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Ok I forgot about the PTO Safety switch. Turns over now with spark. Time for a cold one or Miller time.

My wheel horse buddy called one day and was telling me about his snow plow machine being down. He went out to test run a day before it snowed and it did the same thing. Thinking the battery was old he changed it.........then the solenoid........nothing..........then he called me super frustrated. I ask him about the PTO lever and the phone went silent. I ask are you there? He said I'll call you back. called back and sure enough the lever was in the on position. He felt pretty bad but I told him one got me once but lucky I troubleshot it and caught it before I changed parts. I am sure there is a lot of others in the same boat.

Don't feel bad...I put a shut off switch on my electric fuel pump...bought wore out the battery trying to get it started before I figured out the switch was off...

Man, am I glad this never ever happened to me. If it ever does, I will never ever admit it happened.

It certainly is! Its seen better days but it works to the momentary switch so I can fix or replace it! I'll let you know how it goes! Wouldn't mind having a "Need a Beer!" signal for the wife when Im working.

I used Nason 421-10 2k urethane primer on my sheet metal. Urethane primers allow you to fill minor imperfections with out haveing them show up later on down the road due to shrinking, a known issue when using lacquer primer. It's been a while since I've sprayed any Nason top coats. Does Nason offer a gloss hardener for that paint? If they do I would suggest using it, it will increase the scratch/chip resistance as well as the chemical resistance. Your jobber might be able to suggest a hardener, if Nason does not offer one. I know Mar-hyde makes a "wet look" hardener for acrylic enamel. Here's a pic of the system I use. I've had good luck with the paint system, it usually comes in under Nason on the price. You can spray this paint without using the hardener, but i prefer to use it. I wish that Vansickle offered a Urethane primer, but no dice there. The quart of black in the pic points toward what I did today. A few parts received some black paint today, now I should be able to put the spray equipment away. For this resto at least.

Joe I felt pretty stupid my self all the years been working on these tractors and this happens. O well that is life I guess. Thanks for the post.

Just for the record... If this was a show rig or rarely used I'd run a couple 45's into a chrome up facing tube and be Very happy. I generally believe that diesel trucks Can't be too loud. Nothin' like an old "oil burner" ridin' a Jake brake down a looonng hill with a pair of open 8" stacks !! But.... in this case these two "rigs" of mine are used for several hours at a time on our acreage and they neeeeed to be audiologicaly friendly.

No glue strips required.

I was able to get the sheet metal sprayed today. Jim @WHX14 stopped by to help with some wet sanding & get some observation time in on the painting. Always great to hang out with friends like Jim, hopefully I was an ok teacher for him. I should have taken some in process pics of the wet sanding process, sorry. I had sprayed a mist coat of flat black ( cheap $.98 spray bomb from Wal-Mart) over the gray primer, this helps greatly when wet sanding. When the black paint is sanded off the the part has been completely sanded. Jim got a pic of the parts after they were wet sanded with 400grit, washed with preps all, tacked off and ready for paint. Apparently he also was able to get an action shot of me spraying. Of course safety equipment is a must when spraying paint. Plus it helps cover ones face so that cameras are not damaged. A couple pics after the sheet metal was painted. 2 coats of paint on the inside of the parts, 3 coats on the out side. A closer pic of the hood to show off the gloss of the VanSickle acrylic enamel paint. This pic was taken about a hour after painting. Decals also came in this week, Terry @Vinylguy does such great work. I can't wait until I'm ready to put the decals on the tractor. I was able to put the finishing touches on my plow though. One more color to spray, then I can start putting things together. No wait, I have some axle repair to do yet.

A motorsports shop near me always said they could bill for it.

My next door neighbor (retired engineer) had one of those rear engined professional Gravely's. He was trying to drag a large crate he built (did I say he was a retired engineer? ) full of junk to the side of the road. He got about 4 feet and stopped. All he could do was pop wheelies as that crate dug in. I heard him banging his snowplow blade on his driveway everytime the front end came down. I told him to stop before he got hurt or wrecked something. (did I mention he's a retired engineer?) I came back with my Power King and had him unhook his "toy" . Latched on to the crate put it in first and at idle I dragged that crate to the road. His jaw was on the ground. He has since sold the Gravely and now is into solar panels to recharge his cordless tools.

