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Looks like mid 70s here on out in Florida so, time to pull the toys out, everything has sat since early December except the loader tractor, 318, and C-100. Everything fired right up without any boosting or hand holding. Everything needs a good washing but no surprises this year. Last year I had to replace 6 tires, and 4 batteries. Ive got 3 Onan P series 216/218/220 2 Kawasaki FD620D L/C 20, 22efi 3 Kohler Command CH Twins 23, 27, 27 1 Yannar 3cyl Diesel 22 2 Kohler K Singles 8, 10 1 Kawasaki FH Vertical 15hp 1 Briggs Vertical Pro Twin 27hp My neighbors think im crazy...🤣

I received word today that one of our very early members, Mr. Lauren Cummings, known to us affectionately as Duff (and apparently Deereman before that), has passed away. I never met Duff in person, but his work here came to my attention very soon after I joined this forum. I knew him first as someone who did really nice work on his 300 series tractors, and who enthusiastically shared his knowledge and experiences with anyone who was interested in reading about it. I learned shortly after that we shared a love of music, and at some point in our conversations I noticed that he was the stage manager for an organization called the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon NH. I started receiving their emails shortly after that, and that's how I heard the news this afternoon. Duff hadn't posted here in several years, but his work will live on in his contributions to RedSquare. Here's part of the email from LOH: Last Friday, we lost a beloved member of the LOH Family. Lauren “Duff” Cummings passed peacefully after a long hard-fought battle with respiratory disease, one of the very few things that Duff couldn’t fix himself. As LOH Stage Manager, he stewarded world-class touring musicians, Upper Valley-based performing arts groups, and thousands of local student-artists. Duff treated them all the same and made sure their moment in the spotlight was truly special. His work with LOH dates back to 1969 when, as a college student, he helped revive the dormant theater and "bring it out of mothballs." Nearly every LOH show for the past 56 years has had his fingerprints on it. And a link to Duff's obituary: Obituary | Lauren Herbert Cummings, Jr of West Lebanon, New Hampshire | Knight Funeral Homes & Crematory What an interesting guy, I had no idea! The phrase "life well lived" comes to mind, and I'm looking forward to reading the stories that his friends, family and coworkers post in his guestbook. Rest in peace Duff, we'll certainly miss your presence here.

Took the Suburban 550 for a ride. IMG_0607.mov

Got this painted with new pulleys and handle. Now I’m trying to figure out the mower deck wheel raising system. Thought I took pics but I guess not. Then took all apart and painted. The schematic doesn’t really help me figure it out. I need some good pics of the 65-36ms01 is the manual I have. It’s coming together though.

Spent some time today helping out friends with their tractors. I did manage to get a couple things done on mine though. First I welded up a new hub & pulley. Also made a new axle pin. The old ( I'm guessing homemade) pin used a cotter key where it extended out of the front. The new one that I made will use an E-clip instead of a cotter key. Did a little diggin' through my secret stash and found all the parts I need to install a mid mount and PTO. Cleaned all these parts up so they can be painted with the rest of the ruff parts.

Nice sticker!

World Bartender Day is celebrated across the globe every year on February 24. Bartenders are indispensable to the hospitality industry. Today, we cannot imagine a pub, bar, or nightclub without a bartender. They keep patrons well supplied with beverages, especially the alcoholic kind, and make sure that everyone is having a good time. If you are unsure about which drink to get or want to try something new, you are more likely to ask a bartender for help. Who knows, maybe this is how you will find your next favorite drink! The next time you enjoy a fun night out with your friends, don’t forget to thank the bartender. The profession of bartending has gained more respect for the creativity, skill, and attention to detail that is involved in creating, making, and serving up drinks — often to unruly customers. While the trade witnessed depression in the 1920s and early 1930s (when the United States went through a period of prohibition), bartenders have sprung back into action since then and today once cannot imagine a hospitality establishment without them. World Bartender Day celebrates the creative genius and talents of those at the bars all across the globe. The day might have emerged during a cocktail competition that happens in Australia and New Zealand, called The Perfect Blend.

Input pulley on…Mag 10 bolted the the frame. Small steps

They do fine, they help each other as needed

I have a solid link that I made, but I don't use it as the blade digs in too much when I have to plow over dirt. @ri702bill Not a traction issue. I need to scrape with out the solid link. The blade is set 2nd hole from the top. Gives me good snow push and roll with out digging in or tripping on a light load.

Just the right height for sitting on a roll-around stool while working. That should be just right for you Randy. I have two rolling stools and they have made it possible to have (mostly) pain free extended sessions in the shop. Friendly warning, however: these are both absolutely magnetic to shop visitors, especially grandchildren. I have to constantly remind them that it is my shop so I have first dibs on seating! Often I’ll get up to get a tool, a part, or some supplies and turn around to find the stool I just vacated occupied. One like this from Craftsman for working low down: \ And one like this but with casters for regular bench height work:

I tried to go the shim route but just couldn't get the alignment to my liking. I gave up on that and did the spacer thing on the pto side bolt. A 3/8" washer was a fuzz too much. Tried a stainless washer and it wasn't quite enough. Thinned down the regular washer and got it right. The angle isn't noticeable at all and the teeth are parallel. Starts great. Now to find a rebuild kit so I'll have a spare on the shelf. Thanks for the advice guys!

