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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 .

I was sitting here waiting on parts, as usual, and I thought, I have my drill press back, I have all these sharpened bits, I should make something. So, after squaring up my drill press, and getting it as true as I could, I made something. The other day I was watching Taryl Dactl rebuild a small Tecumseh motor. He had a gizmo that held his dial indicator above the piston, to set the spark at the precise proper moment. I figured I could make something like that. I started with an 8" chunk of 1 1/8" X 1 1/8" square PTO shaft. I drilled a hole in the center to receive my dial indicator, only a bit larger. As you can see in the pic, there is a plastic sleeve inserted to protect the indicator. Then I drilled several holes with the idea of utilizing this tool on different blocks, drilled and tapped a hole for a thumb knob. I added a long 5/16 bolts and some nuts. You can raise and lower it where ever you like. This happens to be the block for my Tecumseh H70. I repainted it a more Horsey Red. Everything is held firmly in place. Then, as you know, every shaft has 2 ends, I think. Why waste one. During this video Taryl was installing new valves. Of course with new valves comes adjusting the lifter clearance. He has a fancy machine, I don't. When I did my K161, I did as he suggested, and simply ground them on the side of my bench grinder wheel. This seemed rather crude for a spec that has a tolerance of .002 or .003" ,but ya do what ya gotta do. I thought there had be be a better way with out spending 2K on a valve grinding machine. Soooo On the other end of the shaft I drilled a hole to accept the valve stem. I drilled it off center so I could have more meat for the threads on the thumb knob. You can just barely see in the pic, there is a small brass pin protruding into the hole. I did this to keep from marring up the vale stem with the thumb knob. Now I can get it close with my bench grinder, and then put it in my drill press vise, and with a grinding wheel, or sanding disc, I can grind it pretty smooth. The valve on the left is before grinding, the valve on the right, after. Is It absolutely dead perfect, I doubt it, but it has to be better than sticking it on the side of your bench grinder, and hoping it's flat.

@ebinmaine has a point--we learn. When I taught my children to drive (and they all thanked me for being a good teacher) I kept reminding them that driving is not the least bit intuitive--its ALL learned behavior. That's why they had to have logged 1,000 supervised miles behind the wheel before they could take the test--not because they couldn't have passed earlier, but because I wanted them to have experience over a year in lots of situations. Why is turning a wheel clockwise "right" and not the other way? Why is stepping on one pedal to go an another pedal to stop sensible? I don't know--someone started it and others copied. It became a "standard". I'm gonna take my own advice, give up trying to change things, and go out and practice! Seat time, anyone?

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.

That’s what they tell me lol

The rare one of 225 built.

Us too

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

I got rid of my blowers and put 54" blades on both snow movers..312H and 520H. In recent years, our snow has been the wet heavy stuff that clogged the blowers and was more suitable for plowing. I was also tired of raking the stones every spring that were thrown 20' into the lawn. Also less holes in the siding and dents in the vehicles. The 520H w/54" blade had plenty of power and traction to move last weeks heavy 12" snow. The 312H was challenged for power. The only problem was steering when the blade was angled. Even with chains on the front wheels, the big blade tends to steer the tractor. I need to add some front end weights.

ebinmaine , liked your vise crimp, when I make up leads I prefer the ( mechanical lug ) design, https://www.truevalue.com/shop/electrical/plugs-connectors/mechanical-lugs/aluminum-mechanical-lugs-00-14-awg-2-pk that aloe's me to easily add to a solid point with a screwdriver . since adding additional grounding points on my horses , my electrical issues have stopped , pete

this is what santa brought me came home from work and was sitting in the garage a C 145 . some day will be as purdyy as that nos 800