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We are celebrating Popeye Day on January 17. Popeye made his debut appearance in a comic strip called “Thimble Theatre.” Elzie Crisler (E.C.) Segar created it on January 17, 1929. The comic was originally centered around Olive Oyl, but the popularity of Popeye changed that. By 1933, Popeye had his own cartoon series. “I Yam What I Yam” is the first cartoon with Popeye as the main character. Fleischer Studios released the cartoon between 1933 and 1942. Even after a century, Popeye remains one of the most popular comics ever produced. Elzie Crisler (E.C.) Segar — a cartoonist and writer from Illinois — created the Popeye masterpiece in 1919. However, Popeye was not part of the initial story. It took 10 years for the first appearance of Popeye. Seger published “Popeye in the Thimble Theatre.” The story initially revolved around the misadventures of Olive Oyl and her boyfriend, Harold Ham Gravy. The strong appeal of Popeye attracted the attention of readers and influenced the writer to shift the story into a Popeye-centric one. Olive became the love interest of Popeye. The popularity of the comic increased steadily. Popeye made his silver screen debut on July 14, 1933. In the same year, Popeye also had his own cartoon. The journey of Popeye continued into radio, comic book series, magazines, and cartoon series in the 1960s. They introduced new characters and adventures in between these incidents. Bluto and Jeep brought a new flavor to the story. An interesting detail about Popeye is his use of spinach. The story created a massive demand for spinach in the U.S. The creator of Popeye died 9 years after making his creation. The iconic character still dominates the cartoon industry thanks to the brilliant portrayal of the character and the depth of the story. Popeye is one of the most successful franchises to ever exist.

Did some service work at a couple homes this past week. During an LP to Natural conversion, I found the lint inside the dryer cabinet had started fire and smoldered about inside the appliance. I refused service and insisted they replace. They did not argue. I then proceeded to clean their dryer vent.

Back ten or 12 years ago you could buy a Lawn Ranger for $150 to $250. because people thought they were big enough or whatever. However they had the Wheel Horse 5025 transmission! You could also buy those transmissions for about $50. I bought them as I found them to be in better shape then those used on the bigger tractor models with bigger motors etc. They were generally not abused.

@tunahead72..

Perfect timing. I had me ham and yams for dinner yesterday and will "eat's me spinach" today in my salad and Mexican lasagna.

" The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and then pick it up." RIP Bob! ( I did catch a knuckleball with my Rt. eye socket once! )

Already starting to look much cleaner... I can actually see the engine block!

Unfortunately we lost Bob Uecker today. In Wisconsin we knew him as the very entertaining voice of the Milwaukee Brewers. ( A contract that he held for many years simply on a hand shake, no paper work needed) Some of you may recognize him from some '80s Miller Lite commercials. Some might remember him as Harry Doyle from the movie Major League. As a note - He was not given a script for this movie, he was given an out line and most all of his lines were add lib. He was with the Cardinals when they won the 1964 world series, but never played during the 7 game series. He was a poor ball player ( according to his record and own comments) but an icon among baseball personalities. RIP Bob, hope there is baseball in heaven. PLAY BALL !!!

I’ve been bringing a BD-4263 Doxer blade back to life (1963). It’s almost ready, needing only a centering rod in the front hitch. That said, the heavy usage this plow has seen has put a lot of wear on the quadrant pivot. If the plow proves useful, I’ll go after tightening that up but I the meantime, it’ll do. Here it is so far, ready to be tested with 5-8” of snow forecast for Sunday night into Monday. I’m using a plow mount bracket intended for long frame tractors instead of the original separate bolt-on angle irons. The ¾” rod with pinned spacers through the tangs lets the narrower bracket hold the wide-ended frame. Putting the rod through the original mounting holes, however, positioned the plow too far rearward so that when the plow was angled the skids interfered with the front wheels (or vice versa?). This was made worse by the slop in the quadrant pivot. To move the plow forward to roughly where it would be with the “factory” mount setup, I’ve welded extensions (blue arrow) to the tangs and made new mounting holes 3” aft of the original holes. I left the original holes (red arrow) so the change is reversable. Voila, no tire/skid interference. New ⅝” shaft skids with bushings to fill the ¾” skid mounts and other new hardware. A lever and rod were not with the plow when I got it so I made new. The new angle control lever is a straightened 8-speed shift lever welded to a new base. Rod is Heim-jointed. This model was the last to have the foot-operated quadrant release.

Supposedly, in the local folklore of Chester, Illinois. A man named Frank “Rocky” Fiegel, an old Sailor was the inspiration for Popeye. It was engraved on his tombstone when he died. If you see a picture of the guy. He looks very very close to the cartoon. I’m glad I eats me spinach today I’m working on this. As you guys know it wasn’t light…😁

Right or wrong the decision is made. It came down between the HF Titanium 125 and the Arccaptian 130 based on my needs and the reviews. Thinking back when I had a Lincoln 225 I don't think I ever cranked it past 125 amps. A plus is that I don't need to do anything electrical to get the max out of either one. Pricing wasn't really a consideration but Arccaptain made me an offer I bit on this morning. With the sale price, an 8% discount plus tax it came to $118.13 delivered. Yet again, red beats green.

I've been a fan of Popeye for as long as I can remember. I've had some folks at previous employers give me that nickname as well...

bearings and seals are available on the internet - I've just replaced bearings and seals on a 5025 here in the UK

You are correct in that your transmission is a 5025. Since you're going to have it open you may want to do the shift rail and stop pin upgrade per service bulletin #60. The flats as already mentioned help with the shifter issue but isn't a positive stop. The upgraded rails not only have the flat but a deeper neutral detent. Used with a longer stop pin it's a mechanical stop and doesn't allow the shifter to lock up in two gears.

Because of that commercial every time I go into a stadium or arena and I can’t find my seat I think to myself “Must be in the front row!”

This somebody on here? Dude fabbed up dual 24" Ariens snowblowers and mounted to a C-145. I'm strongly considering doing something similar and have questions. DeafTruck

Just wondering if a 6 x 4 wheel horse has ever been built? Like a John Deere gator with two larger wheels in back for the payload / cargo area . Using two hydrostatic axles coupled together to drive or power it. If not give me some tips on what to use or not to use if and when I try to build one. thank you

I’m not sure you’d need a gearbox since something like a mower deck mule would probably also work (with a suitable idler/tensioner). Snowblowers don’t need to be lifted more than a few inches and that helps with belt routing. I can definitely see that with a lot of area to clear, 48 or 60 inches of blower would come in handy.

Ask them anyway! You'll need a good 90 deg gearbox. There's lots of guys on here that can provide info and ideas even though they haven't built one. I was thinking of something like that before getting a big WH 2 stage. Still think about it once in a while as I have some blowers out there to use. Even if you use a larger 30" or 32" and add wings to the sides

Hard to see, but it looks like he was happy with it! Love the wave at the end of the second video!

The steel windscreen supports are just plain steel so I sanded and lacquered them ready to fit. The bonnet latches are an issue, four of them needed: two for the bonnet and two to hold down the folded screen. I looked at ready made ones which are cast white metal. But I wasn't too keen on the look of them. So it was "Let's see how on earth I go about making these things" time. I thought about turning a button shape in brass and filing the shape, but that was a real faffing about job. So I used some soft brass plate to shape a flat version of the handle, then sliver soldered a 4mm shank onto it. I made a domed jig to bend the lobes and hook over. Then turn a steel body and drill for the hook end. Eh voilà: ----- Just the top and bottom bracket parts to fabricate now.

Guess Im too late but I got rid of my stick welder when I bought my mig. It welds anything I have ever wanted to do from sheetmetal to steel angle. Not a pro by anymeans but never had anything break. Just bought a tig welder and I am icthing to try it out. Best warranty in the business too. 3 year no hassle. I want to learn to do aluminum. If I can pull it off, might get into making some more fuel tanks.

