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Member oldnugly (Tom Flynn) passed away in February. I spent some time talking to him about tractors in the past and didn't realize he had left us until today when I was looking on CL and saw his 953 with sicklebar for sale. I didn't know him well, but I know he loved his 953 and talking about Wheel Horses. I contacted his wife and she told me it'd be ok to put a note on here. May he rest in peace.

Looked at the first picture and wondered how the hood got totaled ? Then I saw the second picture and now I understand.... You should operate the tractor with the wheels on the bottom and the hood on the top. Oh, Pardon my manners, .

When I purchased my first Wheel Horse project a few months back, I was a little bummed to find out that a previous owner attempted to repaint the entire tractor with spray cans. It was obvious that there was no care taken to prevent overspray or any regard for taping things off, it was a quick down and dirty paint job. While some of the painted parts I could strip and clean, one problem I ran into was the serial number plate riveted on the dash tower. I completely dissassembled the tractor to have the parts sandblasted back to bare metal, so I removed the serial number tag for safekeeping. Once removed I began my attempt at restoring it. I tried soaking it in a few different solvents with no real success. I combined soaking the plate in solvents and gently scrubbing with fine steel wool, but still little to no success. Only with some fine grit sandpaper did I start to get through the layer of red paint. Unfortunatley the coat of paint was uneven and required more sanding in some areas than others, partially removing the underlying black printed part of the tag. As I thought about how to restore this I first considered using waterslide decal paper as it was thin and I could easily recreate the graphic for on the serial plate (I am already setup to make waterslide decals as I do it frequently for custom model cars and fire trucks). My only concern was that the waterslide decal film was very thin and could scratch easily, so I concluded that the durability just wouldn't be there. Then I got an idea to try making a dry transfer. I had never tried this before, but I found a kit online that only required an inkjet printer (most kits require a lamination machine which I didn't have). After ordering a starter kit to try this out, I designed the graphic with some imaging software and then followed the directions provided with the kit. Suprisingly the dry transfers came out very well, though I will admit I probably went through about a half a dozen before I finally perfected the placement and was satisfied with how it looked. The transfer paper isn't much thicker than the decal film, but I think that it seems a little more durable and shouldn't come off it I ever spray the tractor with water to clean it. I did attempt clear coating the plate, but didn't like how it looked, so this final version is just the dry transfer on top of the original serial number plate that I had sanded down to bare metal and polished to a nice shine. The grainy look of the tag in the last picture is exacerbated quite a bit by the flash from the camera (it looks much better in person), but I am well pleased and think it looks as good as new. The only downfall to the dry transfer kit is that seems you can't just make the transfers and let them sit. I tried using one that had sat for a day and it didn't work out as well as the freshly made ones did; therefore I think offering to make some for other people and shipping them is not really an option. I do have the original artwork that I came up with and if someone wants to try this I would be more than happy to share my files. Hopefully this post can help someone else out who is looking to restore their original serial number plate and if there are any questions feel free to contact me. - Seth

My wife's mother stopped in to visit with the patient yesterday. So I took advantage of the relief nurse and went on a bread and milk run. This followed me home. Now, what do I do with it .... Full restore, redo , keep original rust and unique throttle lock ?? It runs and sounds good, but needs some attention. What Ya think ?

My Thought's are with the families and friends ,including there extended Wheel Horse Family here at the Red Square. As we all grow older we seem to learn how short the time it that we are here on this earth. Enjoy your families and the little things that we all seem to take for granted until it's gone I haven't been part of the Red Square Family but I wish we all lived closer, so we could share more. Have a Good evening All.

My condolences to the family. I think it would be proper and a nice gesture to establish a separate member section for the ones that have left us. It would be a little memorial to them and at the same time inform other members of their passing.

if the alum push rods wear out so fast how come sixty year old motors are still running good with the original one in them change your oil once a year with a good grade 30wt and yours will last that long too Brian

Daughter-in-law went to a party. At the party, kids made tractors.

I did a "dry run" with my fender idea. I think it turned out ~ok. I think/know they need to be positioned lower, but I am also going to run taller tires...probably in the 28" range. They actually worked out pretty good this way, I removed the seat pan, bent 2 of the tabs in and the remaining one used the original seat mount bolt. Once I get the bigger tires on I will add more, so maybe consider this a teaser(??) Thoughts/opinions welcome. Ps, this is my daughter's tractor, I modified the clutch pedal to be used with the deck lift rod.

Sooooooooo.................you pulled out of the house in a pickup WITH a trailer attached on just a milk and bread run???? That's a lot of milk and bread. You are a sneaky devil

I AM SOMEWHAT NEW TO THE RED ROUND HOODS,,,AFTER READING THIS POST IT DAWNED ON ME,,,,,I HAVE MADE IT TO 3 BIG SHOWS THE LAST 3 YEARS,,I HAVE ALREADY RESERVED MY ROOM FOR NEXT YEAR....I LOOK FORWARD TO THE BIG PA SHOW NOW...... BUT YEAH KNOW......... I HAVE NOT HAD A FAMILY REUNION COOK OUT IN 10 YEARS..... IM NOT SAYING "THAT,S SAD",,,,ADJUSTING PRIORITIES MAY BE IN ORDER.......... MY TRACTOR PASSION $$$ ........... FAMILY: PRICLESS 857HORSE HOWARD IN VIRGINIA GONNA GO FOR NOW... MAYBE CALL 1 OF MY KIDS

The poor old ('68 ?) Horse just followed you home? Likely story. I'm sure the Stallion'll be fine with a wash 'n oil. Just don't lose the throttle lock!

Ah, you are wrong, I use a vise grip on my 875 to keep the throttle open! Red-neck at it's best, but it works! Nice find, but how do you find something like this on a "milk & bread" run? Let me know your secret

You would know if it was only running on one cylinder so rule that out. Does the engine hunt when running? It could just be an adjustment on the governor of the carb. It will bog down a bit when the PTO is engaged. What size mower does it have? Using a 518xi with more than a 48" is pushing it. Could be bad spindles on the mower as well. What year is this 518xi tractor? If it is a 518xi, it does not have power steering so don't look for the filter and screen. If you do buy it, replace all the fluids and spin-on filters (there are two, engine and transmission) to extend the life. The Smart-Steer was because of the Cruise Control that the 520xi and up have. I guess Toro figured that owners would engage the cruise and make a 180 at full speed! This prevents that from happening.

The gear looks good to me, it fits the input gear solidly without any loose so I figure it's OK... I added some pictures of the engine. Working on the trany and waiting for the carb and fuel pump kit. I will try to polish both of them, it should look nice. To answer the question about the use of my 701, I will not do any exposition or hard work, just running around in the wood and haul the grand kids in an wagon that I will make next, looking for blueberries, raspberries and other good little fruits . This little guy is 53 years old and I will give him an easy retirement

Another member (toolman) Ronnie from Warsaw MO died a few months ago..he was "one of a kind" and loved his Wheel Horse...think it was a 73 model but he had it looking good and loved to talk tractors....not sure what his wife will do with the ole WH and sulkey...RIP Ronnie

I'm gonna go with the "quality" vs. "quantity" on this one. I'm not sure, and photos can lie, but I did not see any that needed anything done to them. I could be wrong, but I think that makes for a quality herd. Not that you do not have some quality horses, but I think, IMHO, he has us all on that one!

The wife asked me to clean the bathroom, so I used the WH to get the pressure washer up to the balcony.

hauling people and everything i can (seat moves up and down with 3 point) dragging dragging driveway and green tractors.

Had the 856 out grading the driveway today. amazing how well these little boogers will push stonecrete around. I call this one #2 because it's the 2nd 856 I have owned. Just sold #1 a few weeks ago. I think I'll keep this one in the herd. need to put a new wear bar on before winter.

I have an RJ-58 from when I was a kid. Just looking for more information on this...would appreciate anything you could tell me! Someone said having the original seat and cover guards over the rear tires is rare? Have not run it for many, many years...there is still compression in the motor though... That's all I know...other than I ran it all the time 35 years ago...

Well Dan, looks like it should serve you for a long time

James, I doubt anyone is going to write you up for having chains on your Wheel Horse in the winter. Welcome!

Geno That also strikes me a bit weird with no locks or holes for them ~ I have fooled around with old red iron for quite awhile and haven't seen one like it ~ Was thinking about doing a little fabrication and mount a trailer receiver for moving some trailers around, about the right height.

Actually It was listed in the RS classified by the owners Son ,RS member aclark. His Dad was only 4 mile from me and we made a deal by phone. The bread and milk run was just an excuse to get a relief nurse for my wife so I could sneak away to pick up the WH. On the clean up, has anyone ever used a LOOFAH to scrub it and then rub on a generous layer of OIL of OLEY ? Mrs. K swears this stuff will remove wrinkles and bring out a nice glow on the body. It's pretty pricey, but I could probably take a gallon of it from Her closet without it being missed.

Great diagrams SOI.

Nice commando 8 i think you should buff it off oil it up !

Number two with dozer blade. number one with mower The padded round seat is a lot more comfortable!

More pics!!

Thank you so much Vin. Nothing like looking at another one along with your expert comentary.

James I think u need 1 more for the total Affect. Just Saying!!!!!

My 857 was painted with New Ford Tractor Red. I think it's a very close color to the original paint on the under side of the hood.

Old nugley and I shared the passion for the 953 and the Wheel Horse sickle bar mower. We traded quite a few pictures , messages and laughs! He loved his Wheel Horse tractors and what they could do. My condolences to his family and friends. !

Nice find, and extra tools! At least it followed you instead of me! I think it should get a good pressure wash and some paint. Painting the wheels alone makes a huge difference.

There is also a picture that TT posted one time that shows an extension on the side plug to allow level checking at that location. I know that the book says one thing, but it is a little confusing. I did the experiment with my 857 by putting in 3 pints. Then I put a measuring cup under the side plug, removed it, and 10 ounces poured out. So, either the book is wrong or I am crazy. I am sticking by "the book is wrong". Here is TT's picture showing and extension on the side.

See how she turns out with the oil clean and if it doesn't come to nicely go for a restoration there always interesting.

Ed, that one looks pretty nice. A couple of threads lately show that there is a lot of paint under the grime. I would try cleaning a few parts with their methods and see how it looks. Nice find. A little electrolysis on that throttle stop, and that will look like brand new.

Great find and I love the throttle lock, one of a kind!

Back home from the beautiful Indiana weather. I've got my plan for a frame mounted gas tank stand in my little head. One thing bugs me. Once I mount the stand and tank what about taking the hood off and on? It has to move to the rear to run up the steering column. I'm thinking maybe I can turn it to the side and get it off that way. Dunno. I'm going to build a mock-up and try it out. Here's the hood straps. I was hoping to grind them off today but a couple other projects came up. The rear strap looks like it's got some JB Weld on it and it's cracked loose. From the top I'd say I've got a lot better hood to work with than a lot of folks. There's some bondo on it and one small drilled hole has been patched. I'll know more once it's stripped. Even with my limited body work abilities I think I can get this looking nice. When taking the pictures I started having second thoughts about needing a tank stand. I kinda want to build one (fun) but that rear strap could be saved and I might be better off.

Added this 1980 Gravely 5665 to the herd today. It is a bit more familiar engine-wise with a Kohler K-301. It might be interesting to compare this to my 1980 C-105 with what a consumer back then would have considered. No "box stores" back then. Strictly sales pitch and advertising. Tomorrow I put on the new set of dual Ags - and put on a brush hog. It's too early for snow!!!

JK - List it in the classified... ALso, need to have a price. Welcome to RS Rob

Oil bath, and work it as is.

I'll need to keep the sidewalk-superintendent away so that it doesn't live up to its name! Close inspection of my work.

I'm sure this has been seen before on here but as a new comer. This was pretty impressive and overwhelming seeing for the first time. I have my hands full with the few that I have already! http://rbwheelhorsestables.yolasite.com/ Kyle

Anyone can do it but when you go ask expect some funny looks from the Fastenal employee. I don't think many people use Fastenal for shipping, the employee looked at me like I was crazy at first. They have a form on the Fastenal website under third party logistics, fill it out and e-mail it and they will approve the shipping.

Wow! What a herd.

I guess the same thing could be said for the steel ones too.