Archive through October 16, 2012

[jbaker]

now that is the coolest 4 size screwdriver that i've seen

 

[sblunier]

Gerry,

Yes, I was referring to installing it as a Power Toy App.....a simple download that makes it right click easy......anyway you look at it, either version is a very handy tool. I find it most useful at work/home for adding photos to emails without having to send 10M emails all of the time.

Good stuff in any form....!!!!

 

[pbell]

Harry,
To say that the 169 is rare because of limited production and the 86 and 800 are rare because of sales demand, is BS. They are rare because of the limited numbers of each model built, regardless of the reason. If you take the time to look at the model production records on Wisconsin Historical Society site, I think you wil find there were more orders for the 800 than there were tractors built, not many, but more. As Marlin said, IH was still building the low horse power Lawn Tractors after the 86 and 800 were discontinued, and I think if the truth were known, the high price (which could cause reduced sales) probably contributed as much or more to the demise of the 86 and 800 as anything else, and probably to the low number of 169's also. Yes, I know the 1650 came along in the next model run, and it cost even more.

Ryan,
Keep looking for the "rare" models and some day you will have a fine collection, and I include the 86 and 800 in that "rare" category. I have a 86 and just sold the last 800 I had (think I have owned 3, 86's, and 6 or 7, 800's, and like them (along with the 7 hp models) and they are more than capable of doing what they were designed to do. Will they do everything a 14 or 16 hp model will do? No, and they were not designed to do it.

Now if you want a rare one, look for an 800 built before October 31, 1974, there were only 2.

 

[bbranstetter]

I'm using faststone photo resizer. It seems to work ok, especially if you have a lot of picutres to do at once.

Speaking of resizing some photo's here is a few of my hood repairs. I think the springs need to be a little stiffer but its a lot less noisy than it was before. The rubber grommets are just rubber bushings that I got from the hardware store. Does it look right?

 

[jjsmith]

Jeff- I don't think id be using that particular tool as a screwdriver anymore. (I'm sure you wouldn't either) Would make a very unique cub key chain. Which if it were on mine would be affixed so it couldn't grow legs ands walk away. Very neat charlie.

 

[kostendorf]

Harry, No i don't have the front hydrolics and about the mower deck i do have the speed up pully and i am running the 78" belt but it is fully adjusted out like i think i need a 77 1/2 or get a 78" 5/8 belt

 

[digger]

Damn Paul,
Tell us how ya really feel!

 

[digger]

I guess I need to step in here and voice my opinion, not that it means anything. LOL

BUT!

I will say this.

This forum has come a long way since it's inception. And for the most part, for the amount of people and opinions each has, I think you guys and gals have done extremely well, especially in the last few years getting along and providing the new folks the information they are looking for.
Granted we get little crabby and sometimes a lot crabby at one another, but in the end, it all works out and things continue on as planned.

When I bought the forum, I wanted to make some changes to make it better than it was and I think we've done that, and it's still getting better IMHO.

I'm not one to brag a lot as most of you know, but I still contend that this site offers the best no nonsense supply of information out there and with everyone's help, I'm bettin that it will continue for a long long time.

I just wanted to say THANKS to everyone here that's contributed, new and old. I think it's all about learning and believe me, I learn something new everyday. And I hope everyone else does as well.

Well Done everyone!

 

[sblunier]

Isn't it about time to go PLOW????

 

[kostendorf]

The part no. for the spark plug grommet is KH-47-313-01 but it is no longer available. Looks easy enough to be made though. I think I'll go play in the garage for a while.

 

[bbranstetter]

Great job Steve!!! That look great to say the least. I can't wait to get the fleet loaded up and headed your way.

 

[wshytle]

Steve-

Like Brian said, great job! Be sure and post a few pics after the shares are shined and the tires have some dirt on them.

I think you ought to build a custom trailer for the complete outfit now.

 

[nbartee]

That looks great, Steve. I'd be perfectly happy with that setup!

 

[bjamison]

So help me understand this hp and pic deal. Tell me again. If you have a higher hp tractor, the pic can be larger and if it is a lower hp tractor the pic has to be smaller? And if you have a hydro tractor the pic size is infinitely smaller and larger at the same time vs a gear drive pic which has only 3 sizes, unless it has a creeper or one of those gear box add-ons that make it a 9 speed, which would give you 9 pic sizes to choose from.

And if you have a double moldboard plow set-up like Blunier, then you can have an extra wide pic...

NEVER MIND!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bbranstetter]

Just a little note to the owner.......... Thank you <u>Charlie</u> (Kraig & Bryan and sponsors too) and those involved behind the scene, that make this site what it is!! Everyones continued efforts and great comradery are why I have always continued to stay here. Your gracious insight and encouragement will always be appreciated at this address, Bless you all!

Couldn't get that typed in at work this evening....
And just to keep it close to being on topic.

Is it plow day yet?

 

[hydroharry]

Well it's late and I figured I should pop back in. I see Charlie gave us an opening to close things up.

1st - <font color="0000ff">Postings of items 'For Sale' or 'Wanted to Buy' or 'For Trade' (no matter how thinly veiled) shall be in the Classifieds. Placing them elsewhere might just get your entire post "poofed"</font>

2nd - Paul B, unfortunately I can't agree with you unless BS means Business Selection. You could say IH limited the production of all the units they sold, but why did they?

3rd - Ryan Mc - I don't believe I ever suggested you stop looking for rare models. I only wanted to make sure you were aware of why the units were rare. And for what its worth I have respect for you and what you've done putting together an extensive collection. I think some of us would like to see you clarify your earlier post. I believe I mentioned before you're way ahead of alot of people that participate here, not only in numbers of units but your knowledge as well.

Jerry (Nines are wild) - I'm with ya all the way - Hydros Forever (it's part of my name). And IH knew it as well based on 9:1 sales.

Brian B - I like the spring idea but think it needs to be alot shorter and stiffer.

Keith O - my son had the same problem with a deck. I think you're gonna need a special belt or you have to change that pulley. And don't go making those grommets except for an emergency use. They'll come up for those with a special need.

Mr. Plow - what can I say = that is Special.

Bill J - what can I say, except finally someone that truly understands everything, especially with your closing line "(more questions than answers)" - you gave me the biggest laugh of the day.

Have a Great One Everyone. Get some Seat Time, and don't forget to sniff some Kohler fumes.}

 

[kide]

Bill J:

Harry : I shall overcome! The shaft is 1.125" so I'll have to bore the clutch basket (I was trying to remember the right nomenclature this afternoon, but my word databank usually goes blank after about 2:00 PM.). The nose bearing will have to be changed, which may be a problem, but I'll check with Motion Industries on that. Pan should not be a problem and the flywheel looks to have the same bolt holes that the 149 uses for driveshaft attachment. Real decision point will be after the teardown to see what the crank and block are like... If all is well there, I plan on my version of the "Killer Kohler" with David Kirk balance weights, blockoff plates and ignition, a milled head, ported, polished and relieved block and maybe a different carb (I'm partial to Mikunis...). Flatheads Forever !!

 

[kide]

Looking at the keychain screwdriver poked a memory.. I had almost the same thing but the four flats were all different thicknesses for gapping plugs and had the thickness stamped by each flat..

Looks like I busted things earlier - sorry Charlie

 

[kmcconaughey]

Steve B. Wow, awesome plow/tractor setup!

Charlie, thank you for the forum and for letting me be a part of it!

 

[dfrisk]

GERRY - I like the idea of the Mukuni carb, but getting one hooked to the covernor control may be interesting. The Carter carbs, which are favored for their adjustability over the non-adjustable Walbro's for the K-series have TWO methods of adjustment, the idle screw & main fuel screw. You can make other adjustments, like drilling holes on the main fuel adjusting needle, or the main fuel jet, but I'm not counting those.

Most Mukuni's have FOUR adjustments that all over-lap so you can dial them in almost perfect, main fuel & idle adjustment, swapping main fuel needles, and carb slide cut-out replacements.

On your K341 engine, unless something has been made recently, you'll find all the eccentric locking bearings are 1.000" bore, nothing with the same OD with a 1.125" bore. I'd suggest having a machine shop turn & grind the drive end of the engine down to 1.000" dia and recutting the keyway. My Dad bought a new Kohler Magnum M12 for his old 129 and it had a 1.125" crank and after over a year of looking & calling around finally pulled the new engine apart and had the crank drive end machined.

Other than that your engine plan sounds interesting.

One last comment from me about the "Rare" or "Limited Production" CC's, IH built tractors for Customer Order, and their Customers were their DEALERS. A User customer could walk in and special order a CC exactly to their liking with options, but most people, I'd guesstimate 90-95% bought what the dealer had on the sales floor. They had a Dollar amount they were willing to pay and they let that determine the size, options, and attachments they bought.

In the early days, CCO, 70/100, 71/102/122/123 production, most customers were either farmers, or people involved with farming or rural areas, because that's where IH's dealers were. And Farmers tended to be FRUGAL except where equipment choice impacted their production efficiency, and mowing the yard around the house or barns really didn't increase their productivity. As in my case, when I didn't have field work to do for Dad or neighbors, I'd mow. And a seven HP CC would mow anything I needed as long as I mowed often enough, or every week. But if there was field work to do, that came first. Between Dad & I we'd probably get the fieldwork AND mowing done.

When Dad was farming, when he got his first CC, he farmed 240 acres, with a 25 and two 45 HP tractors, and hired extra help or traded help in the spring & fall to get all the work done on time. By the time he quit farming ten yrs later, he only farmed 200 acres, with a 20, 30, 35, 45, and 100 HP tractors. The extra time we gained by being more efficient was used by ME hiring out to do fieldwork for the BTO a mile down the road running his equipment. He farmed close to 1000 acres, raised 400 head of cattle every year, and lost his full-type hired man while I worked for him, so he ALWAYS had work I could do.

IH built to a Mixed Model schedule, a certain number of each model were built every day. And the model mix was adjusted on a monthly basis. The mix closely followed the mix of the incoming orders from dealers. Current finished inventory was monitored, and considered in making the adjustments to the build mix. IH was very good most times at completing the orders for old models of low production models that were being phased out, and as demand dropped they were not afraid of discontinuing models. During the time I was at FARMALL, the 4186, 686, & Hydro 86 were discontinued. The 4186 was a tired old design very similar to the original 4100 tractor, and the 686/H86 was very similar to the 560 that started production back in 1958, and identicle to the 656 that started production in 1965. The 4186 was NOT replaced, and the 786 built from common parts with the larger tractors replaced the 686. The H86 was not replaced, but the H84 built on a chassis from Doncaster, England at LVL was capable of doing most things the H86 could do even though it was 10 HP smaller, 58 vs 69. They still built the H186 which was 105 HP if somebody needed more Hydro HP.

With IH's end customers changing from farmers looking for a mower to suburbanites looking for a small TRACTOR to do mowing, snow removal, garden work, etc. the need for larger tractors grew. The lighter, cheaper Cadet tractors were capable of mowing, in fact did a great job of mowing, but were limited in their ability to remove snow, and they were not capable of pulling ground engaging implements like tillers or moldboard plows & disks.

It would be interesting to see how production, and therefore sales of the CADET line of lawn tractors compared to the smaller HP Cub Cadets.