GREAT in mac and cheese!

Wane0 I agree with you and Eric, I use down pressure all the time. I like how it gets down to the pavement.I do not put a lot of pressure on the handle just enuf to move the snow after blowing first. Now ice is different.

Have it all in stock.....

"gone through" ??

Thank you guys, it's nice to hear that my fumblings are appreciated lol. Curiously I've just been looking at a conversation on a model engineering forum over here. A member said he was leaving because the forum was a waste of time and he could find better ones. Part of the problem seems to be that no matter what you ask or show there are always negative comments or criticism. It's like there are a lot of members who rejoice in showing how clever they are and love to belittle the efforts of those they consider to be beneath them. For example I posted a photo of part of my Landrover build and all I got from one guy was "You do realise it should have hexagon head bolts, not allen head? It spoils the look of it" This was about a 2mm bolt which you hardly see. It's no wonder people don't want to get involved when they come up against that kind of attitude. When I went to join a model engineering club near me the first thing out of the secretaries mouth was how much the subs were and they had to be paid before I could attend, the second thing was could I grab a shovel and wheelbarrow to move tons of ballast around to repair their rail track bed. Nothing about model making, just provide muscle so they could drive their toy trains! Lol. I've never had that kind of comment or attitude from anyone on Red Square, only help, advice and encouragement, even when asking daft questions. Here we have a laugh and joke and also provide a great place to chat about anything from Wheelhorse to workshops. Thank you to all the guys and girls who make Red Square a safe and happy place to chill out and talk tractors. Mick.

That video is 15 years old so I haven't been around log enough to know if it was someone here. Doesn't look specifically familiar. Excellent idea. Can't tell if the execution was a success.

My single stage is hot garbage. Painfully slow ground speed, and shoots snow a whopping 4'. Clogs with every kind of snow. I can do my driveway in less time with a two stage walk behind half the size.

@SousaKerry @Okie B60 you ever heard of this guy? He might be country, but there’s no pop in him.

This is the oil filter base plate gasket that is probably leaking.

We celebrated tonight with Cajun Chicken Alfredo. Yum Yum !! Puts a little sweat on the brow.

@953 nut I really like the flavor of habanero's. If you are really feeling the need for heat, this cheese taste really good and will also light you up real good. https://www.wisconsincheesemart.com/products/carolina-reaper-cheddar-angel-de-la-muerte?variant=43494696354023&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-aK8BhCDARIsAL_-H9kQmMo0a-_-duHmzk036nqdFxqeVrWrcLRHfH1znSQK4MeV4JGfYxoaAnUDEALw_wcB

Get an electric fuel pump..no future danger of gas contaminating the oil. Some get lucky with the cheap ebay China pumps.. I use facet posi-flo pumps made in Elmira NY...

All you see is this: 👀

Could be a fuel pump gone bad

Used front mule drive bracket, some scrap angle iron and chain host. No load on axle, can grease hanging there, can move mover deck or other attachments with ease. Would be nice with a small winch.

Warm 40F temps forecast today, so I shut down the wood burner last night and cleaned the stove pipe today. She has been burning 24/7 for several weeks. This is what came out of the 8" pipe. Nothing in the masonry chimney. Keep em clean. Ran the Escape thru the car wash to get PennDOTs brine off.

Over the last few years I've added a couple more horses ('78 C-161 & '83 C-145) to the stable but they both were in need of new mufflers as well as a lot of TLC. A friend and fellow RS member was in the same situation with his little collection. After searching all the usual online sites and keeping a close eye on CL and here on RS for used mufflers, it seemed a losing battle. The new ones were just too expensive ($230-$300) and the used were almost non-existent, and if you did find one of them they were pretty pricey AND pretty used. We knew we wanted original equipment style. Something tucked under the hood and was not going to be so loud as to upset the neighbors or their dogs!!! With that in mind, we got together with a local custom exhaust manufacturer and showed him the factory mufflers and pipes from my '76 B-100 and my friend's '79 C-160 and asked him if he could duplicate that type system. He said he had never worked on anything that small but would give it a go. After three or four prototypes we finally got a final product that was well built and looked and sounded the way it should. The muffler is aluminized steel and has internal baffles. The exhaust pipe is made of 16 gauge aluminized steel also. The muffler has a tab welded on the lower side so it can be used on engines with or without the cradle mount. For us, it was well worth the time and effort to get the mufflers we wanted at an affordable price, and just a few bucks more than a used one!!! We now have O.E. Style mufflers that will work on my 10hp, 14hp and 16hp and also my friends 12hp and 16hp Kohler engines and a few extras on the shelf. I've included some pictures. Third pic is on my C-145, forth pic is on the C-161 and the last pic is of the plumbing.

How's the torque for using implements? Seems a little scant...

I use this one every time I mow.

Spent the weekend prepping the new shop up grade. recently purchased a large gas powered air compressor and had to set up an enclosure for it. Day one, put the 4x9 shed together. This would not have taken all day had every single painted piece not been covered in protective plastic. Spent half of our assembly time pealing that crap off. Finished assembly on the second day and then it was time to move the compressor and shed to their new home. Wheel Horse parts came into play with moving the compressor. Slid a 3/4" bar through one of the fork pockets and installed some front wheels from one of my Horses on it. Then used some hose clamps to attach a bar to one of the handles. Then two of us could easily move the compressor into place. After the compressor was in position we slide the shed out to it. We lifted one end of the shed and slid it in to place. Compressor and enclosure in their new location and spiked down with 5/8" x 30" rebar. Even a little room left to store a few extras. A bit of plumbing left to do inside the shop and we will be ready to do some winter resto's.

Since it was was cool enough to double smoke some bacon, I smoked a couple of pounds. Also live trapped and took to a pesky squirrel to it's new digs in a timber. This squirrel has been climbing upon my newly re-roofed home and lifting hip shingles then slipping pecans under the tabs. I was helping hang new gutters and noticed that 3 or 4 hip shingles were not lying flat. Using a broom handle, when I raised the shingle, a pecan came rolling down. The squirrel found his plunder in a large wild pecan tree. I've found pecans stored away in the compost pile, garden and various places around the yard. I've been noticing the squirrel running from our house for the last few weeks so before he can do more damage I relocated it.

More cleaning and cleaning up and cleaning out of the basement workshop space so we can get things out to the new workshop space in the barn. Got a fair amount of parts and supplies sorted and boxed. @peter lena will like this little "kit" I've set aside. Also got a new temporary carb bench set up so Trina can start disassembly on the big L shaped workbench.

My son and his family came to visit for a few days. I had to work a few hours on Friday. When I came home I found my grandsons hauling banana trees they had cut down while I was at work. The pile you see has about a pickup load under it in a stump hole. They had also cleaned the shop gutters, raked and hauled leaves from around the shop and unloaded some pipe from my little trailer that I haven't been able to do.

I've been thinking seriously about getting my motorcycle running again and getting back to riding, probably in the spring, while I still can. And to that end I've been inspired and educated by several YouTubers, among them a British fellow by the name of Stuart Fillingham, who uses this particular tune as background music in a lot of his recent videos. It's a very calming instrumental, reminds me a lot of a band called Railroad Earth, who among a lot of other things worked with Warren Haynes on his excellent Ashes & Dust album a few years ago.

After yet more obstructions to my building of the model I made a start on the wheel hubs . The kit hubs were drilled at M2.5 to take plain bolts, clearly nothing like the studs and lug nuts that the full size vehicle has. I decided to enlarge the thread to M3 and make wheel studs. Not a huge job but repetitive with 5 studs per wheel. Then came the lug nuts, I used hexagon brass bar to make them. Turning a taper, drilling and tapping them M3 to suit the wheel, then parting off to length. I'm quite happy with the look and when painted up they will be just fine.

Someday (like the time on my last birthday) we need another “roast of Pullstart” just so y’all can get it outta your system for a couple minutes