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13" wet snow. I installed the weight box, have 175# in box , plus the wheel weights. It made a HUGE difference. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DeQBavempsA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWB6m-gh5Zo

Ive got 3 onans, 2 Kohler Ks, and ive never liked the selection of plug wires, ive been using V-Twin kits and shortening them down but most options i find are 'supressor' cored. I found this company called Tons Performance, they sell old style copper cored, cotton wrapped, with a scuff cover, and a variety of colors, patterns, boots and connectors. I got enough to do 5 tractors (8 wires) 12ft of wire, for $53 with shipping, and a few extra boots and ends. Cant wait to get it all made and installed.

Gunsmith Garden Tractor Sometimes three wheels are better than two. Adding an operator’s platform, a seat and a third wheel for steering converted a walk-behind tractor into a riding garden tractor. These small tractors were built between 1948 and around 1955. They were based on the 2 wheeled BMB Ploughmate machine powered by a JAP 5hp single-cylinder air cooled engine. Power to the 2-speed gearbox with reverse was transmitted via a flat belt. An idler pulley tensioned the belt and when the foot pedal was pressed down releasing the tension, this acted as the clutch. A tight turning circle was helped with separate brakes for each rear wheel. The machine has a hand-operated lift mechanism for rear or mid-mounted implements. Gunsmith The British made BMB Plowmate tractor has been described as pedestrian tractor because it is operated by a person walking behind and controlling the operation of the machine. The tractor comprises primarily a two-wheeled machine with an engine mounted between the wheels which were directly coupled through a gearbox to the wheels. There were many variations of the tractor relating mainly to equipment attached to the rear of the machine. Most of the tractors had steel wheels. This tractor has rubber tires and at the rear and cultivation equipment is attached to the tractor drawbar. The BMB plowmate was the largest of 3 different size pedestrian tractors built by British Motor Boats who started importing American built machines during 1930’s. The plowmate is powered by a six horsepower JAP model 5 engine or a Briggs & Stratton ZZ engine. Perhaps @ranger, @meadowfield or @Mickwhitt can tell us more about this tractor. Plowmate

I'm glad you weren't hurt. Sometimes these little tractors fight back! My personal favorite is getting on my Bronco, and the seat latch wasn't fully engaged. So the seat flipped up, and I fell over the seat behind the tractor. Belly flop in the wet yard, kung fu jump up just to make sure no one was looking... Then the pain of catching the 3 point on the way down set in, so I danced around like a snared Emu for a few. Just bruises and scratches, and hurt pride. I no longer place any weight on my seat back getting on or off my tractors. But, something will happen again. I have a family curse. My grandpa told me that Wiley Coyote was modeled after his life, and he passed that on to me...

I said previously that this build had very little fabrication, but I guess I just can never leave well enough alone... I fabbed a heavier hitch for this little guy, and modded the toolbox so it would pass through the back. With the hitch on top, I didn't want it to stick out any further than needed. It's not as heavy as one that mounts on the axle, but at least it's more than 6 inches off the ground. The seat spring sits on top of the hitch. I also got the right side tunnel cover painted, and one fender. The other side is still in progress. Since these fenders came from a Suburban, they were too high for these wheels. So I lowered them so the sit closer to the tires. I had previously built added supports to use hydraulic lift on this, but abandoned that idea. It would work, but I didn't like the setup. Regardless, the supports are 1/4 plate and use pivots from a D series. They bolt in the same holes as the tunnel sides. The bellcrank is 1 inch, and has a removable tab to connect to a cylinder. I'll make a manual arm to fit it later. Or I'll figure something else out. Also started putting the engine back together...

This one gave me a "moment". I bought it knowing the tunnel in front of the seat was broken. I brought it into the shop after I unloaded it to see how well it ran. The sequence of events are as follows... 1. Open hood & hook up battery charger. 2. Remove air cleaner & spray some gas into the carb to prime it. 3. Get on tractor, lift parking brake lever to "disengage" transmission. 4. Set choke to 1/2, set throttle to 1/4. 5. Put foot on brake to engage safety switch & turn key to start. 6. Fires up instantly & takes off full speed forward towards the back of the C-160 in front of it. 7. Panic & turn off key. 8. Dismount tractor, unhook battery charger & pick up off floor. 9. Drop trousers & check for recent unexpected "developments".

Routers, routers, routers. Hard to believe but I have owned and used dozens of them of virtually every brand out there and in commercial applications. From vintage Stanley’s to the latest Festool I have used them all extensively. Lots to consider as far as options go. Not one single router is ideal for all applications. I have fixed base ones, plunge, 3HP large ones to small trimmers. They are hard to compare because features vary on them so one is not always comparing apples to apples. No one talks much about it but in a router how they are balanced is a big thing. A tall top heavy router with two little handles on the base and a switch on the very top is not a good design. If you are stuck to those 3 brands as far as they go Dewalt, and Bosch in that order. I will not buy a Skill. Both of those will have 1/4 and 1/2” capability which is essential. My advice is not to limit yourself to those 3 brands. Here as far as routers go Makita is king, specially the large plunge routers of which I own three. I have never worked with a more comfortable, convenient, powerful , versatile,or reliable router. With the exception of perhaps a Festool no other brand even comes close to all those qualities. For the last 40 years that has been so. Some Harbor Freight trimmers and routers are knockoffs of Makitas, I do also own several Porter Cable fixed base and several Dewalts. When I had to work for a living the constant changing of cutters was not an effective way of doing things so I had routers dedicated to particular tasks and cutters already set even in cutting depth hence the reason for so many.

Good eye, that's an original MAYPOP tire from the 80's. An obscure little company that went out of business shortly thereafter...

Nice rig! It's amazing what 12 hp will do in our little 's. Engineered to get it done & last forever with basic maintainance, sadly those days are gone, but for the lucky few of us that know this, we'll remain proud to own them & never part with them! Great videos, that guy across the street with the shovel must hate you, it made my day watching you actually having FUN & making a video while he's over there definitely NOT having fun.

If I had it... I wouldn't share it. But here is the idea: images.mp4

Nice matchup of the ground speed to the amount of snow the unit can process. Almost impossible to move that quantity of snow in single passes with a plow instead....

It’s funny, or sad, that Skill is considered garbage any more. Hand me the box of Kleenex, and a Skillsaw.

OK. Two things... and I promise I'm laughing with you. Not at you. That's a great visual my friend. Now this one....... I'mmma need sum video.

I was using my 1055 to do final grading at a Habitat for Humanities home build. When the grading was complete I parked the Wheel Horse near my trailer and went inside to do some work. One of the volunteers needed some rope and I told him I had some in the tool box under the seat of the 1055. When I went to turn it around to back onto the trailer I didn't check the latch on the seat pan, when I let out on the clutch the seat tipped back and I was hanging on to the steering wheel for dear life. Other than being totally embarrassed by everyone cheering and applauding there were no injuries, just my pride.

Using the snowblower on the 854 yesterday for over an hour then this happened. Early tractors have the clutch - brake single pedal above the left foot stirrup. I drive it using a heel 'n toe technique. Depressed the pedal to shift into reverse - let up and my heel pivoted the stirrup downward and my left foot slipped offf. Got that same head rush you get working up on a staging when you inadvertantly step down onto the next plank without realizing it. The "1-1/2" Heart Attack" - anyone who has used staging enough can relate to it!!

I agree 100% on the manfacturer supporting their product which is why I mentioned Ridgid. In 2011 I purchased one of their 18v drills. The kit had two batteries and I purchased one more. I registered everything for the warranty. About a year ago, after 11 years of hard use, the switch was getting funky. I thought about just buying a switch but I decided to send them an email about it. I also mentioned that the batteries were starting to run down quicker than they used to. They replied back stating that they had three new batteries on their way and to take the drill back to Home Depot. The batteries arrived in a couple days and when I took the drill to HD I handed it to the customer service gal along with the email from Ridgid. I ended walking out of there with a complete kit, drill, another battery, charger and case.

The 2 stage is a keeper, for sure.

This was my 2nd storm using the tractor. Used the weight box this storm. And I also installed a clutch spring and removed the failed piston tensioner. oiled/ lubed all moving parts and let the machine/gearing do the work . The knowledge and willing communication/ true passion of this forum has definitely helped me learn the CORRECT way to maintain and work these beautiful machines. Im really enjoying this. Thanks to all of you.

48" Snowthrower DNA 1973-1974 model 6-7451 replaced by 1975 model 6-7452 1976 model 66-48ST01 1977 model 76-48ST01 1978 model 86-48ST01 1979 model 96-48ST01 1980-1982 model 06-48ST01

One word "smooth"

I thought I had already seen this post before.... Great stuff. Reminders of high school and some of my early days of playing guitar. I used to have the guitar chord song book - don't seem to have it in my collection anymore, but who uses books these days?

Got the steel in, 2" wide 1/4" thick hot rolled bar, and 12x8x1/4 plate. Made an upper support held in by the seat spring bolts (longer and grade 8), then welded the plate to the upper mount and eyeballed an angle for it. Then welded the lower supports to the plow mounts. It is removable, its tricky...you drop the 4 bolts out the plow mounts, remove the upper support bolts, slip the seat spring forward some and then tilt the seat/box back some, then it lifts away. Goes on in about 3 minutes. My geometry on the breakover was off, figured it would be, wont be able to use the plow mounts to hold the lift arms, im going to have to weld some pins to the lower supports, however...the lift handle is perfectly aligned and comes down about 1.5" off the right fender.

