Custom upgrades / modifications

[whtractors24 3,133]

I’d like to see some custom modifications/upgrades that some of the co-members in this group have made over the years to strengthen / upgrade Wheel horse tractors. @Brockport Bill makes the nice seat pan bracket reinforcements . @ri702bill makes the awesome frame reinforcement & gussets . I’m always intrigued on the craftsmanship in this hobby . I figured this would be a great thread to start for new members and current members that are always looking for solutions to issues or upgrades to their current machine's. 

Edited December 16 by whtractors24

[ebinmaine 68,406]

@Brockport Bill & @ri702bill 

Nice work! 

[Achto 27,803]

The F-plate reinforcement that I made for my pulling tractor. 

[peter lena 8,726]

@Achto  looks like a nice overbuild to me , be hard pressed  to quickly pick it out  !  like enhancing  original set ups , often  add a what if ? to a problem spot , durability  is what I want , when I think of the dumpsters  that were rotated daily out of the plant , going to scrap !  regularly picked up a foreman  pass for dumpster diving . stainless , alloy , I beam , flanges , perforated  , stainless steel , wish I had gotten more , plow blade wear stripping !   pre fab a home job , drop it off , at a weld booth , charge # .  memories , pete  

[Lee1977 6,803]

 Another frame reinforcing, that can be done with out taking the tractor apart. The edges of the 1 1/2" x 1/4" need to be ground to fit between the ridges. unless it's an old one.

 

Reinforcing 6" spindles.

[ebinmaine 68,406]

Here's a few. 

 

Aluminum battery hold down bracket. 

 

 

Home shop made HD batter cables. 

 

 

Wheel spacers for added width which gives stability. 

 

 

This Pic shows the trailer hub swap for the front of a tractor. I wish I had better pics. 

 

 

 

[Lee1977 6,803]

Fixed a loose 520 steering wheel. Drilled it out to 7/8" and made an adapter also raised it 1 3/4". It was a real pain as you can't drill a round hole in potmetal.

 

While I had it apart I replaced the bushing with a ball bearing on the steering shaft. This Bracket is only used on 1988, 1989, and 1990 500 series.

Edited December 17 by Lee1977

[Handy Don 12,467]

Custom maple dash for ’61-’62 Round Hood holds voltmeter and ammeter. (6-speed replaced 3-speed hence two shift knobs)

 

Adapter for spring-mounted seat to raise it 1.25" and move it rearward 2.0". Much more comfortable for a 6’2” operator. 

 

Sleeve hitch adaptor inverts for different trailer hitching

Edited December 17 by Handy Don

[Lee1977 6,803]

Here another 300, 400 seat pan reinforcement  (no welding require)  1/8 x 1 1/2" this been on since 2014. Will need some grinding if you have a hydro with belt release, or a Dial-a -Height.

It's bolted in with the 4 shifter panel bolts.

  

 

I also added a cross piece of 1/8" as I raised the fender bracket , gas tank and fender 1 3/4" for some 25" tires.

Here is the 312-8 beside a stock height C-120 but it isn't stock. There also a modified clevis hitch to work with a receiver hitch.

 

Edited December 17 by Lee1977

[peter lena 8,726]

@Handy Don  like your seat  help idea , when looking for my  cure , did a lot of unbolted move around , what can I do  for this ? thinking . drilling extra holes , adding  anti vibration  base pads , for solid base gain . just kept on tinkering with it . usually get a used horse with the seat ,  riding on the upper rear fender edge , thats your fault mount spot !  often refer to side viewing , of issue , on a roller stool . that has very often given me , the fault area / improvement spot to correct . also regularly , improve / enhance  original  intended point of issue . like add a longer unthreaded bolt , for swing point ease , then an elastic lock nut to hold swing setting , thats a very simple gain on a plow set up , squeeze lever , to triangle , wire pull to , steering quadrant  compression spring , slide pin point , with very small snugging up of wire end loops , and red grease , it all comes together , eliminate bolt binding , lubricate , elastic lock nut , perfect hold / swing ease , my plows swing move with ridiculous , ease , its all detailing , and lube , oil face of blade , for free hp , pete    

[peter lena 8,726]

@Handy Don  like your seat  help idea , when looking for my  cure , did a lot of unbolted move around , what can I do  for this ? thinking . drilling extra holes , adding  anti vibration  base pads , for solid base gain . just kept on tinkering with it . usually get a used horse with the seat ,  riding on the upper rear fender edge , thats your fault mount spot !  often refer to side viewing , of issue , on a roller stool . that has very often given me , the fault area / improvement spot to correct . also regularly , improve / enhance  original  intended point of issue . like add a longer unthreaded bolt , for swing point ease , then an elastic lock nut to hold swing setting , thats a very simple gain on a plow set up , squeeze lever , to triangle , wire pull to , steering quadrant  compression spring , slide pin point , with very small snugging up of wire end loops , and red grease , it all comes together , eliminate bolt binding , lubricate , elastic lock nut , perfect hold / swing ease , my plows swing move with ridiculous , ease , its all detailing , and lube , oil face of blade , for free hp , pete    

[peter lena 8,726]

 @Handy Don  https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=17259&qty=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA34S7BhAtEiwACZzv4TJgMw-eeQRRFVNM_ZNzCEGLlzE-zLMA1Kg9rOL6OpjUJyjL2IdkRhoCVFEQAvD_BwE   use this type of bolt on the plow  squeeze lever to triangle / wire pull set up , lets you dial  in exact squeeze lever , movement  functional  ease , held with washers /  elastic Lok nut , also at top squeeze lever point , red grease , like small channel locks for wire pull end circle points , the tighter the fit , the better the response , red grease . after doing my first plow , I know how easily it is to transform it , give me a shout , pete 

[Handy Don 12,467]

4 hours ago, peter lena said:

I usually get a used horse with the seat flopping around and riding on the upper rear fender edge

I think this is what you were saying.

Yep, and my seat’s metal had cracked and deformed. Repaired that and someone suggested welding the square hole shut and re-doing it to be a tight fit to the carriage bolt. That worked a treat!