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Got most of the herd out for a photo shoot now that I just completed two of them. Sound of 4 Onans and one Kohler idling away was amazing. You can just make out the wooded area in behind that was full of prickle trees, sucker trees, and other trash that I have been working on clearing. The 520HC and plow is resting comfortably so I left it inside. Tractors are now back inside. The Work horse is now moving to the shop to begin it's restoration. I will make a new thread on that.

I found this Fairbanks-Morse recoil in my parts bin. I polished it up and put it on my RJ-58. It looks pretty cool, and it works much better than the Chinese one I had on there before.

Today’s letter is “M” many monumental achievements may be traced to Morton S.S. Morton Tractor Samual S. Morton is a name that comes up frequently when researching tractor manufacturers from the final decade of the nineteenth century and the first couple of decades of the twentieth century. In fact, he held patents ranging from 1886 to 1922 covering saw mills, steam traction engines, transmissions “endless tread chain” (now referred to as bulldozed tracks) and other devices. Morton and a host of other tractor pioneers began several companies and built many tractors that included the name Morton. He built his first Traction Engine in 1899 then began manufacturing the "Morton Traction Truck", a tractor chassis on which any Stationary type single-cylinder gasoline engines from 6-50 hp could be mounted. In 1904 Morton sold the patent to the Ohio Manufacturing Co. of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. They sold Morton Trucks to several tractor manufacturers and built the first IHC Type A tractors for International Harvester utilizing IHC's "Famous" engines on a Morton chassis. Ohio Manufacturing continued to make the Morton trucks until 1913. Also, they built the Whitney 9-18 tractor from 1916-21. Chris Heer of the Heer Engine Co. in Portsmouth, Ohio joined with Morton in 1910 to form the Morton-Heer Co. to build a four-wheel drive tractor designed by Heer (see TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 4/21/2024). The 4WD, 4-wheel-steering, tractor with equal-sized front and rear wheels, center-pivot steering, worm-drive axles, and a Heer horizontally-opposed 2-cylinder engine was the first 4WD tractor on the market when it was introduced in 1912.The name changed to Reliable Tractor and Engine Co. in 1915. The new company manufactured the Reliable 10-20 two-wheel drive tractor until 1921. The same tractor was sold by Fairbanks, Morse & Co. as the Fair-Mor tractor. The Morton interests formed the Morton Tractor Co. of Fremont, Ohio and about 1912 began building a copy of the Heer 4WD tractor under the Morton name. Morton and associates also began experimenting with a small 2WD tractor with a mounted plow called the Morton Motor Plow and formed the Morton Motor Plow Co. in Columbus, Indiana where production began in 1914. No further information or images of the Morton Motor Plow could be found.

As far as the B80 is concerned, 1974 and 5 were 4-speeds. 1976 and 7 were 8-speeds. 1974 and 5 were also a slightly shorter frame known as the Mid frame. Maybe 2 inches shorter than a Long frame if I remember right? There is a difference in strength between a 4-speed and an 8-speed. Four speeds have four pinions inside the differential Bull gear.. Most 8-speeds, but not all, have eight pinions. Is a four-speed, "less strong"? Well by definition, yes. But that, IMHO, is a moot point because transmissions on these tractors are so overbuilt anyway.. My first Wheelhorse was a four-speed B80. It was completely capable of doing any of the heavy towing that my 12 or 16 horse 8-speeds have ever done. The only reason I sought out and eight speed was so I could get the low gear which is 1/4 the speed and that's very important to me for backing into tight places. Is a 4-speed worth getting? Absolutely!

For some reason Wheel Horse used the old style (right), switched to the new style (left) then back to the old style. I guess the swing out clevis must be the 'in the middle' style. I switched to the swing out type on the 96 today. Not a big thing but saves pulling a couple pins every time you put a belt on the PTO.

Loaded up with some Wheel Horse items to sell at the Spring Tri-State Engine Club Swap meet in Portland, Indiana tomorrow. No rain predicted for tomorrow! No, I am not selling my 854 but we will need transportation at the Tri-State Engine Club grounds. I will have two dump carts for sale, a couple boxes of parts, some seat pans and springs, a Panzer snowplow/dozer blade and a Wheel Horse mid-grader blade. Also a couple of Tecumseh 16 tooth electric starters.

This is the machine that donated it's 8 speed rear to my 520-8 project. Therefor this will get converted to a Hydro as part of it's restoration. This is a long term project but I will keep this thread updated as it progresses. This is how it looks now. I have a spare frame and rear and for it and I will use the best ones. Tractor and spare frame & rear end in the shop ready for the tear down.

Low range isn't iused often, but it's nice to have when it's needed. Low range and low gear will usually get you out of a slick spot that the tractor will only spin in high range.

IMHO - go with the 8 speed. All implements interchange - and if you are going to use a tiller, the 4:1 reduction of low range allows you to "crawl" with the engine up at WOT - a similar 4 speed first gear is not low enough - reqiures constant clutching...

Michigan. One toll bridge, to the UP $5. Michigan. No hurricane season. Michigan. No shortage of water. Michigan. Great hunting. Michigan. Not many tornadoes. Michigan. No real earthquakes. I guess I’ll stay.

Dragging brush yesterday. Had to trim and move some storm dammage I have beem mowing around and ducking under.

More like broke and self sufficient. Bought it for the boy and rebuilding slowly for him. But when mechanics cost 108 per hour I’d rather learn how to do it myself. Rebuilding the motor is no problem electrical side of it is a learning curve.

Well for starters I don't see a pic of it but guessing the magneto? Second any dude tackling a tecky rebuild is either a hero or stupid. My luck with them I fall into the latter.

It's finished, just trying to get it running now. No luck on getting it started just yet. I've got spark, fuel, compression, and air....but still no luck

Actually they were pretty flimsy. Our boss had one. Every time we shut the trunk, I had to bend the area.of the latch so it would lock. Then a friend had one. Her brothers puppy ate the front bumper and both front fenders off the car! Plus the driver's mirror. I picked up the replacement parts at a Saturn dealer and they had a big laugh when I told them what happened.

Started working on repairing the non working Touch Control hydraulics on the Cub LoBoy this evening after work

I bought my wife one of those Saturns brand new in 1995. Loved that little car. We sold it years later after meticulously maintaining it to my wife’s aunt who proceeded to ruin it in less than a year. This picture was taken at the dealer, I stopped by when she was picking it up. If you look at the left of the picture you see the front of the L-8000 Ford 10-wheeler that I was driving for work!

...but... not how to tow properly.

Worked a bit more on the mythical beast today. Still got a few parts to put on once i get them but not bad for mostly scrap pile i got for free.

I just got back in the USA after three weeks in Croatia. This isn’t a truck per se but it is vintage and pretty cool… (Downtown Zagreb—about two blocks from the Cathedral) …talk about van life!

That fifth one is not quite lined up! It is an extremely nice picture! Mine don't seem to hang around long enough to take family photo's

Who does this truck remind you all of?

That is a 20 x 30 coverall building. It is quite dry. Likely paid as much for that as most of my Wheel Horses combined.

I don’t imagine a huge market where you are. If it makes sense, get it now and keep an eye out for an 8 speed… whether in tractor form or transmission/swap.

Behind the flywheel would be the stator and the ignition coil. The part that has the wire to the spark plug is the ignition coil. The other small wires from the stator would go to the voltage regulator/rectifier then to the battery. A link for a manual. https://www.allotment-garden.org/rotavator-manuals/Techumseh-L-Head-Engines-Manual.pdf

AND - it could be upgraded to an 8 speed later. When I got my 854 it had a not-worth-fixing 4 speed. Installed an 8 speed from a C81 donor - never looked back.

My question is, if it's running now, why change it. I think you are headed into a hornets nest by removing things like safety switches. Someday, you may not be the one to attempt to use it, and heaven forbid one of your kids or grandkid cuts their toes off because of something irresponsible that you did. My short answer is don't do it.

Modest….

@whtractors24 Need to add your price please.

I use International Harvester Off White gloss. https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/old-55-tractor-implement-gloss-paint/0000000256194;jsessionid=t7J75mBrHNkRM1mtAVH3PNRXvr8dn5iCVtKUSx_HPkTxY3IfYT7T!1901732013

I put the engine in this C-145 Auto for a friend of the family the other day. He came to pick it up this morning. “That runs much better than the old one ever did.” Awesome!

Hello, after having this tractor for a few years, it is time for a restore. This will be my 5th complete restore and hoping to make this one my best. This tractor is really straight and runs like a top. Perfect candidate for a restore.

Many ways to skin that cat. With the extra length, I just hope it was done right.

difference? Not much. The 3 and 6 speeds had one brake band.. and they changed what shaft the brake drum rides on and made those 4 and 8 speeds. Same gear ratios, same rock solid design.

Yes it is. I don't know, it came that way. I have a proper wheel for it but I will require an upper steering shaft and the plastic tube as they have been cut short I assume to fit this steering wheel.

We've also found them to be different lengths and unusable on certain tractors.

That truck looks hammer. I never see such a beauty here on my site, they must be more than rare. Looks like a keeper since Generation‘s. This truck has a histoy and it can be feeled. Sadly they now not be able to built Cars or Trucks with the charme of the old ones. Btw: Age is just a point of view and what you interpret in it.

Canot better calc with tear from laughing in my eyes..😂 does that count???

Ditto for a snowblower - I usually run my 32" one on the 854 in Low second gear at WOT.

Duly noted ! that's why i asked you guys. thanks

If it is only going to be you using the tractor and not someone of little to no experience, then yes you could wire it as you wish. Safety's are there to protect the unknowing & the forgetful. Forgetful can happen fast when you are in a hurry.

Someone suggested taping a tick that you have removed to a calendar. That way you will have the tick that you removed on the date you found it to show to doctor if issues arise.

hi 953 nut, love those saturns. we had a couple. very dependable, easy to work on and the plastic body never rusted. GM screwed up when they stopped making those.

If you're bringin the Sammys @elcamino/wheelhorse, Nuke me an ATOMIC.

It had the exclusive 5 & 20 warranty. When my trailer hit Rts. 5 & 20 the warranty ended!

Because there was several issues with seized Hitch Bolts, that‘s the Way i prevent this.. Remove the old Bolt, drilled a 4,8mm hole into the Holder on the Gearbox. than i taped a thread in and at least i screwed a zerk fitting into that thread. Additionally i use an Standart 19mm Bolt we get here for Agri machinery fixed with 2 Clips. A great decision was the Angle of 48 degrees to fit easily with the Greasepump. Each time i do my regular Greasing routine i cleaned the zerk and refill it after with one pump of fresh grease. So it is even better covered with the hitch itself against rip up

These tail light brackets sticking out were a real knee knocker. So I cut them off and moved them to the rear where they are protected and can be seen much better. I use magnetic base lights on all my trailers. I keep them inside and take them off before dunking the boats in the salt water. They always work. Oh, and I did find you can use a 4.5" angle grinder for manicuring. If you remove the guard, try to remember to wear your gloves.

Ha, the first and only brand new car I ever bought was in 1988, an 89 Chev truck short bed and 4x4. Loved that truck and it could climb off road hills like nobody's business. Unfortunately it got T-boned down in LI NY and the passenger side was crushed in at the door. Drove it home back to MA with my friend practically sitting on my lap and it took forever riding the granny lane doing about 40 mph. Even that speed was scary and dangerous but I was like 23-24 yo and didn't know any better. Plus no money to pay for that kind of a tow! When I drove to the insurance adjuster, the first thing he said was I couldn't have the tow truck drop it off there! He was all upset. He couldn't believe I drove it 10 miles to get it there let alone the 200 miles from LI. LOL Stared at me shaking his head as I drove out the parking lot to go back home! Good times