Leaderboard

Received a text from @SALTYWRIGHT daughter today that Russ’ passed away. One of our oldest members at 94 years old. I had the pleasure of hanging out at tractor shows with Russ many times. He hasn’t been able to go to shows in the last 3 or 4 years, but anytime we talked he always talked about how he wanted to try to get to another one. He would meet up with @wallfish @Docwheelhorse and I at all the local shows. Driving his Camry or Lexus with a trailer and his Wheel Horse in tow. Gonna miss him….

There comes a time when looking around the yard, shop and garage I say to myself, do I really need all this stuff. For example this 2005 Fisher 8' Stainless X-Blade plow that had under 100 hours on it that has not been used since 2012. If Kev @Pullstart lived closer he would have been sent a PM to see if he would be interested for mounting this on one of his GM trucks. This sold this month after 2 days advertised for full asking price. Other things since this past Fall was a 310-8. thanks @Sparky you got the ball rolling for me, and a 2008 Polaris sportsman ATV with under 300 hours on it which sold to a good friend. Next up most likely will be the Farmall Super A and all its attachments, parts,books and manuals, too much to list. One of the projects I have been working on is getting rid of is Plumbing and Heating stock that I have been around since 1971 when I started as a Plumbers helper. A lot of parts have been tossed in a dumpster, some have been scrapped, overwhelming to say the least, sad.

I bought My Power King mainly to build a loader to handle snow. Man it worked great. But we haven't gotten squat for snow for like 3 years now. I need it for 1 job a year it seems like. Mostly it sits and takes up a lot of room in the garage. I know if I ever sell it we will get blasted

Rules of 7, Keep the last 7 things you thought you were going to need, and get rid of the rest. If they are important, they will come back. I kind of practice the rule of 25. Slow learner.

My wife works part time at a 2nd hand store that only sells donations to help the homeless. I can't donate as fast as she buys and brings home!

Mike @Mike'sHorseBarn reminded me that an update is long overdue. I am continuing PT three times a week and it is paying off. I am getting my strength back and on the way to being able to walk without a walker, not there yet but getting closer. I have resumed many of the day to day activities that had been a normal part of life, getting out to see friends and shopping. I'm not steady enough to work in the shop yet but have gone out there a few times just to look around; too cold to stay in the shop without a fire in the stove and can't carry much firewood while walking with a cane. I am confident that by spring I will have grease under my fingernails again. Looking forward to seeing my Red Square family members in June at the Big Show.

The person who developed that numbering system must have gone on to write tax codes for the IRS.

The Baird Machine Corp. of Stratford, Connecticut brought out the Beaver tractor in 1948. The company had been in business for over a century prior to entering the Garden Tractor marketplace somewhat by accident. They were known for high-speed metal forming equipment that would automate manufacturing. In the late 1940s, Company President, Leon Warner purchased an Acme Garden Tractor and made a few modifications to make it more user friendly. He removed the lever steering system and replaced it with a tiller steering system. Acme tractors had no reverse gear. Warner fashioned a friction driven reverse for the tractor consisting of a rubber surfaced wheel on the jackshaft that would rub against the engine drive pulley if the engine was moved backward, reversing the jackshaft somewhat like the 1955 to 1957 Pond/Wheel Horse has . A hand operated lever mover the engine forward and back to change drive directions and act as a clutch which was later modified to foot operation. The foot shift machine also saw a move up in engine size to the Wisconsin 6.2 HP, it nearly doubled the horsepower. Baird also increased the Beavers axle size at this time and went with standard 5 lug wheels. Sales numbers peaked in 1952 with 763 units. All told some 4000 of these machines were built. 1955 saw the introduction of what Is known as the “Red Handled” machines. The black ball on the tiller and lift handle had been replaced by a red bicycle handlebar grip. This new improved machine had a larger 8 HP Wisconsin engine and was offered in both tiller and steering wheel models as well as electric or pull start. For the first time it had a dashboard that had the throttle, on/off switch, and choke controls. This model was further modernized with a small red plastic hood and a gray front grill. While still producing single speed models Baird added a 3-speed transmission in 1959 and a wider stance front end as options. All told 443 of these 3-speed, red handled machines were produced. Spring of 1961 saw the intro of the 750 Beaver. Available only in wheel steering but offered both electric and pull starts. Unfortunately, this steering is based on a flexible cable within a tube; to describe it as unresponsive would be extremely generous. The 750 was really the exact same machine as the 3 speed red handles except that it had a single piece fiberglass hood and was only offered with the wide front end. While early tractors were dark machinery gray, changing to a lighter machinery gray in the 1950’s, Baird used a brown color on the 750’s through 1961 when the division was sold. I was unable to find any firm information about the Baird Beaver’s transition from the ACME tractor, manufactured by Smathers Manufacturing, to Baird.

