What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?

[953 nut 55,155]

38 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

use black tape to cover all the useless  tire pressure  warning lights on my truck.

About a week after I had new tires installed on my truck one of those high dollar valve stems that monitor tire pressure bit the dust. Every time my wife drives my truck she complains about it but I'm to cheep (thrifty) to spend over $ 150 to turn that silly light off. Guess i could buy some black tape for $ 5,   Thanks ED.

[Ed Kennell 38,112]

8 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

About a week after I had new tires installed on my truck one of those high dollar valve stems that monitor tire pressure bit the dust. Every time my wife drives my truck she complains about it but I'm to cheep (thrifty) to spend over $ 150 to turn that silly light off. Guess i could buy some black tape for $ 5,   Thanks ED.

The batteries in those stems have a 10-15 year life if the aluminum housing doesn't crumble first.     I always remove mine when I install the first set of new tires.

[8ntruck 6,998]

I ended up getting the AC B-110 out today to tow the 14-8 up the hill to my shop.  I didn't have much time after getting the boat cleaned up and covered for outdoor storage in October - won't be able to get it in for shrink wrapping until November, and using the AC tractor to move the dock sections into the winter storage spot.

 

The no move problem on the 14-8 looks like it might be more than a missing key and set screw, as the input shaft did not appear to turn while I was pushing the tractor while it was in gear.  Strange thing is, there was not any unusual noise from the transmission before it quit running.  The shifter seems to go into all the gears without any problems.

 

OOPS.  I have not checked to see if the high/low shifter is between gears.   Got to remember to check the simple stuff first!

 

I'll leave ya'all with a pleasant image.  Shot it off the deck tonight just after sunset:

 

 

 

Edit:

Got to quote one of the political candidates - "Sometimes I can be a knucklehead".  I went out to the Horse shed tonight and found that the hi/low shift lever was indeed between gears.  Must have bumped it when I got off of the tractor to start taking the dock out of the lake.  Didn't think of that cause, since I had not used low range on my way to the lake.

 

Knowledge for me, a tidbit of wisdom for the rest of you - check ALL of the simple things first.

Edited October 4 by 8ntruck

[kpinnc 11,979]

1 hour ago, 8ntruck said:

I'll leave ya'all with a pleasant image.  Shot it off the deck tonight just after sunset:

 
Absolutely beautiful!

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

More work on the old 308-8 today after work. A bit of greasing, lubing and removing and replacing three stuck screws, and the three other screws I got out, with bolts.Then replacing four heavily rusted clips with threaded inserts. It was a bit of a PITA but It’s coming along.

[Bar Nuthin 189]

1. Found parts for my headlight
2. Installed said headlights
3. Replaced filament bulbs with bright LEDS

Question: Where should the wire for the headlights be routed?  The old wire was missing, so I'm not sure the best way to route the new one.

 

[rjg854 11,356]

8 hours ago, Bar Nuthin said:

Question: Where should the wire for the headlights be routed?  The old wire was missing, so I'm not sure the best way to route the new one.

On my tractors the wire runs through the frame and then up to the headlights.

[peter lena 8,600]

 @ rig854   personally like CABLE WRAP  on wiring , also use peel / stick ty wrap mount in place  , like contractors  , bolt on  electrical lugs , very secure solid , eliminate tight / binding / chafing  anything  , only a suggestion , love repetitive problems , improve and eliminate them . pete 

[Racinbob 11,048]

12 hours ago, Bar Nuthin said:

1. Found parts for my headlight
2. Installed said headlights
3. Replaced filament bulbs with bright LEDS

Question: Where should the wire for the headlights be routed?  The old wire was missing, so I'm not sure the best way to route the new one.

 

I just rewired my B-80 and ran it as it came from the factory but I do add a double layer of heat shrink for protection at the clips. Add a jumper from the hood to a good ground. The hinge doesn't work well for that. 

 

 

 

[Damien Walker 246]

On 10/3/2024 at 11:25 PM, Ed Kennell said:

I use black tape to cover all the useless  tire pressure  warning lights on my truck.   I adjust my tire pressure (20-70 PSI) for the load and driving condition.

 

Don't need a light to tell me when I have a flat tire.

Clearly you are a kindred spirit good sir! I have a friend who finds it impossible to drive her car when the TPMS bleats at her....another friend present on one occasion, hopped out of the car, eyeballed the tyre and said 'looks ok to me' but said friend still couldn't drive. Amazing really.

 

Not sure our black tape is that reliable over here (almost certainly poor quality far eastern import!) so I think I'll still have a go at my 'dimming' idea.....it's an interesting technical challenge if nothing else.

 

Pip, pip!

[8ntruck 6,998]

The company I hired I to right out of college in 1978 was working on a tire pressure monitoring system.  They had prototypes running in some of the company cars. 

 

Didn't go much further until the combination of practical on board automotive computers, cell phones, and SUVs becoming popular replacements for the family sedan happened.

 

Part of the SUV revolution was getting them to feel like the family sedan in terms of noise, vibration, and harshness - on a truck based vehicle.  Think Ford Explorer here.

 

Remember the Ford Explorer rollover issue?  Usually happened at highway speeds brought on by a sudden large steering input - maybe like dropping wheels off of the road while talking on a phone or in reaction to a tire blowout.

 

Turns out that Ford specified a tire pressure to make an acceptable ride that was lower than the tire maker's recommendations based on the operating load of the vehicle.  In essence, the lower pressure took away the safety factor built into the pressure based on load.

 

In real life, folks would let tire pressures fall, which caused vehicle handling to change, and tires to run hotter - some to the point of failure.  The National Traffic Safety Board ended up getting involved, investigating, and finally requiring tire pressure monitoring systems on all vehicles.

 

Tire pressure needs to be maintained.  The current TPMS give you a warning long before the tire pressure is critically low.  Consider it a reminder to fill the tire at your earliest convenience rather than a do not operate the vehicle alarm.

 

The Corvair might have had a better reputation had TPMS been available at the time.  Letting the tire pressure get low in the rear tires of the Corvair aggravated it's tendency for tailing throttle oversteer to the point that the average driver lost control.

 

OK.  I'll step down off of my soap box now.

Edited October 6 by 8ntruck

[adsm08 2,046]

18 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

The company I hired I to right out of college in 1978 was working on a tire pressure monitoring system.  They had prototypes running in some of the company cars. 

 

Didn't go much further until the combination of practical on board automotive computers, cell phones, and SUVs becoming popular replacements for the family sedan happened.

 

Part of the SUV revolution was getting them to feel like the family sedan in terms of noise, vibration, and harshness - on a truck based vehicle.  Think Ford Explorer here.

 

Remember the Ford Explorer rollover issue?  Usually happened at highway speeds brought on by a sudden large steering input - maybe like dropping wheels off of the road while talking on a phone or in reaction to a tire blowout.

 

Turns out that Ford specified a tire pressure to make an acceptable ride that was lower than the tire maker's recommendations based on the operating load of the vehicle.  In essence, the lower pressure took away the safety factor built into the pressure based on load.

 

In real life, folks would let tire pressures fall, which caused vehicle handling to change, and tires to run hotter - some to the point of failure.  The National Traffic Safety Board ended up getting involved, investigating, and finally requiring tire pressure monitoring systems on all vehicles.

 

Tire pressure needs to be maintained.  The current TPMS give you a warning long before the tire pressure is critically low.  Consider it a reminder to fill the tire at your earliest convenience rather than a do not operate the vehicle alarm.

 

The Corvair might have had a better reputation had TPMS been available at the time.  Letting the tire pressure get low in the rear tires of the Corvair aggravated it's tendency for tailing throttle oversteer to the point that the average driver lost control.

 

OK.  I'll step down off of my soap now.

 

It also didn't help that they were installing load-range C tires on them to get softer sidewalls for better ride. The Rangers in the same years weighed less, had a lower payload and towing capacity and were still factory equipped with Ds.

 

In reality what Ford should have done was to issue a statement basically saying "Yes, your truck-chassis vehicle rides like a truck. Congratulations on describing the proper operation of the vehicle. Now if you are unhappy with that please feel free to consider one of our nice sedans like the Crown Vic with air ride, or the Taurus/Sable that comes in a wagon if you need that extra space. Otherwise, go pound sand."

[WHX?? 48,813]

Removed a broken hoobie doo... the weld on nut works every time 

[wh5208speed 645]

River Rock project. I've had river rock around my house for around 7 years. I used the weed barrier you can get at any local garden section (Like Lowes, Home Depot, etc that is made of a fibrous material. Unfortunately, it starts to break down after a few years and the weeks slowly start making their way through. I found this nursury grade weed barrier through a YouTube channel and decided to try it for my river rock. Also borrowed a friend's dump trailer to get an extra load of rock to raise the over all height a little. Unfortunatley, this load had all kinds of finds and was not even close to being clean. I have a large compact tractor I normally use for projects like this....but I had an O-ring on a hydraulic coupler fail and it started leaking.

 

Decided this is the first real project I have used the loader on since I got this loader back in January. It had some pitted lift cylinders and replaced them during the summer and never used it until now. Must say, it beats a shovel any day. The control value is a little sensitive and takes some practice to keep from bouncing when you have a full load. This thing has lots of lifting power for its size. It actually has more lifting power than the counterbalance bucket and I quickly started to use smaller buckets. The forward swept axle and gear reduction steering makes it safer and easier to turn. Still have a little more work to do before it is finished and will follow up when in

[Colby G 233]

Installed a cb radio on the 1969 charger 12 

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

I helped my brother by mowing the last piece of his lawn with my 42”RD deck that I moved to the 312. The 42” came with the 308. The bigger deck definitely worked better in the tall grass than the 37” SD that came with the 312.

[kpinnc 11,979]

7 hours ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

I helped my brother by mowing the last piece of his lawn with my 42”RD deck that I moved to the 312. The 42” came with the 308. The bigger deck definitely worked better in the tall grass than the 37” SD that came with the 312.

I urge you to be careful. As you begin to enjoy different attachments on your tractors, your subconscious will begin to want more and more of the cool stuff to hang on your tractor. It is a dreadful addiction. 
 

Wheelhorseitis (among many other names) is a terrible condition. Only awareness can stop it.  
 

This is how it starts. Next you’ll find yourself enjoying the smell of new tires and fresh paint. In the last stages, you’ll begin fabricating and modifying. That’s when you realize that the damage is done. 

Edited October 9 by kpinnc

[ebinmaine 67,391]

4 hours ago, kpinnc said:

Only awareness can stop it

 

I believe awareness ADDS to the volume of tractors.....

 

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

@kpinnc @ebinmaine

I feel the intervention has come too late…

 

Edited October 9 by MainelyWheelhorse

[mrc 812]

hi MainelyWheelhorse,

 

you might want to make a back flap for that RD deck.  i use old inner tube,  stops the grass clippings from getting all over the rearend of the tractor.   this is especially important with a hydro.  i do see you are running an 8 speed.  just a suggestion

 

regards

mike

[Lee1977 6,655]

I have heard that some used a vinyl base board as a deflector on rear discharge decks.  But then I didn't spend last night at a 4 star motel, and I don't have a rear discharge deck so this might be disinformation.

So I suggest you check it out your self first. I don't want to upset anyone.

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

5 hours ago, mrc said:

hi MainelyWheelhorse,

 

you might want to make a back flap for that RD deck.  i use old inner tube,  stops the grass clippings from getting all over the rearend of the tractor.   this is especially important with a hydro.  i do see you are running an 8 speed.  just a suggestion

 

regards

mike

@mrc ok, I’ll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

2 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

I have heard that some used a vinyl base board as a deflector on rear discharge decks.  But then I didn't spend last night at a 4 star motel, and I don't have a rear discharge deck so this might be disinformation.

So I suggest you check it out your self first. I don't want to upset anyone.

@Lee1977 Ok, ill look into it.

[ebinmaine 67,391]

7 hours ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

@kpinnc @ebinmaine

I feel the intervention has come too late…

 

 

 

 

Wait till you come down to me n Trina's place. You'll see what can happen if you're not careful. You can also check out the different vintages and sizes and shapes.

 

[Handy Don 12,201]

5 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

a vinyl base board as a deflector on rear discharge decks.

@ebinmaine prompted me to put this up here. This is on a 36” geared RD deck but the principle is the same for the 42” belt RD.

I used ordinary stainless hardware--round headed hex socket screws with flanged nylock nuts

Edited October 9 by Handy Don