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Removal of a large sugar maple was started one week ago. Due to the close proximity to the house, I paid a crew to take it down and all cleanup was done by the my wife and me. In addition to this work, I had the crew do some serious trimming to four other trees, we cleaned that up as well. Taking one piece at a time to the splitting area. Except for the largest chunks, all of the firewood has been cut and split.

Today I set out to cure a design flaw that plagues most of our tractors. First let me start off by saying - "If you've never cut 10ga sheet metal with a jig saw, then you are definitely missing out on life!" You really need to add it to your bucket list. I'm here to tell you that it is like hitting your self in the head with a hammer. It feels good to stop. Now back to the task at hand. What flaw was I fixing? Why did I need to cut 10ga with a jig saw? Well first off I did not have a hole saw big enough to do the job, this is why I used a jig saw. Why was there 10ga sheet metal on a D160? IDK, don't know the back story on the custom fenders and seat set up. Guess the PO wanted to make sure that they were heavy enough. As for the flaw, well I plan on using my new to me D160 with a double seat as a show cruiser and there was just no place to safely set my drink while I'm cruising around. To cure this issue as well as cure the issue for my passenger I added two cup holders to the center counsel. But wait!! There's more! Because I saw them and decided that it was a GOTTA HAVE item. Also because I think that even a rusty old tractor deserves a little "BLING", I stepped it up a little with my cup holders. Can you say LED?? Sure, I knew you could. Should have no problem finding where to put your drink while cruising around in the dark with these babies.

A trip to the muck heap with grass cuttings. Went over all the old tracks, deep mud and the old girl just chugged away through it all. The turf tyres ended up spinning, but low range 1st and rocking side to side got us through. Forgot to put cover back on points which led to a short breakdown in a deep puddle. Dried them off with sleeve, waited a minute and we were back underway.

Yepp. I do similar to the above pics but use a jig saw with a vacuum cleaner to remove any metal filings. Normally I'll cut the top. Use a fair sized punch to crush the pipe in on itself. Sometimes have to grab the leftovers with a vice grip and give em a healthy twist.

I recently acquired two Wheel Horse tractors from a relative who wanted to get rid of them. I’ve never owned a Wheel Horse before, and have some questions about them. I’ll tell a little about each tractor. C-105. This tractor is in rough cosmetic and running shape. From the S/N plate I know it’s a 1981. The relative I got it from is the original owner, and has had the engine rebuilt once (because he said he ran it out of oil). This tractor came to me with wheel weights and snow chains on it. He’s supposed to give me the snowblower that goes with it as well. When I changed the oil, some thick metallic sludge came out first. I would imagine the engine has a stuck ring, or something that’s causing it to eat itself. Also there is oil on the head fins, which I’ve read is a sign of a cracked head. This mower also smokes a lot when it runs. I would assume this engine will need a complete rebuild if I ever want to use the tractor for anything. It has what looks to be the original Kohler 10hp engine. 416-H. This tractor is in much better shape than the other. But unfortunately it was being stored outside. I got this one in non running condition. The S/N plate is not where it’s supposed to be on the rear fender. So I don’t know the year. Also the engine data plate is too faded to read. So I can’t get the age info from there either. I found that the seat switch was wired wrong. Someone had spliced the wires together so that the seat light was always on. And the seat was adjusted so it would never touch the seat switch anyways. So I spliced yellow and Orange together for now so it runs. The battery terminal on the ignition switch was broken off. So I borrowed the ignition switch from the C-105 (same P/N). I fired up the Onan 16hp and it runs great. I changed the oil and oil filter, as well as the fuel filter. The mower runs and mows great. I greased all the fittings and sharpened the blades. It shows 487 hours on the hour meter. Sorry for the long post. My questions are this. What is the service interval for greasing the front spindles? Also, on the 416-H, should I go ahead and change the hydro filter and fluid since I don’t know the last time it was done? I’ve noticed that some people are running a Tri rib front tire. What size are you using, and are you reusing the factory wheels? I was happy to see that there’s a forum devoted to these mowers. I’m on a couple of farm tractor forums also. My other tractors are a Ford 3000 diesel, and Ford 8N. So I’m used to working on tractors, just a little bit bigger.

Went for a run around the farm, 2 months ago there were 150 pig huts in this picture - now nothing, and the grass is already reclaiming the evidence. Three months from now you would never know this had been a pig farm for the past 27 years.

I got one of them gennys and wasn't so dang heavy would take it to shows and display it & run things at camp just for the halibut. paid 30 clams for it so shower head was worth the price of. Couple of regulars at our shows have vintage genny displays. Think @Lane Rangerhas or had one too. Wished I could find that globe for the light. Lane says they are around but I have yet to find one. OIl bath is cracked so can't put oil in it. I rigged up a grounded pigtail to get the power out but the orginal male plugs are around yet.

This nipple didn't look bad but a new elbow wouldn't start on it and it was marked up. Glad I changed it as it wasn't in very far and I found evidence a nipple had been cut out before. Just did this Saturday Stick a paper towel into the port. Leave the nipple long enough for a pipe wrench. Cut 2 slots just about through. Vacuum frequently. Pipe wrench will collapse nipple and it will either turn out or fall out. After removing paper towel. Vacuum out the hole. Then I used some large swabs with garb and brake cleaner to clean out the port.

My home town fire department had this stashed in the garage. It had been used up until about 20 years ago when it was replaced and has been sitting since. It’s loaded with bad gas and the carb is a mess but salvageable. The boys are intrigued by it so they were right by my side. Shockingly it had spark and fired right up on carb clean and it also generates light at the light bulb. The electrician at work seemed pretty optimistic that it would work just fine when I get the engine running. He also is going to make me a plug so I can test it. It’s powered with a Kohler K90. I can’t find much info on the unit online but I’m assuming it’s pretty old since it’s a K90 powering it.

I picked up this little generator with a K-90 at a flea market, it was an old military unit. Even came with the shower head muffler and recoil starter. Replaced the spark plug wire from the coil and it is as good as new,

I've found this forum to be an oasis of civility and political neutrality.

I used a hacksaw blade by hand, takes a little time but works out.

Livin on the edge right there.

Little off fellas.... lest momma was on this scale and sprung it's springs. That's entirely posible! Now you know @Achto I got hole saws I never even seen. Whatchamattawif you?!? I'm jonesin for a night booze cruze now!

A good dose of carb cleaner and then letting it soak a bit does wonders to loosen up the exhaust carbuncles in the threads.

Buy 2 new nipples and use one to chase the threads in the head. Turn in a little and back out, use a light oil for cleaning. A lot cheaper then buying a pipe tap.

If you are not comfortable hacksawing a groove in the nipple, you do not have to. You can just cut the nipple off short (leave 1/4") and use a cold chisel and ball peen hammer to collapse the threads. Once you get it started, it will loosen and you can turn it out. Here is the proof.

Appx.40 Horses have come to my stable for rehab and release after full recovery in the past 10 years....Some needed Transplants...others needed far less. Either way they are all at good stables now , being loved and used as they should be. The current count is 7 in the barn. I don't think any of these will ever leave as my oldest Son wont let me sell any of them. C-120 Hydro 42" SD deck C-160 Hydro 48" SD deck 418-A ( x2) Both have 48" SD decks 417-A 48" SD deck 418-8 Electric Lift 48" Deck.....48" Plow 312-8 37" Leaf Machine w/ bagger ! ( picking it up with Bill D tomorrow. Original owner in pristine condition...Flawless paint too !!!! )

Cutting it in 2-3 places and crushing it is the way to go

Wow, Lots of great responses. Back in the day some 30 year ago when i was a small engines tech in a rental company I remember we used to cut the sausage type exhaust off 5 horse briggs then use an air chisel to "cave in" the nipple in the block. Took only a few minutes. I can see similar logic applies here. Thanks for the tips. I didnt know if this was going to be and easy job or an ordeal Cheers and Thanks. I will report back later.

I need some fluids and fuel and a new fuel filter and I’m ready for test fire!

Well… on EB’s defense Sylvia, I NEED this tomorrow. BBT manages to hold down the fort just fine without Colossus.

I’m supposed to haul my camper tomorrow. Everything is ready to drop the cab back down! I think I’ve got about 8-10 hours of work to do to be running again

I’m certainly lucky. Aiden my older son was into doing everything I did for years. But now he’s in middle school and friends, girls and sports are life but now that he has a smooth running 856 that’s all his he is back into things. Alex was the driving force behind me getting back into the garage and I’m thankful for him pushing me. Alanna well she’s your typical teenage girl but she enjoys riding around on them.

I've been driving minivans for 20 years. I have a 4'X8' space inside my Grand Caravan - space that's secure and dry. The limiting factor for transporting tractors is the height at the hatch opening, which is 39". Sometimes I need to let air out of the tires or tilt a tractor so the steering wheel clears: Joe I hear you on that. I have a 2021 Ford Transit Connett. Still getting used to loading it on the van with folding three piece ramps. But being 6.0' tall does not help. Taking the air out of the tiers seems the way to go. Caring a small air tank with you also for attending shows. Enjoy what ever you own.

When I was considering buying this, I ran across a YouTube video of a guy who had acquired one. He had absolute contempt for it. He said he couldn't call it a tractor because it was just a lawn mower. He also said that making such cheap junk was the beginning of the end for Wheel Horse. The guy was clueless as to its capabilities, durability, and most of all, its target consumer group.

I would cut the nipple from the inside down towards the threads of the block. Avoid going too far and not hitting the threads in the motor. Then collapse the nipple in on it self. Be careful if you use BF pipe wrenches... be real easy to squish that short a nipple making things worse.

Our Moderators are quite good about keeping us in line and conversations civil. I don't use Facebook at all because it is so full of negativism. I have found that the majority of the posts on this site are informative and friendly, the others we tend to ignore.

315-8… just finished a mow

YES!!!!!! Finally got an engine.....err well two of them actually Not sure if they are the 7hp or 10hp models though. It was a gamble at an auction. Two unused Yanmars for £140 each was worth the risk. The world's second longest project after @ebinmaine Super, super, super happy!!!

Run the engine to heat it up and try backing it out. If that doesn't work then go the cut and fold route

Would help if you quit standing on the deck when lifting.

Try to tighten it a bit before attempting to remove. Last time I had the exhaust nipple out of my 855 I literally lifted the front wheels of the tractor off the ground by the pipe wrench trying to take it loose. Tightened it 1/4 turn and then it backed right out.

The difference between garden tractors and lawnmowers is huge. That being said, one of the toughest (throw away?) mowers I ever owned was a Craftsman. Dollar for dollar, in 1970s or 2000s value, I would think a WH mower would be tough as can be for what it is. Most things like it last a long time if taken care of. And anyone who wants to poke fun at my little Toyota pickup can go... Fly a kite!

200 Series can't do the job? HORSE HOCKEY!!!!! I bought a brand spankin new off of the showroom floor Toro/Wheel Horse 210-H With a 10 HP Briggsy and 36" SD deck. Found a RD deck for it later. Also got the snowplow and chains for the puny wheels. Thing cut great. My wife taught piano and I had to plow where the state highway filled in with snow. It always handled it. After the storm of 93 I wanted a snowblower for it. Place I bought it from said it wouldn't work good. Neighbor had an old Allis-Chalmers blower he said I could have. I got it adapted to fit and it worked great. Finally sold it in 2011. All I ever replaced on it was a tie rod end ,seat and diode!

My American Bulldog would shred any stuffed animal. However when I gave her a Mr. Bill stuffed doll she just wouldn’t kill it. I guessed it looked to human like for her IDK.?.?

Mike, goat droppings are little pallets sort of like deer poop. I may not know much but don't let anyone tell you I don't know $H!t.

Lots of fertilizer got left behind to help all that vegetation grow, eh @Dan.gerous?

I've only ever seen Red. Could have been a special customer request done by a dealer or a previous owner repainted it and got new stickers.

Better keep the hacksaw out and cut some kerfs in the other nipple.for thread chasing. Poor man's pipe tap.

I got 5 horses and am picking up one from you at the BS , would hook up the horses to a wagon to come for a visit but don't think I could survive the trip up the interstate and you probably make me sleep in the coop with Waldo junior.

Are you stopping by to pick up the goat muffins?

About what I thought. Trying to figure out much less gas I use mowing with the 857 over the C-160. Looks to be a quart to a quart and a half.

I have a pair of 10' wood ramps. They barely fit inside, but once the tractor is loaded, they have to go on the roof rack. The slope is moderate enough that I can usually load things myself, but if I have something particularly heavy, or has flat tires, I have an electric winch mounted to a board that I stick behind the pillars. I'll tell ya, mini vans get no respect!

Now that’s funny… hhhmmm… Colossus… name ring any bells…?

Yes! I use an online calculator for steel weight. Goes back to my working days. Plugged in some generic numbers and...says they are heavy.

Lots of horse stuff today.... painted The Flame... sure @Achto ain't gonna like it.... Naawww just kidding phone went screwball....head gasket was leaking. Head bolts real loose so a new gasket and inspection. Clutch was always grabby and has orginal WH rubber belt so going to try a TSC one. Replaced a roll pin in in the steering. Smoked like a bandito.... too much seafoam or stabil so fresh gas and a oil change straightened that out.