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During a party this past fall my wifes cousin Linda took a liking to my late 1970s C160-8 speed plow rig. Linda is the woman I've mentioned before with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She said she wanted one... well I told her Id build her a unit. I put together a 1985ish 310-8 and got it delivered to her country home in time for this 2 ft snow storm. She knocked back all the snow and im glad she had fun doing it. I believe the quote was "it kicks ass" Yah it broke a tierod... no biggie I'll get one to her before the next storm which is suppose to be bigger this coming weekend. I love spreading the Wheel Horse joy... there is no better unit out there! PERIOD!! Cecil had better have set up shop in heaven... or I aint going!! Tony

Now I didn't start this ... credit goes to Brian @76c12091520h ... This is Busty with the bus seat that Pullstart give me. Replaced it with a home made seat that was a little more comfy and easier on the eyes. A go to tub puller and a ride around at every show. The boys said I shoulda renamed it Horny since I put this on ...

First of all a big hello to members I haven't seen in some time. After selling all my WH tractors near 9 years ago and moving to a smaller lot on a home we built by the beach. I hope everyone is well. I stopped by many times over the years to reminisce about the Wheel Horse days. Now it's time to sell this home. Get another home with a bit more property and get back into this great hobby. I had some great tractors and look forward to it again. Anyway I will be posting a bit more and am glad to be back. Will be good to share words and see who is still about. So to all new members and old members from my days here. Thanks for having me back. Glenn

The only thing I am waiting for now on this 1057 is the E/fuel pump. This was supposed to be my winter build. But this went faster than I thought it would. But it is not running yet. I am sure there will be some tweaking to be done. I had this almost three years now just sitting doing nothing but taking up space. The seat was worth putting these patches on the seat from years of use good enough till I can have it reupholstered by Matt. I hope you enjoy the picks. OHH Also Wallfish made this pice that controls carb linkage. It works very well. No slop from worn out holes from years of use. It has full throttle movement. Or click click from idle screw to full throttle stop. Best I can do.

Got a pane of glass, 180 & 220 sandpaper @ HD, 24 bucks. I laid a sheet on the glass and used painters' tape to hold it. Sprayed water and sanded. Took 3 sheets of 180 & 3 sheets of 220. Too cold to do anything else.

-19F here this morning. Thinking about putting on a wet Speedo, & pair of flip flops and going for a nice 2 mile run.

Got this AWESOME shirt 👕 yesterday. HUGE thank you to @Mows4three !!!

Should be a fluffy/light 12-20” snowfall here in Central Connecticut (that’s what we’ve been told) so clearing it will be easy enough. No rush to clear it, do some on Sunday and again on Monday. Company already said we could work from home so I won’t have to venture out in it. Might even be fun dealing with it

Having a whale of a time at plow day. AQM0Xq7jyqk7ZyEgjfH14PBJor9YDb5YGdiGT7W6acIrQ_FHmAfE0HbsQ9U8xKHPKbzaPv-r3-H6hmP-hlv4WYN2d8QUQn1dMu7Kwl5WubnBEw.mp4

Probably not up to code but works great for us.

Last night I replaced the transmission drive belt with what I believe is the proper one P/N 7473 on my 417-A. Today I took it out to blow the driveway and it worked fine for about 15 minutes. Then I heard a noise and knew something wasn’t right, so I headed back to the garage. I found the belt had jumped off the pulley and was wedged between the transmission and the pulley. I’ve never had this happen before? There’s two different part numbers given for that belt, I want to confirm this is the correct one? As I was investigating this problem my pager went off for a mutual aid fire call. This was in the height of the storm, to a neighboring department. A department that rarely calls for our help, stating a garage and multiple structures on fire. I am one of the senior members and truck drivers so I was the operator for this alarm. We actually had to follow the town snowplow to get there. The young man in the passenger seat got on the siren, so I yelled at him and said you idiot do you want me to pass him so we can get stuck and not get there? He apologized and I told him in this case slow and steady wins the race. We didn’t get done until dark so my driveway will have to wait until tomorrow, I wasn’t going to have trouble with the tractor in the dark with it still snowing and sleeting. That’s me in the blue coat, I don’t wear turnout gear when I’m driving as I find those big clunky boots unsafe to drive with. IMG_4058.mov

Still dark outside and miserable--three degrees and a goodly amount of snow for southwest Missouri. If it's that cold, I'm sure it's even colder in Hell--Hell, Michigan that is. I'll bet it's froze over! It's also breakfast time. Wife made ham and beans yesterday along with cornbread. Cornbread means.... Cush for breakfast. I'm sure I've mentioned this before but Cush is a meal my grandma would make. It's crumbled cornbread, plenty of pepper and water added to give it body. Grandma would heat the cornbread mixture in a skillet but we use microwave. The gravy has some of my double smoked bacon. I cook the bacon so it's just a little crunchy and we make the gravy somewhat thin so it mixes with the cornbread. Mercy it's good eating.

They're saying 20" or + for us here!. Ugh!!! We usually get more in this little area due to the elevation. The older I get the more I dislike winter. And yes the colder I feel too. Been freezing my $%^ off and this next week temps looks brutal to be working outside. Got battery gloves and they work well, just not for long periods of time, like past 2+ hours they start to fade

One day long ago somebody, somewhere was doing something stupid and hoping they would get away with it. What was that word / practice invented you ask? Sketch / Sketchy... Today im delivering the 310 I built for my wifes cousin so she has it for this weekends "big" storm. Its a little over an hour to her house. Pics are from this morning after I did my driveway. Somebody wish me luck!!

It has been a few years since I got a storm that we’re gonna have that last two days. So hope everybody that is affected by this stay safe get plenty of warm-ups hot chocolate whatever keeps you moving. Here’s a couple pics that I just took.

I think we're pretty much ready. We actually got more snow (19") in the previous big storm than what is predicted for this storm, but that was a bit of a hassle, so I'm taking a couple of extra steps this time. The last big storm was 'comparatively' local and caused a lot of power outages, some of which took a few days to remedy. Since the coming storm is so widespread, if there are a lot of power outages, the service crews will be spread thin, so outages may take a long time to fix. We have a backup generator, but major outages can affect a community in other ways besides loss of residential power. Prep stuff: Set up a temporary plywood cover over the air intake end of the automatic backup generator to (hopefully) prevent snow from drifting up against it. During the last storm the snow built up very high against it, and it sucked in so much snow that it clogged the air cleaner. When I heard it running roughly and saw the snow, I figured out what happened. It was an easy and quick fix, but but I want to avoid that happening again. Exercised the backup generator when it was 5 below zero last night to make sure it would start up OK. No problem. It has a heater that wraps around the oil filter and automatically warms the oil and block a bit when it gets below a certain temperature, which I'm sure helps. Bought a new bag of calcium chloride de-icer. Connected an extension cord to the oil pan and block heaters on Mr. Case (loader/backhoe), which might be our snow removal tool for this storm (as mentioned, my 522xi snowblower tractor isn't back in operational mode yet). Connected a trickle charger to Mr. Case's battery to keep it up. Checked the propane levels in the tanks (our generator and stove run on propane). Had our heating oil tank refilled a couple of days ago. Mrs. Blue Chips picked up some extra groceries (so far, there has been no run on the stores here, probably because they're not predicting an ice storm in our area). Checked the fuel levels in both of our vehicles. Recharged the flashlights. Put fresh fuel in my Husqvarna backpack blower and started it up. As mentioned, I want to experiment with it a bit to see how well it can blow snow off the driveway. And of course, I checked our supplies of 'comfort food' items (rum, chocolate, cheese, etc.). Bring on the snow (but not too much of it)! Stay warm and safe!

Not to be out done by the WI dudes ( @Achto, @WHX??), I've decided to start a restore on the 551 I brought back from the Big Show. Big thanks to @Pullstart and his crew for working with me and bringing to show for pick up. This will be my first Tecky motor restore and already miss my Kohlers . Just kidding motor seems solid without any unusual ticks, knocks, or smoke. Ordered a carb kit and will start there if and when I get steering wheel off. The throttle cable needs some attention fo sure cant hardly move it. Have had it running and drove it around and trans seems to be good. Haven't put a battery to it yet just used rope to start but wanting to have it both ways. I have a lauson 5.5 from the 550 I have and looks like a lot of stuff is the same ??? and it ran when took off years ago. May need some help on the electric when I get to it. One thing I can think of right now is what is the little box with the diode/fuses do thats on side of motor? just have one pic of it before I pulled it in shop but will post others asap .

Yes, but you can get ahead of the crowd and make a killer deal on a mower deck!

