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This little Tom Thumb Engine caught my eye. Then I saw the owners name on the sign..Glen Kennell. Turns out this was my cousin that I hadn't seen for 70 years. What a great surprise. Mr Eric Johnson

The letter for today is “W” Wonderful workers with wartime wait Today we will look at the wonderful world of Department Store Tractors offered by Wards. Wards Tractor Mongomery Ward & Company was one of several companies to offer what some call “Department Store Tractors” through their catalogs. The Wards “Twin Row” tractor was manufactured by Cleveland Tractor Company (Cletrac) and was identical to Cletrac’s “General GG” tractor with the exception of the color. The Twin Row was powered by a 113 cubic inch displacement four cylinder Hercules engine, had a three speed transmission and weighed 2100 pounds. Options included an electric starter and a belt pulley. They were offered for sale as 1941 and 1942 models but production was cut short due to World War Two. In 1942, B.F. Avery acquired the tooling and equipment from Cleveland Tractor to produce the General as its own tractor. This Montgomery Ward advertisement features the Wards Power-Grip tires on the Twin-Row tractor as well as several accessories. During World War Two Cletrac supported the war effort building the M2 High-Speed Tractor. The M2 is a fully tracked vehicle designed to tow aircraft on primitive airfields. It was equipped with a 10,000 pound winch with 300’ of 3⁄8” cable, an auxiliary generator, and a three stage air compressor capable of producing 16.7 CFPM, 2,000 PSI. The second generation of Wards tractors were built from 1950 to 1952 by Custom Manufacturing of Shelbyville, IN. In addition to their own Custom branded tractors Custom Manufacturing built four other brands which were identical quintuplets, Wards, Lehr Big Boy, Regal, and Rockol. Colors and badging differed but the tractors were identical. It is no coincidence that the Custom branded tractors bear a striking resemblance to the Co-Op B2. You see, Co-Op model B2s were produced at Shelbyville, IN. from 1939 to 1941 and the designer of the B2, Edward Ashley, went to work with Custom Manufacturing during World War Two. The WARDS and other Custom Tractors were powered by Chrysler Industrial engines and used Dodge five speed truck transmissions with a chain driven speed reduction box and Dodge 2 ½ ton truck rear end and differential. Early models had a conventional clutch but on later models the Fluid Drive “Gyral” (torque converter) with a clutch was added. Later models also moved the speed reduction to the rear axles. All were equipped with hydraulic brakes, belt pully and hydraulic lift but they lacked a PTO. When amateur tractor pulling added open classes many Wards/Custom tractors were converted to V8s because the Chrysler Hemi V8 will bolt right up to the bell housing of the tractor. Operator comfort was assured using a Knoedler hydraulic cushioned seat. Frederick E Knoedler received one of the first patents in seat suspension systems and began to revolutionize seating for both on and off highway applications. You can find Knoedler seats being used in the trucking industry today. When a farmer bought a tractor from Montgomery Ward, it was shipped to the customer’s nearest Ward’s Farm Store. With a limited number of Ward’s Farm Stores, some were shipped by rail to the buyer’s nearest railroad depot. The Wards tractor could be purchased in a row crop or wide front configuration. If you chose the wide front it was convertible to a row crop by removing the front hubs, removing the tie-rod pitman arm and bolting the hubs where the pitman arm had been. Not something you would be likely to do very often but a nice option to have. The Harry A. Lowther Company of Joliet, IL, purchased Custom in 1950. When Montgomery Ward exited the tractor marketplace in 1952, he lost his largest customer. Lowther continued to sell tractors under the Custom name through Dodge Truck dealerships then sold the company in 1954.

Just picked this up from the original owner for 200.00 , I even told them it’s to cheap, all the paperwork in a folder , deck included just removed it to get in the truck

Throttle and choke knobs broke on my B-80. Ordered some reproduction ones, in the mean time I made up some from some copper tee’s with a wood dowel fit into the bull of the tee’s. slotted the dowel to match the levers, and contact cemented them in place. I’ll see how they hold up. But they look pretty cool, if you ask me.

A few pics… It was a hot day with full sun all day, brought TWO cans of sunscreen @wallfish @Retired Wrencher @Docwheelhorse @PWL216

Push mower sounds like a good solution. The old fashion non powered reel mowers are still available. I was using one maybe 10 years ago to mow my 90' suburban lot. A couple of kids of junior high age were walking down the road. One of them said "oh, it's a lawn mower". I replied that it ran on cheeseburgers and beer.

The changeable inserts are pretty cool too bad they weren't with it. Still bet Pullstart could blacken a finger with it...

Spent my morning at the office:

Good point and makes me wonder why Wheel Horse never made a kick start.

