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I'm blown away with all your great comments guy's... all. A few bits have been done over the past couple of days.. The exhaust now has a heat shield to hopefully stop the paint on the hood from melting.. The battery box finally has a lid, I still need to paint it.. And the motion control levers have had a fresh coat of paint by Rob.. Sorry, no photo's of the above but have a few taken of the ol girl when the sun came out..

That was me in the Wheel Horse T-shirt. I went to the gun show to pick up some extra ammo and was standing in line, when you introduced yourself. I'm sorry we didn't have more time to talk, and I lost sight of you once I entered the show. My wife and I went to the WH show for a couple of hours on Friday afternoon. Since the wife was with me, I didn't stay the whole day because I didn't want her to be bored. I did hear you announcing during the parade and thought it was you when you spoke to me. I did have time while I was at the show to meet VinylGuy and his wife, as well as Mrs. Martino, It looks like you were very busy the entire time I was there. My wife kind of surprised me and really enjoyed the show. She thought all the folks were very nice, and she was really impressed by the behavior of all the kids. She wants to go back again next year, and take our two Wheel Horses to show! It was nice to meet you, and please send me a personal message if you would like to get together sometime and swap stories. Michael in Chesterfield

Here is my 1969 Electro-12. We have a habit around here of naming everything and this one is affectionally named Kenny. Named Kenny because I got it in 2010 in a trade with Ken B. I still have in my mind the picture of Ken driving away with a basically empty trailer with only a little Suburban in it, while I had tractor and tractor implements basically falling off of my truck. I never got over the guilty feeling. This is the work horse around here. Absolutely invaluable.Runs beautifully and starts every time.It has power and its fast. The entire property is maintained with only this tractor.I now pull a gang mower with it instead of using the deck. Its major advantage however is plowing in the winter since the Hydro is easier and quicker to operate the plow than a regular set up. This is a machine that definitely changed how everything is done around here.Thanks again Ken. .

Sorry not buying it you wouldn't double cut a part when you don't have to ( waste of money) If that part was made originaly to fit on a RJ 59 it would only be cut on the top side not on the bottom as the ponds were not making 400 surburbans yet what that part tells me by looking at it. The cuts on the top side for The RJ was done after the fact ( as the part was originally made for the 400 surburban first then modified to fit a RJ ) or a retro kit for owner dealer modifcation to the RJ lift Brian

I am always checking craigslist for old gas powered equipment and kohler k series engines, I came across this one yesterday close to home so I picked it up. This is a bolens super versa matic with a k90 kohler that should run, previous owner put a different clutch on it but gave me the original. I was going to pull the engine and ebay the rest but it is so complete and in great condition for its age I can't take it apart I may hold onto it until I find a bolens ride a matic just in case I need any parts. I am still on the hunt for a pond walk behind but the bolens will do for now. Anyone know what the attachment on the front was used for it has several pulleys and is factory except the pieces of angle iron look to be added at sometime.

There was a big gun show today at the Richmond International Raceway so I went to look for a deal on some ammo but what do I find ....... not one but two folks who go the Annual Wheel Horse Show ! The one fellow was wearing this years Wheel Horse Show "t" shirt, I spotted the shirt and inquired where he got the shirt he replied "I got it at the Wheel Horse convention up in Pennsylvania" ..... so then asked him if he recognized my face from the show and he said "No but I do recognize your voice" ! Wild Bill Richmond, VA

Guess I'll weigh in here. How are we determining "toughness"...pulling power?, brute strength?, long term survivability? Over the years I've done a lot of swapping, selling...general Horse trading & have had all the above models in my stable at one time or another. Here's my thoughts on some of them. D's...the hydro D's are built like tanks. I mean literally they are big, square, & take a lot of room to maneuver. There known for sloppy steering, weak hydro's (more related to wear & tear than design), complicated DCL linkages. early D's had problems with the bull gears spitting out the bolts & breaking the transaxle cases open. For a hydro they have plenty of yanking ability, but a hydro will never be as efficient as a gear drive. They are a tough Horse...but not the toughest. D250...nice machines (I like mine a lot!), probably Wheel Horse's only true entry to the "CUT" market. Like any Horse they have there share of issues, parts availability, weak steering & transaxle problems. Built with a Renault engine, Italian steering gearbox, German transaxle, cuts grass with a John Deere deck, assembled by Gutbrod in Germany, imported to the states with Wheel Horse stickers...is it really a Horse or a stepchild at best? Plenty of power & a lot of neat features, but again I don't think it's the toughest Horse. GT14's...I've had a few & they are "tough", but no more so than any other big block hydro Horse. 520's...I'm not a 520 fan. I had one great one with a 48" deck that would mow grass or plow snow like crazy. Then I've had three others that were less than great, weak frames (I suspect from heavy use carrying a 60" deck causing them to crack at the mid point), blOnan issues, wiring problems, finicky carbs & thirsty, thirsty, thirsty! I think the 20HP Onan & 60" deck were to much for the Wheel Horse chassis... They are a sweet sounding machine & have a lot going for them...I don't think very "tuff" though. 953/1054's....round hoods on steroids. Pretty tough, early models had some issues with the spider gears going "bang". Not all that "tough" either. IMOP...a C series with a big block Kohler, 8 speed, 8 pinion trans is the toughest tractor ever built by Wheel Horse. They are simple to work on, plenty of pulling power, survive & keep going. I know of a C120 a barn collapsed on & sat under that mess for years, when it was dug out eventually it took very little to get it running again. (that's tough!) They may not out pull a D, GT14, 520...or even a 953/1054, but when is the last time you seen one of those in front of a sled? Opinions are free & vary, those are just my thoughts on what Wheel Horse's "toughest" model could be. To much caffeine tonight.

If you weren't wearing the white pants, and carrying a mic, how would they recognize you Bill.

In 1974 my father bought a brand new C160 Automatic, 36" RD deck, dump cart and Parker Sweeper to replace our junkyard Springfield. During my mowing years, I used this tractor every week. We didn't have a snow blade or blower so it was a summer tractor only. My father passed away in 1991, and my mother kept the tractor. When I bought my house in 1993, I bought my brand new 416-H because of the experience with the C-160. Well, my mother moved and no longer needed a tractor, gave the C160 to my brother and God knows what happened to it but sad to say it's gone. I had wanted to have a father / son project and thought what better tractor to get than a C-160 Automatic. Looking around all I could find was an old Electro and C-120 Automatic. A short time later Eldon (kj4kicks) found a C-160 somewhere in the midwest. It ran but wasn't much to look at. He offered to go pick it up (he was going that way anyway) bring it back and trade the Electro and C-120 for it. I agreed because it would complete the cycle from my father, to me to my children. Well, I went to pick up my C-160, expecting to get a rusty old tractor, but instead I received this: It turns out that with a collection from the members, and Eldon's awesome talent, he dismantled the tractor, painted it, and put it together. There was only a few odds and ends for me to complete. It was a complete surprise and I am still in awe of what everyone had done for me. This is one C-160 which is truly a RedSquare tractor, and it is my entry for this month's category!

Well, I've talked about it and thought about it a lot, and inspired by some of bobs fantastic creations and a few others I finally got started. For those who are wondering what the hell I'm on about here's a few of my faves - there's a doe triple d there too built by Simon here in the UK. The idea of a 4x4 wheel horse attracts me as well as the fact I like big tractors and the oversize ags that go with them. I've a big pile of spares and a Raider 10 minus the engine that looks like a start point Here's the first prototype.... It's a bit weak on power and steering - as well as a few other obvious omissions . This actually let's me see how the transmissions sit. This is more what I'm thinking though.... So armed with two gearboxes, I started the measurements and plans....

Well it's a while sense I built any of these hitches and I have had a steady flow of PM's from you guys wanting some more hitches. I have been very busy this last year as my parents have been going through a lot, Spending half of my free time over there helping them out and know I have to move my brother and his family over to my parents so he can help take care of them. So Tom and I will be doing another build of our hitches. The price has gone up as our cost has gone up for the steel. There will be two different hitches for the main product this time. first will be the good old sturdy classic and the second will be a shorter version that will be able to fit a tiller with leaving the hitch on. I have had a lot of you asking for this and I think I can do it for just a little extra in the cost of the hitch. I will drill a new hole for the pin close to the flared end of the receiver, and cut the other end off so it can be mounted up tighter to the rear axle. I will test this hitch as I do have a tiller know and I can check the fit after the first one is built. I did missplace the dimensions for the for the XI hitch I built for Burrly1 and Shallowwatersailer. I have access to a 520xi at my local dealer that I have been keeping a eye on and will get the dimensions that I need this weekend. The paint will unfortunately be changed to Regal Red as my favorite Valspar Restoration series paint is no longer available. I hope it drys good before shipping as I don't want packing materiel sticking to it while they are on the way to you.The old paint took 2-3 days and the new says 24hours but we will see. I am also doing a custom hitch for are friend in Australia. He wants one for his 520 with a loader. the difference between the standard and the XI and a custom hitch that was built I only have Saturdays to work on these as I have my daughter Gabby every day know as I don't want My parents Driving to pick here up any more. So It may take tell the end of the month for these to get built. I will do my best to get them done as fast as possible. Remember that these are built to order, I require 50% down to build you a hitch, and the other 50% when its ready to ship. I use USPS to ship these and only ship on Sat. I will give you a shipping quote when you give me a address, and delivery conformation and a tracking # will be given to you when its shipped. I have 40+ hitches built and sold and have lots of compliments so far and I thank you guys for liking my hitches. The new prices are : 1 regular hitch $120 + shipping 2 short hitch for tiller $130 + Shipping 3 XI hitch $130 + shipping 4 custom hitch to your dimensions $120 - $140 + shipping depending on what you need and cost of materials. extra plates and bolts $10 To mount hitch to tractor if you don't have a rear plow-tiller mount. Any questions you can PM me or post here. If you want one I do like to talk to you in person on the phone as I like to make sure you are happy with what your getting. Thank you for looking an

MODS I know this is not the place for this but I figure it will get the most traffic here, move if you need to, Thanks I have been slacking this year, my Daughter graduated high school, so we had a open house to do, she is going off to collage in a few weeks so we are planning for that, plus personal family stuff has came up, I have not been on RS or many of the other sites much at all in the past few months, so I’m WAY WAY behind on promoting and updating the MI WH show. I’ll post more over the next few days, I’m on vac. This week and hope to catch up on many things I have put off or just plan forgot about with everything going on. The Great lakes Wheel Horse show is Aug. 2,3 and 4th in Charlotte MI 48813 at the eaton county fair grounds, it is held in conjunction with the Big and little tractors show, There will be tractor games, kiddie tractor pedal pulls, full size tractor pulls, garden tractor pulls and other stuff to watch and do, we have food on site, camping is available on the grounds in a nice wooded camp grounds with all hook ups, restrooms and showers also, we are close to down town, with restaurants, and many stores for most of your needs, there are a few hotels very close by, there is road construction near the show but if you follow the detour signs it is easy to get around, I’m hoping to have something set up for a raffle prize very soon, not sure what yet ?? I’ll update more soon, and questions please ask, I’ll try to keep on top of this as much as I can. Hope to see you all here.

Just wondering if any of you folks around here would be interested in seeing some turn of the century abandoned logging & drilling equipment that we stumbled on while out on our wheelers ? If there's any interest, I'll pop some pics up tomorrow afternoon...

I got a Sears GT-18 with 18 HP Briggs and Stratton opposed twin model 422447. Has belt drive 8 speed manual transmission: 3 forward, 1 reverse with high and low range. I am not certain that it is GT-18, but appears to be a '78 or a '79 model. Tractor has three point hitch with box blade with electric lift. runs well. It is missing the PTO clutch mule drive and lacks a mowing deck.

Decided to get a few out yesterday on display for the 4th. Sorry for the Rotten Cell Phone pics! It sure doesn't do these tractors Justice! From left to right - 1985 417-A, 1958 RJ w/ DP-118 Disc Harrow, 702, 1989 520-H, 1968 Lawn Ranger, 1991 520-H Snow Chucker. Cheers ~Duke

Guess there are many possibilities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TAtRCJIqnk&list=PL12B85862EB87478B (now clearing all my old messages from my inbox to prepare for all expected responses)

In the late 60s I was a member of a Central NY Volunteer Fire Dept. As a part of our Field Days (annual fund raiser) a local salvage yard donated a 1954 Chevy and we sold squares ( one second increments at $1.00 each ) on how long it would run without oil and water. Once it was warmed up we drained the oil and water, started it and proped the throttle about half open. The only problem is we only sold ten minutes worth of squares, it lasted about 25 minutes, people got tired of waiting for it to quit. By the time it quit running the person who had the ten minute ticket had spent most of the $50.00 he won buying beers for everyone. By the way, a 1954 Chevy smells real bad after about five munites without lube and coolant.

Taking care of family stuff is never slacking Kelly. I really wish this show was closer!! Good luck! Mike..........

looks like one I would miss with

Well that's odd, I just placed an order for a pack of 10 of the galvanized clamps right up to the point of buying, and it said they could ship in the morning. And the smiley's are working for me. You might need a Java update.

That's the well know supplier that had them, now they are stainless, which will prevent a bike from winning that $2.00 trophy. They were only used on step thru's and springer eagles, and I think the production # was 1001. And I can't add a smiley and I don't know why!

I was able to give the area a good cleaning using my shopvac and air hose without removing the fender pan, but it was hard because the grass was so packed in. I think blowing it out regularly with compressed air will be easier now that the old 20 year old packed in stuff is out. LOL Red

Gene does not need another project , besides I'm not even satisfied with my Raider yet . Maybe if you had a pickup with an adult-sized bed , you'd be able to fit " your new " tractor & the trike in it ! Ha Ha . BTW I called you this morning . did you break your pink phone ? & we're riding this Sunday ( if your house don't burn down ). I think I found a spot that may harbor some more old machinery , but i was too chicken to go down that NASTY hill while riding alone .

You were made for each other... that poor ol' doesn't know anything about you either. Seriously, you'll learn as you go...go drag it home.

I think Steve means...where's the hooch holder Van. Why does that make me smile?

Very nice looking horse Van...where is the cup holder???

To be honest I have wanted to but I dont have any means of getting it home as my pickup has my wheeler in it and there isnt much room if any to spare. Also know nothing about wheel horses what so ever lol.

Hello Ian, As of yet, its all good, many thanks to steve it was option two that got it running sweet again, just had to clean the jet screw and re-adjust it Many thanks -Charlie

Here is one test they do not explain in the manuals. With the engine NOT running check the DC voltage across the battery posts .... red to (+) and black to (-) and record it. Now move the red lead to the DC+ terminal on the regulator. You should have the same recorded voltage. If not work you way back from the regulator until you find the point of voltage loss. What this checks is the path the charge current takes to get from the DC(+) regulator terminal to the battery (+) when it is running. Most 520's and perhaps all have this circuit going to the hot side of the starter solenoid where it is on the same post as the battery (+) cable so the ignition switch is not involved. Some tractor models have this circuit switched so the ignition key must be in the RUN position but the engine still NOT running to do this test. Garry

Thanks for all the warm welcomes , you guys ! Just got done cutting around 5 or 6 acres & she performed flawlessly in axle high grass & now it's time for a bath , grease and some rest .

If you read the Ride-Away Junior chapter in my book, you will find the answer to this question. This chapter is loaded with details in every sentence. Yes, the member RideAway 59 is 100% correct. This is an original lift lever as it came on later 1959 models. It probably has the solid, wider seat, and fenders as well. This is a rare tractor that was a transition of sorts from the RJ58 tractors made in 1959. It is my belief that there are not many of this model, as soon thereafter the 1960 models were produced. After Cecil had to redesign the front axles, he made other improvements as well. Please, please, please keep in mind that they're are not definite model year regularities until the 1960 model year. Please don't go by casting numbers to determine a date of manufacture either. That has nothing to do with the date at all. Although many will argue my facts, I am certain they are correct. This information was told to me by the man who made these tractors with his own two hands. Great Post. I hope everyone is reading their book carefully(LOL) Michael Martino

My Spirit of 76 C-160. Smoked like a chimney when I first got it. A little Seafoam in the oil and working it hard cleared it up. It does all my mowing and most of the snow removal. Customized lift lever for one hand operation. Electric fuel pump installed. Killed the hydro pulling a fertilizer 3 yrs ago. Rebuilt with E-bay parts. Nice comfy seat. No tear downs on this tractor, just work. 817 hrs.

NICE. What else could you say!!!!

Here's one more after a bath : Guess this forum doesn't like Youtube videos , I posted one but it doesn't show up .. oh well .

Fantastic job, Ian. You'd think it was built in a factory.

WOW. Congrats on your perserverrence, it looks great. I know you must be proud and you should be, simply stunning. :handgestures-thumbupright:

here's a few of my pics from the stickering ceremony

That was a great project. I enjoyed following the progress. What a machine ! WHAT'S NEXT ?? !!

Wow what a difference! She's a beauty now!

Simply gorgeous Ian...thing looks like a freight train.

It don't get any better than this! Just can't say enough, enigeneering, build, body work, paint, decials it's all great. It need a nice decal under " The Shack Engineering decial " that say Built by Stigian.

Wooooooooooow Ian, I can't believe that's the same Beast!! Its absolutely gorgeous! Its been a long time coming, but it was worth the wait, and I'm sure I can speak for every RS member when I say congrats, and well done. Those decals look fantastic on there, and really give it the final touch. Nice job Mark, and I really like the "In The Shack engineering" one. I believe this is going to steel the show. The only thing that could make this any better, would be to see a dozer blade on the front! Matt

Oh, alright then! It did make a very good drinks table Can't believe I booked time off work to make sure I could make it over.... I think I was more excited than you stickering it up it felt good to be there seeing the finishing touches being applied! Great to catch up again, thanks again for your hospitality and thanks again for letting me take her for a spin. I'll get some of my pics potatobucketed and on here and my site. For now here's two phone pics Cheers

These were in my Dad's shop, and red, so I grabbed them up, but not sure what they are, or if their even for a wheel horse. He worked on a lot of mowers and tillers. The one part looks like a tiller or cultivator part to me. Kyle The blade is in real good shape ! I just don't know yet how to hook it up.

i want to nominate my 1057. the whole story on the build on this one can be found here....... to date this has definitely been the most detailed build i have done. i also do my painting with powder paint, which presented a few challenges along the way, as much of this tractor as possible was painted this way, lots of parts had to be totally dismantled, engine, generator, fuel pump and carb for example, any of these parts just cant be bead blasted as an assembly and powder coated. they need to be totally dismantled and anything at all that wont survive 400 degrees in a cure oven needs to be removed. i also wanted to keep detail as much as possible as can be seen if you read through the build thread or look at some of the pics below. this tractor while looking nice, drives the best out of anything i have as no worn part went un-noticed and was either rebuilt or replaced...... engine that was used for the build..... and heres a few through the build........

My 1974 Wheel Horse B-80. The work horse tractor of the house!

Low hours, and delivered...sounds like you're getting a good deal on it. .

The show is put on by the Wheel Horse Collectors Club who have been putting on this show for years. I don't know how they fund the events, but I know that I will be sending in my membership first thing Monday because this show must go on!

They both have the swept front axle. The 520 HC is the father of the swept front axle 520H. "C" is for commercial. The 520HC is geared to go faster (7.5 mph vs 5.6 mph). The 520HC has the older single hydro stick on the floor versus the stick on the column (I prefer the older). The 520HC has the older non emission carburetor which is easier to clean which will be necessary if you use fuel with ethanol in it. The 520H has the gear reduction steering (not needed for my mowing applications). The 520H has a few more bells and whistles to have problems with. I own both a 1989 520HC and a 1997 520H. If push came to shove I would keep the 1989 520HC and let the 1997 520H go (I like 7.5 versus 5.6). If one was dealer serviced and had the valve and carbon service that would be a plus. The only way to resolve it is to own one of each.

both the front and mid bearing flanges need to be loosened before the front bearing adjuster is tightened to set the belt tension properly