What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?

[ML3 1,660]

Although there's plenty things that need done around the house, I chose to clean up the tractors instead. Wash & wax all 3 along with a few cold beers with a cigar. What a perfect way to spend the afternoon.  

[702854boy 77]

On 7/12/2024 at 1:12 PM, Handy Don said:

Finally had some minutes (the grandchildren were playing yard games) to replace the glass bowl on the fuel strainer, mount the mower deck on the 854, and get after the two week growth of grass.

After 40 minutes mowing and the amp gauge hovering at zero, the new-to-me regulator I got at the show was holding at 13.3v. Adjusted it to 14.1v (righty tighty on the screw) and the amps jumped to positive as the battery was.taking more charge. I’ll leave it at this setting for a while and observe the amps and volts while I’m using it.

Which screw did you tighten? We have a few tractors that seem to be charging around 13.something when the battery is fresh off the charger but it seems like after a few days or week or two they go dead. We have cleaned the grounds and stuff but that didn't do anything and they have good wiring.

[Andy N. 2,363]

Just got back from picking up what appears to be a '68 Electro 12 from the data tag. PO had over 20 Cub Cadets so I guess he figured this didn't belong! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[squonk 43,734]

New front wheels and skins on the 875 for the Steam Pageant. 

 

 

[Handy Don 13,980]

6 hours ago, 702854boy said:

Which screw did you tighten? We have a few tractors that seem to be charging around 13.something when the battery is fresh off the charger but it seems like after a few days or week or two they go dead. We have cleaned the grounds and stuff but that didn't do anything and they have good wiring.

IF you have an adjustable regulator (these were on WHs with generators only--the voltage regulators on stator-charged tractors are not adjustable), the screw is inside as shown below.

BE VERY CAREFUL. Just 1/8th of a turn will move the voltage by about one volt. [Clockwise/tighty = higher voltage]. Personally, I use a very accurate volt meter attached at the battery terminals even while recognizing that there will be a lag as the battery catches up with the new charging voltage--the lag is longer  if the change is substantial and/or if the battery is weak (as in 5 or 10 minutes with the engine running well above idle)!

 

Edited yesterday at 02:14 AM by Handy Don

[702854boy 77]

12 hours ago, Handy Don said:

-the lag is longer  if the change is substantial and/or if the battery is weak (as in 5 or 10 minutes with the engine running well above idle)!

Should I make sure the battery is fully charged before doing this because right now with the tractor running it was showing 11.94 volts and i turned the screw a little bit and let it run for a while but it was still showing 11.94 volts. Without the tractor running and with the multimeter hooked up the voltage did go back up to 12.something but i turned the volt meter off before I got a good look at the numbers. With a fully charged battery I have hooked up the meter and it shows around 13.6 but I think the starter generator uses more than it puts out and I think it uses voltage more than charging when running for long periods of time.

[702854boy 77]

On 10/9/2024 at 12:18 AM, kpinnc said:

I urge you to be careful. As you begin to enjoy different attachments on your tractors, your subconscious will begin to want more and more of the cool stuff to hang on your tractor. It is a dreadful addiction. 
 

Wheelhorseitis (among many other names) is a terrible condition. Only awareness can stop it.  
 

This is how it starts. Next you’ll find yourself enjoying the smell of new tires and fresh paint. In the last stages, you’ll begin fabricating and modifying. That’s when you realize that the damage is done. 

What's wrong with all of this?

[Ed Kennell 41,800]

10 minutes ago, 702854boy said:

What's wrong with all of this?

Not a thing if you have plenty of time, money, storage space, and an understanding supervisor.

[SylvanLakeWH 28,325]

48 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

understanding supervisor.

That is the key... 

[cschannuth 3,817]

On 7/19/2025 at 12:06 PM, 702854boy said:

What size and brand are those front tires that you have on your machine?

Vredestein V60  3.00-4

[Handy Don 13,980]

8 hours ago, 702854boy said:

Should I make sure the battery is fully charged before doing this because right now with the tractor running it was showing 11.94 volts and i turned the screw a little bit and let it run for a while but it was still showing 11.94 volts. Without the tractor running and with the multimeter hooked up the voltage did go back up to 12.something but i turned the volt meter off before I got a good look at the numbers. With a fully charged battery I have hooked up the meter and it shows around 13.6 but I think the starter generator uses more than it puts out and I think it uses voltage more than charging when running for long periods of time.

Busy day here only finding some quiet now...

 

The state of the battery charged voltage is only part of the potential for a lag and/or for a “settled” charging voltage. The battery’s current cranking amps output capacity is also critical--this is something that unavoidably deteriorates with age and use. It is possible to charge a battery to 13v but still have it lack the oomph to crank/start an engine! Only a valid battery test can tell you the state of your battery. Most auto parts stores that sell batteries can test one for you (usually the only cost to you is sales pressure to replace a marginal battery). 

 

Without the engine running (ignition switch OFF) you are always looking at the battery’s current voltage. Even a fully charged (13+ volts), strong battery still has to make up the energy used to start the engine--that is normally a matter or two or three minutes once charging at 13.5-14.5 volts. 

 

So, starting with a trusted meter (solidly connected) and a known good, fully charged battery, you can further tighten the adjuster. Pause for a minute or two after each change of ¼ turn. Keep going until you see that it settles somewhere near 14 volts. That said, if after one full turn you are not seeing any change in charging voltage then either your regulator was majorly out of adjustment or has failed. Let us know.

 

BTW, ALL of the above is assuming you have clean and solid electrical connections between the starter/generator, the regulator, the battery, the ground cable to the engine block from the battery, and between the engine block and the S/G housing. Check using a sensitive continuity tester or DVOM. Frankly, assuming that connections are “ok” just because it runs is the most common reason for bad outcomes!

[ebinmaine 72,424]

3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Not a thing if you have plenty of time, money, storage space, and an understanding supervisor.

 

2 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

That is the key... 

 

I live a charmed life....

❤️

[Teddy da Bear62 98]

On 7/19/2025 at 2:27 PM, ML3 said:

Although there's plenty things that need done around the house, I chose to clean up the tractors instead. Wash & wax all 3 along with a few cold beers with a cigar. What a perfect way to spend the afternoon.  

I like the "horse" barn too!

[Teddy da Bear62 98]

4 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Not a thing if you have plenty of time, money, storage space, and an understanding supervisor.

My supervisor abandoned -ship 12 years ago.

[ML3 1,660]

8 hours ago, Teddy da Bear62 said:

I like the "horse" barn too!

Its her "she shed" so no tractors allowed inside. 

[Teddy da Bear62 98]

On 7/12/2025 at 6:06 PM, SylvanLakeWH said:

 

 @Pullstart

She-what??  Never heard of of such a thing.  🙄

[ML3 1,660]

13 minutes ago, Teddy da Bear62 said:

She-what??  Never heard of of such a thing.  🙄

We moved from a 3800sq house w/4 bedrooms, full basement, etc to a 1000sq ft ranch w/no basement.  Wanted to downsize as I get older & look to retire soon. I promised her that we would build her a "she shed" to accommodate all her crafts, exercise equipment, religious stuff, etc. Insulated it & got heat too. Was a great idea.   

[Teddy da Bear62 98]

2 minutes ago, ML3 said:

Was a great idea.   

It's always a great idea to do for your woman.