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June 3, 1956, Santa Cruz, California captured national attention when city authorities announced a total ban on rock 'n' roll at public gatherings. Officials called the music “detrimental to both the health and morals of our youth and community.”

Elvis, Elvis leave me be...! Keep that pelvis far from me...! Rizzo (Grease)

Still waiting on the 30 fence panels, but my neighbor graciously lent me a temporary fence system for the pool to be opened! I started wiring the lights too. The new pool light is no longer line voltage to the pool, I’m excited about that. I did however run wiring through a GFCI breaker.

I used my 864 to pull my dad's 1257 that I forgot to check the oil level in and snapped the rod on a 6 by 12 trailer to the garage with me room to hopefully get the tractor out back together soon. I had the gasket balanced so that my tractor was just pulling and not dealing with the tongue weight and bouncing of everything.

I mowed my elderly parents lawn for them a few weeks ago. I did it with the 312-8 after their 20 year old Cub Cadet's PTO decided it wanted to stop engaging. It was past due, but the tractor kept chugging along. My parent's, specifically my mother was happy was taken care of.

I bought aftermarket wheels for RD deck, $7 a piece, and I installed zerks . Slightly narrower than original but color is right.

Here's some pictures of the C101 I found earlier this year on FBMP, a little more than an hour from home too. It came with a 42"RD deck that looks better than the one a rebuilt last fall, so I swapped all the new parts over from one shell to the other and now have VGC spindles to make another serviceable 42"RD, just won't have the old patina, but it's not rotted out. I really have enjoyed going through this machine. I cut some grass with it yesterday and probable cut some more today or tomorrow. I runs smooth and strong, it's weathered and solid I went with penetrol and steel wool finish refurbish and I like the OG survivor look.

As always Garry we thank you for what you do. This site would not be the same without your diligent work ethic..

It won't work on anything but a 856 which I just so happen to have one for sale ...

My last two nights have been spent working on my truck. I've been chasing an exhaust leak since this time last year. I'll fix one thing, it will seem OK for a day or two, then it starts getting worse again. Sunday I found a hole in one of the header tubes and the brazing rods I've repaired everything else with would not stick to that metal. I couldn't get the flange bolts in the head to budge, so last night off came the cab. Tonight I actually go the headers out, with only two broken bolts. Thankfully those two are in flanges and I can just drill them out over-sized and re-tap without worrying about damaging over things. I've already done it to the same engine in another of my vehicles.

Perfect I"ll bring it to the Scantic Valley show and put it in your truck!

Today, I pulled 2 of the 3 usable tractors the 312 and the C-141 out to get to my ATV with a winch to move my Snowmobile around. Frank, The C-141 definitely likes the more constant use even if it is just moving it out of the way. I haven't had a problem starting it for months. Yesterday, I put a new deck belt for the 37"SD on the 308. I got a few years out of the same old one, and it wouldn't keep tension without needing to extend the adjustment screw on the mule drive.

I blew the leaves out of the black raspberry patch today. Created enough of a mess on the lawn that it required Morgan, the 14-8, to pull the lawn sweeper around for a bit. As long as he was out, I hooked the garden cart up to him and moved the new section of dock from winter storage to the front yard of the lake house. Set the dock section on saw horses to slop a couple coats of stain on it before putting it in the lake. As long as the tractor was hooked out and hooked up to the cart, I went over to the neighbor's house and picked up 2 snow blades of unknown vintage and origin. He had a project planned for them, but it died - he was planning on scrapping them. There are trip spring assemblies that I can adapt to the plow that came with Pack Rat, the AC B-110, and frames that look like a good starting point to build a belly blade for the Wheel Horse. I got the first coat of stain on the top side of the new dock section after dinner. New gallon of stain. When I took the color tag from the gallon I got 3 years ago Menardsfor another gallon, the guy at the paint counter informed me that the same stain was NLA. Seems VOC regulations have tightened, forcing oil base stain out of Menards inventory. He apologized, then grumped a bit about how times are changing. When asked if they still sell lacquer thinner, he replied 'not the good stuff".

I have used saran wrap and a little oil over the ends of the axle to get seal started, but always deburrrrr everything good first.

@MainelyWheelhorse brought up today... and someone else I don't recall just recently... That I MAY have a few tractors. A problem? An addiction? No no no of course not. So I commenced to countin'.. Running and usable: 1. 1974 "Cinnamon Horse" C160-8. 2. My own fully restored 1975 C160 Automatic. 3. "The Ugly Bruce" tractor. 1978/9 C121 Automatic. Projects: 4. 1974 C160-8 Tecumseh/ Briggs Vanguard swap tractor. 5. 1977 B80 8 speed that needs an engine repair or swap. 6. "Hollis" 1975 C160-8. So named for the town it came from. 7. Pile o' parts to build a complete new (520-8 based with C series sheet metal) chassis for the Wally Digger Backhoe. 8. COLOSSUS PROJECT. (Thanks @SylvanLakeWH) 9. Enough other parts to build at least one more 8 speed mid 70s C series. Maybe two??? So maybe 10......??? Oh man.....

Tempting but I’m hearing it’s also meets the drive belt specs for the short frame 3 speed rigs ..which I have one of.

Happy Birthday @prondzy, we are glad you were born.

It won't hurt but it's the transmission that really needs the angle chamfer. That's the thicker, harder metal.

Was the saran wrap for getting the seal onto the shaft? If so, I didn't have any issues in that department, the problems was getting the seals pressed into the bores.

Hubs aren't installed yet, can't until the seals are in place. Thanks for the torque reset tip. Chamfering sounds like a pretty good idea. The original seals had a rubber outer housing, the SKF seals are steel with an edge to them. I wonder if lightly chamfering the edge of the seal might help some?

I greased the axle shaft which made sliding the seal on and over the shaft. The seal is so small the only way to tap on it is either with a long punch or a sleeve that goes over the shaft, which is what I made. The issue is the edge of the seal that goes into the bore is ever so slightly larger than the bore. Its designed to compress slightly to provide a seal against the bore opening. Both the seal and the bore edges are sharp.

Yes, it did appear to be just a little big for the RJ. You are doing an amazing job.

Happy Happy Mike

I’m trying to help a friend with a 414 8 he played with the seat safety switch wiring, it has 3 wires. I can’t figure it out. Please help. Thanks.

Don't forget that a failure of the fuel pump diaphragm will put the whole contents of the tank into the crank case real quick.

My muffler on my C-160 actually holds the hood from opening too far!

Yeah but you won’t sell me anything! I’m a cash buyer

Welcome! I’m in Hustisford, (Dodge County). lots of shows within a couple hours drive.

I've been an Owl's Head member for years, but since we moved to Maine about 18 years ago I haven't had a finished vehicle to take to any of their events...yet. Maybe next year, if I can keep the momentum going. When we lived in Utah I restored/modified/repaired a number of what I consider classics (I only owned one at a time...as limited by budget). There were several that I wish I still owned.

Impressed with the Penetrol (Flood). Two applications. Not much sun here but it's completely dry after two days. Not tacky or oily. I like it.

Living on the western face of a mountain we don't see sunsets from the house but coming out of a church meting I was fortunate enough to see a sunset that made me fear the forest was ablaze.

Mowed the old cemetery where my great great grandparents are buried

I got one if you want one

Beautiful country. Really enjoy the stone work. We spent several days in England several years ago. I regret not returning to visit a friend who lived there many years as a teacher. I've not watched All Creatures Great and Small but I did watch Doc Martin. That was a great show. I'm going to have to check in to All Creatures. Thanks for posting. Always good to expand our horizons.

This! I destroyed 2 seals on one axle, until I chamfered it some more with a small file.

I'm hoping you used new set screws. You'll definitely want to reset the torque on the set screws after a short amount of driving time. I've done quite a few sets of those seals. Some fought me hard. Others flew right in. I have had to hand chamfer the outer edges just a hair.

I’ve seen it and experienced it…..I built an entire working tractor from parts I got from @ebinmaine and still have some left over… That reminds me, @ebinmaine.I didn’t forget about the 520 hydraulic lift setup that you’ve been storing for me either😁 I’ll be in touch. I’d say that’s like me and @ebinmaine, but I’m pretty sure he has more of both parts and tractors so it may be the reverse😄 @BradKahler could a little grease lube it up to slip into place? Tap it in with something softer like a rubber hammer etc…It might slip enough greased so nothing catches like what happened before.

