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I FOUND THIS ONE10 MILES AWAY ON CL LAST NIGHT FOR $500. I LOOKED AT IT LAST NIGHT AND BOUGHT FOR $400. IT IS A 1988 312-8 WITH 615 HOURS. HE WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER ON THIS ONE. THE TRACTOR CAME WITH A 2002 42" MOWER DECK, HE BOUGHT NEW IN 2009 FROM THE DEALER FOR $600 WITH MULE SET UP AND THE DECK STILL HAS RED PAINT UNDERNEATH TRACTOR RUNS GOOD AND MOWS GOOD. NEEDS A GOOD BATH AND POLISH AND THE SEAT WILL NEED REPLACED. THIS ONE WILL BE ONE OF WINTER PROJECTS. BOWTIE IN OHIO

Collected the tractors for quite some time as a kid. Played with them more than I probably should have. Those late 60's and early 70's Ertl products were truly top notch. I had several complete sets of tractors, wagons, plows, drags, combines, interchangeable heads the whole nine yards. One day, before I went into the service, mom wanted to have a garage sale up at grandmas house in Mt. Morris, Il. These collectables had become quite a collection. I had 3 large, 24" x 32" x 24" boxes full of farm Ertl toys. I had taken them up to the sale, just as a "what if" scenario came up. I really had no intentions to sell the collection. I had no clue what to even ask. The collection drew many questions, and had lots of offers. The last day, a young mother, who was single, and you could tell struggling financially came to look over what was left of the clothing. While she looked, the little boy of about 2, managed to find his way over to the collection. The little guy lit up with a huge smile and began begging his mom for just 1 tractor. I overheard her quietly tell him she needed to spend the money they had on clothes so she could work. Broke my heart. So what does a 17 year old kid do with a collection of toy tractors he will not see for at least 4 years? You guessed it. As she stepped up to pay for the clothes she found, I smiled at the little boy, and I asked him what he would do with a tractor. He said he would share it with his friends and "little brother". As the lady turned to leave I said you forgot something. As she turned around I was holding 1 of the boxes of the collection. Tears immeadiately filled her eyes and her little boys. She could not even speak. I asked her if her car was big enough to carry all 3 boxes. All she could do was shake her head yes. As I.finished loading the last box, I turned to walk up the driveway and saw my mom and grandma with tear filled eyes. They knew what that collection meant to me, but they also knew the young lady, had just lost her husband about 3 months ago. I had no idea the magnitude of the simple jesture I had done would be such an inspiration to my mom and grandma. Go figure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUa7oBsSDk8

It's that day of the year that if you are a active Marine or just one that has done his time "Always a Marine" that we celebrate the birth of are beloved Marine Corps. This is the day that every Marine was born on. So here's to you and Yours- Happy Birthday Marine's Semper Fi!

I can pretty much predict winter storms better than the Farmers Almanac, better than a Penn State Meteorologist, better than a Wooly Caterpillar and far better than a TV Weatherman! For Central Pennsylvania, we will have a mild winter! How much snow? We won't get much! We may not have any major winter storms at all! Why? How do I possibly know this? Because I'm ready for it! That's why!

took the 416H (sporting the new decals ) out for a few shots this morning.......

A few edits to entertain you.

Always happy to give a "snap to attention and crisp salute" to our fellow brothers and sisters in the USMC!!

Today I further justified two decisions that I have made. The first was getting a Cyclone Rake a few years ago, and the second was getting another 5xi. Fall is my favorite season and leaf patrol is a welcome part of it. Of course, it is nothing like being a kid in Chicago where I would rake the leaves to the curb for burning. Fall leaves smoking - adding to the "bouquet" of the city. Ah! The fragrance was like no other aroma. But, today it is just a memory with the ban on burning. With the wind the other day, about half the leaves are finally down. It was finally time to hitch up the CR to the 518xi and begin making next years compost. Thinking back I can't believe the first fall here I did it the traditional way. Pictured is about 1/3 of what gets cleared. The difficult part has always been the dumping as when compacted into the collector, the leaves are reluctant to empty. A series of maneuvers gets them out but not in a neat pile. Enter the 520xi. I can now spread the dumping and then plow the leaves into neat piles. Now if I could only train my buddy to drive one of the tractors.

hey Amc I haven't clue I just bought this off a friend of mine that he said the tires all away round were $400.00 by themselves yeah once I get to it i'm going to put on a chrome stack with flap on it, I think it'll be a nice added touch.

Happy Birthday USMC. I had the pleasure of meeting quite a few while in the Amphibious Navy, delivered many to the shores in the cargo wells of LCMs and LCVPs. Always said a prayer for safe return as we backed off the beach.

