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Three plowable snows so far. The most recent 6 inches. Hardly a test for Thumper. And some heat from air blowing across the jug from the flywheel. A warm up headed in now though.

Continued on the C141 refresh. I hate painting and body work, I have no idea why I start these projects, but I do. Used bed liner paint on the bottom of the seat pan and running boards.

The word ACME is seldom heard today unless you are referring to a North Eastern regional grocery store chain by that name. Acme means the highest point or something that represents perfection. It is little wonder that many manufacturers and businesses used the name ACME to give the consumer the thought that it was a high-quality product or service. While researching tractor manufacturers I found several uses of ACME and some interesting branches of their family trees. We will begin with the Acme Tractor. ACME Tractor The Acme Harvesting Machine Co. was formed in Peoria, Illinois in the late 1800s to build binders and other farm machines. Acme began making their 12-25 tractors around 1918. The half-track crawler was a conversion of the wheel tractor. It was three plow tractor with a 382 cubic inch BEAVER four cylinder overhead valve engine rated at twenty five belt horsepower at 850 RPM operating on kerosene. The tractor had a two-speed transmission and could be outfitted with fifty-four inch high twelve-inch-wide steel wheels or could be fitted with twelve-inch-wide tracks. The tractor weighed in at six thoued pounds at a cost of $ 1,650, $ 33,335 in today’s money.

I remove all nozzles and keep them submerged in lacquer thinner.

Finished converting the 854 to use a solenoid for starting. As others have done, I used a bracket added to the S/G to hold it. Makes for some very short cable runs. I added a fuse to the charging side as many members have recommended, but later realized that since my ammeter is mounted on a wood dash there is no chance of a failure with a short to ground! Took the opportunity to clean and dielectric grease all the wiring endpoints and replaced some that I deemed sketchy. Also replaced the fuel line. The white-backed instrument is a marine digital voltmeter fed from the A terminal on the new ignition switch (Stens 430-512 for Toro 103990). Upon completing the wiring, I hit the key and got only a weak “huh?” from the S/G. Momentary panic but after going through the checklist realized the battery was end-of-life. Whew! Got a good battery and it started just fine so I went for a spin in the snowy yard!

Unless you are watching the Roadrunner & Coyote cartoons on Saturday mornings! Ol' Wile got all his toys from ACME ( which I swear was later bought out by McMaster-Carr!!!) They had everything!!!

McMaster Carr on the set screws @c-series don. When I broach hubs for guys I aways send new ones & jam nuts so I buy in bulk.

I often times need small amounts of spray paint for project in the shop. I was finding the paint nozzle would be clogged. (I'm hesitant to turn can upside down to clear the nozzle as I figure at some point I'll use up all of the pressure in the can,) What I have found that works for me is to pop off the nozzle, put it in a little lacquer thinner to soak for a few minutes, then blow it out with an air gun, That seems to keep them open and working. I've also found some cans that have lost their pressure. I cut a valve stem off an old inner tube and it fits just right over the stem sticking our of the can then I can use the air chuck to re-pressurize them. I am careful not to over pressurize the cans and seem to be able to save this high dollar goods. By the way. I forgot to mention to wear latex gloves when re-pressurizing spray cans. Some paint usually is released and it can make a mess. Not wearing gloves usually results in me scratching paint from around my finger nails while visiting in-laws or sitting in church Sunday mornings!

@JCMThat cheerleader was on the wall of my bedroom when I was a teenager. Let’s just say I had an intimate relationship with her for years 👋😜

Best $30 bucks I ever spent. Beat the ever-loving crap out of it , wore out 5 engines, restored it 100% and still riding it . Owned for over 40 years.....

Well, I tried that mind over matter thingy today but the body wasn't listening. First couple attempts to walk thru the trees and I ended up making snow angels or maybe they were snow devils. The snow was too soft and stuck to my shoes when I stopped walking. It worked a little better without the snow shoes. It was a nice walk and lots of deer and fox sign. Under my tree stand.

I was working in the garage one day. Wife wanted to mow the back yard. I said watch out for the dog chain. Took her less than 5 minutes to "find " it.

If it works please share the source. I am running short of clothes pins

Age is beginning to affect typical functioning around here so to alleviate one of them I decided to make several boot jacks using some of Kevin’s @Pullstart awesome stash of material. Needless to say the little woman immediately appropriated a couple.

