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Today’s letter is “O” overwhelming needs overseas led to an outstanding small tractor OTA Tractor The Oak Tree Appliances Co. of Coventry England, built a light tractor called the OTA following World War Two. They initially produced 12 prototypes and sent them to farms within the local area to field test them. Farmers found them to be very nimble and quite suitable for their needs. The tractors were powered by a Ford E93A industrial engine which was officially rated at ten horse power but was capable of greater power. British taxation was based on power ratings so many firms under rated their engines. There was a single front wheel which was steered by a cable drive system. A belt driven hydraulic pump provided implement lifting ability via a single acting cylinder. The transmission was a 3-speed Ford gearbox with high and low range resulting in six forward speeds and two reverse. Production of the “Mark 1” began being marketed in 1950, early models had the letters OTA on the cast-aluminum grill. Approximately 280 “Mark 1” tractors were built. The “Mark 2” was basically the same tractor with a sheet metal grill replacing the cast-aluminum one. There are no reliable production numbers for the “Mark 2” or the Singer Monarch tractors. It is said that the British Board of Trade restricted OTA’s materials licenses so severely that they were unable to obtain materials to meet the demand for new tractors. Owing to its financial difficulties OTA ceased doing business in 1953 and the Singer Moror Company gained the rights to their design and trade name. Singer manufactured a modified four-wheeled version of the OTA named the Monarch until 1956.

So I been noticing this year that my problem with damage from chipmunks , rabbits and groundhogs seems to be nonexistent. I discovered why. I have as new residents two families of foxes. There are a total of 10. One has two bigger pups and the other one four little ones. They seem to all get along and their dens are next to each other. It’s been great watching them all play around the lawn on the back of property and nursing the little ones on the lawn. I was worried about a fawn that was born a few days ago but they hangout close with no issues so far. I wonder if our pleasure in watching them is not going to turn into a nightmare of some kind. They see us and don’t seem to bothered. As a matter of fact while I mow the lawn the pups just sit there and watch me.

Just finished repainting my old wheels for an RJ. Not the greatest wheels but they were heavily rusted when I started ! Using the last of my concentrate bottle ( which I have for 12 years!). Now on to the diluted ready to use!

This morning was stocking day for the kids trout derby tomorrow. This is sponsored by the Peach Bottom Power Plant for employees children. We stocked 700 trout with 100 over 20 inches and one 28" whopper. More pics of the kids pulling them out tomorrow.

My father did his first mowing on the C121 Automatic Trina and I built for him.

My 50 year old B-80 Wheel Horse and 36 inch mower is still doing a pretty good job on my front lawn! A really nice day to mow!

Thank you so much. It’s always great to be here where one is welcome and understood. Life is getting a little easier now that I am getting used to the new realities so I’ll be back a lot more often.

Small show but like 20 minutes from home so I’ll be there. @wallfish 24 Hyde Avenue (Route 30), Vernon, CT 06066

I know your interested in the 520 but for a first wheel horse I would seriously consider a C model, C-120, C-160....or early 300 or 400 series with Kohler motors. Easy to work on, great workers and not as complicated as the 520. Just my $.02 worth.

Sewed up waiting for discharge.

Mike is spot on. Enjoy them, but at a distance. They are meat eating predators that will soon need to expand their range to find enough food (any chicken coops nearby) and it is likely they will eventually consume an animal that is infected with rabies. Do not feed or make physical contact with them. You know the drill Cas...

Disclaimer.... I am not by a long shot of wildlife expert but we live in the country and deal with animals on a daily basis. IMHO: If it was me I would go about my business and not worry about it at all. Just keep your distance and they probably will too.

I pretty much know what it is already but let you guys have some fun. Should be a easy one. Give ya the whole story on it then. Motor's free ... tranny has water in it. Few things missing but no deal breakers. 1/2 mile down the road.

Hello everyone! Been stalking the site for a few weeks looking for a future garden tractor of various makes ( not all red) and made the decision. Found what could be a diamond in the rough, trying to set a pick up tomorrow AM. Keys to the decision on going wheelhorse was a great support group ( all here) and childhood memories of em roadside for sale. Needed to grow up and move away from mowers. Added benefit of growing up is at 10 you really couldn't afford one with a paper route. Looking forward immensely to the 2 hour journey tomorrow if the stars align and will post pics if I can.

A few years back at the Steam-O-Rama show in Windsor, PA I got this horizontal band saw for $20 at the auction. Since all my time was taken up by moving to Tennessee and not really needing it right away it was on a back burner. I got a 1/2" by 8" by 14" steel plate from a local machine shop to use on my sickle bar to 953 project that I needed to cut for the rear mount. I got a new blade from amazon for $19 and installed it. I also put an automatic shutoff toggle on it that shuts it off when the cut is finished which needs some adjustment.

yes sir! https://www.depauw.edu/academics/departments-programs/physics-astronomy/mckim-observatory/ history of the McKim Obsevatory https://www.depauw.edu/academics/departments-programs/physics-astronomy/mckim-observatory/history/

That is also what I am thinking. Grown particularly fond of them specially when everyone that comes over always compliments the place that it looks like a well kept park. They certainly fit right in and we just love to sit outside and watch them nursing and playing right in the middle of the place.

So great to hear from you Cas!

Welcome to Red square! Don't worry about finding a tractor if this one gets bought by someone else. I have bought non running tractors, but the Onans can be expensive to fix if not running. C series of twelve horsepower are enough to get some work done and are easy to work on. The later ones as 300 400 and 500 have more electrical diagnostics required,but the bonus is electronic ignition. The Kohler engine would be my preference over the Onan. That opinion is shared by at least one pro lawn mower mechanic who spent a crap ton of money fixing his onan. My favorite is the c- 160 . My favorite everyday model is a 314 8 with a Kohler Magnum engine. Plenty of power to run a 48 inch deck

Yeah, custom is always an option…

Thanks. I mow all summer with one and use another to move trailers around. I will need to get a proper schedule for getting the rest out and keeping them all active. I keep telling myself that I will pick out a couple of my favorites to keep and sell the rest but all of the machines that I have restored end up being my favorites so I can't bring myself to sell them.

Well that didn't take long... 753 it is. Now how did you come up with that Sqounky? SG motor... missing coil tho and why did someone move the coil bracket to the back side of the motor? It did have all the factory holes for moving the start & ignition switch to the left side of the tank stand for a HY. So this guy stops at my place last year plow day. Sees all the horses and says he's got one that needs a front wheel. Got the round hood he says. OK now I gotta go have a look see. Yep sure enough. Now this guy was very nice fella but obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Cash crop growing in between all the junk. Says he hopes they legalize it soon... Had illusions of grandeur for it tilling and mowing and being a stout worker. Well I says might be but you got a long row to hoe. Tank is gonna leak, no lift, everthing rusted & froze up, f plate cracked, fan gear to steering shaft blown, tranny seals leaking & bad bearings from being water cooled & just a host of other stuff. Told him not much is gonna save this save a frame off mechanical which given the shape of the rest of his place was highly doubtfull was going to happen by him anyway. Offer him a Franklin... He politely declines & lets out he got it for free. Told him I would have the parts to fix it but wasn't exactly gonna give them away and doubted he had a window to throw the pee pot out of. Clued him in about the labor of love thing. Begged him not to scrap it things don't work out and my offer stands.

I'm going with the 753. 63 Steering wheel, 3 lug rear hubs and actually Kevin, that air cleaner is probably correct for a 7hp. The 8hp had a deeper one that required a longer hood.

Almost done.

Good Day All A local mower/small engine repair shop has offered me a Wheel Horse 857 (tractor only) seems the P.O. dropped it off for repair and then died. Tractor has been sitting inside for a couple of years. The Good: Really don't know if there is any good as the tractor is buried under a lot of 'stuff'. The shop owner says all the pieces that he removed are there. The tractor appears to be unmolested. Heavy patina (think rat rod).The reason for the PO dropping it off was a broken flywheel (Kohler 8hp starter/generator). Apparently the flywheel became loose and broke a chunk from the center (broken piece is there, that I could see). The Bad: Parts availability? The seat is trashed but it is there. Tires look to be original Dry rot unknown. Have no idea on motor/tranny condition. Price seems reasonable ($100.00) Based on this info, do I take a chance or pass. Thanks for your time Simplecity

I actually ran out of gas with mine today. Couldn't believe it! Haven't seen the bottom of the tank in years. It was shiny!

I would welcome a fox or two... the chip, groundhog and squirrel population is going crazy...

As long as you don't have any pets that go outside and keep the grandkids away from them you should be fine. Keep an eye out for any unusual activity by them as it could be a sign of rabies.

Toro Consumer Repair Part 108035 - Clutch Spring | PartsTree

just plan to head to Biglerville, PA the weekend after Father’s Day, you’ll find what you need there! It’s the Big Show, baby!

The hood hinges have adjustable slots, it can be move forward or back to make it fit better. I adjusted mine and also used slotted fuel line over the edge of the hood stand. As said above the hood should be stright accros the back. The hinge holes may also worn and cause the hood to raddle . I repaired mine by welding a piece of 1/8" metal to them. The metal should be on the outside of the hinge, not like I have it in the picture.

The hood should be a little straighter along the lower edge. I cut a slit in old fuel line and push it over the edge of the "dash stand" to help cut down on rattle and vibration. The hoods also wear at the pivot on the front and that can cause it to fit uneven at the dash stand. I swapped my pivot rod for bolts and they have worked great.

I used Benjamin Moore oil base linen white, sprayed with a gun. I don’t think it’s available in a spray can anymore, I know it used to be.

753??

Finished up the 108-5 today. Got the belt on, new tubes in the rear tires, new spark plug and oil changed. Got the deck patched and reinstalled. Cleaned it all up a little. Everything now works really good. See if I can find a new owner for it.

Was his name Richard? Just asking for a friend.

Can't say "No" if your not given the opportunity. What happens when you say I'm not going to buy any more tractors??? For some odd reason things still keep showing up at your door. Today I found this little gem in my yard when I got home from work. Even though it has a Techy, it's still pretty cool looking. NOW, what the heck am I going to do with it???

Quite sure the seat is a rejected Milsco seat that went home with someone from the factory in town here. I can see a few voids in it but nothing that makes it perform any different.

Relax yo-self into that ridiculously big comfy seat and...... mow stuff.

Dude- You got an observatory in your yard? Nice machine, and beautiful job on the lawn!

I think I paid $40 or mine. Mine lead off with the blade that came with it. Not difficult to understand why when I looked at the blade teeth. There was no set at all on the side that was against the wheels. I think the PO had the blade running too deep on the wheels and over time mashed the set off that side. I bought the same 14-18 tpi bi metal blade and it cuts perfect. I also made a small table to I can use it as a vertical band saw. I can't believe I used a 4.5" angle grinder to cut steel all these years. Also added a couple wheels to made it easier to turn to cut long stock.

I believe I have room for just one tractor. I have another one for sale also. Deposit required before Big Show. 1966 1056 Custom. Details in classifieds thread. $450

@Ed Kennell did some tandem lawn spiker work today , over 100 lb of weight on each spiker , been doing a lot of that lately , taking advantage of the rain , the birds also like it ! like a food fest out there . also have trailer ball hitch mounts on all my attachments , years ago came to the , why not just have 1 common easy hitch ? always criss cross , that towing , opening up any cutting past track . pete

Bulldogs are cool too.

Little bit huh? Put them back on after the show if you plan to cruise it around. If they stay on I'm going to follow Kevin around and pick up all the loose change falling from his pockets! Maybe some cash too if he goes fast enough. LOL

When Ford redesign the 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 tractors in 1965, the European counterparts were the 2000 Dexta, 3000 Super Dexta, the 4000 Major and the 5000 Super Dexta. The old 2000, 3000 and 4000 Fords with the OHV 4 cylinders continued into 1965 when the new models came out. The new models had 3 cylinder gas or diesel engines. From the information I read, Europe had 3 cylinder diesels while we had 4 cylinder diesel engines derived from the gas engines. When the new models came out, Ford converted the 3 cylinder diesel to 3 cylinder gas engines and therefore for each of the 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 that came out in 1965, you could order a 3 cylinder gas or a 3 cylinder diesel engine. My 1967 Ford 2000 has the 3 cylinder gas engine.