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The property next door to me has been abandon for over two years. I offered to keep it mowed but the mortgage company declined my offer so it sat empty and unmowed for two years. Last night when I got home a young lady was attempting to mow with a push mower. I introduced myself and discovered she was the new owner. After thinking about this last evening, I decided the Raider should make a contribution to this young lady's project. Four gallons of gas and four hours later, we had the place mowed. We ran with the deck @‌ max height @‌ WOT in low 1st and 2nd. Seat time !!! I hope She is surprised and pleased when she returns.

Towed another one home for the barn today. Had too much room to move I guess and the price was right... Its a 77 or 78 C-81 8 speed that lost the original K-181 and has been repowered with a K-301 12 horsepower. I have been watching this tractor mow for 2 years now. At the end of last year it disappeared and a shiny plastic white and yellow thing showed up in its place. Two weeks ago I had the GT-14 cutting about a half acre up the road from the farm here (Before the steering broke and I had to limp home) where we used to have a building and the neighbor came over and thanked me for keeping it mowed. We spoke for awhile and he commented on seeing many horses about the farm. I asked where his disappeared last year and he said he couldn't get it started 1 weekend and after a local dealer looked at it, said it was junk and promptly sold him a 26 horse plastic Cub with a bagger. He asked me if I wanted the ol' girl and I told him heck yes. He wouldn't take anything for it because it didnt run. SO I got me a free tractor.... Jeb and I ran up with his Charger 12 tonight and towed it home.... 1 mile home...Literally stole it from my back yard almost. It wont turn over, battery dead, oil in engine is clear and tranny gear lube is clear as well. I can spin the engine with a ratchet so its not seized. Just gotta figure out whats her trouble is.... Not sure what she's going to end up being....Probably a worker restoration. It needs back tires but I have a pretty decent set of old turf Savers for it... Probably paint and definitely some Vinyl Guy specials of the C121 variety. It had headlights at one time so I will get a set as well at the upcoming show hopefully... Getting the Allied Dethatcher put on her because its a late 70's model. I haven't decided where the 42Rdeck is going either..maybe sell it. Or maybe I'll mow with it...Lord knows the GT-1 4 is broke more than it runs and the 12 should be less fuel compared to the '74 C-160 8 speed...

could have used a sickle for that stuff. A hay baler might be in order....

A couple of weeks ago I asked Brian to send me a couple of his diaphragms that he makes for Kohler vacuum-style fuel pumps. They have been sitting on my desk, in front of the computer since they arrived. Well, today I started my 857 for the first time since putting it away in the shed last fall. When I parked it last year, I noticed that the engine would not keep running without being choked. I figured that I has some junk in the carburetor. But after removing the carburetor and cleaning it, I still had the problem. So I removed the fuel pump to find that the diaphragm was quite deformed, and actually stuck to the bottom of the pump. So I grabbed a new "buckaphragm", installed it, and voila, problem solved. Thanks again Brian for your quality part.

Even ore impressive than the job the Raider did is your kindness and caring to welcome your new neighbor. I hope she realizes how blessed she is to have you as a neighbor.

I was trying to find a picture of somebody that would try to mow that lawn with a push mower...she kept popping up.

This thread is worthless with out pictures......of your new Neighbor!!!

Steve, cents you're retired you have no time to mow it more often! Ed, those pics are calendar shots!

My Mom's grass looks close to that every week when I go over there to mow it. Excellent pictures Ed and very nice of you to do that for her.

Exactly my thoughts! That would have been a fantastic yard to be able to try out a side-mounted sickle! That's mighty neighborly of you Ed. It's a shame that the mortgage company turned down your offer, but the reality is that it's just them protecting themselves. If you damaged the property or got hurt doing it they could have potential liability, and they they don't want to put that risk into a property that they're just sitting on. I am surprised they don't contract a lawn service to mow it though, just to keep the varmints and squatters at bay.

Ed, mighty nice of you. And holy smokes, how high that grass is. Plenty for the horse to chew on. Glenn

In my neck of the woods, you would have passed out before you finished by the amount of blood loss from the ticks that would have inhabited that. It did a nice job! I hope she appreciates it and that they are good neighbors.

Would love to see that first one in the calender.

Good story and pics Ed!

Well, I could always try and borrow this one from a friend our ours Here's a picture from a couple years ago when I was just finishing up the 401 and a friend was working on building the stack for me. Sure looks different with single wheels on the rear. Sure could fit some horses in this rig though! Anyways as for what we'll bring, probalby going to take our flatbed from the farm this year, has a 12ft long bed on it so should be able to bring a couple horses and still have room just in case we find anything we can't live without. Don't have any pictures of it.

Always nice to see someone "pay it forward"

Someone could " learn " from this!

I had the herd outside today to do some cleaning and first start's of the yr. in preparation for the Big Show... Even shot a quick video... http://vid187.photobucket.com/albums/x201/flyinaceman/20150610_180322_zpsxej6u5gn.mp4

Most of my tractors have Brian's diaphragm in the fuel pump too, Bob. Sure glad he sells those.

we had our UK meeting last weekend and after a few beers we decided to see who was the daddy ​http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7PV3UYBUdM

​Hope you enjoy mowing her yard, because I hear her hubby and kid are lazy as all get out. lol

​I found If I only took a 2/3 cut, using the left and center blades to cut and the right one to chop the hay, it would not clog up. When I took a full cut, the right blade was trying to push out 2' long grass and it would get caught on the back side of the chute opening and keep building up and closing the opening. ​Plenty of ticks here also BOO. But they don't bite me as I have had Lyme Disease for 35 years , so ticks, vampires and rabid dogs are afraid to taste my blood. I am hoping for a good neighbor also. She didn't show up today. I hope she isn't out looking for a person to mow, or worse shopping at HD or Lowes for a green tractor.

Bill, I pulled out all my plaques, and I seem to be missing the 14th Annual Wheel Horse Show plaque from 2012. Would you have one of those extra? Please. Thanks Bill

looking good just did the same thing for my brothers new property

Someone from RS has offered to take this - Thank everyone for the comments and looking. Denny This little Suburban needs a home. I have had this for 15 plus years and had planned to restore it but I just have more than I can handle. Its time for someone else to restore it to its former glory. I was given this free so I'm giving it free to anyone who comes to pick it up (Brainerd, Minnesota). It comes with a 32" deck. The engine is a Clinton. Everything is original as far as I can tell but the seat is different from any that I have seen as it is solid without holes. Denny (612) 764-2543

Impromptu random acts of kindness and charity. Awesome example to set!

good stuff Ed!! I too like to help the neighbors out with my horses but most of the time its for my own enjoyment I mowed lawn for my neighbor earlier this year that was probably about half as tall with my 42" sd on my new 417-a with the kt twin. I went right at it deck full down and only had some small issues with it clumping and not flying out of the chute, never enough to stop me though. Did you have any issues with all that grass or did your eat right through it?

That's cuz he's too busy out front... posing for Dino on the bench.

​I luv my HH120 in the C-120 Ken, But I elected to use the Raider and Kohler Power. The guv was full open most of the time.

Nice Job Ed. I bet the ole Tecky was gettin into the governor on that grass cuttin!

Well I'm glad, (I think), I'm not the only one who saw this before. This 417 was garaged it's whole life which is why I'm doing a restore even though it will be a worker. The member I bought it from who most likely doesn't visit anymore since this was his only WH reminds me of Brad Garrett on Everybody Loves Raymond. Nice guy and big! Not fat at all! Just 6'5" and BIG! His father is a big guy too so I can see the tower having some "stress" on it especially if mowing sidehills, etc, after 1200 hours. I'll post some pics once I'm done with it. I just hope I still want to mow and blow with it. I hate to keep parade tractors but my 857 has turned into one and it doesn't look that nice.

I'll be campin out in the Hippie van...

I've been looking at a couple of manuals for you - the photos are very grainy but from what I can see you've hooked up to the right ports. The photos are so poor though and it's difficult to tell. Also been reading the section of the sundstrand manual which covers the hydrogear like yours though in nothing like the detail provided for the later piston-piston type. From my limited experience with the later type I'd hazard a guess that the charge relief valve (both types have these) isn't seating properly. The result is that when the impliment lift control is in neutral position, pressure in the main transmission is being lost. It's not being lost when the outlet port is blocked off. I think you could test this theory by moving the lever to send the ram to the end of its travel but hold the lever there and see if power is restored to the drive system. This is a wild guess and I'm sure others will chip in if I'm off the mark. Problem with hydrogears is that they aren't very serviceable.

Now that is mowin'! Do you have a hay take? Holy cow, feed for a few months!

​You da Daddy Mark , and no you can't bring that beast over to try your luck against my D-200 or even both of them together! I've only just finished replacing the pump and motor in one and the sight of that D being effectively towed backwards with the tow valve closed is the stuff nightmares are made of. Well done for that project of yours - outstanding work! Andy Thanks Andy, we should have really tried another one pulling the d, but we ran out of time. The beer tent was calling

​Cool Ad. I have to ask... I've seen the old gear drive mower decks with the side shields mounted upside down like in the picture above as well as mounted in place on the side. Is there a reason for this? Seems kind of dangerous with the sides open while mowing????

I just added one to my 551, i still need to work on the pedal and clutch. those photos will help me also thanks,

I really only want to take two tractors to the show this year but I think I might just have to stuff the 420 into the back of the van (which I hate to do as its awful clean in there) and put my sons 854 on the trailer along with the Suburban. I bought the 854 off Buckrancher at the Big Show 3 yrs. ago for my son Cole. Haven't had to do a thing to it other than keep it clean and change the oil... She does cut the grass every once in a while, hauls fire wood every now and again and makes the rounds at all the local shows.

I never would have thought there would be a link to DUCATI from a Wheel Horse. I don't envy your task James, Ducati electronics were never a good thing back in the day keep going though I'm sure you can do it.

Well lemme start by introducing myself. I live in Indianapolis IN and I work in aviation building interiors for private airplanes. I'm 29 and I think my love for Wheel Horse's started way back when I was very young. I spent every summer at my grandparents house and one thing that has always been a great memory to me is Grandpa's tractor. He always owned a Wheel Horse from when I can remember. I remember many days after riding on his knee mowing the yard we would stop for lunch and you'd be sure to find me sitting on the tractor eating mine. I would do anything I could to ride on the tractor with him, who can resist such a cute face :). Many times me and my older brother would sneak down to the barn just to try and start it with out Grandpa knowing about it. We would wash and wax the tractor any chance we could get. I'm sure he was appreciative of that since it kept his Horse clean and kept him from having to do it! We would ride around in the cart hooked up to it until he kicked us out! So many great childhood and teenage year memories were made with Grandpa and his tractor. He sold his Wheel horse in about 2007/08 and got a zero turn. He couldn't swing his leg over the shifter and steering wheel anymore. This is me and him on what I think is his old C-120. Here is my older brother on the same tractor Here's me eating lunch as usual on his last Wheel Horse. The same model I picked up , a 312-8 Me (in the red hoodie) and my Cousin riding on Grandpas lap on his C-120 My mom is driving in this picture. She thinks its around 1975-1976. Not sure of the model tractor. Heres me and all the cousins getting pulled in the cart with his 312-8 One last one, me on his lap, my brother on the bar and my cousin in the cart. Grandpa passed away in 2010 and life kinda went on for me just enjoying those memories. Until recently. Me and my wife moved into a house in October of 2014. We got a decent amount of snow her in Indy and there was no way I could shovel our driveway. So I decided I could just smash it all down with my truck. That worked kinda until I got the car stuck in the driveway on my way to work one morning. After about 20-30 min I was able to get out and once I was at work I text my wife and told her we are either getting a new car, a snow blower or a tractor with a plow. Well, she wasnt going for the car and a good snow blower will run you $450-650 so I opted to find a tractor with a plow. I knew it had to be a Wheel Horse since I knew how reliable and versatile they are. I also have a soft spot for them since I have so many good memories with one. To Craigslist I went and until two weeks ago I couldn't find a good deal. I found this 1990 312-8. I came with a snow blower a 42" deck, wheel weights, chains, and all the original owners manuals. Tractor ran great and started right up when I went to look at it. By no means is this thing pristine though, but it had everything I needed and it was all in working order. Here she is on all her glory. Only paid $450 for everything. I will upload many more tomorrow, but for now I have to go, the wife is requesting my presence! Hope you guys enjoy and hopefully this turns out as nice as I hope it will!

It doesn't haul a lot of tractors, but it'll be a great place to sleep

If your talking about the little gear that is on the shaft that the steering wheel is on I have it.

Better than factory Richard, better than factory! That video is priceless, so rare to get hold of something like that! I think I posted this before somewhere on the site but here's a period photo my son's partner dug out from her collection of family pics. Taken at Morton Manor on the Isle of Wight when Annie was a child. If I remember correctly (she'll shoot me if I get it wrong) that's her grandfather standing and uncle fixing something. Her family were into WHs and the other pic taken at Hasely Manor shows another uncle with his horse. Anyone else got any period WH pics to share? Andy

I don't load up until the Wednesday before. I'll try to remember to post some pictures at that time.

I finally get to do this! Leaving the previous owner: Heading down the intercoastal:

imagine the news headlines "local police deputy outrun by lawn mower... air to ground team clocks the red blurr at triple digit speeds"

if you are not familiar with welding you should look into a night class on beginning welding ...maybe some local tech school in your area offers a class? i'm not a big fan of flux core , but if done properly it can give ok results.the 110 volts limits what you can do , but i think most decks are of thinner material so you may be able to get it done after you have educated yourself on welding and tried a few machines you will be able to decide what welder is best for you. my advice is buy the biggest one you can afford. and don't by that cheap crap...buy a name brand that has factory backing and you can get parts and service for one of my mig welders will run on 110 or 220 volts, it is twice the welder on 220. it is fine on 110 doing up 3/16" material. my tig is 220 and that is what i use on most critical things

No, I'm quite sure. She'll always be...the Mrs Rules.

well, while I'm waiting for my gearbox angle drive thing i thought will sort the brakes. what I've done is i've used the deck lifting bar (the bit that has a rod going to the handle to the left of the tractor) and modified it slightly. i fortunately the perfect positioning of the deck lifter was right where the cut outs are the old tranny pulley, I made some bearing type blocks to get it in position. to my amazement it came out pretty square! anyway, from the brake pedal i could use the original linkage (just bent in one place) so i can still use the hand brake. I didn't film any of the making as i just wanted to crack on. anyway i just need to edit part 3.5 and all will be explained in greater detail. at the end of the last video, part 3, you may have noticed i said "stay tuned for an exciting part 3" what i meant was part 4 as i hoped to have had the gearbox before i got impatient! unfortunately I did but i couldn't call it part 4 as its not that exciting, thus part 3.5 is born! haha. sorry for the poor pictures, they are actually stills from part 3.5! thanks, callum