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I finally had a chance to read through this thread and I love it. My life story certainly isn’t as colorful as some but, now retired, I don’t think I’d change a thing. As a senior in high school in 1973 I was a salesman in the Sears auto parts dept. One evening a friend was meeting me at closing time with his girlfriend and another gal who was a blind date for me. Turns out the girl they intended to bring couldn’t make it so a different girl took her place. I’d have to say that something was meant to be because some of you know who that girl, Nancy. I skipped the first opportunity after graduating to take the test for acceptance into the IBEW apprenticeship because I thought I could make a fortune selling on commission. The following year I took the test, made it and started my electrical career. In 1984 the contractor I was working for started playing games and wanted to switch to a merit shop. He thought I would come along with him and after sparring back and forth with him I opened my own business and immediately pulled his ‘cash cow’ client, the largest orthopedic company in the world from him. I had never planned on starting my own business but things went extremely well. After four years my wife and I were realizing that our two young girls were being negatively affected by our all work and no play life. We had a decision to make and we sided with family. I ended up working for one of the largest electrical contractors in northern Indiana. They wanted me to immediately come in as an estimator/project manager but I told them I just wanted a service truck. I did that for some months, maybe a year and then told them I’d come in the office. One of the best decisions I ever made. That company must still be doing well based on all the brown service trucks I see around. In 2000 we were in a position to retire and decided to sell everything and travel in our motor home in a warm climate. The Florida move. That was fun for a while but it probably wasn’t a year before we realized we both still had way too much go, go, go in us to live that lifestyle. We decided to buy a house and get back into the real working world. I really never had a resume nor had I done interviews for a job so I didn’t know how to do it. My MO was to observe the other employees and try to get a feel for what it was like to work there. I interviewed with a contractor (not electrical) and after the first interview I told Nancy that I think I liked the ‘feel’ in that office. They called me in for a second interview. Still no job offer but I knew I wanted to work for them after that. The third interview did the trick. Two brothers owned that business and it didn’t take long before I would tell people that everybody should have the privilege of working for them at least once in their life. I’ve been fortunate during my working years with excellent companies but that place raised the bar to new levels. I was there 5 or 6 years when I was approached by probably the largest HVAC contractor in Florida. They had started a residential electrical division and wanted to start a industrial/commercial division. They asked me to develop and run it. Already knowing that electrical work in Florida was worlds apart from the Midwest it was a challenge I had to take. It didn’t take long for me to realize my mistake. The first week was spent by me explaining how it should be done while they kept telling me this wasn’t the midwest anymore. I HAD to do it their way. They wanted me to toss out my nearly 5 decades of doing it right and with integrity in order for them to have a competitive advantage. I got home the following Monday physically sick and Nancy told me that, while she didn’t like me being gone so much she would rather have me doing that than to be like this. I contacted the brothers and was immediately back with them. I didn’t realize how long winded this would get….sorry guys. Just under 5 years ago the decision was made to officially retire. A week in the hospital played a part but was not the deciding factor. The doctor told me that I needed to slow down from my warp speed. No need for creeper gear but just let high gear be the limit. I’d like to say that I’m doing the retired thing quite well now but with the move back to Indiana and the massive undertaking with this house sometimes I wonder. Unlike before though, if I feel the need to get off my legs for a spell I’ll do that now. My Wheel Horse income? Well, we have been lucky. Rich? No. Our investment incomes, three pensions and SS has allowed us to make the transition from working our jobs to retirement seamless. Can’t ask for much more than that. Now, I better get back to work on the remodel.