Best be sitting down for this news guy. While a Super C i a favorite tractor here The KT-19 was not the best engine Kohler has ever made. Especially the Series 1 which your 195 most likely has. The series II was a bit better but the bad rap damage was done. They were prone to oiling issues and operating on slopes and were splash lubed. Running low on oil got the blame by Kohler but everyone knew it should have had a pressure lube method.. The series II oiling galleries were redesigned and helped but again the bad rap was out. The KT19 was used in many other brands most notable the red Cub series ... 782 and such but they did not have as many issues as Wheel Horses. They were mounted in line which is thought to help disguise the oiling issues. Given that the 19 is generally is considered a non-rebuildable motor. While it can be done the general consensus is it's not worth it. Not sure if kits/parts are available. When my C-195 was having issues I looked for parts and found most were made of unobtanium and what was out there was pricey. The guy I eventually sold it to repowered it with a Predator twin and is a beast once again. A Briggs Vanguard would make an excellent repo right @kpinnc My is go with a repo but a gently used Series II if one can see running as a option.

Today was our annual Oyster Pie Day. It always bring the boys back home.

Just the right height for sitting on a roll-around stool while working. That should be just right for you Randy.

As some of you know, I've been using a piece of railroad track for weight on my plow. Well, it's hard to get it to stay put. I fabbed up a weight box from a 50 cal ammo can to hook on to the front tatchomatic. It rests on the plow frame instead of the blade. Having been in the printing trade 45 years or so, I've accumulated a 5 gal bucket of lead type. Now I have a box to put it in! Waiting for paint to post pics.

With the blade tilted forward, it skips over wet, packed snow. I don't have to drag much. Only a bit in front of the garage door. Not a big issue. I'm always trying to improve things.

Ash is pretty common here. The one wood you can burn half green. Some firewood sellers ask for it. When the hard wood is sold out, you can always sell Ash. Up here, in the north east, the Indians (oops, Native Americans) wove baskets from Ash. Some still do.

They dont say much because all this stuff benefits them at some point, moving dirt, helping with mowing, digging holes.. no one complained when i cleared the snow off the road. 🤣

Think? Just...... think??

Mother nature providing heat!

Do they all play well together?? Ya know, that Red Horse, Green Deere thing...??? Nice to see a Round Hood after the C Series.....

Pulled the blow down to the wood shed.

Sounds like the same clap, glad you're feeling better. I raked up the plastic from the recent deer kill and didn't have the gumption to continue with a planned cutting of a cherry blow down. Maybe tomorrow, all I will do is clear the trail and cut the tree free from the stump to stop the sap from rising. Small steps, don't want to get worse.

Lincoln will have tested any engine he sells as running. Be aware, though, that an engine in good condition constitutes a significant chunk of the value in most used tractors absent unusual accessories implements like tillers or iron wheel weights, etc. In other words, rarely cheap!

Something else in my mind is a "back drag" blade attachment similar to the Fisher plows. I'll have to brain storm that one. The weight box came to me laying in bed last night!

I used an old metal milk crate mounted on a winch plate to a 2" receiver... works like a charm...

Is there any chance he simply left the key in the RUN position after he finished? Any lights or other accessories that could have been left on after the tractor was off? Otherwise, unless the battery was defective (certainly possible but not too likely--take it to a parts shop or service center for a proper load test), I’d suspect something in the tractor’s wiring or charging system needs attention--possibly exacerbated by snow getting into a fusebox or connector. First checks: - Before starting the tractor, what is the “at rest” voltage of the battery? - Start and run the tractor for more than five minutes or so with the engine at about ½ throttle (i.e. after allowing the battery to recover from cranking). What is the “running” voltage across the battery? It should be 1-2 volts above the “at rest” voltage. If not, something in the charging circuit is probably not working properly. - After a work session of ~20 minutes, what is the “running” voltage. It should still be 1-2 volts above the initial “at rest" - Shut down and measure a new “at rest” voltage. It should be at least 12.4 and not more than 14. - Lastly, check the voltage while cranking the engine for a restart--anything below 11.0 tells you the battery is weak either from age or damage.

You can not check a charging system with a an under-charged battery. It would drive you nuts. You have done it correctly.

Installed a new shop door opener. Only took three days between feeling like crap and teaching the recliner a lesson. This is a great opener so far knock on wood. Liftmaster LJ8900W with wifi and battery backup. Little more $$ than a conventional chain drive but worth it I think. Replaced a 36 yo Moore o matic screw drive that just plain wore out. Door is a 18x8 that's fairly heavy. May try and repair it (again) and use it on a very light door on the she shed.

Based on your earlier posts about them, I’ve made up my mind that as much as I appreciate our Onan P218, if anything serious befalls it, it’ll be replaced by one of these Vanguard twins.

