Leaderboard

I just received the WHCC yearly news letter that included this article on Howard. For those that may not receive the news letter, I felt it should be made available.

I haven’t been here often and only for very short visits and some of you asked if everything is ok. Thank you very much for your concerns. I am feeling fine physically, just exhausted with all the testing and concerns this has cause specifically to my family. I went last week to the Hackensack Cancer Center where they are the so called authority on Multiple Myeloma, at least in this area. They pretty much confirmed what the other doctors had already confirmed only with much more detail and information. Or perhaps it’s just that now that I know more about it I am asking more questions. They state that I am at the “smoldering “ stage, meaning that it is pre cancer. Although they say that it is inevitable that I will eventually have it, it could take many years for it to happen. However since there is always a rather substantial increase in the adverse readings of the blood tests, I will have to continue to be tested every three months. In addition to all the tests I have been doing they also now want me to do a bone marrow MRI which is only available in two facilities in the state , luckily they being one of them. It’s not warranted nor recommended at this point to start any treatment or and medication, only when tests reach a certain threshold. So essentially summarizing this ordeal I am a ticking time bomb that inevitably will blow up. I don’t know if it’s better than actually having it now and dealing with it, since it is now a constant burden on everyone’s minds always worrying and watching me for any signs of distress. Essentially peace of mind is now for the family a thing of the past. I am not a worrying person but I don’t like to see the other’s constantly concerned over me specially my wife who totally depends on me. One of tests done was a PET scan which detects any thing abnormal going on in your body. Well, that was also the opening of Pandora’s box. Some things found I already knew but ignored, and others I didn’t know. So now on top of everything else I also am going to see a Vascular Surgeon to deal with all the bad veins on my leg, and do other tests to see why I am now anemic which they ruled out being related to the Myeloma at this stage. So as you all can see this is been the bulk of my activities. I think I know glow in the dark and will gave a permanent faucet attached to my left arm to withdraw blood.

Attwell Chain-Trac, La-Trac Junior, and Windolph Chain-Tred A few days ago, we looked at the cute little Mity Midget tracked tractor which utilized WW2 surplus tracks and trucks. In today’s post we will a look at three very similar walking tractors that were purpose built tracked garden tractors. The Attwell Chain-Tred, La-Trac Junior Tractor, and the Windolph Chain-Tred all followed in the tracks (pun intended) of the Vaugn Flex-Tread which we will look at in another thread tomorrow. James Attwell filed a patent application for a dual chain-tread tractor in 1947 and received his patent (2,535,254) on December 26, 1950 which was assigned to the Windolph Tractor Company in Portland, Oregon. The patent lists this as a co-partnership between Attwell and Windolph. The prototype Attwell was built by the G & L Machine Works of Seattle. The words “Chain-Tred” and “Seattle” are cast into each of the 4 drive wheels as well as a name plate. A. Harry Greenberg, co-owner of G & L, created an almost identical version of the Attwell when Greenberg incorporated the La-Trac Junior Tractor Company in 1949. The La-Trac Junior appeared and disappeared in a short period of time so there may have been a nasty little patent infringement issue there. There were few if any differences between the Attwell, La-Trac and Windolph tractors, though Windolph did offer a deluxe model with a two-speed transmission. The all used Wisconsen AKN engines and had forward and reverse accomplished by pulling back on an arm to raise the engine and tighten the drive belt or push forward to lower the engine to allow a friction drive wheel to move the tractor backwards. You can view these three videos and decide if there are any differences.

Still looks like a bomb went off...

Now, I’ve been laying out, organizing, prioritizing tools, etc. I have a top/bench top tool box that I’m contemplating using. Many of the drawers in my current tool boxes are broken or bent. I’m emptying my boxes, hoping to downsize those and maybe I’ll part a box out to repair the damaged ones. This. Feels. Great!

I was happy to read that this morning as well. Howard has angels all over the place, and I hope this will be ok with him for me to share. Last year on the way to the big show, he was in a hurry to get to the Wednesday night Italian Dinner event, but never showed. I called at some point of our night to check in on his arrival time. He told me something came up, and he would fill me in later. He had stopped in Gettysburg at a small cafe, just short of his destination, and the restaurant hostess had noticed his struggles in his vehicle. With help, she was able to understand that he hadn’t stopped for a snack all day to get to dinner on time. They physically brought him into their restaurant, fed him and gave him a coke to bring his sugars back up, and wouldn’t allow him to pay for the meal!

