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Today’s letter is “T” A tantalizing tale of a twisted tractor Twister tractor Bruce Manufacturing Co. of Minneapolis was the home of the “TWISTER” and its big brother the “PUG” from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. The Twister Tractor is one of those wonderful well made small tractors that didn’t stay in production very long. It was a four wheel drive articulated unit powered by a 16 horsepower Briggs and Station engine. The Twister had a two speed forward and one reverse transmission. There was a loader and snow plow available as well. For the rear, any Cat 0 three point equipment would work. There is a hydraulic cylinder mounted directly behind the grill to lift a snow blade, mower deck or other front mounted equipment. The primary drive from engine to the transmission is via a v belt. From the trans to the axles/differentials are drive shafts. The Pug features a 4×4 articulating design with a longer frame, a wider stance than the Twister and side-by-side seating. I wasn’t able to find a great deal of information on either the Twister or the Pug but I sure would like to have one of each.

In the Wheel Horse late 1980 models and later Toro models with the rear gas tank under the seatpan these gas shutoff valves with built in screen were used. Very seldom do you really think about how this can be an obstruction to gas flow, the life of the unit, debris in the tank or failure of the screen to prevent carb debris, etc. These photos are of one I took out after years of use. These valves and grommets are readily available from various suppliers and I usually have one or two just in case ( we have five Models with this tank). But I am now going to check out each tank for internal looks at these for possible replacement!

We've seen at least a couple of that type in the slightly older models too. The B & C series with the fuel tank under the hood had/has them. One of the reasons I like the Aircraft Spruce valve is that I have a personal preference for the 90⁰ lever on/off.

I usually yank those screens out of there and install an easy to check and replace gas filter right after the shut-off.

So I answered an ad on CL for a free blower. To my surprise it was still available. Made arrangements to go pick it up. The owner tells me he got it from his neighbor about 3 yrs ago. Neighbor told him it wasn't working. The guy I got it from said he never looked at it. So I got it home. Both tires are flat. I pulled the air cleaner. Gave it a squirt of SF. Pulled the cord....... runs like a Swiss watch. Drained the gas and put fresh gas in it. Pumped up the tires but one has a leak. Tubes on order and oil change and new plug will be installed soon. Freeeeeeeeee ! See if I can't trade it to someone who seals driveways and got my driveway done.

It’s wild to think my daily driver is a classic. Did I already say that in this thread in the past? “Norman” my 2001 Chevy 2500HD, stick shift Duramax 2WD. 300,000 miles and counting. I’ve really been thinking about a tractor paint/clear coat paint job in the next year or two.

Kind of… but let me back up a bit. I have an in with the head maintenance man at the Grand Rapids John Ball Zoo, for wood disposal. I received a good deal of logs and milled scraps a few weeks back. Last week, I received a call that they had a bunch of milled lumber that needs to go. Some is solid, some is punky. This is not all, and this was not the full load even. Everything on the left I loaded myself. That heavy lumber was just that. HEAVY! The big stuff will likely become a deer blind base.

Trade for a billy sheep riding mower?

My bus says, "Hi Colleen"

Grass facing down, I added more organic matter, top soil, even a cleaned and skinned rooster that I didn’t get around to cooking in time, mulch, planting fabric, then some pea stone gravel. Mrs. P’s “brother from another mother” just lost his mother this week. It was a sad ending, for the most loving, caring woman in the world, to be lost to cancer in months. Her husband and our “bro” asked if we’d like some of Mary Jane’s raspberry patch that needed thinning, and we are thinking some strawberries need a home as well.

This next part comes two fold. I spend a lot of time thinking in my hunting tree. Cut this, move that, plant this, stop that. I have decided to move my water hole about 40 yards to a more traveled intersection. I also need some good soil for the planter. I mowed an opening, then used Putt Putt to drag an 8” plow as deep as it would cut and roll the sod. I want to create a low spot in the field prior to burying the water tank in the center. Why? I think it would be beneficial. Colleen says “Hi, y’all!”

I tried 2 of those check valves and neither one worked worth a hill of beans.Facet pump fixed the issue of sitting a few weeks and hard starting..

Been there….

You probably have a better set up that way !

Yah well that don't look like getting a camper ready either. Just what you need .... scrap lumber to stack next to those telephone poles you ain't never gonna use...

These Duro Frontier tires on Putt Putt are growing on me! They hardly have a lick of slip in them!

Now’s the time for the dirt thief story. I recently learned that SAND of all things is quickly becoming one of the most stolen items in the world! By camel, donkey, dredge, etc, sand is the most demanded building commodity and many of the world’s beaches and ocean ecosystems offshore are quickly disappearing for cement building. Once cement is poured, the sand is stolen and lost forever. Anyway, I decided to Robin Hood myself today. Robbed from the rich field to pay the poor empty planter box.

You can see my trail system I mow. I’m looking forward to that 753 sickle mower from @pfrederifor that! They also disced, cultipacked, and planted the beans yesterday. To the right you can see the current water hole location. Creatures of habit, the deer pass through close to the water, but more frequently, from lower left (under my stand) to upper right…

... I'll be sure to check the dip stick. Nuttin like being well lubed. I'll have to have @Achto empty a 1.75 and recalibrate...

Folks, I have experienced sluggish starting on my 416-8 and, for several years, on my other Kohler K-series-equipped tractor. After reading testimonials here and researching on Youtube, I bought a Facet low pressure electric fuel pump and planned to install it on one tractor as an experiment. I also checked the function of each fuel pump. Both are pumping good fuel flow I saw a posting about the effectiveness of a fuel line check valve. So I ordered two (@ $6 each) and installed them on the tractors. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J53N4FN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 After installing them, I am having quick starts. The test will be after the machines sit for a couple weeks. I don't regret buying a Facet. I will have it on-hand in case I want to install it in the future. Thanks to forum members for sharing their lessons learned. Richard W. on the East Coast of Iowa

I have a facet on one but primer bulbs on several. Those have been working well for us.

When the yuppies are the clientele, you gotta tell’um yuppie stuff

Oh boy

I decided in front of the chicken coop, we could have a raised bed garden of sorts. I have plenty of wood, and thought it would be a quick project. “It’ll only take a minute” were my grandfather’s famous words. I think I live my life like that, but it always takes more! I buried the posts, then built the outside, then built an inside load bearing wall. I tossed in some tree limbs, wood scraps, and chicken poop/bedding mix.

Morgan, the 14-8 drew some cart duty today, hauling 80 pound bags of concrete down to the lake house. Next on his list was mowing the lawn. Finally, after mowing while the oil was nice and hot, he got an oil change. The neighbor gave me a piece of metal roofing ridge cap initially to use while changing the oil in the Generac standby generator. Turns out that it works well on the Wheel Horse too. Didn't have to remove the deck for this oil change.

Looks like carpenter ants.

The cat is on the take from the real culprit. And they are offering him something he can't get for himself, unlike the food, water, shelter, and love you give him.

Do the plan after the BS , don't want you laid up in intensive care for the month of June.

Don’t be so quickly impressed. Of course some countries adhere to their own regulations more than others but if one actually lives there for a substantial amount of time what actually goes on becomes evident. Fewer smaller car yes, but 99% of them are diesel and older. Diesel scent is at least obvious to me in most cities. Or hanging behind a loaded truck going uphill trying to pass it? Not a pleasant thing. Rampant also is the irresponsible overuse of pesticides and herbicides. Sure it is highly regulated. But not enforced or adhered to. What about the constant burning of trash by many individuals in the country side? Many actually started by pouring old oil into the pile. And space dedicated to environmental protection! Spaces designated as green areas in which one cannot build. Nice, however most owners do not farm so they become unkept and overgrown leading to the yearly forest fires. Then they are fined for it and eventually government seizes land. Now they have to clean it themselves. Guess who pays for that. That is why there is a 23% sales tax rate in some countries. Like the old saying “ the grass is always greener on the other side of fence”. Upon closer inspection however, there are many bare spots.

Repaired a battery tray.

You'll have to settle for a 591ml of Pepsi.

This will also require one 20oz bottle Coke please.

I pretty much married Ellie Maye Clampett. As such, I have to perform critter dispatches in secret. I hear it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, but I'm not convinced given the outcome.

Norman is over 300,000 miles now. I’ve had a slight vibration and needed to get my skinny road tires checked for balance. One was missing all the weights In the meantime, I tossed these 18” wheels on. The tires are junk, but he looks great! The rubber is 33x12.50-18. I had cranked the torsion bars DOWN a couple inches in the past. I needed to put some torsion bar back in to clear the inner fender.

I calibrated by mixing 40% Belvedere into the 60% full juice bottle, shake vigorously and pour over ice. Everything equaled out smoothly except my equilibrium.

Fire sales going on here!!

I disagree with the screen thing. Get one without a screen & run an inline fuel filter. Easier to see if it needs to be changed and easier to change.

Familiar sight those crushed screens.

Switch to a fuel shut off with a screen. I use cub cadet parts from my local dealer.

Pretty much the same as Skittles. I have the frontiers on my mower too. They are fantastic tires.

Use some of those big boards under Colleen’s jacked up wheels to get a runway?

Kohler Magnums have a "pollution control" tube from the valve cover to the air intake of the breather rather than a crankcase vent. If you have worn piston rings resulting in blowby the pressure in the crankcase would cary oil vapors to the air cleaner housing. Doing a leak-down test will let you know where the problems are.

Some more stuff….. GT14 tank spring/rod set with tank tray. $10 GT14 3 point hitch bar $20 (SOLD Kevin) 416-8 frame/8 speed transmission (front tires not included) $ 50 (SOLD Monstrosity) slot hitch spike scarifier. Thought I could use it but never will. $150

Yup, 2 quarts but 1.5 if it has the oil pan for a wobble mount. 40 ounce for a 7-8hp. That is Wheel Horse spec blocks. There might be others out there.

Absolutely, still learning everyday. ( trying to keep Alzheimer's at bay) Old men and technology don't mix very well and the same thing for change, even if it's better. Got to force myself to try and understand current things and technology or else it's getting left behind. The LEDs are the difference between night and day compared to those old school 1156 bulbs.

Update! Seems to be doing alright so far. Lost a few and some didn't sprout but to be expected I suppose. Still have a good amount left if I can keep the critters out!

Critter Control: I suspect you also could have rabbits with that creek near. They like tender young plants! Each time you go get a haircut take a trash bag with you and bring home a bag full of hair sweepings. Sprinkle them around for the human scent. Live traps work great, but I've never been brave enough to open that trap with it alive and hissing at me. So a pellet rifle or these finish the job. I set the trap a day or 2 before trash day so I don't have to worry with disposal.