I plough with my C-121, AKA The Black Horse, and wanted to fit narrower tyres on the rear wheels. I'd already fitted modified scooter wheels and tri ribs to the front. I obtained a pair of as new ag tyres from a friend over the border in Scotland. Of course these wouldn't fit the standard wheels, so a slight mod was in order. A pair of standard wheels got cut up. Then got welded back together, using the cut out middle section as a band to line things up. Welds cleaned up and taped. There was a slight difference in hight to the ag's already fitted. About 3". The photo' shows the seat pan packed up to give clearance. View from the rear And finally a side view. This also shows the modified fronts. The tractor now sloped to the front and this raised a problem with plough depth. So the decision was made to raise the front. As you can see the fronts now have trailer hubs to take the modified scooter wheels. Not wanting to alter the steering arms I decided to make another pair. So a pair of arms off a parts donor Raider 10 and trailer stub axles were obtained. The arm spindle that passes through the axle had to be drilled and threaded as they were going to be fitted with extensions. Also the wheel axle spindle was cut down to 3/4" long. Extensions turned up longer than will be needed. Most likely be shortened when fitted. Also spacers to raised the front made. These are just 1". Again final assembly will show if thicker ones will be need. The trailer stub axles were cut down to 1/2" and bored out 3/4" ID x 1" deep. First photo shows cut down arms and standard trailer stub axles. Second one showing everything ready to be welded up. Could be a week or so before I can start fitting them to the Black Horse.

Wheel weights for Wheel Horses, are not very easy to get hold of this side of the pond. Also can be silly money if you find some. So I decided to make my own. From my local Land Rover specialist, I rescued the handbrake drums off a Freelander from the scrap bin. I also got a cast iron pulley from another source. The pulley just the right O.D to fit into the wheel. Pulley. Pulley fitted to the back of the brake drum along with studs to fasten to wheel. The opposite side filled with 35lb of lead and a bucket lid as a cover. More lead will be added when I get some. Don't look bad for £10 and a bit of work.

does anybody have any info on wheel horse demonstrator model? I took over an old wheel horse dealership twelve years ago and I found in inventory three hood decals that say wheel horse demonstrator I have never seen them on any tractors. thanks

Was ready to buy a new truck 4.5 years ago but ended up helping with some family/church projects that ate up my budget. But that’s coming to an end so I have been shopping for a new truck for a while and waffled between new vs used vs newused as well as gas vs diesel and of course brands and finally whether 3/4 or 1 ton. In the end, i ended up with this F-350 6.7 STX 4x4. Should go nicely with the trailer i bought yhis summer.

Most of my horse money comes from HVAC side jobs which I promptly turn over to the Missus. Must be something about when the preacher mumbled something about for richer or poorer! If I come across a horse I think is worth wrangling she gives me back whatever I need because she knows that that money also pays for our vacations and the occasional supper out. Resto & motor build dollars come out of my pocket tho which is ok since I am in leave orginal mode these days. Works out well for us.

Started out at 15 as a janitor through high school. Was accepted in 1982 to vo tech in the carpenter/cabinetmaker program. Never went as a I got a job in a factory for pretty good pay in 1982 so I stayed on for 23 years as a Die Casting machine operator, we had machines from 40 ton up to 600 ton. Left that job went to Lowes as a kitchen cabinet specialist, liked the customer service part of that job, was trying to get into management. Didn't really care for retail hours so I went back to my old job. Within 2 months of coming back I was hired into management, that lasted 8 years before being moved back to an hourly employee. Currently running a 300 ton stamping press. I see the light at the end of the tunnel although it is dim I can see it. On the side my son @prondzy and we do buy and sell Horses and parts, build K series Kohlers.

Got a couple new hoses made, new belt, filled her up with oil for a shakedown. Scraped off the sidewalk everthing seemed to work as it should. Here's a short video.

I finished up Shirley's Raider this morning and put one of my seats on it so I could take it for a spin, she took her seat to see about having it recovered. To me the seat just sitting on the seat pan is too low so I put a set of springs under it to raise it up and give it a little better ride. I'll have Shirley try it out and decide if she want to leave the springs on or not. This has been fun to go over and fix what I could and should make a dependable mower for several years to come. I sorta hate to take this back to Shirley, it's a really nice original.

