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So nice to have this club/site. Still using my 1996 314-H. In the late 80’s I worked in the Wheelhorse offices/factory in South Bend. Didn’t work for them but for the finance company Borg Warner Acceptance Co. our office was in their facility and we financed / Floorplanned all there dealers. I had all dealers in the NE PA up through Maine. Remember walking the assembly line etc. John Munn was running the company at that time. Knew most everyone in the offices. Solid people! PA had some big dealers. Only after moving to TN in 1989 I purchased my tractor as I knew Toro was going to eliminate the old quality stuff. The last National Lawn and Garden show I attended in Louisville Toro had 4 or 5 of the “real” Wheelhorse units there but they were stuffed in the corner. You could tell they didn’t want them front and center. So, I went to the local TN dealer and ordered one before it was too late. Recall the dealer asking me why I wanted a 314-H just to cut grass. My answer was because I never wanted to buy another tractor. This to date is true! I’m in Ohio and gave the yard one last cut today and put the old girl away until spring. Have only posted once when I joined a number of years ago but wanted to share my story and love for my tractor. She’s a great machine! Thanks for allowing such a long message. Mike

Nineteen years ago, Karl @Nylon-(Admin) and Mike @Sparky-(Admin) joined a high school student’s website that was created as a school project. Since that time over 30,00 members from all over the world have joined and over a million posts have been made on over 90,000 topics. Yes, I am talking about Red Square. It is interesting to find out how people first found Red Square and what made the keep coming back. Pleas post your “How I found Red Square” stories.

Has it really been 19 years? Here’s how I got here (long version): Growing up, my dad traded our old Springfield for a new 1974 C160 Automatic, and it was my job to mow the entire ¾ acre with the 36”RD and Parker sweeper. In 1993, it was my turn to buy a house, and having much more property, the only tractor I could think of getting was a Wheel Horse, and I bought a brand new 416H with a 42” RD Recycler. I used that tractor only to mow the lawn, but in 2006 I decided to buy some attachments, I couldn’t decide between a plow or blower so I hit the web to research. I am not sure how I found it, probably a search, but I found whtractor.15.forumer.com and joined as member #5. There wasn’t much discussion there except for one guy, member #2 @Sparky who he and I began to talk on-line. In those conversations, I decided on a snow plow and found the entire package, a 414-8 with plow, 42”SD deck, wagon, cheap sweeper and JD Dethatcher mounted to the mule drive. The rest as they say is history, I took over the management of the forum shortly there after, then became highly financially involved in 2011 by purchasing software, cloud space, and investing a lot of time and money to move from the failing forumer platform to where we sit today. For those who remember, forumer completely crashed literally 1 day after I got 99.9% of the data moved, the timing was unbelievable we almost lost RedSquare that day. It’s been an amazing 19 years, and so happy I was looking for a plow one day and stumbled here. Our members here are the best and I am grateful for all the support throughout the years, looking forward for the next 19 years! Thank you all for sticking around!

Earlier this Summer we renovated our bathroom. Had to make new jambs and casings for the new pocket doors to match rest of house, and of course all with hand tools. Vanity also matching the beaded details throughout house all made with my Grandfather’s 98 year old plane. Woodwork is to be painted so I used clear pine which is always a pleasure to work with. I don’t use door stops or nailed on casings but rather make split jambs and casings in one assembled piece with no fasteners visible. All edges jointed straight and square by hand. All faces dressed with hand plane Beads made with Grandpa’s plane . One full bead requires planing board from face and from edge . “Secret” to my signature corner detail on jambs is a hidden precisely cut rabbet on back of one of beaded boards. This is done with a moving filister plane. Lock side of jamb for pocket door is recessed for privacy. I almost never use nailed on stops. Recess is plowed using a shoulder plane riding against a guide. My signature detail on jambs Everything is dry fitted prior to gluing and assembling in one piece. Once finished there are no visible fasteners to deal with yet one side is completely removable to allow for to be removed if needed. It can then be reinstalled without any damage to it. All pieces hand cut for dry fitting prior to assembly. After cutting the miters with miter box they are trimmed perfectly with the “guillotine”. Vanity also with beaded panels.

Scored some decent tools from a local online auction. Pick up Tuesday morning.

Looking for parts for a 1067 that was already on a scrap pile. Wandered across a site called Red Square and wondered what the heck does a place in Russia have to do with a lawn mower. Accidentally clicked and the rest they say is history. Wow they actually have a manual for it. Now i have to put up with the likes of Achto and The Pullstart and a whole host of other ! fellas!

Today would have been @BOB ELLISON's 77th birthday. Gone too soon!

Dragged my 1971 Rupp Roadster out of my fathers rotted and falling down shed. Last ridden summer of 1987, got caught riding it and it was permanently taken away... had it under a tarp but the moisture got to it. Plan to clean it up and combine it with a parts one I bought to make it as nice as I can. Im 54 and boy... had alot of good times on it driving all over the back roads of my country town. Used to grow alot of tobacco in town and the fields / service dirt roads made for awesome riding Never knew that RUPP Industries was this gentleman. Boy I bet Cecil and Mickey could've had a good conversation as each looked over the others product. Thanks Mickey Rupp for some very cool rides. Yes he was an Indy driver

Thank you to all the Veterans who have served our Country...

I live a scant 9 miles north of Mecca....error I mean the Wheel Horse factory ..lol I own old man Chandler's personal Wheel Horse which I got from his daughter some years ago. For those who don't know. Chandler was the first wheel horse dealership. They built the horses out back and sold them up front. (corner of Auten Rd. & 933 S. before moving to their Ireland Rd. location in South Bend) I will never forget going there in early 60's with my dad. If he mentioned Chandler's? I was already sitting on the front seat of our 63 t-bird. Funny how I can remember dad, the T-bird, Chandler's, (building still there), but don't know what I had to eat for breakfast yesterday.

I was in the tractor scene and was pretty much a WH guy but would bring home anything if I could flip it for a couple bucks. Posted up on Craigslist a Craftsman lawn tractor and a guy named Chris from two towns over reaches out to me about it. We talked price and eventually settled on a number, then he asks if I could deliver it. Didnt really want to, but decided I would. Get to Chris’s house and he’s a “kid” ..I had no idea as we were using the Craigslist messenger system. He shows me his tractor stuff and he had a 702 (and maybe a Black-Hood?). We exchanged phone numbers and did a few other tractor deals and became friends. Fast forward to his high school years and he asks me to join a tractor forum he started as a high school project, had zero members other than himself. I became member #2. Left to right: Chris @whchris, me/Sparky, Dustin @DMESS , Karl @nylyon

It’s all Bob Rock’s @whlpny fault. I needed a new lawn mower and was kicking around the idea of something new and modern, but saw this really awesome looking old lawn mower. Yeah, I had wool over my eyes too. When I got there, I was a little upset that the mower deck was gone, the whole reason I went looking to grab it! He had the deck on the scrap pile, nobody wants those for a garden tractor. Tractor? This cute little thing can’t do tractor stuff! He told me about the wealth of knowledge of this forum, and when I got home I joined. That was June of 2013, if I recall correctly. Honestly, reading Karl’s story about the almost crash in 2011, blows me away that the place is still kind of young. The shirt I’m wearing this morning is older than Red Square! My cute little mower:

I was doing a case study on addiction and this site kept turning up in my search results.

I've mentioned it a few times before I did get to tour the Wheel Horse plant back when they were still building the square hoods. I only wish I had some pictures but, of course, that was before the cell phone thing. One of the things that stood out was their paint line. I don't have a clue as to how they even managed a decent paint job. Ironically, some years later after the Toro thing and them moving to Minnesota the plant was empty and for sale. A large South Bend contractor was considering it but backed down. There was a tremendous amount of red paint residue on the ground behind the building where apparently the air handlers discharged it. They weren't allowing any testing to be done prior to the sale and any ground contamination was to be the buyers responsibility. The potential of 10's of thousands in costs. Some years later I was walking through the Studebaker Museum when it was at the old Sears building downtown. I was there as a contractor and laying out a fire alarm system and that allowed me on the upper floors where the public couldn't go. Somewhere along the way I spotted some red things covered in plastic. Of course I inquired and we went over to look at them. Yup, the Wheel Horses intended to be on display. They came from the Wheel Horse plant when Toro moved them but never put on display. Again, no cell phone picture taker thingy. Fast forward to 2022. I took my Grandson to the new Studebaker Museum, now on Chapin Street. I had heard rumors that they had the Wheel Horses on display. I thought we had seen everything but then I saw a door leading to a basement. Open to the public of course I went down. Obviously from the other items down there it was for the things that they didn't think would attract the most attention. Sure enough. They were poorly tagged and there were errors. Also it wasn't all the tractors I saw in the old building. I was disappointed and contacted the Museum. I volunteered my assistance to basically bring the display up to the standards they deserve as part of South Bends history. Their curator at the time, Ken Slater, emailed me back and said they were in the middle of some higher priority projects but when they get to the tractors they might take me up on my offer. That was the last I heard from him. Something I hear quite often and wholeheartedly disagree with is when was the last of the 'good ones' built. The most common I hear is mid to late 90's. Not so. It was 2007. Period. I currently have five tractors from 1964 to 2005. The best way I can put it that if I strip down to the chassis my 1976 that I purchased new and my 2005 purchased in 2009 there is no difference in quality. Sure there are things that the 76 holds over the 05 but it comes to lesser items like sheet metal and some minor stuff.......kinda like everything else in this world. But not where it counts. Don't get me wrong now. I would still prefer the 76 but Toro actually did us collectors a major favor by keeping the same basic machine as long as they did. I'm running a 1970's 48" deck I purchased new to on the 05 and have been for several years. That interchangeability alone amazes some people. Four of the five tractors I currently have are Kohler K's and I love them. The 05 is a Kohler Command. I won't live long enough to verify longevity but in smoothness the Command beats the snot out of the K's. Now, let's not even discuss the electrical systems. But that's not Toros fault. From the very first day I looked at the 2005 schematic I knew the day would come when I had an electrical issue. I also knew that I would enjoy removing 100% of it and starting from scratch. So far that hasn't been needed. I've just ummmmm.......tweaked...... ummmmm no, improved a few of the things I didn't like.

Been awhile since my last overhaul...I am fortunate to have a quality machine shop to do the machining. He has also did one of my big tractors and 230ci engine in my M37. But like everything else it is getting costlier....Bore and hone .010 over $100 Grind crank $75 Insert and size valve guide $50 valve job $20

Thank you for all your work and investment to make this what it is today. This has been a great asset to me and I'm sure all the other members would say the same. We be lost without it, and I think the hobby might not be what it is without this forum.

Searching for info on a C-105 in 2015 that was gifted by my brother to my teenage son for his lawn and snow business... he went on to become a mechanical engineer and I remain fond of them... remains a daily fix... great people and great info... Thank you @nylyon and @Sparky!!!

As I age and inevitably more things are found wrong or wearing out, I think lot about what is in the future for me. Watching my wife fighting the rapid deteriorating effects of Parkinson’s specially when coupled with effects of Arthritis is a sobering daily affair. If similar conditions will happen to me , what will I do and how will I cope with it. Particularly if I loose the ability to use my hands. I will lose essentially what keeps me grounded and probably with some normal degree of sanity. I will lose what is my shield against the undesirable effects of life. I am a firm believer in science but I also believe in the existence of certain energies, good and bad , some of them having had great benefits in my life. A simple bracelet is not going to harm anyone. It is also a craft obviously enjoyed by its creator, tastefully done making one at least taking a look at it and appreciating the craftsmanship and that went into it. Something I can definitely appreciate. So that along with my worries about what the future may be holding for me , looks like I may be getting a bracelet when available.

My dear friend George Sleezer gave me this beautiful viper red 656 that was his pride and joy. I’m so grateful for this, but sad to see he’s getting out of the hobby due to old age. It came with a sickle mower and tub cart. More pictures to come.

Of all the years making videos, I let one rip while on camera the other night. First time ever, believe it or not. Editing the footage, I was falling over laughing!

That was an awesome day @kj4kicks, secretly Eldon had obtained a C160 Auto (Just like my dad’s) and asked me if I wanted to do a trade for a C160 (in rough shape) for my Electro and one other which I forget what it was. Anyway, Chris and Mike came to my house, they knew what was about to happen, and we took my Durango and trailer to Eldon’s. When we got there, he opened the door and there sat one of the nicest C160’s you’ve ever seen. Eldon travelled a long distance, then painted the C160, it was a magical day for me.

I've developed and managed several forums (in varying platforms) back during the big online poker boom. I also made a living for a few years designing and selling graphic modifications for online poker sites like PokerStars and FullTilt. That became unsustainable when the US DOJ shut down online poker and the US. Since then, I've developed several websites for friends and associates (but still consider it a hobby). In all of my exposure, I will say with confidence, this is one of the best maintained forums I've experienced - so kudos to the admins! It also has the most respectful members of any public forum I've ever seen. The knowledge base here is incomparable!

Back in the pandemic about 2021, I was looking for projects to work on. I was also looking for something to mow the small lawn I have. My brother had just bought my next door neighbor’s house. A Wheel Horse garden tractor came with the house, The tractor was a 1992 312 -8 that the neighbor had owned it since new. Interestingly enough, That was the tractor I had mowed the neighbor’s lawn with for years when I was a teenager. My brother had decided to sell it. So the tractor was sitting outside by the road for sale. The starter had begun to intermittently give up. You could however, start it by jumping the solenoid and smacking the starter. I saw it sitting there and asked him what he wanted for it. He decided to give it to me. Then began the task of fixing it. I looked up “how to replace Wheelhorse starter” or something like that on Yahoo or Google and the results brought me here. One Amazon starter purchase later and steadily fixing the smaller issues, and I was mowing my lawn. That tractor my mowing tractor has now been repainted IH red, and mechanically for the most part sound. After two M&G at @JCM’s, A friendship with @ebinmaine and now two more mostly refurbished worker tractors, one of which was owned by a cousin, with a roller in progress, I’m still here. I’m a supporting member and accumulating knowledge, parts and (ahem) tractors… 😁 Happy 19th birthday Red Square!!!

I make these at home good for arthritis.

I know this is not Wheel Horse related but there are many veteran members here, so it is kinda Wheel Horse related. Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans out there!

Show us scientific study that it doesn't. My grandmothers wore them... they lived well into their 90s and didn't die of arthritis. I think they are cool Mark.

Karl @nylyon fixed it. My pics load again. Here is the swivel setup. Locks about every 30 degrees of rotation unless the handle is pulled.

Got them washed up and parked in the barn for winter, still need to get the snow blower on one sometime.

National Pickle Day is on November 14 and it was created to celebrate the pickle as one of the worlds favorite fermented foods. Pickles prove to be preposterously popular with people across the country; the number of pickle-eaters is projected to proliferate to more than 250 million by 2026. That gives plenty of pretext to position November 14th as prime pickle time! The practice of pickling has existed for thousands of years. The process ensured a degree of preservation otherwise impossible in pre-modern conditions and was essential in providing a mobile supply of provisions for travelers as well as a dependable source of nutrition for those living through barren winters. While a diverse set of foods can be pickled, the cucumber emerges as the dominant food that most associate with the idea of both pickling and the word “pickle” itself. Archaeologists believe that the first evidence of pickled cucumbers originates from Tigris river valley civilizations, and the nutritional benefits of the food would go on to be lauded by such historical figures as Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. With all their popularity in the Old World, pickles would not make their appearance in North America until 1492. As you may have guessed by the year, the one responsible for their introduction was none other than Christopher Columbus. Pickles were included in sailors’ rations on his expeditions as a means by which to prevent the onset of scurvy. By the mid-17th century, cucumbers bought from Dutch settlers farming in the New York area were pickled and distributed throughout the region. This would lay the foundations for the territory to be the perfect site for the introduction of the kosher dill pickle. In the period of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, a large number of Eastern European Jews immigrated to the United States and settled in the New York City area. They brought with them the unique methods that produce kosher dill pickles, and these early iterations of pickles would develop into the now-famous and ever-familiar food available in grocery stores throughout the United States.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RED SQUARE !!! My Dad had 4 Wheel Horses and a small lawn bussiness when I got out of the Navy. He had a 502 (all there but in pieces), a 702, an 857 and a Raider 10 with a good mixture of attachments. I would help my Dad if needed, but as he got older, the bussiness dwindled to nothing. He passed in 2002 and it was up to me to go through everything. When I got to the shed, I considered myself lucky...my Dad never threw out anything, especially if it had RED on it. I needed help. I searched the WEB and found a Kowasaki site. A guy named Jon Bell got in touch with me and pointed me toward Red Square. Even on the old forumer site, all were helpful...finally had manuals, advise and I imersed myself into Dad's horses. The rest is history, this place has kept me alive and well. I feel like I know almost everyone here. I have friends from all over the world, I love this place. Happy Anniversary Red Square and Thank You !!

I had owned a few Wheel Horses prior to buying my GT-14 in 2012. It was my first hydro and I wasn't sure about a few things and Googled Wheel Horse GT-14 which lead me to a few sites. I posted my questions on three or four sites. Got a rater rude response on one of them, nothing at all on one, but on Red Square I received good information from a couple of members and a bunch of welcomes. What a difference. I began reading other posts and offering suggestions on some I felt knowledgeable about and learning from other posts. This has become my only internet GO_TO site and I want to thank all of the people who have continued to make it so great.

Thanks to all who have been a part of starting, maintaining and managing RedSquare. What a journey. Knowing just a little about these things really shines a light on how much work is done. An useful Idea, one that has grown into the "go to for wheel horse" Just a search and I was there.Then a join and then supporter. I often think the core is the tractor.....not really it's the members. You are RedSquare!

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Red Square! We are all glad you were born! There wasn’t any cake, so I got you some “caption this” pictures from the archives!

TRUTH!

@WheelHorse_Kid and I have been working on getting stuff squared away for winter. Had these 5 out of the garage so decided to snap a photo.

This is the only forum that I support and for good reason, like others have mentioned the people are very friendly and helpful on here. Which is to the credit of the Admins on here, they don't tolerate the couple bad apples that ruin it for everyone, so thank you guys for that! I joined in 2017 when I got my first Wheelhorse 73 12-8, I think I came across Redsquare in a google search. I grew up using a Raider 10 so I was already familiar with them. But have gained so much more knowledge since then, with much more to learn.

Heart beat replacement for the C175. Met up with Lincoln from A to Z and picked up this KT17 series 2. Most likely will be after the holidays before I get the chance to install it. Looks to be a 1995.

Spot on Joe ... all the guys I have met and become friends with. Not to mention texting and yakking on the phone off RS. Going to the BS and hang with them. Definitely makes life all the more worthwhile and I often wonder if Coach realizes or imagned that when he started this.

After a life changing event in 2006 I needed strength to move on and my first time on a computer stumbled upon Red Square. At that time there was around 30 members if I recall. Lurked until June of 2012 and decided to sign up. Enjoyed it so much after a few years became a lifetime supporter. Best money ever spent and got my life under control. Thanks Karl and Mike. Much appreciated.

@Pullstart Kevin if you need any information or assistance with that car I have my very close friends Tony and Carol in West Virginia that are experts on it. They collect them, fix them and show them.

Hauled some brush with the C-121 today

I got this one Sunday in Corcoran mn 250. I know i can make it sweet 😋

Back when I had one I winterized my travel trailer by taking it to Florida for the winter.

520HC is ready for plow duty. You can see the rear end peaking out behind it, that is the 416H project for this winter. This little walk behind is also on standby. Big tractor and blower are also ready but won't fit in the heated shop this year. It is in the big tent garage out back where it normally lives all summer. I ran a big extension cord out to it for the block heater. This is the first time the tractor has been in the cold in the winter, hopefully it will start if required. We have a little dusting of snow now that actually started on Sunday and adds a bit each day. Not enough to worry about plowing yet, hopefully it will melt in the next couple of days.

I guess there are a lot of things that have no scientific basis but that show positive effects in people. Whether thats a placebo effect or something we dont fully understand yet I'm not sure. I do yoga and aside from the physical benefits of stretching there is also a lot of "spiritual" or emotional benefit that can't be explained. The old yoga texts talk about energy pathways and chakras which can't be found by modern medicine. But you can feel the effects alright. So if copper wire worn next to the skin can make your joints feel better then give it a go, who are we to say its nonsense. Im cold water swimming and it definitely gives me benefits contrary to what everyone thinks. Mick

All gave some, some gave all. Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in service, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still with us. Veterans Day, originally celebrated as Armistice Day, was first issued on November 11, 1919, by President Woodrow Wilson a year after the end of World War I. The purpose of Armistice Day was to honor the fallen soldiers of the Great War for their sacrifice and bravery. Seven years later, in 1926, Congress adopted a resolution requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue annual proclamations on November 11, making Armistice Day a legal holiday. In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans rather than just the ones who died in World War I. He led a delegation to General Dwight Eisenhower, who was all for the idea. Weeks then organized the first Veterans Day celebration in 1945 in Alabama and every year since, until he died in 1985. In 1982, he was honored by President Reagan with the Presidential Citizenship Medal. Weeks was also named the ‘Father of Veterans Day’ by Elizabeth Dole. In 1954, Ed Rees, the U.S. Representative from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill to establish the holiday to Congress. Eisenhower, who was then the president and also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954, eight and a half years after Raymond Weeks held the first Veterans Day. After having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urge of the veterans’ service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word ‘Armistice’ and inserting the word ‘Veterans.’ With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. The National Veterans Award was also created in 1954, first received by Congressman Rees for his support in making Veterans Day a federal holiday. Though the holiday is currently and was originally celebrated on November 11, the day was moved to the fourth Monday of October in 1971 due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Finally, on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law that returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. Remembrance Day is observed in Canada (and other Commonwealth nations, which include 53 member states, nearly all of them former territories of the British Empire) on November 11. It carries much of the same meaning as America’s Veterans Day. Celebrated since the end of WWI, Remembrance Day marks Armistice Day — the day on which the hostilities between the Allies and Germany ceased on the Western Front.