Leaderboard

Happy Birthday Harvey Firestone In the early 1930’s rubber tires on farm equipment was an absurd idea. But Harvey S. Firestone had a vision to “Put the Farm on Rubber” knowing it would save the American farmer money and increase production. Harvey personally oversaw the research, development, and experimentation of this project, much of which was done on his farm in Columbiana, Ohio. In 1932 Allis Chalmers was the first tractor manufacturer to offer rubber tires on their Model “U” Tractor. In order to convince the skeptical American Farmer that rubber tires were far superior to steel wheels, Allis Chalmers and Firestone launched a brilliant marketing campaign. They employed racing legend Barney Oldfield, and land-speed daredevil Ab Jenkins to run modified “U” tractors in speed demonstrations across the country. The tractors were fitted with a special high gear that allowed the machine to reach 60 plus mph. Barney Oldfield set a land speed record of 64 mph in 1933, only to be out done by Ab Jenkins a year later. Before Harvey died in 1938, he was able to see his vision become a reality as rubber tires were by then standard equipment for the majority of American farms and the idea was going global. The priceless technological value to farming, and the world-wide advancement of food production that followed, was all because a farmer from Columbiana, Ohio pursued his dream to “Put the Farm on Rubber.”

All: I picked up a NOS, never used 1963 32 inch snow blower for the 854 8 speed a couple of years ago. I had the old driveway replace in the spring, as the old one was too crowned to use anything on it for snow removal except my 1972 Ariens Sno thro. Had the time to do some necessary upgrades similar to the 1965 and later Wheel Horse snow blowers - added a second fixed idler sprocket with a new longer chain to improve the wrap on the auger sprocket - lengthened the lower chain guard too. Replaced the non floating drive shaft bearings with floating style and added a plastic "handle" to the chute crank. Replaced the Original WH drive belt with a new TSC Kevlar one. Modified the Lift Flag to work with an assist spring. Overall, it performed well this last storm - traction was a problem as I removed the chains from the 854 and the C81 - will need to chain up before the next storm. Bill

Finally broke down and put the plow on today. Ready for winter to get here!

Santa is on his way with these

30*F

I like red... but I’m beginning to like green and no snow...

Been a rough year but Santa 🎅 was good to me today . -2007 60th anniversary (last year made ) N.o.s brand new never ran no acid in battery -1972 commando 800 N.o.s brand new never ran

Having operated mainly 8 speed tractors with only one hydro for many years and now finding myself with 3 hydros If anyone was watching me during the recent 16'' plus snow removal operation would have been laughing seeing my hands and feet not sure were they were supposed to be, and now add the electric lift I really didn't know what machine I was on from time to time. For as long as I can remember I always preferred a manual trans be it in a truck, car or tractor but can honestly say an automatic trans in a WH is awesome especially when going in reverse, nothing like it. Sure does get you back in front of the woodstove and warming up a lot quicker. Maybe I should sell a few and just keep one of each, that would simplify things a bit ?

Sure that from our position of comfort and privilege we can make all kinds of comments and criticism regarding the individuals here and their activities, but to me its just a reminder of how scared and inefficient we have become due to our comfort and privileged lives. It reinforces my thinking that although we can share our views and knowledge on how to do things we are far from being any type of authority on telling anyone how to do things. I look at this not with critical eyes, disdain or horror, but rather with humility and appreciation for the resourcefulness, talent and creativity that ones living circumstances instill in a human being.

Over the years when I only has 1 520H I went from the plow to a single stage tall chute for nearly 15 years and that's time period (no pics unfortunately) the single was tusked with anything from 4" to 24" of all various types of snow and it did fair to great , yes wet heavy snow and and DOT plow banks, then I found me a 2stage that needed work so I rebuilt it using ideas I found on here adding 2 things that I think are absolutely needed for most effective snowthrowing 1) the solid mid chute front stone deflector helps immensely and 2) the most important feature for the 2stage is the flexible rubber paddle extension kit on the impeller for "zero" clearance in the drum, all people that hate an Onan just doesn't understand the torque of these opposed flat twins (I'm sure the same style Kohler and Briggs is close) is what's really makes a snow blower truly impressive in all types of snow IMO plus a hydro trans never the wrong gear slow/fast, boy I went off track there, ok yes the 2stage is better in wet heavy snow vs the single but, if you use some sort of metal/paint treatment (wax, WD40, silicone, my personal favorite SnoJet, ect) will greatly reduce clogging. BTW I prefer to chuck the snow as far as I can get it out the way just in case there's more on the way while inside of a windbreaker cab.

Take off the skids. Add mower deck wheels or something similar

Got some snow today, so it was some more seat time

When I worked in the machine shop at my old job I made lots of things there because of the availability of different machines (mills and lathes) but with enough thought some basic hand tools (and material) I could most likely do a lot of it here at home. Definitely ingenuity is the mother of invention... I personally grew up decades behind most as my grandfather and father used all horse drawn equipment converted to use with an Allis Chalmers B to prepare gardens (and potatoe patches to sell for profit) also to make hay for the cows, if they didn't have something they needed they made it, for instance as young child (6-12 I would say) and before , for snow removal they used 12-16" wide 1" thick rough cut oak lumber to make a "V" plow (weighted down) to pull with that same AC tractor when snow was over 6-8" to open our 1/4 mile long dirt/stone driveway. Yes as a whole we are very spoiled here these days but I can say I appreciate every modern amenity that I have become accustomed too and own, but can also be humble enough to do without when budget doesn't allow. Thanks for reminding us where come from.

