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I used Rustoleum 2x grey primer and Rustoleum IH Red implement paint. I am happy with it. Before restoring, and below is after. It did take a couple of months for the paint to get really hard so I couldn't dig into it with my fingernail. Now it is extremely hard shelled. The picture below is the first time using it and getting all dusty.

This morning I had a skillet mush frying and another smaller skillet of some of my double smoked bacon. It took two skillets full to cook the bacon. I always roll mush in flour, so before frying so the second skillet full I rolled the bacon in the flour. In the past, I've rolled uncured pork jowl in flour before frying but not cured bacon. I think I like it.

I'm glad to hear you got the deck back in working order. I like the new tires on it. Here's a shot of it when I first saw it. An excellent unmolested machine and very popular model. It was back in 2015 when Doug posted about the four tractors. I saw how close he was so I contacted him about checking them out. Geez, imagine twisting my arm to go look at some old machines. He had this 854, a 657, 701 and an Indy 500. I was happy to hear he decided to keep the 854. The 701 went to a young member here in Virginia via me hauling it to the big show and another member relaying it back to Richmond. The 657 and 500 Special were pretty rough but to a guy with the dreaded Wheel Horse addiction they had potential. I simple said they needed to go to somebody who could marry the two and make a good tractor. I don't remember the timeline but sometime after the big show and getting the 701 delivered Doug contacted me again. He offered me the two crippled tractors just for the hauling. Like any of you guys I jumped at the offer. The 657 and Indy 500 share probably 98% of the same parts and it was a project made in heaven. Here's the end result with a K-161 that spent an easy early life working for Mickey Mouse on a sprayer. Many of you will remember the thread I posted on it along the way. This tractor is now on display on a busy highway heading out of Mishawaka in a 4-season porch along with the Suburban 400 I restored. With all the enjoyment I got out of meeting Doug, hauling the 701 and restoring the two old machines I think the best part is when he said he decided to keep the 854 for himself based on our conversation. Infectious little tractors aren't they?

National Cherry Pie Day is on February 20. With all its fruity, buttery goodness, we have our forks ready to devour this delicious dessert in all its forms — homemade or store-bought everything is better with pie! With this holiday being celebrated only a few days after Presidents’ Day, it is believed that this pie flavor was chosen for its significance to George Washington and the myth created by his biographer about Washington’s honesty when he cut down his father’s cherry tree. The first pie dates back as far as 9500 B.C. in ancient Egypt. Known for their love of sweets and meats, Egyptians usually made pies with honey and dates, which were encased in reeds, as the filling of a pie was only meant to be eaten. It is believed that the Romans learned about pies from the Greeks who then introduced this delectable dish to the rest of Europe. The cherry pie is one of America’s favorite pie fillings, traditionally made with tart cherries instead of sweet ones, morello cherries, or native black cherries. This tasty dessert is great with large amounts of ice cream or cream, whipped or poured. The Kansas legislature enacted stricter food service laws in the late 1800s, which included a restriction on serving ice cream with cherry pie. Legislators believed that consuming such a rich dessert was superfluous and verging on gluttony, therefore they were also concerned about the moral ramifications.

Same here. I don't remember the year, but I bought my cab at the first big show that I attended. I saw the parts cab laying in the corner of one of the barns. I found a young GUY at the other end of the barn and he said it belonged to his brother and he would sell it for $100. Took it home, made a couple of the missing pieces and installed it on my 520H. Several years later at a different tractor show where I had the 520 on display, a tall lanky guy walked up and asked where I got the cab. He informed me he was the original owner. That was Jay Meyers and I had bought it from his brother Guy Meyers. So, I also have a reason to never sell Jay's cab. Rest Easy My Friend @roadapples

As a retired 61-year-old who inherited 4 of my Grandfather's Wheel Horse tractors, I found a valuable resource in this forum. Here, I connected with Bob Parks (Racinbob), who at the time lived nearby and kindly agreed to help me identify all of them. I ended up keeping the 1964 Model 854 and sold the others. The 854 is a solid, primarily original tractor, and I've been using it since I was 6-years-old. I also had the RM-364 mower deck attachment, which had not been on the tractor for many years. Once again, this forum proved its worth as I could identify and obtain some attachment parts that I was missing. Last week, after some adjustments, I put the mower deck to use and mowed nearly an acre of grass without any issues. The sense of accomplishment in identifying and restoring the equipment was truly inspiring, and I felt like I was a kid again. As someone who doesn't consider themselves 'mechanically inclined,' I've grown and learned much through this project. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of those who guided me and showed me that with the right support, even the most daunting tasks can be tackled.

I have had a few people ask if my OTC cab was up for grabs. I have not used it in 3 years because of minimal snow depths in recent years. I am reluctant to sell it for that reason and a few others. It has been stored inside and in VGC. 3 years ago I bought one for my JD for Winter use to get out of the wind mainly. When I ordered it I noticed on the site the Toro / WH cabs for the 300, 400 and 500 series were NLA but were for the 260, 270 & XT series. Was on their site today and appears all of those are currently available. Thought I would just put it out here in case anyone has interest. I have had mine for 25 years and was $$$$$$ well spent and still looks great. The price for the 3,4, & 500 series is $ 1349.99. A phone call to them would be recommended to confirm. Just letting you guy's know. Great people to deal with. Stay Warm

Just j bolts. Tractor Supply or similar farm stores have them.

OK, since George confessed, I'll come clean. Back in the day I had a beautiful Montmorency Cherry tree that bore buckets of sour cherries. The problem was, they always ripened while I was in Delaware fishing and crabbing. And when I got home the robins had pecked a hole in every cherry. I tried net coverings, sprays, scarecrows, etc. and nothing worked. So like George, I chopped down the cherry tree. In hindsight, I should have declared war on the robins as they also eat all my nightcrawlers that I now have to pay $0.50 each for. Guess I'll go buy a cherry pie for me and a dozen nightcrawlers for the robins

Here's the bacon on a plate floured and un-floured. I can eat either but would the mess I make using flour-that somehow ends up all over the countertop? Maybe not I started to post this under gardening--of course which this topic is not. But within gardening is the favorite recipes so, I dropped it in here if it needs to be relocated, please do so.

Here's one I made. It's bolted together with a 1/2" bolt. I used a 5/8" bolt in the hitch just because I had some. There a few more home made designs that members made that go back to the mid hitch

They would have lost it at seeing Pop Tarts !!

Happy Birthday Jeff !!!

Did our taxes a couple weeks ago. With the standard deduction being so high we didn't owe anything.

Always such a good time Wednesday night hanging outside the hotel with the usual crew doing screwball shots and van’s special shine!

That's it? Those are rookie numbers man. You need to go to Michigan and study under Master @Pullstart in the ways of hauling the horse.

Enclosed, and it'll fit 3 motorcycles. That's as big as I've got! If I stand 'em on end, I'll bet I can fit 9 - 12 tractors! 🤣

Good grief I finally got the dadgum hitch pin out. I know I've been in a half dozen or more of these, and this was the worst ever. Kroil soaked, electrolysis, heat, repeat. Drilled down an inch or so and beat this one much harder than any before. It finally moved about 1/8 today. Inside the case is ugly, but actually far better than I expected. Alot of gross stuff, but they gears and contact surfaces are free of pits. It will clean up nicely.

Thank you for all the Birthday wishes. Didn’t do anything special, went to work and now just going to relax tonight.

Not enough to justify a startup. Drive right through.

Always love data. I took my C100 out just now, it has a CHT gauge on it, it normally runs 270⁰-280⁰ mowing in the summer, but the ambient today was 50⁰, i fired it up, checked idle speed which was 1206rpm, and set low idle for 16 minutes, the temperature had stabilized at 195⁰-197⁰ for a few minutes, thats well under any kind of dangerous temperature.

Out of all the engines that have gone through here over the years (and many are still here running perfectly fine), not one has ever popped because of idling too long. Even in the summer time. Probably set mine around 1500 ish RPM for idle speed. I'm not sure they require as much of a splash lube cycle of oil at idle as they do at full throttle and or under load. IMO, a 1500 ish rpm dipper splash is still pretty violent in there and splashing enough oil around to lube it. The air volume is still enough to cool the head under those conditions if the fins are clear and not plugged up. What I wouldn't do is run them under load at lower RPMs. However, I have cruised around at many shows over the years at lower RPM because the exhaust is quieter with the same tractor and engine. Engine(s) are still plugging away many years later without any ill effects. Not much load on them through the gearing of the trans. Has anyone here ever actually had a good engine blow up just from idling it too long?

If it chipped the apron skirt you will need to sleeve the cylinder.

Hmm, now that's a new idea.

It’s been a while since an update. I took the weekend off for family stuff. I did my first actual test fire yesterday and had a couple hours of pure bliss as it lit up and took off! Huge success! Momma gave me some input on shop location. A spot I had not thought of, but makes the most sense. Go figure! Videos coming soon.

Just got in from doing the driveway, 25 degrees f, about 6" of snow. It's supposed to quit snowing here for a while & gradually warm up. Waiting patiently to be let out... Free at last! After her workout, ready to be brushed down & put to bed....

I bought this transaxle several years ago and I failed to log its origin. I have posted it for sale in the Facebook groups. I was asked if it would work in an 857. I'm hoping someone here may have the answer to that question.

There are some pictures somewhere on here Jim. I'm not sure I'll be able to find them. Basically I vented the belt guard and made a sheet metal housing around the area. Then did some nip and sewing to the cab to fit over the housing. The cab was damaged in this area from the muffler heat. I did find this pic. The canvas was altered to attach to this housing. I could get some pics tomorrow. The canvas has grommets that fit over the two 1/4" hex bolts to attach the two. hard to see in these pics.

Boy, If I found a cab for $100, I'd be on it like a duck on a June Bug!!

Pete understands the assignment!!!

Fixed it for you!

DEFINITELY

Its affected by a few factors like temperature, warm fuel will evap faster. Another factor in the field is tank pressure, if a tank gets hot in the sun it can pressurize some, and push fuel through the system, if there has been enough evap in the bowl to drop the float...people question how a carb can be loaded with varnish with a pump type system...thats how.

The fixed main jet on my M16 snow plow tractor can be hard to start after she sits in the winter. The Adjustable main jet K301 fires up almost instantly. (both have fuel tanks up high) Not being terribly inquisitive i leave the A/C off the M-16 and hit her with a wiff of carb cleaner...fires right up. Heck snow blowers do not have air cleaners...

Had to look this up...you mean rubber chains. They work I use them on one plow tractor that works the pavers area (plastic blade edge also) I did tear off one cross link They need to be kept Tight as they try to get diagonal for 96% of what I plow Steel works better

I know...its like asking about what oil to use, but.

@TJ always favored the blues , try this on , pete

Happy Happy Jeff

Last year I picked up a NOS k241 short block in a crumbling Kohler box. Inside of engine and bore has a very thin feeling film of some type of semi dried oil. No visible rust inside engine. Crankshaft ends have rust where it has been handled. It has a factory set of gaskets included.

I made them for the 19th & 20th. Maybe I'll use the 18th as an excuse to go out for a ride. 🏍️

Got jacked up on coffee & did my taxes.

And because the spark plug is not over the piston you can't use a borescope either... Got to pull the head if you want to see inside.

Heard a good math joke: What do you call people who like tractors? Wait for it... Protractors...

Nope, just needs to be rebuilt.

It's spinning a little too fast for the S/G to be turning over an engine with compression. Take off the belt and see how freely the engine turns. I hate to say it but it sounds like something broken inside the crankcase.

This is my burner plate stack. I popped a hole in the top plate and oil drips down from a 3/8” tube into the center of the burner.

That’s exactly what my wife has been doing for years! And I never mention anything about her spending money because I’m not sure what is going to happen on my end 🤣🤣

For whatever reason, a lot of people run oil through an open tee. It’s like a cheap sight glass. I decided to make use of one of my 100 1-7/8 hitch balls and make it a funnel with an open drip.

I'll call this "what I expect to see when you're finished" picture!