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I read a recent post on the forum which sparked a concept we sometimes forget but can never take for granted. The machinery (including Wheel Horses) we use and play with is stronger and more powerful than we are. This means it can hurt us and others, and it will if not used with full concentration, total awareness, and undivided attention. Whether it is a tractor, table saw, planer, welder, chop saw, or lawn mower, these machines deserve respect and undivided attention when they are being used. I lost part of a thumb to a table saw. My father lost part of a finger to a joiner. I grabbed a belt on my Wheel Horse and nearly lost a finger. Many of us have injured ourselves in some way using the tools we love best. And in most cases, it is at a moment when we lost concentration, forgot a basic rule, or tried to take a shortcut. These days, manufactures try to "dumb down" tools to protect them against weekend warriors who have no more respect for them than video games. Let's face it, if you are not going to respect your machines and use them with the caution and reverence that they deserve, then you should not be operating them. They are fun to use because of what they can accomplish in the hands of a skilled "professional", but they are not toys and should never be underestimated in their ability to harm if used without complete awareness. No safety feature will overcome this fact. Now, let's go mow in reverse.

I was given this one page safety sheet that was given to tractor buyers in the 1960's (came from a pile of old Wheel Horse dealer manuals and papers) and thought it should be of interest to the Red Square Wheel Horse Forum Members. I sent to Garry to post in the Wheel Horse Manuals area of this site.

I got a Pm from Steve(dino) whit a pict of how he planned the garden to be.. and i just had to share it whit you guys..

I need to do something with the engine shrouds on the rj and am really backed into a corner because the they are bright green and just look ridiculous. I can't paint them even in the correct red because - as you'll see in the photos - the rest of the tractor has a dated look. So I just strip off the paint and get a really unique result... Jury is still out but unless anyone has a technique that can match the look of a 60 year old paint job that is how she's gonna stay.

Ok since I received the RJ (and suburban) transmissions from Stevasaurus in Mentone last weekend I have been doing a little work on the RJ I bought to restore in January of this year. Steve did a tremendous job getting the RJ transmission bolt ready. I added the gear oil in the transmission and checked the level on the side plug after placing on the frame. The new front Carlisle sawtooth tires were on it and the back tires are an old set of the Wheel Horse sawtooth type. I added the back after bolting up the transmission with three bolts on each side of the case/frame. The old K 90 motor I have for this has Massey Ferguson red paint (something I did a long time ago) and needed repainting with Rustoleum Regal Red to match everything else on the tractor. I also painted the block a VHT Black Paint from Auto Zone. I had a new Tecumseh recoil and cup that I chose to use on the K 90 that I also installed. I did start work on the steering wheel, steering block and I did add all new grease fittings to the frame. The Kohler motor was bolted on and then the fender pan and seat spring and seat pan. Some degree of progress. I am awaiting the hood and gas tank which are at my welder's shop getting new gas tank straps, a reinforced hood and a new old stock gas tank. I think the RJ rebuild is starting to look pretty good -especially when you compare to what I started with in January! I just added a few more pics from the original RJ Wheel Horse tractor we started with in January !

A nice evening and the blossom right out, so a couple of pictures. I am thinking about planting a group of 'sweet gum' trees, anybody got any? Impressions? Tips. Thanks

This came home with me...........from the local tractor show. It certainly has some issues , but, runs and drives fine. I have a kohler k91 hanging around so that will maybe be the ticket when I get around to restoring it. Would like to know what year it is .....if thats possible from the pictures...and if it could have had a k91 originally?? Thanks!!

Well, it was a little damp this morning but there was a decent turnout for what the weather was. Only snapped a couple of pics Here's Sparky (Mike) all proud of a new hood ornament. We all told him it was a little big and not original but that didn't stop him! Saltywright (Russ) in the background And then we picked up a couple K181s and some skins for matching hood ornaments This I just thought was cool

I wish there was a warning device to tell me someone is going to come by pushing a cart and knock the ladder out from under me! Thank goodness for strong conduit!

I picked up this Yanmar 7hp Diesel off of Craigslist for $400 a few years ago and put it in a Lawn Ranger. It only had a few minutes off actual run time when I got it. Way to much power for the tractor but sure is a blast to drive around.

I don't think anyone really had malicious intent when mowing in reverse. I think it was just a bunch of guys talking and joking around. maybe it wasn't P.C. enough for some. either way I have found a new hobby and all of you guys are Great.

Picked up the trailer today, I think I'm going to go with the herculiner, I went ahead and got the ceiling material to in stall after I run some more lights, thinking I'm going to paint the walls white also.

Considering that my dad used to drain the oil out of his car every 3000 miles and save it for the lawn mowers, I don't think you'll have a problem.

I found this at a yard sale today. Raider 10 early 70's with Techumseh engine. It starts and runs pretty well, only has 1 speed forward, none reverse. Not sure what that is, the gear lever will not go into any other gears. I removed the pick up bed today and I am going to put the fenders and seat back on. Just a clean up for now. I'd like to find a mower deck for it, but would also need the pulleys. I have a donor transmission fro a 702. I may also use a few other 702 parts to help out. Looks like it will fit, but will have to see. On part missing is the seat latch. I'll need to find one of them. The lights and cigar lighter work too. I got it from the family of the original owner, he used it to tend his garden. I like the weights too. jb4249 Ted

Aw come on now. Everybody knows that hoobie doobies are the threaded holes in the center casting of three piece transmissions that the side plate bolts to.

Truely incredible... the amount of hacking these poor little guys can endure, and still survive.

I can't imagine anyone didn't realize that it was just a joke.

Well said and I love the comment about video games.

If it has a nice and quiet deck and smokes a little I wouldn't be afraid to give 300$ for it. I've been using a commando 8 that smokes on start up and under heavy load for 8years with no problems just change spark plugs alittle more often .

I have this Blue 91 engine in my shed....bought it at the Big Show last year....looks like it was never hooked up or ran......rebuilt the carb....runs like a million $$$$$$$ or Samolions,,,,,getters....clams.....big ones...... you know what i mean....

sure it wasn't a Hoobie Doobie Looking good Lane

Great buy! You'll be fine. I saved this little fella and he'll be good as new by next year. That tractor is not that bad.

That looks like a rope start to me

Atleast , there not getting scraped , another one saved !!!

Approximate speeds at full throttle Low range 1st - .5 mph Low range 2nd - .8 mph Low range 3rd - 1.4 mph High range 1st - 2.0 mph High range 2nd - 3.2 mph High range 3rd - 5.5 mph Garry

Looks good. Maybe clearcoat it or oil it when you get the look you want to help slow the rust down. Nice machine

So I finally get it home and I immediately change the plug and clean the carb. I put it all back together and put some gas in 'er and go to kick it over, (that's right no electric start) and i find that you cant kick it all the way because your foot hits the back tire so I put a chain on it and tow it up to the top of the drive way and hop on, throw 'er in second and pop the clutch. It starts up but sputters and dies. I mess around with the carb adjustments and try it again, and it fires right up running strong. "this is awesome everything is going great!" I shift down to first and slowly let out the clutch and get going but the chain falls off. So I put it back on and try again. Same thing... "hmm whats going on?" I put the chain back on and pop the clutch to stall 'er ( that's the only way to shut it off cause none of the switches do anything...) I get off and look at the sprocket alignment and what I saw was insane.

So when I first saw it I thought "New plastics, seat, paint job and it'll be awesome" That's not the case at all actually. Things only get worse from here. (I will have to go take some better pictures for you guys)

Great post, we all can learn from it.

Great page Lane. You would think that those stupid people are already dead....but they are still out there.

Before just replacing the bearings, Make sure the spindle mounting tabs are in good shape and not all corroded away.

You can probably find one at your neighborhood bar, exercising your elbow..... or go for a medical exam to get a professional opinion.