Great information on the "Acme" name. I had also heard many years ago that companies used the Acme name (Acme Plumbing, etc.) so they would be placed at the beginning of the yellow pages (A) and have a better chance of getting business than companies with the following letters. Yellow pages.....shows how old I am....

Hi Eric, I built a centurion tank a few years ago, huge undertaking for me. Took three years to build and detail. She who must be obeyed talked me into selling it a few years ago and I wish I hadn't. I decided to go for their smallest available kit which is a 1/6 scale series 1 four x four car. For reasons of copyright etc they have to call it that, but in reality it's a Land rover. It's one of the early Series 1 80 inch wheelbase models. Supposedly based on some American dohickey called a Willy's Jeep? Because Armortek do military vehicles many of the kits will end up in some shade of green with all manner of military modifications. I'm just researching the civilian types that Land rover factory produced, like fire engines and welding plants and I may go down that route. This is the prototype of the model to show its construction without paint. Apparently folk who have already built them have said they had to seriously mistreat the beautiful metal panels to properly represent the poor fit and finish of the original vehicles built by hand in 1948. If you like I will do a build thread of the process.

Have power will travel Made a little trailer out of scrap for my $60 generator. 310-8 will have mobility resonsibility.

My biggest issue is the locking feature stopping to function eventually all the time. I want to be able to precisely control throttle depending on what area I am cleaning since my property varies greatly in inclination. I don’t have issues with cable freezing since tractor is stored indoors.

😱 We get lots of deer scat. Not sticky and no smell. A now-moved-away neighbor used to let their dog loose and it liked our yard. I relocated a number of the “presents” onto her front walk and she eventually got the message.

I've used the Fastenal 3PL service a few times to ship some outboard motors and tractors as big as a 520-8 and it has worked just as well for me. It's quite cheap and if you're not committed to any specific schedule it's a great deal. I have run into a couple of things: 1. Not all stores support the service. 2. Some stores that DO support the service have no idea that they do until you show up with your paperwork. 3. They don't want anything protruding beyond the footprint of the pallet. As a customer - whether you are the sender or recipient - I suggest you set your expectations to match the price you are paying for this service. In other words, you need to take your own precautions to ensure your shipment is packaged appropriately to absorb any kind of handling damage that may result. Fastenal is not a white glove concierge shipping service and they do this more as a courtesy and a way to keep from having empty trucks wandering the highways. They aren't really equipped to handle your crate full of Faberge eggs with the same care that a more conventional shipper might. And they charge appropriately. if you - or the other party involved in your transaction - is particularly hard to please you should think this through before pulling the trigger. That said, I have had NO TROUBLE with them nor have I heard of anyone having an issue, but after watching the last tractor I shipped get loaded onto a truck with a forklift that needed help picking up the skid I think they may have more potential to have a hard time than a more typical shipper. This may be a function of the small, independent stores. But the cost makes up for it. Steve

It was a pleasure dealing with Paul on the 257H Deal . His perseverance in securing a means of transport , gave me the inspiration to skid it up according to Fastenals (Blue Line) regulations ! All in all a great experience . Thanks again and Have a BlesseDay ! Dan ~

We had a couple of infamous cases of vying for the top slot here in RI.... One was a local politician running for Mayor in one of the cities. His name was Ralph aRusso, his opponent was Angelo aRusso, who would get the top listing on the fall ballot. Ralphie boy gets his last name legally changed to aaRusso, and gets the top listing.... Newport (aka Zooport) is a hot summer vacation spot,and a local Dentist there got a bit too creative in going to the top of the Phone book listing. I do not recall his last name, but it was way down the alphabetical listing. So, one fake Diploma on the wall and a second phone line later, he had a ficticious "Business Associate" named DR. Aaron A. Aaron, DDS... Seems whenever someone called that number, the receptionist would reply "Answering for Dr Aaron..." who was NEVER available and then calls got forwarded to the real Dentist. Scam worked for about 5 years - seems there was a REAL Dentist named Aaron A, Aaron, and the patient questioned why her Dentist had a diploma from XXX School, where he had a different one back home where she came from!! OOPS

Last nice marked one year from Rylee’s first meet. She has been advancing like crazy! Summer wrestling camps, strength and conditioning camps, and fall football have made her into an incredible athlete. She has likely cost me more money at the chiropractor this last year, than my own doings for sure. I love teaching her new moves or techniques, then I hate when she uses them on me in the basement (her grandpa bought her a 10’x10’ practice mat)! The orange shoes in some pictures, her grandpa wore when he was in high school. They were passed down to his uncle, and he gave them to her for Christmas. They don’t fit exactly perfect, but there’s a nostalgia to them!

Turning cans upside down and spray does not work on these newer cans, like it used to. I pop the tops off also but use minimal bath in mineral spirits followed by a burst of air from compressor. Works well too.

One thing is a for-sure no-brainer; drag racing or pulling will let you know what the weakest link is. Correct it and you will find the next weakest link. Those beautiful new front tires and wheel should never wear out with the front end two feet in the air.

So I have grown tired of the throttle cable woes on my plow tractor the Electro 12. Got tired of losing clothes pins and readjusting the needle nosed vise-grips. I am going to try this new type. It has everything I need , vernier adjustment, automatic locking steps every 1/16” of travel, locking feature for all adjustments and a quick release bypassing all of the previously mentioned features. Big easy to adjust knobs while wearing heavy gloves. Engine end connections is identical and perfect for the big Kohler. Cable instead of a wire will also tolerate tight turns easier and operate smoother. The only difficulty will be fitting the large mechanism next to tank but I am sure I’ll conquer that. Substantially costlier than a regular one but I believe it will be much superior and last longer.

If I knew where the dog lived, I’d be returning the gift ASAP. I LIKE dogs, generally. Owners can be iffy, though.

Ive got the big oversized stems for the factory holes, and a can of tire snot for the beads, i plan on doing a thorough cleaning in the bead faces. Just got the 62 year old tires cut off the wheels...2 hours of not fun and burned up an 8amp grinder

They were made in the 60s and into the early 70s before battery power so they go on EVERYTHING. Drills, generators, circular saws, small outboards, tillers, ice augers, chainsaws, mini bikes, bicycle power, RC cars and helicopters, insect foggers, etc etc etc etc. On the bottom of my signature is a link to my Ohlsson & Rice forum section on My Old Machine. There's pages and pages of different tools and applications which these little engines were used for. Here's a couple pics. Winch, Generator, chainsaw and circular saw. There are also many different versions of each as the yellow one pictured earlier is also a generator

great to see her continue with her wrestling career -- i had the good fortune to be associated with some very high level wrestling over many years -- including as teamamate plus including because of my high ranking as referee to be assigned to many high level matches as referee - therefore, I officiated some outstanding wrestlers on my mats -- Terrific to hear she is learning at camps and clinics - Here is one suggestion for her that clearly helps separate good wreslters from VERY good wrestlers -- it will take committment from you as parents -- get her to the BEST clinics - not just the local camp or taught by good coaches but get her to the highest level training camps and clinics possible taught by the best coaches in the country !!! My experince is one of the greatest advantages a wrestler can have is the technigue and skill sets they have learned at the BEST clinics. I would referee matches and see a distinct difference immediately between two athletes with one having technique skills their opponent did not have -- yes, of course conditioning and determination and effort all matter... but if you know more than your opponent on specific advanced technique it gives you great advantage !! I once roomed with a world champion from Europe at an Olympic team training camp and learned more specific technique from him in a few days than I learned in years prior. After I finished college, my coach became a world class coach including coaching USA world teams. He was able to teach techniques that opposing coaches did not have the knowledge to teach their wrestlers. I would often finish a bout as referee where the winner was obviously better because that winning wreslter won with "moves" the other wrestler simply did not know how to counter because of the technique knowledge one had drilled. Lastly, another huge advantage in high school wrestling is to take her to Greco Roman clinics - if she learns Greco style takedown throws and holds that she is proficient in, she will be able to execute those moves other wrestlers simply do not have enough knowledge or skill to counter -- and as you know a well executed "throw" from your feet in standing position can quickly end a match with a pin - or at least near fall back points. There are very specific subtle throw techniques taught at Greco camps not taught at typical high school clinics ------------- Good luck to her -- ENJOY !

More progress, new stainless flange bolts, seat and fenders on, tank and steering on with the new tank bushing. The front axle slop was fixed by putting a nut on the axle bolt pivot. Waiting on new head bolts and studs, points screws. Also...its 64⁰ today😅

My youngest son was a very good wrestler. He won 3x Sectional Championships and a State Championship. His High School team won 5x consecutive state titles. He made the All-New England team, wrestled at VA Beach and Fargo, and wrestled in college for Buffalo. Once you get into a college program it’s a whole new deal. Nearly everyone in the room has won at least 1 state title. He had a NY and Fargo 4x champ in his weight class. Let’s just say he saw less mat time than he saw in HS

@PWL216 thank you for the story / reference , in todays world of consistent , dysfunction , on the simple list attempt to finish a problem , when it goes like it used to , its almost a let down , from the frantic you can't do that , type of brain dead . thank you , Pete

Mind over matter...

@PWL216 There’s two brackets that go from the top of the box to the rear axle hitch and then a 1/2” bolt that goes through the drawbar hitch. I’ve seen similar but not the same one.

So.... I was wet sanding with 1000 grit and ive got a few scratches which were a little rusty on the hood and its down to metal in some little areas... I guess because I exposed some little bare metal spots, ill paint the whole thing etc.. Can't see it in the pics, but it looks like a blend of dark to lighter red when i buffed , so im guessing it has already had a crappy paint job. So why not one more? Lol 😆

Also got the no start condition assessed and repaired. Spark plug. Trina made and installed new super wicked heavy duty Heim Joint tie rods. She drilled out all four holes to 29/64 to accommodate the 7/16 studs. She also made up this super wicked incredible high tech oil director tool.

This is playin' with model railroad season. I've been working on a model of our house to add to the train set. The house is made from dollar store card stock and lighting is from unused LED Christmas lights. Trees are small twigs I cut from bushes and glue quilt batting then using hair spray sprinkle home made "leaves" that I make from sawdust and ground foam. I've worked on this project about 2 1/2 weeks part time, The "rock wall" is made from blue Styrofoam used in housing construction, I cut "mortar joints" with a piece of bailing wire wrapped around soldering iron. After that I paint each rock. I really ought to be using the shop to prepare the mowers (four of them) for next season but I'm not in the mood yet.

Once upon a time when I had a walk behind 11hp we found a 50ft garden hose somebody forgot to put away - must have caught the end almost every foot wrapped around the auger ( almost like it belonged in there ) before it broke the shear pins - push it in the garage fire up the heat - this isn't a quick fix had a few choice words for myself .

I set all my engine RPM around 3K then use the motion control foot pedal to adjust the tractor movement.

You need to check the thread pitch.... should be 9/16" - fine thread. I also had to make a pair of OE looking round knurled nuts for the 502....

It’s great stuff in many different ways even when not considering what type of wood it is. Many times we need small pieces for small projects and are always reluctant to cut a long board which will reduce its usefulness. The thickness is another great thing. To me 3/4” material is absolutely useless. It’s always either too thick or too thin. On most projects 3/4 “ looks odd and out of proportion. With thick material one has the ability to control final thickness so it looks proper. Great idea to give some to Rylee’s class . If one is into or learning woodworking, the learning of how to resaw wood into different thickness is not only a good skill but more importantly opens up many more possibilities and ideas , rather than being limited to what is offered commercially. Specifically with this stuff they will also learn how to deal with extremely hard woods like the Ipê which is conducive then to have to understand tool sharpening and different techniques to deal with it.

Hey Dan. Thanks for doing that. Some folks wouldn't be prone to going to the extra effort that you needed to. Mighty nice of you.

The other night a junior on her team achieved his 100th win, and I have been able to get in an exhibition match of my own.

I use brake clean and a lot of times the straw on the brake clean fits the nozzle just right. A small shot in the can tip keeps it fresh too. I rarely use expensive paint in spray cans. Just found it is much better to use a gun now that I can clean a gun in a couple minutes. (only took 5 years to learn)

It didn't happen today. I'm still in the planning mode. Not sure I can do it without an assistant. Unless I could hop on one snow shoe forward and backwards.

Got this done tonight.

I made it a part of my front weight carrier. need that weight to counter the side push of eh 56 inch blade. You have to slot the hole in the plow frame part to allow for raising an lowering the blade. Leave it snug on the sides...

The tube is much stronger than the the bar stock. The pivot design helps with ground clearance with the blade raised, too, in case that is important.

These little tractors are so impressive when set up correctly to push snow