Since you have machinist skill, consider making a collar to act as a funnel for the seal as you push it into the case to keep the seal’s edges away from the case’s sharp edges?

I pulled the cab off the M37 today. I managed to do it by myself with no issues. Before lifting it, I removed the doors and all of the removable floorboard panels to lighten it and make it easier to set up the lifting straps. I raised the chassis on my lift and set it down on the car dollies so that I could roll it sideways into the empty bay and use my engine hoist to lift the cab. The frame under the cab looked very good. There was practically no rust at all, other than a few very small areas of thin surface rust that should clean up easily by hand with some sandpaper, and there was no flaking paint anywhere, so it should be really easy to prep for priming and painting. After I de-grease and pressure wash the transfer case, I'll have a closer look at it to see what it might need. At a minimum, I would install new seals and gaskets, and change the oil. I'll check the U-joints while I'm at it. While I have the cab off, it will be much easier to remove and replace the rest of the wiring, fuel lines, and brake lines. The engine block is still at the machine shop; I'll give them a call tomorrow to see how things are progressing.

When the paint bubbled on my freshly restored C-121 I showed it to the man himself,Cecil Pond. I asked him about this and he said flat out, well I guess that’s a poor design! That little picture in the upper left corner was taken 10 minutes after we had that conversation. Me, Betty and Cecil 2004.

1986 Click on the fuzzy tractor 1987 1988 1989

already got three kids too many!

I'd use dye check on the cam shaft to look for cracks. Another possibility would be to take the camshaft, and maybe the block to a shop that has a magnaflux system to have them checked for cracks. I think the rod went first. The fracture surface on the balance gear looks like a brittle fracture - looks like it broke all at once.

! WI seems to have umpteen shows per weekend to choose from all summer long. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding one, but Portage, WI Garden Tractor Daze is always a favorite for my wife and I to drive to. Plus we get to hang out with cheese royalty like @WHX??, @Achto @Streetrodchev, @PeacemakerJack, @jeremi3210, @Wild Bill 633, @Coulter Caleb, @Edward Teach, @Jacob moll, and more!

Nice Tractor One thing that I've noticed with a Nelson muffler on that style of tractor. It's difficult to find the happy spot between being too close to the points or being too close to the hood. The B100 that I recently picked up had the muffler way too close to the points cover, actually damaged the points under the cover. I think I have it centered good now, time will tell.

not now - I'm away with work for 3 of those days! so it goes to the show as is.... 100% functional - 80% cosmetic, still waiting for the right steering wheel (this one is a massey harris one) and a hood.

Let's face it these are old pieces of equipment. Old wiring, electronics, leaky fuel at times etc- a perfect recipe. I do have fire extinguishers on every tractor. Also have them on my carts for my hit/miss engines. Theres plenty mounting options without needing to drill xtra holes on body panels. On the round hoods I typically mount with the back top bolt of the belt guard. On the RJ & Suburban either use bottom bolts of seat spring or I've used big heavy duty zip ties to secure extinguisher to bottom of seat spring under seat. The 953 I used existing seat back screws. Fire extinguishers in the garage & sheds (have plenty) dont do me any good out in yard or if I'm cruising the neighborhood. Even have one attached to propane grill. Last fall was mowing at my moms & leaves got under heat shield of exhaust of her 1 tractor. As soon as I opened hood to inspect "burning smell" it ignited. Not close to house, buildings or water & my beer was empty I reacted as quick as I could & had to take a pee on exhaust! It worked. Fire extinguishers are cheap insurance.

Over the past two weeks the 854 got new Firestone Town & Country rear tires. Very pricey but so far they are just what I was hoping for. I took the opportunity to strip and repaint the wheels using the Cottage White (formerly Navajo White). Mounting always leaves marks, so in anticipation of the Big Show, I even did the touchups. Looked so good I got out the can of Regal Red and touched up a bunch of the scratches and scrapes that a worker acquires over time.