What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?

[kpinnc 18,151]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Snakes eat things we don't want around here, like rodents...

 

Not sure snakes would survive your winters. 

 

You need barn cats! 

[ebinmaine 78,761]

2 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

Not sure snakes would survive your winters. 

 

You need barn cats! 

 

Some do. We have a few species here. Mostly garter snakes. Rarely a milk snake. 

I've had barn cats in the past,  and would again...  but can't for now because of our mentally broken K9...

 

 

 

[Ed Kennell 46,044]

4 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

Not sure snakes would survive your winters. 

 

Mine seems to like the wood stove.

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,535]

 

After a relaxing day yesterday, I worked on the 42” RD deck today. I figured since it was 90% apart I’d paint the pulleys, springs and the parts you could see. It was in the 80’s and 90’s today so perfect painting weather. With the exception of a small rainstorm which then the painted parts went under cover, the weather was great. I’ll let it dry and put it together later or tomorrow once it dries.

The plan is to get it working good, and put it back under the 308 for now. The goal is for my parents to use the 308 for now as my parents Cub Cadet lawn mower went to the great lawn in the sky over the weekend. 

Edited yesterday at 12:28 AM by MainelyWheelhorse

[sqrlgtr 2,882]

21 hours ago, kpinnc said:

Copperhead (bit me several years back)

Sumin I don't want to experience  . I like to leave the black snakes alone they keep rodents down and also keep poisonous snakes away. A while back the TWRA was dropping copperheads and rattle snakes out of helicopters around here (rodent control and plus nobody goes small game hunting anymore.) I want go out hunting them (copperheads and rattlesnakes) but if I see one they will probably be a goner.

[702854boy 753]

I finally got to have some plowing time

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,535]

22 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

We could probably fix you right up if I would stop killing them. 

 

Note- King and black snakes get a pass. All others are legitimate targets. 

 

By all others I mean not black or black and white banded. We have several varieties of poisonous sneks here. Copperhead (bit me several years back), cottonmouth, rattlers, and coral snakes. 

Yet another reason why I like living where I do. Like @ebinmaine there aren’t poisonous snakes here. Some days I’d risk finding something poisonous in a warmer climate after weeks of 30 degree and below weather. Other days I’m good here. 

Edited yesterday at 12:28 AM by MainelyWheelhorse

[CasaytheMann 125]

1 hour ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

 

After a relaxing day yesterday, I worked on the 42” RD deck today. I figured since it was 90% apart I’d paint the pulleys, springs and the parts you could see. It was in the 80’s and 90’s today so perfect painting weather. With the exception of a small rainstorm which then the painted parts went under cover, the weather was great. I’ll let it dry and put it together later or tomorrow once it dries.

The plan is to get it working good, and put it back under the 308 for now. The goal is for my parents to use the 308 for now as my parents Cub Cadet lawn mower went to the great lawn in the sky over the weekend. 

Am I the only one who sees a ghost in that first picture?

[702854boy 753]

8 minutes ago, CasaytheMann said:

Am I the only one who sees a ghost in that first picture?

I see it too now that you mention it 

[ineedanother 2,300]

15 minutes ago, CasaytheMann said:

Am I the only one who sees a ghost in that first picture?

 Casper the friendly Skidoo...

[SylvanLakeWH 31,358]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

dropping copperheads and rattle snakes out of helicopters around here

 

Lawyers lining up the lawsuits when people get bit by one of the rodent control devices? 

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,535]

@CasaytheMann @702854boy Ah, I see it, that's Yamaha the friendly snowmobile….😄

Edited yesterday at 01:34 AM by MainelyWheelhorse

[kpinnc 18,151]

2 hours ago, sqrlgtr said:

want go out hunting them (copperheads and rattlesnakes) but if I see one they will probably be a goner.

 

Usually if I find one in the woods and I didn't almost step on it and injure myself, I leave them alone. 

 

But one in my yard, barn or shop has a date with destiny.  That includes the garden if we have one. 

[kpinnc 18,151]

2 hours ago, sqrlgtr said:

dropping copperheads and rattle snakes out of helicopters around here

 

I would do this. 

 

...From no less than 10,000 feet. 

[fiftyfordfloored 57]

Swapped decks on the Commando... the old one is pretty beat and as luck would have it, I had the same exact deck in stock that I had purchased last year just because.  Mounted up in a few minutes, replaced the broken PTO spring and went mowing.  Mows like a dream.

In case any one is interested, this is a 36" deck, model 5-2362, and the wheels are 5.5" in diameter on both decks.  Not sure if ether set is original, but it works great.

