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Just had to include the rustic minibarn

I consider it a miracle in today's world to be able to find original parts for a 24 year old tractor from a long out of the Wheel Horse business company. If Wheel Horse had not sold out and remained in business, many more parts would still be available. What gets me though is the fact that this dealer had a NOS part collecting dust on the shelf. He probably only paid about 10 cents on the dollar when he bought it, and now he has the nerve to try to sell it at highway robbery prices. Just my 2 cents worth.

there are other ways of getting oem parts and not paying those prices. for example the headlight is just a GE 4411-1 sealed beam. the Onan spark plug wires are still available new under an Onan part number for half that price if i remember correctly. (even that was too much for a basic plug wire......) research is your key here, this forum is a wealth of info with some searching, and the internet is full of oem parts with some searching too. most of the time the original equipment supplier still has their part number on the part and you can find sometimes the parts are still being manufactured.....

A couple of years ago, one of our Maryland members, Redbird and her husband Dave, had a meet & greet. They had a great off-road trail. Hills, streams, etc. I will try to find some pictures and post them later.

NO. The skinnier the tire, the better for snow. More surface area = more floatation... bad on snow.

Here is the tractor that I picked up off CL locally. I swapped the front and rear tires off another 520. It came with a very low hour 48" deck, tiller and 520 long snow plow. It has 650 hours and runs really strong. I mowed with it today and the deck is the most quiet and smooth deck I have ever used. I hope to paint up the wheels and buff it out and maybe new decals from Terry.

If you LOVE something let it GO... if it dosen't come back to you...Buy another one just like IT !!!!! or something like that...

Here's a few of my original condition machines! Enjoy! Most of these I bought from the original owners, mostly old folks!

Just returned from a vacation with my Wife. Visited my oldest Son, Daughter in law and Grand daughter. Thought I would share some sites. A great time was had by all. Saw the tallest building, a Mall with an indoor Ski Slope and a vast amount of sand and rode the dunes. Really never thought I would be there again and was glad to be back. Definitely no WH's could be found.

Still get jealous when I see that tractor.

The friction controls have to be kept dry...don't lube them in any way. If they are greasy and nasty, clean them thoroughly. The motion lever should stay put by itself, under tension of the adjustable friction cone and components. There is also a control shaft TAB that may be broken. It protrudes thru the left side of the hoodstnad tunnel and locks the friction shaft in place. If broken or cracked, the motion control lever and tension cones / spring will flop about wildly. On some models, there is a secondary friciton control flat spring on the right side of the hoodstand. Here are a few pics to help explain. IMHO...I have a '76 C-160 and a '72 Bronco 14...both auto. If the Hydro is working as it should, I prefer it over a manual...by far. While an 8-speed is better for tillers, a tiller stil works very well with autos. I have 50 or more "in-the-way" trees, shrubs, planters, etc to mow around and, with the auto, all is done simply by moving control lever back and forth while steering with other hand. I further like the "Battering Ram" effect of the momentum build up when attacking that deep snow drift...again, and again...until its gone. Of course, the BIG advantage is the hydraulic lift not afforded the manuals. Via hard-link to the dozer blade, I can lift the front wheels 3 or 4 inches air-borne....that REALLY digs into the hard-pack snow or ice (soft blacktop too). There is an electric lift for them but it leaves a lot out.

So... it has been less than a week since my brother and i pulled off our trade of my C-161 for his 417-8. Today I was SUPPOSED to be just sneakin out of work for an hour or so to take a look at a 520 Steve might be puting on the block and to check out THE BARN. Little did I know that a Block Buster was about to take place. Here is a little history on what a Block Buster is according to my brother and myself. It is when there is a creative swap with MANYplayers involved to even things up. I walked away with a 520 and a nice 1958 18 hp Johnson.. Steve got himself a MINT 1957 18 hp Evinrude, a very nice 42 inch rear discharge deck, some outboard repair work on two of his outboards and a little cash on top.. (I hope I haven't forgotten any details?) Keep in mind we put this all together in less than 15 minutes! Now that is how its done! The 520 I walked away with is on the right less the deck and leaf vac that Steve is keeping. Its funny because the 520 on the left was mine that Steve got in our very first Block Buster deal. I have wanted another 520 since giving that one up, nothing can push the snow like a 520.. This 520 will probably get a nice worker refurb..

