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We have been at Yosemite for a few days. Incredible sights.

Photos don’t really capture the magnitude of the beauty in this place. We were years ago also at the Sequoia National Forest which is right next to Yosemite. We spent a lot of time wondering through the several sequoia groves. It is a humbling experience being next to something that has lived for up to three thousands years and are basically the only ones that survive all the fires as evidenced by their scars and all the dead fallen enormous pines. Some of those fallen pines on photos are over 4 feet in diameter. Thinking and realizing that humans almost cut them to extinction is a sobering and awakening thought of what kind of ignorant and reckless beings we are but fortunately there were enough of us with the common sense and fortitude to stop and preserve these irreplaceable giants.

Getting close folks. Feel free to comment and post pics here. Picked up a new 20 footer to haul horses and other stuff with so I plan on having at least 12 tractors there. Got a few out and ready to go. Most just needed a bath, gas & check the oil.

Oiled up the yard art…

I fully understand @ebinmaine's story. Mine is from the other side. Several of you know that my niece and nephew asked me to help them find a solid, reliable mower for their acre in New Jersey (they recently moved from west Texas with their four children and finances are tight). I found one, went through it to be sure all was well and readied it for delivery. Today, with a lot of hours behind the wheel being closely followed by a red tractor and then an empty trailer, I delivered it as a gift to them. They were kinda stunned. Gave some basic lessons in starting and operating, went through the original manuals that I got with it, impressed on them the importance of safe usage and regular maintence, and left them mowing the lawn. I'm tired but very happy.

Best that you took it down to bare metal. Surface rust will actually hide under the old paint. I highly suggest using a self etching primer before you apply a filler primer. Self etching will eat into the metal and give your primer something to stick to. Spray the self etching primer wait for it to flash off ( dull out ) and then follow with your high build primer. Best high build primer to use is a 2K urethane primer. Unlike a lacquer based primer, urethane's will not shrink under the paint allowing your imperfections to be seen again later down the road. If you have a lot of pitting I suggest 3 coats of urethane, let it dry 24hrs min, dust a light coat of a contrasting color over the primer as a guide coat, let it dry, use 400 to 600 grit sand paper to wet sand the guide coat off. ( The guide coat allows you to easily see any imperfections while your sanding ) Make sure your part is dry, a blow gun works well for this. Final wash with a prep sol, once over with a tack cloth and paint. As @ebinmaine mentioned, I did a sheet metal tutorial in a restoration post earlier this year. Page 6 post #139 and page 7 post #153 in the link below.

Last week… trail cam at @ebinmaine’s pole barn build site…

Put some of the black back in the C 105 Black Hood… Rattle can Rustoleum satin black…

yeah. Next year it was an 856!

You have determined the cause so just dismantle and clean. Forcing it to turn can cause more damage.

I wanted to give an up date on my latest wheel horse; as most know I posted about an issue that I had with it and so many were kind enough to reply back ;if most don't recall it is a 1968 charger 9 with the 10 horse Tecumseh motor ; it seems everyone thought it might be the ignition switch but removing that and installing a brand new one as the same 3 post switch ;everything works but no spark off the plug 'so doing some test I found out that yes there is power from the switch to the unit on the solid state ignition but checking where that wire attaches to the unit there is none ;so it seems that the unit is no good and to find another is going to be hard sad that the seller mentioned that it ran when it was parked but how long ago was that besides he didn't say when that was 'it is sad that we try to take others for there word but it seems at times they will tell you anything to make a buck now don't get me wrong as even being a 1968 it is nice condition ;the deck has a few pin holes but that is not an issue ' I did give the motor a good cleaning and even the frame and head as so much grime and built up oil ;;the tires are in good condition no leaks plus no dents or dings in the hood; I really thought I was getting a good deal for the 350 I paid plus less than 100 dollars for the top price gas an even being a 135 mile ride one way and the same back well at least I got out for the day ; a little history on this tractor ;it seems the night before I was to arrive to check it over ;the seller told me that someone tried to steal it ;and they busted the key switch ;odd as he told me his bedroom window is at the same side where the tractor sat ; and he went to a auto parts store and they sold him the wrong switch as that switch was meant for bigger tractor and it would never fit in that small hole on the dash so it was removed but during that time he wired it up and tried to start it sure it turned over but that was all ;but once a new switch is installed for sure it will start ; so yes I took the chance and brought it home ; the numbers are HH-100 115095-B if any member just might have that unit as a spare and would like sell it I sure would appreciate it thanks

