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C-81 is still in the garage getting stuff taken care of (867 comes in next). The front attach-a-matic was missing the lower bar thingy. It came with one for me to install but it was super crusty. Luckily I had one in stock that was less crusty. Then swapped out the 22x7.50’s on the rear for the correct 23x8.50’s. Again these tires/wheels were stacked up in my shed, it’s great to have spares! Much better look

Hello Everyone I'm from California. Just signed up. I own a 1973 Wheel Horse C-120 with the 12hp Kohler. I use it mainly for mowing and snow plowing around the property. It’s been a solid machine and I’m slowly working on getting it cleaned up. I'm joining to pick up tech tips, parts info, and to see what other guys are doing with their Horses. I’ve got a lot of respect for the history behind these tractors. Appreciate any advice and glad to be part of the community.

The search is now over! I have finally found a 42” mid mount grader blade for my 1257 after searching for about 8 months.

July 7, 1986, former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter spend a hot summer day in Chicago, celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary while building a home in the West Garfield Park neighborhood for the Georgia-based nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.

Got to try out my new hitch that I made for the 520H. “Opie” approved also he said it beats walking….

I would go with an older C series like a C-120. There is enough sheet metal and bits in the way on the newer 300 series when it comes to getting at the rock shaft connection when changing attachments. Plus I think the metal and paint is more durable on the older models.

Here’s the ol 1257 with the 1311 50” sickle bar. The assembly has original decals and original “patina” paint. Works as it should. It has a “new old stock” wheel horse belt I put on it. Everything’s lubed, 30 weight oil in the wobble box, etc.

Finally, after missing my other one I sold a few years ago, I bought one at the big show today. Looking forward to gettin it in top shape.

If the correct part number was used to order it, then it looks like he sent you the wrong lever. I'd ask about a replacement before trying to modify it.

We spent a total of 40 minutes at the buyer’s house, and we were back on the road home. I dropped my buddy Aaron off to his wife at a reasonable meeting point and kept trucking. Stopped by the bank to deposit the cashier’s check (it cleared @stevebo) and just pulled into the driveway. 31 hours even on the road and about 1950 miles travelled! As a bonus, my road got tarred and feathered (Chip sealed) while we were gone!

Europe: if you leave Berlin driving West at the posted speed limit and drive for 2 hours you have crosses two international borders. US: if you leave Dallas and drive West for two hours at thebposted speed limit you are still in Texas. If you did it at rush hour you are still in Dallas.

That’ll show those tailgaters!

Gist of a long conversation with a seatmate on a flight from Frankfurt to NY in the late 80’s--mostly in German, some English (back when I was fluent): Handy Don: Vacation or work trip? German Tourist: Vacation HD: What are your plans? GT: I’m renting a car and plan to drive to Niagara Falls, Washington D.C., Boston, and then back to NYC. I’d like to spend a day or two in each place. HD: (initially speechless) You may not realize how far that is. Probably close to 1,500 miles, or about 2,400 km. How long are you staying? GT: I leave next Saturday on the overnight flight. [We are on a flight arriving on Sunday at about 7 PM--so not quite six days] HD: Are you aware the speed limits are less than 100km per hour on most of your planned route? That will mean many hours in the car. He wasn’t. I tried to convince him that 12 hours driving for an hour or two at Niagara falls wasn’t a good use of his time, but that NY, DC, and Boston were each worthy of several days. The Falls was non-negotiable but he agreed to skip Boston!

Calander shot right there. Beautiful dog, barn, and tractor.

Actually that "patina" tractor came from Rodney Burger. He took it to the LeSeuer , Minnesota Swap Meet in April several years ago. The hood was painted purple. My brother David Ralph bought it and it set unused for several years -a waiting some attention. Craig Hearne told me how to paint a tractor with "new patina". I cleaned it and lightly sanded and steel wooled the entire hood. I did not think you could do it but it worked real well. You take Rustoleum red primer, flat black and and red you want (I use Rustoleum Regal red) and lightly spray the three at different intervals until you have a "new patina" finish. And, yes I was skeptical but it worked great. Last photo is the "new patina" RJ as sold to the new buyer.

Thank you all for your kind words, care and thoughtfulness. It means so much. This truly is a community where each one cares for one another. The picture was on Rita's 72nd birthday last year at a birthday party for my daughter's mother in law's birthday party for which they shared the same birthday, and they honored Rita as well. Warmest regards, Dan

So my oldest “kid” just closed on her first house. Nice property, about 1/2 acre, decent sized gravel driveway. The previous owners are leaving them a JD L110 with some minor issues that will allow them to mow grass the rest of the season but is not the right solution. They need a proper tractor. I’ve already decided I want to find/put a WH together for them…..or course this happens just weeks after the big show…DOH! Anyway, son in law is mechanically capable (daughter, not so much) but I’m close enough to help with the learning curve. Here are my thoughts, please feel free to add suggestions or ideas. i think I’d like to find them a single cylinder tractor with a hydro trans and preferably hydraulic lift as well. Something like a 314H or similar. 42” or 48” deck would get the job done. Worst case, I could slap my old 36” RD on it. Also thinking a plow setup for winter. I think that would be preferred over a snow blower due to the gravel. Son in law is a chef, and they have had nice gardens at their previous places. If it works out, I wouldn’t be surprised if they would be plowing out a decent garden in a year or two. I was thinking this setup would give them the biggest flexibility with the least complexity. not a help/wanted ad, just looking for input from anyone who has done something similar for someone

There fixed that for ya ...

I got my cracked f plate welded up today. How come you gave a frame with a cracked f plate Kevin, I want a refund. At least it gave me some welding practice.

There fixed that for ya...

Don't let that stop ya. I have two. One from New York and one from North Carolina. USPS.

Good safety suggestion, always try to avoid rear-end collisions.

I believe the caution sticker says "Don't rest your feet on the blade". Is there anybody who doesn't use their feet for downward pressure? It's easy to tell how much downward pressure you have and then let off on low spots. I have the newer wider push style also. It has a wedging action contributing to down pressure. They both have their advantages. I like to loosen up the gravel with a weighted drag section before I grade. It does a better job of uprooting the weeds that have crept into the driveway. After grading I rake up the uprooted weeds with a leaf rake. I need to find a safe weed killer. I'm leery of Round-up.

Sweet, so my idea should work. I'm thinking of using one for a brake light switch for my tractor.

Should be normally open. It closes when the peddle is depressed to complete the circuit between the key switch and the starter relay.

Picked this up yesterday. Was only an hour away. Seller said it was sitting for a few years so he had it serviced to get it running. Was asking $800. Got there & cranked w/no start. Ended up getting it for $300! Got it home & after using my small benchtop 20v blower to pressurize fuel tank it started right up! Everything appears to function. This will be new tractor to use with my Bervac. After the heat wave is over I'll go through it addressing maintenance & any possible needed repairs. Paint is faded so hopefully I can get it reconditioned. Have to get manuals printed off & definitely wanna address the "known issues" with this model. Onans are all new to me. 20260702_160202.mp4

Busy week. Picked up the exchange student we hosted in 1999/2000 schoolyear and his family (5 kids 8 to 17, and his parents) at O'Hara in Chicago last week Sunday. Went to the Art Museum on Monday and the Field Museum on Tuesday - downtown in a Transit 250 15 passenger van. Drove to our lake house in Michigan on Wednesday. Went Shopping inLansing (1 hour drive) on Thursday. Chilled out at the lake Friday and Saturday. More shopping in Grand Rapids (1 hour drive) on Sunday. Drove to Dayton, about 5 hours, today. The rest of this week looks as busy as last week. We will end up in Bowling Green Ky. before returning them to O'Hara for their flight home next Sunday. I absolutely loved watching his kids at the lake. Just made the lake house really come alive. I'll have to mark up our travels on a map of the US to show them how small the area they traveled is compared to the rest of the country.

Install an electric fuel pump.

I have used this technique to create a matching patina on sheet metal that required some welding repairs.

I missed this, and my 701 isn't yet finished- but here is my submission:

While the warden took an overnight trip to Buffalo, I made a bit of progress on the unit. I took it apart, gently washed all the pieces with soap and water, then rubbed in my favorite juice and keeping its “patina.” Greased and lubed what was needed, and started putting it back together. It has all the original decals in good shape.

The small wire is the feed from the key switch. It supplies power to the solenoid coil so it will pull the contacts closed that connect the battery cable to the starter cable. If you don't have power at that small wire when the key is in start, a thousand solenoids won't fix it. Make sure your PTO lever is fully closed.

I used to grease with hi temp grease the kiln cars at the brickyard many years ago. We had the hand pumper like yours, and one you pumped with your foot.

This was the basic recipe. Instead of jalapeno peppers I used mild longhorn peppers, I also added 1 cut up habanero pepper to each 1/2pt jar. https://www.food.com/recipe/candied-jalapeno-or-cowboy-candy-453141

Made some sugar and vinegar cucumbers. Added a few radishes and spring onions for bling. Picked enough blackberries for a pie. Then outa the kitchen to the shop to make a connecting link for the 20hp kicker motor on the boat. The motors 150 and 20 hp Johnsons could be started and shifted from the helm, but only the 150 could be steered. The 20 could not be steered so when it was being used, the 150 was used as a rudder which was not a very responsive steering system. With this connecting link both moters will be steered from the helm making it much more effective when pulling crab traps.

Bob, you got some remarkable photos! My take was to capture those that came as quickly as possible so they could get back to their day. Yes, the announcements do get tuned out by many (there are too many and they’re too verbose), but @953 nut did put up posters and post it on the forum--and we were on time both days. As it was, a couple of latecomers posed themselves outside the shot on Friday (next time we can use some sort of physical boundary! And I’m sure some members just chose not to be in a photo. On Friday, I was thinking back to the traditional group shot at my high school graduation. Even in that well-planned and structured situation, someone had to chase down one grad who was leaving to go to a party--she figured the picture wasn’t important to her (her father had a distinctly different opinion, expressed loudly and openly, that her CLASS was more important than a party).

Adjusted the governor arm on the shaft so the governor is functioning now. Ran to Ace Hardware for a 1/2”x39” belt and a longer 7/16” x 3” grade 5 bolt that was needed to mount the 6908 drive pulley on the gear drive deck. I also grabbed a heavy spring that had similar specs as the 5185 spring in the RL-366 mower parts diagram. However the spring had an extra length hook on one end, which I figured was a bonus as i could shorten it to the length needed. Thanks to @Horseoholic for dimensions, i made a 5385 link from bar stock that goes between the spring and the idler. In the RL-367 destructions manual it says to attach the spring to the 7th hole in the frame. On this Raider, the 7th hole is the front hole of the tower, looking at picture in the RL-367 manual, the hole that the spring is anchored to is not there on my Raider. I made a tab 1-1/2” long with a hole to attach the entire length of the Ace spring to MY 7th hole. Since the Raider has footboards, the link and spring are hidden behind it. I had to trim the front footboard bolt 1/4” because it interfered with the link where it comes through on the back side, but it all works well. The belt keeper on the idler doubles as a boot guard. The shimmed drive pulley spins true and freely. If i’m thinking correctly, i may try moving the throttle spring down one hole at the governor so the governor allows a little more throttle up the hill. Seemed to be dropping a bit too much rpm before the governor takes over. I picked the deck up at the Big Show. I only pulled the gear covers off to have a peak, but i didn’t disassemble anything. Some axial play in the cross shaft, but i’ve run much worse. The right blade shaft woodruff needs replacing, not sheared but i can tell it’s worn pretty bad from the slop. Both blade shafts have some radial play, hoping the shafts aren’t worn too bad. Just need to finish out the season and i’ll replace all of the bearings before next year. Loaded it up with grease. It mowed, but it looked really skippy. I shut it down and checked. Sure enough, the right blade was on the left and the left was on the right. This is the second gear drive deck i bought like that. It cuts perfectly now with the blades on their correct sides. Need to order a rectifier yet and some trans seals. Brakes barely work at all on these old 3/6spds… especially backwards, on a hill, when the brake drum and band are saturated with gear lube. IMG_2076.mov

So I offered to get this franken driving for Brett Esse of Portage Show proprietor fortune and fame. He offered to pay me for the work, which I refused, and I had to explain to him the difference between a hobby and a job. Actually is a cute little tractor and runs fairly decent. Started out life as a 656 with a K181 repo. Floor boards added but nicely done. Problem is the tranny is locked up solid and all the diesel and kerosene in the world is not going to help. @Achto sold him an off the shelf spare tranny to put in it to get it driving and ready to be sold at the show. Pics of the adventure. What flush fluid looks like after a month of setting. I probably should have drained the water out first. Rite of passage my @$$. Puller best xmass present ever @Achto

Prayers shipmate I thought of you a couple of times at the BS and wondered how she was doing. Sadly now I know and I'll say a prayer for you and her every time I see a mid mount.

@squonk love the cultivator set. I will play, Here be mine.

Here's the 701 I had. Sold it in 2019. For some reason this tractor gave me more fits than any tractor I ever owned. The best one was when it was running perfectly at the Steam Pageant and I was at the farthest away from my spot and it just died. Had to push it a couple of miles! The float broke into several pieces!

Always worth showing again!

Thanks Mike !! I saw a picture of my old 702 there. It still looks great and I hear it still drives nice.

Here’s a better pic of it, when I get time I’ll be starting on it.

I've always wanted one. Don't know why, 'cause it do not have a use for one.

Here's a video I made several years ago.