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Celebrate the Navy’s Birthday on October 13 and recognize the brave men and women who have served our country — past and present. Established during the Revolutionary War, the original Continental Navy was formed, disbanded, and then reestablished nearly 10 years later. Today it’s the largest and most capable navy in the world, with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage. The Navy also boasts the world’s largest aircraft carrier fleet, over 300,000 active personnel, and nearly 100,000 in the Ready Reserve. A few fun-facts about the US Navy; General Washington commissioned two small schooners to patrol in and around Boston Harbor as the Revolutionary War heated up — eventually leading to the Navy we have today. The Massachusetts cities of Beverly and Marblehead have long argued over which was the birthplace of the Navy — which takes no official position on its place of origin. All submariners are volunteers, those serving on submarines are among the most highly trained personnel in the military. If not for the Navy, James T. Kirk would have been captain of the USS Yorktown Star Trek’s USS Enterprise was originally called the Yorktown. After some debate, creator Gene Roddenberry eventually renamed it. SEAL Team 6, officially known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group — along with Delta Force — are the most highly trained elite forces in the U.S. military. On a personal note, if you travel through Fort Pierce, FL, visit the UDT/SEALS Museum. I had the honor of being one of the founders of this museum and am proud of the way it represents team members past and present. This was the birthplace of special forces in World War Two with the formation of the Underwater Demolition Teams, UDT.

Had our contest today. And the winner. And a pumpkin cake. Got some, post them here?

The winners were Ed and Mrs. K watching their grandchildren having fun together.

@953 nut grandson in the marines , crew chief on a c130 j , made his own way , started out in a class of 54 , 7 made it . going to collage next , proud grampa , pete

and Columbus Day too. Hats off to all the Sailors Lots of old friends served.

Been working on a very special Farmall A, but had some down time waiting on parts I ordered to come in, so spent the day cleaning the shop and then pulled the water pump off of the 1941 Farmall M, and got a parts list together of everything we need to get to get it up and running where we can use it alongside the 1951 Allis WD to do our yearly mowing before winter comes in

And sometimes you find them in the bottom of a bucket of stuff you didn't even know you had!

I'm one o' those slightly unusual folk that wouldn't mind living to see how things go for a super long span. Ain't likely I will. And that's ok. Be happy. Be nice to others. You'll either live one more day or several decades. Make the time positive. Best you can do.... 💜

Back in the old days, the old timers ( I suppose that is some of us now) used ATF as a motor flush. Kind of a running flush thing. They would put a quart in the engine prior to an oil change to clean it up. Says it had more detergent. I figured it did. Some mixed ATF with acetone 50/50 for penetrating fluid. I have some of both might give it a try. Might be close to MMO? I really never had seized up engine. But have had some old ones that turned rough. I used Kroil oil in those and it helped. I actually used Kroil once to clean a steal gas tank with nuts. Worked okay and seemed much less aggressive than acid. Expensive tho

I got in a hurry and sagged the paint on the side but it still looks better.

999,999 now that I am retired... Yep I could could mess cook like no other ...

Psstt ... and your telling us??? Did you not see Lane's garage??? Gave a 55 RJ chassis a bath before washer goes bye bye for winter ... now if I could just get at the motor in this disorganized mess ...

Mounted the hood. Paint will need buffing more once it's fully cured but at least the top looks decent. Of course the plastic tank I had planned to use won't let the hood latch engage. Turns out the gas cap sits about 1/16 higher than the underside of the hood. I thought this hood was basically identical to the newer C-series hoods, but something is different. I think the holes at the sides for the latch are 1/4 higher. I'll have to measure the Bronco and compare... So I'll use a smaller 1 gallon steel tank. It's plenty of fuel for this engine. And it lets me shut the hood.

@Ed Kennell that seat was originally for my daughters and in what sometimes seems like the blink of an eye it’s now for my granddaughter

@peter lena Here comes one into Groton, I took this from the ferry from Orient Point L.I. to New London back in August.

I'll have to go out back and see if I have any old Lincolns laying around.

A couple with lights.

Here ya go Mike ... Dan loves these & got a bunch of them ... givin 'em away ...

I’d do like @oliver2-44 said. Pull the spark plugs and shoot some Marvel Mystery Oil in cylinders, then let it sit for a day or two. Looks like it also might need an axle seal, which shouldn’t be a big deal because the hub should come off relatively easily if it has been leaking oil on the axle for a while. Tractor is a 1981. My C-175 was in worse shape before I brought it back to life.

