The 856 a Mechanical Restoration

[prondzy 3,881]

 

So my 856 is has been my go to tractor for a since i started into WH.  The last 4 years it has been my dedicated mower, which it does an amazing job on my 3/4 acre lot. About 5 years ago i rebuilt the k181 and starter/gen and rewired it. I have never done anything with the transmission which had me thinking i should tear it apart, and rebuild it this winter while its out of service. Then i thought lets go through the whole tractor, more of a mechanical restoration, i am NOT going to repaint this tractor, i want to rebuild/bushing/repair all the worn/wearing components without harming any paint. Today is teardown day and im making a list of things to repair as i find them.

 

All of the yellow is pollen,  the weather changed a little fast this year so she didnt get a bath before coming in. Ill clean it up as i go.

Off with the hood and fender pan

Will need to repair the front hood pins

And weld the crack in the fender pan bracket

This is going to be a slower process i will try to take pics as i go and keep updates 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

Wow it looks like the pollen beats you up 

too!  Looks like a fun project! I myself am changing out parts and motor on

My 1067. 

[Pullstart 62,812]

I’m sure it’ll end up lookin’ like a peach!  A red one that is...

[prondzy 3,881]

So I have the frame cleaned up no cracks in the back gusset plate so I guess theres no welding needed today.  one thing I wanted to address is the amount of slop in the front axle and steering.  I cleaned up the axle and took some measurements.  

 And heres the frame

 

Doesnt seem like a whole lot until you do the math here is the difference between the two for comparison it's next to a 16d nail. 

 So a little tweaking in the arbor I mean frame press

 Now shes like a German nun.... good-n-tight.

 Also not sure of this is factory machining, the lip,

I think it's wear on the axle where  the spindle rides, but a little flap disk wheel on the grinder took care of it. 

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,313]

Glad the read your not painting it  !

  Nice workshop as well.

[ebinmaine 67,328]

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

[Achto 27,516]

I'm in

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Looking good so far Mike...I’m in for the durationGlad you are documenting it for us

[dclarke 4,032]

I'm looking forward to this project, Mike. Keep the pics coming. 

[rjg854 11,354]

3 minutes ago, dclarke said:

I'm looking forward to this project, Mike. Keep the pics coming. 

[prondzy 3,881]

Ok guys I have an opinion question, I am not going to repaint, however out of curiosity I wet sanded a not visible spot on the belt guard and found this beautiful bright red

 

So do wet sand and bring this color back or leave it in its aged darker red?

[ebinmaine 67,328]

If you don't mind taking the time to do so I'm voting for WET SAND.

 

[troutbum70 857]

I am with Eb wet sand and let that old girl shine proud. I think I will give that a go on one of mine.

[Pullstart 62,812]

Wet sand!  You only have to go as far as you wish... and let the paper do the work 

[rjg854 11,354]

I'm with everyone else, wet sand and then clear coat, either satin or gloss, your choice.

[prondzy 3,881]

Ok so it doesnt take long to strip down a tractor just ask the Mafia! Today I drilled out the spindle holes on the axle, I didnt take measurements but they were sloppy enough to warrant a bushing job. I did not bore the hole all the way through  I left a lip inside for both the top side and bottom side bushings to ride against. The bushings I used were 7/8od x 3/4id that I picked up from the hardware  store and I turned them down on the lathe to fit flush.

 Everything is nice and tight in the axle I even opted to use these bronze bushings for the thrust washers between the axle and spindles

 

I got the steering shaft back in and shimmied it to the steering gear here is where I am for the end of this weekend.

[Pullstart 62,812]

Looks great!  When you’re done working on it.... how much you want for that old junky lawn mower?  

[prondzy 3,881]

4 hours ago, pullstart said:

Looks great!  When you’re done working on it.... how much you want for that old junky lawn mower?  

Priceless, its the 2nd tractor I ever bought.

[WHX?? 48,801]

Great minds think alike Mike 

[Pullstart 62,812]

3 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

Great minds think alike Mike 

 

What attaches to that spindle on the bottom?

[WHX?? 48,801]

I have no idea Kev, this is a late model vertical. Always wondered that myself. 

[prondzy 3,881]

2 hours ago, WHX24 said:

I have no idea Kev, this is a late model vertical. Always wondered that myself. 

Must be the same axle/spindles used in a vert shaft tractor and your a-81 tub Jim

[WHX?? 48,801]

Have to go out and look at the flyin freakin  A Mike...

Going to do exactly what you are doing to that  867 I got from your dad... tranny needles are bad in her and a 857 so they are both winter projects. Dan asked me what was going to be the winter project and I said just get some girls in good mechanical shape. No restos or builds cept if Cindy keeps nagging Dan about her 702 in candy apple! 

For what it's worth I would do no sanding on the patina and leave as .. but then  again it's six a dozen of one and half a dozen of the other .. tough decision. 

 

[Achto 27,516]

43 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

No restos or builds cept if Cindy keeps nagging Dan about her 702 in candy apple!

 

You keep procrastinating Jim and one of these days she's just gonna have me stop by & pick that thing up when your not home. Then again I could most likely have it painted & back in the shed before you noticed it was gone.