Picked up another GT-14 today! Not in too bad of shape other then the previous owner hacked up the wiring quite a bit. I am in need of a wiring diagram to completely redo it. Currently I can get it to crank over but no spark

I built a battery tray to raise the battery up 3" or so, because it would not fit with this engine in front of the steering shaft. I re-wired everything about 90% & cleaned it all up, snap a pic tomorrow of the final setup...

If it weren’t for engineers, mechanics wouldn’t have a reason to throw tools.

1 Month update on the ol' C85. Tractor: I ordered 4 Flange bearings for the front wheels (3/4" x 1-3/8") from BMI. 1 was the wrong size so I replaced the wonky driver's side only for now. Man! what a difference in handling already!. They're double-sealed so I guess that zerk is going to get bored. Adjustable tie rods are ordered. You should be able to get away with one adjustable; I ordered 2 mainly for the new/fresh ball joints. The new belt was the ticket for smoothing out that clutch...no more whiplash in H3. Engine: We got rid of the mickey mouse paint job on the engine tins. No Kohler-K deserves to look like it did. I learned that my Hardline tachs can be re-programmed to interpret RPMs for spark on every-other-revolution from our cam-triggered Kohlers. (default setting is for wasted-spark crank-triggered engines). Idling at a cool 1200: WOT: Decisions, Decisions! The tractor runs / handles really well! So I'm struggling with the decision whether or not to start the tear-down for a full restoration now or wait a season when I have fewer projects. If anything sways me, it's the Mickey-mouse paintjob on the hood. Hang with me folks, we'll get it sorted!

My engine guy does at least 3 or 4 a yr. The place local to me all you need to do is take the heads/ intake /exhaust and flywheel off. They charged him $100 for the last one.

Glad it was that easy and you didn't throw a lot of money away replacing a bunch of good parts. I bet this has happened to all of us at one time or another. None of us were born knowing anything and the lessons learned by personal experience are the ones we will remember forever.

@WV Hillbilly Yes I used a gloss hardener with the paint. No clear coat though. This is a single stage paint. When I get back to my computer I'll get you some pics of the products I used.

OH that is just lovely !!! Them ol Pete's izz mah FAVERITT

Yes, any unidrive shift lever will work providing it clears everything. Reshaping is an option. I have one that was given to me that's a 68 with the flip back fenders. The shifter wouldn't pull back far enough to use 1st and reverse. Disassembly told me that it was a much earlier transmission and when it was swapped out they probably left the original shift lever in it.

They say there's no substitute for cubic inches so how about a couple of more! The engine on my 1267 (Skonk) started giving up the ghost. It has had a checkered past. Stuck exhaust valve before I got it. No carb base gasket, leaky valve cover and louder than heck but it ran good. Tore the tractor down and painted it up. Didn't touch the engine. Right after this on it's way to the downtown Memorial Day show it started to misfire and puff of blue out the exhaust. Had to clean the plug. Didn't think too much of it. Took it to The Big Show thru the parade no problems. Pretty much sat until this winter. Put all the snow plow stuff on including loaded tires, wheel weights ect. Well after about an hour it's misfiring again. Pulled plug and it's fouled. I had to dig out the crud. Then it get worse. After 15 min misfiring again. Not much smoke but it's getting oil on the plug. I buy an anti-fouler to try to limp thru winter. Not any better. I switch all the snowplow stuff over to the C-160 that I'm trying to keep nice but I have no choice as a storm is coming. That gives me fits as well as the carb had to come apart for cleaning plus the fuel pump died. But I get it running. What to do? Rebuild the K301? Try to find another motor at the show? I want to keep the 67 vintage look (Starter Genny) setup. I do have a K321 on the shelf I bought 4 yrs. ago at the show but it's a regular starter model engine. I ask @Shynon his opinion and for tips. Yes the K321 can be made to look like the vintage look I want. On with the job! The donor motor. K321 on the operating table. Tom said the ring gear would have to come off the flywheel for the shroud to fit and he was correct. Original 301 shroud mocked up. IT FITS! Head off the 301. I need to use it for the height and genny bracket to fit. This is after about 4 hours of run time. I replaced the gasket on it when I painted the tractor in May. There was a large build up around the exhaust valve. This was all cleaned. You can see the buildup around the valve already and all the oil on top of the piston. I can't believe it didn't smoke more! Look at all the oil and crud on the anti fouler and plug. This about 15 min of run time! Head off the 321. Not to bad. I'll give it a cleaning. First coat of paint on the Big Block Paint all done. Pulled off the old block. 51 years of grime! 321 starting to go together All set to drop in. Getting the engine bolted up leaves the lift table free to lift the whole tractor to work on. I had to use the pulley off of the 301. Donor had a larger pulley so I believe it was off of a hydro. All done and ready to test fire. Took about four revolutions and it started right up with out the choke even being on! Just need to fine tune the carb and put the hood, belt and guard on and it will be ready for a run around the block!

