning. It’s a 2006 Forest River Wildwood LE 27’. We went and picked it up tonight after work, needs some cleaning from sitting for a while, Courtney is going to start on that tomorrow while I put 4 new tires on it and check bearings and all that good stuff before we drag it 100 miles to the show grounds next weekend. Will get more pictures of the inside tomorrow. Almost forgot the free boat that came with it too, he told me to get it out of there as well, no title and the floor is pretty well rotted out, but has a lot of good scrap aluminum in the framework, and two good pontoons I’m going to try and sell to someone wanting to build a floating dock. All I really wanted or had a use for was the trailer. Offered to buy it from him but he insisted that I drag it out to the farm and dispose of it.

Since I got some new Cadillacs I don't need to wear glasses anymore. Now in the shop everyone should wear safety glasses. Well yesterday while wire wheeling the gasket surfaces on tranny halves a bristle came off and headed strait for my face. Missed the eye by an inch and wasn't wearing any protection. No pics or this would have been in bumps and bruises. What's worse is @Achto gave me a real nice set he gets from work. He works in a very industrial environment. Says they got safety machines there that dispense them and gloves and such. He is allowed one a week and just has to swipe his ID to get them. Best part is they have cheaters built right in in different strengths. So SWMBO marches me right out to the truck where she left them and makes me wear them. She says just because protection is no longer needed on the night stand ... and something about Red Ryder and yer gonna poke an eye out. Now I imagine you can get them cheap in the jungle but I like Dan's price ... clean the machine out Dan I'll have them laying every where!!!

Well I didn’t make bread or pancakes but I did make progress. I got all the roof metal on. Just need to trim the ends a little bit. Wasn’t too bad. I ordered the metal 2” longer in case I had a bunch of sawtoothing on the ends from being out of square. I was a 3/16” off across 36’. Not bad for a regular joe.

Uncle Sam Day is observed on September 13 every year. The day commemorates the man behind the iconic image which is synonymous with the United States government. The fascinating nickname for the United States government came to be on September 13, 1766. Uncle Sam is as famous as the stars and the stripes and the eagle that is often used to represent the nation of America. Uncle Sam also makes for a fascinating case study of how an image can successfully represent a bunch of ideals and aspirations. Uncle Sam Day has become a permanent symbol of American strength and idealism.

Funny you should post this @ClassicTractorProfessor ! My wife and I just bought a 27’ Forest River too! We got it in August and have used it three times already. Here’s our first trip to the ocean on Eastern Long Island. It’s a short trip from home,20-30 minutes but felt like a real getaway! Have to air down to 15psi in the truck and trailer or you will get stuck in the soft sand.

@Achto got any thumb protectors in that dispenser for @WHX??

So you can leave 103 pairs at Jim's door step. That unprotected well worn out wire wheel and flannel sleeve are itchin for a fight!

After having camped out in a tent the travel trailer will seem like a mansion on wheels.

Took the "show seat " off of HHHOOOWWWAAARRRDDD!!! and installed a work seat for fall and winter duty

This is sadly quite normal... All of your implements will interchange with the C series. If either 312 had a 37 inch deck, this may be the exception. The 37 inch deck will attach as any other, but will rub the front wheels on any Classic Wheel Horse with 8 inch front wheels. The 520-H might be the exception. The primary difference between early C series and the Classics are sheetmetal. Frame, transmission, and many other parts are identical. The front wheel spindles on the 312 tractors are 1 inch longer to offset the smaller front wheels. The 312 tractors (-8 and -H) were very robust tractors. The -A is a good machine but does have the weaker Eaton 700 transmission. You definitely got a good deal and congratulations!

I've had prescription Z rated prescription safety glasses for about 10 years. Even the new glasses I've gotten since i retired. They really need side shields to be installed to be minimally effective. I'll agree with @Achto - a face shield is needed for effective protection when using high speed rotary equipment - wire wheels (all sizes), grinders, die grinders, Dremel type tools, etc.

Unless you get prescription safety glasses. Even with safety glasses on, a person should use a face shield when using a grinder or wire wheel. https://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-face-shield-70720.html?hftm_sc=3397&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21901739441&campaignid=21901739441&utm_content=173216756551&adsetid=173216756551&product=70720&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21901739441&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4cAr475wwj8WSr_uGGP8J38I&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpqGzoe3VjwMVtlN_AB3ETAmiEAQYAiABEgJ88fD_BwE

Sorry for your friend's loss of his son and your loss of a good friend. Loss of a child is a difficult part of life and dispersing their possessions is hard as well. While checking the bearing and getting new wheels, you might take a look at the shackles and their bolts. When jacking the trailer up, in order to repack our wheel bearings, a couple weeks ago and saw some movement on equalizer and shackle bolts. Below is what I found. Local farm and home supply had everything (~$97) except for equalizer (~$28 from online). As you can see the bolt is grooved, The plastic bushing is worn through and the bolt hole on one end of the shackle is egg shaped. Of course this is a 1983 model and I don't think they have been replaced. Many suggest bronze bushing and wet bolts for longevity. Now that I have new bolts, I'll just keep an eye on the plastic bushings for wear and tear. We don't pull this trailer over 1,000 miles a year. As we age, we appreciate the air conditioner but especially the "plastic throne" in the little room for the midnight visit.

You get those fingernail blood blisters from shaking hands with @Pullstart.

Looks absolutely fantastic (except for the tilted Wheel Horse). Great job !!

When I use the wire wheel or grinder Full face shield!!

Me neither, but I my glasses have saved my eyes from severe damage so many times if I take them off, I get the same uncomfortable feeling I get if I'm driving without a seat belt. Just a few of mine were pieces from a wire wheel that pierced my ear, limbs hitting my face when walking in the woods in the dark, and the one that would have burned out both eyes when one of these exploded, melting my glasses and knocking me unconscious.

Strange thing is, the pair I use for work every day are about 2yrs old.

A Haiku... He's Uncle Sam World still looks to him for much Let's keep standing tall A Limerick... There is man named Uncle Sam His clothes are kinda flim flam But the world does not care That his clothes have such flare When they come to him in a jam

But I would take that one you was to give it to me Sparky ... might even pay abit for it ... Make mine a Trident please thank you... Actually had a Trumpet for a short time. Bought it for a bro who was down on his funds till he could buy it from me. Think that's where I got the notion to buy horses for Dan till he could pay ...

I was able to get some tools hung up yesterday, finally getting somewhere after having this shed for 2 years!!

After a very long break, I'm back at it! First I ran out of work, which meant I ran out of money, and food took priority over paint. And then I had work, but it was interstate so I haven't been home much. Plus winter here is too cold for painting. Finally get around to getting the seat pan and bonnet sand blaster two weeks ago. A few coats of primer this morning, and the first colour coat is down kn the seat pan! Now hopefully I can remember how it all goes back together!

I just scored two non-running 312-8s that are mostly complete for $125. Just wondering how compatible the parts are with my 96’ 314-8 and my ‘75 C160 I’m assuming almost everything would work, just making sure I didn’t buy two tractors that I can’t scavenge for parts. Both motors are free and it’s coming with a snow blade and tiller. I feel like it’s a pretty killer deal, just for the parts even, I see those 12 horse Kohlers selling for a few hundred bucks each by themselves, or maybe I’ll keep them as spares. Anyways, I’ve gone from one horse to 4 in a matter of months.

Bring a first aid kit ...

I decided the sheetmetal was gonna need to be stripped and repainted. But I haven't been able to make time for several weeks. Just for giggles, I decided to try Rustoleum mixed with hardener and a HLVP gun. I was surprised by how well it looked. The hood is gonna take some more work, but the fender turned out better. Time will tell, but so far so good.

What took you so long? That is the beauty of Wheel Horses, parts and implements are interchangeable over a wide range of years.

I'm sure he was wearing the matching bottoms too! ( or matching boxers and work boots. We are talkin Wisconsin! )

Foot rests done today

We used those vending machines also at work for safety stuff and small hand tools. Different classifications had more or less a budget for the month. Maintenance Persons had the most money because of the small hand tools. Screw drivers, channel locks, tape measures, and high use items etc. Saved a ton of cost because we knew who got what and when. One big deal was the machines we available 24/7 so there never was a problem with having safety items and the machines were hooked into the internet and a vendor would restock when low.

I got these cut proof gloves from a friend that works in the utility. I wear them with using the wheel saved me a couple times.as you can see form the skid marks. Like $9 a pair but real tough stuff.

Shhh No no supposed to relie on those Sylvia. I had a pair of prescription safeties but never used them either.

I wear glasses, so I need to get the over glasses goggle type. I get three packs at Harbor Freight... Prescription Glasses alone don't cut it...

Thank you all ! Yes its the small things now that really matter to me. I saved a 67 year old tire that had calcium chloride in ig as originally sold by Wheel Horse with RJ’s purchased new from a dealer. It is going back on my newest RJ acquisition!

Beats me. The only way I am going to change methods of communication mid-conversation is if I decide it is getting to unwieldy for text messages and just turn it into a phone call. And I'll usually warn you first, because I realize people who are actively texting back may not always be in a good spot to take a call.

This is sort of on topic, but wanders a bit off topic. Tool box organization is a constant chore with the high school robotics team I mentor. For most of the team's existence, they were doing good to keep the tool boxes organized by tool type - that matched the label on the tool box drawer. Three years ago, one of the student's senior project was to design and build a set of tool boxes that can also be used to carry everything we need to have in our pit at a meet. They came out well. Many other teams expressed "pit envy" upon seeing our pit set up. Initially, the tool organization issue remained. Last year, we were using some 1/2" thick black foam in the bumpers for the robot. Somebody got the idea to put the laser to work making inserts for the tool drawers with tool shaped cut outs. They worked for the 2025 season, we'll see how it goes for the 2026 seadon. Here is where I wander off subject. Six or eight years ago, our pit assignment at the world championship meet happened to be 5 or 6 pits away from a team that had won several world championships. In fact they had made it to the final world championship playoff round that year, but they lost. I spent a little time watching how they operated their pit, what their robots prep was like - stuff like that. At one point one of the kids on that team put a wrench away. I asked that student to please open the wrench drawer again. It was a mess, just a pile of wrenches. He gave me a questioning look. I replied with a thank you, then explained how he had just given me hope for my team, as our wrench drawer looks the same as his 'world class' operation's wrench drawer. I further explained that he had just shown me that the 'world class' team was just another group of high school students. I've told this story to the students I've mentored many times since. Might have done some good, as our team won the world championship in 2024 - against that same team who has won multiple world championships. The current team realizes that they could win another world championship with hard work, a good robot, and a little luck.

Finally tied into the 1045 tranny. Only been in the shop all summer. Good thing it was laid up Axle bearings & seals only everything else looks kosher.

Hello, I will be needing a couple photos of how the original seat safety switch mounts on a E 141. The new addition to the collection has the wrong switch and it may not be mounted correctly. I will get some pics of the machine up later today i hope. Thanks of course to the info on this website i was able to get the correct part numbers for the key switch,and seat safety switch and order them off ebay.

Anyone ride one? Thoughts or opinions? Got the itch to pick up a used one for knocking around. Want a 2009 or newer to get fuel injection. Would like saddlebags to carry a little bit of gear. Found a 2012 with 11,000 miles about 2-1/4 hours from home, might go out and take a peek if it’s still available next weekend. Has a pair of saddle bags, two seats (stock and Mustang) and a small fairing that may or may not block some wind.

@WHX??

I think I’ll add a muffler before I send it home with him again! The oil pan is also not tapped on the passenger side ( @WHX?? ) so we’ll need some J bolts. IMG_4830.mov

I had 3 serious incidents involving my eyes. 1. Flycutting a flange on a Bridgeport when a brand new Starrett parallel clamp broke in half and the piece was hit by the flycutter and it sent it into my safety glasses destroying them completely. I cleaned the debris from my eye and there was no injury. It was nearly impossible to believe that I lucked out after seeing the glasses. 2. I was filing a workpiece in a vise when I just blew the filings away by mouth and one of the slivers found its way behind my glasses and into my eye and it had to be forcibly removed by an eye surgeon. 3. I was working on a tool block that contained 5 parting tools for a lathe. I was in a separate room well away from any machines and made the mistake of laying the safety glasses aside. That tool block had a failed parting tool that was jammed so tightly that when I just touched the clamp screw with an Allen wrench it shot out like a bullet straight in my eye. The result was a one week hospital stay with both eyes covered. Just stupid simple things that seemed like there should be no problem. Be careful out there, you only get two eyes.

I'm gonna disagree. The most important piece of PPE is the brain. Especially in my line of work. We lift 2500-4000 lb vehicles over our heads and walk around under them every day. I don't care how good your safety glasses, helmet, or steel-toe boots are, if that car falls off the lift on you because you weren't paying attention they aren't going to save you.

Excellent Idea Randy. My top is just 2 x 8s and the guy that built it must not know how to use a level. It tips to the front so bad a socket will roll & fly right off. I think he just wanted a drain for when he spills his beer on it ... @Pullstart notice how organized his tool boxes are??

Just my - I agree with @953 nut, except that you can actually get 3 group 27 deep cells at Costco for less than one lithium ion battery... Great info and really enjoy following along...!

A Bonneville is on my short list of bikes to replace my old Honda CB750K, as soon as I can get that running again and sold. I've always loved the Bonnevilles, old and new generations, but I'll be looking for fuel injection also (I'm done with carbs, I just want to ride, while I can). To me, the Bonnevilles pretty much define what a motorcycle is supposed to look and act like. There's other options out there these days... Royal Enfield has a nice lineup of 650's, and Kawasaki's W800 looks like a really well-built machine (if you can find one). Good luck @Sparky, and keep us posted!

Welcome! Am I the only one finding it strange that this machine+ turned up in NM? I don’t recall that state ever being a great source for such a great package. Congrats!

mine too! A lot of Dads were like that in those years,( froogle and creative ) that generation,the Greatest Generation IMHO.

If I could find the top of my bench I would probably do the same.

hood is off, but i have it and it is in decent shape, from what i understand this came from Georgia and the previous owner passed away while in process of fixing it. Alot of wiring has been altered ALOT as in does not have original charger plug or jack. charger hums when plugged in as if it wants to work but i could not plug it into my working E 141 because of the altered plug system. Drive motor runs along with the deck motors running very quietly and smooth. so whatever issues it may have will be in the control systems. I really feel like Wheel Horse went ruby goldburg on these things taking the simple task of turning some electric motors on and off and turning it into a space shuttle.