Yes but saveable... what did you expect for a Frankie. Good thing the tractors I score for ya are fairly complete... It just make me wonder... what on earth could a PO been thinking when he drilled that hole above the fine fine wire job?!?!

I prefer gas and a little two stroke oil. Definitely not either! And we love pictures!

My wife mentioned this yesterday when she watched the video, we both got a kick out of your comment, and that you noticed.

Finally got the time to swap it out today. The disk was over due as well. The Fleabay one came with a worn out disk which I relined. WHX wanted a pic, so here it is. See how many cracks you can find.

Looks like fun. ...Sort of. But you all can keep the cold that comes with it!

LOL I don't even check anymore...

I learned something new tonight, at least if Wikipedia can be believed.... I always thought "Carry On" had one of the coolest bass lines I'd ever heard, and in my quest to find out who played it (it was apparently Stephen Stills), I learned that this song is actually based on a tune called "Questions" that Stills wrote and played with Buffalo Springfield:

Im probably just going to get a middle buster or built/buy a small tine cultuvator, or single gang disc.

Looks great so far! I like the way you tie in at top and bottom on the tranny! You may want to add a couple gussets on the lower tabs. Not sure how much weight you'll be pulling, but it would help against side loads for sure.

Patience is your best friend Saildude on a stuck valve. Something which I have none of.

That is a good suggestion. Will try that tomorrow. I have used carb cleaner on it and the stem is pretty clean. Still seeping the Kroil every day. Pretty careful with the tap tapping on the valve head. Hard to believe how stuck it is.

Why not Milwaukee, they're great tools, and besides that, my son works for them! They are usually more expensive than a lot of other tools, but often worth it! C-85

Price pretty much reflects the quality of these items IMO. If your are looking for second fill in, the Skill will do the trick. I have one that has been good to me, but I don't use it a whole lot. If you plan on working the snot out of it, then I would go with the Bosch.

IMHO..... Skil. I haven't personally had the best luck. I'd ...... cross that off the list. Dewalt. Good stuff. I've had just a couple Dewalt tools. Both were excellent. I have the portable band saw. Bosch. Very little personal experience but I can't remember the last bad word I've heard about one. Given the close price between the Dewalt and Bosch I'd get each one out at the store and see how YOU feel holding the grips, using the features etc.

Loose connection is an open not a short

Over the past year, as a favor to a nearby non-profit, I’ve become the maintainer of one of those green lawn tractors. The first contact, though, was them trying to get me to diagnose the problem over the phone. “Nope,” says I, “hands on is the only way to really get to the bottom of the issue.” A clumsy operator had managed to kick the wire to the starter solenoid disconnecting it. I would have never suggested looking for that over the phone but in person it was less than a minute to fix. Latest was them leaving the key in the ON position and hearing “Oh, does that really matter?” when the battery was toast.

Anyone know what's going on here? Looks like we have a suburban toolbox with the 854 fenders. Is that what everyone else is seeing? Also it looks like someone has been in the engine. New piston and the valve seats look new.

@paulyv56 nice job on that , like the fact that you are actually letting the gearing / feed into the blower work ! pete

@formariz has it smothered! I hobby woodwork and have a selection of angle grinders with dedicated grit/ball gouge etc. My favorite is the bosch. High rpm (seemingly) and noticeably less kickback. My dewalt I need two hands on or I can spring a leak. Always mind the P.P.E. but as we know them power tools do not care what I am wearing. Festool. heck yeah if you will use it. My 40 year old router will do everything I need for the rest of my life. That money is a couple and possibly a few horses worth of change. I gotta ask... What pray tell are you considering routing?

Mike that is a very nice example of a six speed. I hope you take it out for a ride every now and then. I just feel comfortable on these start /gen tractors. Like riding a horse. I have running bored type tractor but not the same feel. You seem to sit in not on. If you know what I mean.

@Pullstart can provide either cowboy boots or flip flops... steel toed of course...

@stevasaurus short was in the plug in connection , at dash to ignition switch , one of the wire ends was failing reliable connection . also wire was tight , enhancing the erratic action . replaced 2 wire ends with slide tabs , to hold in plug in . the original wire make up was not tight . pete

Yessir that's correct. Trina has one of each. And the Military Tribute which is an 856 with a BBT/ EB added 6 speed. 1966 there were no 6 speeds.

Kinda silly to post no more than this, but I didn't have much time tonight. All I got finished was the carb rebuild (been soaking in Chem-Dip for several days) and the breather cover. I know it's for a K91, but it will be ok for now. I want some kind of larger remote filter but I haven't found one I like yet. Still need to trim the spring down a bit too. Anyway, more to come. And it'll be more than this next time.

Little inspiration KP... Lowell's & one of the finer ones I've seen. retaining the small wheels. Jeepers cats his boy is in collage now!

I know the feeling. I am 6'5 and pushing 300lbs. I had a 66 Lawn Ranger. Here is a photo of how I felt on it.