the showman

Nice to have the original brochures and manuals with it too.

I'm going to leave as is at the moment apart from a good power / steam clean Would have been an expensive engine Chris I've never seen one either Nigel, its not even in my Toro history book

Here's today's photos

Back last summer while I was at a mates barn having a rummage, right at the back in the darkness I found a red tractor that ive never seen before. After a bit of research I found that it was built by Toro for one year and because of poor sales was dropped. The dealer had 10 and offered them at a deal and my mate bought 3. Two were used for a contract that he had then parked up and the third is still new and not assembled. The one I have bought is a Toro GMT 230 1978, It has a Kohler 23 hp engine, hydraulic deck lift and bends in the middle. It was parked up in the barn in the late 90s after doing 170 hours work and left until I spotted it. After fitting a makeshift fuel tank and a good battery it fired straight up with everything working. Have to say i'm chuffed to bits with it and sounds really nice, awesome thing to drive

Did you get your snow plow on in time or was you a bit slow ?.

Still waiting for the oil seals to turn up so only a small update, just a few more bits primered.

He had to borrow a score off his mate.

Yeah but his pocket was empty.

Had a victim visitor to the shed today who popped in for coffee and collect a few parts. After the coffee and a chat we loaded his car with more than I expected to get in it and I was happy to empty his pocket. I think Ian was pleased with all the bits and left with his car much lower at the backend Here's some photos

I was hoping not to get that involved with this but it's looking that way, I'll wait till ive got it painted and see how clean the hood and rear fender come up.

Been watching the Cranberries on youtube i'd forgotten how good they were

Sad to hear Delores O'Riordan passed away today, lead singer with the Cranberries. God bless her, they made some good music

Got a bit more done to the transmission today dodging the showers. I powerwashed the degreaser and crap off then used the drill with a wire brush and a paint stripping pad to clean off the paint and rust finally giving it a coat of primer. Had a phone call to say the oil seals are on their way. Woof Woof.

The last thing I wanted to use was a hammer Angus, ive got a feeling the hubs are cast as ive seen a few of them broken across the lug nuts holes. Also you can't give the boss a tap because it pings the circlip off the axle inside the diff then you have to strip the box to put it back on.

Today's progress has been a bit slow due to a very stubborn hub, i warmed it up and bolted a puller on but no joy. I gave it a good soaking and tried again still wouldn't move. Next I connected up the gas axe to get more heat and quicker, with it glowing it still refused to move so i went for a cuppa to cool off. I thought I'd give it one more chance if not I decided to leave it rather than brake it. Same again with loads of heat and an extension pipe on my T bar it moved and off it came, next was the other side so with puller fitted it slid straight off. It was a lot of work but at least i got them off and can change the oil seals and I didn't break anything.

I had to leave this for a few days as i had other commitments namely mot on the Sprinter and the Chevy . Im sorting out the transmission that seems to be weeping oil and the hitch pin is rusted solid which will need drilling out. I pulled another box out but thought I'd carry on with the original. I had to leave it over night to let whatever was in it to dribble out, it certainly wasn't sae 140. I cut through the pin each side to remove the hitch and spacers the cut it again near the casing, drilled a hole through the pin using 3 different sizes drill bits then nocked it out. Ive ordered some new axle seals from Toro and think i have the others in stock. Next job will be to remove all the pulleys and hubs and clean it up. Heres some photos of today's activities.

I like the photo's Andrew, I can look at them while i'm laying down. Is it not a zig-zag harrow ?

I saw those the other day, they look a bit small have you tried it yet on a flat battery yet , ?

Brilliant machining work as usual.

Got a few more bits sanded down and primered

Allterraintyres.co.uk 01579 348843

Looks good Norm, how have you attached it to the plough, need a photo of the other side.

Looking forward to the photos Norm

Are you still on the first one Alan ?, ive got someone that might be interested in the Mk 2.