Still putting in some woods cruising time for engine break in after the rebuild on the k241...the brick red patina of the C100 is growing on me...the red goes well with the green woods...

Cas, I envy you. Yosemite was one of our favorite trips. Here is a picture of Half Dome taken from Yosemite Valley in September 2013.

They love to pack the space full of nesting material, food, and babies. Often chew on coil wiring, too. So yeah, take off the covers, then clean and fix whatever you find.

Many original 855’s came fitted with these older style mower decks…just another example of wheel horse carrying over parts from the previous year and using up leftover stock..😎

Not a tractor problem, just a storage problem.

Ok I'm back in action. The bedding was so wedged in and on and behind enough to create a great wedge. About enough to fill a gallon jug of water. I guess what might of happened is when I first tried to crank without knowing about the nesting.. it probable nudged the flywheel just enough to wedge the nesting in behind flywheel. Engine wouldn't turn till I got every bit out and still I had to give it a good nudge to move. Now its all freed up. Guess gotta keep it simple and check the basics before you go asses and elbows on repair. What threw me a curve ball is I underestimated the strength of the nesting to keep me from turning the engine. Thanks Folks Anthony

Besides bedding, mice like to carry other objects in engines. Dog food, nuts, sticks, etc. Many of these things are solid enough to wedge in and around the fly wheel causing it not to be able to move.

And believe it or not the next year it was called an 857.

Got that right that one is cherry! Bonus if it's got ants in it.....kidding RS65.... I paid 450 for mine But it is very complete and I know the guy I bought it from so very well taken care of. Missing belt guard lowers the value but not a deal breaker. I would say 350 - 400 would be fair unless closer inspection reveals some issues.

Well…. I think we have you bet on the cost of around $800.00 round trip fuel, $200.00 round trip for tolls! $80. First night Motel 2nd was double and spent $400.00 at the show on items…. But we sold old rusty to an older couple and random items… So that paid our trip! The show is always on our daughters birthday and we celebrated it with family at the show! You can’t put a price tag and good family fun! I forget exact mileage but somewheres of 2000 miles plus! “The time you spend with friends and family and the memories you make with your kids at the shows…. Priceless!” @Wild Bill in VA my husband always remembers you and loves visiting with you! Thanks for doing what you do at the show!! @dells68 Emory’s and your smiles say it all!!!! Becca’s too but missed out on her the last day…😢. It’s a family reunion that you want to attend!!! @VinsRJ my husband was thrilled to meet and speak to you as he watches you on YouTube!! @Pullstart great to have had a nice conversation with you!

It should be up under the dash…you can see it in this picture.

It's possible I forgot... Had a minor procedure on my neck this morning. I've been in mandatory rest mode today so no tractor playtime. Here's a pic of the ad the PO posted a few months ago. It ain't purrty but the bones are good.

Yep ... got about as much love as I am gonna give her. She runs & drives. Bringem along! What better way to spend a birthday!?!?!? Senior's gonna have to go topless. We get some time we is gonna finger out why that gas tank hits the hood. @Pullstart says he can't fit a business card between the top of the tank and the hood @Shynon

1965 855. What's the old girl worth? Running and operates well.

Thanks for all the advice ! I pulled apart the flat Pully yesterday.Not difficult at all really,used a couple chisels to pry apart the two half’s once I drilled out all the spot welds. I didn’t have the correct bearing as I thought, looks like I need a 6203-2RS.Still cheaper than a replacement Pully.

