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I can tell you that, without going in to details, there has some groundwork already put in place to have a show on site in South Bend at the old Wheel Horse factory. As time goes on I am sure there will be different things that will be looked at to be able to advertise a top notch show/convention on the actual grounds of where these machines came from.

You could hold it at my place in the U.P. Lots of space ot mow/till/plow/grade, and plenty of barn space. Everyone could complain equally about how far away it is! I'm not much of an expert on fixing anything, but if you need someone to lecture on interesting ways to break stuff, I'm your man!

I think what Rob is trying to do here is have a convention which is more of a "teaching" event rather than a show event. My first reaction was the same at Lane's. He would like to have different tutorials and presenters ie how to rebuild a tranny (Steveasarus) or how to find electrical problems (Save Old Iron) etc.etc. I think it is a great idea but I can tell you it will be a HUGE undertaking in terms of organization. I also think that location is a big factor.

Wow has this taken off or what? I originally thought it would be nice to have something in South Bend but I don't know what the hotel/motel situation would be there. Then I considered suggesting a few reagonal get-to-gethers or conventions if you will. They could be spaced out like one in Indiana, one in Iowa, one in say Dayton,OH and maybe one by St. Louis. You know spread them out so it would be easier for most to get to one. OK I'm getting too carried away but the reagonal idea would seem better that just one. Of course that would mean groups to organize unless there were more people like Geno who have enough room without having to arrainge for space. I don't see where a one day thing would be worth while to people traveling more than a couple hundred miles though.

I just paint the old ones.

My grandpa's 1966 856. It handled snow duty for decades in northern Michigan. This will be it's first in about 9 years. I can't wait!

In addition(like)to your trans videos Steve... not sure why any of this stuff couldn't be done right here? If I had to drive to the mid west somewhere to attend a seminar to see the internal workings of a transmission... I doubt I would have ever been inside one. Isn't this precisely the stuff RedSquare is for? Just sayin...

Let me know when this will be held at the Old Wheel Horse factory in Belgium...I am already saving my $ for this one. BTW...count me in...the weekend after Scott's M&G is always a nice weekend.

Since the big show (WHCC) is not a RedSquare event, the schedule is entirely set by the WHCC. Instructional and hands-on events have been tried, but have not been too well received. Most attendees are there to look, show, buy, and generally NOT be tied down to any particular event or seminar, etc.

I think based upon my visit this year that the Annual Convention is already held each year by the Wheel Horse Collector's Club in Pennsylvania! And I think next year is going to be the 17th year if I remember correctly!

here ya go. thanx

I'm hoping this is the right spot for this question, if not, please let me know and I'll have a moderator move it to the correct area. I found this while browsing craigslist. Has a mower deck that is clearly missing pictures. Original engine according to the seller, how c.omplete nobody knows without going to look at it. Selling is asking 200$ and seems pretty firm on that price. Is it worth that much? It's a solid 1.5 hours one way from me to just go look at it. I don't need this tractor but I also don't want to just let a "good" deal pass by and see this tractor go to the scrapper. Thoughts or am I just crazy for even looking at this? Thanks!

I talked to Terry today and wanted to get input if this is something you guys would be interested in. Terry mentioned to me the other day how much of a pain it was to install decals on these old dashes with the bump. I've also seen several very rusty and pitted dashes on here that could affect the look after the decal is applied and longevity as there is less for the decal to adhere to. I talked to Scot and we made one without the bump. The dash is inset so the more gradual bend still looks great. We can do a sharp bend in it but that affects cost as none of us can do that so it has to go to another guy down the street that has a hydraulic bender. The lighter and ignition switch will have to be moved upward about 1/4" to work with the bend so they sit flat and we get a more uniform bend. These could be powder coated black or just painted satin black depending on what you guys think the rear side of the panel should look like. They could also be done in stainless, bronze, etc, but that will only affect the rear side look and longevity. Once the plates are done I will send them to Terry so he can fit the decal to it. I just thought of something else that I think Terry can do, what about doing a metal dash to replace the plastic ones and have a nice decal for it instead of the plastic (pic #2)? Yea, he doesn't know about that one yet. How would you like to see this thing made? Keep in mind, everything above affects cost. What would you expect it should cost in the configuration you would want? These when ready will be shipped with the new dash plate and the decal already attached and done. Below is the first prototype, the second is in the works now.

You did great, always good to save a Horse.

i like the debate it is one i had when i was doing automotive electric work. now that i am in IT the tools work on horses and xjs only. i have used the peircing probes, only when i had to (ex time constraints). but i would prefer not to. I do have enough electrical testing equipment to figure out about anything. however on my 310 i have never found a place i couldn't use my power probe 3 or multimeter. i love the power probe made my life easier many times.

Well, if Gene went from Kentucky to Minnesota for it, he sure can have it

You forgot the diamond inlay. Glenn

It looks to be an early lawn ranger. I'm with everyone else though...need more pics! ;-)

If he wasn't willing to work with me I would move on. I wouldn't spent 3 hours on the road to see the other side of the tractor was damaged or had even more parts missing.

I split both... my dash into two, and decal into three separate pieces.

Doesn't hurt to have one of these around

I think that is a great idea!!!

wrong, not even when you roll it in a ball? here's mine Koen

I guess a Florida convention would be out of the question, lol. We do have a LOT of hotel rooms and convention space. Not a lot of wheelhorses though.

Had mine out today. Doing some cleaning up and playing around. Not enough to call a "Herd" , so it is Gunny's "Fire Team". Won't bother giving any Models or Years, but the 857 is my go to worker, the 1056 is about ready to unveil for my Grand Daughter (up to you to decide which one), the C100 is my Son's worker, the 310-8 is the best deal I ever made and of course you can never have a Fire Team without out an old guy... the RJ. It kind of rolls around and looks at things. The C100 and 1056 were on temporary orders here, and will be out of the Fire Team soon, movement day is Tuesday. A fitting day for the event! They won't win any beauty pageant, but they do earn their keep! Enjoy. Gunny

Why would I complain, you're practically right next door! I'll volunteer to assist in breaking stuff training, I'm an expert in that field too...

I have been giving this idea some thought...and I like where it is heading. One thing is Jason has peaked my curiosity about the "project" he is talking about. Another thing is, I could talk for a couple hours about Wheel Horse transmissions and their evolution. What would be excellent...if Racinfool40 (Mike) and I did this together. Holy Cow!!! Here is an idea...how about doing "live stream WIFI" of any and all of the technical seminars. Seminars could include, transmissions, trouble shouting electrical with a multimeter, trouble shooting fuel flow (carbs, gas lines, filters, tanks, etc), how to use a spray gun (paint), welding, engines etc. Steve NW WI...welcome to Red Square It would be great if we did this at the Dells. Don't worry, it will not be too fancy...we are way too Blue Collar for that.

Too much time in the "shed" with a motor running!!!!!!!

I would love to do a tranny thingy, but I am pretty shy in front of people...I am better at heckling from the back. but count me in...I'll figure it out.

Ok let's see if l can clear some of this up. I wanted to find what year my c-160 auto was built but did not have the model # in front of me so I just put in c-160 auto in the Toro website. Which gave me every year the c-160 auto was built. Starting in 1974 the model# was1-0480. Starting in 1975 model# started 1-0481 and so on to 1977. Then I went out and looked at my # I saw it was 1-0481. Thinking the model #s went sequely from 1974...1-0480 and up and seeing the first model # of 1975 matched mine I thought I might have the first production c160 auto from 1975. I hope this helps you guys understand my thought process last night. In the end it was quite funny.

South Bend is an excellent central location for a lot of members here in the mid-West. The TORO factory location is kinda tucked way up North there (but they might be able to help produce-sponsor if near). The Big Show is way out East in PA, but a good location for a large percentage of the active Wheel Horse owners, plus it's established, 17 years and we know what to expect and is a tourist area for the family. It would be impossible to find just one location and time that is good and convenient for everyone. Also, too many smaller shows might distract some from the Big Show, but then more WH owners could attend and share if the shows are in local close places. I agree with Geno, if we get too fancy and formal, costs to produce and attend a show could get real expensive real quick for everyone. Initial surveys are a great idea to get a feel for the interest. It is the location, date and program that will draw people in, plus it takes time & a team, plus years to establish a Show following, then there's costs (gas, food, sleeping, 'lost work & family time' . . .). To share an event with a larger event could be both a help or a distraction (like the Portland, IN show in August)(advertising, insurance, exposure, experience, supervision . . .). I'm very much in favor of a Mid-West show . . . Glen

Steve - thanks for clearing the point up regarding convention... Maybe we call it COnference then.... Regardless of where it may be held, there will always be individuals who can't make the trip.. It would not be on or close the the PA event.... This would be another option for indivuals to attend. Definately want to stay away from union buildings regardless. Takes away from the overall expierence and adds additional costs that are truly not needed. If there are at least 100 individuals who would be interested in attending, that is all it takes, to start something and make it grow. Geno - yes, play day everyday in the exhibit hall or where ever it would be. Rob

That would be the best place for sure! If the groundwork has begun then I'm sure you guys have had some very eye opening experiences. It's a very large undertaking indeed, especially so if you are in a union town. I attended the Summer and Winter CES shows for 4 years as a retailer and it was great. Then I spent the next 6 years doing it on the Vendor side, oh boy. Wait till you have to push a tractor inside the building 50' to a both and the union guy tells you that will be $150.00 please or go home. Granted the CES shows are the largest in the world but we ran into the same types of messes in smaller shows.

Hi Geno, the shack won't fit in the new garden which is why I've had to rent a workshop And as this is a rented house, the shack has to come down before we leave.. There is indeed Jason... I need to find the time to catch up on it all... Yesterday was a nice day weather wise and the shack floor had never looked so clean!! As the first floor board came up I was wondering how many rabbit holes I would find as they do like the garden here and are/were always running under the shack! As it turned out there was only slight bunny digging in one corner, but no holes. I did have one very unexpected find though.. I found Limpy... Or what was left of him/her! Limpy was a young fox cub that could be seen pottering about the place last year.. As you will of guessed Limpy had a limp hence the name.. At one point he/she wasn't look too well but the last couple of times I saw him/her, he/she was looking much better with a nice coat of fur at last.. I guess he/she wasn't doing too well as I found the remains yesterday! Anyway, the shack is all down now, the base frame has been split into manageable size chunks that will fit on a big trailer with no problems.. And all being well it should all be taken away tomorrow which is also house moving day!! Should be fun

That game was at Penn State. (but we brought a truckload of money ) One more item added for Racinbob.. Spiffy is on top of it.. Spiffy started thinking ahead and decided to kill another bird with this stone, and added another item for B1G fans up north.. This new breakfast item is for Michigan fans.. It will also double as a Wisconsin breakfast of Championship Wisconsin Wannabee's if you rotate it 180 degrees.

Read the first post.... and the 115th post.

Sorry to get everyones BP up but I have to say MINE was alittle higher than normal TOO!! ALWAYS fun to DREAM about WHAT IF.!

Some more....

Mostly get slush and ice in these parts, when it does snow I'll put weights and chains on the 520.

If I knew that Wheel Horses would have helped me with dating, I should have started collecting them in High School, or even in the 6th grade ( is that what Scott is doing with his WH club? ).

Only you could come up with something like that Glenn, only you. Not worried about cost eh?

Is an intriguing pict though, huh?

How hard is it to split the dash plate

Hey Guys, I want to tell you that you really don't want Geno fooling around in your neighborhood. It will never be the same when he is gone. Think Blitzkrieg.

Back in the day this page made sense Garry

The thing is where ever you have it would be too far for some to go. Seems like the big show is about 1000 miles from me and there is no way I could possibly go. If the show was in South Bend where the factory was, there would be long drives for all you east coast guys.

Yes, I would... give you a fair price for it.

LOL I knew I wasnt that lucky!! Geno thanks for the help Im alittle thick in the head sometimes... especially the later in the week it gets.

Alrighty! Got the tractor home and did some more work to it. I changed the transmission and engine oil, installed the wheel weights and tire chains, removed the mower and installed the snowblower (which is like new), and installed Matt's foot pedal hydro. I won't be fixing the one rear light being out but it is a ground issue, after using a jumper it worked but I don't want to take the tins off again until spring when I do the valve adjustment and carbon cleaning. I noticed a problem with the brakes when I was taking it off the back of the truck, there was no return tension which made it hard to get it in gear and I found the return spring was missing so I grabbed one at the local Toro dealer and that is working correctly now. I also installed a battery tender Jr and the foot rest covers. It's pretty much done for now. There was a small issue with the foot pedal but Matt was quick to reply and we figured out the problem quickly. Anyway it looks and runs great. If someone could help me real quick, the 48" deck shell I got is like new but it doesn't have blades/rollers/wheel/belt. I started looking into it and it seems as though it's from the 60's or 70s and I've seen it on Charger and GT 14 models using google image search. It's very solid, almost new except for the paint being worn and some surface rust. Would this fit on the 520 or should I just sell it to someone restoring an older tractor? Thanks! And here's some updated pictures of the 520.

This link might be helpful. A lot depends on how you are going to paint. Spray cans or spray gun. Indoors or outside. How much you are will to spend, and how much experience to you have painting. If you don't get the answers you need from the link above, feel free to search "paint". You will find a lot of opinions on product, color, and technique. Above all else, there is no one who will criticize your choice of color. If it's red it's good. And...please use good breathing protection, even if using off-the-shelf spray cans. Paint can do a lot of damage to your lungs and nervous system. The effects of which may not be realized until much later in life. Good luck!