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So while some of you are hanging out and drinking cocktails around the campfire in PA this weekend, some of us are at home working! When I moved into my current house a few years back there was a huge, dead as a doornail, pinetree 10 feet from the front door. Local opinion was that it was around 100 years old, nearly 5 feet in diameter, and around 60 feet high. House on one side, power lines on the other, I paid someone to come and cut it down. I had the stump ground and it took me 2 years to get rid of the chips as mulch in the garden. I had to get them to come back and grind a bit more of the roots, which they did this morning I also wanted to reprofile the slope down to the creek, trying to eliminate a boggy patch that I've got stuck in half a dozen times in the past. I got 5 yards of topsoil delivered and got busy with some horses. Pushed some dirt around with this: A bit of grading with this: Followed by some rolling with this: A couple of hours later: I'l hit it again tomorrow, and then see if I can get some grass to grow in this dry heat we have been having this summer.

I don't think you are crazy at all, and the swap wouldn't be difficult to do. If it's your working man's tractor and you want it to do more work, I say go for it. The purists may say no, but it's not a show or collector machine where you worry about originality or scratching up your new base-clearcoat. I was going to do a bigger K series swap with my 867 (and the thought still lingers in my head), but I already have a bigger tractor and figured rebuilding the original K181 will work fine for my wishes from the tractor. It's all about what you want to do with your tractor to get the most fun or most use from it. -Mark-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJbPiPKmIOM&feature=g-hist Here's a quick little video link of my buddy Zack and me cruising the show today. If you notice half way through, he dumps his clutch on me. What was that all about? The kid left me no alternative but to dust that Kohler with my little Techie... you know...had to show 'em who's boss. Tecumseh's rule today. :teasing-poke:

From first light on the way to, until sundown on the way home from the show...this is what I saw filling up my rear view mirror. Seems funny to me how I never get tired of this little guy following me everywhere I go. What a great time it was...I already can't wait for next years show.

I am thinking about doing an engine/transmission swap on my '73 8hp. I may put a 10hp magnum engine and 8spd trans into the 8hp chassis. the 310-8 tractor is a real nice design, but it just doesn't do anything for me. I really like the 8hp's size and looks. the 8hp kohler gets the job done, but when plowing or using the 42" deck, it is always at the edge of its power. the 10hp just walks through the same workload. I did several rough measurements and it looks like everything will bolt in. it will be a short frame, 10hp, 8spd tractor . if you haven't seen a commando 800 or '73 8hp in person, I can tell you that they are small tractors. I had a b-80 and it towered over the '73. I will say one thing, the kohler 8hp k181 is an amazing engine. if you take one apart, it is obvious that they were built to last forever. I just need MORE POWER. I know I am probably crazy for even thinking this, but my '73 is the tractor I like best. it is like an rj or lawn ranger, but with electric start, tach-a-matic, modern pto, etc. I am looking at a snow blower and tiller, and will need the 10hp to make it work. any opinions on this undertaking?

Granted, in only lasted a moment...until he moved. But, for that moment...crickets stopped chirping, and time stood still. You did it Zack, you da man buddy! :bow-blue:

Born double jointed. LOL.

I think it's fine Ian. All eaton 1100 make a clicking sound when pushed. With no oil in it it would be louder and more metallic sounding. Them pumps can take a lot of abuse as long as the oil is changed regularly, I like to use synthetic oil in them as it takes the heat better then regular oil does and wouldn't brake down from the oil sheering that the pump does. This is just my opinion of coarse, based on my own study's. But good clean standard 10w30 will work just fine. Thats what I change a new to me tractor with first to make sure the trans will hold up. If it does, then I switch it out with Mobil 1. I have had less winning under load and faster implement lifts in the winter months.

Ya know,just thinking. If your driving,and I don't see anyone riding shotgun,who took that pic? Do you have a mirror cam?

Wheel Horse, Apple Pie,and Chevrolet! :handgestures-thumbupright:

Thanks for the warm words! Steve was a little freaked out when he hit the throttle!

Oh come on, teeter totter at your own risk! That shot of Zack was great!

I know who those guys are, but I had a distinct advantage, so I'm not going to answer.

Since this is an old thread, you are probably not looking for pictures anymore, but here is a picture of my 520h with Honda installed. You need to be very careful of the Honda installation in the Wheelhorse because they are not made for the horizontal clutch loads. I siezed my first engine and Small Engine Warehouse rebuilt it and added a thrust washer on the fan side. The Hondas do not have bearings on each side of the crank, only the output side has a bearing. The fan side only has a bushing. The engine now works great. I love it. It has more power than the Onan. Blows snow great in Winter.

Sorry I didnt get to meet you Craig and Mike. Did meet up with Steve and his wife Chris and CRE 1992 and helped load a bunch of engines on the back of Steves truck (thanks for the Rock and Rye) and also met up with Bob Maynard and picked his brain about painting tips. missed Duane (Bearpath) but met his wife and the 2 dogs. got my 520 vented belt guard from Jay (and Jennifer) from NC. thanks! met up with Dave Burley from Michigan..who else... probally forgot a bunch of folks. a great show and it really revieves the spirit of mutual camradere that is so lacking in todays world.

OK, next game...guess which one is the squonk. Hint...he doesn't look like his avatar anymore. I do too! I'm just fatter,grayer and uglier than I was then! :teasing-tease:

Go ZacK go ! :wicked:

Thanks Rich. Nope not cup holders Just a big hole for computer cables to pass through when it was used as a computer desk in a former life.. It will start looking good when parts get bolted back on again!

Go for it!!! Any thoughts of even stepping up to a 12? Would one fit with out too much modification? And are you just swapping engine/trans from said 310-8, and put the 8 and tranny on the 310 to have 2 functioning horses? Interesting swap!! Can't wait to see your decision!! Fooze

my dad carvan man it was tight with everything :)

thanks bowtiebutler956

hay that is me with my 753

superb Pic Craig

Good Job Zack! Matt :flags-texas:

Sounds like a great idea! If the 73 8hp is the tractor that you really like, why should you not make it more suitable for your needs??? I am all for it! Like Craig said, be sure to take pics of the conversion for us!

Glad you got the Tecky Monster going! For a minute, I thought the guy with the cane was goin down! :jaw:

It's the Rat Pack!! ( but I'm cheating!) :)

Moe, Larry, Curly, and Shep of course... Or was that Huey, Duey, Louy, and Uncle Donald??

Some great pic's Craig ! KEEP'EM COMIN ! Thanks. The video was :woohoo:

Now that is duals!!!!!

Looks like my old favorite program before it went too Hollywood, "Junk Yard Wars" !!!!!!!!!!!!! :handgestures-thumbupright:

I am glad to see all my gophers moved to Rosemount . Terry, I was infested. I took an old lawnboy pushmower (sorry RyDogg) and took the muffler off and put in a close nipple. Then went to Carquest and got a 5' piece of flex tube and attached it to the close nipple and stuffed the other end into the tunnel as far as it would go. I packed dirt around it , filled her up with gas and let her run til she ran empty. Carbon Monoxide (the silent killer) stays in there quite awhile and settles into the den as well. So no daddy, momma or babies. Lasted 2 years, then them nasty moles moved in. You know how they are, they don't pay their rent, they have mole parties all night and they excavate your yard for free. So, last fall they had a date with LawnBoy exterminators. So far this spring, NO MOLES either. Good Luck Pat

Already got the hats. Hoping the gods are with us and we can make the show.

OK, Trapping the Gophers would be bad because my kids would want to keep them as pets, and I'm trying to have them move somewhere else. as for the sheep or lamb I think I'd rather tolerate the gophers because they're at least quiet. as far as ringing the necks of the little rodents I'd rather not. (although it has crossed my mind a time or two.) any better Ideas guys would be helpful . Craig try not to be so sheepish. Thanks