Just planted a redwood seedling... about 2' tall... natural baby from my neighbor's 40+ footer... my great great great great grandkids should really enjoy it...God willing and the creek don't rise...

Hang in. I’m about to spend some bucks to plant some young trees. I’ll enjoy them for what they offer for as long as I can.

@mrc Thanks yes I’m getting ready start on disassembly but going to pick up longer bolts for the tranny. Never would have thought of that, so many helpful folks here well worth the price of admission and more . thx

It pretty well drained down. Then I disassembled and rebuilt the pump, new hoses and rebuilt cylinder also so it’s all new

I've heard tell that The lighter out of the back doors on some 60's vintage Lincoln's is the same. Of course those old Lincoln's are also easy to find.

@Achto got a bucket of stuff at auction once... mostly tranny gears?? ... and there was some at the bottom.

@JoeM Damned if I know what is in it? It’s a mystery!!! All I know is that it works. I had a small block Chevy that was seized, people told me it was junk. I filled the cylinders with MMO, every day I put a breaker bar on the crankshaft. After two weeks I got it to move a little bit. After three weeks it broke free and I got it running just fine. Anytime I store an engine or have a tractor I know I’m not going to use for a while I put it in the fuel until it smokes like crazy, then run it out of fuel, then pull the plug and shoot some in the cylinder. Smokes a bit on start up but quickly clears up. I truly believe it helps.

When we were selecting materials for our new house we told the contractor we wanted a "Lifetime Roof". We were both 67 at the time and he said a 30 year shingle should do the job. The math is correct but hearing that sorta' stung.

At first I thought we had to pick a winner then I saw there was already one chosen. this my pic me and this guy got the same dentist!

Looks like a mighty nice piece of scrap to weigh in.

Trina's family has a look looonnngg standing tradition of Goin' apple pickin' 🍎 every year... for DECADES. They figure they haven't missed one in at least 30 years. Even then it was because some folks were 1000 miles away but some folks still went... My own past was also into the tradition but not quite so often or steadily. Well this year the grand baby is 16 months old and starting to walk/run explore. Most apple farms in this area have the standards in place. Apples in trees. Apples on the ground. Apples in bags for sale. U-pick. They pick. Whatever. Then some attractions like a playground and/or old machines to stare at. Cute little farm stand or store with various apple or other products for sale along with an assortment of ... various variables. Trina's daughter wanted to try a more "retail" farm with lotsa stuff to do. Ricker Hill Farm is all that & then some. The place is it's own destination. All of the above and on the grand scale. They even run a literal tractor & hay wagon commuting service for the whole day. Yesterday we happened to be there during a Craft Fair as well. All local. All home made items. This is Jaxon eating an apple his way. 1. Peel with teeth. 2. Discard peel. 3. Eat the nummy section below ridiculous annoying peel. This is how we hunker down below a tree and really set to munchin' Don't mess with him in this mode. We tried to get the kid to make a funny face but only the Bear succeeded. This bouncy house obstacle course was HUGE. Trina - being an average 5 year old - had to go through it. So she took the kid. These red standing pieces would bend towards you and knock you sideways. Jaxon kept going near, getting knocked over, and laughing really hard. Repeatedly. So eventually Trina stuffed him through. Here's the hay wagon ride settin with "Pappy Bear" nice n comfy after a busy few hours...

Just over 28 years ago I was on this house (my brand new house) nailing on the 3 tab shingles myself with help from a buddy that was good at roofing. Today I watched a crew strip it and re-roof it. Quite a bit of compromised sheathing unfortunatly. Done one day before a massive storm (rain & wind) will hit us.

I’m not much of an old timer yet, but I use ATF quite often as well for fuel system and engine oil system cleaning.

A great way to efficiently set up your plow is to give your land slide (tail) about 2” clearance to the ground when you set the suck point of the plow on the ground. There’s a few tips in this thread:

We call those " Fire Starters " or " Lites no Workies"

@ cseries don , also worked at PFIZER 30 years right on the thames , saw them all the time . neat to be on the job , and get a terrific view of SAIL FEST , coming up from NY , SQUARE RIGGERY at its best . also while on shifts at the caffeine shop , if you were on midnights , get the 4TH of july fireworks display , like you were inside of it without the crowd . AWESOME , pete

Some very talented carvers there. Not their first time doing carvings, that’s for sure! 👍 🎃 Adding a shameless plug for The Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze put on by the Historic Hudson Valley organization. Lest one think this is a quaint “local” event, note that I regularly see buses with CT, VT, NH, MA, and NJ license plates in the parking lot. I have no affiliation with the event. The content changes so it has felt fresh for each of my three visits. An affiliated “Blaze” is also out on Long Island.

I think the foot rests might actually be thicker metal on the work horse. The hood is equally strong once the brace is added. I replaced the rear fender with the later model one mainly to gain the large opening for the hydro cam access because I converted my machine from 8 speed to hydro. I don't think the original one is thinner metal, just a slightly different shape with different holes punched into it.

Go to the Wheel Horse illustrated parts list to find the original WH part number - 6449 item #9 https://www.partstree.com/models/01-17ke01-c-175-toro-garden-tractor-1980/transaxle-24/ Then go to the top of our transmission section where you will find some pined posts. Look through them for an alternate SKF/Chicago Rawhide part number which you can get from any auto jobber and Napa. There are other seal makers like National that will have a replacement for the 6449.

@953 nut submarine base 7 miles from my house , in groton ct . always busy , pete

Here is a pic of the hood without brace. Unfortunately I did not get a good pic. Here is the brace welded in. Any later model hood will have it already installed. This is the rear fender original VS later model (I used one from a 416H on my GT1600). The rear decal is also slightly thinner on the later models but terry made mine to fit.

I was thinking plane prop hub

The belt set-up is desinged to slip at the point where you have it tight. Try putting a 90 degree bend in that metal piece to not make it tight against the belt, but to funnel any slack toward the drive pulley. I know this is not your engine, but the bottom of belt guard should help funnel the slack toward the drive pulley I also notice surface rust on your drive pulley. All 3 of your pulleys need to shiny clean and wiped with mineral spirits so the belt can slide around the drive pulley, thus letting the input pulley on the trans to stop so you can shift gears without grinding. Clean the pulleys and bend that stay you have there. You want that stay to keep the belt on the pulley, but not so much that it can't slip on the drive pulley when you put slack in the belt. Think of funneling it in a direction. Your pulleys do not look clean and shiney...the belt needs to slide around that drive pulley when slack is put there. One other small point...a system that works like I am talking about will keep your horse from bucking like a bronco when you let out the clutch. An unexpected wheelie can put a small Wheel Horse on top of you. Always start out in low throtle and keep the front wheels on the ground.

So, you operate the lift and steering wheel and Mrs. Don operates the motion control and blade angle?

I have 7/16" to 9/16" thin wrenches I used on hospital equipment. The 7/16" is great for those carb bolts. I have a bunch of 11/16" 3/4 and 7/8 " flame wrench modified wrenches " I used on some large air handler motor belt tension adjusters.

Did a few things today. New wheel on my B-80 36 inch mower deck. working on a transmission to change on a RJ. Cracked the drive pulley but had a couple extras. Also put Schnacke recoil back on my new to me RJ. With one of the new 1 1/2 inch hex nuts i had made. 7/20 fine thread on both ends of the 1 1/2 inch long 7/8 hex nut. Made so you can turn it around and use again if the hex gets rounded by the three recoil fogs!

Today I did something I’ve been meaning to do for years. Take the transmission and hydraulic system out of this 416-H. I took out the wiring harness and might save the spindles and steering wheel. This tractor was given to me and was already in rough condition. I lent it to a buddy to use around his farm. He is not known for taking good care of his equipment, so that’s why I let him use this particular tractor. Well after a few years of use he called me and said it’s making a funny noise. I went there and listened to it, it was knocking like crazy. Checking the oil I found none on the stick. I was not surprised or mad because I knew this could happen with this guy. Luckily the transmission oil was full so I drove it around and it worked fine. I brought it back home a few months later and it sat in my back yard for a few more years. So I decided today was the day to finally do this and junk the rest. While I was working on it my granddaughter decided that she wanted to clean and work on her tractor too! I was absolutely thrilled to have her in the garage with me! ❤️

Footrests and pads wiped down with contact cleaner to ensure a clean surface for the adhesive to stick to. Footrests masked off where adhesive is not required. Footrests and pads sprayed with two coats of 3M 90 adhesive. When adhesive had dried to a slightly tacky state I removed the masking and carefully applied the pads. I use the little roller shown to firmly set the pads into the adhesive and remove any air bubbles if any are present. Pads are fully installed.