Well, I've gotten some more done today. Engine is bolted on and detailed. Seat is on. Installed a new rubber grommet and shut off valve. Emory had to sit on it and informed me that it looks like an old man's tractor. He says he really likes it and wants to drive it. He even asked me if he could have the front tires for the tractor I'm going to fix for him. Second pic was the other day when I pushed it out to see what the color looks like. Darker pic is what it looks like in the shade - big difference!

The following quotes and paragraphs are from a cousin of mine - Lew - and his friend - Steve - . His friend found a few pics of old tractor/ dozer things and thought he might be interested... So I asked if it was OK to share them here with you all machinery nuts. Lew, to me, others: These are some old photos from an MG friend, Steve, of his grandad's machinery. I thought you might appreciate his description of them even more. Interesting: gasoline only used to warm up the engine so it would use kerosene. Water injection in the 20s & 30s? Any of you remember that? Good Ol' Days. Steve, to Lew: These would be my Grandad Olson's grading outfit. Not sure where or when they were taken but probably late 1920s-early 1930s. Could be Booneville, Missouri or Canton, Illinois or most any small community. Tractor with the big roof is a 60 Cat or possibly a Holt that was bought by Cat. One with the smaller roof could be a 30 Cat but looks more like something else. Could be a Cleatrack or a Rumley Oil Pull. Whatever it is it is pulling an elevating grader. That scraped up dirt onto its conveyor belt and spilled it off into a wagon being pulled along side. Same device being pulled by 60 Cat in first photo. Big fuel tank held kerosene. There was a small one for gasoline used only to start the engine and warm it up till the kerosene would vaporize. There was also a water injection for added power under hard pull. Idle RPM was 300 and red line was a whopping 600. Lots of torque but just 60 horse power at the power takeoff and a few less at the draw bar. Huge exposed flywheel had holes along the rim to insert a pry bar. That is how you cranked it to start. Had to be a Manly Man to do that. These tractors were state of the art and biggest made at the time. They could do a lot of work but were not fast. Mules and side-dump wagons did all the hauling. Later, big bottom-dump Cat wagons with tracks took over that job. Even those held less than a small dump truck does today. Steve's words to me (now US) : Maybe someone in your group (That would be US ) will recognize where the photos were taken. I would think about 1928 or 29. This was Olson Brothers Grading and they enjoyed the highway building boom. In later years I played on some of these old Cats and even rode on one. Maybe someone will know the make of the smaller tractor. I think the two men standing on the elevating grader are my Grandpa and great uncle Harry and Arthur Olson but may be someone else entirely. I would love to find out more about the photos and everyone in my family that might know is now gone. Share if you like and let me know what you learn.

It was Zimmer. I had electricians working in there on a T&M basis year round for a while. Sometimes 10-12. Some Zimmer employees actually thought we were part of their maintenance department. I estimated and was the project manager on their executive office building in the center of town. I did a little bit of work at Biomet and DePuy. That came about mainly from Zimmer 'defectors' knowing me and wanted me to consider some work. With the competition being so fierce I talked to a couple of key Zimmer execs to see if it would be ok. Fortunately they trusted me to maintain 100% confidentiality. I only let work at those two places come to me. I didn't want to take any risk in messing up the Zimmer account that every contractor in northern Indiana dreamed of having.

RoadRunner is looking great! I love the care and concern that you are putting into this project. Emory is going to be so surprised when he finds out who the true owner of that tractor really is! This is one great looking tractor and I can’t wait to see the finished project. @dells68 you had better stop reading this, put on your elf hat and get back out to “the Big Man’s” work shop and get at it. Remember...

