What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?

[bassJAM 88]

I changed a tire today, and faced some difficulties getting the bead to seat since the tires are so bowed in the center but I finally got it.  We might get some snow tonight so I really wanted to get it done today.

 

I had gone out to my shed earlier this week and found one of my tires split wide open.  Apparently that cold spell was enough to freeze the windshield washer fluid I've had the tires filled with for 12 years!

[Handy Don 12,999]

1 minute ago, bassJAM said:

tires split wide open...cold spell was enough to freeze the windshield washer fluid

That is surely a bummer!

Washer fluid is rated and a lot of it sold around here for cheap is good only down to 0º F--you have to hunt a bit (and pay more) to get the stuff rated lower. I look for -35º.  Also, the anti-freeze additive’s effectiveness does degrade over time--I check the date on the jug when buying to be sure I’m not getting old stock. A freeze in your car’s reservoir is as undesirable as a split tractor tire.

[bassJAM 88]

2 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

That is surely a bummer!

Washer fluid is rated and a lot of it sold around here for cheap is good only down to 0º F--you have to hunt a bit (and pay more) to get the stuff rated lower. I look for -35º.  Also, the anti-freeze additive’s effectiveness does degrade over time--I check the date on the jug when buying to be sure I’m not getting old stock. A freeze in your car’s reservoir is as undesirable as a split tractor tire.

 

I definitely bought the cheap stuff for the WH since I had to use so many gallons.  Fortunately the spit was at the top so I was able to collect almost 5 gallons but I'm nut sure I want to re-use it.  I just put air back inside, I'm debating going with rimguard this time.  Or nothing, with wheel weights and plate weights I'm not sure I need the extra weight anymore for pushing snow.

[ebinmaine 69,566]

1 minute ago, bassJAM said:

, I'm debating going with rimguard this time.  Or nothing, with wheel weights and plate weights I'm not sure I need the extra weight anymore for pushing snow.

 

Don't think on it. 

Get the Rimguard.  

 

You don't think you need the weight until YOU DO. And then it's too late.

 

It's heavier than everything except liquid calcium and should be good down below about -30 Fahrenheit.

 

Fluid filled tires have advantages over Steel weights. The weight is where it should be and causes little to no stress on the tractor. The fluid also helps keep the tire seated on the rim if you don't use a tube.

[rjg854 11,682]

@cleat  you'll be impressed with the difference it will make.

[Chris G 3,308]

I cleaned up the throttle plate/serial no plate on the suburban 550 I picked up over the weekend. Serial number is 36913. Another one to add to the list. Hard to see in pics. But with a printers loupe I have you can see a lot clearer. Gonna try to recover what I can from the 400s plate. But that one is gonna be tougher to recover. 

[Wayne0 693]

2 hours ago, cleat said:

Installed #50 roller chain on front wheels. Chain is 50.75” long center to center not including connecting link.

 

Hopefully this will help with steering on ice.

 

I put double #50 on Big Red with the deuce because I had it! Rolled one off the last storm, but fixed it with more tire pressure.

[cleat 6,807]

3 hours ago, Wayne0 said:

I put double #50 on Big Red with the deuce because I had it! Rolled one off the last storm, but fixed it with more tire pressure.

I had to use a roller chain puller tool after totally de-airing the tire to install the connecting link.

Tire is now aired back up to 12 PSI and the chain has the center pulled in enough to hopefully hold it on but still should ride on the chain for grip.