[oliver2-44 11,474]

53 minutes ago, fiftyfordfloored said:

Swapped decks on the Commando... the old one is pretty beat and as luck would have it, I had the same exact deck in stock that I had purchased last year just because.  Mounted up in a few minutes, replaced the broken PTO spring and went mowing.  Mows like a dream.

In case any one is interested, this is a 36" deck, model 5-2362, and the wheels are 5.5" in diameter on both decks.  Not sure if ether set is original, but it works great.

 

@fiftyfordfloored
 Take that deck to the Big Show.  The shell is shot, but lots of other good usable parts there.

 

 

[fiftyfordfloored 57]

9 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

 

I may hang onto it for parts, doesn't seem to be a multitude of vintage WH decks in my area.

[Handy Don 16,538]

1 hour ago, fiftyfordfloored said:

I may hang onto it for parts, doesn't seem to be a multitude of vintage WH decks in my area.

There were a couple of important variations on the gear decks to consider when parts swapping.

On the ’68 deck, the cast iron bearing holder had raised shoulders around the eight holes where the gear holders attached through slightly larger holes in the shell to ensure proper alignment of shell to bearings/blades. 

On later models (’66 onward?) the spindles were ⅛” longer to accommodate thrust bearings (instead of only thrust washers) below the spindle gear increasing the longevity and smoothness of the deck. 

Hardest bits to find in good condition are the gears so if you have a decent set, hang onto them  Keeping them excessively greased is the best practice (it needn’t be expensive grease). If you DO choose to dismantle the deck for parts, be sure to mark both face and spindle gears with the side of the deck they came from and the spindle gears with which side was up. When putting them on another deck, put each gear set on the OTHER SIDE since they will be less worn in that direction!

Edited 10 hours ago by Handy Don

[Thor27 869]

19 hours ago, sqrlgtr said:

. A while back the TWRA was dropping copperheads and rattle snakes out of helicopters around here 

Sounds like a wkrp thanksgiving....

[cleat 8,978]

6 hours ago, fiftyfordfloored said:

Swapped decks on the Commando... the old one is pretty beat and as luck would have it, I had the same exact deck in stock that I had purchased last year just because.  Mounted up in a few minutes, replaced the broken PTO spring and went mowing.  Mows like a dream.

In case any one is interested, this is a 36" deck, model 5-2362, and the wheels are 5.5" in diameter on both decks.  Not sure if ether set is original, but it works great.

 

Keep the deck clean and it likely won't rot like the old one.

 

[sqrlgtr 2,882]

Replaced muffler from parts 310-8 to 312-8 Ive been converting to Electric fuel pimp on. Got everything back together and fired right up, well after I let the epump fill lines and bowl up on carb. Works great this is one of the smoothest running 12hp kohlers Ive ever had powerfull and not a hint of smoke . Notice the tie rod in pic both look like that so thats next on list. Forgot pic of mower deck but its in great shape also. I dont belive this mochine was used alot it has a little over 500hrs showing on meter. This is the mochine I had to buy to het the 520H and really didn’t want it but glad I pulled the trigger on them .

[ebinmaine 78,761]

6 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

smoothest running 12hp kohlers

 

6 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

 glad I pulled the trigger

 

 

As an overall nearly always fully capable powerplant I'd say that may be the best bang for the buck Wheelhorse ever had. 

Some use less fuel. 

Some are more powerful. 

But the pros and cons on that 12 HP engine are excellent.  

[8ntruck 8,849]

I woke Morgan, the 14-8 up from his winter hibernation today.  Mowed the lawn for the first time this year at our Michigan location.  It was about a month overdue.  Had to use 2nd gear, low range in some areas, the grass was so heavy. 

 

The blades on the deck were not cutting cleanly, making me think it is time to touch them up.  Will have to take a good look at the spindles and bearings while I'm doing that as well.

 

At one point, the deck stopped.  Oh goodie, what now, I'm thinking.  While I'm taking a closer look at the drive belt to make sure it had not twisted, I spotted the problem.  A corn cob was wedged in the bottom of the mule drive.  Easy fix.

 

Fluids change is on the to do list for him in the not too distant future.

[kpinnc 18,151]

4 hours ago, sqrlgtr said:

Electric fuel pimp on.

 

 Thank you. I needed that giggle! 

 

And your 312 looks ready to work now! Nice job! 

[kpinnc 18,151]

I have been behind a few days just due to the yard work around here. 

 

The (I really need to pick a model name/ number for this machine) best worker got some mowing in. The Vanguard and the modified 48SD really work well together.