Look, we've all been drunk and desperate at 2 at the bar and let the beer googles get the best of us once or twice and ended up plowing a whale, but this gives it a whole new meaning.

January 26, 1932, To bypass Prohibition laws, a U.S doctor writes a note for the visiting Winston Churchill, saying his "post-accident convalescence... necessitates the use of alcoholic spirits, especially at mealtimes."

We got about 18” with drifts 2-3’. I’ve had the blower attachment for years, but most of our storms are ink the 6” range so never really had to use it. The beginning of this season however, I said what the heck, and put it on the 416-8. Well I am sure glad I did, that single stage on a 16hp Onan throws the snow unbelievably far. I probably could have done everything with the blade, but my driveway would have been 33% narrower. Had so much fun, I helped my neighbor too.

I don't switch oil. I switch tractors. Winter tractors use 10w30 and summer tractors use 30w.

I'm sure shoveling snow would be a pleasure with a couple of Wheel Horse Jr. snow shovels.

My boss said I'm not allowed to go out till it's over. Time to fry up some deer scrapple then watch some football.

Today I got the 414-8 ready to move the snow and sleet that is forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Have chains if needed and the rear tires are filled with rv antifreeze and have a mule drive weight bracket with twenty pounds. Hopefully all is ready. Be safe!

I am going to rearrange my snow horses so the blower (which I haven't used in a few years) can be first out. This is supposed to be fluffy snow and the wind pattern around my shop puts a big drift in front of the doors. Pics are from 8 years ago expect something similar Sunday'

What @ebinmainesaid is very correct. This is a question with a lot of variables, like temperature, weight/wetness of the snow, the plow, the tractor, the unladen weight of an African Swallow. The general rule of thumb I have been using is 3/4 the height of the blade is doable for your initial cut, but don't stop for anything until you break free into the road (be sure to clean up after yourself there), or you get it to where you want to leave it, of you will make a lot more work. After my first pass up the middle I angle the blade and don't ever take more than a 1/2 blade width, less if the snow is deep, or heavy.

Wait a minute... the classified add @ebinmaine responded to said "gently used on sunny mild days by an elderly grandmother to plant petunias in nice, soft sandy loam soil ".

Heavy freezing of everything is the worst!!!!! That's exactly how that backhoe build was born. Ice had ripped the power line down from our house to the pole and even the vertical house portion was on the ground. 3 weeks+ without power, maybe, but I can't remember. What I do remember is the ridiculous quotes to bury the power lines to put everything underground instead of aerial. EFFF That!!! I'll dig my own trench was the solution since the 416-8 loader tractor was already there to put it on. 2 summers of hard labor in the evenings after work and voila, a backhoe to dig my own trench! 4 ft deep about 100 ft long and I beat on that thing hard since it's pretty boney with rocks around here. Ripped the stabilizer arms off and had to beef those up afterwards. But that tractor definitely proved itself capable again and again since we did many projects like a few retaining walls and big stone steps. @ebinmaine Eric has it now and I hope it serves them well. A true work horse of a garden tractor!

I got the 417-A with two stage blower out for the first time this year. Last year I serviced it and never used it, but it looks like tomorrow it will be put to work. The C-175 was blocking the 417 in and when I moved it I noticed it wasn’t charging so I brought it in the shop to have a look. The 418-C is ready to go, I’ll probably use that first until it gets deep and then use the blower. Not pictured is the C-160 automatic with 56” plow as a back up, the C-141 8-Speed with loader to pile snow. C-141 8-Speed with C48 Sweepster rotary broom for clean up and the GT-1848 with 50” grader blade in case I need to scrape some ice. So I think I have this snow removal thing covered! Now if I could just have an attachment that does the front steps instead of me shoveling!! Be safe out there everyone 👍🏻

January 23, 1986 Inaugural class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Chuck Berry; James Brown; Ray Charles; Sam Cooke; Fats Domino; The Everly Brothers; Buddy Holly; Jerry Lee Lewis; Elvis Presley; Little Richard; Robert Johnson; Jimmie Rodgers; Jimmy Yancey; Alan Freed; John Hammond; and Sam Phillips

Just can't turn your back on them there Wisconsin Garden Tractor Mafia members. A few years ago I bought a real nicer Wheel Horse at the Big Show, went to have lunch and came back to this

120… I like what ya did there.. Beautiful machine!

My experience with rubber and steel chains on turf tires. SURFACE RUBBER STEEL TURFS w/o any chains bare pavement best poor good ice poor best poor mud good best poor snow on grass good best poor snow on gravel good best poor snow on dirt good best poor

Took advantage of being snow bound. No reason to get out and too cold for me to enjoy being out so I went through our hundreds of slides and transferred them to the computer. Fun to look back to the mid 1960's of family photos. Lots of memories and things I hadn't thought about for years. For one, that's me on my first mower. I don't remember what it cost. I'm pretty sure was a Montgomery Wards, one forward speed and one reverse speed. The blade was a direct drive--If the engine was spinning--the blade was turning. I believe Ward's mowers had tread on the tires and Sear's mowers were smooth. I'm guessing that if it was in gear and a lad pulled the starter rope and it fired off, said lad would be slow chasing his mower.

I woke up this morning to the sound of my neighbor firing up his Kubota. All the driveways were packed tight with 3-4 feet of snow from PENNDOTS plowing. He used the Kubota with the FEL to remove the packed snow so I could get in with the 520H to plow the driveways. We just finished all seven driveways. We had about 10 inches of snow then several hours of sleet creating one of the heaviest snows I had to plow.

Sorry, I keep posting the same tractor…first pic was sometime this morning, last pic was this evening. Snow is still coming down

Could not handle another day of boredom so I decided to warm the shop up & do something. Took a bit to get it from 7F to 60F but once there I was able to get the sheet metal blasted. Started the filler work on the hood. It was littered with several dings.

The snow is going to continue until after midnight. It will be undisturbed by me until day light tomorrow....

Remember kids, artificial intelligence is no replacement for natural stupidity. But they are working on it.

Feel free to watch a few of my or Trina's videos. See how we move snow. We have a gravel drive and keep the plow angle forward to the third hole down. That helps it roll off the ends. Lots of folks use a wax or spray lube. We rarely do. DRESS WARM. If it's heavy snow you'll want to plow a lot more often so you're moving less. Or, take very small bites. Maybe a 1/4 plow width. If it's light fluffy snow you can move a good strong 8 to 10 inches off to the angles side with decent speed. Do NOT let the snow get piled up and come over the top. That'll bury the plow frame and get you stuck. Stop. Back up. Take a smaller bite.

Same here for my hands and feet. Mine were nearly frozen when I was a 12yo. I never lost any parts but they were white. I remember mother put my hands and feet in a wash tub of cold water and added warm water very slowly till the color came back. These glove/mittons with a zippered pocket for chemical hand warmers is the only thing that works to keep my hands warm and still be able to fully use my hands. The rubber boots with 1/4" thick felt liners work for my feet.

This whole thread is one of many that I can't say much on because we (in NC) just don't get snow and winter weather like many of you do. That being said, if this incoming storm is anywhere close to what they are forecasting, we're gonna get slammed in a bad way. No snow, but sleet and up to an inch of freezing rain followed by several days of single digit cold. Whatever we get is gonna hang around. My wife started early with the prep work. We got plenty of food, and a couple heaters with enough fuel for several days. I have about 55+ hours of fuel for my generator (all my gas cans) just for the evenings. We will hopefully be fine for several days if needs be. It's been over 20 years since we had a bad ice storm. Some folks were without power for weeks back then. Typically our long power outages come in summer after bad thunderstorms. At least then folks don't freeze to death... Looks like areas west of us may actually get more freezing rain than we will. I would ask all of us to remember those folks in your prayers. This is not something we southerners are used to dealing with and it could get very bad. Forgive the hijack. Just seemed like a good place to put this.

The weather weenies are notoriously inaccurate when to come to predicting precipitation amounts...However in the last few years they are getting pretty close to predicting temperatures, So I am pretty sure it is going to be cold as a witches t*****

Finally ready for install. Had to go additional 2” to the right in the front and reduce the overall length by 1/2”. .125 steel Sunrise Red

Yup, just took the air cleaner base off and found that I had somehow wedged the throttle linkage wide open. Oops. All fixed.

It's priceless to have neighbors who do things for each other. We've been lucky that way in our present location on a short dead-end road where almost everyone knows each other. We help each other out in far too many different ways to list here, and I hope that never changes.

Refresh and a magnum.

Is hard to say good bye.