(It feels like) I’m moving. Moving in… finally… after 7 years being here! I have felt like I haven’t used the potential of the walls, due to the previous owner being family, and them never really moving out it feels. I have finally decided if it isn’t needed by now, it’s as good as useless to them. So, I’ve got a good pile in the scrap hopper, I’ve been filling my dumpster, and I’m making it count. I’ve been decorating. There’s lots of signage that I’ve had to hang up, just in piles. Tonka toys, race memorabilia, deer heads, tractors, etc. probably more to come there. I’ve hung a good handful of lights, and now believe I could use even more in certain areas. I have finally replaced every standard shop bulb with LED. Now, I’m getting into tool organization. Since being here, I have not had a shop vice. Can you believe that? I had this bench buried out back, and decided it needed to get into the shop. The racking I’ve stuffed stuff on for 3-4 years was emptied and moved out. Yesterday, the bench moved in. Not without issue, of course! I tried to skid it with the snowmobile sled (an old S10 hood), but it sunk a caster wheel into the drive and dumped over. Standing it back up on the concrete, I felt like I ripped my right peck a little. We happened to go bowling last night. It’s feeling ok today.

Build your self a barrier so you don't pile stuff up against the bench so you can't use it.

Continued prayers for you and your family.

I found out about this story in 2022 while attending the Big Show. Howard was pulling into the Italian Restaurant parking lot just as Libby and me were. He obviously had seen my load of Wheel Horses. He approached us, introduced himself, and invited us in. Howard even bought our dinner that night ! The man had not known us one hour hardly, and was already treating us to dinner. After spending the days of the show 2 spaces down from Howard I easily realized why he had bought us dinner- that’s just Howard, a selfless soul. We had a big scare and a small injury to our little Yorkie and had to hurriedly leave the show one day. When we arrived at the show the next day, we found Howard and James Blankenship had placed my Horses under my canopy and lowered it for us- that’s just Howard and James. I am thankful that I met Howard and thankful for his life saving donor, David Star !

Booked at the Comfort Inn. Had good time there last two times I went. Be at the show grounds thursday morning hopefully no too long afternthe gate opens. 👍

My use of "complex" was to compare its build configuration vs. a one Cyl. Honda - two Cyls, 4 Valves, oil press. Sw., etc., plus more gasketed areas that could develop leakage by introducing Sea Foam. As far as recips go, this is what I consider complex!

Thanks for the help! The snowblower and the dozer blade are in the pool house so tucked away but took the best picture I could.

Put the new horse to work. The 310-8 ran great but the 42" SD did leave a small streak. May need a new set of blades. I had a little trouble using the clutch and brake pedals. I'm a hydro guy used to pushing one pedal to go forward and releasing the pedal to go backwards. But I didn't run over anyone or thing. Then used the 312H to till the bean patch and put up a rabbit fence.

I work out of a one car garage and needed to be able to easily move the lift table so my wife can get her car in. This was non-negotiable I bought locking swivel casters with 2k pound capacity. For the front I had to use 2x4 pt wood to build it up high enough for the casters to fully spin. In the back I welded up some brackets. Works really well. IMG_0525.MOV

Cas, I was at the smoldering stage four years ago, have had no treatment and now my M Spike readings are at the high end of the normal range. Perhaps it was prayer, might have been just plain-old good,luck. I don't know and the oncologists don't know why either so think positive and You will remain in my prayers.

Two positives I see: 1. Glow-in-the-dark. You'll be able to see your way to the bathroom at night without the need to turn on a light; 2. If you run into a vampire, just tell him to use the faucet and skip the bite in the neck. All kidding aside, I'd rather be smoldering than fully on fire. Keep the positive attitude. We all love you man and will be keeping you in our thoughts. Sending more good juju your way.

15 cents for a bottle, 60 cents for a can, 3 dollars for a Squonk

Keep your chin up Cas. I found out a while back that I was anemic. Whole bunch of tests. They never found anything. Just gets you more wound up.

@Pullstart Looking good! How did you manage without a bench vise

Very much appreciated Ed! Absolutely agreed. Trina and I have made quite a few good friends.

I too received the letter and read about Howard. I’ve said this here before, it’s amazing how these little tractors have brought together such a wonderful group of people.

I saw this in my newsletter, glad they shared it!! Howard shared that story with me at the show, we have a great wheel horse community!!

What beautiful tractors

I feel that as a "C160-less" member (who lives too far away to compete for this machine), I can speak for all of us in saying EB DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER C-160!!! Just joking of course. Good luck to both of you.

Simply put: Your mileage may vary. just my $.02

Seafoam and similar will obviously never fix a mechanical issue. But- removing carbon and sludge can most definitely be accomplished with it. Using Seafoam regularly in fuel will help against the fuel system getting gummed up, so long as ethanol fuel isn't used. It is especially good at removing carbon buildup in the top end. But Seafoam contains isopropyl, it actually compounds moisture accumulation when used with ethanol fuel. I said all that to say this: when used as intended, additives like Seafoam can be beneficial. But no additive is going to save an engine from a mechanical issue. This discussion is like so many things: without all of the variables, it's hard to know an accurate answer. Most of my tractors sleep in a climate controlled environment, almost never seeing high or low temps. Someone who has no such storage will see more condensation and dust. Humidity here is horrible. Throwing a tarp over something here is actually worse than getting rained on somewhere dryer. In other words, what works here may not work elsewhere.

hopefully there is enough happiness and blessings on the other side of the day to day life ledger to offset the worry side of the ledger? Be positive !!

Fitted a new engine in my commando 7 race mower.

You’re not wrong! Current status of my wreckage recovery…

WHrat WHrecker saves the day!!! Use the chains next time... that sissy strap is why it tipped over...

Keep it up!!!!

Where are my manners! @rrjbwhite@comcast.net

I saw this this morning, absolutely horrible. I wonder how the ship managed to run into that support.....I imagine there will be consequences..........

Maybe a reenactment video of you doing that combo is in order..........so we can make sure of the sequence I know some additives will clean. I have used the Chevron Techron with good results. Also, think more is not better. Using and excessive amount of these additives will degrade systems. In the tractors, just plain old non E fuel and good motor oil has been the ticket. I believe most of the time a lot of products do very little and just simply make you fill better.

@c-series don I use the same - short wood planks with rubber tire chocks. A better ramp is the next problem to solve. I also find the table easier to move when it’s fully lifted. I do intend on moving the table with a tractor on it. I’ll let you know how it goes in terms of ease, stability and safety. I built extension wings for it, not shown in the picture. The picture is of the 3” casters I bought. They seem to be very good quality and come with nuts/bolts and a wrench.

@bds1984 Did I just hear someone say something about 418’s and a 420 ? Sorry but my 417 is buried in the shed with the two stage blower on it so it didn’t make the pictures!

Been married 20 years. I still don't understand how common such a thing is...

Agreed! "If Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy"!!!!!!

Sea Foam works. I don't care what any of the naysayers say. I have personally seen it FIX 4 engines. I had a 94 Chevy truck with a lifter tick. It had been there for over a year. I was working at Napa and the Sea Foam rep was there. I got talking to him and he hands me a can. Says pour half of it into the oil. I dove home for lunch ( 3 miles ) Went back to work and the tick was gone and stayed gone. Wife's Dodge Caravan. Pinged like crazy. Ran Sea Foam into the intake and soaked the pistons. Ping gone. B- I -L had a Buick 4 banger that rattled and clanged like it was ready to blow up. Half a can into the oil and the other half down the intake. Ran like new. 1990 520. Onan surged like crazy. Treated the gas in the tank and soaked the pistons. Surge disappeared.

The BBT and her momma got a bit of firewood in.

How much for a Coke?

As long as you keep the table as low as possible while moving it around, you will likely be fine. For the sake of safety it might be best stand on the side of the table that permits you to push it away from you. That way if it falls it's going to be prone to go away from your general direction. For the record, that's not the way I would do it. But as you know I have a fair amount more "mass" than most. 😂

to

I like this, I have the exact same table and I have thought about doing the same thing. I’ve never attempted to move the table once there was a tractor on it, it seems like it would be too heavy and difficult. Definitely would not try to move it with a tractor lifted on the table. One thing I found was it is easiest to move it raised up with nothing on it. That’s where those casters would make it super easy to move. The table is one of the best tools I’ve bought for my shop, really makes working on tractors so much nicer. @PWL216 What do you use for a ramp to get tractors onto the table? The ramp it comes with is not wide enough as you must know. I have a few ideas but for now I’m just using short wood ramps and blocks.

Interesting. The only thing I could think of was to maybe protect from the two pieces of metal rubbing on each other. I guess if that's not an issue, then I won't use them. Thanks!

Are you that bored ? LOL