They are good engines. Especially today when engine options are limited. I don't think anything can truly replace the durability of the old cast iron Kohlers, but these engines are very stout and very efficient. I've repowered a couple machines, and plan to do more.

+50F here today, so I shut down the wood stove and cleaned the pipe and chimney.

It finally got to one degree above freezing for the first time in at least a couple of months. Snow is starting to slide off the roof You can see just how deep it was. At least 2 feet on the roof in places. Made for lots of shovelling of the decks. Still more to come off but I'm sure the house appreciates it.

The mounts blew out on my p218 in 2022 because previous owner put on a Chinese starter. I had the block welded and drilled, oem starter was catching the tip of the ring gear, it wouldn't go around a full turn. I shimmed the outer mount slightly with feeler gauges and achieved this mesh

Dark and Stormy I never liked rum at all until we were on a cruise ship and I asked the bartender to surprise me.

EB will be down on his knees to work on a transmission. Better install a lift over head so Trina can get him back up.

Great tire! I have those on my pulling tractor.

@TonyToro Jr. and I stripped down a Suburban. I was completely amazed that every bolt came loose without penetrating oil. Stripped it down in about 35 minutes to a bare frame. We need the front axle and he wants to use the front portion of the hood as decoration in his room. Not sure what we will do with the remaining pieces. If anyone needs pieces send me or him a message.

Mounted a set of V61 Vredestein, put them on my 79 C-121 semi resto. They cost too much, but really seem to be nice rubbers with stiff sidewalls. Mounting them with hand tools was a challenge but managed with just a couple cuss words. What really helped was putting them in front of a heater for a wile.

Woke up, looked at the thermometer, said 15 degrees. Thought "It's a great day to paint !" The seat had a fair amount of pitting so that received the treatment of high build primer last weekend. Today I wet sanded it with 400grit to smooth it out as best as I could. The rims received 1 coat of self etching primer, 2 coats of enamel primer. After that all the pieces were finished with 3 coats of Case IH off white.

Enjoying this build as my Dad had a 633. That's me sitting on his lap in my profile picture back in 67 or 68.

Rebuild kit came in on Thursday, engine block went to my machinist on Friday. He says about 2 weeks, hopefully he's on schedule cause that should be about the time I'm ready to make some red paint fly. Busy dealing with snow most of the weekend, but I did find time to spray some primer on the sheet metal. 1 coat of self etching primer & 3 coats of 2K urethane primer.

Here’s a side shot of my 1257. Back in the fall, I regrettingly sold my sickle bar mower. I used the money to fund another project. Later on this year I will be trying to find another one, maybe a Haban, I know all are hard to come by these days but it is what it is. But the ol 1257 is still running strong, still got the 54” plow assembly and tub cart in the corner.

Some forward progress & 1 set back. First the forward progress. Got the body work done on the sheet metal. Paint stripped off the transmission, ready for a wash & some paint. Pulled the head off from the engine to see what was what. This was the set back. I was planning on just a paint over haul on this one but plans have changed. When I pulled the head I thought "Holy piston wash Batman". Well guess I'm doing an engine rebuild too. Given this fact the engine is now torn down and ready to go to the machinist as soon as the new parts get here. Crank measures out perfect, bore is not out of spec but finding the early small bore parts is not easy. So late model 2 15/16" bore will be in order. Took the time to blast all the engine parts as well. Wanting more forward movement I decided to squirt a little more paint. All I got for this weekend.

Back used to hurt after standing in front of the blast cabinet for extended periods of time. We raised the blast cabinet up on 4x4's. Game changer ! Much more comfortable now, plus the 4x4's added a raised point to put your one foot on.

Weekend update... Sand blasting reviled a little surprise on one of the fenders. Drilled holes at the end of the cracks in preparation for repair. After the repair. If you look at the top of the fender, you can see line where the seat was rubbing on it. Nothing worse than doing a resto on a round hood and then having the seat rub through your new paint job. To remedy this I make a lift kit to put under the seat. It's only 1/2" thick but that's all it takes to keep the seat off the fenders. The spacer I made for under the seat. The peg drops in one hole to keep it from spinning. At the end of the weekend I have everything that would fit in the blast cabinet cleaned up. It took almost as long to blast the rear rims as it took to blast all the other pieces combined. Note - only thing that would not fit was the frame. The gas tank and recoil starter would have fit in the blast cabinet but I chose to not blast them. Didn't want sand intrusion in either of them. Instead I chose to strip them with a DA sander. Even sprayed a little paint today, very little but it still counts. Would be nice to do some painting next weekend but I don't think that will be in the cards, as I have other engagements. Might still have time to get something done though.

@Gary - there were at least four different "reds" used between 1946 and now - and that doesn't include formula variance, mixing error, application technique, and difference between brands/suppliers. Modern aersol paints may be close, but none are an exact match to the actual paint used by Wheel Horse and/or Toro. (and that includes their own touch-up paint) Choosing the "proper" red for a Wheel Horse is much like throwing a hand grenade...... all you need to do is get it close.