857 Worker Cosmetic Upgrades

[Horse Play 393]

My friend bought me this tractor last September at the Portland, Indiana engine show.  I bought it to use as a worker and to not for restoration - I restored my last Wheel Horse and my OCD would not allow me to use it!  So I have been mowing grass and plowing snow since ownership and it has been such an amazing reliable, strong little tractor.  So now I am doing a few cosmetic upgrades to give this worker a little fresher, patina look.

 

Here's the condition I bought it in.

 

This thing was amazing at pushing 6-8" of snow this winter.  Now I'm looking for WH wheel weights for next winter.

 

The tractor still had its original Carlisle/WH tires.  So ordered new Carlisle Turf Savers - 16x8-6.50 for the fronts and 23x8.50-12 for the rears.  I removed the bearings and had the front wheels sandblasted, then I primed the entire wheel, and painted the inner circumference.  The local tire shop mounted the tubes and tires, but I told them not to seat the beads.  Then I masked off the whole tire and paint the faces of the wheels before I seat the beads.  This way I get I don't scuff up my new paint when mounting tires.  

[Horse Play 393]

Meanwhile I slipped on my new dump cart wheels just for fun.

 

 

The dash was extremely rusty, so I pulled it off the tractor and soaked it in vinegar for a few days.  I cleaned off the liquid rust with steel wool and rinsed it well.  Then I hit it with a sander and got on one coat of primer before it rained on me.  It's really pitted, so I'll do some more primer and sanding along with paint before I do the dash decal.

 

One thing I am bummed about is someone did a house-brush paint job.  I've tried a few trial and error ways to make it look better, but for the time being I did a quick rub with buffing compound.  Nothing to brag about, but it gives a slight shine and darkens the red.

[Horse Play 393]

I've never tried any freehand paint work (other than model railroading) so I tried painting the raised Kohler lettering.  First I used what was supposed to be an antique white, but it ended up looking like bright white.  I didn't like the look, so I started over with a light gray - I like it much better.  

 

White

 

Light Gray

[WHX?? 49,486]

Nice  ...that seat looks in real nice shape too! Bet it would steer nice with those tub tires 

Edited April 24, 2018 by WHX17

[Horse Play 393]

The seat is in really good shape, but I also have a new Michigan seat put away.  I have some seat springs coming; I could use some more legroom. 

[Horse Play 393]

Front wheels are finished.

 

 

 

[oliver2-44 9,929]

You could wet sand the brush painted sheet metal and polish it out or clear coat it. But it looks good buffer like you’ve done for a worker

[Horse Play 393]

Rear wheels are finished, now I'm waiting on new lug bolts.

 

And refinished dash with decal.