Evidence!!!! The 6th pic proves it!!! The 4th pic looks normal to me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES...and Thanks for all you do.

I was once on top this year...I didn't really like it. The only way from there is down. Way tooooo much pressure for me.

Horsepower (Clydesdale type) gets the beer to you, torque gets the top off the bottle so you can drink it!

What about some silly stuff. I know there must be some folks out there with editing skills. Here's an attempt...

I like it!! The ribs are cool and will look great with the ags on the back.

Few more pics

Thanks so much guys and I am glad you are enjoying the posts. Here lately many of them are starting to look a lot alike. Hopefully as things progress we will be able to get in to some different types of body work, filler, priming, more sanding, and then before too long some red paint will be hitting some of these pieces. I can honestly say that this has been a highlight of many of my weeks. The kids are very ambitious and have a great sense of humor as we love sharing jokes each Wednesday. Even though we have until the end of May to get this thing done, I am already feeling the stress of making that deadline. I am sure we will make it and we will meet more than once a week if we need to. Thanks for checking up on this thread. I always look forward to sharing our experience with you!

Quick update... Got the front sliding doors done. Bought the exterior light from the local flea market last weekend but still needs to be wired. Momma did not like the white windows and had suggested I go with the green so they got painted today. This weekend if all goes well, my cousins Timbo and Toddbo will be up to pull the wires through and get me some light!! I also hope to get the wood stove up and running too. Here are a few pics...

Picked up this Boom Box today. And Manual

A Winter Month Photo She's Itching For A Fight!

you know I haven't even got a chance to look at it yet up close and personal underneath, got my blower and plow tonight and its mint, by the way REXMAN72 is awesome to do business with what he tells you the condition of what he is selling is exact to the tee and if not better i'm very happy on the deal he gave me tonight, better service than most dealers!

Here is the pics

Been a real busy week and weekend at work. I was able to get away from it for a little bit to get some wood burning.... I agree with your thoughts on the wildlife under the shed. I am "thinking" of making a field stone foundation.... I was able to get some shelves installed too...

Like you I use more than one machine for leaf duty. One chops em up, another picks em up and the third pushes the huge pile deeper in the woods. I hate leaf duty but it does give me some serious seat time!! Mike............

Thanks for the suggestions. Stupid me, in a rush to get my new L157 to move on its own power, I did not even put the belt gard back on after I put the new belt on. I wanted to ride it a few feet before I started the complete tear down and restoration. If I turned the engine off put it in gear and held the brake down hard it would start and drive when the clutch/brake was released. I did not know the belt guard had a function other than keeping a pants leg out of the belt. The input shaft does not have any slack or play in it, the new belt I put on was the right length and width, but not an origional wheel horse belt, Just received the origional belt in the mail but have not put it on. I see the metal tab welded to the belt gard Paul mentioned, I now know the correct distance it needs to be from the belt when I put it back on. I also see the 3/16 round arm that was suppose to be bolted onto the tractor, in my haste to ride it, it was sitting on the work bench with the belt gard. Thanks all for the suggestions and help, this gives me some things to check and do before the next "gotta ride it".

That would still be amazing if it was built yesterday. True mechanical genius. Thanks for sharing that!

I'm just finishing up my 1964 wheel horse custom 604. I added a nice running 8HP Kohler electric start that I obtained from Jimmy Jam. I had to move the engine forward an inch to allow space for the starter.. Then had to mount the coil up front and install the voltage regulator and the solenoid under the fuel tank base. I also had to make a custom air filter so the hood would fit. Then added a suburban steering wheel. Had to use a longer drive belt and a smaller engine pulley. I also added a volt meter below the dash and added a cigar lighter and a red indicator light on the dash. Then added a nice stack exhaust. My photos are too large to add to this forum but I posted photos in the wheel horse gallery under 1964 tractors.

Love the ags on all fours... go on and give her a name...you can call 'er "ready to make it happen" now.

That thing looks so good. Hopefully mine will turn out that good. I was going to comment on the wire brush haha.

OK great. I'm kind of obsessed with that new blaster haha. I'm glad to see you on the computer, Steve! Hope your eye is doing good. Craig, that trans looks unreal. Wow.

Great Story I go to a lot of farm Toy auctions. The attachments bring more than the actual tractors now. Some cost more than a nice

Really coming together nicely!!! Geez how do balance all on your TO-DO Lists! I guess I better start drinking more coffee!!! LOL!

I really need to turn down the brightness on my puter!

Just take the blinders off the horse next time..

Yeah...now you're talkin' my language. Reminds me...I've gotta list that hot water heater soon.

Nice find, and it still has the grill and a pretty decent set of B.F. Goodrich 6.40 x 15 power grips on the rear!!! Plus you have one of these coming?

Actually no,real surprises here. Purdue and Illinois...yuck. Iowa beat a very poor Purdue team. Isn't Joe Tiller looking good now Boiler fans? Illinois will hire a better coach. Huskers and Mich was actually a decent game to watch. Nebraska would find some way to mess up and Michigan. Well, Michigan is coming back down to earth. Minnesota is for real.

Also a huge, huge thank you to our very own Glen Pettit! He was very thoughtful and hooked my wife up with a brand new key and key chain. Wish we lived closer, we could talk school and tractors all afternoon! Thanks so much Glen!

Hey what do you know......this thing is actually starting to look like a tractor again. I am really digging the tiny tri ribs on the front. Slowly but surely we are making progress.

Looks real good! Thats one nice thing about redoing these, you can set it aside and go back to it anytime. Nice job.

Some good looking progress going on there.

You have a few in your shed! RJ's yes, but unfortunately...no 3D laser printer...yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3SVTBrKyZk

Man that's a good deal ! Those Economy's will move a lot of snow!

Now, we're all waiting for your's Van.... oh...and a ride on Neils new Sr...that just arrived in the U.K.

How do we join this club?

And now for the grand finale... I've got the quick hitch to add back still, but here is the tractor fully put back together and decals installed. I'm very happy with how it turned out. The paint doesn't have the automotive quality gloss that some restorations do, but for doing it myself in my garage with rattle cans, I am very happy. The decals from Redo your Horse look great. I can't wait to try out a few implements and take it to a show. So far, I have just ridden it around the yard pulling the kids in the wagon. Dave

Every year with a few tweaks I post this just before Christmas. I hope you all enjoy! Dedicated to all the members of Red Square world-wide and our families.....(with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore!) ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all ‘round our house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. My tractors were parked in their new shed with care; I felt very blessed just to know they were there. Our dogs were both nestled all snug on our bed, While visions of Milk Bones danced round in their heads. My wife in her PJ’s had gone off to snooze, While I’d settled down for the late evening news. When somewhere outside there arose a dull roar; It rattled the walls, it shook the whole floor! I ran to the door and flung it wide open, To see what the heck had fallen or broken. The yard light shone bright on the new fallen snow, Where nothing had crashed, no damage did show. When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But eight Wheel Horse tractors! Why now, and why here? They pulled a large trailer piled high front to back, With parts and attachments, an impressive stack Of motors and trannies and tires and blowers, And hoods and fenders and belts and some mowers! Then even more tractors appeared on our street, They came two by two in ranks very neat. RJ’s and GT’s and B’s, C’s and D’s, With numbers and letters of every series. Their engines did thunder, their hot exhaust rose, The air filled with laughter and hearty “Ho! Ho’sâ€! Though I did not know all the drivers by sight, Their banner, “Red Squareâ€, waved proud in the night! As quick as they’d come they slid to a stop, Then a man dressed in red ran straight toward my shop! I could see that he carried a very large sack, It bulged and it sagged and it ‘near broke his back! He winked and he grinned as he switched on the light, Then pulled the door shut to hide from my sight. “This can’t be realâ€, I thought to myself, “I’m too old to believe in the ‘jolly old elf’ â€! He was gone but a moment, then quickly came back, His stepped seemed much lighter, and so did his pack. He signaled ‘thumbs up’ with a mischievous smile, Then boarded his wagon, climbed back up the pile. Atop this great load, with white beard and hair, The man all in red hailed the drivers by pair: “Now Karl, now TT, now Ian, now Bill, On Chuck, on Steve-o, on Mike, on Will….†“We’ve far to go boys, let’s keep up the pace, Don’t spare the ‘Horses, we’re in quite a race, We’ve thousands of homes to visit this night, Our work must be done before it’s daylight!†I started to step out to say a “Thank you!â€, But this man was fast, and so were his crew! They all punched their throttles, their engines did scream, The herd quickly vanished as if in a dream! I now think ‘twas Santa who commanded this fleet, Atop his red wagon in a 520 seat! His words echoed long after he’d gone out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!†If a herd of red tractors should come to greet you, On the night before Christmas, a jolly red crew, It’s our friends from Red Square who’ve cleverly planned To get more seat time giving Santa a hand! *** *** *** *** *** *** May the Holidays be filled with peace, love, happiness and contentment for all of us, May the Lord as you may choose to define Him in your life bless and watch over you, May the memories of those who have left us remind us of how precious life is, and May 2013 be filled with peace, prosperity and good health for us all! Duff :thumbs: