What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?

[Pullstart 62,851]

@ZXT congrats on the new digs!

[ZXT 2,401]

16 hours ago, peter lena said:

@ZXT , just curious ,did you use low range /  hi gear for that cutting ? getting the most efficient pto drive speed and deck speed for that field ?  have  r/d  decks on  my 3 horses , , always get good cut , if your deck is clean and your blades are sharp it always looks good . pete 

Tractor is a hydro with a 42” SD deck. I had it pretty much wide open and crept slowly most of the time. 
 

The tractor mows great when it’s not 3’ tall - just a bit too much for it as I couldn’t keep it from clogging the discharge.

 

14 hours ago, pullstart said:

@ZXT congrats on the new digs!

Thanks! Place needs a bit of work but it’ll get there.. Plus it has a shop (a small one), and I’ve never had that luxury before now.

Edited August 29, 2021 by ZXT

[TonyToro 1,049]

59 minutes ago, ZXT said:

Tractor is a hydro with a 42” SD deck. I had it pretty much wide open and crept slowly most of the time. 
 

The tractor mows great when it’s 3’ tall - just a bit too much for it as I couldn’t keep it from clogging the discharge.

 

Thanks! Place needs a bit of work but it’ll get there.. Plus it has a shop (a small one), and I’ve never had that luxury before now.

Congratulations on the new house! A shop is a huge benefit. Lots of working on Wheelhorses in your future.

[peter lena 8,625]

@zxt,  hydro obviously eliminates the , hi  /  low issue , that side discharge is  restricting / confining  , but then you are dealing with overwhelming intake  / discharge. my decks are  r / d  , regularly do my lawn areas , never an issue . you could be better with a flail type cutter . they are made for that type of field cutting , good luck with your work . pete

[Handy Don 12,217]

On 8/27/2021 at 9:32 PM, adsm08 said:

Also, grass is one of only two things I am allergic to, so not having it flying all over is a plus for me.

Last year I tried the recommendation from someone on this forum and added a flap (4" vinyl cove kick) to the back of our 42". Now even less stuff flying around.

 

On 8/28/2021 at 12:14 AM, ZXT said:

when the grass is 3' tall

As you've discovered, the WH decks can mow 3' grass but these belly mowers were intended to be finish mowers, not brush hogs, so they aren't real efficient in that really tall stuff. We've done it with our 42" RD and had to remove the deck to untangle stuff wrapped around the spindles and dragging the blades.

[JoeM 7,874]

On 8/27/2021 at 5:38 PM, AMC RULES said:

  I discovered more proof here today..

 

Man you got to that LSE just in time. 

[slufoot733 70]

pullstart, the reason I couldn't get it to fire with the spray was that I installed the fuel pump BACKWARD ! 

Yup, it was pumping air back into the tank instead of fuel into the carb. The video is just after I corrected that issue and I had to crank it a bit to get the fuel all the way forward to fill the bowl. Once there was fuel, well, you saw the result. Dumb mistake, I know better but still plumbed it backward. 

After this session it sat for two days in my shed. I then hit the key and it fired up quicker than ever before. I am very pleased with the results of my rebuild. It pays to ask questions of those who know and to read the directions thoroughly. 

[ZXT 2,401]

15 hours ago, peter lena said:

@zxt,  hydro obviously eliminates the , hi  /  low issue , that side discharge is  restricting / confining  , but then you are dealing with overwhelming intake  / discharge. my decks are  r / d  , regularly do my lawn areas , never an issue . you could be better with a flail type cutter . they are made for that type of field cutting , good luck with your work . pete

I never intend for the grass to ever get tall again - it only grew this tall due to negligence on the sellers part during the 2 month long closing period. 

8 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Last year I tried the recommendation from someone on this forum and added a flap (4" vinyl cove kick) to the back of our 42". Now even less stuff flying around.

 

As you've discovered, the WH decks can mow 3' grass but these belly mowers were intended to be finish mowers, not brush hogs, so they aren't real efficient in that really tall stuff. We've done it with our 42" RD and had to remove the deck to untangle stuff wrapped around the spindles and dragging the blades.

Yes, definitely not what it was made for - but it's what I had. It was a one time thing, so it shouldn't be an issue in the future. 

 

If I'd have had belts on hand for my Yazoo Master Mower I would've used that.

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

Did a little landscaping work over to my Moms house with my Son. Just love this 1277 with Johnson 10, I have beat on this thing like a rented mule and it just asks for more!

 

 

[Lane Ranger 10,968]

A very busy Wheel Horse day today. 
 

Started working on reassembly of Rodney Burgers 42 inch sickle bar.  I was waiting for a cooler day to work on this snd today was the day. Rodney is coming up to Indiana and Ohio next week.

 

I wanted to clean up the garage so started moving tractors outside.  I was surprised to see no gas in 701, 702 or 854.  I put my last gallon of gas in two RJs and moved them out.  Moved the B-80 which started right up like normal. 
 

went to get seven gallons of gas.

 

Filled up 70-, 702 and 854.  Moved 701 snd 702 out front.  Came back to 854 and woah a leaking two piece gas tank.  I had trouble with this one in January.  This tank was redone with new gadget by the previous owner.   I took off steering wheel snd four bolts holding the gas tank in the tower and relighted all the bolts with my impact drill.   I put in gas and it held -however I have a one piece tank and I am going to redo this as I just don't trust this tank. 
 

The oppressive 90 degree heat this summer had to do something to the evaporation of the gas and the loosening of the gas tank sealer on the 854.  We had three weeks of high temps.

 

I also changed out an old pair of B F Goodrich Power Grip tires on my 854 and put my new old stock set of Firestone Town and County tires I picked up at the Big Show in Gettysburg this year.  This gave me an opportunity to sell them to a new RJ58 owner (HorsePower58 that lives 20 miles away in Mooreville)  that needed a set.  
 

I cleaned snd painted the 702 gas tank and called a friend to see if he could help me find a 703 dash to put on my 701 tank on my 854 tractor!  Glory be he had one! 
 

So all in all a good horsin around day!

Edited August 31, 2021 by Lane Ranger

[953 nut 55,220]

1 hour ago, Lane Ranger said:

So all in all a good horsin around day!

           I'm exhausted just thinking of all you accomplished today.            

[D_Mac 8,617]

Gave my deck to my cousin a while back to have it patched. Needed a large patch welded on the front. Seems they all rot out in that very same spot as I have 3 decks all with holes in the same place. I tested a little red paint on it but decided to paint it black and silver to match the custom decals @Vinylguymade up for me. Tomorrow I will put the deck decals on and try it out on the 1075.

[bigcreek 205]

Now it’s was long time to replace belts and blades. Of course in the time I waited for the belt Order to get here it rained twice and grass was now deeper than normal. So those new blades got a work out 

[D_Mac 8,617]

Well I said I would finish it up and try it on today ..... well here it is. My Big Block, Short Frame, Tall Stack,, Custom Decals, Baby Moon, Mowing Machine. I kinda like how it turned out.

[squonk 41,101]

Now all you need is a yard to go with it! 

[Greentored 3,201]

Thought i'd just barge in here out of nowhere and say hi Been awhile folks, but I'm still kickin! Its been one crazy summer for sure, and due to the cost of materials, not much getting done at the ol A frame. Lawn duty 1277 continues to keep track of the grass, Hoss has been dragging things all over and playing a bit, and ol smoky the 701 is running great- a stiff fuel pump diaphragm was causing the dying and shes good to go now, at least til I have the time to do a nice restore.

Had em all out last week and snapped a pic.

[D_Mac 8,617]

 

59 minutes ago, squonk said:

Now all you need is a yard to go with it! 

 

I would be happy with less of a yard. Funny how much I hate yard work but LOVE tractors.

[WheelHorse520H 708]

Nice deck there @D_Mac cool color choice. @bigcreek looks like you belt might be missing something!

[WheelPuke 77]

I haven’t made a whole lot of progress lately on my WH. Today I decided to get to the bottom of the parking brake light issue I had on my 414-8. It was constantly on even with the parking brake disengaged. Engagement of the parking brake did not change the status of the dash light. Upon testing the switch’s function by using a screw driver to push the switch lever the switch would actuate and the light would indicate parking brake “off”. The switch lever looked bent even while looking through the shifter dash. I removed the switch from the tractor and noticed the lever was indeed bent. With careful and an even steady force I bent the switch lever back and even biased it toward the parking brake lever slightly. Returning all to its assembled position after testing the switch’s “repair” the parking brake light indicates as it should now along with all the other dash lights. Then I cleaned the WH 414-8 and the JD LX176 off from their last mow with compressed air. Yesterday I acquired a blade, bracket, tire, chains, rear wheel weights, and a cab for the 414-8 from a fellow member. He is a wealth of knowledge and was beyond helpful in educating me on Wheel Horse. As a result of what he taught me I came to find my tractor was a 1989 not a 1988 as I once thought. Next I’ll be making a shopping list of WH parts to finish off the remaining issues with the 414-8. A slow WH day here. 

Edited September 1, 2021 by WheelPuke

[AMC RULES 37,130]

  Way to go Puke!

[8ntruck 6,999]

The electric fuel pump I ordered for my C 195 showed up on Monday.  Took a little time to get it mounted.  I don't like the fittings I used on the pump.  I'll clean that up later, it should work the way it is now.

 

Also went through the carb.  Had a slug of carbogies in it.  

 

Checking the engine mounting bolts, I discovered that 2 were missing and the other 2 were loose.  Decided to replace all of the mounting bolts, as one of the loose bolts was worn from rattling around.

[WheelHorse520H 708]

7 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

Checking the engine mounting bolts, I discovered that 2 were missing and the other 2 were loose.  Decided to replace all of the mounting bolts, as one of the loose bolts was worn from rattling around.

Good thing you found that before the engine fell off. Then you’d really have a problem. I recommend using the split lock washers as well as regular washers to prevent this from reoccurring. Just my 

[ebinmaine 67,479]

9 minutes ago, WheelHorse520H said:

Good thing you found that before the engine fell off. Then you’d really have a problem. I recommend using the split lock washers as well as regular washers to prevent this from reoccurring. Just my 

 

Wheel Horse makes it. Kohler shakes it.

 

We've all read that before and understand how much some of these tractors vibrate.

 

For that reason, and also because of our rough terrain here in the yard I switched over a few years ago to using Nyloc nuts on nearly every bolt we install on these tractors.

 

[Gregor 4,846]

This makes me think of a not so funny story. I took 12 tractors to our local Antique Show Days this past Saturday. The tractor "organizer" announced there would be a tractor parade at 1 PM. He asked if I wanted to run some tractors. So myself, a friend, my son, and grandson all drove a tractor in the parade. ( about 1 1/2 miles) This is the tractor my grandson drove. (not a Wheel Horse I know, but at least it's red)

After the show I brought all the tractors home and parked them all in the garage. Sitting here Sunday morning, drinking my coffee, just kind-a looking over the tractors. The right front wheel on the Massey didn't look quite right. I investigated. 2 of the socket head cap screws were gone. 1 was almost out, the 4th was still tight.   If this had fallen off on my grandson, he would have bawled right then and there, even though it wasn't his fault in any way. The bolts in the wheels now are 1/2" longer, with blue locktite, and nylok nuts on the back side of the hub. I have read that you have to constantly check the bolts and nuts holding on aluminum rims. I guess I forgot the word constantly. Disaster narrowly avoided.

[lynnmor 7,305]

1 hour ago, Gregor said:

2 of the socket head cap screws were gone. 1 was almost out, the 4th was still tight.  The bolts in the wheels now are 1/2" longer, with blue locktite, and nylok nuts on the back side of the hub. I have read that you have to constantly check the bolts and nuts holding on aluminum rims. I guess I forgot the word constantly. Disaster narrowly avoided.

 

My thought is that the SHCS have too little contact with the aluminum.  Cone shaped heads or flange bolts might be better.  You will never see the small heads used on automobiles.