Just had to mention that i seen two Amish guy's today. Both we're driving what looked like garden tractors that had stacks every bit of 4 1/2 ft. Possibly 5 ft. Apparently they couldn't hear anything because after a 1/2 mile of driving behind them they looked really surprised a big truck was behind them lol.

I would tend to agree too Sometimes though, I'll collect the tiny amounts of unused oil in a single bottle and use it as chain oil in my chain saw....call me weird. just my 2 cents.... Terry

Really got to get the K91 finished up, she's getting a little closer!! Happy with the tire selection....and I think the color of the wheels and seat is at least close to correct.

I wouldn't be afraid of mixing those together. If you have something that burns a little oil that's what I would use it for .Someone makes a rack that you put your jugs on upside down to let them empty fully into another jug so you use every bit of oil.

dick please refer to my other post about your engine. call and i will tell you how to test the ignition rotor. thank you boomer

Ok, this one has gone off track enough. To all, RedSquare does NOT advocate removing or tampering with safety equipment which is installed on your machine, and we do not advocate harming children.

Leave it to the dinosaur... to make boat seats cool again.

As promised. The Lawn Ranger is in the middle and my 854 is closest to the door. Also pictured is the K90 engine that I intended on using on the RJ, still might if I can get it to run.

@SylvanLakeWH , I had a few advantages in doing this thread. I had some very good people that know a lot also to work with...RacinBob, Lane Ranger, pfrederi, Buckrancher, Squonk and a host of others. It was also a huge advantage to have 4 different 3 piece transmissions and 1 two piece transmission all sitting there open to compare with. I was just lucky to have this opportunity...and I just want to say...I don't think I could ever give back to Red Square more then this site has given me. I know that sounds corny...but it is true. This place keeps me young at heart.

Hey guys. I have/had an opportunity to purchase a 876 locally that is complete. It has some funky headlights and tail lights, but otherwise seems original, well the seat seems to be a replacement. The guy wanted $500 for it, but I think that is a little high, especially since he says it smokes. He said it starts good and charges good. I thought about offering him $300, but I'm not sure that isn't still a little high since the kohler will likely need rebuilding. Think I'm gonna pass, what do you think?

OK I will clean the carb later and let everyone know what happens thanks for all the quick responses I really appreciate this forum and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Denny if my tractor gets to looking half as good as yours will I will consider my rebuild a great success ! I put the 701 drag link you gave me on the tractor the other day ! Thanks again!

Over my summer vacation last year I got a four wheeler from my cousin in return for working for him during the summer. The four wheeler did not run and it was (and still is) in rough shape. It started out life as a Suzuki Quadsport 230 until someone ripped the motor out and put in the motor from a 1983 Yamaha XT200 on/off road bike. These people obviously had no idea what they were doing as you will see in future posts to come. I find this absolutely hilarious how chopped this thing is.

Yup.You're right Squonk.Also the wrong weight oil.I've seen what looks like cooking oil in an engine.Talk about smoke.........Replace with the right amount of good old 30 weight and no more smoking.

My what big eyes you have! Yeah, I think it's more of a $200 machine, but then again, I may be called "cheap"!

6 new bearings are about $35.00. I had a bumping noise on my 42"rd. I thought it was the belt. Turned out 1 of the bearings was bad.

I'm sorry for your brother's unfortunate medical issues and yes any injury by any machine could be tragic, but it's still natural selection. Teach your children not to chase your lawnmower and to stay away when it is operating. Turn off your deck before leaving your tractor. Don't try to stop spinning mower blades with your hands or feet. Don't put your face in front of a deck shoot while it's running. Common sense and attentiveness are something that current society is losing every day because people believe they are protected by everything. No one thinks for themselves anymore, but that's a different subject. For those that feel more safe being protected by "safety features" good for them. I choose freedom. Bottom line is those "safety features" are there because of lawyers, not the manufacturer's good will.