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After the investment if time, money and parts, I've found the only way to recoup your investment is to work that tractor. After all, that's what it was made to do.

I've told the wife that I plan to loose as little as possible on selling anything I restore. I do what I want to do because I enjoy it. Anyone who collects anything with future value in mind is likely to see the wind taken out of their sails. Base ball cards, Beanie Babies, Swarovski Crystal Figurines or any other "hot collectible " will drop in value once everyone has a bunch of it.

January 2018 April 2018

Yous guys are all nuts .... I only like Richie cause he gave me a baggie of tire nubbies and Dino ...hrumpp...all he does is spill his wine on the carpeting of my truck. @Racinbob is cool cause he sends me dashes and dog points but then I gotta put up with his hebbe gibbes about the simple task of getting a 854 in his truck. All @pullstartwants to do is swill my free beer & sample the apple cobbler and @953 nut lets me part out his tractors but keeps the good stuff to his self. All @Achto wants to do is live his tractor habit through me 'cause his wife put a ban on his tractor buying habits and all @PeacemakerJack wants do do is plow my dirt.... Better than FB you say??.....ok maybe a tad better.....

I got into Wheel Horses by accident some years back while looking for info on a C-125 I acquired. Still got it and it now has stable mates. Through this site I've made and met some good friends over here in jolly old England. Also friends over there in the good ole U.S.A. though I doubt we'll ever meet. So a big thankyou to Neil and all the rest of you.

Yep, restoring garden tractors is not a profitable business. Restoring better be a labor of love. Now buying rollers for cheap, getting them mechanically sound and selling as a worker can make a few bucks if you don't consider your time invested.

I never thought of any hobby as a money maker.Like others have said,we're in this for fun,not to make money.Breaking even is good.Usually lose when I sell anything.Only Horse I ever made money on was a little verticle shaft one that was given to me.

Steve beat me to the barrel thing Richard .. I shouldn't laugh..... I went and picked up a tractor in the UP/Lake Superior once and to appease my wife I took her looking for sea glass on the same trip..... guess what I had to this weekend? I told her I would take her looking for sea glass in that area any time if she would check CL in the area for horses.....hows that for reverse psychology?

About 12 or 15 years ago, I made a deal for some Wheel Horse implements with a man in Rochester NY. Then I told the wife! Asked her if she was up for a road trip there. She asked what was around there to sight see. I mentioned Niagara Falls and she started packing the truck. Long story short, picked up the implements and headed to the falls. Had a great time there seeing them from both sides and cruising around Canada as neither if us had been out of the country. The memories made will last a life time. The man with the implements is one of my best friends and we talk weekly and have met up at the Big Show many times. Made another trip to see him in the summer of '17 to help him clean up his garage. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to make it to the show this year but sent his son to pick up a Suburban I restored for him. I highly recommend everyone hit the road, meet people and do and see things you only dream about. Life's short and you only live once. Don't go outta here with regrets for the things you "should have" done.

First off it is wired backwards if it is doing as you say or faulty Switch the wire around see it if it fixes it. Secondly a 60 amp ammeter is almost worthless as the biggest reading you get on a WH is 15 amps..hardly readable. if you want an ammeter get a 20 amp one. Or replace it with a voltmeter. Dead ammeter equals dead tractor dead volt meter is an inconvenience

I thought Mantis was into tillers, not tractors!!

Ya know Dells you have a good point there as well. Of all the shows I go to in a year I think there is only one that has a best in show award. That means no infighting about who's got the best whatever. Here is like ...their all cool in their own way from the nicest trailer queen right down to the beat up tractor to the franken horse. A buddy of mine saw one of my tractors and said I bet you win a lot of trophies with that. He was surprised to learn there are no trophies at tractor shows. Food for thought there.

Yep, --- same here! I've bought some 11-12 horses over the last 5 yrs and I think I made about $25-50 on ONE of them, and thats just money spent not counting the 100+hrs labor in it. And that one turned out that way mainly because I didnt have to buy tires. I get a bit of ragging with a couple of my buddies about it but I just throw back at em about their bass fishing (MAJORLY expensive!) or another a photographer (another high dollar hobby - showed me a new telescopic lens at $6000!) Bottom line is I just LOVE to get out in my "office" and get dirty, nasty, greasy, etc messing around with my tractors

Jim, I would agree with Richard, if you want investment, buy bonds of CD's or even stocks. Buying anything "collectable" is a sure loser. But don't stop adding to your collection because of reality, I haven't and won't let it stop me!

This is by far the friendliest, most helpful site by far. I also thank all the members. The membership is what makes this a great place. Everyone willing to help, and some good old fashioned ribbing at times.

I would agree with all the previous. I pick them up all the time because I enjoy these machines and hate seeing them junked. This is a hobby I have always enjoyed and it keeps me busy and moving around. When i am done with one and had my fun using it, I pass it along to the next, if I can recoup the cost of my cigars and coffee i consume during the build. Well then It was a great deal. I also believe that good hobbies and tradition of keeping these around will not exist if making a profit is a necessity. Breaking even is always good. But sometimes to save them that just isn't feasible.

That's you best bet Guy, meet some folks, shake some hands, have a meal with them, drool on some tractors. More fun than a barrel of monkeys! Ahhh Hummm ....got a point Steve... guess you are good for something other than fixing trannys...

I like to resto them, or get them mechanically sound beauty not withstanding, stand back and take a few pictures, share here and admire what limited talent I have. Then hop on and go for a ride and get them dirty. Never at any point does turning a buck cross my mind. The fun I have on my little red tractor is my recoup of my time and investment. The joy of a sunset ride is enough for me. Extra parts get sold for what I have in them or given away to those to share the same. That said you might be able to might be able to make a $ or three on one of your creations to someone who has deep pockets and little sense! Hit the nail on the head!

your talking garden tractors not shelby cobras, if you have a rare garden tractor it's not life changing money.

Dell there might have have been one person who had more fun than Emory that night, up here in Michigan! I swear I’ll never watch a firefly without remembering dinner with yours and Richie’s families, and especially chasing lightening bugs with my pal! As for the friendships gained on RedSquare, wether I’ve met you or not, or might or might not, it’s all been said above. Best site on the web! I brought my family down to @whfan74‘s meet and greet a few years back and one of you folks out there brought a spare Brinley adapter so I could plow the dirt. I’ve shared rides, tools, dinner and a couple drinks with before the big show total strangers that I get to call my friends. I’ll offer what I have, tools or a roof or a ride if needed because I know others would do it for me. Crossed town and broke down to help a man work on his family heirloom GT-14, only to get a ride home and gas money for my troubles (he brought me home), but it all comes back around some day, and we get to enjoy some old machines in the meantime.

Take good care of him and tell him every day how much you love him. Good luck with the treatments and keep the faith.

Sorry to hear this Ed, I'll keep Mark and your family in my prayers.

Bought my first 520 brand new 20 years ago, I have run it at what ever engine speed I deemed appropriate doing different activities, but most anything being run off the PTO I run at WOT but using the dozer blade or rear blades, or York rake bit above idle to half throttle, and yet to have issues with the hydro or engine overheating, Jeff.

I can only second what most have said, this is pretty much the only site I continually frequent. Many wonderful people and a fantastic place for anything Wheel Horse. This is a place where you can ask and receive. The Big Show is a family reunion only with people that you like and share an interest with. It's so much fun that it never seems to last long enough, and ends to soon. And the year between shows, forever. I'd like to thank you all for being a great part of it and

I assume you want to replace the double drive belts on the deck. Remove deck from tractor. Loosen double drive belts (bolt in pic one) get them off the front pulley Remove cover next to belt pulleys pic 2 The white metal bracket has two bolts holding it from underside of deck take them out pic 3 If you are lucky the shaft and end gear will move up enough to get the belts off. If not you will have to go to the other end. Don't remove the bolts but loosen them alot. Also loosen remove the 4 nuts holdong the center bracket to get more wiggle room. Pic 4 Then you should have enough clearance. Make sure you buy the belts from WH as they are matched

I lifted up my hood on my tractor that has been sitting for a few days and started dismantling it. Here's what I found?!?! Whats under your hood?

With some of the livestock you lads in the States find inhabiting your tractors, I'm pleased I'm over here. I did once find a Black Birds nest tucked up against the exhaust manifold on a Nissan Cabstar tipper I had. Good job I didn't use it much. Left it till the eggs hatched and birds had flown.

Broadening their horizons... ??

Had to go to eldest's grandsons wedding this weekend. Venue and where we stayed. Ellingham Hall. Northumberland. Feeling well out of my comfort zone.

And some are destined to serve others. This one just donated it's lift arm for a plow on the sk486 I'm refreshing for my neice. She's on a limited budget, lives a little north of me and is in the snow belt. Her 8 hp 26 wide big box store walker just doesn't cut it (clear it ). She's getting this for 1/2 of what I paid for it and at my cost for parts. Why, its family and because I love what I do. She picked the colour, so long as it was red. Not a resoration, but strong, stout and proud again thanks to some othe horses. Gonna buy and donate a full decal set to the cause as well. Good for another 30 years I'd say.

This was the view from the downtown Holiday Inn.

You guys know that the easiest part is the disassembly phase.Rusted bolts and screws not withstanding.Once apart.time and money come into play.I have a 312a that I have been resurrecting for 2yrs.It is almost done but you have to stay focused.

I have plan A, plan B and plan C to rescue them...... You don't wanna know about plan C ... might involve some midnight work and some bolt cutters.... ....I get busted ....but yer honor I was only trying to save some neglected horses from the glue factory... Gotta applaud the G Man for taking the effort to save tho

I just added another thing that I can do with duct tape.

Great get together. didn't know half the people at dinner that night but like you say, we all had a bond.

It's very cool to do things on the bucket list... I guess going over the falls in a barrel was not on the list?? BTW...the falls are excellent in January, and you usually have them to yourselves.

I was just looking around Facebook Marketplace tonight in my local region and stumbled upon something pretty cute, IMO. Not sure how really practical it is, but it sure is innovative and looks on the surface from afar to be well built. The listing places it in good old Mentone, IN, home of a well-known spring and a fall tractor show in the past that has now become an early summer show. I suspect I know who may have fabricated this......part of the reason being he is from the Mentone area A forum member here who is a metal fabricator, has built other WH reproduction wagons, and that is why I suspect he had a hand in this. If he didn't, he likely knows who did build it. Anyone here have any guesses??? Comments on the below pictured gravity wagon??? If you want to know more and live out of the area, but are a Facebook user and want to see the listing, just PM me for the link.

Prayers sent Ed.

Ed, I will include Mark and your family in my prayers.

Curious if he needs any rags to help with this job?

My heart is with you Ed! Lost my Dad to it, but they can do so much these days and my Dad did not have a real bad experience with the chemo, hopefully your Son will get through his without getting too sick. His being in good shape is bound to be a good thing! Randy

Ed, So sorry to hear about this. What is not acceptable to me and I am sure you and your family is that it was on the scan in 2011 and they never even saw it. Unacceptable.... Keep supporting him and pray for him. Prayers coming your way.

Always tougher when it is one of your children.I hope it works out for your son.I'm sure you have the support of all of us here in the WH community.

Pulls great!

The post title says it all.... Don't let em get to ya....

Here's some pics of my Patriot horse. This shows the choke cable as it goes into the carburetor and also how it's mounted on the side of the engine. This shot shows where it is held onto the side of the tractor. Here you can see where the cable comes up through the fuel tank bracket and attaches to the back of the lever. This pic shows the end of the throttle cable and the bracket that holds it and where it goes into the wheel that is attached to the engine governor. Let me know if there's something else you'd like to see or a different angle...

Why not the 312, 314 or 315 single cylinder muffler ?, instead of a twin cylinder muffler that you'll have plug one inlet.

The voltage regulator was mounted to inside of tractor (may notice In before pic) which I was wondering about that and why they spiced on to the stator wires and R wire. So I started thinking and looking on engine cover to see if it suppose to mount like the newer Onans and sure enough there was a sq opening just for it. Plus it was blowing a lot of air out the opening robbing ventilation to the heads. So I moved it to there and reran new 12 volt wire and seems to be working good.

Hey if it takes time and you don't have it all in a row you do as time allows. I still have tractors from seven or eight years ago that I am going to restore and some are in in various states of "completeness"! My "staying focused" is just to remember i have that tractor to redo among the herd! The Gman wants to do the right thing!

With only 3 days , I would definitely book a bus tour that includes the French Quarter and an above ground cemetery If your OK with a loud crowded bar type atmosphere, try Coops Place for some good Cajun food. I used the downtown Holiday Inn (the one with the giant guitar painted on the side) and was pleased with the prices and was able to walk to the river and most other sites.