I don't root for any college team. I'm here to watch Steve and Brrly go at it and hopefully get someone else to have to clean the Boiler room.

Here is last nights pick up. Got this one from Mark (Saber) here on the board. The first 2 pics are what he sent me that he took. I was amazed when it was getting cleaned up the water was beading up everywhere. He kept that thing waxed! He and his wife are just great people.

If you're still waiting....you're not paying attention.

Another down-side to having dual wheels when clearing snow is the extra width of the dual wheels can end up being wider than your snow clearing device (plow or blower).

That is in very nice condition im a hydro guy though. But the main thing I wanted to say is holy crapola look at all the other tractors in the background Im pretty sure from other posts ive seen your wife is into this hobby with you. I mentioned to my wife yesterday how some forum members are women and some of the guys wives are into it with them and her response was........sorry your not so lucky most of the time, and not just with the horses, she thinks im a weirdo I got her on my 312-A this summer to try and mow I tried to just watch and guide her at first and that did not go well. She was zigging and zagging with no concept of mowing in straight lines. Then I got on my 312-H and told her to follow me and try to get a grasp on what I was doing. By the time we finished the yard was mowed and she did a small portion herself but that was the last time her butt touched the seat. Now if I even mention the notion of a 3rd horse she just gives me the look.

Got a new pic for this thread.. This was the day after Scotts M&G. Turns out this is a Frankenstein 704.

I have dismounted dozens of tires from Wheel Horse rims. Seems there were no two alike when it came to colors. Just go with what you like and it will look 100 times better than what's on there now.

Geno It's the nature of this forum. It gets to you and makes you want to help any way you can. I have received so much help from others here I just want to return the favor any way I can. It's the same for everyone else here. What a great bunch of guys and girls.

Ya know Geno it's awfully hard to talk a guy down on price when you show up in a rig like that. I think if you showed up at my house the price would go up.

Heres the finished product...a 5 footer at best but once the paint dries.....(at this rate it may be May of next year).... and I wetsand the run out of the hood it will be a 2 footer. My lil guy helped me take it over tonight. I finished it last night around 7 and then proceeded to hook up my 42" deck to it nd mow fr an hour around the pond and pig barn in good heavy grass to give it a workout. It ran flawlessly which sucks because I can't complain about those stinkin' Onans anymore. Jeb helped me wash it tonight and load it on the trailer. My Dad loved it...said he's afraid to even sit on it but he's gonna give it a shot Thursday when I can spend some time with him going over the controls. A picture with him was completely putt of the question.. and he was serious when I asked him...lol. The decals are customs by Terry (Vinylguy)... and I must say, I love them compared to the Toro factory ones.He did such an amazing job when I told him I wanted different and original Im still waiting for the custom 50th anniversary special edition from a local guy but that will go on after the hood gets sanded and buffed anyhow.

Well, I was cruising CL and found this which I previewed in "What's in your Mirror?" I do like bee-hinds. This plus the Little Guys Show in PA next year will feature Wheel Horse and Walk Behinds. The beauty is they do take up less room. Currently I am centering on the Midwest manufacturers (and Chicago-based retailers in this case.) Now don't get me wrong as I am always on the lookout for a Pond. This is a 1951-52 Montgomery Ward "Chor Trac" with a Clinton 2 1/2 - 3 hp engine that was built by Simplicity. What I have deduced is that it is identical to a Simplicity Model M-1, only for the difference in engines. The Simplicity came with a Briggs. Just like Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward sourced "evening farmer" equipment from different manufacturers. Sears with David Bradley and MW with Midland and Simplicity. The "Chor Trac" name was also applied to a Midland model when they were the supplier. Midlands' can be identified by a wide single handle. The sickle is totally frozen and the engine is questionable, especially since a tree fell on it and broke the Carter carb elbow at the head plus the Vis-O-Bath downdraft filter. The name plate is in very good shape with just some oxidation. Surprisingly the original MW "Riverside" (MW headquarters was located on the bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River) Power Trac tire is in better shape than the Mansfield replacement. Worse case it becomes "lawn art," but the mechanical portion seems good and I may just try and re-power it. I'd like to find a snowplow as they were 30" wide and could be angled, perfect for walks with snow. Garden equipment isn't much use to me currently. The color is questionable. I thought that they were Burnt Orange like Simplicity (Midland tractors were dark red with green wheels) but the underside of the paint chips shows red. The wheels seem to have been red as well. Of course, I have already ordered Burnt Orange paint before I picked it up! For nostalgia, I parked it next to the "competition" from the other big retailer. Interesting are the different approaches taken with size.

Thank goodness for NAPA. I just RETURNED a $35 coil wire to my local Toro dealer when I found the same replacement part at NAPA for $23. I was stupid enough to buy the original because the counter guy said (after my eyes bugged out ) "That's a solid core wire, you can't get that at an auto parts store. They are all carbon core now." I walked out thinking, daughter = college = $$ = WTF Of course I checked him and was saved by NAPA (eBay usually works too). Toro dealers are like car dealers - avoid them unless they are the ONLY source for what you need. You will pay

well didn't make it to geno,s today...looking like rain here but it didn't rain a drop yet but I will make it in a couple of weeks....just need a sunny day....

You got it KyBlue.

In all honesty here is what ya do. You look at the season, chalk it up and say the H#$%% with it, since we have no solid team this year. Then you hope the B1G can produce a solid team next year, and ride on the coat tails of some other team you normally would not root for..... I am not even kidding.... GO IRISH!!!!!!! This season is a bust for us..... I will still place my picks and win, lose, or draw still be a B1G fan next year. But I am so SICK AND TIRED of this crap..... They have got to get consistant with winning... Regardless of who it is just WIN!!!!! I could even root for IOWA if they were the team this year that kept the B1G conference out of the toilet bowl..... SO LAME AND SOUNDING LIKE A 45! < Yeah, broken record! Needed to add 1 more item.. ND vs. FSU has resulted in only 1 blowout in the 7 times they have faced each other. FSU does have the winnig percentages by a landslide, but the scores in the game, tell a different story......FSU this year has only played 1 ranked team so far... Clemson, and that went into OT. It was tied at 17 all end of regulation play. They won 23-`17.... How can this team still be ranked #1???? GO IRISH. They meet again on October 18th...... FSU will have the advantage since it is a home game, but I am hoping ND will pull the upset! Rob

　 OCTOBER 25 Henderson, Kentucky Antique Lawn and Garden Tractor Drive John James Audubon State Park. Registration starts at 12:30 pm and drive begins at 1:15 pm. Trail is approximately three miles. Call Kelly Reynolds 812-204-5392 or Rusty Walters 270-844- 3832 for more info.

If you're going to get a piece of steel and make your own, get a piece 4" wide by the length you need. Drill the holes 1 1/2" from the edge, turn it around and drill another set of holes 1 1/2" from the other edge. Mount the steel to the plow in the lower holes. When it wears, mount it in the upper holes. When this edge wears down, turn it over and mount in the lower holes on the new edge. As it wears down, move it to the upper holes and you have your fourth edge and you will be much older by now! This will give you 4 edges for wear instead of 2.

Rob, There's a X595 with a Curtis cab in ND for $9K. Isn't that close to Cleveland?

Getting the tree baler serviced for the holidays. . .

Wheel Horse Weirdos that is!!!!

My wife wants no part in cutting grass. She says it is my job. On the other hand, she rarely makes a comment when I get another tractor other than "That's Nice," whatever that means.

One sharp looking tractor. Congrats Geno !!

That's a great picture of Geno.

these few should help.. they are from here......

Good for you Geno

Just sold this Lawn Ranger this past weekend minus the light. One I might regret some day.

I see it now after blowing it up on an I- pad. Jim, i didn't think you'd put your pic on the forum!

Posted 03 August 2012 - 08:46 PM Been working on a "new" plow for my GT-14. Information says it will handle a 54" front plow. I had a couple of fair looking 42" plows, so I took the best parts from both plows and made a nice 54" plow by adding 6" of plow to each side of the best 42". Now I am working on the plow cutting/wear edge. I wanted the 3/8" square holes for the 3/8" carrage bolts, but wasn't sure where I could get this done. At my work place they have a "mega-buck" iron worker that will do all kinds of stuff, but they don't have a 3/8" square die...Next best thing is a square broach. I have attached some pictures of the broach, plow wear edge, and the press I used to cut the 3/8" round hles to 3/8" square holes! This broach is round on the starting end, and is tapered to the opposite end, and is square. I used a press to "push" it through the steel.

I think everyone knows how I feel about the green tractors. I spoke with the moderator/admin staff and the ruling is that you lost your membership here on RS . LOL just kidding. I have to say it is a nice looking machine for sure. Good luck with it.

Thank Lars. Here is the update as of today. I plan on working with them tomorrow and install the flooring on the upper level so they have a walk area to install the upper beams.

I would love to see a video of that, I don't think it was made to cut trees. How much did you do? Maybe these things are even tougher than we thought.

see where the white colored insulation on the wires disappears, thats where they come through.......

My intention wasn’t to just let this thread die, but updating this has taken a back seat to actually working/playing with the tractors. I’ll try to get this caught up with my progress. For replacing the 1533 bearings, I thankfully had resisted scrapping the rear end out of a Commando 8 with broken-out axle keyways. The bearings weren’t pristine by any means, but definitely usable. They came out without too much trouble. I soaked them good with penetrating oil and then used a combination of a slide hammer and mechanic's pry bar to get them out. After leaving the bearings in the freezer for a couple days, they went in without too much difficulty. In fact, pretty much all the putting it back together went smoothly. A few things to note: Got the 5999 gasket from the local Toro dealer for $9.00. Probably could have made it myself, but it's nice to support the local dealer, and keep some demand for these old WH parts. I ordered several of the 11124 Chicago Rawhide seals and one of the 6449 seals from my Toro dealer. CR seals were $6.50 from Amazon, the Toro one was $9.50. As noted by others, I think they will both work OK, but the Toro one is wider and fills the full recess in the end of the axle housing, whereas the CR one only goes half the depth. After assembly I filled it with 10W30 and replaced the filter with a NAPA 1410. After getting it all back together… Drumroll please... It worked! Well, mostly anyway. It did make a couple strange noises. The first one took me a few minutes to figure out. It was the PTO pulley floating on the PTO shaft and sliding in and out of contact with the friction material. Took it off for the time being and that noise is gone. The second noise only occurred under load and was a rattling sound that seemed to be coming from the belt guard near the tensioner pulley. After seeing me putting around the yard on my test drives, the boys begged me to let them drive it, so I let them get a little seat time idling around the yard. The lady I got it from had the seat mounted way forward, so it's a little tight for me but perfect for them. They had a great time, and it was a great way to circulating the transmission oil, to get it ready for another fluid and filter change to hopefully get out any residual contamination.

I wanna see a Tri Tecky!

A picture I found from when I had just finished the 401. Shining in the sun staring at the farm LOL ~Jake

Here's the new 702... with it's red, white, and rusty paint job...fresh from it's first oil bath. Hey, if you can't beat 'em...join 'em...right?

My weedeater tractor: 6.00-12's with three Sears wheel weights on each side for spacers. :handgestures-thumbup: