It's A Long, LONG Story. But True.

[chesbaycruiser 82]

I'll warn you now that what started out as a quick post with a few photos turned into something else altogether! The writer's bug strikes me at odd times; I don't know why. So consider this post something to do when you've already cleared all your snow, you're avoiding the "honey-do" list, you're bored, or you just need a little something to help you drift off to sleep....

-----------------------

As a kid, I used to spend hours in the seat of my grandfather's '73 Model 10. Of course he was all business about his tractor, so I only got to actually drive it a few times, until I was much older. He also had a push-blade, which I thought was the coolest thing ever. To me, this red beast was a bulldozer at heart, ready to tear down mountains. I would pester him incessantly about that blade, but to the best of my memory, I never saw it hooked up. On those rare occasions that their locale in eastern VA near the Chesapeake Bay got snow, neighbors with big farm tractors were there to clear it. He eventually sold the blade, and after he passed, the tractor was sold too. But I never forgot about that tractor or the blade.

Flash forward to a couple of years ago when I got my B-80. You can bet that almost as soon as I saw it, there was that blade again, scratching at the back of my brain. So over the last year or so, I've tracked them on E-bay and elsewhere, but always let them pass for one reason or another; too expensive, or too far away, but mostly because my job was hanging by a thread, and spending money on a blade when we haven't had any "real" snow in years seemed to be a bonehead move.

Then along comes March 2009. 15" of snow in Richmond and I'm a shovelin' fool. "Well", I tell myself, "that should do it until 2012 or so". And I pass on more blades. Then December of 2009. About another foot of snow. Surely, that's all, right? Then comes the end of January 2010 and another 12-15". You've got to be kidding me? And more snow predicted for the next weekend?

Then, a miracle. That next Friday, just as the next wave of snow moved in, my friend called to see if I wanted to ride with him out to Virginia's Northern Neck to pay a visit to Billy Pohlig and look at a blade for his 314 or 520. If you ever bought a new Horse in the Richmond area, then you probably know Billy and his son Bubba. Pohlig's Tractor on Rt. 360 in Mechanicsville was an institution. I suppose Billy is officially "retired" now, but he has a small shop near Warsaw, VA. He's a really nice guy, and a walking WH encyclopedia.

So with snow beginning to fall, my friend and Billy work out a deal and he buys the blade. Then we inquire about weights and/or chains. Billy doesn't have any, but calls his son Bubba back our way and he's got weights. In fact, he's got a whole tractor, blade and all! So after a great burger at Bowie's in Oak Grove, VA, we head off to Bubba's to find a nice 310 and all the fixins', including a blade that looked brand new. So more haggling, and my friend is now the proud owner of TWO blades and some shiny, new WH weights.

So as you can guess, blade one became MY purchase, and at LONG last, I was now the proud owner of a BLADE! (I'm pretty sure I'm still about 9 years old, mentally.) So as darkness fell, we toted the blades back to our respective garages--his shiny 42", 5-position, and mine a well-worn 48", 3-position. His only needed to be installed. Mine needed a little "coaxing" as it had been sitting outside for some time. Thankfully, most of it was surface rust. It took a bit of work to get the release pin unfrozen so the blade would pivot, but she finally gave in.

Now I must tell you, to be honest, I was certain that once I actually installed the blade, the snow would stop, the clouds would part, and the temps would immediately rise to about 60. But to my amazement, it kept snowing that night and most of the next day, dropping almost another foot. And so, after many, many years of waiting, I was driving around my own, private bulldozer!

At least I was for about 7 or 8 good pushes, when a sickening "SNAP" reached my ears, and I looked down to see the blade hanging at an ugly angle against a bank of freshly plowed snow. Now I will remind you that earlier I said "mostly" surface rust. Not surface rust though, on the pin that the blade and springs hinge on. In fact about half of the pin was completely gone. So at the height of my newfound plowing glory...disaster!!!

But fear not. If you've stuck with me this far, I won't keep you in suspense. A quick trip to Home Depot, a couple of clevis pins and I was back in business. And man does she plow. I had no weights or chains, but she pushed some snow. I spun the tires on a few hills, but never got really stuck. I plowed my driveway. I trailered the tractor to church and plowed there. I plowed my parents drive. I plowed streets.

Even more amazing? It snowed AGAIN a few days later, about 4 or 5". So, seeing as how I did eventually lose my "iffy" job and now have plenty of free time, I plowed every driveway in our cul-de-sac (five). Hell, I plowed the cul-de-sac.

And since then, against all odds I was able to find some chains locally (if you call 70 miles away local) that fit an extra set of wheels/tires I had, so I installed them too.

The bad news is, I think the chains may have been the straw that broke the snow-camel's back, since after I got them on, the snow in the forecast disappeared, and there's been none since. I may have pushed my luck just too far. But still, for now, I'm a happy camper. I got two great sessions out of it, and there's still a bit of winter left here in the mid-Atlantic. The blade that haunts my mind now is my own, and I can hook it up whenever I want! Of course I probably won't take it off 'til July anyway!

Do I wish I could have had it sooner? Sure. But still....fulfilling a childhood dream for a hundred bucks? I figure it's worth it. And what the heck...that's less than a third of an unemployment check.

----

And now, the PHOTOS!!!

After the first day of succesful plowing. That'll do Horse....that'll do.

The rusted hinge bar...

The repaired hinge....

Ready for duty....

[Don1977 604]

You will have to get that blade cleaned up and painted before July. :party:

[JimD 3,345]

what a great story Cruiser. getting to live a childhood dream is something rare in life. it was fun to read about it! thanks for sharing your story, and for the pics. B)

[jpmcleod 4]

It may have been a long story, but well worth reading. I am glad we have memories and able to fullfill them as we get older. I too have lived on momories of the childhood days on the 36 acres we had and the Farmall and Fordson Major tractors we operated. I have relived those days with my garden tractors now with a 20 ascre orange grove. My grandkids get on the two "work" lawn tractors and off we go. I think it is great to read about somebodys childhood memories and the ability to fullfil those dreams in later life.

[VinsRJ 721]

Great story........ Now it will never snow again... ever B)

[KeithB 6]

great story, nice tractor too B)

[Ken B 3,164]

Great story and that Is a very nice B-80. I love hearing stories like this.

[hotrodmerc 1]

Nice story. My blade has saved my back quite a few times. Enjoy

[802heath 0]

i am right there with you! my tractor(gt 1142) came with a blade, unfotunatly it was for a verticle shafted model! i too am on the hunt in vermont for one for my

tractor. B)

[chesbaycruiser 82]

Thanks for all the kind replies. I was a little worried about getting "flamed" for such a long, rambling post!

And Don, you are absolutely correct. Truth be told, as soon as it's warm enough to paint, off it comes (and those "new" rear wheels too) for a good sanding and painting. Looking at that rust against my shiny red Horse is, I admit, driving me a little crazy!

B)

[Operator 7]

Great story indeed! And very nice tractor too.

You maybe should put a full length pin in there instead of the two separate ones, more strength.

Randy

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,264]

Many times I'll skim the longer posts, just because I try my best to read everyone, althought that is much more difficult as time goes on. I thought that this would be one of those skims, but I enjoyed the entire post, very nicely done. Good luck with your new bull dozer!

[DMK855 15]

Nice Story and congrats on the Blade!! Also as mentioned....... Nice Tractor!!

I too have a small fascination about blades. I live just outside of Atlanta, Ga. and now have one for each of my 3 Wheel Horses (Well, two are bought and paid for, but not in my hands yet!!)!!!! And sadly enough, I don't expect to ever get plowable snow!!!! B)

[Save Old Iron 1,566]

I was a little worried about getting "flamed" for such a long, rambling post!

Why does the squirrel always have to end up doing these things ?? That's my cousin "Bastardo Iron" out on one of his rants.

Consider yourself flamed.

I myself, enjoy these stories very much.

[Duff 206]

Consider yourself flamed.

...and Ches, it was a GREAT story! thanks for sharing!

Heath, where in VT are you?

Duff B)

[wh500special 2,160]

Nice story with lots of interesting detail and color!

Very well written. Kudos for taking the time and having the pride to do it right.

Hey young guys...take note! Pay attention in high school and you can pull this off too with a little effort.

Thanks for sharing,

Steve

[bustedglass 1]

Great story Cruiser . Thank You for sharing.........

[Lane Ranger 10,943]

B)

Love the story- and what's wrong with being nine years old mentally?

It's a form of restoration we can't take pictures of!

:party:

[stevasaurus 22,701]

I too enjoyed reading your well written story. Hope you get more snow...

[boatman 3]

:party:

Great story!! It was really fun to read. Great job. Very Nice looking

tractor. It will be even nicer when ya get your blade painted. I enjoy

using my blade to. I am always amazed at what a wh can do with some

wheel weights and chains. I just purchased a rear mount blade to grade

my long drive. Just finished today making a sleve hitch for my tractor

and mounting the blade. Really looking forward to using it. Hope you get

a little more snow so you can use it one more time. B)

[markslawnmowerworld 4]

As soon as i finished reading your story it instantly reminded me of a famous author that i have read many times., well he is famous to me

PATRICK F. MCMANUS

He used to write for outdoor magazine.......well your story was very good and brought back some memories for me. B)

[rickv1957 72]

Great story there,also a nice tractor!,Rick

[chesbaycruiser 82]

Wow! A little overwhelmed by the feedback. Thanks again for all the positive vibes!

Operator - You are correct...I will eventually replace the two clevis pins with a single bar....they were just a cheap, quick fix to get me plowing.

Mark -- Must say, you've peaked my curiosity...I'm gonna' have to Google Patrick McManus!

Now, everyone think SNOW!!!

B)

[bowtieguy 334]

A Haaa...At last a post with some "meat" in it....are you sure your not a poet? or you grandpa's name was Longfellow......good post and don't forget it's not against any law to get another WH...one for every job!

And may we all become grandpas and instill that same image in every little boys mind....just ask me why I have 3 Lawn Rangers ready to go!.. B)

[Duff 206]

PATRICK F. MCMANUS

Now THERE was a writer! Hadn't thought of him in years myself, but used to read him religiously! Wow!

Ches's writing style is similar to McManus's, isn't it.....

Duff :party: