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This was last week. As much as I can't stand winter anymore it can be beautiful too. The snow was stuck to the trees for days last week.

but I never pass on a free one. Member by the handle of @Mat84 had one listed in the classifieds abit ago. Saw it and figured someone should here should get it. So a 4 hour trip to the twin cities was in order. He was only a hour north of @Shynon so @Achto and I set out yesterday to grace him with our presence too. 'Sides I had a 867 to get to him. She ain't exactly peaches n cream. Motor is tight but we think it has potential. I gave him a buck for it... traditional with Dan and I. Back story is the PO pulled it out of weeds up to the motor hoping to project it. Lady friend came up pregnant so his priorities somewhat changed. Understandable. Told him doctors finally figured out what causes that. Said it had a deck that was roached and he scrapped it. So I thought I would push it out in the back pasture and deal with it later. Dan says I got projects to finish. I got a serious problem so it went into the shop. Good golly Miss Molly whose idea was this anyway? After abit of cleaning motor freed right up... bonus... bore doesn’t look too shabby.

Lesser-known tractor brands, good tractors with a short lifespan. Innovative engineering and a strong intrapleural drive resulted in some great tractors and agricultural equipment, Strong market competition, economic conditions and corporate buy-outs left some brands as a footnote in history. Here are a few you may have heard about but have faded away. M. Rumely Co. Rumely’s iconic kerosene-powered traction engine, developed in 1909, was considered the company’s most famous product followed shortly by Rumely OilPull Models B, E and F. The 1911 merger with Advance Threshing Co. changed the company name to Advance-Rumely. In 1924, Advance-Rumely purchased Aultman-Taylor Machinery Co. The company’s debut into conventional tractor design came with the introduction of the 47hp Model 6A in 1930. This tractor was available with steel wheels or rubber tires. In 1931, Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. bought Advance-Rumely, production of Rumely-branded tractors ceased. Allis-Chalmers concentrated on Rumely threshing and harvesting machines along with the company’s manufacturing facilities and dealer network.

Okay boys and girls Mrs. C-Series has officially booked us an Air BNB. Happy to say that this year in attendance will be my bride, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, brother, and his girlfriend! Like many others we are going to roll in Thursday morning, it’s now become a little bit of a joke that we have to get there early to get to deals!! I think I’ve only missed four shows since the start of it, the first one, kids graduating and a wedding! I’m really looking forward to bringing a few tractors and seeing so many of the friends I’ve made over the years.

72. Raider 12.

Today I replaced the oil pan gasket, cleaned the sump out, and painted the block. Also chased every thread on the whole thing. Still got a ways to go, but it's moving along!

Wow Don, bring that gang over to my bucket trailer. I might be able to offer a "FAMILY SPECIAL".

Nice to see your dash isn't covered with papers John! This is a normal "work van " dash around here:

Follow-up Using the suggestion of @CCW "start with drawing the outside diameter of the new hole with pencil or marker and grind close to the line" was the method that I used. Then I finished with the hole saw with abrasive attached. Finished project Before: Grandson Mason loved it.

A couple of mine from 2016, morning sun shining from the east after the cleanup.

1984 Workhorse GT1800.

I think the transmission input from the C-160-8 I am working on has an identity crisis...pick a part number....

I'm actually going to find one of those add on gas tank kits for a 500 and rig it up to a Commando and head that way starting on the 14th... should be there by noon on 20th doing 60 miles a day!! Can't wait for the show and I'm praying for 75--80 and clear skies Tony

