Looking forward to reading this....

[Bertie 314]

Just got this so looking forward to a good read. As I'm new to wheel horse it's signed by and includes an audi CD by Mr Cecil Pond. I as yet dont know who Mr Pond is but i will do some resurch and find out 🖒

[953 nut 51,682]

                                   6-4-1924

             Cecil Elwood Pond was born

Cecil Pond was an American businessman, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was the founder of Wheel Horse Products Co. Inc., and was the primary inventor of the modern American Garden Tractor and riding mower.

Pond was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Elmer and Ann Marie Pond. He graduated from South Bend's former Washington-Clay High School, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1946, Pond returned to South Bend and in June of that year, married Betty Alber Pond. Mr. & Ms. Pond were the parents of three children: son Gary Pond, and two daughters, Linda and Constance.

1946 saw the beginnings of Pond's manufacturing future. Pond joined his father Elmer, who at the time was building two-wheel lawn tractors (which the operator would walk behind) from angle iron, surplus motorcycle and automotive parts in his garage. At first, the Ponds' company was simply called Pond Tractor Company; however, they discovered another family member owned a similarly-named company. "Wheel Horse" was then chosen, and the name stayed with the company even after its acquisition by Toro.

In the late forties, military veterans returning from World War II began moving to the vast new suburbs then transforming the American landscape. Their suburban homes had larger lots that demanded more attention—and the Ponds' riding mower found many ready buyers as a result.

In 1954, Pond introduced his first 4-wheel lawn tractor, an event which altered substantially the lawn care manufacturing business. By 1957, his Wheel Horse Products Company recorded sales over $1 million (US$8,425,355 in 2016 dollars.) for the first time. Just two years later, the company's sales more than doubled, to $4.5 million (US$36,529,110 in 2016 dollars).

In 1975, Pond sold Wheel Horse Products to American Motors Corporation. At the time of the sale, Pond oversaw over 500 workers at his plant and over 3,000 dealers were selling the brand.

Cecil Pond passed away December 30, 2011.

[Bertie 314]

Brilliant, thanks for the information re Mr Pond.. do any of our forum members actually own a Pond tractor

[N3PUY 1,031]

27 minutes ago, Bertie said:

Brilliant, thanks for the information re Mr Pond.. do any of our forum members actually own a Pond tractor

Well, kind of ..... here's a pic of my 1956 RJ35. The chain case is embossed "POND".

 

 

Edited July 18, 2017 by N3PUY

[Bertie 314]

Little cracker that....🖒

[TDF5G 2,051]

Hope you enjoy the book!  I have the new version and it's great. 

[Bertie 314]

57 minutes ago, TDF5G said:

Hope you enjoy the book!  I have the new version and it's great. 

 

Thanks, how many editions were done... obviously mine is the second..

 

[TDF5G 2,051]

21 hours ago, Bertie said:

 

Thanks, how many editions were done... obviously mine is the second..

 

I know at least 2 editions were printed, maybe 3.  Someone that knows for certain will reply.

 

[GlenPettit 1,714]

Three editions:

#1, 2000  -  #2, 2008, and  -  #3, 2012   (#2 & #3 also came with CD audio tapes).

The final/last one, #3 is still available from the author, and Mike is an active member

here on Red Square and does attend the big Wheel Horse show in PA in June.  

I've seen edition #1 actually sell for nearly $200 on eBay & there is one selling on

Amazon right now for $499, (https://www.amazon.com/Straight-horses-mouth-Wheel-Horse/dp/0970666802),

a real good useful investment.  (The 3rd edition is listed for sale in the 'Venders section'

right here on RS: https://wheelhorsestory.com/home/8-straight-from-the-horse-s-mouth-the-wheel-horse-story.html).

 

..

Edited July 20, 2017 by GlenPettit