I hope I didn't goof up the pictures. I first tried to drag them from the camera. That didn't seem to work. There should be four. So for the update. I found an old junk 5/8" belt and cut it, then wrapped it around the pulleys after I blocked the clutch pulley. I clamped a straight edge to fill the gap and measured the gap. This gave me a guess of 82 1/2". I researched some more and found the original hydro belt was 84". My son has a tractor he built with a hydro 12HP motor and he used the hydro belt. I bought an 82,83,and 84. Tried the 84 first and it worked out. Lee1977, you were right on the money. 83 was too short to stretch over the clutch pulley. The pictures show my progress on the guard. I probably tacked it too many times if I didn't allow enough clearance and have to take it apart again. I'll get it running first before I finish the guard. I have to dig through my stash of old harness's to find the right plug for the new 5 terminal ignition switch. I plan to copy the 1984 wiring diagram, less the interlock switches and ammeter.

No I just purchased it it had a throw away carb on it. I replaced fuel lines all new and filter it's running good now.

If it can be all mowed with a Wheel Horse It's already too easy. You didn't say how old he is, maybe he needs a kick in the rear to get him started.

I grew up driving a David Brown 990 and your tractor looks like a scaled down model of it. I love it. This is just a picture of a similar one I found on the internet.

4 loads in with the bike & trailer. 1.25 miles per load. Damn good workout. Now for some settin' and munchin'...

Obviously a hammer but for what specific purpose? Got it for $1 at garage sale...

Waxed the sedan delivery today. It's been several years since I took time to do that. It was painted about '73. As paint chips off, I touch up with a rattle can so it's getting a little splotchy and thin. Wife and I went for a drive here in the Ozarks this afternoon. Cowl vent, wing windows and the other two windows rolled down--actually pretty pleasant with all of the moving air. The tractors today featured Montgomery & Wards tractors. My buddy and I bought an engine overhaul kit from Montgomery & Wards for the 1957 235 Chevrolet engine we used to replace the 216.

Give them a coat of clear so they stay shiny. Or you could paint them black. Either way good job.

Just picked this up, cut and drive amazing

Wow! Killer deal! Great grab on it. 310-8 are handy rigs. That condition should last you a very long time.

Hard to beat a 310-8. Great power, sips fuel, rugged as can be. Congratulations!

I gotta say, must be some zero turn morons cutting around you. I can't speak for every brand, but zero turns only do one thing: mow grass. They are optimized for that and nothing else. No clumps, no scalps, and as quickly as possible. If someone leaves a lawn looking bad, they likely not only have no clue how to use one, they also can't maintain it. If they tear up a yard spinning wheels, they clearly can't operate it correctly. I love my Wheel Horses. They are "Jack of all trades" flexible, and tough as can be. That being said, my Scag zero turn literally runs circles around even a 520-H with a 60 inch deck. I have one of each, and can literally compare each side by side. Point being: if someone makes a mess with a zero turn, it's the operator's fault.

0 turns are fast but most of the lawns I see cut by them look like crap. I think that's mostly from landscapers mowing at 10 +MPH and the bouncing all over. I see 0 turns stuck every spring like abandoned Camaro's and Firebirds at a trailer park. IMHO nothing beats the cut of a 60's WH gear drive deck.

I think you guys are right about the zero turn, lol , at one time he did mention his friends mower is easy, maybe I settle this with a push mower, 😂😂, I ain’t spending 5 grand on a mower when the 2 houses together ain’t a acre, thanks guys

The 73 auto is the least amount of work to drive unless he has trouble steering. The 73 should not be hard to steer if it is in good condition, lubed well and the tires inflated. Maybe try tri ribs on the front and inflate them to 20PSI.

Been a long time since posting on here but thought I would post the ol 701 for frontend Fridays….

Sorta front end... Ready for the Memorial Day parade!!!

Most of the Kohler carbs have a "cup" of sorts around the top of the upper throttle shaft. That cup holds a particular bushing that moves the contact point from the worn place of the upper carb body to a new fresh surface on the throttle shaft. None of the aftermarket carbs I've seen... yet... have that recess.

Sorry it’s not tractor parts but I’m packing some extra stuff to bring. Phone stands and plenty of keychains. I can put it aside if you want one. $15 for the stand and $5 for a keychain.

I think I'd keep those if they hold up.

Brian, your office looks like more fun than my office.

Shouldered clevis sandwiched better the two arms. This design is confidence inspiring!

Oh oh ... gas coming out of the carb usually means a stuck open float. Piece of crap get in there? Guessing you are running a fuel filter but even then s happens.