Poor bus , lives with a " here hold my beer" .

I understand the cognitive situation there all too well. In years past I've struggled greatly to discard or pass along anything. Back about 10, 11 years ago I made some major life changes and improvements. One of them is deciding in a PRACTICAL WAY what items need to stay or be rehomed. The last few years I've been carefully choosing what stays, goes, or gets aquired. Remember there's more than one way to "cleanse". De-cluttering is a wonderful way to create a physical and MENTAL cleanse..

A few weeks back, Colleen was the guest of honor for some friends. We made a few rounds of the field, and parked it. After another hour or two, they asked to go out again. We made it 233 yards according to my buddy’s OnX hunt app

I know Russ was a member here for a very long time, and he will be missed. Hopefully he’s hanging out with Cecil Pond talking Wheel Horses. RIP Russ.

Rip Russ

Only knew Russ through postings on Red Square but know how proud he was of the diesel 1054 you have now. If there are tractor shows in Heaven I will see him there for sure.

I remember a post that Russ made about trying to get up here to Maine to attend the M & G. Dedicated WH man for sure.

Whoo Hooo!!! I was able to work on this project 2 days in a row. First up this morning was a mid mount weight bar. Did some tear out figures & learned that 7ga metal would far exceed what I planed on hanging for weight. Cut a couple hangers out of some scrap left over from making ladder bar / F-plate reinforcements. Did some measuring to figure out where I wanted to mount them on the ladder bars. Then cut a piece of 3/4" round stock to hang the weights on. There is enough rod to hang 15 of my 7lb weights on each side, Plus there is room for weight in between the ladder bars. I did a lot of deliberating on how I wanted to make the hitch. After looking at other hitches and running a few designs through my head I finally decided on how I would make it. Right or wrong, here is how I decided to go. First piece cut out of 1/4" plate & semi ready to go. Cut an opening in the back so that it could be mounted where I want. Back to cutting some more pieces out of 1/4" plate. These pieces will connect the upper plate with the original 3/4" pin hole in the tranny. Trimmed the upper plate to length, made the center plate, and the lower plate out of some more 1/4" plate. Here is a preliminary mock up. It took a lot of time to cut all of these pieces out with a 4 1/2" grinder, but Hey. If all you have is a hammer, you try to fix every thing with that hammer. Need to take the center plate to work so that I can put some bends in it, drill a few more holes and then I can start welding this thing together.

As long as it isn’t the same items making round trips....

Russ was a 100% class act, never knew how to "give up" and I am honored to have known him. Mike (Sparky) and I had the pleasure of a few cups of coffee in his home on a few occasions. @Sparky and I took him for lunch at his favorite in town pizza joint not that long ago and i'm glad we got the chance. His electrical mods to tractors and cars are now the stuff of legends--I'll never look at anything with push button start without thinking of him. He will be missed.... Goodbye and God Speed Tony Ruggiero

Condolences and prayers for Russ and his family.

Condolences and prayers for the family

A couple years ago the wife and I did what I call a "purge" to the basement. It all started with some rules. There will be three piles Keep, Throw or Donate. The keep pile must never exceed the size of either throw or donate. If so, items must be moved. She sat on the steps and I carried the items in front of her for a look then into a pile they went. There was a method to the madness. I admit it was tough but 30 some black trash bags later. They were either donated or thrown away. I think there is a dozen totes down there now and 3 are mine.

You can borrow my M-37w/w.. may have to tie her to a tree but she will get it out

Turn the die over after it gets to the bottom on the initial thread cut.