Well, actually when it really gets down to it, it is really not my job that pays for the Wheel horses as much as buying and selling. I buy lots of Wheel Horse tractors and attachments and rebuild them and when a better one comes along I sell one and buy another. I have had 3 416's, 1 two stage snow blower, 2 single stage blowers, 2 tillers, 2 42" decks, 2 48" decks, a C160, a 111-6, a 210-5 that have been sold. I also do work on some other people's Wheel Horses on the side. This financed 4 520's, 2 48" decks, a 60" deck, a tiller, a two stage blower, a blade, a mid mount grader blade, a bagger, and a 17-44 which I have kept and restored. This is an old picture. The 2 little ones have since been sold and a 17-44 added to the herd. Last 520 in the picture is all restored except for the painting and decals on the hood and rear fender (decals are here, just awaiting paint). I figure I am either slightly ahead or just even so all I now have cost me nothing but time (lots of it but it is what I enjoy). Wife thinks I am crazy but when she knows that in the end they don't really cost me anything and she knows where I am all the time (out in the garage), it is fine with her. She even drives them sometimes.

Kind of hate to admit this but I have never thought of naming any of mine. Guess I have some work cut out for me. Need a little inspiration!

No pets were harmed in the making of this video. As many of you know, my honey and I spend a lot of time outdoors. Our dog is not super fond of the cold being very short haired and single coated. Today we got her into new footwear... My stomach hurts from laughing.

In the 2nd pic, those are real Horses!

Now that you mention it I very rarely ever use household money to pay for my tractors, maybe gas in the car or truck but not the actual purchase, It comes from like cleat says buying and selling or doing side jobs in HVAC work,and most of the time that money goes into the household money to keep it afloat. but my jobs at work give me the skills to do the side jobs. that is also why my wife doesn't say a whole lot about my hobbies, becuase she knows it help, every little bit helps eric j

Marketing. You're in a Wheel Horse dealership. You are trying to get a discount. Salesman says "I can't give you any more discount on this model, but wait a minute, I can make you a deal on this "demonstrator". Remember when car dealers did that? It's a cool decal, and you can be sure that it there is a demand, @Vinylguy can make it.

I've never financed anything , not once - hate the idea of making payments and my credit reflects that , it's a total pay-to-play system and now they use it against you in all sorts of ways , even our security clearances . Operating under the radar they say - or smart as I refer to it . My Dodge when it was new cost $43,520 - I traded a nearly new looking , low mileage '08 Tacoma TRD OffRoad for it and paid a cash difference of $8,900 with the Dodge showing 14,400 on the clock and still had 18mo left on it's warranty . I let someone else take the hit of $10,000+ for just driving it off the lot , thanks for that , previous owner . I'd love one of the new 3/4 ton trucks , but paying that much just isn't in my DNA nor is paying the financing charges after it's all done - it's a ripoff from the banks in my opinion considering what they are paying in the interest rate games . They make their money loaning money - I get that but I feel like it's also a pretty abused system so I don't play the game . I do totally get why folks buy them new - warranty is the biggest one and depending upon how you treat your equipment it can be a very good investment - sure is a sweet ride and I'm sure you'll take care of it . That is one sharp truck - congrats . Moving up to the 350 class avoids a lot of issues pulling weight - great choice . Sarge

