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I picked up this 417A last weekend that had been sitting a while, took it home and removed all the shrouds on the engine to give it a good wash due to years of build up and mouse nests. As i looked harder i saw both starter mounts were cracked and soon as I touched it the starter broke right off! pretty sour feeling when something like that happens. Some people would say it was unfixable and throw it away but with a little engineering and a few hours worth of work she is good as new!

Tired of your 'blah' fireplace, want something different? Well, here you are, get to work .... course you still gotta have a little bucket first

This will be the next tractor I begin to restore/ put back together. I have a long history with this tractor and tiller actually. This tractor belonged to both of my grandfathers in its life time. (Lived across the road from each other). Which to me makes it special even though it doesn’t look like much nowadays. My dad remembers his dad buying it a few years old from a Wheelhorse dealer in Portland, IN. He always told dad it was a 1969. My dad remembers several details from the tractor like it being a six speed with a Tecumseh engine 10hp. Had a 42” deck on it and this tiller as well. Their garage caught fire and the tractor and tiller were in there. My other grandfather (across the road) drug it out of the garage weeks later and took to his house. There he made it usable for his needs. The original hood stand is gone along with the hood and engine. The hood stand currently on it now comes back to a lawn ranger. Guessing grandpa had it laying around so it went on there took original hood and engine off and put this large Wisconsin engine on it and tilled garden with it for years. This is why I’m not 100% sure what it is but from my digging around I believe it to be a 1968 raider 9 or a 1969 Raider 10. If anyone has any info regarding that plz feel free. Regardless I have sourced parts to be able to put it back mostly to the way I believe it should be. So this is the next big project as you can tell it needs alot but for the most part is all there from what I can tell aside from the previous mentioned parts. Parts I have for it aren’t CORRECT in certain terms but are era correct. I have the correct dash with cigarette lighter and white rocker switch for headlights. Dad specially remembers those features also. And solid state ignition as he remembers helping his dad pay for a new one way back. Lol 😂 said it was terribly expensive even back then. I’m sure this will be a long one but will try and keep those interested up to date as I go

Did this one for my FIL last year. Made up the leaf vac to run off the PTO. Not the best before, but the only one I have...

Skittles….. maybe one day I’ll finish her. She looks a little better….at least from 10 feet away

I have to say, the best deal I ever got on new tires was at TSC. I got these two for $13 each!

Oh My... somebody get that choice seat off before it goes up in flames...

Hey all, this one of mine has a p.o. Home brew. works great

Thank you guys. You have no idea how much that means to me. Yes I am lucky enough to have a couple tractors of my grandfathers. My dad did a lot of mowing with that tractor. They mowed about 3 acres. Then once his future father in law got it he always made dad ride behind that big Wisconsin lol

Success is about being happy in what you do as long as it doesn't affect others negatively. It's not about money. It's not about material possessions. It's not about try fail win lose. We ALL do that. Be you. Explore your own wants dreams desires. Be happy. That's success.

Non Ethanol gas with Barrymans B-12 fuel treatment is the only thing that goes in my gas tank. I use 30 weight motor oil intended for diesel engines because it has a higher zinc content. Changing the oil on a regular basis is the key to engine longevity in my opinion.

That is pretty cool...though I wouldn't want to be the friend taking that call..."Hey buddy can you swing by to help me move something?..."

Aint that a GOOD feeling!! I prolly get as good a "high" as much as a crack head when I get something accomplished like that. My last one - a few months ago - was on my little CUT (compact utility tractor) gray mkt Mitsubishi with front loader. Using the FEL to move a pretty big log, the log got loose and crashed into the radiator and that pushed into the alternator which broke off both the 'ears' holding it!! And Mitsu parts are about scarce as our horses -- had to have a radiator built ($350) - but I jury rigged and managed to figure a mount for the alternator - very similar to your starter rigging ---Whew!! I had a pretty good "high" for several days!!

I am also very .. leery? about all the ...MANY 'miracle' motor cures. I consider a frequent oil change with a good oil to give me a relatively 'clean' oil at time of change. And as far as non-ethanol fuel .... well, to me THAT IS a miracle product. For the last 2-4 yrs since I have been using it exclusively I havent had to replace a single chain saw, weed whacker, blower, etc, where as prior I was doing every 2-3 yrs! I am presently trying something different with my tractors, well ONE of my tractors --- I changed to 10w-30 synthetic oil in a 16hp B-43 Onan, and at 40+ hrs I am truly impressed, the oil is almost as clear as when I put it in - which was very clear out of the bottle. The engine condition was unknown (no hr meter) but ran really well and used little to no oil prior to the change. What prompted this was my Toyota Trundra calls for 0w20 Synthetic and at change around the 5000 mi change, looks almost as good as when I put it in - which was little color out of the bottle. When grass cutting time comes around I'm going to try it in my D200s K532.

That will be a true labor of love. Honoring the memory of both of your grandfathers is a tribute to strong family ties that seem to be eroding these days. Your father must have gotten a bunch of seat time on that , bet he will enjoy the restoration.

Remove the HEX plug on the trans case bottom. Replace it...change the filter, then use this no-spill method to refill... Don't over-fill it as the fluid will foam up resulting in poor performance. Run it for a little while, then recheck fluid lever...DO NOT OVERFILL.

My wife has issued the edict that someday - when I retire or change jobs I suppose - that we’re moving to Maine. Or maybe New Hampshire. With the soft and hard water fishing opportunities, ocean, and scenery I’m all-in. I’m an easy sell since I’m enjoying this fishing thread, the previous ones, and all of Eric’s hikes plus a friend’s pix of his coastal cottage. if only everybody didn’t talk so weird up there 😎. Oh, excuse me, I meant “up they-ah.” Steve

Yeah the hood and fenders need painting, linkage for the three point lever and some fine tuning. I have a really nice hood and an new seat for it. Not a lot but I have to tear the rear section off to paint it so I can get everything done while it’s apart. Now I just need somewhere to do it.

I started using Sta-BIL for storage about 48 years ago when I bought a new chainsaw and it was recommended in the owners manual. Sta-BIL is to prevent the oxidation of the fuel that causes the varnish like smell. I have four Wheel Horse tractors that are 32 to 26 years old and have replaced fuel lines on two of them with the usual rubber type. Yes, I hate the Corn Lobby product as much as anyone but haven’t had problems in the tractors. I did have problems in Maine with my snowmobiles when I bought fuel the first winter that the corn squeezens was used since it picked up all the water and crud from the bottom of the storage tanks. My thought is that people don’t take proper precautions when opening fuel tanks and cans. The open time should be kept to an absolute minimum to reduce the absorption of water from the atmosphere. Just take a stainless steel dog feeding bowl and pour in about 3/4” of E10 and watch the water being gathered during the first 15 to 30 minutes. In addition, carburetors should be run dry if they won’t be used for an extended amount of time, the pearls won’t form if there is no fuel.

Actually four....one on each of my hydros.

:look forward to every day: Maybe take videos of your time with your son. As you get old you will appreciate it.

It was the oil pan. Wanted to start with that before I threw the block in. I thought the same thing about the license plates. Will turn on next pass. I'm pleased with the initial results. The cast iron looks clean. Will finish it up w a wire brush.

yeah itd be fun to have a buddy work on stuff with me since my dad dont really like these things and hopefully i can get him going in time for the show and hopefully i can go id love to meet you guys. and thanks @davem1111 it makes me feel better i only am a little down because it seems everyone is more successful than me but im ok with it i like the challenge unless i start bleeding. now i think i feel a bit more encouraged to get him going again Kollin

Dude, stop putting yourself down - YOU ARE COOL! I'm 64 years old and I think you're cool. You're doing much cooler stuff than I was doing when I was your age. I'm a bit envious. Keep it up, man!

I tried replacing the original spring on my C-160 and it is damn near impossible. I then used Dave’s method and it took 5 minutes to fix. I did this a few years ago and it still works great. Very funny to me that this comes up because just YESTERDAY I fixed my neighbors Bronco 14 with the same method! @daveoman1966 Thanks Dave!!

