h67st

I've got an 18 year old Bolens (MTD) lawn tractor I bought from Lowe's; it's a 20 hp with 42" mower deck. I was changing the oil and found this crack in the frame. I was going to just replace the tractor but I don't put many hours on it and it's in surprisingly good shape...the only thing I've ever done to it is change the belts and blades. My brother had a John Deere LA135 and this Bolens is actually heavier and better built than his. I cut and drilled a piece of flat bar, that should take care of it.

I like this truck, it's got the sleeper, bulldog, and it's a good looking rig. Of course, like most Smith Miller models I can't afford it ($2,500). https://www.ebay.com/itm/284446292322?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&autorefresh=true

I painted my chassis mostly together, but now I'm bolting on battery box, cab jack, etc...of course I end up scratching the paint and the bolts aren't painted. If you paint it apart, you can spray in all those tight spots but then you have to assemble it which is a different problem.

Where did you get the chrome center caps...did you have those chromed?

When I was a kid back in the 70's my dad's drivers would wire up the wig-wag so it wouldn't bother them, I would get in the trucks in the afternoon and take the wires off. They were probably pissed at me!! It's funny how your perspective changes from when you're young to when you've been around a while.

Great attention to detail! I sure like to see your photos when you post them.

I rebuilt my wig-wag, the diaphragm was good (not sure where I'd get a new one of those!). The chrome on the arm was badly rusted so I had to paint it. I had some parts blasted yesterday, painted them today. I'm going to run out of parts to paint, but I'm not sure when that will be.

They did use smaller dogs on the ash trays, but with yours being so rough you may be correct that it's a knockoff. I have a couple small dogs and they are very smooth.

In the US, most commonly called a trolley valve or Johnson bar.

You don't see many of those FWD with the "large car" style hood on them.

I rebuilt my trolley valve, couldn't find any replacement parts so thankfully everything was okay except for one o-ring which I got from McMaster-Carr. Some of the throttle bellcrank pieces were pretty well worn so I took them to the machine shop and they repaired them. I found another KD517F; now I have 4 so only need one more to have a set of markers.

The line about chrome bulldog meaning other manufacturer components...obviously wrong, I've seen many pedigreed Macks with chrome dogs.

I got some miscellaneous parts blasted and brought them home to paint (forgot to take "painted" photos). I installed my steering column and noticed that it kicks to the right at the top. I checked my parts trucks and they do the same; I can understand that they did that to move it away from the driver's door and make more room at the bottom for engine, hoses, wires, etc. It just seems weird to have the wheel sit at a slight angle. I got the throttle and brake pedal base ready (lots of cleaning, replacing small parts, etc.). The old throttle pedal was so worn, it was paper thin in the middle...it broke in two while I was disassembling the pieces.

Nice!! Looks like a pretty rare truck with the factory sleeper.

It's hard to get much for a B model that's not running and has rust in the cab. Those are the two price-breakers.

I will say this, the seller is pretty honest when he says it's in very rough condition. The cab is pretty well ate up, and I imagine the rest of it is similar. https://www.ebay.com/itm/154560492971?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3Dc3ec7c72f4b64bad8eb6a9f986dabc12%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D8%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D224559542740%26itm%3D154560492971%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042&autorefresh=true

Looks like some good work went into this truck, but I just can't get past the paint job. It's on a Winnebago chassis, located in Florida. Starting bid $26,000. https://www.ebay.com/itm/224559542740?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

And the chimp could probably drive without slides and a wife beater shirt on.

Tax free!! Man, Swish, you are generous!

I would think if you're willing to drive a B model, air conditioning would be the least of your worries.

There's two advantages to longer wheelbase-- better ride, easier handling. Shorter wheelbase means you have to be more attentive to the steering wheel to keep 'er going straight on the highway. Of course, then you have a larger turning radius.

I use masking tape myself--hard to see markings on bare steel (dark color). Pencil shows up real well on masking tape (light color). I never had to do this when I was young.

He'll be able to take care of himself while others are throwing their hands up wondering what to do.

No, can't tell from the photos.

Really nice looking B model, too bad it's wrecked. They're asking $16,800, it's in Illinois. https://www.ebay.com/itm/203512643423?ViewItem=&item=203512643423&vxp=mtr