Aldon, Well, I have to admit that's a nice truck, and for what you intend to do with it moving and etc., it probably is something you can justify.......certainly short term anyway. But that's just not my modus operandi. You see, I'm a cheap ass at heart, and there's no rational or practical reason for me (and the bank) to own a $50,000 pick up truck. (Winning Powerball might exclude me from this stance). It's pretty much the same mindset that I don't really need to have 20 Wheel Horse tractors........or 10, or even 5. I'm just quirky that way. I half-seriously have instructed my wife to have me committed if I ever pulled a stunt like spending 50 G's on a pickup. My wallet isn't that deep to begin with, and my ego is even smaller when it comes to vehicles. About the size of a kernel of corn. And I despise monthly payments on almost anything. Until last March, I hadn't had a credit card for 25 years......pretty much functioned on a cash basis. Guess I find "interest" a dirty word, and maybe an unnecessary evil. "USED" fits me just fine, and if my ownership history is any indication (only two new vehicles since I got my driver's license in 1965), probably the older the better. btw, that first new vehicle was a '72 Dodge Maxivan to use in my construction work. It sure wasn't a muscle car. Here's my current ownership lineup......note the ages. 1984 Chevy G30 350 C. I.,Hi-Cube dually van with a Union City 80" x 8' x 14' aluminum box (purchased new for construction work). About 120,000 on the clock. 2nd new vehicle purchased by me. 1985 Chevy Caprice Estate Wagon 305 C.I., w/slightly over 70,000 on the odometer. I'd feel safe driving this anywhere. Inherited from my parent's estate.....was only appraised for $1,200, so why not keep it??? 1990 GMC S-15 4.3L V6, with long bed; 117,00 miles. Ditto on driving this about anywhere. Pretty much my daily driver. Long bed with low side rails make it very handy around town. So as anyone can see, if the auto manufacturers depended on buyers with my market habits, they would have shut down decades ago. I guess you might almost classify me as a vintage collector......

Got the loader bracing done today. Went to see @wheelhorseman to punch some holes and bend some steel. Welded it up today. Pump brackets next. Pump is done.

That's NAPA know how... at it's finest.

How to alter the gear lever / shifter so that it pointed rearwards instead of to the right as it was when originally fitted to the ride on Bolens mower. The lever was fitted to the top of the box and operated horizontally back and forward but to get the arrangement I needed, ( I had turned the box 90 degrees to line up the input shaft with the engine ) resulting in the selector shaft pointing to the rear. No problem except that the right hand rear wheel and chassis frame would have restricted the lever movement plus access for my hand. The solution was to cut the lever from it's mounting plate, turn 90 degrees and refix. The idea was to drill and tap the plate, thread the shaft and weld up. Turned out that the plate was extra hard. The center punch lost the fight and I expect the drills would have too. A nut was fitted to the lever to help keep it at right angles to the plate then all welded up. Thanks again Mr Showman. The first photo shows the original position ( taken after I had cut off and threaded ) followed by the end result. The long straight of the lever was lined up with the mounting hole in the plate so that when fitted it would be in line with the gearbox shaft. A bit of tweaking was needed later to cancel out slight eccentricity. Hope that sounds right. A photo of the lever fitted in place. A support bearing was needed in the rear cover plate through which the lever / shifter would pass. A long dig for something suitable unearthed the component shown below. Two were found, one with a 3/8 needle bearing although a plain bush would have done. No idea what they were originally for, but after trimming and drilling one it slid nicely over the not quite round and slightly dinged lever. The end of the lever was dimpled so that the bolt had something to bite into after being threaded through the bush which also has two grub screws for added security. The bolt still needs cutting down for appearance, or something better made, but works well as it is. In reverse gear as shown. Push down for neutral then the other gears. When the tractor and trailer is finished, a suitable gear will be found and probably left with speed being controlled with the throttle and centrifugal clutch.

Really nice tutorial thread that we all can use as a guide for redos. Ms Shirley should be very pleased ...She has a like new tractor that still has all the memories.

You better be smiling when you say that pardner.