Nah....!!

I'm not in particular but on my way home from the cabin was a gun show in Wausaw. Got an early start so an hour to kill. Saw this on a table with 20 clams on it. I says I'll take it for that. The guy say I'll take fifteen. OK I peed money away in worst ways. Mention to the guy I'm a sub vet and he thanks me for service and takes 10.

Never easy to see that title thread, and never easy to click on it to see who. RIP Russ

Got a little more done today. Wanted to paint the frame, but found it a little rougher than expected after the pressure wash. So I mounted the front tires and painted the 6-inch wheels, just for a mock up. The first pic above has the same size front wheels, so I'm making mine look the same. Only difference is mine has an 8-speed and a Kohler K181 with electric start. And for anyone who is wondering: 3.50 rib tires will fit 4.50 wide wheels with tubes. No way I'd have ever got them seated without tubes. My narrow 6-inch wheels were so rusted inside the beads wouldn't break. One just ripped the sidewall without moving, so I borrowed front wheels from a 312 I parted out years ago. I really like how this is shaping up. Hopefully this one will go quicker than most of my projects, because it's already a runner. Very few mods to deal with.

Hey she gets at least 10mpg 40m mph is good can do 45 and she has a fresh overhaul on the engine...

Now that sounds like a fun activity! Let's see, drive from Mo. to Pa., then Pa. to Mi. at what, 40mph? to help rescue Colleen. Get it all muddy, 'cause it is probably impossible to get it to the bus without doing 4 or 5 laps of the field. Pull the bus out, stick the bus again on the way back to the parking lot. 3 or 4 more laps to position the M-37. Pull the bus out. The bus is now warmed up, so let's do a lap of the field, 'cause we are out there. Stick the bus again, more laps with the M-37..... Well, I guess everybody can pretty much imagine how the rest of the day will go. Of course, more video would need to be taken.

You may want to only bring 3 WH tractors on your trailer to the 6th annual M & G on the 7th of September this year. You just never know what might follow you home. Once a week I find a picture of that 310 and weep a bit. @Raven is very neutral, doesn't matter if I have 1 or oh yeah down to 9, that's enough.

You’re welcome Jim…I could see in your face that day that you weren’t sure you wanted to sell that 310. Patty on the other hand was delighted

Kinda seems like he woulda learned sumphin' after the first time he stuck it last year.

I'm in long term declutter mode. One trash can / recycle bin per week and / or donate. Good feeling and over due... Another thing i've done for years: one new clothing item in? Two get donated... slowly keeps the clutter down...

I was given 2 - 3' x 8' metal adjustable shelving units a couple years ago. The shelf material is 12" 16 gauge c channel. I was hoping to put them in a storage shed one day. I still may do that and use plywood for the shelves but I decided to upgrade some cheap metal shelves in my shop. Now I need to remove all the old labels and organize the bins. Before After Sorting complete

I wanted to share a bit of my research, I have never found this info compiled and available within any of the forums I have joined or searched. "What year is my tractor?" "How do I date it?" Although our research is never complete here is what has been determined: If your tractor has a three or four digit model number, excluding a hyphen(-) it was built between 1958-1967 and the last "Numerical" digit would indicate the model year, IE: RE-65, 855, 1055, then your tractor is a 1965 model year. The only exceptions to this found are some of the early RJ models that carried through a couple years and the 1054A which was sold as a 1965 and was guesstimated to be a very late 1054 with an updated engine and transmission. Beginning in 1968 we must use this magical number 5. But Why you ask, well I asked myself that question for years until some idiot (Me) became obsessed enough about knowing to devote the time to actually research it and what I have determined actually made sense once seeing it. Here we go: The 5 relates to the year 1965. 1965 was the first year for the addition of the Hydrostatic Transmission along with multiple other revisions to the tractor line, three years later a new Model numbering scheme was born. Implemented in 1968 on the 3rd "birthday" (year) of the 1965 model revisions. This new model number includes a date code number which is the 4th numerical digit of that number, example: within the 1968 Raider 9 model number 1-6931, the 3 is our magical number, it is the 4th numerical digit and the 3rd "birthday" of the 1965 model revisions thus the 3 added to the 1965 model year, 3+1965 = a 1968 model year. So this Model numbering scheme begins with 1968 and ends with 1970. Other examples, IE: with a 2-1231 REO we would add 5 to 3 (3+1965=1968) thus telling us this tractor is a 1968 model year. A 1-6251 we would add 5 to 5 (5+1965=1970) thus telling us this is a 1970 model year, the R-26 and Raider 10 are partial exceptions. The Raider 10 was not produced for the 1969 Model year, however the model numbers for 1969 and 1970 both show up for the 1970 model year. Beginning with 1971 we see the same five digit model number scheme but it no longer includes the date code digit, instead an additional number was added next to the model number so we then use that additional number instead of the Model number digit and add 5 to it to determine the model year, IE: a 1-0300 6 Raider 10 we would add 6 to 5 (6+1965=1971) telling us it is a 1971. It has been common for folks to subtract the 5 and since we are not using negative numbers we remove the negative indicator leaving us with the correct number, bottom line is either direction you want to mow it you will come up with the right year :). Let's move on to 1976. Beginning in 1976 through 1984 we not only have a model year indicator within the model number again but we also have the build date code on a second line of the model ID tag. The serial number is the last set of digits after the second hyphen(-) of the model number. IE: A 61-16OS01-*** D-160 the first digit 6 is the model year 1976. The second line number is a Julian date version, IE: 6174, the 6 = the year 76 and the 174 is the day of that year, June 23. So not only does it have the year but also the day it came off the assembly line. To be continued... Research and Document by Dennis Ramsey

Rest in Peace my friend. You will be missed and it was an honor to know you and hang out at the shows together.

I never met Russ, but enjoyed reading his posts. Rest Easy Sir.

He just ain't right... glad I ain't gotta be in his body when he turns 64...makes me wanna quit drinkin n smokin so as I could live that long to say I told you so...

Kevin is an experiential learner, the more experience you have at doing bone-head things the better you become at it. He has only gotten the bus stuck once before so give him time, before long he will perfect the fine art of burying it up to the windows. Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, and is more narrowly defined as "learning through reflection on doing". Hands-on learning can be a form of experiential learning, but does not necessarily involve students reflecting on their product. Experiential learning is distinct from rote or didactic learning, in which the learner plays a comparatively passive role. It is related to, but not synonymous with, other forms of active learning such as action learning, adventure learning, free-choice learning, cooperative learning, service-learning, and situated learning.

@pfrederi Thank you! This was the problem. I thought I had tried that but apparently I hadn’t.

That is exactly how I accomplished bottoming the threads out.

Made some headway on rat rod Suburban. Got it running great. It's definitely loud & obnoxious! Need to do more work on drive belt/clutch. It's still turning transmission when clutch is depressed.....so back to drawing board on that. I have pics attached. 20240128_150442.mp4

I, too, fight with recurring bouts of the “more is better” disease.

Like I mentioned in the video.. it’s paid for, and we can’t put it on the road, so why not have fun? I think I’ll keep my eyes out for some awesome tractor tires and wheels to adapt to it on the cheap! For the few years we’ve owned it, we’ve only put 10 gallons of fuel in it. Lots of fun for little money now. I can handle it

Nice plow too, with a spring trip edge! Attaboy Plunge!

Great find The seller is a real smooth talker, talked himself out of half his asking price.

Nice switch!!! Can we put a launch decal under it?!?! I ordered a buttload of those in the jungle fellas... I have no idea why... cheap I guess. The lighting control panel in a 520 sno beast. Guessing you know about the crack in the usual spot on the hood stand? What I did for a fix since I didn’t want to weld on it. Actually did weld on it during resto... so much for me frying eggs...

Poor Kevin, he really takes a self inflicted beatin here! Doesn’t he? 😂

Reminds me I need to donate some old work shirts..... Cotton clothing is shredded for shop rags. We have very little cotton because of the life we lead being outdoors so much. (cotton + hiking = bad) The rest, polyester rayon etc is for the salvation army.

I plan to Mick and did just that after her service yesterday. Thank you and all my WH family for the kind words.