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...seen this one before, just noticed, it's for sale again. Search Boston's C/L, "Wheelhorse" one word.

It's generally acceptable to replace parts to keep an original tractor going . If that includes sheet metal in some areas - it's a necessary mod to replace parts that are no longer available . The better those parts are made , the better the quality of the restoration . Yes , there are some serious degrees of an honest restoration , but some new parts are accepted here to save a tractor that otherwise is missing or has damaged parts beyond repair that would otherwise get scrapped or parted out . These aren't old Mopars that were documented from the factory to the extreme , nor do they have a build sheet and the reflected market value . Even those old cars need a new fender , door , floor pans ect...the list goes on . It still has a vin number and if done correctly is widely accepted as an honest restoration . Watching the auctions , you'll learn real quick what is acceptable and the market will reflect the rules - same thing here in our little world of red tractors . The same rule applies here as well as the car world - the ever important ID tag , if that is missing then the tractor loses it's soul . The frames can become a crack-prone nightmare and I guarantee I can fab a new one from scratch so dimensionally close no one would ever know it . Much better than restoring a useful machine than slapping a whole lot of paint on something with a broken spine . The level of workmanship from some of the members here in their restorations is mind blowing - a lot of these parts are not easily formed since non of us have the original stamping dies from the plant . To go to that level requires tycoon levels of cash and would be pointless in this hobby . The one thing that a lot of critics miss about these things is that even restored , it's a tractor and is fully capable of going to work to do it's intended purpose . The simplicity and versatility of these machines is what drives their value , and of course that beautiful shining red color... Sarge

I stumbled upon this and I thought it was very ingenious and decided I'd share. Not sure which forum topic was the best to post it on.

Decided to install a fuel pump on the old girl. Typical for these tractors once tank is at about half they start getting fuel starvation unless they are on level ground which I don't have much. Now she goes until the last drop. Noticeably works better also since there is constant fuel pressure. Like everything else on her, pump is switched by a ground.

Found this jewel in N. Il. yesterday, it has a Datsun B210 motor and trans 4" I beam frame, All homemade loader, strong like a bull. 5 speed trans geared down with a big and little chain sprockets before the rearend and after the trans.. and a huge 3 point. Runs good, 4 cylinder car motor . car rear end,

for @Sarge, @Tankman, and every other member who has "restored" or "refurbished" their to their specs and satisfaction, so it's not 100% thoroughbred, techinally neither are any garden tractor of the era (Kohler,Briggs, Onan power, Sundstrand and Eaton hydros ect) the aftermarket runs amuck with off shore made parts for everything and most times they are O.E. equivalent, and why some people have to keep about an otherwise helpful bunch with this forum over such trivial issues as 100% pure vs utility and function and keeping something as iconic as these little wonders running boggles my simple hillbilly mind, sometimes I go to extremes with my opinions with fixes ect, or disagree with how something should be, but at the end of the day it's the "owner's" choice skills tools and budget that counts, Jeff.

I thought I would post some pics of a welding table I fabricated a couple years ago. I built it with 4, locking casters, so I could roll it around (outside) if I wanted to and still have air and electrical outlets to run my grinders and die grinders anywhere in the shop or outside if I want. I mounted me chop saw so that it sits flush with the table so I can feed stock into it. I also mounted a vise to it that's pinched on the table and it can be moved around the table. I mounted a pipe vise at one end also that can be moved if desired. The top is 1/2" thick and I left gaps to accommodate moving things around and clamping material down during set up. I have all my clamps and grinders hung on a rail on one end and I have my plasma cutter sitting in the center with a catch pan above that slides out for cleaning off slag, but also serves as a protector above my plasma cutter. I plan on building in a drawer only tool box on the other end to store my die grinders and accessories, along with some common tooling needed when welding and fabricating. Below you can see my pvc 36" tig rod storage containers that fit nicely on the bottom rack. They are all marked for size and filler rod type. Note. I have my HF Minnie tire changer temporarily mounted to the top because I have been mounting and un mounting tires during the RJ restoration project I have been working on. It is mounted using pinch type hold downs between the table top slots.

How is this for a sickle bar setup?

So had a guy offer me this tractor today. I politely declined as it's not exactly on my bucket list but curious about it none the less. I also thought he was a little high on the price but who am I? Is this a brother to the 500 Special? Perhaps a 500 special dressed in consumer clothes or a model where they were just using up extra parts? I would guess it was originally supposed to have a Techy in it but a PO either got tired of monkeying with a fussy Techy or just plain wore it out hence the Briggs. Too bad he cut the hood.

