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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 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

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.

Here it is on tractor

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.

looks like one I would miss with

Original bolens colors. The bolens ride a matic is the rider version much like the wheel horse rj it started out as a walk behind tractor.

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 .

That deck is the original deck for that horse...only year they made that deck and it went on the 701. Don't lose it...it is on the rare side and is sought after. Notice the wheels are on the inside of the deck. They would get a little tangled with grass clippings so for 1962 the wheels were moved to the outside.

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???

Here is another image of that same tractor if that helps anyone. Wonder if it could run?

I stand by my facts. I believe this tractor is from the factory. I simply tried to make a statement as not to cause an argument on Red Square since you can't convince some people. Read my post again. My book is called Straight From the Horse's Mouth for reason. It is FACT directly from Cecil Pond. There is no speculation. This is the Final Edition and there is no need for an addendum when the information in the book is 100% accurate. Why do some people have to read into things or twist things. My name is Michael Martino and I am the author!

I had a VW dune buggy stuck in the mud and sand by the side of the Delaware river at low tide. By the time I got some help and dragged it out with a couple of ATVs, it was completely under water. There was no way those guys could drag it up the hill to the road and I wasn't leaving it there so I pulled the plugs, turned it over, put them back in, dried the water in the distributor cap and fired it up. I couldn't believed it fired right up. That motor ran for a long time after that even though it was running for a good 10 to 15 min. with the crankcase full of water. I blew up other engines under normal conditions faster than this one. Those old bug engines were tough!

953 brings up a good point about the brakes. Soak the brake band to get ALL of the grease and oil out of it, clean it with a wire brush and clean the drum too. My old rat rod would do over 30 mph and almost stop on a dime. The rear wheels would spin in different directions when locking the brakes but it didn't get out of control. It was out of control when you stomped the gas pedal. I found the biggest danger was tipping over and mine was lowered, so flying around on regular tractor with a higher center of gravity will be even more dangerous. BE CAREFUL! You don't want to be the first guy on your block to end up in the hospital from riding a lawnmower!

That's funny. You should have asked: "Tell us your name and where your from"

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 .

Thanks dennist, I'd love to get one, the problem is to find one. For the prices they want for the 523dxi , I could buy a 4x4 NH diesel or Kubota bx series. If I could find the deisel at a fair price, then bring it on. Most want to rape you on it. Lymedog

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-LAaD__DVU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUOhJW1EtgGjsCAf7Kk5Dwfw

Pretty freakin' AWESOME! That tractor is cool as hell and looks like it came right from South Bend! Great job Ian!

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.

That's a marvelous machine. I'm very impressed, and i dont impress easily!

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!

All dressed up in it's 'Sunday Best'. Well I can't add much to what has already been said Ian. You done good !. It really look's right in every way, especially now it's Red. Just Amazing. Looking forward to seeing you/it at the show.

What a "Beast"! -- What a great build topic this has been!! -- I wish I had 1/10 of your skills and determination Ian -- What a wonderful job

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.

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.

This was the first tractor that dad and I tackled to clean up and put back in to good working order. It was the feature model for the 2012 WHCC show in Arendtsville, PA where it was revealed. We had a great time and learned many things through the process of doing our first machine. We were pretty pleased with the results and have had a lot of fun on it. It now has the correct seat and is getting a sickle bar mower cleaned up to install on it. Here she is........

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!

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