"Ah hates meeses to pieces"...

Well, I am now a believer!

Thanks guys. I believe I will be tearing into the K301 Kohler at lease as far as to be sure the block is still OK. I may not get to if for a month or so due to other issues at home.

Best LOL of the week!

Yeah, been trying for a while. Down here, I'd have a better chance of finding Bigfoot riding a Unicorn...

Try Northern Tool. They have a few that fit the hole spacing. Jim

It is an amazing place… Here’s my son seeing El Cap in a way most don’t… he’s climbed it twice, Half Dome once… The selfie was his Birthday “card” to me halfway up El Cap…

It’s worth way more in your barn, working, than it is in your pocket

Thank you I appreciate it! I'm going to do some tinkering on it. Get it all cleaned up and probably just have fun with it.

It can be a surprise how many faults show up when you get all the old scale and dead paint off. If you use Rust-Oleum red oxide primer- even if you end up needing some glazing, it will keep the rust from ever coming back. Just take your time, and use a block sander to even the top coat. The final coat of paint is like icing on a cake. All the work and the worth is in prep.

Sir, you have far exceeded the legal limit! Don't you dare! One day, I WILL have a C-160 (Kohler) 8 speed. If I have to freaking build one, that's OK too!

My 1257 has one, basically the same as Charger 12. Basically its 2 plates, 1 on each side bolted to the frame, then has the rods and stuff in the middle with the spring, etc. I lucked out and found a nos one about 4 years back.

Finished the C-120's fuel pump, made a good rebuilt pump out of parts from 2 bad ones, new fuel lines, new filter, & new tank grommet. Top belt guide was shot, replaced it with a small Idler pulley, works awesome. Running like new & ready to mow. One of the C-81's got a new shifter boot, her choke cable fixed & a much needed bath. Dropped the mid mount grader blade & returned her to mowing duty with a freshly serviced 36' RD deck & new belts. Now I can focus more on my friends C-160

I may have an issue this year. It's my kids birthday that weekend. Still hoping to get up there for a day...maybe Friday.

aka "Metal Prep" A 'needle scaler' comes in handy sometimes for rust removal in areas that you can't get to with sandpaper, wire wheel, etc... In the future, forget about a wire wheel for paint and rust removal. These things are the bee's knee's. MUCH MUCH faster than a wire wheel and does a much better job of it.

thanks and know you are not rude I will take a few later and post them ;that set up for sure is different

I am a strong believer in Phosphoric acid as a rust preventer- especially if situations such as yours! When applied __ "Phosphoric acid converts iron oxide (rust) into an inert layer of iron phosphate, which is black in color. This inert layer then acts as a barrier layer or protective coating." I bought a gallon at Home Depot some 12-15 yrs ago and still have a lot - many places have it. Mix with water (mix ratio depends on application) I use a quart squirt bottle and add about 1-2 ounces. At the point where you are I squirt a liberal coating on and let sit for a few - a fine rust haze will form, I then take a rag wetted with paint thinner, (or similar) and wipe the surface down - get it clean. Now its ready for whatever, paint or primer. In your case I would use a filler primer - like the Rustoleum red oxide primer mentioned.

@SylvanLakeWH Well played Jim!

No thanks ..... trying to quit.....

Hey Bill you may have a serious problem with it but if you allow me to pick it up I will take care of it for you. What you are describing is all very normal.

Am I wierd for thinking this looks kinda' awesome!? Are those solid steel balls? Makes me wonder where one would get balls that big?? Gotta admire the craftsmanship though.

Come on @peter lena Can't just toss that out here without a picture...

Here’s my Parker vise, it was given to me 25 years ago and was seized up solid. However with some patience and persistence I got it moving like new. If I remember correctly it took about a month. This thing is solid as a rock. Doesn’t swivel or flip over or anything fancy, just a basic vice and a love it. From the little bit of information I have found I believe it was made in 1939? Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.