Part of my success and ability to keep old stuff running well is having gone to the same shop for years. One shop did mechanical work for me for 30+ years. They knew my machinery and I knew all of the mechanics on a first name basis. You could actually talk to the guy face to face that was doing the mechanical work..........no aloof service manager to separate the customer and the mechanic. They were all excellent diagnostic mechanics with a great range of experiences, and I never had a problem they couldn't resolve. Then the owner of my long time shop decided to throw in the towel a few years after the market crash of 2008. He is about 6 years older than myself, and he was eating up his social security trying to keep things going and ride out the storm. Finally he decided he just couldn't do that anymore. I followed one of his mechanics who is about 10 years my junior to another shop which is much like what I had been use to. He works on all my stuff. Just had the S-15 in the shop this week because the heater fan and the windshield wiper pump quit working on me. Not good problems to have in winter weather in Indiana. He had me in and out of the shop in about 1 1/4 hours, including procuring the repair parts. I'll stay with him until he retires, kicks the bucket.......or I kick the bucket. Unfortunately it seems like the older guys can't approach newer vehicles with their proven techniques and skills because of all the computer and electronic gizmos on today's vehicles. By the same token, many new line mechanics don't have the experience to cope with the older technologies, or have no interest in acquiring those skills or working on older stuff. If you are going to rely on older, used vehicles, locate a good mechanic who understands and wants to keep them running........and someone you can communicate with face to face.

Racinbob, Interesting life story.......really.......you sound very fortunate to have had some great employment situations. Everyone should be so lucky. Being a Hoosier myself, and the son of a physician, I'm well acquainted with and aware of the enormous orthopedic manufacturing experience and capabilities in Warsaw, IN, over the years. I'm curious if your reference related to one of three companies in Warsaw, "Orthopedic Capital of the World" , i.e. : Zimmer, DePuy, or BioMet? What say you, Sir?

Here's my beauty... and the BEAST. You decide.

LOL - so true , that moniker would probably fit the irritating D-180 better than Big Ugly ...it's had a bad history of wanting to suddenly run off on it's own . Pretty sure that thing is possessed by a demon of some sort . Growing up, there were two of those old '58 Fury's around town , one in Red and one in Black - the black one was sinister looking anywhere it sat . Both driven by old ladies that probably couldn't see past the steering wheel much - everyone knew to avoid them . Nothing like that huge bumper and all that steel barreling down a narrow street coming headlong at you... Sarge

I would luv to buy a new Dodge Ram 2500, or 3500 with the cummins, but the only way that will probably happen is when I win the lottery ........... we all know how that works for all of us eric j

I wasn't even around then. Hadn't been made yet

I have read some good story's here about your personal lives. Mine is condensed. 1962 worked in a car wash for 2 weeks Liked to froze to death in winter. 1965 Joined the Navy was an ASSAULT BOAT COXSWAIN and cargo handler Which means mop here, paint there. Also I was the ships driver ( a 1965 Volkswagen bus) 1969 discharged from Navy (O HAPPY DAYS) 1970 worked for Paper Factory making. $2.35 an hour. 1971 started working for Chrysler Corp $3.35 an hour worked in Quility control and making brake linings for cars and trucks. 1997 transfered to engine plant into inspection, timing auditor, tool crib parts auditor. 1971 Got married 2006 retired from Chrysler $32.35 an hour after 36 years. As far as money I buy what ever I want My wife never says anything about my hobby except (you got another one ) And I have piles and piles of money.(So my kids think.) But the best things can't be bought with money. I have 4 wonderful children and 10 grand children and 2 great grandchildren . And I have been married to the same woman for 47 years. We started going to Church the first year we were married and GOD has made it a wonderful life for us. I truly thank JESUS for all I have. My health is good even though I was diagnosed with asbestosis a few years ago. It has slowed me down to a slower pace. But I will push on till I can't go any further. I'm hoping I'll be able to put the 1054 together in spring. And strip and repaint my 67 lawn ranger. I can no longer breath the paint fumes or dust from sanding so that creates a new problem for me.But this is my life's story. And it been a great one.

Yes, that plow will fit and that is a great price. Go get it ASAP. You will need the axle bracket and the blade angle lever may be missing. Still a bargain.

On my 520H, the throttle cable is routed down to a motor mount bolt. It now is routed on top of the engine, and never freezes.

Imagine it's something like this...

@Stormin I have to ask what a the pointy sticks for jousting ?

@AMC RULES At least we know squonky can tell a horse from a dog.