Here is the design for the threads

I'm old enough to be proficient with a manual trans on a vehicle...and according to what you are doing the manual definitely has its use, but my knees are getting to where they have their own opinion on which is best. I prefer the auto and hydro trans...like @WVHillbilly520H said...always in the right gear.

I just can’t believe all the snow in these recent pics!

Don't drink the water!

I enjoy the way the hydro's work. Selecting the right application is key. Snow throwing, mowing and the dozer blade, even pulling a small trailer. I do agree, trying to run a tiller on a hydro is a bit challenging.

Trina's well known for making due with what's on hand. She'll use every scrap of wood before considering going to buy more. Here's what she did while reassembly of some tent poles. The wire that rides inside needed to be held steady. Screwdriver through wire. Pliers holding either wire or screwdriver. Vise holding the both of them. So simple. Yet I wouldn't have thought to do this in a million years. I'd have gone and bought needle nose vise grips... Here's how I used to hold the cable lugs while making a battery cable.

i use black fence Caps for that. also working great and stay

The more I think about it, why not mount that screw on the front, run into a tree, and split the whole tree before felling it and bucking it to length?

As my late father used to say "your not plowing for this storm, your plowing for the next".

I was born a hundred years too late . Period .

Same here, my dad is 83 and suffered a stroke about 15 months ago, but has mostly recovered enough to do the basics, I try my darnedest to regularly (every other weeked unless something pops up in between) physically check on him/them even though I am 1.5 hour away.

It would have been easier if I were born a couch potato I wouldn't need all these toys, but my Dad wouldn't let that happen, real old school man,disciplinarian big time, didn't take much to set him off, would be 101 if he was still around.

To make it even more confusing @WVHillbilly520H my other brand diesel tractor that I spent hours on in the recent large snowfall before getting the WH out has the twin touch hydro pedal setup, that combined with everything else it sure keeps you focused which I suppose is a good thing cleaning up after a good old fashioned snow storm.

I know what you mean, same preference for the manual in my vehicles but so far I am really liking the auto in my '14 Silverado, then 22 years ago when I get the 520H that changed my mind on garden tractors (except for tilling) then going from WH to CC (back and forth here and my parents) then the Kioti (geared) shifter on the left eMax shifter on the right and range pattern different it definitely keeps you on your toes figuring out what foot or hand to use .

Those couple pics I keep posting as I remember the wind was "swirling" so it didn't matter which direction I was traveling or the the chute was pointed if it hadn't been for the cab I would have looked the same, we all have to do what budget and personal preference dictates, I'm just sharing my experiences and evolution of snow removal, stay safe out there.

Nothing like a good snowblower thrashing!

So today my oldest son was here with kids so it was the time to bring grindstone out and have it’s first tryout with the gasoline run version. It essentially worked flawlessly needing only a few additional tweaks. No vibration whatsoever from engine and stone is now rotating at a comfortable consistent 85 RPMs with almost no tension on belt. Soon it will make the trip to its permanent location. IMG_5096.MOV

Very nice. But I don't have room for something I'd never use.

I didnt like the hydro when I got one at first. Sure changed my mind quickly though. Having never plowed with one I can see why it would be soooooo much easier with a hydro. Sold the one I had and look forward to finding another one someday.

Now that's just silly talk!!!

I made this one up for checking piston to deck height on my SBC rebuild... Its aluminum and i press fit 2 1/2" magnets to hold onto the block also have 3 positions for the dial indicator.

Spent my day taking deliveries of my nos machines .

Another one for the “if you think OSHO is a small town in Wisconsin you’re in trouble...” files...

Not too sure what to expect. Saw a receipt form the electrical supply house so I may be getting another honey-do for Christmas. I'll know in a few days.

Here is a wood splitter that nay have been made for Wheel Horse.

Well said Billy. We should all realize how lucky we are specially at times such as we are going through now. Its not good for us now but it is not that bad. Appreciate every day what you have and take a good look around us in the world to learn how much worse things can be. Its a very short step to that point.

That's the exact set-up I bought for my last job...

Calm day walking dog We hear rustling in the bog Five deer bounding by

I don't think I have to tell most of the people on this site how lucky I am have the significant other in my life that I do. We're both just slightly twisted enough to purposefully try to do some things by hand that most would not even put consideration to. A great example would be the front steps that we installed a few years ago. What I do it again? No no no no no. But it was a heck of an experience. Resourcefulness is something that Trina definitely was passed down from her mom but the funny thing is she got all of that gene pool and it seems maybe her sisters didn't get any of it. Lol.

I also added rubber flaps to the paddles on my 2 stage. Works pretty good in wet snow if you slow down....

Here's a short video showing the throw of 16" cold dry snow. For scale, Trina/BBT is 5'-6" tall so the snow is really going far.

This only pictures I have are in this post from the beginning of the year while I had it mounted to my C165. What you don't see is on the bottom side are two casters mounted to aid in moving the unit around. The end that mounts in the front attach-a-matic is 1/2" round-stock that locks into place just like the mule drive and doubles as the handle to move it around. There is very little lateral movement in this set up from the short length of frames and I haven't detected any belt slip when I had it under 3200 watts, which is just less than half of the running capacity. So far I am happy with this set up and not having a separate engine to maintain if I had a dedicated generator.

Except for dirt plowing/tilling, the hydros are much better than the standard trans for just about everything...especially for snow removal. I am in n/w PA ...in the snow belt. My C-160 auto nas NEVER been stuck in snow and we've had some winters with lots and lots.