Tgtack 779 #1 Posted May 20, 2017 I have only been on here a few weeks, but I can't begin to say thanks to all who have already helped me get aquainted with these tractors. So why are these tractors my therapy? Back in 2001, I was officially diagnosed with MS. It actually started long before that, but really started getting worse in 2000 when I had a rather vicious attack that did the majority of the damage that I deal with today. Lost about 20% of strength on the right side, and about 60% on the left side. Fortunately due to the meds I have been on, been pretty stable since then, and I still walk, go to work everyday, and get around pretty good all things considered. But, a lot of things I can't do, such as walk long distances, ride a bike, strenuous labor, and heat kills me. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, many have far worse issues to deal with than me. I accept it as part of life, and thank God I am the way that I am. I have always been a motorhead, bikes, classics and customs, restoration of antique Chris~Craft boats, 4x4's, you name it. Even ran a company for awhile designing and building turbo systems for modern Hemi's. But, that is all in the past. One of the things that I can still do, and refuse to let anyone else do, is mow the yard! (on a rider) Both here at home, and at our Church, nobody touches the mower without checking with me first. I had been looking for a 60's Sears Suburban tractor half heartedly for a while. This spring I got serious about finding one, until I ran across a Wheel Horse and was bitten by the red bug. In a month, I went from none to four! Here was something that I could work on, are classics in their own right, fills the motor head craving, and they are readily affordable. Plus, I can mow with them! So, my tractors are not only cool and collectable, but they help fill that void that my disease left me with. So not only are they my lawn tractors, but they are an awesome therapy to boot! I just finished a 2 year undergraduate course in Theology (4.2 grpt av⛪thank the Lord), so Church, building and painting guns, reloading, and my WH's keep me pretty well occupied! I am pretty anal about what I do, so I am looking forward to turning out some nice looking tractors in the future. Attached are some pics of stuff I have done in the past, and what I have to work with now. Working on a refresh of my 1276 (incorrectly marked as a C120) for the Big Show, but my basket case 854 is the one that will really get attention this fall. (Yes, I used to race offshore powerboats). Now you know a little bit about me and why I love my WH's! 18 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,515 #2 Posted May 21, 2017 Thank you for sharing! Great direction you have! Horses and really admire your reloading work bench too! Reminds me of the RCBS press I had, 243 caliber bolt action. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tgtack 779 #3 Posted May 21, 2017 Thanks, just like the tractors, Hornady and Lee are both red! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,398 #4 Posted May 21, 2017 Thank you for the story , found it very inspirational and just love the boat 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 4,880 #5 Posted May 21, 2017 Nice work on all that you do. Those old woodies are a lot of work but they are beautiful. Good start on the tractors. Enjoy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tgtack 779 #6 Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) 4 hours ago, neil said: Thank you for the story , found it very inspirational and just love the boat Thanks for the comments. The two boats are a 1939 37' Double Stateroom Chris, and a 1936 Model 557 Chris. Both restored in 89-96 time period. Over the fall and winter of 91/92, I put in over 2000 hrs on the 37' Chris going from an all white ghost to what you see in the first picture. Lot of labor, but nothing like them on the water. Just like an old WWII radial engine, there is nothing like the sound of a pair of big flat head sixes in sync at 3200 rpm! Edited May 21, 2017 by Tgtack 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #7 Posted May 21, 2017 If you treat that 1276 anything like those Chris's , can't wait to see the results . Those old boats are one of my favorites and I've been a big fan of all things exotic woods forever - very nice work . Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,737 #8 Posted May 21, 2017 21 hours ago, Tgtack said: tractors are not only cool and collectable, but they help fill that void that my disease left me with. So not only are they my lawn tractors, but they are an awesome therapy to boot! Your story resonates with me. Lots of us have had to give up the big boy toys hobbies (building street rods in my case) because of diminishing physical ability but the is a right-sized hobby that satisfies our needs. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tgtack 779 #9 Posted May 21, 2017 Bingo! It is just the right size to work on with a roll about shop seat. Still have to get help lifting the motor, but the rest of it I can handle. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites