54” Utility blade

[MattA]

I've got a 350CCA battery cranking my 16HP vanguard. I moved my 4 year old 250CCA battery to a generator I had (also 16HP vanguard powered). The 350CCA battery still cranks that little vanguard with authority even as its approaching 4 years old. The extra $15 or so I spent on the battery was well worth it.

Regarding the oil pressure light, I can see it being useful but only if you see it in time. The vanguard engines have an optional oil pressure switch you can wire to ground out the ignition coils shutting down the engine. I think the vanguard manual may list two different oil pressure switches with different trip points. I may still have some notes on the switches. Kids happened and that project never got done. Wiring the switch to the ignition coils and a light for diagnostics is probably a good idea.

[Harry]

I’m adding chains to the rear tires of the 444. I would like to add some wheel weights but only have two 50 lb. Weights. So I fabricated wheel adapter plates to bolt on the doughnut shaped weights. It will only add 100 lbs. but that might be enough. It turned out to be a nice couple of days in the shop doing what I love to do. Working on my Case GT’s. Only have to mount the chains on now. Harry

[JSinMO]

Nice work Harry! Looks great. The weights fit perfect do you know what they were from?

[Harry]

Nice work Harry! Looks great. The weights fit perfect do you know what they were from?

The had on the back of them red tractor company. I figured they were from a walk behind garden tractor. Harry

[DavidBarkey]

That worked out well Harry , Looks like hub caps .

[Eugen]

As always Harry, great fabrication job!

[Harry]

Put the chains on today. These were chains that came with my 446. They were still in the bag for the last 30 years. I never looked at them until today. They are four link chains and one needed to be shortened up by one cross chain, because it was a little longer than the other. Now on to get the hood prepped for prime and paint. Harry

[Harry]

I got the itch today to try out the 444 with the 54”utility blade, even though the hood is being repainted. It worked terrific and was surprised how fast in low range I could remove snow. I angled it both ways and it was nice. Only problem was it was cold out there with no cab. I guess I should have bundled up better. So maybe I look for a cab which we all know are not easy to find. So maybe I could build one. Harry

[Eugen]

Looks good @Harry ! How's the engine on that nice tractor?

[Harry]

That Kohler seems to have a lot of power. After bringing that GT home it sat a few months because I was in the middle of working on the engine of the 646. Finally I got it into the shop and pulled the engine and put it in a table. Took the head off and found a lot of carbon build up. So much the intake valve was stuck open. So decarbon and set the valve lash, new head gasket and torque the head bolts. Carb taken off cleaned it checked float setting and installed with new gasket. I checked the compression but don’t remember at this time what it was. I mowed with this GT a little but then had generator problems. After getting it rebuilt I plowed the gardens with it. It’s been a good runner but like most GT’s that have set awhile you have to shake out the bugs. Harry