Here's one I did here.

Should be standard issue 10w30 engine oil in there. General consensus on the filter is use a Wheelhorse/Toro brand or get a wix 51410 which is a NAPA Gold 1410. I'd recommend installing a magnetic drain plug. Dave AWESOME write up and fast. Neat idea on the funnel/straw.

I've got B&S on a snow thrower that does that, I gave up and just run it with partial choke. Fixed a Duromax genny for neighbor, had to drill out the jet. It's the epa's fault for demanding low emmissions and the fixed jets. Just too damn lean. .

Ayuh. Well bub we would be happy to hava ya.

I’ve seen this on the internet before, I like the fact that they made it look like the stick from the excavator is coming through the ceiling! Also I wonder if it’s sitting on a slab or is there a basement below? If there’s a basement below its got to have some very substantial floor beams because that bucket weighs a few pounds!! I showed this to my wife a while ago, she grew up with her family having an excavating business and so do I. She took one look and said NO! Don’t get any ideas!! 😂

Oh come on now. It wasn't that bad. lol. Someday you should make the trip up here though.

Fuel tank is spotless. I’m going to try replacing the fuel lines but they seem to be working just fine. Filter is clean. I will pick up some seafoam tomorrow.

I expect the prices will recede to about halfway between normal and crazy.

ZERO! If the prices of feed for poultry, livestock also fertilizer are going up over there as here, I doubt we'll see 'normal' again.

Once the national chicken flock gets rebuilt, what do you think the chances for egg prices to return to 'normal' are?

I made my own. Still working on mods to the pedal design and I want to make an automatic return to neutral setup for it. My goal is a bolt on kit with minimal cutting or drilling required to install.

Thank you I’ll give it a test. The wiring diagram is appreciated it’s the first one I’ve seen in color so that’ll make it a little easier reference as long as the wires I have match up correctly.

There used to be many choices that were very similar to the original ammeter, but.... was just looking and didnt see any like that -- there are several variations of these that are the 2" Last couple I bought I just used one of the other several variations on the meters...... Caution, they are expensive ... some up to as much $20!! I actually found better choices on the jungle than the bay.

Also, Steiner a tractor parts is a great source for Wisconsin stuff, like magneto parts.

This ☝️is spot on. Perfectly said.

I have a few Kohlers around. 10hp and a 12hp my dad is wanting to put a Tecumseh back on it like it once was

Yes he does. https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product/transmission-acceleration-springs-2-7052-9215-2-7264-9858/

Ditto Eric!

I'm in.

Not sure.You could try posting on the wanted forum if it’s available it would be there.

I'll second that.

I’m sure he will always have a soft spot for these things. I’m so glad he has taken such an interest in it. He’s learning a lot and most things like carburetor’s and oil changes he can do by himself. Also building his 604 from a pile of parts. Other things I help him with and since even tho I’ve been doing this for a while I still don’t know everything so we are learning together. I look forward to every day he asks to go in the garage.

Oh we've met, much to his chagrin. Just not up around his home kickin' around area.

This is the one that got me in to this crazy addictive hobby.

I have had several but two RJs standout in my eyes! First from 2016 bought in Underwood, Iowa from Austin McCoid ( who now owns 35 Wheel Horses and contacts me every once in a while to see if I am ready to sell his old RJ back to him)! It was a 20 degree below day when we hauled it back to Elgin, Illinois to drop off (3) RJ/Suburban transmissions to Stevasaurus. The second RJ was one I bought in March or April of 2020 as the pandemic was starting to spread in Nashville, Indiana for $60! It was in the worst shape and I am still tinkering with it but it came along way from it’s 2020 condition! I first finished the cut off hood that was on the tractor when I bought it but several Red Square Members said I should have a original type hood! So I bought three and had them redone. One was actually two that I had front and top rematched to make one good one. I still need to hook up throttle cable and wear in the transmission differential bushings some more in the second RJ! These were rough and May not be beauties but they are nice enough Wheel Horse RJs now!