Perhaps a Suburban or a RJ? 'Sides they fit nice in any herd... Maybe a B-80 they can be easy to handle. You s that are suggesting Z turns need to sell yer horses...

At one time I thought there was a letter in the engine numbers that appeared to change each year but have never seen them published by Onan. Here are the engines used by Toro P220G-I/10540A 1988 520-H P220G-I/10540B 1989 520-H P220G-I/10541A 1988 520-HC P220G-I/10808C 1989-1992 Groundsmaster 220 P220G-I/10808D 1993-1995 Proline 220 P220G-I/10808G 1996-1997 Groundsmaster 220 P220G-I/10873A 1989 520-HC P220G-I/10955C 1991-1992 520-H P220G-I/10955D 1992-1995 520-H P220G-I/10955G 1995-1997 520-H P220G-I/10956C 1990 520-8 and 520-H

Here's some info I have in my stash confirming with Garry: Suburban 400 Clutch Spring Wheel Horse # 1014 spring replaced by 83-2730 4.500" between hooks 4.5” .070" wire .069” .520" coil OD .630 .380 coil ID .492 3.570" coil length 3.665” 52 + 2 half coils same Gardner Spring #37083GS (McMaster-Carr #9433K111) Worked great on my 400. I'm assuming the 551 uses the same even though it's a 2-piece case.

You need the forward swept front axle but not necessarily the reduction steering. The 520HC has the swept axle and standard steering. I believe the 1990 520H is the same way.

We went on a historic tour put together by local High School teachers. We spent one day in Normandy passing many local museums. Our bus eventually took us through Roen, Bastone, we flew to Munich and toured Dachau. I remember the first building where they removed "all their belongings and their dignity". It was a beautiful day and a John Deere tractor was mowing along the east wall. It seemed surreal. Hard to get your mind around what happened there. The next day we went to Hitler's Eagles Nest. The elevator is about 12x12. It is lined in gold, both the walls and ceiling. Hard to get your mind around that amount of evil. History and remembrance is important.

I'm not sure many Americans realize the importance of remembering wars fought, lives given and the pain and suffering families suffered in the name of freedom. When I was a child, we visited several cemeteries decorating and cleaning graves and placing flags on family members who served in the military. I'm not aware any of my nieces, nephews and even my own daughter or any other family members decorating graves. I suppose part of it is our fault as we never carried on the tradition of visiting gravesites other than a couple of times when it was convenient. We have visited Corregidor Island in the Philippines, traveled part of the Death March in the Philippines. Pam and I toured a well-displayed Korean War museum in Seoul, Korea. We have been to the bridge over the river Kawi in Thailand. We spent a good part of a day touring Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. We have visited numerous historic sited here in the United States honoring those who fought for freedom including Washington D.C. Every one of these memorial sites have caused me to pause and be thankful for freedom we have. Last year, I took mom on what would likely be her last time to visit and decorate those cemeteries we went to each year. Knowing that we would not be returning to dad's, my brother's and our son's graves this year, we decorated them a couple of weeks ago.

My wife took a bunch of students to Dachau; I was a chaperone. I agree that the place itself tells the story unlike any other medium. Several students observed that it is now, and was then, in a fairly somewhat residential/industrial area so the neighbors could not have been “unaware.” An extra lesson, for sure.

Dachau... I still clearly remember details of my visit 25 years later... no book does that. Berlin wall 7 years before it came down... could walk right up to the west side. East side not so much... sniper nests, razor wire, deep sand, extreme lighting... pictures books films often show one side of a wall... perspective is seeing both sides... I fear we are losing that perspective as we lose the last few WWII vets... Thanks for a European view.

It does. My dad is a huge history nerd, particularly around WWII. I learned about the Holocaust, the concentration/extermination camps and such from about the time I was 10. When I was 16 we went to Germany to visit my uncle who was stationed there and we went to Auschwitz. Reading about it in books or seein it in film, and being in the place are very different things.

always wanted to have one of those tree shaped air fresheners made that would say old farm truck. I bet they’d sell like…… okay maybe they wouldn’t sell at all!! Oh yeah they would. I'd for sure buy one for my brother-in-law.

One more point, the diaphragm should be stretched (move the lever full stroke) before you tighten the screws or the diaphragm could rip.

Got ready for the Memorial Day Parade!!! Only one flat tire... not bad for this rig...!!! All set for 15 little riders... including one wheelchair...

Spreading some #57 crushed riverstone in prayer garden for my girlfriend. Also putting it a few other places in yard. Started with 1 ton of stone. The 953 pulled all that weight without too much trouble. Front end was a little light when I was loaded full & going uphill into backyard. Probably gotta get at least another ton tomorrow.