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Once again I would like to thank everyone for your support and friendship. As some of you who made it to the BIG BIG Show already know, Lola was unable to be with me this year. Her Dad, Earl has been quite ill for the past year. He is a great guy, whom also loved his garden tractors, though they were a bit of a different color. He has been in the hospital for three weeks and will be moved to a care facility soon. He is terminal and wishes no feeding tubes or the like but he is also a fighter and has put up the good fight. Lola is very close with her Dad and Mom and it has been very tough on her so please accept my sincere thanks for your patience with us during this incredibly difficult time. We are finishing up most of the orders from the show as well as many orders placed on line while I was in PA, and will be shipping them all out the next two days. The clocks will be done next and ship as soon as possible. I can tell you this, I have been spoiled having Lola doing all the work she does keeping orders straight and making sure my production list is right. Making boxes, printing labels, keeping me on target. I feel like an ONAN running on one Cylinder when she is not here. Thanks again for your support. A special thanks to my Big show neighbors Dave (Fun Engineer) Mr. and especially Mrs. Steveasaurus, and My ole Buddy B-100 Bob. I could not have made it through the show without your help and support. Watching my stuff when Lola needed to talk, or I simply needed a break. A shout out to Neil and Carolyn. Awesome folks from Far Far Away. HMMM Isn't that where Shrek lives? Really enjoyed meeting you both. Next year we hope will be different and we will both be able to join the informal RS camp fire meeting on Thursday night.

Here it is all done

And here is how she looks now. These photos were taken this past Saturday. I have gotten all of the loot I garnered from the Big Show installed, the new steering wheel button and shift knobs from Glen Pettit (thanks Glen!), and the near NOS seat. The seat is exactly like the original, sans the horsey logo. I had just washed and waxed too. Quite frankly, I am very pleased. Even my neighbors are pretty impressed at how good it looks, and are surprised it is almost 30 years old.

I will add mine here as well. There are a lot of hidden faces, but if we get enough shots from multiple angles, Steve might have enough to work with to get the whole group.

Bought this old 1985 312-8 back in the last week of March of this year. Paid $400 for it, and thought I did well. It looked a bit woebegone, but was essentially a decent machine. Will need a overhaul this winter, and some new paint and decals. The biggest issues when I got it, was a slew of little parts missing or broke, and numerous maintenance items that needed done. Over the past 3 months, I have slowly began addressing all issues, other than major mechanical ones such as the overhaul. Thus far, I have replaced: blades, deck wheels, deck leveler rod, rebuilt the hood hinge and stop assy., new headlight bezels, headlights, installed taillights, steering wheel button, steering column, new hourmeter, shift knobs, throttle knob, Dial-A-Hite knob spacer, vinyl caps for Tach-Matic and lift buttons, new seat, fuel gage/cap, many new clips and bolts with stainless hardware, fuel lines and filter, pre and air filter, points, plug, and condenser, front wheel dust caps, etc. In addition to the new parts, I have adjusted and tweaked anything that was amiss. Here are a few pics. taken about 2 weeks after I got the tractor. Outside of changing the blades, lubricants, and bezels, nothing else had been done.

...feng shui today. Which is a Chinese system for positioning a building, and the objects within a building, in a way that is thought to agree with spiritual forces and to bring health and happiness. Hey now! Whatever keeps the peace around here.

I got blocked out in most of the group shots except Bob Maynard's and Stratostar250's.....being tall doesn't always have its advantages.... . Mike............ Another way to look at it John......I walked and drove all over those showgrounds for two days and in all the pics posted of the show I show up in one picture taken by Stevasaurus (thanks Steve!)........you meanwhile are in everybody's picture thread (often more than once) and in a few videos! I drug my father to the show this year, who has no interest in collecting or tinkering with any brand of tractor, and of the 12 or so pics he took one of em IS YOU AND YOUR BIG RED BEAST! You and your monster GT-16 are famous! Mike..........

Not to worry anyone, I got my information Straight from the Dino's Mouth!!! (Vol. 1) 11:30 am John yes sir I'll be there. Headed over to get t-shirts, buy raffles tickets, get club membership renewed for not just one but two people so I get caught up at the t-shirt stand over $200 spent walk over and its already History!!! (11:25 am) Dang kids, no respect!!! Ok this post has been made only to pick on the following, Straight from the Dino's Mouth and we all know who that is!!!

I am going to throw up a few more then I will stop!!! I promise!!! Above you will notice a picture of an Elec-Trak A-65 with No cover, it's a real bummer that this has happened. This unit belongs to Carl who was bringing it over to the show Wednesday evening and the cover decides to leave. I am asking if anyone might happen to have one of these to where we could get the piece remade in fiberglass. You would really make Carls day if we could find one to have remade. Thanks ahead. Heres the last set for now. I believe Steve might have some also. It helps when you remember to add pics!!!

This years National Threshers Reunion for 2014 is now complete. Everyone had a good time with No rain this year!!! I have snapped a few different pictures so here we go. Enjoy!!

And I wasn't in one of them!!! Get your sun dial fixed!!!

Just finished the mid season work on 3 tractors. 2 more to go. This is the wifeys machine. New oil and grease job and power washed the deck. Rebuilt the carb and bushed the throttle shaft. Man, its a different tractor now. Starts right up and purrs like a kitten at idle. The throttle shafts goes bad so slow , you just don't notice it until repaired. Oh, and 2 new deck wheels from the show. Anyway, she can mow like the wind now.

Here's to all those who have birthdays today. You share this day with the man who got me into these tractors. I see my dad's birthday still showed up on the list.He would have been 71 today.I love him and miss so much.He will live on in his tractors.Happy Birthday Dad!

It sounds like we are going to have a schedule of events for our live broadcasts next year so we can get the information out sooner and better stick to the schedule. Sometimes things just do not go as planned but we have the opportunity to do it better next time. Geez Duke! I just notice that we are the bookends. Funny how the panoramic shots make the objects on each end look larger than real life.

Well, with just a couple of tweaks left to do on it here's the transmission. The frame and many of the attaching parts are primed but I'm not sure if I'll get them sprayed red for a while. I really pushed it on the transmission and there's a couple areas I'm not 100% pleased with. It's just too hot and humid. I haven't decided if I'll respray the sides yet. Maybe with time I'll just tell myself "that's fine". I know the body parts won't get any red until summer is over.

I like to wipe all the pulley grooves with mineral spirits also. If the belt is worn, that dust likes to stick in those grooves...thus grabbing the belt.

Make sure all the tractor parts are out of the oven or nobody's gettin anything!

The early fuel pumps were pulse operated, so didnt have a lever to actuate the diaphram. Maybe with a clean up, it will work again

Neil: Enjoyed meeting and talking to you ! I just wish we had been there a week to get more good conversations conducted! Keep up the good work you do on Red Square and your enthusiastic love of Wheel Horse tractors!

Hello, new to the site but just wanted to share, I just purchased a 312-8 Toro wheelhorse Classic from a older gentleman , it has a mower deck - snow blower - full hard top cab - snow/dirt plow - tiller - new battery and most of the belts are new - two sets of tire chains and runs like a watch. He wanted $3000 ( I didnt know that) so when he told me that I told him I was sorry to have wasted his time as I was not going to pay anything near that much for it and started to walk away he stopped me and said what will you give me? I told him I didn't want to insult him but I would only think it was worth $1500 and I again told him I was sorry for wasting his time and turned for the truck when he said ok I will take it, I almost fell over. The blower is brand new and has never been used. I don't have pictures of it but you know how older people are with their stuff and he took very good care of it. I think I did ok.

Well boys and girls guys and gals, it is approximately 2 months and counting until the Big Ten season starts up. It was a long hard winter and I have as well as others have been waiting for the this time to arrive. This year we have two new teams added to the Big Ten with Maryland and Rutgers joing the group. The leaders and legends divisions are history, only lasted two years. We now have the east and west divisions. East is as follows Ind, Maryland, Mich, Mich State, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers. The West is as follows Ill, IOWA, Minn, Neb, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin. FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT for IOWA!!! Duke I can call and sing it to you ol' buddy!!!

I think when you hit a mile stone like this, everyone wants that post to be something special. I really could not come up with anything...so...I thought I would just do what I do best. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ,...NICE HORSE... ... ... ...HI SPARKY...WHAT SQUONK SAYS, MAKES CENTS.... .... It's been a fantastic ride. I have met a lot of the members and made many friends. I've had a lot of fun here and many laughs, and I have been able to contribute from time to time. Thanks to all of you for letting me be a part of what happens here.

You know we're all there for you Terry if you ever need anything. Great seeing you again and I hope for the best. Mike

I didn't have any snap rings to fit that worn out thing so I cranked this out before work. Mowed tonight.. Son of a Baptist that thing mows a lot better!

They had sun at show so the sun dials should have worked there!

Looks like a nice show John...where is the group photo? Is that Carl on your big horse??

NO! Tell ,me, but sing it LOUD! ~Duke

Yeah... ... get 'em John.

Oh, are these the ones that I specifically heard that 11: 30 was photo time? Bah humbug I walk up at 11:25 and your done!!! What it must have been 11:30 pm thats it, yeah right. Your sun dial is broken!!! Either that or you forgot how to tell time

And buy OEM and you will be good for another 30 years

awesome, we just need some names to the faces. I only recognize the chap with the England flag

I spent last weekend telling people as well, just like this weekend telling and explaing how to get to Red Square. There's stiil alot of people who don't even know we exist. Karl, the pleasure was mine I am glad I was able to assist. Hope to be there next year. Maybe have the GT tri-cycle painted by then but I've been threatning with that for quite a while now.

the glossary is where i got that info. not sure if there are different versions, i use this one..... REALLY GOOD way to learn about the electrical components and wiring on our tractors.......

Some more pics in action and finished product.

You were too busy looking for Craig , but fear not, Mrs. Maynard said that as long as I don't make her come to the show, she will send cookie bars. I will save one for you next year Mike.

Butch likes takin' me shoppin' and spending my money. Brought a C-105 home with me.

No comparison IMO. The 522xi is a great comfort to drive, really glad I grabbed one to resell, but I put the price up high enough so I will probably own for a long time. I really enjoy it and cannot explain enough how great it is. When people talk about the reduced steering being like power steering.......not even close.

Yes, the banner went to me. I believe that Stevebo has it at the moment, he goes to a lot more shows than I.

I remember that well,Doc. We had that massive tent of Eldons and handed out cards promoting Redsquare. I believe the banner we all signed went to Karl. Thank You Karl for all you've done for Redsquare and it was a pleasure talking with you at the show. Hope to see all of you at next years campfire.

Scotsman, It is a cool tractor & I would love to own it I too hope someone here gets it & restores it... I have visit Scotland many times ,mainly Glasgow & Edinburgh & sometimes further north Beautiful country but soon it maybe come independent from England & will financially be on its on . I just returned from Connecticut today to UK

Well Matt, I sympathize with your plight. There is an easy solution though. Just box up all the pieces and drop them off at my garage here in Columbus. I'll even reimburse you for the gas! Hang in there, persistence will win the day, and you will end up with a very nice tractor.

The belt is the first thing I would check.

Well finally tore in to the 414 The head bolts were so loose I could have taken them out with my hands alone. Pulled the plug out, pulled the head off, thought what the heck and took the carb off to clean, cleaned up the valves piston and block, cleaned the head up good, check for flatness and then sanded just a little. Then after cleaning carb, I put it all back with new gasket, head bolts, plug, engine oil, and air filter I fired her up. thought to myself where I can find some tall grass... There is a foreclosure on my block so I headed that way roaring down the block at 10:00 PM. I pulled into the waist high grass kicked on the PTO and went to town grinning from ear to ear. Man its like a whole new machine. I brought her back home retorqued the head bolts and went back to the tall grass. Then something terrible happened.... My wife told me I was keeping the neighbors up and asked me to shut it down.

well i guess i'll pull the belt guard and check it out. thanks guys. after a quick search it looks like the speed reducer was required if you were going to use a 24 inch tiller.

here it is

I love learning new stuff. The only thing I hate is I forget what I learn unless I use it often.

Stomach Virus!

Well it has been a while what happened to this old stallion any progress on getting the gaskets replaced and the nla one made up? Curious to see how this project turns out!