Bertie 314 #1 Posted July 18, 2017 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 🖒 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,682 #2 Posted July 18, 2017 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. 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #3 Posted July 18, 2017 Brilliant, thanks for the information re Mr Pond.. do any of our forum members actually own a Pond tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N3PUY 1,031 #4 Posted July 18, 2017 (edited) 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 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #5 Posted July 18, 2017 Little cracker that....🖒 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TDF5G 2,051 #6 Posted July 19, 2017 Hope you enjoy the book! I have the new version and it's great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #7 Posted July 19, 2017 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.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TDF5G 2,051 #8 Posted July 20, 2017 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlenPettit 1,714 #9 Posted July 20, 2017 (edited) 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 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites