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Found some old pics of my dad's tractors. Thought I would share a few. I think this one is possiblly a 704 or 854. He seems to remember owning a '64 model of some kind. Dad sold new Chevrolets and Buicks at the local dealer. That's a new '65 Impala in the drive and my mom's '62 Nova in the garage. This pic would be 1964-65. Oh, and that's me in the dump cart.

Here is the 856. The teenager is my uncle, my mother's brother, 12 years older than me. I apologize for the sporadic posting here. I'm doing this at work in between customers and phone calls. I'll let you guess who the little kid is. Can't date this exactly. The tractor looks about new in the color photo. I'd say its summer of '66. Dad did keep 'em clean though and still does. I do remember this day though, I'm actually getting to drive it! Probably the first I got to drive. The B&W pics are probably 1967, I look a little bigger, and Dad traded for a Commando 8 in 1968.

Rod Stewart is your son? I'm just kidding. My dad still has the dump cart. I think it's the same era, early sixties. Here is the 552. I think this was the first my dad bought. He discovered WH tractors when his boss, the Chevy dealer owner bought one. From his description I think it was an RJ from late 50s. It had a pull start. Dad went to the local dealer and bought one with a starter. The boss man was jealous so he went and traded tractors! Oh, that kid is me again. I was born in July of '63. So these pics would be probably within a year of that.

Great picture! Thanks for sharing. This is the oldest picture I found in my pile. Son drivin' one of our first Stallions. Rod likes Horses too!

Came across two NOS Generators. Couldn't pass it up.

I found a 312H during the fall that needed some love. Cleaned, painted, new solenoid, head lights and tail lights, and finished it off with some of Terry's decals. I think it came out pretty good. Can't figure out how to rotate the pictures, sorry!

OK Richard. Sharing a couple early picts here...I've saved too.

Here's a few that I found on my surfing travels

This may not appeal to anyone, but here it is. This part of the hydraulic lift mechanism on my GT-14. The one that came on the first GT-14 broke, so I took one off my parts machine and replaced it. Then it broke. I just happened to have a third one. So I decided a modification was in order. And here it is. Like I said somewhere on this board, I just bought a little Lincoln stick welder a little while ago and I'm trying to learn. And since I don't own a torch, I used what I had, a 14" Dewalt chop saw to cut the metal. I checked the clearances and so far it has full travel and has cleared everything I don't think this part will break now, unless my weld fails. But this part may have been designed to break, so now something else more expensive may break. I added 2 pictures of the part, before and after.

Blade is now fully functional. Bracket that holds handle to frame is complete except for paint Turn handle is complete. Turn rod is adjustable and complete. Handle installed and at various positions from left to right. Closeup of release lever and cable connections at blade. I also made up a little bracket to hold the turning rod when the handle is removed. Next will be to refurbish the blade itself but that will be a summertime job.

Here are a few more I uncovered

I was able to get some stuff done today...temps were close to 60. The 1st thing to do is grind and hone the bronze axle bearings to fit the axles. For some reason, they increase in size when they are tapped into their positions. You want to do this before you put the differential together...the differential is heavy and hard to handle for this fine work...and it is fine work. It takes grinding a little and checking the fit...over and over again. You can always take out a little more...you can not put back any material you have grind out. I used a 7/8" bit for the most part, and then a hone tool to smooth things out after the axle fit OK. The bits are from ACE Hardware. The next thing was to cut with a Saws All the bronze bearings that carry the differential housing to length. You need to cut off about 1/4" + to fit these in the differential housing. I make a mark at the 1 1/2" - mark and tap it into the housing and then run it with a Saws-All...tap out the 1/4" piece that is left and go to the next one. Then I could go about putting the differential back together. The one I am building for Lane (RJ transmission) has the 11 toothed spider gears that I got from Racinfool40 (Mike) These are from a 2 piece transmission and this is discussed earlier in this thread. The axle gears in place with their roll pins. Then the spider gears...and they alternate around the differential. I use a smaller roll pin punch to guide the roll pin into the second pinion shaft as I tap then in. So then I started the E-Tank again to take the rust out of the 4th transmission case to free up the shift rails. We have hydrogen bubbles and a Rock & Rye...life is good.

Couple more which most people have already seen

My first . 1968 Commando 8. Pics are from 1993. I told this story on another thread a while back but I'll share it here briefly. I just found these old pics recently. My dad bought this tractor new, traded it in on a new 1973 12 HP, local guy named Johnny bought it from WH dealer, sold it to my uncle, and I bought it in '93 from him. I overhauled it with help from local WH dealer who was my neighbor at the time. The mower deck was pretty well shot, parts to rebuild were expensive and I needed it to mow, pushed snow with it that winter, sold it to another neighbor, and bought a good used '77 B-80. I didn't know at the time it was my Dad's old tractor, just discovered this last summer. I asked the neighbor (who is also my boss now) if he still had it. He said he sold it about 20 years ago, doesn't remember who to either. I'd a kept it if I had known it was Dad's old . The last photo with the deck on was exposed wrong or something. I took these with an old 35MM camera. I've got more pics of the tractor in pieces if y'all wanna see them. Just don't want to over do it here. And thanks for the compliments. Todd PS: yeah that's me again!

1985 314-8 that Dad used to have then sold to my uncle, the teenager in the pics above as a matter of fact, then he bought the 1996 314-8 and still has it today. That's my little brother on it.

Yes, that's possible. Or the color photo may be a different tractor, maybe a 1965, if his leg was just not in the way! Some keen eyed enthusiasts here will tell us. Dad traded tractors every few years through the sixties and seventies up until he retired, and he always put light kits on them. He became friend's with the local WH dealer and he bought vehicles from Dad every few years also. He took pride in all his vehicles including the WHs. I remember getting yelled at; "don't scratch it, or get my feet off the seat, quit fooling with those knobs, leave that alone," etc. The dealer always like getting his trade-ins. They would sell quickly he said.

Dad is an antique car enthusiast. That is a 1932 Chevrolet Cabriolet in the garage. The old coupe is a 1930 Model A Ford.

What about a topic of tools for the hobby. Everything from wrenches to welders, lifts to spray guns, Where people can ask questions and share experiences about something they have bought or want more info on before buying? Thought it might be nice

I bought a set of the short Grace roll punches yesterday Steve and Mike ! I wanted to see how they preformed in optimal conditions in Steve's garage and basement before buying! I am convinced they work great after the load of roll punches Steve has removed and reset! I did not realize they were made for gunsmithing application until purchasing the set yesterday! I also see in the 10th and 11th picture down in your latest posting that you also use the roll pin punch to line up the roll pin placement for two of the spider gears (and the other two I assume) when reinstalling the roll pin to hold them in place in the differential housing. Craig: I wish you had posted that Amazon.com link on Grace roll pin punches yesterday! I would have saved $5 bucks -Ha ! Steve: I just can't get over the details of this rebuild thread you are providing for all to see and use on Red Square!

I bought both the long and shorty set!

I think that would be a great idea. Sometimes I see you guys working on a project wonder about the tools , where they were purchased , Is tool A better tool B , or is it a hand made tool . You can't have too many tools. The one with the most tools wins.

Another little update on the 56. Engine is mostly back together, still need to paint the tins and on the search for an oil bath air cleaner, have the elbow and bracket, just need the cleaner part itself. Parts primed waiting for me to sand them again. And got the hood welded up and hammered out. Need to beadblast it again and then can do some filler on it. Thanks, Jake

Has anyone ever tried this, others tell me it works great. If it didn't grow a rose I guess you could dig up the potato crop.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=grace+roll+pin+punch+set

First, let me say this is a very cool , thanks for sharing all of those photos. The dump cart is a LTD-24 and was made from 1958 to 1961. I have one and it is great with the Suburban but not so much with the later . The tongue on these trailers was made to fit into the smaller sleeve hitch on the RJs and Suburbans and had pivot points built into it, a real piece of work! Take a look at the manual.

Yes please...keep posting more

Looks like your dad upgraded to a newer deck some time between these two photos. Nice photos. Based on all the posing, your dad really appreciated his Horses.

Cool pics, thanks for sharing. Dad had good taste in cars AND tractors....hope some of it rubbed off on ya!!

Thanks Bob... by the way got an update on that idler pully for these transmissions http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/57982-dennys-free-suburban-work/?page=4

We've been tapping our 7 big maples around our house for a few years now, we usually average about 4 gallons of syrup each season. I just collected 20 gallons of sap today, that'll be good for about 2 quarts of finished product. Let the fun and hot fires begin!

Thanks Richard... we're gonna have to try that.

My dad put a rope on that cardboard box and pulled me around. Must have been before I got the Radio Flyer. I remember him pulling it on the carpet down the hallway in the house with it too.

Hi Terry, Here's my pic. I've only been on the Red Square site for a month, but I'm jazzed about meeting some of my new friends. I'm having a good time, thanks everyone.

Yeah it has a funky swivel thing on the tongue that only works on a sleeve hitch. I remember busting it once when a buddy and me were using it to haul firewood out of the hollers on his grandpas place. Had to get it welded. I found some WH paint and touched up the weld. It was a couple of years before Dad noticed it.

Difficult to describe Red...maybe someone can chime in with a pic. Used mostly on snow blowers but in this case it lifts the jenny up on the front tachmatic bracket to put tension on the drive belt. I think there was only one ...it was a box inside a box....oh no wait there was two!!! .....I got dibs if you need to get rid of one 1978!!!

I would consider modifying the blade near the front with a shear pin or otherwise weak link to avoid catastrophic failure.

Nothing wrong with old pictures and family stories.

well i have some pic of me on the raider 10 when i was a toddler but that wasn't that long ago

They are some great pictures , thanks for sharing.

Really great pics. I'm guessing this last one is 1965. You look like a....... " terrible two".....

The little details like the engine and steering wheel cover are also important to do a complete conversion to straight Wheel Horse badging. I also changed the steering wheels to say Wheel Horse on them as required. Also Toro gauges must go. All of mine now have SW gauges, Toro gauges are all gone. Likely a little anal but what can I say.....

I run my front tires at 20 lbs. Smooth tread, 4-ply. Steering is hard enough with that set-up. I can't imagine working at anything less. The rear ags are loaded with rim-guard, and have steel weights on the inside and outside of the rims. I don't usually use the weight box, unless I am lifting something really heavy. I don't like the extra length out the back. It gets too hard to work between trees or around the barn. The loader is long enough to be clumsy by itself. The box makes maneuvering really difficult, and the extra weight isn't often necessary. The loaded, weighted rears are over #150 each. Works fine for snow, mulch, loose gravel, dirt, wood.... I use the weight box if I am loading pallets.

Thanks I understand the designation, I guess my question is what makes it quiet? Is the engine itself any different than the s designation?

Here ya go Jim. http://www.graceusatools.com/item-details.php?item_id=47&category_id=1

And another gallon of R & R...... Had to driil the roll pin hole out to 3/16, Steve...1/8 was loose from running the ill fitting cotter pin. Guy's gotta wonder how those gears got that stripped, woulda thunk one woulda shut her down before they got that bad. By the way has somebody got a link on where to buy for those punches?

Scott, I am thinking you could back up this horse up to the picnic table and do steaks and potatoes and onions in foil...where ever there is shade. Check out this table and see what you think. Saturday AUG 4th Show Pic's Notice the wheels on the table.

The black goop means it has been sitting for some time (years)..the caramel color comes from the emulsion you get when you run the trans. I couldn't wait...had to tear into that differential. Both axle gears are chipped, maybe one spider is OK, the axles appear to be fine, and the differential and bull gear is good. One side... Other side Axle gears. Bull gear and teeth. And here are the bad guys... Those roll pin punches are a must have...no bending at all and the short ones are great for starting the pin. What a difference good tools make. A SPECIAL THANKS TO SOREKIWI for the roll pin information. Just a comment...when you have a horse that is not going anywhere and is like lurching and waiting for things to catch up before it moves, if it is in the transmission (and not the wood ruff keys or hubs)...the above picture is most likely what you have going on.

ask the guy if he wants to hook em up,his crapsman against the toro,see how he likes being dragged around all day

the front wheel that i painted my homemade shiftier sticker if wheel horse was a sticker company it would have done well, the stickers are still readable after 40 years the hood that im painting hope the pictures help kind of blurry and bad but i only had the phone with me when i went out and got pictures