Moparfanforever 916 #176 Posted Sunday at 12:43 AM You won't have to change the lift handle and the electric clutch will work with a newer deck/mule drive. I think your tractor already has the lift rod like the one pictured?? That will work, or you can use the ferrel thing, can't remember the correct name, with an eyebolt and some chain just like the newer tractors. WH decks are floating decks, the lift handle just raises and lowers the deck. As far as mounting the mule drive, Wheel Horse made adaptors that I think bolted to the frame to mount a newer mule drive on that style tractor. May be kinda htf,but I have seen them on here for sale. Or @daveoman1966 has pictures and explains how to mount the newer mule drive bracket on the older tractors. Pretty simple to do. Finding the mid mount part of the attach a matic shouldn't be a problem, and I believe it is a bolt on. Really enjoy your YT video's !! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 916 #177 Posted Sunday at 12:51 AM Diagram of the chain setup 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 916 #178 Posted Sunday at 01:00 AM 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 916 #179 Posted Sunday at 01:03 AM https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/605-hitch-front-1972-8-5541-1973-8-5551-om-iplpdf/ 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 916 #180 Posted Sunday at 01:07 AM Scroll to right on the second link, there are pics of the adapter. You would probably be better off mounting the newer style front attach a matic. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsoluna 428 #181 Posted Sunday at 01:31 AM 47 minutes ago, Moparfanforever said: You won't have to change the lift handle and the electric clutch will work with a newer deck/mule drive. I think your tractor already has the lift rod like the one pictured?? That will work, or you can use the ferrel thing, can't remember the correct name, with an eyebolt and some chain just like the newer tractors. WH decks are floating decks, the lift handle just raises and lowers the deck. As far as mounting the mule drive, Wheel Horse made adaptors that I think bolted to the frame to mount a newer mule drive on that style tractor. May be kinda htf,but I have seen them on here for sale. Or @daveoman1966 has pictures and explains how to mount the newer mule drive bracket on the older tractors. Pretty simple to do. Finding the mid mount part of the attach a matic shouldn't be a problem, and I believe it is a bolt on. Really enjoy your YT video's !! Yes! Thank you, this is precisely the info I was looking for. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsoluna 428 #182 Posted Sunday at 11:49 AM 11 hours ago, Moparfanforever said: Really enjoy your YT video's !! Glad you are enjoying them - looking forward to keeping the project chronicled there for future reference as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsoluna 428 #183 Posted Monday at 09:32 PM Next on the list for the project is some front traction aid. Since we have been using the machine also as a tug for non-running equipment, I realized that the limited slip makes for an awesome tow/tug rig, with the only issue being lack of front traction. Fabricated a dual purpose front weight bracket/bumper and tow/tug assembly. The idea would be not only to use it for weight but also to attach some recovery/tow hardware to it, and maybe even a small winch if it looks like that's doable. Making it for the Raider was pretty easy, but I went the extra length and made it a bolt on for our 520, with the Attach-A-Matic bracket and mule drive still intact. That took quite a bit more work, but I'm really happy that we have a bracket now that will fit without needing to remove the plow or any of the Attach-A-Matic stuff. Will keep adding/modifying to the assembly as we spend some more time with it. I'd really like to gusset it more closer to the frame attachment points, as a lot of material was removed to clear things. It handles a top-down load easily, the side-load is what I want to strengthen. The weights on it now came off an Exmark walk behind and are bolt-on. Everything clears: Hood open/close Plow lift/angle left and right Engine mounting bolts (on Onan, not pictured) Front axle Attach-A-Matic bracket (not pictured) Attach-A-Matic mule drive (not pictured) Excited to put it to use in recovery situations. We do a lot of that here as a small engine shop. Next for traction aids are loaded fronts and some #40 chain. 😊 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 16,460 #184 Posted Monday at 10:12 PM (edited) I do love fabrication work, especially what most would consider an upgrade. I would suggest making sure your spindles are in good shape (no gouges), and get some Stens front wheel bearings. They are available on Amazon. They are very sturdy compared to standard bearings- provided your spindles are undamaged and round. Then add whatever reasonable weight you can (wheel weights or fill) and it will add some front stability. Having repowered several tractors with Vanguards, I completely understand how much lighter these machines get up front. Mowing isn't affected much, but put some weight behind you and it shows rather quickly! Making a weight set that doesn't interfere with the mule drive is smart. Well done! Edited Monday at 10:15 PM by kpinnc 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsoluna 428 #185 Posted Monday at 10:54 PM I actually have replaced the wheel bearings on the unit already, though I'll have to look back and see if we used Stens or Rotary. I think they were Rotary, and not as nice as the ones you show in that picture. Really sweet set of rigs you have there. I'm a big fan of the Vanguard twins as well. Have two Cubs with them, they are an easy staring, easy maintenance, reliable engine that sips the fuel is light and smooth. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 76,342 #186 Posted Monday at 11:31 PM 1 hour ago, jsoluna said: Fabricated a dual purpose front weight bracket/bumper and tow/tug assembly Very impressive!! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsoluna 428 #187 Posted yesterday at 03:31 AM 4 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Very impressive!! Thanks 🙏 Doesn't look like much but I'm happy with it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 16,460 #188 Posted yesterday at 03:38 AM 2 minutes ago, jsoluna said: Doesn't look like much but I'm happy with it. Looks like alot of thought went into it. A shot of red paint and it'll look like factory made. Of course, there is science backing what happens next when one part gets fresh paint! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsoluna 428 #189 Posted yesterday at 10:31 AM 6 hours ago, kpinnc said: Looks like alot of thought went into it. A shot of red paint and it'll look like factory made. Of course, there is science backing what happens next when one part gets fresh paint! Yeah, I think I'll let that patina set in...😀 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
