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Guys, I've been following Aldon's most recent restoration of his "GT-16" with great interest and he did an amazing job as usual. About two years ago I located a GT-14 locally that had the Cat O hitch and the WW-93 weights. Other than that, it was/is in really sad shape. I have four children and each has their own garden tractor. The idea being that when they are each about 14 years old we will do a complete tear down and restoration. This way each one of my children will receive a basic working knowledge of mechanical things, electrical things, painting, assembly and disassembly. Hopefully, it will also be a fun experience for them. In the mean time, we have workers that will be fun to make memories on and use to do the usual chores. Anyway, the old GT-14 was purchased with the thought that it would be my youngest son Zach's tractor. He just turned three and this year has been really bugging me about it. He loves all things mechanical and therefore is all about tractors. I know that that tractor would take a ton of work just to get going and it would be hard for me not to do a full restoration if I got started on it. All my other kids tractors are fully functional albeit not restored yet. My oldest and I will start his next year. So, Zach has been saying all summer, "that's my GT 14!!! Why can't we drive it?" What do I say to the cute little guy? "Because the engine smokes like a diesel under load, or because the hydro has leaked nearly a gallon of fluid while parked in the last two years, or because the electrical is totally screwed up"? Nothing would make sense to him at this age. He just knows that his tractor doesn't work!!! ENTER BLACKBEARD! Not unlike some of you, we name our tractors that we are going to keep in the family. This tractor came up for sale locally just a couple of days ago. It is model number 7452 serial number 724916. We bought it from a guy named Todd who was the son of the original owner. The tractor seems to be well cared for although the paint is pretty thin. It has a several items that need work before it can be run but it seemingly much closer than my existing tractor. The PTO gave out about five years ago on Todd's dad and looks to have fried the wiring in that circuit completely (I'd be open to comments about that possibility...). The fuel in the tank is stagnant but other than that it is in very ORIGINAL condition for being about 46 years old. It came with the original owners manuals for the tractor, deck, and snowthrower. It also came with an old 8" furrow plow which is missing multiple parts. Todd said that he grew up cutting and blowing on that tractor. His dad passed away a couple of years ago and his mom asked him to get the tractor and parts out of the garage. He didn't have time to fix it up so he sold it to us... Here Zach and Judge look at Blackbeard loaded up and ready to head home. Zach is a big fan of pirate movies and when we saw that non original black painted hood, that was the name that came to my mind... Here's Todd and Zach at the "transfer of ownership"! Zach is so excited about his new tractor he can hardly contain himself. So, my plan is to take the PTO clutch from my existing tractor and remove the items that I want to keep from it for Blackbeard. Then I'll be selling that as a parts or restore...so if any of you who are in close proximity to east central WI are interested all ready PM me. My first question is, "What helpful hints do you have for removing and reinstalling and setting up the PTO?" I want to make sure that I do it right! That's one happy little dude! He'll be able to grow up using a WH just like I did!!!

Please allow me to show off my C-125 doing what it was purchased to do. As long as I own it, and I hope it's a long time it will live a life of tractor leisure. Pull boat out, put boat away.

Well it's been a week. It's Time! It is Time! In the tradition of Mad Magzine's Don Martin Cartoons. "One Fine Morning Down at the Bustop" "What's that Howard? You fell asleep and dreamed up the Mash Pole and woke up and there it was? "

Borrowed my buddies FEL to move about 6 yds. of garbage dirt and stone this week and spread 6 yds of topsoil. Saved my back thats for sure. I know its green but it was worth its weight in gold to me. Takes an acre to turn it around though. But I'm not complaining.

Only big thing I brought home from the big show was this tub cart(thanks prondzy) to haul my kids around in... Well they have a blast in it! My parents were up so my kids talked my father into taking them for a ride.. I think I already got my money worth in Watching my kids enjoying it!

Mine is RED!

I think we got everyone. Thanks to all of you that posted your own info, and helped with others. It took less than one week to complete. I think that's a record.

Took a 155 mile trip to Kingston NY to pick up this today....it's a 2011 Suzuki Vstrom with only 4500 miles. Now to plan a road trip ! Mike.....

Got my new tires today and got the engine mounted and wired in. Now I just need to put the trans in tomorrow but I can't drive it because I don't have all the seals yet. It's looking pretty good with those tires! The front tires are just extras I had for temporary use.

These pics are on the show pic pages but wanted to add them here in case anyone missed them. Some folks asked why a three axle trailer?? Well, this boat, "Dog Meat" was a jewel I built in 1988 while in CA ... the 3 axle trailer with chrome fenders was a major part of her looks. I guess it had a special spot in my heart!!

Wheel Horse and a boat.....doesn't get much better than that!

Hi folks, so good to be back. While building a new house, I've been living in the mountains of Blue Ridge GA, with no TV, no computer access and not a whole lot of sunshine. Now, finally, we are in the new house in Gilmer County GA and have all the luxuries we have done without for the last eight months (about). I've been checking out the site here and find that it is still the same friendly place it was before, with a few new folks. I'm glad to be back and look forward to visiting with y'all as often as possible.

Just so you guys know.....this picture with Smokey the Bear is Seal Team 8. I am not sure that you want to make fun of them, but the word is that they are into Wheel Horse tractors. Karl does not know it yet...that he is a seal team member. Not to make light of this picture, but you should see the yearbook pictures of these babes when they were 17.

If you can't find an original, Pulley mounted generator head at HF. General rule of thumb is 2 hp of engine per 1000 watts but you don't HAVE to use it at full capacity. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=generator+head You just need to build a platform to hold it.

Need some help with a few more names. 1. RWilson-Rich 2. Woodchuckfarmer-Wayne 3. Aldon-Aldon 4.Stevasaurus- Steve 5.Squonk-Mike 6. AMCRules 7.Stevebo-Steve 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16 17.Sparky-Mike 18. 19.Nylyon-Karl

Got a nice 32" Deck from the Dino & mounted it on my 704. And a 520H with about 647 hrs. The hour meter quit the day I got it and yes the meter IS BAD! . Spent the last few days replacing the seat, changing the engine oil and plugs and changing the Hydro oil and filter as well. For those who saw it at the show, I had to take the Gazunda rear tires off of it so the deck would clear. Lane Ranger brought me the 42" Recycler deck from Indiana that I purchased a few month's ago. Not much to mow around here now but some Ding Weeds!

Someone needs to mount those rear tires on an RJ!

That's a very nice looking C-125 you have. Back in the Spring I gave a C-125 to one of the neighborhood kids. You should have seen the look on his face. He is on that tractor almost every day mowing or pulling a little trailer another neighbor gave him and hauling stuff in it.

7-2-1977 “Gonna Fly Now (Theme From ‘Rocky’)” is the #1 song on the U.S. pop charts On this day in 1977, Hollywood composer Bill Conti scores a #1 pop hit with the single “Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky).” Bill Conti was a relative unknown in Hollywood when he began work on Rocky, but so was Sylvester Stallone. Conti had gained some attention internationally with his work on several early 1970s Italian films, including Vittorio de Sica’s Academy Award-winning Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini, and Stallone had starred in a small film called Lords of Flatbush and played various minor roles in movies and on TV. It was Rocky that would truly launch both men’s careers, though. The film was Stallone’s from start to finish—he wrote and directed it as well as playing the starring role—but it is difficult to overstate the importance of his collaboration with Conti. Though Conti took his inspiration from Stallone’s footage, Stallone had the film’s critical training and fight sequences edited to fit Conti’s music, and the interaction between picture and music in Rocky made an enormous contribution to the movie’s success. The single “Gonna Fly Now” takes its name from the almost-superfluous 30 words of lyrics written by Ayn Robbins and former Teddy Bear Carol Connors. Though it lost the competition for Best Original Song at the 49th Annual Academy Awards to Barbra Streisand and Paul Williams’ “Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born),” it has remained an instantly recognizable piece of American pop culture.

Some decorated tractors, we've got too.

clowns we`ve got...

Hey guys I figured I might as well post this process. I'm changing the rims and steering wheel on this RJ to black, and the seat to red. Before Picture: Some sand blasting complete:

It's hard to beat a lawn ranger and a tub cart for giving trailer rides. I have the same setup.

A good day working on Blackbeard! I was able to remove the carb and clean it. The old float bowl had a thin spot that had opened just slightly. I didn't want to have the risk of that leaking later so I replaced it with another from my stash. I removed the old nasty fuel line and replaced it as well as the fuel filter. I function tested everything to the carb and I had fuel flow. Then I pulled the head... To say that it had carbon buildup was the understatement of the day! So I spent awhile cleaning that all up. I had a fresh gasket in my drawer and so I was ready to put it back together. Zach was keeping a close "eye" on the progress and must've asked me a hundred times today, "What's that?". He is so much fun to have around while doing a project like this, keeps me from getting to upset and forgetting the really important things of life! Caleb, my oldest, helped me install the head bolts and torque it to spec! He really is starting to get into this stuff more and more. I didn't have a replacement battery and so I hooked it to my car battery with jumper cables and fired it up after changing the oil and installing the new air cleaner. It had to turn over a little before it fired because of the fuel bowl being empty. However, it started and ran. It has a miss that I have to trouble shoot but he's ALIVE! It's a pirates life for us now! Look out Maynard, Edward Teach is looking for revenge!

That's what we use are horses for! Once we get moved to Tennessee we will be cruising the nieghbor hood lol

I'm a little constipated......wanted this picture thing to be over quick so I could hit the bathroom for another try ! Mike......

Heres one of my brothers boats. just had it hauled out the other day. sad to see it go. I had a boat....NEVER AGAIN LOL. I like the wheel horse better. Glenn

Don't get that GT-14 anywhere near me. If you know pirate history, Blackbeard met his demise at the hands of Lieutenant Robert Maynard. Oh by the way, nice tractor.

I can be in 2 places at once. It's all about parallel universes. One of me needs a glass of wine.

Sometimes it does not matter what color the tractor , it depends on how big the project and if a machine can handle the work better than your back.

You know he paid them.

Before I found/joined this site the I knew the tractor in my AV needed transmission work and I got an estimate at a local repair shop which was well over 1000 dollars . Found this place, scared stiff of opening the tranny up and not being able to get it back together Steve -0 promised that wouldn't happen and thanks to his vids and guidance the old C-101 now sits with a fully restored tranny for probably under 200 bucks. With the bearing part /crossover numbers here I saved a ton buying the Timken bearings all available on Amazon .

I think the kids would like there very own parade... over heard a few of 'em complaining about how boring our parade was. They were expecting more along the lines of a traditional parade that includes...clowns, floats, and costumes. Maybe something where everyone can vote on the best costume, decorated tractor, or both.

Ahh...the life, of a snowbird.

I would like to personally thank everyone for the help at the show ( list is to long to post ) . This was my first time to the show , what an experience . I can't thank you guys and gals enough for your hospitality and generosity ! This is one great group of people. I don't think I could have done it without you . If it was just for some shade , water, cup of ice , or just some advice . Can't forget Bob , with the help with the charger . It's great to see people come together and help each other out . I couldn't go anywhere without someone introducing themselves. It's nice to put names with faces. The heat and the long drive took a toll on my body, but I'm recovering . Let me just say the people of are the best ! This show has to be on your bucket list .

went to detroit yesterday and had a couple horses follow me home a 753 and 702 . The 702 a guys budy just bought a big building found it under a bunch of trash and he was going to scap it so i saved it . The 753 the guy used it to pull a boat around at his house he sold the boat so he did not need the 753 he also gave me all new decals for it the 753 has two head lights on top of hood they are round glass i have them to dont know if factory or not all in all a good day

Looks like those children are enjoying the ride so much, that they will want many more.

Thanks to the WHCC Show for featuring custom Wheel Horse tractors this year. There was a great turnout of customs at the Big Show. I was not able to get my 1961 hot rod tractor finished and ready for this show. However, I did take several photos of these custom Wheel Horses on Saturday morning. Enjoy! My Wildfire puller... Gorgeous 1656... Liking the hitch on the 1656... This is a Wheel Horse "M-80" motorcycle made almost entirely out of 1960's Wheel Horse tractor parts...

I want to know what the guy sittin next to me was thinkin listening to Howard!

Yup nice tractor, I did have one of those C125, But you can see by the pictures that it's doing just fine.

I was pretty surprised by the way the spectators received the D-rod- wasn't sure how well liked it would be but found out real fast! Thanks to all of those who stopped to check it out and talk with us about how it was built and all the great comments on the craftsmenship. I had the most fun watching fellow collectors take both of the builds I took for rides and seeing the smiles on their faces and hearing the comments when they returned. Makes me want to try and make it back out next year, if not we will be there for the 20 yr show no doubt!

You meet the nicest people... down at the bus stop.

Looks like you're enjoying it immensely. I did the same though the fork itself was completely unattached and, thankfully, stuck in high. Steve-O's videos guided me through it. That fork wear suggests long operation low on oil to me.

Got home tonight from work and did the seat for my daughters suburban and the gas tank for my suburban. I use enamel spray can. If you prep right and know how to coat and layer the paint it comes out nice. I never painted mufflers, I just order new ones. As for engine Tins I use the same enamel tractor paint, international red.

#64 is Peter Craig, WH702.

Well the weather let loose today. So no painting or assembling decks or impliments, no installing new front wheel hubs on the Horse Hauler Silverado so what to do....Well I have a project engine on the bench. Might as well try Ed Stollers procedure out and document as I go in case someone else needs DIY pics. The pics basically follow the procedure above. I had ordered some parts before the show and some parts I keep in stock like new points, condensers and coils. Alas I don't keep 10-24 screws and so this projects actual finish and test firing will have to probably wait for another rainy day. this is pic of the module that is part of breakerless system under the shroud. This is what failed on Lazarus. My back up GT14. the above pic shows breakerless coil which is usually mounted on outside of shroud. Note there are 3 wires that come off the armature rather than 2. Two route through the plate to the regulator and one to the module. That one will be capped. The module then has a wire that goes through upper left and to the coil. This mod removes coil and module. this shows the 5 holes that are in almost all blocks. The center hole is plugged in breakerless system. The plug is what has to be removed to add points plunger. The drill bit I chose which is large enough to pilot the machine screw but allows enough material to remain to go to next size up if I strip out the hole before plug is freed. after drilling I start the screw into pilot hole and thread it enough to allow claw hammer space to slide under screw head. It did come free from plug but I was able to retread the screw and eureka! The below pic shows what the plug looks like. A couple pics of front and back. Penny for scaling. and pics of the parts I have in hand to finish next rainy day.

I picked up a belt guard for my 854, and a set of rims and tires from Howard (857horse) ags for the rear and I put tri ribs on the front. Before the show I got a stack muffler for it and installed a replica set of headlights. Jo, buckranchers wife made the seat cover. She's looking sexy!

Or a 4-wheel trailer to the garden supply? Grocery store? Children on a fall foilage tour? Halloween hay rides anyone?

The Dash support would have been red leaving the factory, but it is yours now and you can have it any color you want (though we discourage the green and yellow combination)!