Other workers in my stable

[dirtnap 39]

What I love most about the Wheel Horse tractors and implements is the quality of manufacture that went into our machines.  I appreciate that in most everything that I buy.  I would rather buy an older machine to do the work that I need and do a little wrenching on it to keep it running because I know, in the long run, it will save me time and money.  Now I don't just buy based on practicality, that would be boring.  I like the older machines because they remind me of a time in this country when we made equipment that lasted.  I feel that era ended right around the time I was in high school (I graduated in 1985).  So most of the machines that I trust to do the heavy lifting were made before that time.

Here's a couple other tools in my bag that fit that bill and with a little work have saved me time and money.  They've also touched that nostalgic side of me.

 

The first one's my 1966 Ariens snowthrower.  I re-powered her in 2012 with a Kohler 208 SnoPro.  This one was lived inside all it's life and it shows. 

 

 

The next one's my 1979 Case 580C model with 4-in-1 bucket and a thumb on the hoe.  This one is feral unfortunately but it's keeps running.  I've tamed an acre at my 20 acre camp in the woods up in Western Maine with her and she still moves those big bones around surprisingly well.  Every year I keep up on the maintenance and try to keep ahead of the problems that +35 year old machine can present.

 

 

Edited November 28, 2016 by dirtnap

[953 nut 59,918]

4 hours ago, dirtnap said:

server won't allow me to upload the pics.

Storage for photos costs quite a bit for the website so a lot of us have become supporters to help cover these costs. Supporter membership is very reasonable, go to the "Store/Supporter" tab on the home page and it will give you all the info.

[dirtnap 39]

I will do that.  Well worth the cost for the knowledge here.

[Ken B 3,189]

I agree with you totally... And ya can't beat an old Ariens snow blower... I think Ariens held out and produced high quality at least till the mid 90's.. My Ariens blower is a 97ish and it is a tank... The 10 hp Techy still runs super strong.  I have a new Ariens Deluxe 28 I use at work. The quality is so-so but the Lifan 12.5 torgue engine, which they say is 9hp (doubt that) is without question under powered for this machine... The blower in the pic is my 97. Still looks new..

Edited November 30, 2016 by Ken B