I'd say you've done well doin' that... not many Squonks around these days ya know.

Squonk, Maybe he's the reason you needed the genny hooked up to the reefer in a snow storm to begin with.

Just brought her home an hour ago! Ran it through the paces and everything checks out! Now shes coming in the shop to get a good tune up, the Bolens plow taken off and replaced, fluids change, some rewiring, a motor cleaning and a couple of new gaskets, and a good carb cleaning. And maybe some fuel lines. 😁 This is my first hydro so its taking some getting used too. LOVE the hydraulic lift though! Dont know how I lasted this long without one!

I love my hydro. C160 moves great and I also love the lift. My arm would give out trying to lift that plow pushing snow. But I really like that seat. I want one for mine.

The hydro is the way to go. Mowing with my 12 automatic is a snap when you have a yard with a lot of stuff to mow around. Gary PS. Worked with a machine years ago that had a horn similar to that and every time you would blow it it drew so much power the engine would shut off.

Wow, great looking tractor and with a priceless electric clutch and perfect two cushion seat.. $$$$$$

Hey! I found the pic of when I bought the motor at the show. Photo courtesy of @stevasaurus

He needs more panels!

@squonk maybe he could hook you up so you don’t have to worry about your reefer when the power goes out... !

The "sleeper" is awake!

STORY NUMBER ONE Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze to prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed 'Easy Eddie.' He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example. One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al 'Scarface' Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. The poem read: 'The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.' STORY NUMBER TWO World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrierUSS Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber guns blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dived at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of WWII, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2. SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER? Butch O'Hare was 'Easy Eddie's' son.

I have bee trying to get this K181 74 to 75 B 80 to turn over. I have been using a jumper box used this method before. Cleaned all contacts. I put the 2 wires together on the pedal safety switch nothing. So I am thinking it may be the solenoid? Or the Starter? any thoughts would be appreciated. Every thing seems to be wired up ok by the manual.

PTO switch...PTO switch... Where have I sworn at that one before... Oh yeah - Same thing happened to me last year. Stopped to refill gas - in hurry - yep wouldn't start...HHHMMM... Not to worry - you are in good company! Glad you figured it out! Good luck with it!

Detroits!

Looking excellent Dan!!! Did the (fly on the wall) behave himself??? 😂😂 I’m looking forward to July at Portage Wisconsin so I can see your tractor. And it looks like I will need to bring sunglasses good job on the paint!!

A great family business. Great people to deal with. I miss old Billy. He was a good honest man.

Regardless of how you get the wiring straitened out Chris, and we have faith you will, nice score!

Here's my old '77 FJ40LV-KCJA short wheelbase, 2F straight six. Unknown miles and not much history on it. Bought it from a flipper that made the mistake of painting it, he could have gotten another $3k if he'd left the original color on it. Original color was Dune Beige , now it's wearing 1942 AM General olive drab..lol. These things were so overbuilt it's crazy, the parts in it are twice as heavy as your 4Runner... Sarge

The 520 HC is geared for higher speed than the 520 H. Just

Or get a pair of these and they all sound pretty much the same.

Thanks Richard!

I want to see this thread.....

Sweet Mike.

Or forget the title, license, inspection, plates, and the BS. Just put one of these on, use the back roads, and save a couple hundred bucks

Before and after of the k181 Yes, I primed it.