MainelyWheelhorse 919 #23151 Posted March 18 (edited) Today’s project I fixed some reversed hood hinges and got ready for Spring. The first time I redid my 312, I put the hinges for the hood on backwards. After a clean out of the deck, and greasing the pivot points it was ready for Spring. The decals are coming Thursday/Friday then the 312 will be done for now. Edited March 19 by MainelyWheelhorse 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BBQVultureWings 159 #23152 Posted March 19 (edited) Today was Not nearly as productive on Cyclops-145. We have a huge Snowmageddon Storm on it's way so I needed to make sure the snow thrower & some other things were in good working order as other stuff was taking priority.... I did manage to get All the bolt holes drilled as wewll as the holes for the seat switch, Transmission oil Dipstick & gas cap. after measuring carefully & verifying all of it I decided to remove the plastic fender & test fit the new seat pan with just the 4 mounting bolt holes & the larger holes so it would sit flat. I found I was way off on the seat hinge bracket bolt holes I had marked but Not drilled yet. So bolted it down & marked it from underneath. This saved me a few minutes if not hours of & more Measure Twice, cut Once..... I can string together some Amazingly Profane, Angry Rants just as good as anybody but I prefer to Not need to & find a way to laugh instead.... Anyway small Progress today. here's the latest pics. Edit; I don't have a 4" holesaw (well, I actually do but it's about as sharp as wooden spoon) so I had to use what I do have which was 4 1/4" for the gas cap/fuel fill hole.Once I weld the other parts up, Only you & I will know...... Edited March 19 by BBQVultureWings forgot address a point near the end... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BBQVultureWings 159 #23153 Posted March 19 On 3/15/2025 at 6:43 AM, 953 nut said: Eastwood "Diamond Clear" is the most durable clear I have ever used, a bit pricy but you get what you pay for. https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-diamond-clear-dtm-and-painted-surfaces-aerosol.html Aint that the truth.... I am pretty partial to POR-15 (1-2 coats & done for another 20-30 years Yes ya get what ya pay for) for restoring these machines of old. They make a Clear Coat but for the Tall price I would rather get another color. I have limited experience with using clear coat. I always wondered if it will run or react with my color.... silly me eh? There is a chemical waste disposal site here that has a FREE "Re-Store" so I only buy POR-15 unless they have any for free but it's a pretty rare find there. A person is limited to 4 rattle cans per day so it helps keep it fair for everyone. I quit buying Spray paint, mineral spirits, 2 cycle oil, bar & chain oil, wood stains & latex paint (there is no limit on latex paint there) there's other stuff I get too but it escapes me at the moment..... anyway I have amassed over a dozen cans of varying brands of clear. I will make note of your preference & try it on 1 of my more important projects. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,317 #23154 Posted March 19 2 hours ago, BBQVultureWings said: sharp as wooden spoon Sounds like ME!! 2 hours ago, BBQVultureWings said: . I can string together some Amazingly Profane, Angry Rants just as good as anybody but I prefer to Not need to & find a way to laugh instead ❤️ The only way to be. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,091 #23155 Posted March 19 13 hours ago, BBQVultureWings said: Measure Twice, cut Once..... As the sign on the wall at the Scotsman Co. woodworking shop in Laurel MS, owned by the male half of my favorite HGTV renovation couple Ben Napier, says: Measure Once, Cuss Twice Well, depending on the seriousnous of the mistake, twice may not be nearly enough... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,430 #23156 Posted March 19 We have had a brief stretch of unreasonably nice weather so I got a little spring fever...... Sharpened blades & greased mower for the 654. Ready to install. Im not taking snow blade off just yet. 4 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BBQVultureWings 159 #23157 Posted March 19 ML3, That is the coolest looking deck. How old is that thing? looks simple & I Love the curved covers over the spindles!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,430 #23158 Posted March 20 (edited) 11 hours ago, BBQVultureWings said: ML3, That is the coolest looking deck. How old is that thing? looks simple & I Love the curved covers over the spindles!!! I believe it to be around 1964 vintage??? I bought a 604 couple years ago & it had the mower deck & a snowplow. I sold tractor & use the implements on my 654 now. It cuts really nice for as old as it is. You will see this style mower deck for sale. They aren't too common but I wouldn't say they are rare. I think it's a RM-324. If I'm wrong someone on forum more knowledgeable can correct me. Edited March 20 by ML3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,665 #23159 Posted March 20 I've been wanting seatback for my 854 sickle bar tractor and many thanks to @WHX?? I now have one. Knowing it could use a fresh cover my original intension was to find a local upholstery shop to but the boss lady said as long as I didn't mind it not being professional she'd make one for it. I told her that would be better yet. She had the material ordered before the back arrived. The foam was showing its age so she picked up a piece of 1" to replace it. I like it!! The tractor has a Mrs. Buckrancher seat cover on it and I think the vinyl matches well but I haven't actually had them together yet. The 854 is still in its winter bed and considering that we have horizontal blowing snow today I'm not risking my life going out there. Geez! It was 70° yesterday. 4 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,256 #23160 Posted March 20 (edited) 5 hours ago, ML3 said: It cuts really nice for as old as it is. You will see this style mower deck for sale. They aren't too common but I wouldn't say they are rare. I think it's a RM-324. If I'm wrong someone on forum more knowledgeable can correct me. I'm thinking it might be older -- ’61 to 63? -- due to the dual, adjustable tensioning arms linking the hitch rod to the deck body. @BBQVultureWings These rear-discharge, geared mowers with counter-rotating blades (still an uncommon configuration) do cut very nicely but can be noisy unless given regular care to keep the face/bevel gear fully greased. Belts to link the blade spindles as well as side discharge options began in 1969. Edited March 20 by Handy Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,477 #23161 Posted March 21 Looks nice Bob. Good to see yer happy with it and can use it. If your on a tractor for extended seat time i can see it. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,477 #23162 Posted March 21 On 3/19/2025 at 3:41 PM, davem1111 said: Measure Once, Cuss Twice No no no Dave ... It's I cut it off twice and it's still too short! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,362 #23163 Posted March 21 I gave the Signature horse a sludge change… 5 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,279 #23164 Posted March 21 On 3/19/2025 at 4:41 PM, davem1111 said: As the sign on the wall at the Scotsman Co. woodworking shop in Laurel MS, owned by the male half of my favorite HGTV renovation couple Ben Napier, says: Measure Once, Cuss Twice Well, depending on the seriousnous of the mistake, twice may not be nearly enough... " MEASURE WITH A RULER, MARK IT WITH CHALK, CUT IT WITH A TORCH! " 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,279 #23165 Posted March 21 On 3/20/2025 at 5:54 AM, ML3 said: I believe it to be around 1964 vintage??? I bought a 604 couple years ago & it had the mower deck & a snowplow. I sold tractor & use the implements on my 654 now. It cuts really nice for as old as it is. You will see this style mower deck for sale. They aren't too common but I wouldn't say they are rare. I think it's a RM-324. If I'm wrong someone on forum more knowledgeable can correct me. Yes I believe 64 was the first year for the round deck. I think both the round and square decks were offered in 64. I have both a round and square deck and they do cut nice We had a 604 when I was a kid bought brand new and it had the round deck. Those individual adjustment bars for the belt tension were a PITA. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,237 #23166 Posted March 21 I took the blade off the 312H and installed the front tiller. Then ground some dirt. 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,430 #23167 Posted March 22 Bought this cultivator at last years big show. It wasn't in really bad shape to start with. Just a wire brush on drill to clean it up then prime & paint. Some new bolts/hardware also. 1 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 919 #23168 Posted March 22 Today, I received, and installed the hood and fender decals from Redo Your Horse for my 312. It looks much better now that’s it’s relatively finished. Just have to swap the rear end for a better one now. 2 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 13,443 #23169 Posted March 22 First mow of 2025. Had to use my tractor for the spots the Scag wouldn't fit... 2 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor27 832 #23170 Posted March 23 My first mow for the season, 10" high feild grass. The 341 had a hard day. It gave some warning, but I am not always bright. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,317 #23171 Posted March 23 6 hours ago, Thor27 said: . The 341 had a hard day. How's the rest? Do you have a replacement head? Brian Badman or Jake Kuhn or Lincoln at A to Z should be able to fix you up. How deep is that groove? Is that a candidate for a planing for a high compression set up? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,279 #23172 Posted March 23 Been leaking for a while 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,237 #23173 Posted March 23 Picked up a couple rear weights. They'll go on the 520 to help balance out the weight of the Ber Vac dually. Might have to hire a gorilla to help with the installation. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HyperPete 416 #23174 Posted March 23 15 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: Picked up a couple rear weights. They'll go on the 520 to help balance out the weight of the Ber Vac dually. Might have to hire a gorilla to help with the installation. Does one of these have broken plastic? FB marketplace? If so, I was going to buy them, too! Good score. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor27 832 #23175 Posted March 23 6 hours ago, squonk said: Been leaking for a while Absolutely, it was cracked out to the head bolt hole, and i think started there. 6 hours ago, ebinmaine said: How's the rest? Do you have a replacement head? Brian Badman or Jake Kuhn or Lincoln at A to Z should be able to fix you up. How deep is that groove? Is that a candidate for a planing for a high compression set up? The rest is fine. Got one on the way. The groove goes all the way to the first fin, it's also cracked. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