I haven't seen anything posted about this, so thought I'd make a reminder: There is a total eclipse coming through North America on April 8 of this year. I strongly urge you to make plans to see it. It enters the USA in Texas and exits in Maine crossing through Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Burlington passing right over a bunch of you along the way. If you are in the path, or even near the path, I encourage you to take the time to witness this event. A solar eclipse happens when the moon travels directly between the sun and the earth. The size of our moon and our distance from the sun is perfectly matched up so that the moon just barely blocks out the sun on these special days without overlapping the sun so much that you can't still see the glowing corona behind the moon. It's a pretty special arrangement that wouldn't exist if things were just a little different and/or if we weren't at this particular time in the age of our solar system. Most of us have seen the partial eclipse phenomena at least a few times in our lives. We look at the crescent or PacMan image of the partially covered sun from a pinhole projector or in diffraction patterns from the leaves on the ground and it is pretty neat. But full eclipses don't usually come around all that often in any one person's lifetime so they are pretty special. If you "think" you've seen a full eclipse before and were unimpressed I assure you that you did not in fact actually see it. In a matter of seconds it goes from daylight to dark. And then the reverse is true at the end of the totality period. It's not a gradual darkening like sunset or sunrise, it's pretty close to what you'd expect to see if someone flipped a switch and turned off the sun. The difference between 99% coverage of the sun and 100% coverage is LITERALLY that of daylight versus darkness. Make sure your vantage point is within the PATH OF TOTALITY, otherwise you'll miss it. It's hard to emphasize how important this little detail is and I still haven't been able to convince the people I work with who missed it but "think" they saw it. We had one roll through about 7 years ago and it was amazing. Discussed HERE . I've been eagerly waiting for this one since then. Although this one doesn't fly right over my house just outside St. Louis it does come pretty close. In fact it crosses the path of the one from 2017 not too far south of me where hoards of people are expected to gather so they can say they saw two from the same vantage point. If you miss this one you'll have to wait until 2044 for the next one that comes to the USA. Mark your calendars for April 8th and cross your fingers for good weather. Order your protective glasses now. Pack the car and drive if you have to. Do what you can to see it. Steve

So after last weekend I figured that I was only a few hours from welding the hitch together. Well....I didn't think it was going to take me all day but it pretty much did. Spent a bunch of time shaping the pieces before there was any welding involved. Most of the parts shaped to my liking. Then I could start welding things together. Back side of the hitch after welding was done. 3/4" pin installed in the bottom, 2 bolts into the tranny & all fits quite well. The hook point has to be a minimum of 6" behind the center of the rear axle. The hitch point on my tractor comes in at 6 1/2". I also picked up a gas tank from a K91 engine. (Thanks Tom!!) Had to drill a few holes to make it fit properly but it will suit my needs most excellently.

I wanted to do my winter warm up of a mower that has been in storage. So while it was out and running, I hooked up the gen set for it's trial run. Everything worked, 120vac lit a bulb and ran a grinder, around 13.5vdc looks good, and 30 psi from the compressor. I have a 30 psi relief valve in the loop . I can remotely run a grinder, charge a battery, and pump up a tire. I'm calling this project a success.

I am booked in a hotel in Gettysburg! For the Big Show! Third year staying in A hotel rather than camping! It will be my second trip to Pennsylvania from Indiana in June as I will be attending the 50th Anniversary of the ABANA ( https://abana.org ) Annual Conference in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on June 6 thru 9th. The Ralph Family Trust will be sponsoring three competitive forging teams in the memory of my father Clifton E. Ralph, the power hammer man. 🏅Think you have what it takes to compete at the International Team Forging Competition? Sign up and find out! We’re looking for teams of up to four people to compete for cash prizes totalling $2,000! Plus the bragging rights are a nice bonus.😉 Sign up today: Visit Conference link in bio. Teams will have 4 hours to forge a piece reflecting on the theme “ABANA – 50 Years of Forging Connections”. Judging will be done by a panel that includes one of ABANA’s founders, Peter Renzetti, and Luc Vandecasteele who previously served as a judge for the World Forging Championship in Stia, Italy. So grab a few friends (or compete solo, if you prefer) and make plans to come to our 50th Anniversary Celebration & Conference. #internationalteamforgingcompetition #abana50th #forgingcompetition #forging #blacksmithing #blacksmith #blacksmithchallenge #hammerandanvil #metalwork #art #artist #artistblacksmith #farrier #farriers #bladesmith #bladesmiths #blacksmiths #blacksmithlife #smiths #abanateamcomp

Most days are like that for at least ten minutes between the fidged rain and the scorching heat. Keep praying, we will all appreciate it.

Amen to that! I’ve seen the scorching 90’s and the deluge. Somewhere in the middle, please!

We are taking two separate trucks. I’ll be pulling my enclosed trailer, I’m trying to borrow another trailer so my son in law can bring a few tractors too! Of course we will leave room in in case we bring something home!

It is kinda like a family reunion atmosphere down there. Look forward to it every year and haven't missed one since I started going in ?2010 I think. It's always too short and it's over before you know it.

Man, dragging the whole family is quite a haul. Have another driver bring another trailer to take home some more stuff.

Graham Bradley tractors have possibly the most appealing style of any farm tractor ever built. I've always admired the looks of them. Sears Roebuck & Co. had very good taste when it came to style. This was also reflected in the Graham Shark Nose auto mobile that was sold through Sears in 1939. I saw one of these in person and they are absolutely stunning to look at. Such a gorgeous vehicle !!

OK, the title says it all.... we've all been there, either we had someone in to do a job of work or we did it ourselves, and the results were decidedly suboptimal shall we say. I will put my hand up to a few tiny miscalculations and lift the lid on a few "Professional" cock ups I've witnessed over the years. What prompted me to start this thread? Well, today I was asked by a friend to fit a kitchen base unit and sink in her newly built utility room. I trundled along to see how things were and plan what I might need for the job. The building company who did all the work had fitted a fuse board to the wall with circuit breakers for all the house. It wasn't where I would have put it, but that's not the issue. Whilst chatting to my friend it transpired that the outdoor courtesy light had stopped working, curiously since the utility room had been plaster boarded and plastered. The breaker was on but no power to the switch. I rang and spoke to the electrician who had done the wiring. "There is an isolator switch, it will be that" he confidently declared. Nope, I don't see an isolator said I. "Yes, it's right there, at the side of the fuse board, I remember fitting it myself." Nope, not there, you must be thinking of another house quoth I. " Definitely at the left hand side of the fuse board, inches away" At this point I abandoned the conversation with the ape like sparky and took a decent sized hole saw to the dry wall, where the aforementioned dimwit swore the switch had been placed. And there it was, buried under the newly plastered wall, turned off. To cap it all, the switch was actually a 30 amp double pole fused appliance plate so completely unsuitable for the light circuit AND it was only 10 inches away from the MCB fuse so totally unnecessary. I removed it and made permanent connections so that the wall can be replastered. I will reveal some of my jobs that ended up on the cutting room floor, but which sometimes get screened like an episode of "it'll be alright on the night" when Mrs W cares to remind me of my bloopers. I'm sure others will have the courage to admit their mistakes and share them with the group, purely in the interests of personal advancement. We will be laughing with you, not at you....Honest. Mick..

I am preparing to work on the 704 I salvaged a while back. Very rusted but seems complete with motor that turns over freely and functioning transmission. Wanted to pull the steering wheel to not have to cut the hood for removal. Used Kroil often over a couple of weeks and then used this handy tool from Harbor Freight ($54). I used the larger bearing puller and inverted it under the overlapping wheel shaft. Worked smooth as silk. Only issue was not watching it closely and adjusting it. Ended skimming a bit of metal off the shaft but easily filed it smooth. Just an FYI for one of those dreaded hard jobs. Hopefully it will also be a good hub puller.

Always Interesting going on a road trip with Jim. Ya get a call or text saying "Road Trip!" Arrive at his house at 0'dark thirty. Get the orders to "Get in, sit down, shut up, & hang on". Wait for your opportunity to ask "Where we goin' ? " Get the answer that starts out like "Oh your gonna love this....". Well maybe it ain't always like that. Always enjoy hangin' with Jim.

So the PO... he commences to cleaning out the rest of his garage on us ... gives us this cute little 4 hp Briggs. Dan says we got a bro who has a boy that would love to get that running. Ain't that right @jeremi3210. Then throws in these HF dollies!

Well now hold on there a bit... The Board needs to meet and assess the details of how this little filly ended up in @WHX??'s barn after another one of them there infamous road trips with @Achto... Oh wait, sounds like Uncle Jim's an uncle again... never mind... Welcome to the Black Hood Club!!!

We drove to north Missouri to see the last eclipse. Clouds moved in and obscured our experiencing the eclipse but we still enjoyed meeting up with friends and a good cook out. Maybe we'll head east this time. Thanks for the heads up.

Some of those chainsaw guys are very talented. We were watching the guy do some at Apple fest at Wachusett mountain this year. Here's a little one that was mounted up on the front of the shed. He keeps watch. Probably need to get up there and seal it now that it's weathered like I wanted.

Nice! My adaptation of the Large HF Bearing Separator for pulling hubs....

@Waldo If you want to walk behind this tiller all day, I'm sure @Pullstart will find a spot in his barn for you to sleep!

It kind of does answer it. Remove the dipstick which is assuming it's inserted because that's how you would normally use it. Replace the dipstick and check again would mean inserted back in. Add oil and replace again would be you're done so it's inserted

68 Charger 12

@squonk and @rjg854 If that little walk behind WH tiller is not on the trailer the class will be on an Cater AFB series E on a 327 Cu in. with a 4 speed and a 456 rear. and Sir Skunky will be the teacher.

Randy @rjg854 and I talked about this a bit today. Trailer will be "Tiller Heavy" Hope the Quality Inn got new picnic tables for the "Picnic Table of Knowledge and our Seminar by @elcamino/wheelhorse "Quadrajet Carbs and You!"

Rookie year 2016 The Dino told me Thursday is the best day there...he is right. My room is booked if I go. I like options...

All booked for this years show! Same hotel I’ve stayed at for the last couple years. Next to a Texas Roadhouse . Tony ( @Docwheelhorse) and I talked and for the first time in 20 years we are going down Thursday instead of Friday. Should be on the grounds by 10am or so Thursday morning.

Looks like I'm also in the 95% zone. How can I forget the date? April 8, 1967 my first son was born.

Yes...have, new lines, primer bulb and a rebuilt on fuel pump. Perfect now.

I thought you told me it has a hitch adapter for suspenders? @elcamino/wheelhorse if you pull it that would be better than another Tecky doing the job!

Excellent point. The Motion Lever and Hydro Temp indicators wouldn’t be there.

I miss driving around during my Napa days and when I worked in the school districts. Used to see all kinds of interesting things. Mostly zero-turn mowers sunk up to their axles and Camaro's and Firebirds up on cinder blocks. And they were in the same yard!

No doubt it can be beautiful. Nice pics!

Don't confuse the Eaton hydro with a Tecumseh or Kohler engine. Bill clearly asked about an Eaton tranny, which is checked cold with the dipstick fully inserted. Don't start the engine, just pull the Eaton dipstick out, wipe it off and stick it all way in. Then pull the Eaton dipstick back out and check the level of the fluid on the stick. Add if needed and repeat, all the way in!

The first two pics were yesterday, the C-81 didn't see her shadow either, it was behind her,lol.

Didn't get much done tonight. The old Ranger tie rods were too far gone to clean up, so I made a set with some joints I had already. I like heim joints better, but didn't have any. These look a little wonky but they work. Tomorrow is engine day. Carb has been in the chem-dip bucket for a couple days. The pan gasket needs replacing and the then paint the whole block. Retorqued the head bolts. The engine was a great runner, so not much else will happen with it.

Remember the year she dragged you on vacation? Bucket sales were down a bit!