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I figured we needed a thread to capture some of the boneheaded moves we make when doing what should be routine stuff. I'll start. Note to Self: When you've got your transaxle put back together and you're ready to fill it with fluid - double check your parts tray to see if the drain plug might still be laying there.

I picked up another WH very close to home. 2 miles away. The fellow moved into a new housing plan with very little yard and no need for it. Very good price as it is off season here.He said it was used to mow a half acre field next to his old house about 6 times a year. I think I have to believe him. No rust just dirty which I will address. It will need a new seat and a hood as he said the hood met with a tree limb. Deck shows no rot or rust at all. Oils are clean. He said he serviced it regular. To dang cold to do much yet. Will probably start with the deck first for a good power wash when weather permits. It will be a camp tractor. It does have the 15 amp charging system. It probably will become a Burgundy stripe machine. 1990 vintage.

Drain plug in - check Oil in - check Gassed up - check PTO disengaged - check Battery charged - check Fire it up and... it's somehow raining oil???!!! Oops - Dip stick reinserted in fill tube? - Not Check I have heard that can happen...

Splash lubrication should be kept inside the engine.

I plow a large area.. For the main driveway start out down the middle casting to the right turn around out in the road an go back still casting right ..Repeat until you have cleared your driveway.

I've definitely done similar. I'm also quite proud of the fact that I have multiple times, attempted to start an engine powered by gasoline without actually having gasoline in it or, perhaps, leave the gasoline flow valve shut. Neither of these things works very well at all.

Thumbs up makers…

I went to start tiny two stroke Toro snowthrower yesterday. Gas full. Check. Primer pumped. Check. Choke on. Check. 5 or 6 starter rope pulls later with no indication of it wanting to start. Step back, scratch head. Ignition on? Not check.

Tire chains on turf tires will provide a great deal of added traction at a minimal cost.

Or flushing out the bottom residue. That is my story.

slightly different but the same. Leaving the PTO on, and trying to start a WH? I know a guy that went to town and bought a new battery then called when it would not start. Is the PTO on? crickets......I'll call you back!

Oh I know what you mean fellows. But I have been around these tractors long enough to know what to look for. There is no wiggle at all at the front hood bottom hinge mounting hardware. No slop in the throttle shaft. My 2000 hour 312 hood wiggles an inch side to side at front bottom hinge points. My throttle shaft wiggled on the carb a good 1/8" before I shimmed it. From what I can see it is for real. And the old fellow didnt strike me as a con man. Hardly any wear on the floor boards. Just some dirt. I took my chances.

Personally, I would just clean up your old points. The material they use on the new points just don't seem to last like the old ones did. This can be said of the Kohler ones as well.

I got to thinking about this and my last snafu I was working on Frankie and needed to run it and check some things. Robbed a battery out of another and hooked it up in Frankie. Hit start (I have one of those solenoids with the button to activate, tractor is not wired yet) and the starter just spun, the bend-ex did not engage. Worked fine the last time. HMMMM Messed around poking and prodding. Well got to take starter off. Went to unhook battery and seen the + and - crossed. Starter was spinning backward. That bend-ex was never coming out. Hmmm dumb a$$. I believe I done this on an xi with using the key switch one time.

December eleventh is International Mountain Day. Take a scenic hike or drive up a nearby peak, try adventurous sports like mountain biking and skiing or camp out and sleep under the stars. Mountains are some of the most beautiful of nature’s structures, stolid and regal they stand against the sky, of such a size that they can catch entire countrysides in their shadow, and turn back the ravages of storms against their unflinching sides. There are a number of reasons why International Mountain Day is loved by people all over the world. This includes the fact that mountains are scarce in some areas of the world, which makes them precious to a lot of people.

Nah, that's just called "Priming the threads on the Drain." Gotta make sure it works when you need it again!

Keep the camper on while plowing??

I always plow 8’ at a time. That usually works best for me…

Pressure washed and mounted some 24-12-12 wheels and tires on Ol Thumper (C160). Almost to cold to play in water and got my feet wet..

I can’t hoist a jack, I can lay a track, I can pick, and shovel too… Walnut sheller:

Oh do I have a bunch of these ... Gas cock off/tank empty ... multiple times. Trying to diagnose no start with the spark wire not on the coil...

