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Hi everyone just want to introduce myself. I hope this is the right place to post this. My name is Bob Demko. I'm from Honey Brook Pa. I been fooling with cars since I was about 8 years old. I was a auto mechanic for 27 years. I'm now 62. I always wanted to get involved with garden tractor restoration. And or pullers. I really think that the Wheel Horse tractor is the nicest looking and the best built garden tractor there is. I Don't know to much about these. But I am learning a lot just buy looking over this great forum. I hope that you guys wont mind to help this old bird out. Because I know that I will have a lot of questions to be asked. And I do really appreciate it. My friend at work has a 1978 -1979 C-81 with front plow. With 8 speed. And 8 horse Kohler. Its been sitting behind his shed for about a year or so. He said it ran when he parked it there. It looks like CRAP now. It hasn't been running for a while. But I would do a full restoration on it. I would want to put Carlisle Agg tires on rear and 3 rib on front. He said give him $150.00 for it. Do you think I could find a dash panel for it ? Looks like somebody drilled a hole in it. Plus I need a seat ! I think it still has the original tires on it. There flat in the back. I guess take the tank off and clean it out first. Would you guys take the exhaust and muffler off to see if there's any mice nest in there? Let me know guys what you think. And what you would do. Would it be a good one to restore ? Any help would be appreciated. He used that to plow his driveway. Until he bought a 4x4 ATV. I will try to post some pictures if I know how. I am not to good with the computer.

Getting my new to me 314 Wheel Horse tractor ready for winter duty. All new tires on the tractor. Painted up the muffler and motor tin, putting new foot rest material ( skateboard tape) and placing my 42 inch snowplow on it . Good running tractor with less than 600 hours.

Title says it all, building up another horse - but trying to make it a little special... so bought these bad boys! 27x10.50-15 BKT skid power HD - hoping I can squeeze them onto a set of GT14 wheels. so I set about making an adapter from 5 stud to 4 stud, but the pcd is close and the holes clash- so it's a little tricky. so had the bright idea of making making my own hubs. Cue big taperlock sprocket! i think it was a lot easier than making the adapters and those taperlock bushes are going nowhere!

A Work Horse GT-1600 went up for sale this morning a few miles down the road so I went and dragged it home. Transmission is stuck in reverse (frozen I bet). Supposedly engine runs fine but I have not started it yet. It is in the Shop warming up. I paid $150.00 CDN for it. Don't know yet if that was a good deal or not. Cleat

I would say definitely pull the trigger if the engine is good, you get it running and chk the condition of the tranny fluid and you will have a hell of a machine. I have the identical tractor and it the best plow tractor I have ever owned.... easy to maneuver, easy to get started in sub zero and absolutely sips gas.

It was awesome to meet someone with a strong faith using the tool of his car to share the redeeming message of the Gospel of Christ for sure. We had a good time of fellowship and then were on our way to see more vehicles. It is so hard to imagine the variety and rarity of the models. As you guys have so clearly stated, that time period was sooooo unique in many ways and the auto industry was no exception. This ‘71 Judge was ripe for a resto but had been in one family since new. There were claims that it could be the last GTO Judge ever produced! Protoypes like this 1963 Ford Cougar II recently restored ‘69 Hurst Olds And 70 GSX are commonplace at MCACN! All one of one, hard to believe that they still exist! Anyone know what this shirt is referring to? You have to be a car guy and a film guy to pick up on this one... I’m hoping our man Terry @Vinylguy can take this one and turn it into a Wheel Horse sign for us that have succumbed to the “addiction”😁 The old Schwinn banana seat bikes have also become the rage and they have some very rare examples there including this never opened in the original packing crate model appropriately called “the Apple Krate”! There were so many vintage racers there today it was hard to quantify. I’m sure many of you recognize this awesome machine! Stock vehicles aren’t the only thing there. We saw many modern amazing customs like this Chevelle. All in all, I felt so blessed and privileged to spend the day with my Dad and my son, enjoying a shared hobby. I’m so thankful to live in a country where we have the freedom and opportunity to do something like this. Thank you for being willing to take the journey with us. Lord willing next year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving we will attend this show again if any of you want to hook up with us and walk around drooling, pointed, and wanting—we’d be happy for the company! Gotta end with another food picture! Caleb was hungry again (as we were too) and so we took him to an awesome restaurant in Milwaukee called the Brisco County Grill. Great BBQ and burgers!

Howie—I wish I had taken a picture of the build sheet which was the other board and it would tell us about the paint color. If you like Arrowheads, here’s a few more for you...

Cleat, knowing the way you restore your tractors I'm sure it will come out beautiful. Here is mine that I recently restored. I purchased this tractor brand new in 1984.

This is a 1986 K-20, 8600 GVW, 4 Wheel Drive 4 Speed, LT9 350, 4 Barrel with YE9 Silverado Trim Package that I Factory Ordered in March of 86 and took delivery in June 86. This Truck was only used in 3 New England winters since i purchased it new. The original paint had some issues and I had it redone in 2016. The Interior is original other than the installation of a GM Headliner which was replaced due to separation from the foam in 2000. It now has 104,000 miles on the original drive train, clutch included. This Pickup has been an unbelievable, reliable & fun truck, All this for $14,850.00. They sure knew how to build a truck at the Janesville, Wisconsin plant. Thank You for taking time to check this truck out. Jim

After the previous pictures were taken, I had an electrical problem in that the Wheelhorse wouldn't start- after a little rewiring and a new solenoid, it started and runs nicely. I also got a new seat, I was planning on re-covering the original, but this one was a present from my mother and is very comfortable. Went out for a drive today and as usual it's a ton of fun Next on the agenda is getting the front lights to work and at some point I'd like to paint the whole engine red. I may paint the whole chassis and other black parts red as it would have been out the factory, I am sort of undecided still, as it has been this way for so long (see above where it was all painted black when I got it).

Made some good progress today after getting it off the bench, I put it on a sack trolley and got it from the workshop to under the carport. It was quite easy to fit into the quick hitch on the front of the Raider 12, the flag was easy to fit to the lift lever and all I had to do was fit a 1/2 inch spacer to give me a bit more height. The next hour was spent looking through all my belts and was lucky to find one that fitted. Bolted some more bits on so the parts box is almost empty and as darkness fell I fired the tractor up and ran the blower, spinning well and fast and the best thing it's spinning the right way.

@PeacemakerJack @pullstart

He wants his own Bat Signal.

Ryan—that would be fun to hang out at MCACN 2019 for sure. You wouldn’t be disappointed. Make sure you hang on to that old Schwinn bike—not only for the memories (the most Important part) but also the value and cult like following that they have. The white car is actually a “brother” to the GTO, it is a ‘69 Cutlass. Super cool prototype no doubt. If you like gassers check these... Craig—that double nickel Shoe box from “Two Lane Blacktop” was a wicked machine. Watching the film, you see the fiberglass tilt front clip, the fiberglass lift off deck lid, monster Rat motor, gutted interior with sliding plexiglass windows—just to name a few of the race car only items. I love the fact that they are driving that car across the country. That would be a loud tough ride. We spoke for awhile with the owner of this Hemi powered Henry J gasser... I asked him if he ever drove it on the street. He said that it is a purpose driven drag car but it is licensed. He said that periodically he has driven it on the street. However, he said that it kills his back and legs with the race seats after only a few miles. Speed sometimes comes at a price. That is what makes the new supercars like the COPO Camaro... or the Demon... Amazing because they are Super fast and yet still comfortable! I’ve did a little research about the 55 Chevy and came across this article which is a quick read but very informative... https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20140616/NEWS/140617069%3ftemplate=ampart Enjoy!

A new chapter is about to start with my first born and my only successful build. Yeah, my rear engine Wheelie Horse is kaput but on the positive side, my back is better. Yesterday I brought home a sled front end and stripped it and thought I just had to show how cool it will be - IF I can make it happen. The third picture seems to be too easy and I haven't decided if I should include the shocks. If so I will have to do some serious hacking to the original front end and rethink everything.

For all those who have recycler decks. Take the insert off a couple of times a year and clean out the chaff. Tha amount of work my deck saves me raking,sweeping and bagging clipping is well worth the couple of hours a year to tear it down and clean it. grass gets behind the insert : Remove the wings. Powder gets in there as well. I replaced all the wing bolts with SS wire brushed the insert and a coating of extend. I spray bedliner coating on after.

Didn't want everyone to get jealous of my nice clean workbench, so I had to mess it up ...this set up is just temporary until I can find a good deal on the right toolbox for my needs, but it sure is a lot nicer than having to dump out a whole rubbermaid tote every time I needed a wrench

Hometown boy!

The 78-79 C-series are my favorite. I have all of them except a C-81 which I know where there is one that I may be able to buy soon and a C-101. Really love the looks of them. Here's two of them that I restored.

I had to add a spacer to move the lever out enough to clear the motion control pedal in my 312 hydro . You may also have to lengthen the 1/2" rod to get the lever more vertical.

The weatherman was wrong again and we got 7” of the wet stuff overnight. They said about 1-3” so I didn’t even put the 54” blade on the C-161. I assumed the 606 Rat would struggle but it did great even with the blade angled. I started off in the back pushing straight ahead since I assumed it wouldn’t stay straight with the blade angled. The hill worried me but it went right up. My son snapped a video and some pics. I had a blast. Sorry for all the pics. 6E8D0B79-7EE2-4BCA-B322-AC3EE5710237.MOV 071927F9-C1B8-4331-8288-5EAD280F3332.mov

I added he cigarette Lighter outlet so that I can run a magnetic revolving yellow warning blinker since I live on a curve and the cars come around it WAY to fast for my liking! Has saved my keester more then once in the past 5 yrs.....! p.s. I got this ole girl after the original owner went to his reward. Restored it to good working order and gave her a fresh coat of paint.... p.s. don't forget to chk the transmission if the oil it is brown you need to flush it with kerosene and replace once or twice if it is black fill to proper level and leave it alone..... also change the shift boot if oil is brown.... leakage here is where the H2O gets in.. Welcome Bob

Success, blade is on! Although it looks like it’s not the correct blade for the 300 series, the handle gets in the way of the brake pedal unless the blade is turned all the way to the right. I’ll see if I can make it work or rig it somehow. I came across another thread here were someone had the same problem

Had to get out and tackle these leaves that have fallen all around me. Just got done redoing my 48 inch deck put it on my 312 -8 and yeee haaaaaa!!

We got 3 inches of snow. We were just supposed to get rain. Its so differant with the small driveway now. Just had the kids break the shovels out. Good exercise for them. Glenn

What leaves I can't see any leaves, unless maybe they are under that 12 inches of snow we just got Friday

Just went back and watched this again...I had forgotten that this was in Alliance Nebraska. My girlfriend is from that area, we were just in Alliance a couple months ago for her brother's funeral, would have been awesome to meet this guy and see his collection in person, we did get to tour Carhenge though, so that was pretty cool

Yes I will reconfigure it and repost. Will be gone tomorrow but will post back sunday.

Well played Kevin!!!! We need an emoji for that...Craig @AMC RULES?

What if I sent you a template to cut your lexan once you have your led light bezel mounted this black and chrome decal could be applied over the lexan to give it a more original look without sacrificing lumins like the original lens?

Especially the cop cars

There's a van under there somewhere!

Looking at that '71 Judge if the color is what I think it is that was not an offered color that year. Would have been a special order color. This one of one thing can get ridiculous, it can be anything but may not even affect the value. Just a talking point. There are a lot of very nice looking cars in that show, even though Pontiac is my preferred I enjoy all of them.

to the Bob. Great intro and pictures.... BUY IT, in my area plows sell for 150 bucks. You get a free tractor. As stated above, the 8HP Kohler is a great easy starting engine. I am not a fan of the rocker plate engine mounts, but that is a fine tractor.

Thank you everyone for the nice welcomes. Bob............. I love this forum.

That's a nice one you got there Rob. Did you restore it? I see that you have a cig lighter. Maybe that's what that hole is for in my dash. I thought somebody drilled a hole for something. And Sparky said my steering wheel is wrong . I didn't know that . I appreciate you guys telling me all this stuff. Thank you guys. Bob..

We all learn from each other and there is a lot of information on this site for you. Looks like a good solid and well worth restoring. I would suggest you pull the sheet metal covers of the engine to check for mouse nests. Feel free to ask questions if there are things you don't figure out on your own. As you begin to take the tractor apart be sure to take pictures of everything, they will come in handy as it goes back together. The C-81 was built from '78 to '81, not sure what year yours is but have attached the '79 "C Series" manual.

Back in the day when watching them back up was as exciting as watching them go forward. Jim and Pam.