I never had any cables freeze up, but I keep all my tractors inside. I have saved quite a few cables that were frozen with rust. I cut the bends off at the carb or choke, then clamp a vise grip on the wire below the knob or lever and tap the wire completely out of the sheath Then fill it with MM oil , put the wire back in and work it back and forth till it slides easily.

I agree about the local shops and the problems they have with the new or foreign vehicles. My wife and I have been using our local shop since the late 80's. Until recently the same owner and mechanics. The owner decided to retire about 6 months ago but the mechanics stayed on. We own a 2000 S40 Volvo ( the only new car I have ever purchased) . About 6 months after all the dealer freebies ran out , drove it to the local shop for an oil change . Not sure how they messed up at least extra quart of oil was added. Blew out seals on Turbo, had to have it towed to dealer. Local shop paid for repairs but now it goes to dealer. It has 69,000 miles on it. Purchased a 2001 Volvo XC 70 in January 2011 now it has 107,000. Just found out it needs a timing belt $750.00 price tag on that. I guess what I am saying is the local shops are really at a disadvantage on the new vehicles for repairs etc. I still have the 1984 El Camino ( 147,000 miles )serviced at the local shop and we purchase all our tires at the local shop because I can get better deals. I am also a cheap.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I see that they will always have a special meaning for you. Your brother would be happy that they are in good hands. I personally am happy to see them being appreciated so far from their birthplace. May they always bring you the same happiness and quality time they do us here.

This is what I use. A piece of flat steel, 1/8"x3/4"x1-1/8" and a 10" long punch (brass bolt). Cut the flat steel just long enough to slip thru the inner race of the bearing, place it as pictured and tap it out from the outside. Move the flat from side to side on the bearing as you drive it out.

Hello everyone, A big thank you for these answers, I'm glad to know that there are people who know this material. This tractor comes from my brother who was a repairman in the motorhome and who had seen the quality of the machine, he had bought it where he worked. He told me before they died and I really care about it. He had completely redone the cut by recovering the pulleys and fixing system, I created a side exit and remade an aluminum turbine with a suspention on the suport of the turbine (too heavy) to balance the cut. I found tools in addition to cutting, a rotovator, a bull blade, a trailer and little brothers: a 12 AUTOMATIC CHARGER and a TORO 416 and yes I needed more power to launch the cast iron turbine and I do not use the tractor that I have completely disassembled, degreased, sanded, and repainted. I redo stickers and a viewfinder smooth aluminum (which does not appear in the photo) my dream would be found a front loader, I have a lot of land to move every year and have to do it to the hand. I do not think there was this in FRANCE, one of my friends made one but he is very strong on the mechanics of more than thirty WHEEL HORSE and TORO in WHEEL HORSE and TORO in collection, it's great ... I attach some pictures of my work. cordially Arnaud

Right...That's why I keep this old girl around...she runs good and I rarely drive her...I drive the company pickup most everywhere I go...though the old girl and I did make an almost 700 mile round trip this past weekend...the old 400 hummed like a sewing machine down and back...I would love to have a new one but for no more often than I go places I just can't justify the payments

Need to use the proper puller. Lots of auto parts stores have them to loan out.

Yeah I wish my dad was still around so we could do this together. Actually today is the 5 year mark he's been gone. Tried getting my son into it a little but he likes his trucks. No problem there. He does like making me parts for them though when i need a little something made. Better than nothing though.👍

i havent named my horse, but i did name my little ransomes crawler he's called wall-e

I've never named any of mine - always just referred to them by their model instead . I started with an old 1277 and as the herd grew each model was different until I owned a second 1277 - referred to that one as "Les's 1277" from the previous owner . Otherwise , until recently I've only named one - the '74 D180 is called "Big Ugly" - my wife had hit it on the head as she was used to the 1277's elegant looks in comparison . Maybe that's why everything I've ever touched on it has been a fight - the name made the thing mad...lol . It did win a few battles over the pump , but I won the War overall as it's leak-free now . Sarge