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Well except for the 855 I should have never sold! So Tom @Shynon texts me a listing on FB for this girl and I stepped on it immediately. I learned long ago ya snooze ya loose. Just got yourself a free plow day t 👕 Tom. It's not real local but a nice hr 1/2 away. It looked real nice in the few pics that were shown but we know how pics look. At first look at it I knew right away it was going on the trailer. Love at first sight... yep. For what price was the only issue. More after the red porn...

Added another round hood to my herd. I've always liked the looks of the round hoods, but was not a big fan of the square aluminum gas tanks. For this reason I had been looking for a 704 to add to my herd. @WHX?? alerted me to one that for sale on Face Book close by and was willing to do the FB work to get me hooked up. Thanks Jim !! Pics of the newest addition. PTO does not look correct to me. The gas tank that is in it is not right, but I have the correct one. Anyone see any thing else out of place please let me know. I also got this deck with it. It looks in pretty good shape but is not on the implement list for the 704. Anyone know off hand what it should be mated to? One more of my bucket lister's obtained. Only ? more to go.

Battery box fabbed although with countless other holes and things welded up front axle pin was excessively worn. Luckily axle itself was ok. The pin and frame not so much. I machined a bushing with a through hole and used a 1/2” grade 8 bolt . The front axle and steering are now whisper smooth and tougher than it ever was

I added an additional 20 lb barbell weight plate to my existing Bolens 75 pounders, as there was enough room for it in the C81 wheel... the problem is they now weigh 95 pounds each and are a bear to install. Solution - adapt the floor jack to lift & center the weights..... works well.

We took a 4 day outing up to The White Mountain National Forest on the Maine/ NH border off Route 113. Awesome trip! Here's a pile o' pics...

I've lived here in this same house for over 20 years. The Trina person has been here 10+... We've been out exploring the mountains across the street more times than I can begin to count. Most often, we walk uphill about a mile and turn right, into the forest. There are several old pathways of various sorts n sizes. Some are narrow game trails. Some are snowmobile trails. Some hiking only trails. A LOT of long unused twitch trails from logging. And a few actual Colonial Period cart roads that have been setting unused by most for over a century. Here's an example of that. This morning... all we did was go a few dozen extra yards up the road before the standard issue right turn. There's a break in the old stone wall there. Both of us have looked at it driving by many times. Both of us have been wanting to poke around there. That was this morning. Here's what it looks like from across the street. A few feet in. And here's what I figure for a 200 ish year old drover's pathway like we found up over the other side of the mountains years ago. Remember many thousands of square miles of New England was dedicated to raising merino sheep 🐑 Far more interesting... We accidentally found the graveyard of the original European family to the area. The family for which the area was once named. Tripp. We live in "Tripptown". This graveyard is nearly a quarter mile into the forest!!! This is the headstone 🪦 for Richard Tripp and his wife. Here's what we assume is a non identified grave, likely of a relative. Couple other views of the graveyard. There are several other odd set stones in spacing that would indicate graves. These last few pics show two very unique "stone dumps". The first is unusual because of the massive size of the rocks. These are WAY beyond capabilities of normal humans to move. Each one weighs several hundred pounds minimum. This other one is abnormally large in area. This would usually indicate a long term living and farming situation. Most folks up here would have just added to the corner (or whole side) of an existing wall. We've seen these excess dump piles a few times. Always in hill country. Likely that's because the hills and mountains have incredibly massive amounts of glacial emptying as the ice sheets retreated. Here's the track we took. The graveyard is just past the top corner turn around spot.

Just in time for Halloween VID_20251023_182838325.mp4

Just a small job today. The plastic instrument panel cover/lens of the GT18 was a bit yellowed and cloudy to say the least. Here's how it looked before cleaning: After about 30 minutes of rubbing compound, polish, wax...and elbow grease...it turned out pretty decent. Not quite as clear as glass, but not bad: I do run out of elbow grease once in a while, but usually a hot shower, a favorite libation or two, and a good night's sleep replenishes the supply.

Last of my grandfathers tractors to restore. Procrastinated on this although have been gathering parts for several years. I knew the tractor was modified but to what extent I had no clue. Ross steering boxed had been a problem for years luckily it was still there. Fuel tank and battery swapped positions and rock shaft and hydraulic lift was stripped long ago. Someone added a longer steering column and smaller steering wheel. Motor was swapped with a Briggs at some point. None of these original parts remained. Belt guards where thin tin type material. Toolbox rear sections was long gone replaced with plywood. Of course seat was missing along with frame so I began THE GOAL: for it to be close to factory as I could get it and function rebuilt Ross steering box and replaced column or tube with correct length one and remade toolbox to the best of my abilities

Megan didn’t buy her house this year, so I guess I am stuck with the 310-8 I got for her. A short time ago, I picked up a beautiful plow (barely used) so I decided to put it on the 310-8. Debating whether I want to put on my craftsman wheel weights or not? If I had a spare set of WH weights I would do it, but Craftsman?? The HD spindles and thrust bearings make steering like there is nothing up front.

This past weekend I acquired this tractor from one of the tractor pulling families. They said it ran 4-5 years ago. (Maybe I believe it) Anyway, Over this past week me and @TonyToro have replaced a few ends on the battery cables, new solenoid, good used starter as ants were coming from the old one, all new fuel lines, new ignition switch, carb cleaning, rebuilt the metal Kohler fuel pump, new spark plug and changed the oil. Today we finally got everything put back on and within a few minutes it fired right up. It also came with a snowplow which I believe is a 48”. Needs a good degreasing and a PB blaster and scotch brite pad cleaning. We did a little on the fenders and it came out pretty good and at least smooth. Going to run it for a little bit and change the oil again as it was very black. More additions to come soon as this will mostly be a plowing snow and dozer blade work tractor. Enjoy the pictures! IMG_1006.mov

Another 3 point build because of course I needed just one more... This tractor is much like several others I have, being a mix of parts to make it how I wanted it. Frame and tranny from a C-120, sheet metal from something in the 60s, front axle and rear wheels from a 520, V twin Vanguard engine, LEDs front and rear, and pretty much anything else that could be upgraded has been. The 3 point isn't by itself, and the dash tower, lifting mechanism, and toolbox were greatly overbuilt to take the weight of the rear lift. Anyway, another custom in the Herd!

Bought this tractor 38 years ago for mowing and snow removal mainly. At that time it came with a belly mount 3 blade mower and front plow blade. Over the years added a single moldboard and harrow that was used for a 25' x 75' garden deep with beautiful farm loam. After moving North it sat for sometime before I started to do a clean up and repaint. In October I was able to have help in splitting the A apart and replace clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and original carb stripped rebuilt and clear coated. While waiting for parts to come in I cleaned out the bellhousing and tunnel full of mouse mess and sanded up anything that needed it. Up and running now and did it ever feel good to be sitting up high listening to that 4 cylinder purr at idle, almost a nice lope to it. Change oil & filter, greased and adjust the width of the front end. If it wasn't so late in the year I would use it this Winter for a little snow plowing. Working on the front grille trying to straighten the horizontal bars now and some painting to do. I was able to locate a nice set of tools to do it. Gave it a cleaning yesterday and moved some leaves to the pile. I will update as I progress along. Pictures are through the course of years since purchase with the rims painted all red and left rear tire on backwards. It's getting there.

Earlier this year I had to plant 3500 bare root pachysandra plants. I used a modified auger with long extension so as to keep my back straight . Proved quite effective even though wife was shaking her head watching me. Usually that means she thinks I lost my mind. Better my mind than my back I say.

Built this for my son to play with. Made to look like a 1962- 1964 but actually a 1967 L157. The dash tower/ tool box was cut and welded up to match a set of Suburban fenders. Also added an 8 speed transmission and Kohler K181 because I'm allergic to Techumseh. Changed over to 6 inch front wheels and added running boards for safety. Also has a reciever hitch integrated into the toolbox.

Hope you all have a safe and fun filled Halloween!

You know this place makes the addiction worse. It's akin to holding AA meetings at the strip club during happy hour.

Hello All, First off... I will NEVER believe that theres only "225" This is number 3 for me (sold first one dangit) Plus @Sparky has one in his garage and I saw another sell this week. There EVERYWHERE... Anyways... took a few days off from work and went on a road trip. Im 1000 miles west of home in Indianna. Picked these up today, doing a couple other things around here tomorrow--that will be another post. Supposidely the one on the back was fully rebuilt--engine and trans wise and painted by a member here on the Square. ( Ronald Castleman?) The dealer in pic was original seller and supposidely big time WH / Toro. Tony 6pm update... Got to hotel I'm staying at... unloaded everything and put that big azz deck on back to take the squat out of my truck. No need to kill it like that for 1000 miles 20251019_153909.mp4

On my way home... diverted and stopped here. Talked with a couple workers who where cutting the lawn and remembered WH. Kinda cool to have walked the grounds Tony

Started another one a little while ago. Again all entirely done without using any power tools . I am continually asked why . Sometimes it sounds like people think I like to torture myself but it’s much deeper than that. Besides the cultural aspect of it, if I don’t use what was handed to me the way it was handed, it will be lost first by me and consequently by others not having the opportunity to see what is possible without relying on machinery . On a deeper level I like to feel what they felt and to decipher not only the why but also the how of the parts they didn’t have the chance to teach me. Many of those are not even possible with power tools. When that happens they are many times outright emotional moments of accomplishment unequaled by any other time. With your indulgence like before I’ll continue posting its progress as I go along. It all starts with some ideas and a drawing. Always with strong influences from the ones before modified to reflect my own ideas but still respecting and acknowledging the originals. The material comes next. Carefully selected and guarded for many years waiting for this moment. Ash the traditional species used for this due to its strength and flexibility under load or stress. As is from the mill from now on no power tools will touch it. Flattened , straightened , unwound , and reduced into a certain thickness to start the process. a template is made of drawing to choose the best area of plank to use and to layout all the cutouts. Important to choose area of plank carefully since much of end product may have very thin or delicate areas which will be prone to cracking if not done so.

Seen the steam train on the way to putting my truck in winter storage. I timed it well, only waiting a few minutes for it to arrive at each of the two locations I stopped at. IMG_4492.mov

Found a praying mantis on the shop floor today. I don't have much of a project going other than trying to solder some LED lights to make them blink or represent a campfire for the model train layout. I wrote "trying" because, it's getting harder to see where to solder and then my hands don't seem to be as steady as I need to solder these tiny connections. Thus I decided to take a break and that's when I found this praying mantis. It was probably 3~3 1/2" long. This bug entertained me off and on all afternoon. It didn't seem to have any place to go and spent most of the day on the spare folding chair in the shop. The most it moved was when I put it on the back of my hand and it would immediately crawl up the sleeve of my flannel shirt to which, up near my shoulder, I would allow it to crawl up onto the back of my other hand where it would start it's journey again. I killed a fly and a fed it to the mantis and a dying cricket as well. As I watched, it would use it front legs to hold the back legs and bring them to his face for grooming. It's days are numbered because we are expecting low twenties early next week. I zoomed in close and made a video of this creature so that the grandkids enjoyed at supper this evening. They were fascinated and so was I.

I don't sleep on the ground. Never did. We've tried MANY ways to compensate for my fibromyalgia and related pains. This most recent tenting bedding setup has been the best. Far and away. We were using two cots zip tied together with a nice air mattress over them. Quite comfortable. The new camper setup.... even better. A LOT better. Trina bought a California King sized 8" thick 3 section memory foam mattress. It's wonderful. It's lovely. It's incredibly comfortable. I got THE BEST sleep I have in many years. We will be ordering an identical mattress for the home.

I recently acquired a use for a garden tractor, and have wanted a Wheel Horse since I was a kid. A little shopping and luck brought this old girl home. Rebuilt the fuel pump to get her running, and she runs great!! I'm sitting here now while the transmission drains so I can give her another 50 years of service 😎

Well the trusty 312-8 and me mowed the lawn. I think I am down to one more cutting. Caught the sun perfectly just as I finished, less than 5 minutes later the window closed.

Everyone should have dedicated tractors, especially us old codgers.

Replaced cutting edge on snow/dozer blade and got it mounted on 1257 with the hydraulic lift. Wow how much easier it is to lift and lower plow . Just had to drill and extra hole in lift link to get sufficient ground clearance. Still has enough movement to barely lift front tires off ground. Also have option of moving link to the slotted hole for a float plow situation .

Some more great plowing today in Polo, IL. Hosted by John Boelens and a bunch of Cub Cadet guys. Still some good representation by Wheel Horse. My wife was able to come along and had a great time. I guess now I need a second plow tractor!

I put a magnetic cup holder on the 314. I’m resting now 🤪

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...

Today is Election Day. Please vote. Regardless of your political beliefs. Billions of people around the world do not have a say in how they are governed. We do. Millions of Americans have lost their lives defending our right to vote. Honor that. A Republic, if we can keep it. Ben Franklin

Another project going on here simultaneously with the yoke is another batch of hand planes .I just get bored with myself and am always looking at something else to start, always having at least two things going at the same time. This is a batch of 39 planes which are my signature tool and used to be carried many years ago by a prominent tool company in NYC. I have made quite a few of these in the past and it’s something I always enjoyed. Why 39 asked my oldest grandson. Well, I think 40 would put me over the edge and discourage me. With very few exceptions all the work is done with hand tools. The exceptions are due to the quantity being made so it expedites things a bit, otherwise ye olde shoppe gets backed up. I have been at it for a little while and I will demonstrate the process as I go along.

The Boys lined up this morning.

Repaired where the seat support brace connects on the 315-8. This was one of the worst I’ve seen. Good to go now. Planning to use the 315 as my plow tractor this winter.

Good morning, all! My name is Derek. I'm from Churubusco, Indiana. I was told about this forum from a guy named Bob. He said that this forum was the place to be to find info from some really helpful people. Bob drove 1.5 hours to buy a Wheel Horse mower deck that I was selling and he told me about this forum. I've just recently gotten my first Wheel Horse tractor. It's a '98 312, at least I think its a '98. The tractor came with a mower deck and a snow blower attachment but I don't have a need for the mower deck nor the snowblower. I just want the tractor. I want to use it as a trail rider. I bought two other brand tractors for my wife and my daughter because the prices were nice. I'll be doing the wrenching, as needed, so that we can go riding together. Anyway, I'll keep this short for now. I'll browse the forum and I'm sure I'll be back to ask questions and share pics and stories.

Its stored in a metal shed behind my shop out of the elements along with a bunch of generators and saws, i dont really go back there much unless im trimming but i needed something this afternoon, its sat since about May, untouched. Hopped on, key on..meter said 11v, choke...turned over 6-7 times...started up, backed it out...let it run to recharge the battery. I remembered i had wheel covers to put on it from earlier in the year. The old Kohlers do run smoothly, this is the K181S that i did a quick refresh on in 2023, popped the piston out, put on new rings, new piston, put it back together in about an hour...didnt touch the bore..it was consuming about an ounch of oil in 10 minutes prior to😆. This is the Horse that started it all for me in 2002, the WH Yahoo Groups, all that. Side note...the ebay seat covers suck, they get sticky after about a year and turn dark..never sits outside, never rained on.

My name is John. I have been researching and lurking, finally signed up and thought I would post a hello. Picked up a 633 Round-nose from a nice guy the next state over. Currently working on/restoring.

Buy from women who are pissed at their ex!

Glad I got those parts tractors to @WHX??'s plow day so I could make room for this RJ. Saw it on Marketplace when I got home yesterday and picked it up on my way home from work. Not running but has compression and shifts into all gears. Sheet metal is in great shape and looks to be all there. Came with mower deck and plow blade.

Assembled some new old stock accessories :

Celebrate the Navy’s Birthday on October 13 and recognize the brave men and women who have served our country — past and present. Established during the Revolutionary War, the original Continental Navy was formed, disbanded, and then reestablished nearly 10 years later. Today it’s the largest and most capable navy in the world, with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage. The Navy also boasts the world’s largest aircraft carrier fleet, over 300,000 active personnel, and nearly 100,000 in the Ready Reserve. A few fun-facts about the US Navy; General Washington commissioned two small schooners to patrol in and around Boston Harbor as the Revolutionary War heated up — eventually leading to the Navy we have today. The Massachusetts cities of Beverly and Marblehead have long argued over which was the birthplace of the Navy — which takes no official position on its place of origin. All submariners are volunteers, those serving on submarines are among the most highly trained personnel in the military. If not for the Navy, James T. Kirk would have been captain of the USS Yorktown Star Trek’s USS Enterprise was originally called the Yorktown. After some debate, creator Gene Roddenberry eventually renamed it. SEAL Team 6, officially known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group — along with Delta Force — are the most highly trained elite forces in the U.S. military. On a personal note, if you travel through Fort Pierce, FL, visit the UDT/SEALS Museum. I had the honor of being one of the founders of this museum and am proud of the way it represents team members past and present. This was the birthplace of special forces in World War Two with the formation of the Underwater Demolition Teams, UDT.

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.

first year on my c145 had it on my 75' c120 last 2 years hydro work much better than gear drive tractor least i have hydro lift

I like the 953s. Mine is an early model w/ross steering. s/n 62-613. My rear wheel weights are painted white also.

So replaced the brake lining on my 857 today and wanted to give a review of the brake lining I got from @rmaynard. I am very pleased with outcome. This little tractor has always been a bear to stop going backwards especially with a load behind it. I'm glad to report it has brakes going backwards know .

Today I started getting ready for winter.

Well after owning this 1056 twice I guess you could say second time was the charm. Some may remember that I bought an engine from Stebo a 1964 engine. It runs well. I Finished up the plow and checked everything out. Looks like it’s ready to push some snow .I have Ariens contractor grade that cost me a little over two grand about 10 years ago. That thing is a tank and at my age is getting a little hard to aggressively move it around so I just do straight back-and- forth. Also I bought a small block heater for it. It is a magnetic base. This engine has no A -C -R . So the heater should help cold start up. It was only $30 and only used it when I am blowing snow after that I will shut it off. and what is left I push to the side. My wife had both knees done so that is why I scrape it to the pavement. Hope you enjoy the pics.

Finally got to replace the O-rings in the pump for the Hydro motion control on my 1973 12 auto. Thanks to @pfrederi he was kind to send them to me . I decided to have a go without separating the trans. It’s doable thanks to the cut out on the right side ,was able to remove the motion control out of the way enough to replace the o-rings. hard part was putting it all back together. Some how one seal was smashed as if someone had this apart at some point and didn’t line it up correctly. I also replaced the axle seals wile I was it. Already for winter,hope fully we get some snow this yr