Oh that white gto really is impressive.. I think vinylguy need to make some of them signs for the car guys here hah. I actually have a 1969 original blue Schwinn bike in my basement my dad found it in the dump when I was 7 and he redid it and then we redid it again when I was 13 and has just sat around as a memory now neat bikes..the vintage drag cars are my cup of tea the gassers high front end head up racing can't get much better! I might have to take you up on going next year sounds like a great time and the food looks even better!! Making me hungry off I go to make lunch thank for taking everyone along great post!

Can't help with the plow looks some some homemade adaptation. As to idle speed. Recommended Kohler idle speed is a lot faster that some expect 1200-1300 rpm. Does the hydro lift? Does tractor move. you need to have the parking brake lever pushed down and the tow valve under the seat with pin facing forward Yours in picture is in the tow position. also does you hydro have ATF (red) or Motor oil (tan) Originally came with ATF but many were converted. Never mix them.... I love my electros for plowing they are fantastic. welcome

Thanks for taking one for the team

You got it Richard! Bob Falfa was the character screen name of a relatively unknown actor in the 1974 film American Graffiti. He drove in multiple scenes a “wicked black ‘55 Chevy”. Bob comes to town looking for a showdown with John Milner, driving a yellow Deuce coupe and consequently the fastest car in the valley. Of course the actor who played Falfa would go on to fame and fortune as Han Solo and Indiana Jones... Harrison Ford. However, one line that is classic and maybe somewhat prophetic is when Toad says to Bob, “Nobody can beat John Milner!” To which Bob quickly interjects, “I ain’t nobody dork!” And then does an awesome burnout and takes off in the above black ‘55! That movie has become such a cult classic through the years and it is cool to see how different aspects of it end up in the car community like the above t shirt...

The're all in my yard!

Tested today Tuc Tuc's reworked FEL and all other Issues. All together it was so far a Success, the Lift height was on the Shovel tip 2,04m. everything work mostly as expected, just the Belt clutch didn't separates good enough as needed. While i have the Hydraulics Pulley actually combined in the Original Belt drivetrain it slips not enough. change of Gear is so a bit heavy and rough and the Clutch releases earlier than before because of more span. This was an issue i feared, the rest was pretty nice working. Tryed all the Belts i have, but no combination works nice as a clutch. For the Hydraulics everything seems nearly perfect, just a Beltspanner for the Hydraulicpump shall be installed later on. i found an light slippage on heavier weight, at the Hydraulics but this does not irritate the function at all as i needed. Maybe this is also a good choice to limit the weight in the Shovel, at 110 Kilo it begin's to slip. - If it slips, the FEL has an Overload, that simple. - So i do a new order for 3 different length of coated Drive Belts, they give me hopefully the needed slippage for the drive Clutch back, to bring the Clutch clean back to work. Also i can dealing with different Lengths easier for a better working Clutch, because i have not much experiences belt driven Clutches. So i improve my knowledge also a bit more.😎 after the first 6h of continouse operation, i am very satisfied with my Work. Even at a Daylight view, the cutted Hood for Exhaust looks familar to me. I love my nice looking and working Tuc Tuc... FEL heigth fully Lifted Thinking for a Drivers cabin for Winter, feared for early Snow The new Engine has a Hell of Torque, in compare to the old Engine I realize no powerloss in any situation. Even with a heavy loaded Trailer on hook it just initiates short more gas but no stalling, so my hope for more torqe was absolutely reached. - and it's much quiter - yap, you're right, Time for a Coffee !

There should be a 122-0502 oil filter to shroud gasket that seals the gap around the oil filter, without this part, much cooling air escapes. Short filters have more of a tendency to lose this part, so use the long one if at all possible. You will often find this part missing on used Onans and it may well be one of the causes of valve seat failure.

Crazy stuff right there!

This summer my wife and I went Way Out West on vacation. Made plans to stop at Farmall Land USA in Avoca, IA on the way home. The only day of the week they are closed is on Monday and you guessed it, it was the only day we could fit it in our schedule. Just reason enough to go back there again some time soon. Cheers! Dave

you are having too much fun organizing your space!!! I get it—I’ve been enjoying the same thing in my shop as well. It is so fun to watch your progress. Keep at it

You guys are making me jealous with all your snow pictures lol...we got a couple inches last Sunday, but not enough to even mess with getting a tractor out, was enough that I had to take the wrecker out on a few winch outs for people sliding off in the ditch, i swear Oklahoma drivers forget every year how to drive