clem 28 #26 Posted January 8, 2015 My horses are 30 to 60 years old and still perform like they are new. It's hard to not like something that reliable! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #27 Posted January 8, 2015 (edited) Why do I buy? Many times I ask myself that. I know that the first time the first one came home one beautifull afternoon, and as me and my oldest son were just in awe of it, knowing virtually nothing about it at the time, I did have a sense that somehow, due to the happiness and joy we felt, that this little faded red old tractor had just taken over our lives. I collect and have interest in all kinds of stuff, but this was just different. It was a life changing moment. It made an already great father/son relationship even greater. It made me aware of a great American story about survival, perseverence, ingenuity, and family. It gave me the opportunity to meet and to know a lot of great people and learn stuff I would not even dream of doing if not for that day. It made me apreciate even more the great things that were manafactured in a great period of this country. So still the question.Why do I buy? More definitely make me happier. More definitely allow me to learn more. More definitely expose me to more great people. More definitely increases the chance of saving pieces of history. More definitely exposes other people to them and and allows them to share the happiness. I use them all in a regular basis. Some to do serious work, some to just ride around, and some just to look at and enjoy them. There is also a great deal of sentimental value attached to a few of them and it is a fact that they will be around here for at least the next two generations. Edited January 8, 2015 by formariz 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. 856 170 #28 Posted January 8, 2015 Exactly. I have one tractor that fell into my lap a few years back. A 1966 856 with a few attachments. I was instantly impressed at how simple it was but how stout it was at the same time. You can not buy a garden tractor like what they used to make back then. They are real work machines and don't be afraid to work them as that's what they were built to do. I have space for more, but honestly I like the idea of having the one, making it my baby and maintaining her like one. You cant go wrong with a wheel horse and like some other brands every sit has there opinions. Some of the old round hoods with the tractor seats are awesome and if I could add another it would be one of them. Enjoy the ride if you own 1 or 40. Some have made it a true hobby to collect. As father with a 20 month old and another due in May I just don't have the time for more tractors. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,043 #29 Posted January 8, 2015 (edited) Warning: Long WInded. I grew up on a 1984 C-105 that my dad bought when he was building our house about 1987 (I was 1). Rode on it when I was a wee one and plowed snow on it and cut the 1 acre of grass for probably 10 years. My dad had no special attachment to it so when the engine went for a second time about 2010, he parked it and bought a Deere. I had so many memories growing up on it that I told him to keep it for me, I would restore it. I remember giving my cousins rides in the wagon and many many hours spend in the seat cutting grass (and cursing the 8 speed transmission when cutting the back corner of the yard ) I always LOVED when it snowed to get some seat time pushing snow. I remember always chatting with my dad about how much better built the WH seemed than all the other garden tractors we'd ever seen. When my dad bought the new Deere he had to pay nearly $200 for the kit to angle the snow blade from the seat! That feature CAME with the WH plow over 20 years prior! We always liked how the long plow frame put the pushing power right at the drive wheels. I signed up for the old RedSquare way back in the day (I just found my old registration email! I signed up on 2/1/2010) to find out information on them. I lurked without posting for many years but then I got bit by the bug after buying a C-125 to replace the engine in the C-105. After learning all about them I started searching for the grandaddy kohler powered C-165 with a hydro transmission. I found a ratty one on ebay and voila i owned my third tractor! Then I found a little round hood I want to have for my son(s) to work on too. I bought a 520 because I really wanted the gear reduction steering and swept axle for better turning radius, but then I got sucked in by the sound of the onan (dont get me wrong, Kohler for reliability, but Onan sounded sweet) so I am making a swept axle onan powered blackhood. Edited January 8, 2015 by bmsgaffer 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary L. 12 #30 Posted January 8, 2015 I like to collect and restore things, I restored a 1949 Farmall Cub, a few old bicycles from the 40s & 50s, some old toys etc. I bought a 71 GT14 3 years ago,this past year a 68 Raider 12 (restored ) and a 68 Commando 8 currently working on. kinda gives a feeling of accomplishment bringing something back to life. also I notice a few members are ham radio ops, me too. N3CXC 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1973Auto 80 #31 Posted January 8, 2015 Very cool thread. Enjoyed reading these. I got hooked on the Horse when I went to some guys house that was selling a bunch of stuff or junk if you will, there was the horse and a cub he was asking $100 more for the cub so I bought the horse. Glad I did I have had my share of problems but the great thing about the WH's is they are so easy to work on. I only have1 horse I had 2 but I blew the other one up, then I bought another for parts......it kind of gets addicting. The WH's just don't die!!! I already put a new engine on my orange tractor that I only mow, because that's all it powerful enough to do. The WH's are just so freckin powerful it's amazing. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,898 #32 Posted January 8, 2015 Ya probably don't want Bob Maynard to chime in on that one Flip? As in... 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brrly1 1,146 #33 Posted January 8, 2015 Why do I buy?? That's a good question. It's my hobby, it's what I enjoy. Pretty simple to work on. Dad bought the first Wheel Horse in 72'. Yes it was a GT14. A fantastic tractor which I got to know quite well over a period of four years before Calif.. I plowed an awful lot of snow tilled more dirt than you can shake a stick at. Probably mowed about two acres a week sometimes more. With the pushing snow in mind I get out and clear the walks here in my neighborhood. So no one pays me I enjoy it! That's why I buy because its enjoyable to me and alot of my friends!! We have a fantastic time, go to the Big show!!!! Go to a swap meet, sell tractors or attachments, camp overnight and hang out with nothing but Good people. Once you get involved you'll Know 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,281 #34 Posted January 8, 2015 Flip? As in... back-flip_commando.jpg Yea Bob, that's obviously what I was referring to. Not funny at all at the time but you're OK and I'm betting you've got the tractor back in tip-top shape. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,898 #35 Posted January 8, 2015 I'm okay, but the Commando is still under the weather. Too many other project in the works at this time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nrowles 25 #36 Posted January 8, 2015 Flip? As in... back-flip_commando.jpg oh my! I cringed when I saw the picture. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nrowles 25 #37 Posted January 8, 2015 Thanks for the awesome posts guys. This is good stuff and exactly what I was looking for when I started this thread. The old photos are great. I'm getting even more pumped about this new hobby. I don't think it is a desirable horse ??, but my stepdad has a Work Horse that has sat for quite a few years now and has some issues. I may just see if he wants to fix it up. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ_Thanatos 516 #38 Posted January 8, 2015 I personally like the red Wheel Horse but the Work Horse has a good following too! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,898 #39 Posted January 8, 2015 Nothing wrong with a Work Horse. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse46 512 #40 Posted January 8, 2015 I'm pretty much like post No.7 I saw my nieghbour riding his C-160, while I was mowing on my modern ride on McCulloch a few months ago. I always wanted to build a hotrod but space and finance never allowed it. I have built a few custom bikes along the way to keep me entertained, and I think that's what kinda got my attention, this little red tractor sounded cool and looked all kinda hotrod, so I asked him what it was. I was hooked immediately, I don't know why, I'm not into gardening, I don't particularly like cutting the grass (didn't like) and now I find myself looking at other one's. Of course I won't buy another one....... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,281 #41 Posted January 8, 2015 I would have to say I prefer the red ones too but a GT1100 Work Horse I had was a great tractor. Wheel Horse apparently made them for the price point. Briggs motor, 4 pinion diff with 1" axles (at least on the GT1100) and a few other things to lower the cost. The color is an opinion thing but I did like the gray as something different. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,528 #42 Posted January 8, 2015 I just love these old tractors. I purchased my first new in 1979 and then picked up two used ones years later. I tinkered with the used ones and got the bugs out. The 79 model with a 48" blade I use for pushing snow and the other two are for cutting grass. If one breaks down I don't have to rush to fix it, i just use the other one. I would like to have more but I don't have storage space and with a bad back it is getting harder for me to keep up the maintenance on the ones I have. I love looking at the other members tractors on Red Square and following their threads on restorations. I know there are other good older model tractors out there but for me nothing can compare to a Wheel Horse. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #43 Posted January 8, 2015 What started in 1973 was a lawn ranger to plow snow ...40 years later (an 40+ WHs later) I have proof that the addiction has become a friendship thing....one day I had to upgrade my cell phone..young gal started downloading my contact list (she said it would only take a minute)...minutes later she said "how many people do you know?...then she said did you know you have 364 contacts?...I said "is that all".....cause you see I have met a ton on people because of that little red ranger and I always save their phone number....probably half of the numbers belong to you guys....if I've ever met you or talked to you I've got your number and consider you as MY FRIEND....and my RS member number is seven (7) so proof that I know alot of you guys (including Mr Cecil Pond). So if you want to be added to my list of 364. just call me about anything that is faded red and makes noise...I'll probably add ya~~!!......816-806-9774 PS: I still have that little faded red Lawn Ranger and snow blade!!....might get to use it this week!!! 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #44 Posted January 8, 2015 Thanks for the awesome posts guys. This is good stuff and exactly what I was looking for when I started this thread. The old photos are great. I'm getting even more pumped about this new hobby. I don't think it is a desirable horse ??, but my stepdad has a Work Horse that has sat for quite a few years now and has some issues. I may just see if he wants to fix it up. There was a red Work Horse also.. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cruisnblue48 783 #45 Posted January 8, 2015 (edited) Wheel Horse tractors have a fascinating history from the early days in the Pond garage until Toro killed the brand. They are fun to ride, well constructed, easy to work on/repair/restore/rebuild, and for the most part, replacement parts are still readily available. Four years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about Wheel Horse tractors other than my dad bought one new in 1962 when I was 6 years old. He sold it sometime in the '70s. Flashforward some 40 years, my uncle found my dad's old Wheel Horse 3-1/2 years ago. He picked it up from the son of the gentleman who actually bought it from my dad. My uncle knew that I had driven this tractor as a youngster and was pretty sure that I'd be interested in it so he got it for free and then gave it me for free. It took me three years to restore it from this in 2011... ... to this in 2014... I now have collected 10 Wheel Horse tractors in the past 3-1/2 years including... ... a show quality 1955 RJ-35... ... a nearly original, early serial number 1958 RJ-58... ... a 1977 C-120 puller... ... my worker, a 1995 314-8 speed... ... and my most recent purchase last month of a 1990 520-H... Collecting and restoring Wheel Horse garden tractors is now my #1 hobby and best of all... you will not meet any better people than Wheel Horse collectors at the many garden tractor shows around the country... and here at RedSquare, the source where you will find everything you need to know about your Wheel Horses. Edited January 9, 2015 by cruisnblue48 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DOC in Kentucky 178 #46 Posted January 8, 2015 Because if I didn't spend my money wisely on Wheel Horse collecting.....my wife would probably spend it fixing up the broken down car or on much needed house repairs!!! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 4,877 #47 Posted January 8, 2015 There was a red Work Horse also.. AAHHH I `ll take Shelby also if u need the room. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,721 #48 Posted January 8, 2015 (edited) I bought my first at the Florida Flywheelers show about twenty years ago. I had some property that we were developing and wanted a rouged mower to keep the weeds down. I saw my 1055 and took it for a test mow: I was hooked! I was telling a coworker (fellow old junk lover) about it just before he went on vacation, he emailed me a couple of pictures of my first 953 and offered to haul it home from Ohio; just $200, I couldn't pass it up! These are the two shown to the left. When we moved from Florida to North Carolina the house we bought came with a 312-8, I guess it was meant to be. I was so impressed with the first 953 that I soon had another 953 and a suburban and an RJ, then when I decided I wanted a front end loader the only logical thing to do was buy a GT-14 with a loader. They all serve a purpose, They make me HAPPY! Edited January 8, 2015 by 953 nut 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clem 28 #49 Posted January 8, 2015 Thanks for the awesome posts guys. This is good stuff and exactly what I was looking for when I started this thread. The old photos are great. I'm getting even more pumped about this new hobby. I don't think it is a desirable horse ??, but my stepdad has a Work Horse that has sat for quite a few years now and has some issues. I may just see if he wants to fix it up. A horse is a horse of course of course... Sorry everyone, just couldn't stop myself! My opinion is that even a less popular horse beats anything you compare it to, or I wouldn't spend so much time soaking up the experience shared at this site! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 991 #50 Posted January 8, 2015 been around wheelhorse most of my life,my nana had one that I drove ,mowed,pulled harrows,plowed snow,cut neighbors lawns,and this was before I was 10,loved them so much I bought a new one when I was 23,for my country property that I still live on and still have my 308,ya ive added a few,7 more,and use them all,it nice to have backups and not have to move implements around,and I enjoy buying a wreck and bring her back to life 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
