Leaderboard

I was able to receive a very special Wheel Horse Christmas present this year. I was able to purchase Scott's 1045 that he had listed for sale. It was a 700 mile drive (one way) from Chesterfield VA to Warsaw IN, but was well worth it. I combined this trip with a stop back in Ohio to visit my Mom just before Christmas. Here is a picture of the 1045 being unloaded, The starter/generator is bad, so I couldn't drive it down the ramps. So the Wheel Horse got a little help from his John Deere friend. I am giving the tractor a "freshen up" while waiting for a new S/G. It has been restored previously and is in really good shape. A belated Merry Christmas everyone!

John, No, not another 5xi yet, but a new, in the box (still factory strapped) 5xi plow setup. I already have one, but I came across this one and I couldn't help myself. They said that it must have been in the warehouse for 5 or 6 years and had been forgotten about. They even threw in the spiders that were crawling around on the carton. Like fine wine, it is going to age in the carton for now. Rick

And here is the RM425 deck I have restored to put on the tractor:

I lost my grandma on Christmas a few years ago. I say that not for sympathy, but to give us some pause. This time of year is wonderful for some, but hurtful for others. Just a reminder, keep your loved ones in your mind.

Hi there in new to the forum. Rescued my first WH from nasty scottish weather. Its been out there for some time but when I got her home she started with a new battery and petrol. But there are some problems. I have to hold the throttle and it does not like idling. If I can get it to do both I think I can go ahead with my plan to mount an oil pump to work a log spliter. Thanks

On the road and bringing this home today from the mountains of Maryland. They regularly see snow out there, let's hope I do.

Run that clock on a warm summers night and you'll see what I mean! My B-N-Law won a neon clock at a Advanced Auto store opening! He was all proud and smug and I didn't say anything. His dealership is in a swampy area. He worked late one night with the doors open. That clock drew in things you would see in a stevasaurus home movie!

Give him a chance.

You should download the Sundstrand manual, It has an excellent diagnostic section. Three most likely candidates here are first (and most likely) Control linkage adjustment. Charge valve and acceleration valves are also mentioned but I would look at the linkage adjusment first.

One thing I forgot to put in that post was a disclaimer that my wife sees fit to tell everybody. "DON'T LISTEN TO A THING BOB SAYS". It probably would have saved a perfectly good GPS unit.

Steve If you want better "Karma" you have to either listen to a rendition of "Feelings" or if that is too much to stomach you have to listen to an entire Herb Alpert or Trini Lopez collection before each game. I may have to make a leaf for the table!

Take a picture of your notebook after you update it and post that.

I better make sure I get another bag of those buttons to pass out at the show this summer. I got this neon wall clock in a grab bag gift exchange. Always wanted one of these to see if I could take it apart and make it a Wheel Horse Clock. It said Man Cave before I made it a Wheel horse clock. Now to find one with a red tube.

When buying a tractor, and the owner says it's been in storage for a long time... do yourself a favor and pull the tins, you may be surprised what you find lurking in there.

nice vid thanks for sharing

and many more!

Just curious, was that headphones and an XM radio on the left?????? You've got more electronic S&#T in there than the space shuttle!! I love it!! Nice!

Being able to grease a bearing is good, but I'm curious. If those bearings are sealed bearings (and they appear to be) all that grease will do is keep the inside of the spindle free from moisture. If the inner sideof the bearing is exposed, that's a whole different game, but I've never seen one like that. And one can pump it only so full before blowing in the inner seal of the bearing. With that set up, you only have to put in grease during assembly. After the bearing has a life of it's own. Like I said, just curious.

Looking great!

you are doing a fantastic job on the tractor jake. that paint looks very nice....

Well, I felt I had to share my happiness resulting from my recent snow cab purchase. I'm assuming the folks posting on Red Square can appreciate something like this. Sometimes its the simple things in life. I've had my '89 310-8 for about 15 years. I didn't even use the plow blade that came with it until about 9 years ago..When I found out I couldn't push wet heavy snow, I started looking for a snow thrower attachment, which I found within 50 miles of where I live. I've been using the snow thrower for many years but was growing tired of getting the snow "blow-back" all over me. I'd have to stop and shake the snow off of me and would often come in wet after finishing the job. Since I'm pushing 60, I decided I'd had enough winter weather. Thus began the search for a snow cab. As I'm sure you all know, these can be hard to find. It took me nearly a year, but I finally came across one that would fit my 310-8. I just had to drive 5 hours (each way) to get it as it was fully assembled. It was worth the drive. I got it installed over Thanksgiving and was ready when the snow came. I can't say enough about how nice it is to have any snow 'blow-back" sweep over the cab and finish the job DRY. I don't even have to pile on as many warm clothes. So yes, I'm now a happy cab-er Michael from Wisconsin

Love that foot control Martin! If I had a with a hydro, I'd have to own one of those. It just seems like it makes more sense. I'm glad to see how that Onan turned out, and the progress your making on the tractor. Matt

really hate to over use a word... But damn, that is really, LOOKING GOOODDD!!! I would hate to see the quality of work you would produce if you put your heart into it and loved doing it!!! Scratch that... Would "love" to see the quality of work. LOL..

Thanks for the encouraging posts! The spindles my friend sent came in, and got them rebuilt in short order, so that I could assemble the deck. I really love that these spindles can be greased! Still waiting on a couple small things to come in before I can mount the deck, but it will be mowing soon. Matt

On the road and the new addition finally home mingling with part of the herd. The big guys are still in the garage. I think that it is ironic that I picked up a snow thrower on a 57 degree day in December. BUT - the forecast is for snow on Thursday! You can't beat U-Haul for cheap transportation I think that I am ready for winter now. I'll take a picture of the whole snow crew Monday, heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow. Maybe I can use my 48" squeegee. It is a 1989 520-H with 643 hours along with a 1997 42" snowthrower and a 42" RD mower deck that had been hanging on the wall for 15 years. I really did have my mask on for this one!

Craig thats insulation for the little fellas... they don't need air conditioning this time of year... lol Chasm

testing how good they go offroad.... be for i realised what i have will get some close up shots asap

I put the crank center line in the same location also. I raised the Vanguard 7/8" to get the right height with two 1/2" x 2" flat bars and a 3/8" plate under the engine. I also used the standard C-120 belts and belt guard unmodified. I also have two washers behind each bolt on the PTO bracket as I modified the original engine mounting holes. I also used a spacer behind the PTO in the crank shaft. I did drill two new holes in the battery box and turned the battery around to move the battery post to the rear. I also sawed a 2" hole in the gas tank tray and have to remove the gas tank to change the rear spark plug. Rotated the solenoid switch up as far as possible on the starter to clear the battery. As I have said before it's a tight fit on a C-120. I needed the pressure oil system as my yard is far from level. By back yard slopes 16' in 200' with a few 35 degree slopes thrown in. The front is some what better with slopes on the upper and lower sides.

Great video Bob...that horse is SWEET.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE...HAVE A GREAT DAY.

maybe a bug zapper grid upgrade? So far I see no Bugs buzzing around my Gnat Magnet but just to be safe I am going to ask Karl to raffle it off in a New Years Support Members Raffle. But I will not be responsible for any Gnat attacks on the winner.

maybe a bug zapper grid upgrade?

from your friends from

Steve, I ran out and took a picture. Also did the math and its not quite fifty years old. Its a 66 Chevy short bed. Her grandpa bought to use for a farm truck and that's about all it was used for. Its on the list to do after about ten other things.

very nice looking 1045...... of the 60s tractors that i still want, this model is at the top of the list....

That is a fine piece of snow-removal equipment! Thanks for the video. I can't believe you don't have a back-up camera in there!

WOOF!!!!

The way you get things done Martin, I was beginning to think that you never sleep. Looks like it's true.... Great thread and a great job on this tractor!

Well, I am 0 wins and 4 losses at the moment. I burned my magic pencil...I threw out my TOM TOM trying to do the GPS thingy that RacinBob did...I tore apart my Shaman books...I went out and bought another bottle of Rock & Rye...I even lighted an "I'm sorry Michigan" candle. Nothing is working. It's OK...I am still not picking IOWA over LSU...I'll go 0 wins and 29 losses first...and that's all I've got to say about that. My picks still suck...I had a 50 / 50 chance at every game and I am still batting a 1000 (the wrong way)...the Washington game is still going and it is close...I am looking at 0 wins and 5 losses... Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me... Deep Dark Depression... Excessive misery... If it weren't for bad luck... I'd have no luck at all... Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me.

I may be, but nobody will be able to understand what I have to say.

If the pulley has any wobble or is loose fitting , that will cause it to shear the key. You might want to replace the pulley. It needs to run smooth and true because of the high rate of speed and torque applied , the wobble will cause a vibration that will cause it to fail. Did your belt whip much?...it shouldn't.

Finally got some stuff painted. The fenders and belt shield go to the 401, the rest is to this. Frame is just about ready for primer now too.

Finally repainted my hood AGAIN!! it turned out extra nice. I'm surprised now all I got left to do is my tool box that I just got in the mail, break caliper, wheels and seat pan. Then for reassembly..I'm getting scared..

Yeah, they're great...love mine too.

Bill, thanks for the comments. on your running on 1 cylinder onans, easy enough to do a compression test first off, since it seems they are complete and running (although not very well) and then if you find one cylinder down, investigate from there. adding some oil to a down pressure cylinder will tell you if the rings are bad or not. pressure goes up , oil is sealing the rings and they are bad, no pressure increase, valves (or seats) or something else. pulling the heads would be next and usually will reveal a whole lot more about the condition of an engine, good or bad........ more and more i see that although these onans are awesome engines, but they do require more tlc than your typical kohler and will cost you a bunch of $$$ if you neglect them.......

I picked up the 702 in Springfield, Il. Very nice tractor and runs great, plowed my driveway with it last weekend 6" fresh snow without a problem. I will start restoring it in the spring. I am in the middle of restoring a 702 sickle mower (picture in my profile) that I picked up in New Folden, MN. Not to many Wheel Horse's in my neck of the woods I have to drive a ways to get them. I am having a blast doing it.

Terry you amaze me. You"re like an encyclopedia when it comes to tractors. I'm sure glad we have you here on this forum.

I am finally the owner of a Wheel Horse! (and speaking of "finally"..I think I probably now hold a dubious Redsquare record! I was a member of this forum for over one YEAR before I even owned a single Wheel Horse tractor! (or any tractor for that matter!) But after a year of thinking, musing and research, (and asking many questions here! thanks!) I finally own my first tractor. I decided early-on that I definitely wanted a Round Hood.. I like all Round Hoods, but I decided to narrow my search to only a RJ58 or a 854 for my first tractor.. Everyone knows the RJ58 is a classic (if perhaps a light-duty machine) and personally I consider the 854 to be "The Queen of the Round Hoods"..the ultimate example of her kind..So those are the two I wanted to look for.. I wanted to find a "rough and ready" machine..working, servicable, but didnt have to be pristine..(I was looking for somewhat "rough" mainly for lower initial cost, and because I actually *want* to do a restoration myself!) my tractor will do light chores around the house, some mowing, hauling a cart..possibly someday some light snow plow duty (although that is a low priority) My goal is more of a "fun hobby tractor" than an all-out workhorse. I have no real need for a big model B or C, or one of the more modern tractors..I plan to use the tractor for a year or two, do some tinkering and upgrades, learn about how everything works, then eventually (in a few years) do an all-out teardown and full restoration. (Her 50th birthday is coming up in 2014, that might be the ideal year for a restoration!) So about a month ago I put out a query here on redsquare, saying I was looking for a RJ58 or a 854, and a Redsquare member replied saying he had an 854 he was thinking about selling! (Thanks Brian!) So yesterday we finally had a snow-free weekend day, and I made the drive down into the Finger Lakes to meet Brian and pick up my 854. (It had snowed the night before, and on the drive down I saw THREE Wheel Horse tractors at work plowing snow! One in Victor, Geneva and Interlaken, NY..I thought that was cool.) So here are the first photos of my 854! In her new home, with her only stablemate (so far) my 1971 Ariens snowblower. Some things I know about the Tractor: I am only the third owner! the original owner lived in Victor NY (near Rochester)..He bought her new in 1964, and was the only owner until Brian (the 2nd owner) bought her only a few years ago. I am now the third owner, and she has spent her entire life in Central-Western NY. Brian thinks the original owner's sons might have treated her a bit rough in later years..she was a bit worn out..Brian replaced the frame, and did some other needed repairs. The engine is original, never rebuilt, but could use a rebuild..smokes a bit on startup, but then runs clean..starts nice and easy though, and runs great. Transmission is very smooth. The gas tank and dash are not original..both are the wrong style for a 854. Thats a very minor concern for me..I might replace them eventually, when I do a restoration. Starter system is not original, and obviously the seat is not original..(although I like the look of the white pan seat!) The hood has seperated at the seam, and will need to be welded.. and thats about it as far as "issues"..which I dont really consider big issues at all. Overall she is in good condition for her age, and having never been restored! Just the thing I was looking for.. Right after I got her home, I had to use the snowblower on the driveway! (since I left early in the morning and didnt do it then) But after I cleaned off the driveway, I fired up the tractor and did a few laps around! Then put her away in her new home..just in time for the start of the Super Bowl! Im sure I will be asking a ton of questions!..and eventually I will create and upload a webpage to document everything I do with the tractor, including an eventual restore..So thats everything for now! for all the help and the sharing of knowledge I have recieved here already over the past year..much appreciated! Scot

Vendor Glen Petit sells the lift springs for tillers and snowblowers, check his site