The Lone Raider

[AlexR 2,329]

11 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Adding to UPS misery, they lost a plane and its crew this afternoon in Louisville in a terrible crash. 

Different delivery service, but yes that is terrible, people on the ground died as well. 

[AlexR 2,329]

9 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

@AlexR My wife does some EBay selling and has learned perseverance is required to get a USPS claim paid. They seem to hide behind long phone hold times and multiple claim submittals. 

Unfortunately its not as simple as a lost package or misdelivered. It's marked as delivered with gps location confirmed. The issue is from what my post office is telling me the picture of the package taken by their equipment, does not have my name or address it's a different name and address in my town. But the tracking number is still associated with my address. 

 

I told them I have a photo of the label from the seller with my name and address on it that is correct. Didn't want to hear or even consider the label probably got damaged and somehow relabeled wrongly, because there is a ton of tracking information just missing. Said they have all the proof they need that they delivered it correctly, and I am just being frauded by the seller because of the tracking number somehow... 

 

Wheelhorse Parts and More is going to see what they can do with their post office. And I am thinking about going to a different local small town post office that was our post office before much more pleasant people to deal with, see if they can help. 

[AlexR 2,329]

Finally got to do some more work to the tractor today after probably 2 months! Didn't get a lot done got the front tires mounted, and got some stuff sorted out to see where I was at again. 

 

I also scored this rear blade for $50 

Not sure if I will keep it as a rear blade or convert it to a mid mount. 

 

 

[Handy Don 15,371]

4 hours ago, AlexR said:

Not sure if I will keep it as a rear blade or convert it to a mid mount. 

Those are quite useful for grading loose material--we have one and use it regularly.

We did discover that in some situations it isn’t heavy enough for a proper bite. To offset this, I made a platform that attaches securely between the hitch and the blade lever for adding weight. Having my grandson stand on it seems to add just the right amount--I just have to call out all my lifts & drops and changes of direction. He has a blast and is generous enough to take turns with two of his friends!

[AlexR 2,329]

Got some work done on the rear fender pan welded the braces on the bottom and got some bondo on the couple spots that needed it.

I only have the next 2 days to be able to do any painting because of the cold coming so we'll see how far I get. I might just get more stuff cleaned up and primed instead of painting color, but we'll see how it goes. 

 

 

Edited November 23 by AlexR

[SylvanLakeWH 30,009]

I've had some success keeping parts and paint room temp, then quickly painting outside then back in for room temp cure... I think @ebinmaine's paint department BBT does so as well??? Maybe the cold is just afraid of her though... 

[ebinmaine 76,107]

15 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I've had some success keeping parts and paint room temp, then quickly painting outside then back in for room temp cure... I think @ebinmaine's paint department BBT does so as well??? Maybe the cold is just afraid of her though... 

 

 

She ain't quite Chuck Norris but the weather knows not to mess with her...

 

@AlexR it's true. 

Trina has  - many times - done the cold weather outdoor spray. 

 

She does have somewhat limited success below about 25⁰.

 

[AlexR 2,329]

I don't have a good warm place for a cure though is my problem. I was aiming for day time temps min about 45 degrees and nighttime temp above freezing. The next two days are the only ones I have for the next 2 weeks. If I get desperate I may pull the wife's car out of the garage  and use a propane heater to warm it up.  

 

My neighbor has a heated shop (it is a business) but I will probably do the engine work over there and probably the transmission as well. He is the one with the press that helped me get the steering wheel shaft out.  

[AlexR 2,329]

Alright so the lost package has not been resolved and won't be, it's gone. 

 

I just ordered all the bearings and seals off eBay for the transmission, and then put in a order with wheelhorse parts and more for things that can't be gotten elsewhere. It's a much smaller order and I simply didn't order some stuff I was going to get. So I will be reusing my tierod ends, shift knobs, steering wheel insert and just doing my own lift cable. To save some money, if I want to I can always easily do it later on.

 

 

Edited December 4 by AlexR

[ebinmaine 76,107]

On 11/5/2025 at 8:33 AM, AlexR said:

Unfortunately its not as simple as a lost package or misdelivered. It's marked as delivered with gps location confirmed. The issue is from what my post office is telling me the picture of the package taken by their equipment, does not have my name or address it's a different name and address in my town. But the tracking number is still associated with my address. 

 

I told them I have a photo of the label from the seller with my name and address on it that is correct. Didn't want to hear or even consider the label probably got damaged and somehow relabeled wrongly, because there is a ton of tracking information just missing. Said they have all the proof they need that they delivered it correctly, and I am just being frauded by the seller because of the tracking number somehow... 

 

Wheelhorse Parts and More is going to see what they can do with their post office. And I am thinking about going to a different local small town post office that was our post office before much more pleasant people to deal with, see if they can help. 

 

 

28 minutes ago, AlexR said:

Alright so the lost package has not been resolved and won't be, it's gone. 

 

 

This is - quite frankly - unacceptable. 

 

 

 

But I digress....

[SylvanLakeWH 30,009]

3 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

This is - quite frankly - unacceptable. 

 

 

But I digress....

I agree... sadly. 

 

 

[AlexR 2,329]

I am not happy about it, as it's not been my first problem with the the postal service. 

I'm not even sure the package that got delivered was actually mine it could have had its label ripped off and part of it stuck to that package who knows. 

 

It does make it harder for me to want to order parts from places that don't have protections in place. But what sucks is that eliminates small businesses unless they sell through those large companies.

[AlexR 2,329]

Got another axle and this one is actually in pretty good shape looks like it actually got greased. So the spindle and pivot holes are all pretty good. The one spindle is in great shape. 

 

This one however... It's also not the same as the other one it's a c clip not bolt. 

 

So now I need to figure out if I just get another spindle, fix this one... Or fix one of the other ones I have, the other ones I have are good where the wheel is, but bad where it goes into the axle. 

[ebinmaine 76,107]

Lemme know if you need a replacement. 

I can look in the next couple days...

[SylvanLakeWH 30,009]

I'm guessing there are many spindles in various magic sheds...

 

@Pullstart

@WHX??

@Achto

@ebinmaine

 

Heck, if he ain't lookin' Eric will probably send you a spindle with an extra C-160 attached... or just yell "Squirrel!" at the next plow day and grab a few off Kevin's back 40... 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 30,009]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Lemme know if you need a replacement. 

I can look in the next couple days...

What'd I tell you!!!

[ebinmaine 76,107]

25 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

if he ain't lookin' Eric will probably send you a spindle with an extra C-160 attached

 

One o' you jamokes come up here and I'll do just that. 

One spindle. Tractor attached.  

[Achto 30,306]

@AlexR keep me informed, I might have a spindle laying around as well. Looks like the left one is the one in question.

[AlexR 2,329]

47 minutes ago, Achto said:

@AlexR keep me informed, I might have a spindle laying around as well. Looks like the left one is the one in question.

Yes sitting in the tractor it would be the one on the left side.

 

It would probably be better to get a replacement, as welding on the spindle might cause a harder spot and wear down the axle faster I don't know... 

Edited 20 hours ago by AlexR

[Achto 30,306]

7 minutes ago, AlexR said:

as welding on the spindle might cause a harder spot and wear down the axle faster I don't know...

 

If you are running bearings, then it should not really matter as it would not be rubbing on the axle. If you were to use bushings, then there would be wear on the axle

[AlexR 2,329]

39 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

If you are running bearings, then it should not really matter as it would not be rubbing on the axle. If you were to use bushings, then there would be wear on the axle

Sorry I meant weld on the top part of the spindle that goes into the axle. 

But yes I would run bearings on the wheels so as far as welding the spindle pictured that would probably be ok.

[Pullstart 68,563]

Meh, just weld the bearing to the spindle.  Problem solved!  

[WHX?? 53,464]

14 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Lemme know if you need a replacement. 

 

14 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I'm guessing there are many spindles in various magic sheds..

Yeah i'm sure we have some too ... lemme know you need. I'll even get Dan to spring for shipping . Feel bad about your lost package. 

[AlexR 2,329]

19 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Yeah i'm sure we have some too ... lemme know you need. I'll even get Dan to spring for shipping . Feel bad about your lost package. 

It's alright I can pay for shipping. Minds well make this one expensive tractor 

I would like to get another threaded spindle if possible just to keep them matched. So whoever has one. And I am not in any big hurry for that part so no rush. I appreciate the help though! 

 

I did get my second order from Wheelhorse parts and more, so I can get my transmission done.

I have a bathroom remodel I gotta get done first though.

[953 nut 63,311]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

So,       Kevin, we haven't heard from you for a week.   What gives?    You been on the lamb under the witness protection program?