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Decided to get the herd out for roll call today. This is the first time I got pics of them all at home. I had never had the room to keep them all at home tell now with the addition of a free 10x12 shed.

I found this picture that was taken at the Florida Flywheelers Show while looking for a business card, it shows Brandon Pfeiffer from Lawn and Garden Collector magazine (driving my 854), Charlie Culley (driving his 60th Anniversary 315) and me on my 500 SPECIAL. Now ifn's ya' notice you will see me not in line with the rest of the parade because I'm trying to drive and adjust the carburetor on the H-60 Tecumseh ! 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.

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.

Well, Jay and I did it again. I found another BlackHood that was calling me over the World Wide Web, and Jay was needing another 48" SD mowing deck so we took a road trip and brought home this. Its a 1984 C-165 with a Kohler K341. The balance gears broke and the dipper on the connecting rod found them laying in the bottom of the oil pan. Time for a slight rebuild and connecting rod. Jay had to do a little tuning on the deck, but he is finished with that project. I have to finish removing the K and take it to my engine guy. The bodywork polished up amazingly well. Once I have the engine out, I will give the chassis a good pressure washing. Right now its a little on the greasy side. The high-back seat is beautiful, no cracks or splits. It has the Wheel Horse logo imprinted on the back of the seat. The dash is beautiful too. I'll try to post some more pics tomorrow. Here it is. So far we are both happy with what we have here.

I wouldn't touch it at all, just fix any mechanical stuff and leave it at that...... If you do make it look nice and end up working it often, I bet eventually you will wish you'd left it the way it looks now...... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, got them painted Not terribly hard to get onto the rims with lots of soap, but very hard to get air into... Didn't fancy the ice road truckers method - lighter fluid or ether. So went for the ratchet straps. And once inflated they look like this! Voila... Just in case the weather turns this weekend for Ardingly, thought I'd try them on my car

I've had them for several years and use them daily. I think they are fabulous! GE Elec-Traks were made from 1970-1974 and then the line was sold to Wheel Horse. Wheel Horse cut down the model offering to three- A65, B145, and C185. They also introduced their own electric in 1974, A60. Later in 1981 they introduced the E81 and E141. You can learn more about them from my web site at http://www.myelec-traks.com. All the manuals are there and you can get parts from a couple dealers also listed on my site. Be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Got back tonight at 8:30pm. Wow was it crazy. The estimates were close to half a million people visited over the week. Like I said earlier in the thread I really enjoy the history of the whole Civil War era. Well I made a rather "special" purchase that is the equivalent to what the Pond Senior is to Wheel Horse collecting when you talk about the Civil War, which now is very secure in my "special" safe. Cost almost as much as the Senior did .

the 414 is a great all round machine,i keep my tiller o n my nice 414,so she doesnt get too many hours

Hey everyone, I'm pullstart (Kevin) a couple weeks ago I was just browsing around and found a 502 on CL with a K141 Kohler and a 36" cut deck. The engine was knocking and I took the drive with my 5 year old daughter to pick it up. I can't tell who is more excited to have a NEW tractor, but we picked it up last Saturday afternoon and last night the rebuild kit came in the mail. In a few hours we were tooling around the yard and having a blast. Yeah, I'm looking forward to enjoying my little 6 1/4 horse and love the pull start no battery idea... it's simple, works, what more would anyone want out of their toys? I need to figure out what model the mower deck is, so I can find the PTO/drive belt, we'll use if for a while to clean up the yard, then work on cleaning it up a few pieces at a time. Thanks again to Bob, the guy who sold it to me. I think he's a member here, an avid WH hobby collector/builder/dealer.

As many of you who were at the show this year, this is the 150th Anniversary of The Battle of Gettysburg, and that you were close to perhaps the most historical place in the country. I happened on this video animation and explanation of the battle today and for the first time got a very good perspective of how this battle played out. I found it fascinating... http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/maps/gettysburg-animated-map/

Well the deal on the 520 hc fell through so I thought that I would look for another WH. Came across this deal I couldn't pass up a 1987 312-8 with 42" sd deck and a snow plow, $100.

Congragulations on your first WH. The blackhoods are among the best of the Wheel Horses. Junk the plastic fender and install a newer steel. They bolt right up. Look at the thread I just started to see what yours will look like with the steel fender pan.

Real nice....got me a bit jelous! My C-165 dont shine. Mike...........

Those are not the correct rear rim or tires. Should have at least 23x8.5x12's on the rear. Fronts look correct. The rear fender can be swapped to a metal fender pan, most anything from 1978 and up will fit. Mike............

Looks pretty stout Van and she's a looker!

hhmm maybe he was about to be lapped? lol.

And I see you're leading the pack while you're doing it. The Techy's ruled that track.

Wow bearpath I think you found the stress riser in that input shaft.... If you keep breaking keyways out like that you may want to consider using a trantourque or similar keyless hub. Or at least a taper lock hub.

Thanks for all the kind words "Kid". I have 32 different electrics now (that's all I collect). My friends say I need an intervention! I'm still looking for a couple of models but the barn is getting pretty full.

This is the only pic I have at the moment. It's a 1860 Spencer Carbine. I have the documentation to show it was issued to the 12th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Company D in 1864. Wasn't at Gettysburg but it was used during the War. It is all original except the stock was light refinished probably 30 or 40 years ago. The bore is bright and clean with no pitting. It is fully functional and will probably fire perfectly. Overall it's in great condition with a lot of the original finish. All of the markings are ledgable. I just couldn't walk away from this. It's an unbelievable piece of history.

HA HA! Bring to the big show next year so we can watch you chase it around. Should be very entertaining! Buzz the Hedge Hog whisperer

Awesome news Kelly. I was starting to worry knowing some of the insurance issues that the fairgrounds proposed last year. Family is first so I can understand. I am trying to wrap up my Lawn Ranger project for the show, right now it is a pile of half painted parts.

After riding around on Stevebo's Senior I'd have to say it is one of the toughest. I also think it would yank most of the tractors mentioned above with ease. Imagine how tough a Senior was when it was brand new! Just my take on which is the toughest. Of course they ain't so easy too find!

We found this old Cleatrac : ffr And here's userj8670 Next to some giant machine we stumbled on : More to come this evening .

Looks great! I am sure it will make a sweet tilling machine!

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

Replaced the petcock and the rubber bushing that goes around it too. However.....I'm gonna check it just in case something is blocking the hole.

Welcome to RED SQUARE!!! You guys will grab tons of info here and become addicted like the rest of us and add more Wheel Horses than just one! Have fun!!!

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)

If you would like I could loan you some parts to get a paint match. I have had one other early bolens, it was a very early rear tine tiller pretty sure it was the first year they made them, I purchased it just for the k90 kohler but like the one I have now it was too nice and unusual to take apart I even used it to till my garden and it did just as good as my troy bilt horse. I put it on ebay and it sold to a collector out on the east coast, he said the only place he ever seen one was in a brochure, a uship hauler picked it up and hauled it away from my home.

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.

Man, that thing is cool Ryan...makes me want to extend the frame, add a seat, then some front wheels. LOL|! Wait a minute...I seem to remember that being done somewhere else before.

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. .

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???

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

Nice new toy

Van - nice looking ride!!!

Great Question Craig, The 1958 Ride-Away Juniors were the first Ride-Away Junior manufactured with the Uni-drive transmission. These continued to be manufactured through 1959. I have seen many, many variations as they used whatever parts were on hand. If you look up the date of manufacture from your engine's serial number and it states that it was made in 1959, it can not be a 1958 tractor. The Ponds did not stock a huge amount of parts at any time, so I doubt if any 1959 tractors have an engine that was made in 1958, although there may be a few. Wheel color, decals, etc. can not really be used for exact information. In the DVD with my book, there is a video of the Pond family playing with a 1958 tractor that has black rear wheels. Why? Because those were the rims that were on hand when it was made. There also were variations in the hitch style, rear axle hubs, etc. The same is true of the tractors made in 1955-1957. I have even seen an original RJ58(not 1959) that had the decals from a 1960 tractor. The decal designer probably sent over some samples and the Ponds tried them out to see if they liked them. Now, the reason I say the casting number on the transmission can not really determine the year is simply because I asked this question of Mr. Pond and he told me that they did not cast anything to record the year of production. I suppose the company who cast the transmission case could have cast the year of production on the casting, but as I said it was not something the Ponds ordered done. I don't read too much into the early production years as some do. I am just happy to see someone enjoy their miniature tractor. Thanks for this topic. I appreciate your interest in the historical aspect of year of manufacture. I am so happy to see such a great forum as Red Square. When I got into the hobby, there was absolutely no information about these little machines. Enjoy every variation for what it is, Michael

Nothing wrong with Internationals. It's the club members that are a PITA!

LOL LOL, no definetly not. Because I am a Wheel Horse guy, Mark will go the other direction. Its good friendly competition for us. Too bad it doesn't have a Tecky in it! Right Craig!

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

Good looking tractor Van !!

Nice addition!

That is a really clean 414 Van. The one I got but have not picked up yet is not in that good as shape. Im sure you will have it working great when you are done. Keep us posted.

Welllllllll considering the D-250 has a wet sleeved Renault industrial gas engine rated at only 19.5 hp but the true hp rating was 28 hp ...... hummmm then there is the 10 speed transmission ...... ohhh yeah the differential lock ..... I think these reasons make the D-250 pretty tough. Wild Bill Richmond, VA

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.

Jim: Thanks for posting this . I have been watching and taping this 150th Anniversary of Gettysburg on the History Channel all weekend. Here is also a fascinating GIS Project Map the Smithsonian had prepared for this anniversary that explains who Union soldiers did not appear in view to lookouts, scouts and Lee from their vantage point during the first part of the battle. See the Smithsonian Interactive Map at: http://bit.ly/1crQWYd New map may explain Lee's decisions at Gettysburg news.yahoo.com GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — On the second day of fighting at Gettysburg, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee listened to scouting reports, scanned the battlefield and ordered his second-in-command, James Longstreet, to attack the Union Army's left flank.