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I finally finished restoring my 701 ! I began a restoration thread a little over 3 years ago, and for various reasons (other projects , work, new products , hand surgery etc ) the project kept getting pushed to the side. But now it's done so just enjoy the finished product. Engine and rear axle completely rebuilt, everything stripped to bare metal, all pits in the metal were filled, all stainless and grade 8 hardware throughout, very hard to find NOS 1576 Glasstex drive belt, Carlisle tires , K & B greasable hitch pin, K & B tie rod, all new wiring, reproduction shower head muffler and all stainless exhaust, you get the idea....no shortcuts taken. It's just a shame that someone before me destroyed the originality because it had a very unique and provable early life. It was originally sold new locally with a mix of 1961 and 1962 parts when new ( 1962 hood , 1962 and later " thin " steering fan gear. Two of the previous owners are well respected round hood experts , and it was sold by one of them at a large local Wheel Horse only auction about 8-9 years ago with the original parts and paint intact . That's when it got messed up .

I’ve finally driven this project! Still have a list of things to take care of but she’s a runner For anyone not familiar with this project, it’s a 1991 520-8 speed that I picked up over the winter with no motor. Had a good Kohler Magnum 10 “in-stock” here so that became the power plant.

Sunday we had a severe thunderstorm with 80 mph winds roll through. It snapped the top off a big pine tree in my side yard, taking some branches of the maple tree next to it on the way down. Monday I bought bar oil and a new chain for the saw. Tuesday after work I got it all cleaned up wth help from the C-81. From plowing at @Pullstart's plow day on Saturday, to yard duty on Tuesday, she's been a happy .

Had to do some re-organizing to fit all the tractors in my storage building so a good opportunity for a photo shot was had. Herd safely tucked away.

Got the Work Horse out and hitched it to the wagon to do some yard work.

Yesterday mounted up the 36” RD deck on my C-121. Then mowed the grandparents grass with it since it was high.

Hello everyone, I'm posting here because I have not posted in about 7 to 8 years... so much was changing and has changed that I wanted to reintroduce myself. When I first joined 10 years ago I had just bought a house and gotten married to my HS sweetheart. We live in SW Michigan. I acquired thru trading my first 312-8 and found my 2nd love lol. In those days I was working at a local scrap yard and was bringing home tractors and implements daily. I had 14+ wheel horses at any given time. Also 7 years ago when I stopped posting we welcomed our first daughter into the world and in turn my world really changed. Wow did I have some learning to do. In that seven years I slowly found homes for most of my wheel horses and got down to only 2. Most went to kids for free with a first right of refusal clause. Then my second daughter came along. My wife graduated college and I started a demanding career. Our lives were a whirlwind. So now I have my amazing wife and 2 beautiful little girls, I'm truly blessed! Through all of this I held on to my favorite horses my first 312 and my 310. I also somehow ended up with a 312-A. Most summers they sat in the back of the pole barn as I mowed with a zero turn, winters they spent put away as I plowed with my bobcat. I never lost my interest just my time was precious. Recently I dug out my 310 to go live at my good friends house for his twin boys to enjoy they are 7 years old a very excited. This made me get my very first wheel horse the old faithful 312-8 out and started. It really hit me then. I have been missing my horses. Now my girls are old enough to enjoy garage time with me. (Dad keeps kool-aid jammers by the dozen in the garage) this lead me to buy a project for us. Im excited to share this with my girls they may never be gear heads like me but I want them to have understanding of doing things for themselves and quality engineering. I also would like to raise them with some awareness of things mechanical. So I stumbled across a big single 16hp k series from a C161. Out back behind the barn I have a complete minus engine C85. The plan is to make us a new horse with these. We are hoping to do a kinda restomod tractor. My list of horses now go 1988 312-8 1987 310-8. going out on longterm loan 1986 312-A. been on longterm loan for 2 years, getting its second rider now that big brother moved to a larger tractor. Unknown year C85 frame Unknown year 416 frame Tons of parts scattered between a pole barn and a shed. Numerous implements behind the pole barn.

Progress is slow with the weather in the 70's one day, 30's the next then repeating the pattern. I did manage to get the dash housing painted. Rattle canned with the Squonk touch. Final wet coat of red and immediately a wet coat of gloss clear. It came out great and the dry time was much shorter. I already had the dash dolled up. The PTO needed some loving. Both bearing were good. I didn't want to try and remove the needle bearing so I closed up the end and flooded it with mineral spirits. It cleaned up great. Greased it up and installed a new seal, put the outer bearing back in and it's good to go for another 47 years. Covered up the tires, a light sanding and rattle can primed the wheels. The color coat of custom mixed sorta almond linen beige will be done with a sprayer so I gotta wait on the weather. Then it will be new sealed bearings.

Upgraded the hood attach hinges on the 312-8 today!

Another product of the Elgin road trip I made a while back when I picked up the 78 Dino C-121. This trailer is well built and has excellent balance for dumping. It's a natural behind the 854 which is where it likely will be most of the time. My addiction to red paint forced me to freshen it up a bit. Wire wheeled, sanded, primed and Regal red. I used a roller with some help from a brush. Back on it's wheels I prepped the inside this morning and got the first coat of bedliner rolled on. There will be at least one more coat applied, probably two. I likes!

I got this trailer last night. It was $300 less than a 5x8 new at TSC. Needs tires. I also need to see if there are brakes on the axles. The seller was a welding instructor. This was one of his classes’ projects and as they plated the deck it shrunk the top and warped it a bit. Hauls great the way it is, and there is a little step section to the top deck too. I’m excited about it, and it was purchased all with profits from one shop job last week.

Just had my garage floor epoxied. I had been thinking about it for a while. Two young firefighters that work with my son recently started a business doing it so I got the early adopter rate ;). They did an excellent job. The biggest pain was of course moving everything in and out. Thankfully my grandson helped me move the heavy stuff. before and after photo below.

Cleaned up this 45 year blade and finished with some decals

Pretty much done with this project so I thought it was time to share some final pics with you. There is a couple small pieces that I am waiting for, but apparently Huck Finn's Log Raft Transport across the Mississippi river must not be running right now. One of the last items that I did install was the hour meter, I made a bracket and found a nice place to install it. On with the final shots. Thanks for coming along on this build. Now I have 8 months to figure out which one of my tractors to restore next.

As of today, both the 1989 312-8 resto-mod and the 1989 310-8 are now sporting NOS mower decks. No more patching rust or getting dirt in the old eyes while mowing.

"Fireball 8 " is all assembled waiting to be dropped into HHHOOOWWWAAARRRDDD!!! Just waiting for some warmer weather so I can get the hose and power washer out so I can degrease the carcass.

Put the rear weights back on the 310-8. These new wider wheels required longer bolts, so I fired up the mig bolt extender and added an inch. I know, the carriage bolt head is supposed to be inside the wheel. But I don't like the nuts sticking out on the outside.

Here's mine.

I was always a garden/lawn tractor fan, used to collect Murray’s and now it seems I’m on the path to getting Wheel Horses. My first one I purchased from MikesHorseBarn, I bought one then 2 Saturdays ago and then Mike dropped off another one in my yard yesterday! The shiny overspray painted one had an engine that didn’t want to spark, I threw a Kohler Command on it just for the heck of it. The one Mike dropped off yesterday started after a couple tries and has really nice wheels and tires. The funny thing about this is it has been over 24 hours, the old lady has seen the “‘new” tractor but has yet to notice that it’s a different one, or she gives up keeping track. My son has claimed the Electro 12, it’s his now.

