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Dicks Wheel horse in Towanda ,Pa had a closing auction today I managed to get some nos parts and two lighted signs Brian

You have seen him with the 551 in the past, but now the he's 4 months old, he thought that he would give the Lawn Ranger a try.

About 20 years ago, a friend I grew up with & I stopped by my Uncle's house & this tractor ended up going home with him. He used it for his garden a couple of times but mainly his kids grew up enjoying riding it around the yard. By chance, my wife spotted him at a gas station about a month ago & he asked her what I had been up to, she mentioned the Wheel Horses & of my Uncle's passing shortly after Memorial Day last year. She said his stunned response was, "I have something that needs to go home to him". He called me the next day & we set a date for my Uncle's tractor to come home. I haven't looked her numbers up yet, but I'm pretty sure she is mid - to early sixties S14 Speedex, made by Elmer Pond's brother Harold. I'm happy to report that she has now joined her half sisters in the stable & they seem to be getting along nicely. The first pic is how she looked just after we pulled her out of the weeds.

All- I got this one with the assistance of a fellow member here (actually 2) thanks guys! Some pictures of before and after some wet sanding and buffing. Coming along decent however I need to replace the key switch as it works but does not return and that will be an issue in the future I am sure. I tried the search to find a replacement part number for the key switch for a 1057 but could not. It is a 3 poll (battery, ignition and start). Any source or park number would be very helpful. Thanks!

When I bought my first 857 two weeks ago, the owner had two of them. The one I took was the better tractor, but the deck bearings were shot. The second one was not quite as nice cosmetically, and totally wrong seat, but had a fantastic deck under it. To make a long story short, he offered me the second one for half of what I paid for the first one! (This would be the third tractor I bought from him) So I picked it up for $200! Only problem was, I did not have room on my trailer, and he lives a 7 hour round trip away. Well, just so happens, he is on the bridge crew rebuilding an overpass 1 mile from where I live. So last night he brought it with him and I picked it up today. Swapped out mower decks, and now my 857 mower is a joy to run and cuts awesome! Haven't decided what I am going to do with 857#2, it's motor may wind up in my 854 when it gets a total restore this fall.

well today i mounted the grade blade and put the duals on the 701. i got to buy lift link for grader but mean time i made one.

Well, I haven't posted a lot lately since life seems to have taken over. As many of you know, my son suffered a stroke before birth and technically has cerebral palsy. You would never know to meet him. We were lucky enough to get him enrolled in a medical study to help him gain use of his right hand through Virginia Tech and Carrillion Research center. He is one of about 140 kids from around the world to be chosen. He has a cast on his arm and hand he favors to force him to use his affected hand. We have had to move 2 hours from home 3 days a week. I thought it would be something fun for him to go get a cultivator from Limited12. Tommy has been a good friend for the last couple of years. When we got there, Emory wanted to look at Tommy's tractors. He really liked a couple of Lawn Rangers Tommy had. Before I knew it, Tommy and Emory were off talking about the tractors. They ended up flipping a penny for the tractors. Long story short, Tommy told Emory he would "sell" him both tractors for a penny! I couldn't believe how generous he was being. Needless to say, Emory was thrilled and can't stop talking about his tractors! I told a couple of girls I teach with about Emory's gift. One said, "That's proof that there really are truly nice people left in the world!" I know where a bunch of them are - right here on Red Square! I can't seem to get the site to let me upload any pics. I'll try again Sun. or Mon. when I'm back in cell range. Thanks Tommy for bringing a big smile to his face!

Since finishing up my loader build last year I've been thinking about setting up some affordable rear ballast to complement the wheel weights that I picked up on craigslist recently. The concrete filled plastic coated wheel weights came up for sale from a local seller and I bought them in very clean shape for $70. For additional rear ballast I had been thing about repurposed free weights or weight plates that show up from time to time at the local thrift shops. In the last 2 weeks, my plan came together quite well. I found a 2-piece 1" weight bar that had spin on nuts at each end for $9.99. Then a few days later I found (2) 25# cast iron weight plates, and (2) 25# concrete-filled and plastic coated "orbatron/DP" weight plates. The cast iron weight plates were 40-cents a pound (so $20.00 for 50#) and the plastic coated concrete-filled plates were a dollar a piece. To mount this securely to back of my 522xi, I decided to use a spare towing drawbar that I had laying around. The drawbar has a 2.5" drop or 2" rise, and had a 1" hole. This fits the 1" weight bar perfectly and serves as the vertical "spindle" that holds the weight plates. I used one of the spin on nuts from the weight bar to lock it down to the drawbar and snugged it up by hitting the nut with a drift and a 3# hammer. After it was mounted, I trimmed the extra bar off with the sawzall that stuck out through the bottom of the drawbar and nut. Here is how it all came together. Total cost so far for the hitch-mounted ballast was $32. The wheel weights were $70. I hope to pick up another (4) 25# weight plates soon. Just like the Goodwill mantra, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" these odds and ends from the local Goodwill sporting goods shelf will see a new life in the name of yard maintenance!

Hey guys. My phone died just as I realized I needed to renew my supporter status. Been here so little lately that I didn't realize it had lapsed! Anyway, Emory wanted me to run back out in cell range to share his pictures. His smile says it all and I don't think he'll ever forget this experience. He wants to come to the show again this year, but that is in question due to my dad having to have prostate surgery. Just wanted to share our story! Good night!

Well, I had some ideas, and was trying to get a different look on the old D-160 and wanted to prevent her from rusting any more than she already has. So the tractor will be finished, but I only did half the tractor to get some before and after examples! It looks pretty ridiculous, but kinda cool, so I thought I'd share! I really love how she is somewhat red again, instead of brown, sadly, my phone camera drowned out the colors a little bit, and the pics make it look a bit dull.

New to the forum but not old stuff. Picked this up at an auction, got it running and threw a new starter on it. Got the mower deck too just need the belt for it. Been a lot of fun, just need to find the correct front wheels

Nice day in Terryville Ct. To work the horses

My brother David and I were able to get to A.J.'s Garden Tractor Jamboree this year held in Oregon, Illinois. We had a great time and were able to connect with fellow Red Square Members : Stevasaurus, Terry M., Shynon (Tom Prondzinski ), and Prondszy (Mike Prondzinski ) ! It was a very wet day and yet a warm day too with all the garden tractors, attachments, old farm tools and quipment and collectors and owners from Illiinois, Kansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and maybe a few more places.

Joined the 953 / 1054 club and the GT-14 club in one day!

Today was a "What's In My Trunk" day

Picked up quite a load from Steve @wh500special today.

Trying to make some Cents, Since, Sents. of it all.

Garry

Absolutely, just re-torque afterwards. The 8hp Kohlers have threaded blanks in those 2 spots with nuts so you can do that with out torquing.

or she had/was enjoying a sip out of your cup!

This was the other artilce in the local paper about A.J. and his dad and the background on the Garden Tractor Jamboree. http://www.saukvalley.com/2017/03/08/oregon-boy-follows-in-dads-tractor-tracks/aa53lyj/

I'm thinking that the seat is pretty comfy... time for my nap !

I didnt take any pics either. But we were interviewed for the local paper at AJ's http://www.saukvalley.com/2017/05/20/a-jamboree-of-pint-sized-power-in-oregon/aeabhyj/

Emory just sent me a text. He wanted me to send him a picture of his tractors to show my wife's parents. He's as proud as a new papa! It's good to be back some. Always takes my mind off of things and usually brings on a big smile when I'm here. Told Emory we'd have to wait til winter to work on his tractors, but may surprise him with some new front wheels and a harbor freight motor soon

I just picked up a sickle mower. Model #7 1311. Somebody made the underbelly drive. One thing I did notice is the frame mount on the transmission end is much narrower than my sms425. If that is correct what tractor would it fit or did the P.O. also make that? otherwise it looks in pretty good shape.

So I've expanded my repertoire lately and have some personal stuff going on that may eat up a lot more of my project/play time than I'd like. But I'm making some progress and figured I would throw up an update. i got the Backspace figured out for the custom rims and I've shown the pics in another thread but they really belong here. @fast88pu did me a favor and welded the centers into the blanks for me. He has access to a bigger welder. In another thread I was asking for ideas on the axle pin. As I got into it more, the swept axle is straighter than the GT14 so the bracing had to get cut out and new axle pivot pin braces or brackets or whatever you call them will need fabbed up. I have spare frames so I cut the transmission plate from two of them and will flip them over to extend the axle pin lower towards the ground which will allow the straighter 520 axle to clear the Fran and have some swing movement. I can also drill the axle pin holes to 3/4". I don't have a plasma cutter or a cutting torch so these plates were removed with cutoff wheel. Lengthy and tedious. Still need to make some mods to the plates. For instance, I need to notch the plates so the axle is not all the way to the front. No no way this or my other RJ35 resto will make it to show. Bummer. But at least I am picking up a couple tractors while I'm there.

Front tires and rims are in good shape, few other good parts and pieces but as proud as sellers are of good hoods for suburbans it wouldn't be a good restoration candidate.

One side done Re did the muffler in high temp paint, looks like new, was able to tape off the original sticker on the oil bath filter and save it, got a pulley and some engine parts done.

With a little ingenuity you could transplant any Transaxle with 1 1/8" axles to a 953. One of mine has an eight speed from a 1967 model 1267 and all that was required was a couple of new holes in the frame mounting plate and swapping the axles to it (they are a bit longer. If the transmission if functioning properly you can probably save the one you have by welding it. Anxiously awaiting pictures!

'Officially' the 76's didn't have hood ornaments or flip back fenders but if they had the flip fenders and hoods with the ornament holes left over they used them on the 76's. That happened often and has made for some interesting variations not to mention driving us all nuts.

The hydro lift will push the mid mount down with such force it will lift the rear wheels of the tractor off the ground. Grading hard stuff (clay) you have to balance the down pressure against the traction you lose hen you increase the down pressure. the hydro is hard for me to get that balance especially as the dirt condition's change over a distance. I can push forward more quickly and accurately on the lift arm to increase pressure and pull back equally quickly to regain traction. With the hydro I always seemed to be over adjusting..

The girl in the 16th picture was the reporter that interviewed us. You can tell by the look on her face that she was enjoying all the conversation. Thanks for finding and posting those links guys. Another excellent day!!

Nah, it would be a reenactment.

Vernon, you have come to the right place for info on that transmission and rest assured others more knowledgeable, @953 nut, and @stevasaurus come to mind, than me on the intricacies of a 953 will be along. We might want to see pictures of that crack, it's possible it can be repaired.

Thanks for the order Dale. The lining is going to the post office this morning.

Steve, It was nice once again to meet you and your dad. For those who don't know Steve, him and his dad are wonderful people. I enjoyed my visit(s) there, and I wish I could have stayed longer and took more pictures. Hmm, now how about a trade for the RS Senior? Anyways, I had to convince my wife that I got a good deal. She really didn't like to see the 110 go, and even made a comment on the "junk" that I got. I told her I was quite happy and don't rain on my parade sort of thing. I did make her happy a bit as we stop and ate on the way home. I had one guy with a very nice restored '56 Chevy take a good long look at what I had on the trailer. It will take some time to get these where I want them. My wife already mentioned how much it will cost for tires for the GT-14 and the 953s. My brother-in-law works at a tarp factory down in Pilot Knob and I know I probably can get him to reupholster the one seat on the 953. I kind of like the patina of the one 953, so it may just get a cleaning and a wipe down, but we'll see. This was one time I wish I had a bigger truck and trailer. We got all of it loaded, but it did squat the truck some. To believe it or not, the 4 in the trailer was off-loaded pretty easy and I had no trouble getting them in the garage. The Charger V8 in the truck bed was a different story, but with the help of my John Deere GX345 I got it unloaded and moved into the garage. I should have took a picture of the John Deere pulling the Charger V8 around like it was nothing, but didn't think of it when I was doing it. Steve @stevasaurus won't believe me without pics, but it did happen, I just didn't think to snap a pic or two. Thanks, again, Steve.

stevasaurus also has videos that I would recommend watching before you start. They helped me on my 854. Jay

Putting stripes on the ground so I can drive up on to the side lot . I have to move some stone also to make a pad for the RV. They earn there keep.

Read over this thread done by @stevasaurus before you dive into it, lots of great tips on what to expect.

Looks like a 1958 RJ (Ride-on Jr.). This is a very popular and desirable model.

Very nice working Stallion! My no name 12 hp Kohler does any task well!

Thanks for sharing the great pics. Lane was great to meet you and your brother although cold and wet. Hoping we cross paths again someday, I am looking forward to making the trip again next year as this is a great little show it was a lot of fun. Next up see what the reporter we talked to has to say about it. Sorry I have no pics to share, didn't even think of it till we were on the road. Hope you made it out OK there were a lot being pulled out of the mud when we left.

What a great and nice thing to share with all of us. Thank you and God Bless. I think I see a calendar shot here.

You may want to jack it up and remove the left rear wheel to inspect the brake band. If the lining on the band is bad you can buy a replacement band lining from @rmaynard, top quality and reasonably priced.

May be best to go with a three pole and a solenoid, the 70 amp starting current rated switches are few and far between. It cleaned up real nice; looks great with your truck.

Kinda what I was thinking. Haven't seen one on a parts sheet either. Saved that picture for later reference.

Thank you Vern, This is the best place for anything related. These are really easy units to work on and other members here have parts & knowledge so no worry there. We like to think these transmissions are saveable. Yes let us know if you need a hand.

Having both tractors right there makes this a simple swap. If the "C" is an eight speed you can use the engine pulley and all from the 310, if it is a hydro you will need to get a larger drive pulley (A-Z Tractor can hook you up) and use the 310 PTO on it. Put the twin cylinder Kohler on the classifieds here and someone will come along who needs one to rebuild.

Another five headed down the road today. And a John Deere 110 took their place. Terry's got some work ahead of him, but I think he was pleased. Thanks T-MO! steve (yes, that is an orange tractor in the background.)