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I had the tractors outside today so I could do a little shop cleaning so I figured why not take a few pics. First up are the round hoods, my customized 61 Suburban. Next down the line up is my sons customized 60 Suburban with an electric start 8hp Kohler under the hood followed by my mostly original 58 RJ and my sons 854. The last pic is of the main workers, my 417 and 657.

This was my first blower I had back in 2008, mounted on a well worn out C-141 8 speed, we had about 4" of snow and it did a pretty good job, just had to keep a eye on the oil, the tractor drank a little, a buddy still has this tractor.

I purchased my 516H 3 weeks ago off craigslist. I traveled an hour and a half to find a dirty, but well running tractor with no attachments. The seller informed me of a snowblower at a hardware store half an hour south on the coast that had been sitting in a field for over a year. I bought the tractor for $450 and went to the hardware store to see about the snowblower. The seller of the tractor told me he had talked to them and they would sell it for $200. At the hardware store they screwed around with me a bit on the price. They told me $300 was their last offer. As I was getting into my vehicle to leave with the 416 on the back they came running out and told me I could have it for $200. I dragged it quite a ways through the field, with over a foot of snow, but it was worth it. I ended up with a hardly used tall chute snowblower. A little over an hour later I was home and started to clean it up to see what I had. I mounted the snowblower in preparation of a storm that was approaching. I had a great Toro snowblower that I bought brand new 2 years ago that I had recently given to my mother for her house so I needed to get this thing going in order to get out of my driveway (which is 200' long). Well I soon found out that the hydro was weak, missing the reservoir, and needed fluid. I was able to take care of the storm, barely. Dennis from this board sent me a message and I ended up buying a rolling 520H chassis from him a week later (much thanks). That night I completed the Eaton 1100 swap. What a difference, night and day. Here is a photo of the tractor as of this evening, tires are from the rolling chassis, sheet metal slowly being painted. Hood is next, then blower. My wife thinks I am nuts. My daughter on the other hand is right there with my insanity. My 252H will be sent to my mothers house for lawn mowing duty. Happy as heck to have a real tractor for once.

Hello all, A lot of you guys know I have been sick. I have been Battling cancer and been doing good with it. Its giving me a chance to think how short life is. So I Want to build a Hot engine for a project im working on. I was going to build a k341 Kohler, started picking up some parts. Like everything I do for some reason I have to go over board. Well I started with a stock block. Picked up a used crank stroked to 3.75. Then I find out the engine I wanted to build you cant use stroked crank, and the max bore size was only .030 bigger then stock. The more I looking into it I wanted MORE. So I have collected some really nice bunch of parts to play with. Im not using the stock block. I picked up a J2 after market block Very HD. 10,000 all day Billet cam with a .625 lift, billet rod, and piston. The stock size was 3.75 bore. The new bore is 4.125 and I have still more sizes I can do. The crank I found out wasn't as good. so I ended up buying new, Billet crank . 3.75 stroke. The engine building thing is so many ways that guys do thing , no one will tell you anything, as far as port size angles any thing. The block I have I have to machine ports lifter holes center lines aren't the same as stock. so im working everything thing out 3 time before I do anything. here's some pictures of the parts I have so far.

Saturday was a 70 degree day here in Richmond, figured it was time to stretch the 416's legs. It has been a extremely wet winter, and my driveway has taken a beating so I put the grader blade to use. Hard to believe we will have couple inches of snow on the ground tomorrow!

Here is all I can tell you without actually seeing the tractor and fixing it for you. The picture below is how current flows when the key is in the OFF position. When the key is in the ON/RUN position, the current flow is as shown below When you turn the key to START, the current flow to the starter solenoid is as shown below in green When you release the key from start, the current flow returns to the ON/RUN position, and the starter stops running. If it does otherwise, you have either the wrong switch, a bad switch, sticking solenoid, or you have it wired incorrectly. Since the tractor will start and run, the assumption is that the seat switch, pto, and clutch switches are all working correctly or have be bypassed. EDIT: I'm withdrawing the solenoid statement because if it were to be sticking, the starter would be running even with the key off.

Yes I have a FEW more tractors here now, and Thanks on the Barn, I built it with help from my 3 brothers it took me a whole summer to build it, but I can say I did it. and it's full of Wh's and parts. Here is a pic from today my son took, we had about 5" of fluffy snow but the tall shoot on the 520 still throws it pretty good.

This is what it is all about...the Giant Claw...awesome

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Think that stump was signed by Cecil?

Actually I love that video! It's one of the best I've ever seen about blowing snow on a small tractor. It comes down to rpms and the design of the blower (it's a bervac or bercomac same design). I have a fraction of the collection that a lot of the guys here have! I liked having everything set up the way I want no switching. It's not that hard to switch but soon you'll start seeing deals for tractors that you just can't pass up. Then all of sudden you have a collection. Again my father in law has a brand new jd with fel and also a grasshopper diesel and he thinks I'm crazy. But here's what I think is crazy I can do 90% of what he can and I spent 1/6 what he did. But this is not for everyone and I totally get that. Most here won't argue wheel horse was the best ever but just the right mix of affordability durability and work ability and interchangeability to make it worth it keeping them around. If we get much more snow I'll post a video of my rig to see how it compares to the one you posted.

CURSE YOU RED BARON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

worked on joining the inlet manifold back together today. firstly i had to clean off all that crud and corrosion..... then both pieces were subjected to a scotchbrite rubbing all over, while my fingers were subjected to getting worn out just a little more........ then i gave both pieces a good wash with brake cleaner and got some rivets and permatex #2 for sealing. i use ultra black for sealing just about everything but supposedly it isn't recommended to use on parts subjected to gasoline..... put a nice flat bead all around the sealing area on both pieces...... placed both pieces together and now time to rivet...... used 1/8 aluminum rivets to join the halves back together..... finally i cleaned all the excess sealer off to make it look pretty..... thats all for today though, sitting inside red squaring.......

This is a long story so bear with me. My wife and I go to my brother's Elks lodge for Friday dinner quite often. The last time we went a little over a month ago, sitting at my brother's table was a man named Bob Shinsing. Quite a friendly fellow and we quickly learned he had been an aircraft mechanic during the Korean war. As we talked he told us about his hobby of making airplane bird feeders. He showed us some pics of them all with different themes. I got thinking he probably could do a plane but I didn't want to ask. After we left the first thing he says to my brother is, "Do you think they would like one of my planes?" Of course my brother said yes and suggested the theme. Fast forward to yesterday and a certain Dino finding a box of VCR tapes of old monster movies on his step. What a surprise!! A giant "Saurus sitting in a lawn chair in his basement with a TV tray full of chips and his mug watching B movies. On my birthday no less Today I get home late after a really long week. sitting on my porch is this airplane bird feeder with emblems on the tail! .I tried to think of who could have sent it as I only got to know Bob for like an hour. Then I saw the card inside from my brother and it all came back. Needless to say I was shocked! I called my brother and he got a big kick out of it. Gotta figure out how to get on next year's calendar! Enjoy the pics!

I think I found a 1054 but hood is missing. The tag is below...

Turn it into dessert. Make a few Oyster pies. Hot from the oven. Invite the Boys and families. ENJOY !

Mike, be careful trying to widen the front of your trailer, most of the landscape type of trailers don't have much frame under them, they rely on the truss effect of the side rails for strength. I've seen more than 1 trailer destroyed by backyard re engineering .

Also, was there a fuel filter on the line between the carb and the fuel pump? If so, that needs to be replaced. It sounds like that tractor was a bit of a basket case. It's great that your trying to bring it back. As Chazm stated, now you need to find the source of the rust! As in the gas tank. Make sure it doesn't have a screen or mesh steel filter on the outlet of the tank that is also plugged up. Give that tank a good cleaning and some fresh gasoline. Replace the gas lines, put a filter in the line between the pump and the carb. Clean the diaphragm pump out again. Clean the carb out again making sure you have a clean bowl/float/inlet screen/etc. You'll get it sooner or later. Here is a forum link to a group devoted to the AC Garden Tractors you have. http://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=12&title=garden-tractors Good Luck!

Mike- the motor is a 10hp and the thing that I notice is different from my 953 is the thickness of the rear fenders.... My 953 seems like it has thicker metal than this one. Going to pick it up tomorrow. Comes with a black canvas cab company cab, plow, snowblower and the mowing deck on it.

Finally getting a chance to update our last meeting which was held Thursday night. It was a huge step in us moving forward as we are now able to use the new building. The building is not hard wired but we are able to run an extension cord temporarily so we have light and can run a portable heater. The kids were excited to finally be back in business. We focused on getting the engine torn down and we will focus on getting it prepped for some new paint. We also tore down another 12 horse that had a broken rod. The kids worked with dad and learned how important it is to do routine maintenance. Here is some photos of the club in the new building and back in action....... Of course a little more of everyone's favorite activity........sanding! Still working with the sandblasted and hoping to have the kids apply the powder to the tractor soon so reassembly can commence. Thanks for following our journey!

Denny that is my sons 854. I put it in the tent for the night because I'm in the middle of a project in my garage taking up its normal resting place. It was in the original pic on the end where you couldn't see it very well.

Now that's funny!!! Almost as good as the little wires on the toy jeeps and tanks pulling them along in the Godzilla movies!

Great looking line up of WH iron! I like the look of them wide meats on the back of your son's 1960 !! Also that RJ58 is in great condition! Hope you leave it that way and never restore her! I like them original most of the time. You must not have got tangled up in the latest snow storm today! Looks like that 417 would handle it! Good collection you have going! Keith

I did a Google search and found multiple places that show stock on that part number.

Excellent Mike...surprises mean a lot at this time of year.

I DID IT ON MY GT-14

I guess I'm one in 6 then.

Missed a spot.

Does the starter drive retract with the key turned off? If it doesn't it may be physically jammed and you may have it wired correctly after all.

Sorry i have been a bit slow on the updates i have only mated to get work done on very few occasions as school work is important so here we go a big (isn) update on what has happened so far... I have installed the new gauges (oil pressure, volts and tacho gauge) all with complete illumination. (if you want to know where i got the gauges from send me a PM and ill send you a link I have painted the flywheel silver because it was rusty and dint loo very nice through the cover so the silver works well against the matte black. I have finished painting the bonnet and installed the grille that i cut out a hole for. (pain is mini chilli red, i know it isn't original but it seems a good match) comes from Halfords. Still plenty of work to do though.

I was following along on this one and somehow I missed the ending! All I can say is that what you have done is the true definition of a full and proper restoration. Your work is superb with lots of attention to detail, the tractor look fantastic! I've used Martin Seynour paints before on a few vintage outboards I restored and I liked it. The 857's are one of my favorite tractors, I love the stocky look to them and there is something about how that starter/generator belt guard looks and how it fills the engine bay, I love that look. Its work like this that inspires me to get out into my shop and get my rear in gear!

Isn't the PA state grand canyon somewhere around there? http://pacanyon.com/

Dico got bought out by Titian, which got bought out by Carlisle. Here is a website that sells them: http://www.cedarrapidstire.com/category/15512/turf-trac-r-s-carlisle-lawn-and-garden-turf-tires Carlisle still makes the 23x10.50-12, but they do not make the 16x7.50-8 (unpopular size), which came on the fronts. You could substitute 16x6.50-8 (very popular size) which would fit just fine on the rim. Thad (Ohio)

Lane, looks like a nice project. I think locating an engine could be the hardest part…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNremK0cBEg

Nice work Martin! You could eat off of that engine. Matt

worked a little more on the engine today..... pulled the bearing plate and timing cover, will be replacing gaskets and seals. cleaned up the aluminum more on the block and other parts. think its almost there. will start to re assemble next week once i get all the seals and gaskets needed.... timing cover removed..... still am surprised how clean this engine is (other than the junk that i found in the sump). considering this engine sat out in the weather with parts missing, manifolds, spark plugs etc. it survived well. the bores had a little rust which cleaned up good, and there was water, mud and whatever else in the sump. i think i got lucky on this one...... main bearing on bearing plate side ...... was some discussion on the forum recently about the ball spacer in the governor being keyed to the cam gear. here is the plastic keyed version.....

Well that's quite the line up, why so many? Arent the attatchments simple enough to just pop on & off? I can't see the purpose of that many.. haha.., unless of course you just like having them which is fine too. Personally, I'd rather have one that can do it all thus the reason i brought up the Walker brand machine. I think I'm going to sell my Wright Stander & get one down the road when affordable. Tell me why you don't think it's a fair comparison? Earlier on in this thread i entertained the fact & said it myself that these zero turns & tractors might be two different poisons but no one really got into detail on it. I would argue the fact that you say the zero turns are just for mowing as the Walker brands accepts implements & most other brands accept attachments. Also, every WheelHorse I've seen around here was bought specifically for mowing & blowing, nothing more. Then WheelHorse went under & ppl moved onto newer designs. But that is just my demographic, it could be different elsewhere. With that said, i think it's comparable, just two different eras. Why a two stage? Well as I've mentioned a few times in this thread we've been getting hammered with snow the past few years. I also happen to live in a valley where the wind whips through & creates some big drifts, i don't want to just chug along, i want the machine to process it & toss it into the woods that are 30-80 feet away depending on where I'm at. I've also been doing some research & have come across quite a few threads where ppl say the single is better & they like it better than the two stage, i then go look at there location & it will be down south somewhere, it pretty much discredits the post as they most likely get 8" of snow once a year. There's a reason that the two stage was developed & is now more common than singles, it moves more snow. Understanding that the two stage is heavier & requires alot more maintenance, I've been considering a Bercomac blower as well. My reasoning is that they are still in production & i could probably get a newer one for the same or less money than a collectable wheelhorse blower that most likley needs work unless brand new. I've mentioned the berco a few times but haven't heard any feedback from y'all. Have you ever heard of them? I'll post up a video for ya. Its pretty impressive. Sorry it's not on a red tractor, throws pretty far though considering it's all stock & run by a 16hp Deere.

AMEN to that! I found one 2-3 years ago covered in rust, hood there but rougher than a cob, no engine, front wheels locked/rusted in place with something messed up, all four tires flat, torn and shot. I have not seen another since in this area for less than $500. I paid $50-75 for this old turd and figured I did well! To me, the one shown here looks like a trailer queen compared to the pile of rusted steel I bought to restore!

That looks way better than the 59 that I had!

I have 6 tractors 5 wheel horse and 1 john deere. They are all set up to do one job. Tilling, plowing, mowing blowing etc. I have about 5.5k invested in my "hobby" . I don't think this is all that much for the work they can do. I also have a 522xi with 2 stage blower, cab, weight box chains and wheel weights I got this rig for 1500. It will blow better than almost anything on the market. If you were to go up market from this your talking spending 15-20k on a Kubota or a john deere subcompact . Also this forum is full of guys that wanted and old school tractor that was built to last easy to work on and could be had at a very reasonable price. That's what the wheel horse is to me. If you want to go big or "tier 1" get a subcompact but you pay out your nose. I also don't think it's fair to compare 12k zero turn rigs (who's only job is to mow) to old school tractors. It's just apples and oranges. IMHO

If the shift lever isn't broken, it is likely that the dog-point screw holding it in the transmission is either broken, loose, or just plain worn out. This is an easy fix and here is where the dog-point screw is. my direct email is: daveoman@windstream.net

that should keep you out of trouble for awhile

thanks Jack and Denny. i forgot to add that i got the micro switches through mcmaster carr....... part # 7779K63 $2.93 ea. http://www.mcmaster.com/#7779k63/=qt68r2 trying to put some of the part numbers and prices on here, just in case it helps somebody out......

Been looking through the thread Martin, that is a fantastic machine! Keep up the good work brother!

It has been a very long time since I have updated this thread. I apologize for that. We are dead in the water right now due to the fact of not having a place to work. That will be changing soon I hope. As I have mentioned previously, our building is under way. I wish I had some good photos to share, but not yet. I do know that the walls are up and the trusses have been set. We are getting oh so close. The updates I have been receiving have been very exciting. I have learned that a hoist will be placed in the ceiling to help with removal of engines and for other various tasks. They are truly thinking of everything to make this a great place to work! Since time is going to be our enemy I made the executive decision to get this machine powder coated. After telling the story to our friend that powder coats our machines he agreed to give us a deal. On top of that he invited the club to come out and he will show them how to apply the powder and do it themselves! We will then push the rack in to the oven and in a short amount of time we will get to see the finished product. How cool is that?!?!?!? I am chomping at the bit to get cranking on this again! Hoping to update you all again soon!

I got this finished up today, overall I'm pretty happy with how it turned out considering I painted this one myself.

here is my c141 automatic with a tall chute blower, 140 lb wheel weights on the back. (this is the one that was giving me trouble during the storm saturday all is well now) this is a 314-8 with a 42 in plow. put the front weights on for this storm, help steering alot also have rear wheel weights, 150lb of suitcase weights and then another 30 lbs of plates on the plow to scrape better. you can just see the plates in the picture

I remember those back to back storms too, not last year, but the year before...Dec '10, Jan '11 snow season. The single stage on my 520 had our little driveway looking like a tunnel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu48aGgLkzw&list=UUd_ptV1TUpPlW1VhCjxez_Q&index=40