This show is an hours east of Dallas and 4 hours from home. Not a real big show, but I like to go to different ones to see different things. I brought my Mayrath on the back of my truck to keep it simple. My wife drove the truck with Mayrath and I drove our Class C RV. We made a 4 day weekend of it. Did a little exploring around tins area of NE Texas. Here a few of the “different” ones Interesting Sesrs I love the looks of the Gibson with hoods The Silver Kings are not very common down here This 8N had an aftermarket lift with longer front spindles and larger rear tires this miniature John Deer B was built on a Cub Cadet chassis stretches in the front. Rare to front tires with one rib Nicely restored International This Farmall M with a factory lifted front end and taller rear drop axles really made it look like a much bigger tractor. @ClassicTractorProfessor this made think of you and your M I like this belt pulley from a Farmall Cub retrofitted to a 1961 Cub Original. The main shaft through the transmission and rear end is replaced with the Cub shaft. No custom modifications required This Allis Chalmers B dropped custom had a great hot rod look to it and it was amazingly simple to lower. It was a grandfather/grandson project. It has @Pullstart written all over it. The front axle is flipped over and steering rod modified The rear axle factory drops are rotated 180 so the drops are to the top He said it bolted up with no modifications except to brake rod I spotted these steam belt pulley power units and had to stop for a few pictured. Regrettable the place looked shut down.

Tackled a bunch of smaller tasks on the 510-8 today. Charging system repaired. I don’t think the volt gage has moved in a looooong time! Check out how it isn’t faded where the needle has been sitting. Wiring cleaned up (about 96% done) All gages are working (volts, hour meter and fuel gage) although I dont know how accurate the fuel gage is yet. Steering wheel center cap glued on. Front tire resealed (leaked down in 24 hours)

The local mom and pop tire shop quotes me $339 for 5 tires cash and carry. I’ll mount them. For now, my spare will ride on the rig until I find a wheel. They are camper axles, but have a funky wide 4 bolt pattern. the same tires on eBay mind you, are $338 for 4. I’m paying an extra dollar for my spare and keeping the local lights on.

Finally put the 42" blade i picked up a few months ago together after a complete tear down and fresh paint.

Been awhile since I’ve been on here. My newest project. Raider 12 with a loader. Just got it running today with the hopes of bringing it to zagray.

We went to Baton Rouge, and ended up driving to New Orleans to the WWII Museum. There are a lot of exhibits, displays, photos, etc. of the war, both the Europe and the Pacific wars. I didn't really take any pictures of some of the interesting stuff, it was so crowded it was hard to take clean images without a bunch of tourists in front of them. It was busy and crowded. I did take some, more as an afterthought, and of the larger displays. They even had displays of what homes in America would have looked like during the war, I.e. kitchen with war time appliances, and a living room complete with a radio next to a fireplace, I.e. Roosevelt's Fireplace Chats. BTW, it isn't cheap including the parking. It's close to the Super Dome in the business district of New Orleans.

I got Power of You (Employee of the Month) at work for this month. That was cool.

Reassembled the 520-8 (or is it a 510-8 ) The wiring works, just need to take it back apart and connect it up properly without the temporary wire nuts. Hopefully get that done and the battery installed and take it for a test ride tomorrow.

This…I installed the 3 dollar Harbor Freight reflectors. They fit where the old ones were perfectly.

Did something different with my wrench drawer. See how it goes. Like to see what you guys have come up with over the years

Freshly painted wheels

I pick this up today. Needs some help but I have the parts. I have had many of this model 4 speed and 8. I have always enjoyed these eight speeds for sure grunt of power and pulling..This is my winter tractor for plowing. Needs some love. It has an over the big pond carb on it now. Runs ok but I have something for that. Hope you enjoy the picks.

Wife and I like to sit in the middle garage bay and watch the world go by…not a whole lot actually goes by . Snagged this small wooden wire reel the other day with a real wood core, most of the time the reels have a cardboard core. Found leftover stain in the basement and slapped some on.! She’s ready to hold my cold snacks next time we do out sittin thing

Hello Everyone, The information here has been invaluable as far as getting this old wheel horse I purchased back in service. Some parts home made, the motor generator is ripped off a 2013 Yamaha, some salvaged parts. I bought this little bastard some months ago, it had to be dug out of the previous owners yard and lifted with a backhoe. It had not ran in about 40 years. Thanks for taking a look.

Aaa--nd We're back. Work has me on a screwed up schedule of 4 tens with rotating days off. Today was my scheduled day off & my body needed a break from dealing with the tree I had taken down, so I took today to get back to work on my tractor. Decals came in so I was able to move forward. The original shift pattern serial number decal was placed over these holes in the dash / gas tank stand. OK. The original decal stayed in place for 62 years, but usually decals do not last long if they are placed over holes. Water can get behind them and cause them to fall off. To ensure the new decal stays in place, I decided to make a bolt on plate to stick the decal to. A piece of sheet metal, a couple of bolts, a little welding and bam. One decal plate. Plate worked out great. With the arrival of the decals I was also able to install the throttle and choke cables. Had everything I needed to see if it would start. Turned the gas on, turned the switch on, pull the rope.. nothing, pull the rope again... nothing, repeat, repeat..... OK, figured out no spark. Disconnected the condenser, checked the points, .2 ohms to ground closed, they are good. Unplugged the kill wire, still no spark. Changed the condenser and I had spark. A couple more tugs on the rope and it fired up. Always a great feeling to hear a fresh rebuild fire up for the first time! A few more parts to throw at it and this job will be done,

Thanks for the add. Purchased my father-in-law's 1999 314-8 that he bought new, he used it for mowing his 3 acre yard until a couple years ago when he bought a zero turn. It was in pieces when I hauled it home, got it put back together and running. I mowed with it for about a year, and now it has sat for about a year. Need to do a little more work on it, but that's for a different post. Thanks all.

Changed oil in 854 yesterday and did some touch up painting where she had some working wear! 1 1/4 quarts -and I put in 1 1/2 by mistake thinking I remembered how much. Went back to the chart and had to take out some to get it right. I have a chart but apparently have not memorized it! I changed oil in the 314-8 too ! We had 3 3/4 inches of rain yesterday and early this am. o flooding here at home but my sale I installed between my neighbor's house and mine worked great again!

Got optimistic & took snowplow off then installed mower deck. Lawn service already fertilized last week so grass is starting to grow. Also changed oil & greased all fittings.

Brought a spare hydro to the shop to go through it to have a spare. Needed to split the case to replace an axle that I've had sitting around waiting on me. Considering going through the pump. It was good when I took it off but it's never been open so I might take a look inside.

510-8 wheels getting a clean up.

Got the beams leveled at all the support points so there are just some low spots to fill in on some of the beams I think I might even start laying down new floor on Saturday. Its definitely a incredible difference from what the floor was I probably had 6 inch variances in the floor to I believe I got it around 1/2"

Oil change and first ride around the block on the Suburban

A customer saw my tractors and asked if i wanted another one he was about to scrap, i said sure. I picked up this early 1985 318, no deck, but had a 3pt, brinly cultivator, and breaking plow. He said the tractor last ran in 2002, it had a substantial hydraulic leak and the starter had been failing for years, that he wanted it all gone. I got it home, pulled the fender, tank, cleaned it out, put in new pickups and grommets. Found the main fluid return hose off the control valve had rubbed a hole on it..easy fix. Pulled the engine, replaced the starter gear/bendix with one for a Johnson outboard, degreased the engine, painted it, fixed some wiring and an oil leak.. rebuilt the light harness, cleaned the carb, oil change...cleaned the points. It fired right up, no smoke, 1108hrs. I put my deck on it, mowed about an hour with no problems.

Tried to finish up my 30 minute spring project that takes several days...got to wait for the wind to be right direction today wasn't. At least snow blower you can crank around the discharge chute. ... But the sweepster beats rakiing to get the driveway back in to the driveway and the road back on to the road.

Swapped the 9.5’s on narrow wheels for 10.5’s on deep/wide wheels on the 510-8speed

Haven’t taken new pics in awhile…snapped these today

My Amish neighbor came over and helped me today and we got the rest of the floor tore up. Pieces of plywood are loose just to walk on to get the barn doors closed.

A buddy welded up the fuel tank/fender support rails in the 520-8. Both sides cracked.