I’m sure I’ve missed quite a bit on RedSquare since Thanksgiving, but I can attest that the U.S.S. Arizona still leaks her oil to this day. Pearl Harbor is a somber tomb, and active military base all at the same time. The hustle and bustle of the 1.2 million population city on such a small island relatively seems to drown out the reality of what took place all those years ago. It’s like we step into this base from a small NYC, and anre expected to change gears from that hustle to paying respects. I wish there was no bustle, I wish it was not so grown up. I don’t know if irony has a place in this story, but the aircraft carrier coming into port for the day was the U.S.S. Nimitz. As with any military vessel coming into or leaving port, Her crew stands attention lining the deck paying respects due to the Arizona and Missouri, until their commanding officer gives the signal to return to their normal duties aboard the ship.

One tip I can share, if you might or know that your going to fluid fill the tires, I coat the inside with POR or equivalent to reduce rusting of the rim. If time permits. Fronts are Super Extra Grip 23 10.50 12 Rears Destone 23 10.50 12 The destone set good on the 7 inch rims. The "on size" 23 10.50 12 tires, ie Carlisle, tend to balloon the side walls a bit and set much nicer on 8 1/2" wide rims. On 7 inch rims.

It's all about price Cheapest option Deestone D405 they run smallest on width 10.5 size is more like 8.5 in actual width however other then that they really are a good tire. I have had one on my tractor 5 years and used a brinly plowed with them did great BKT TR315 here is a comparison with the Deestone which are on the tractor however the BKT's aren't on rims so so that will cut the width down a bit but i would say it's about 1/2" wider then the deestones both of these are 10.5 width size Otr lawn trac and Carlisle tru powers I believe both of those run close to true size from what I have heard. But to be honest if you want to do plowing you might actually do better with the narrower tire or you can get the Lawn Trac and Carlisle in the 8.5 width as well.

Today I used both of mine to hold down the garage floor. Both are out of commission until tomorrow at least, and probably Saturday. Mechanical fuel pumps failed and started leaking again, so I'm biting the bullet and going electric.

Just finished plowing snow with the 654. 20251211_170301.mp4

Keeps weight on the rear wheels...

Note to self: Remember that line for future reference.

You n your technicalities.....

Yeah! “Cool" and apt.

I do two adjacent driveways so I use a modified Zamboni pattern much as described. The third drive gets its own mini pattern in same fashion. Very few blade changes...

That is a drawbar intended for pulling and no more than a moderate tongue weight. Not especially thin, no, but it is a casting, not forged, and not reinforced for the load you are adding. You’ve created a lever. If there is 50 pounds of downforce centered 12” from the pivot pin and the other end of the drawbars is two points maybe 3” from the pivot then static pressure alone is 100 pound of force on each tiny point. Hit a bump and the pressure could easily double or triple.

to the Please don't use ether. Use regular gasoline to spray into the carb. If it runs OK by hand feeding fuel into the intake, and the fuel pump spurts a good supply of fuel to the carb., there is a problem in the carb. Clean the carb again paying attention to the shut off needle in the bowl.

I always make that first full blade pass down hill. Then I can use less blade if necessary to maintain traction on the uphill return pass.

Well, we finally got some plow-able snow. I think around 10" The trusty 520HC plowed that snow with no complaints (it has been back in the heated shop for a few hours so the snow is melted off of it). Yard looks much better now. Driveway is gravel so I have the blade skids set up around 5/8" or so.

I installed hourmeter, there were cables ready so I just hooked it up, after some cutting and drilling of course. New ignition key switch was installed too. By the way I noticed that I don't have any power in cables for lights switch :/

Finally got a chance to swap the 24-12-12 to the C160 today. Had plenty of room and wheel back space was perfect for tractor, no spacers needed didnt even come close to hitting anything . The tires hold air but I want to get some loaded ag/tractor tread tires to go on it Probably will be after Santa Claus has time to recoup from spreading cheer everywhere though.

My last Genuine Kohler points were stamped "made in Mexico". There are not many Kohler engine parts made here in the USA anymore.

Good sources for tires when you do decide: https://www.millertire.com/categories/lawn-garden-tires/ https://lawnmowertirestore.com/lawn-garden/lawn-mower-tires.html Amazon is good as well. Here's my setup for plowing. Carlisle Tru Power 23x10.5-12 ags for the rear and Vredestein 16x6.5-8 V61 5 rib for the front. All are fluid filled and weighted.

Apparently I didn't hit the go button on an earlier attempt to post. She's all done. I opted for a very simple setup fully 'portable' if the blower would end up on a different tractor. Simply plugged in to a power point and a magnet on the control box. I pointed the ram down because I'm thinking that would be the area most likely to let water in. As far as spinning the entire chute I'm good with that manual crank.

Exactly my strategy when I must operate the tractor on sloped areas. I use 2-link chains on “all purpose” treads and they dramatically improve traction for braking as well as pulling.

@Lee1977 recommended my tires and I have been really happy with them. No fluid however I put tubes in. Great tires. Should last my lifetime.

I (WE) square folks all have a lot of plates spinning or whatever the best metaphor is? I have done that more times than I care to admit. Fixing supper, cycling laundry, mowing, doing an oil change, watering my garden, taxes etc. etc. etc. Uh oops drain plug is not in. Oil not usually. Antifreeze I do that often. Life may be easier with a significant??? or more complicated. I.D.K.I am super single. I intend to stay that way. All the things land on me. either way no harm no foul really right? Slight frustration and you catch it before you pour all the fluid soon good

. First run after complete K181 engine overhaul. Always a fingers crossed time hoping no loud banging noises. Don't know what happened to the sound Try again

Well...... I now have a beautiful 308-8 that has been a snow mover for an ORIGINAL owner, It has a nice 48 inch blade and well serviced........ I always plow with my Z-71 1989 Silverado, as it is my 35 year snow mover... I usually don't plow 3 inches or less with the Truck, so....I have started to use the 308. It is an incredible snow mover, never loses grip, always in control . Here is my question...... What have you guys found to be the best pattern to move the snow without constantly changing directions?...whether with the blade or the tractor??? I have been angling left or right , then pushing 50 70 feet ,then swinging a circle and plowing back on the other side, windrowing to the appropriate piles / rows. I have a C-160 I can toss the blade on if you guys think its faster. I am just used to BIG CHEVROLET and being done in 5-10 Minutes. I am now Retired so I want to play a wee bit longer outdoors. I do have a plow route for the 3" and up people, I acquired them in 1985. I just cant justify plowing a driveway for 2 inches and charging them .............This is a picture of the original owner as he now live in NON snow land. The 308 is well cared for JOHN

Seems like it would hard to maneuver with that camper on the back.

It's not very thin, but it is cast iron, it might fine to work with and not break, I just wasn't sure it it would break something with all the weight you have. I'm sure someone with a little more knowledge about all of this could chime in and give us both a little more information as I am still kinda new to Wheel Horse.

And finally, weight. Rears are loaded. Wanted to try something to add weight at little to no cost. 5 gallon bucket, some old rotors, and some of the hardware I've been meaning to clean out of the shop anyways. I ended up gusseting the hitch bar to make sure it didn't bend at the factory bend point. The base is channel iron, long enough to go back and be notched around the hitch bar so it can't rotate. The channel is welded to a rotor and then guides for the bucket are added. The top is also a rotor, and both rotors have steel plate welded to the centers and 1/2" hole drilled for the all thread to pass through. The top rotor has guides to center it on the bucket. Will have to do some trials to see if I need to remove weight so the steering isn't too light. Brief test run a few minutes ago went well, but that was with the blade up.

At the golf course we stopped buying used equipment. Very specific folks would replace the hour meter, run it up a bit, and sell it like it was gently used. Shady! I bought a 63 Ford falcon when I was 15. It had 75000 on the ticker and an alleged rebuilt engine. It looked new however it had just been power washed and painted. It had rolled over and was used up. Lasted about two tanks of gas. Rebuilt and lasted through college. Long story sorry. I could tell 1000's more. Seems like you have to watch everyone. This machine looks great for its age. Pretty unlikely that it has 10352 hours.

Comment redacted, reconsidering.