I guess it's just the negativity and way you present your opinion that creates the issue here. We were talking about what people that own these tractors do to them that doesn't make sense to us as collectors in the hobby. Nothing more really. You basicly went off and started bashing someone's hard work and fabrication on THIER tractor that THEY own and stating that it makes the tractor a copy and not a real wheel horse. My OPINION along with many others I'm assuming at this point is "OK Buddy", we get it. You rightfully excerised your right to free speech by stating your opinion, soooooooo, let's move on. Let's all get back to shooting the breeze and enjoying our forum and talking about wheel horse tractor related topics.

Frankly , other than larger farm tractors , possibly some cubs/deere models there is nothing else as versatile that can be restored and potentially go full-service for another 40-50yrs . Well , except maybe my old Land Cruiser , which was about the most indestructible truck ever built - and their restored market prices are flat-out scary . Once bounced through the Florida Mecum auction at $109,000.00 and wasn't even totally correct . Try to get that out of a Jeep...lol . It is so common to see one pop up in the forum groups with a new owner excited to start rebuilding it and not expecting that old straight six to actually run and drive with some tlc - some have sat for over 20yrs and will fire right off with a day's work...just like our old Kohler single cylinder engines here . All the tractors I've literally dragged onto a trailer , hauled it home , cleaned it up and fired it off and drove it around is amazing - they just refuse to die from sitting . Most were parked for simple stuff - bad points , dirty carb or just worn out parts and left outside to rot away . The fact they can be saved is amazing to start with and what some folks here have done to save them is staggering . The members that take a pile of rusted parts and turn it back into a beautiful , working machine ready for service for several more generations deserves a lot of respect . It's not an easy task requiring an amazing amount of knowledge , skills and not to mention money for something this size . I'm in awe of the quality of what folks here can do and that they are willing to share how they did it is a testament to their character - Salute ! Sarge

My wife couldn't believe I actually bought a that had paint on it and didn't need to be rebuilt! It came with a 42" RD deck and will become my go-to mower.

After mowing the hay the farmer took his camel hitch home.

Very true. Let's remember these are tractors and I don't think they will end up at Barrett-Jackson like your Hemi Cuda either. To me that's one thing I like is that it is an affordable hobby. I'm not a rivet counter so I really don't care what is original or isn't anymore. Life's too short to worry about it.

Geez! Now I'm totally bummed out. All these years enjoying Wheel Horses and now I'm told that they aren't 'real' Wheel Horses but just copies.

Will it get done? I don't know for sure, going to be close, but working everyday on getting this tractor back together and ready for the show! It is still in pieces right now, but back to making headway since I decided to use another frame and wait on doing the major repair to the original where the transaxle mounting plate is shattered. So here a few pics of what is happening right now. Frame is painted and ready for all the other parts. Front axle all cleaned up, back tight as a button, and painted. Dash support straightened, stripped and repainted. Hopefully I will get the tranny cleaned up and ready to paint tonight, headstand needs to go in the sandblaster tomorrow. Last pic is what she looked like when I brought her home.

Good for you Marshall still makes amps then... us in this hobby don't have that luxury, I guess we just have to settle with our "copies". Hey guess what my RJ59 copy still has 1959 steel in it! In bringing your thread back to it's intent Tg back in the 60's 70's horses were aplenty and not in the wildest of their dreams did people think that in 2017 a bunch of clowns like us would drool over tractors and pics no less that we would electronically yak about them on a thing call Red Square forum. All they knew was their tractor was broke, grass was needed to be mowed, snow moved & gardens tilled and they had to fix it anyway they could often on a limited or no budget & most often without proper parts, tools, & knowhow. They couldn't hop on the internet and ask a RS bro what's the best way to fix it. They couldn't be in the belt isle at TSC grab their smart phone and quick ask someone here what is the correct belt for a tractor and have the correct belt or bolt in their hands in minutes like we can. I myself is guilty as charged when doing improper things to a horse. I was a young man with not a lot of disposable income and there was no TSC and the only place to get parts for a 1067 was a dealer a byzillion miles away, the Studebaker wasn't up for the drive, and they often they didn't have parts. Lucky for me wealth (well kinda) & wisdom came with age! Back then there was no EBAY, Parts Tree or online ordering in your mailbox bearings in days. There was no big show where they could go to get parts to keep our tractors true "copies" but it didn't matter because farmer Joe couldn't afford to go anyway. So folks got by by doing the things we have seen. They used a pully off a junk corn picker and hotwired ignition switches. Necessity is truly the mother of invention.

Yep, it is. The original intent was to post up some humor of weird stuff you have found over the years that others have done to these tractors. It was never intended to call into question people's efforts to restore and preserve these little machines. After 50 years or longer, the term "original" is so subjective, that it has little value in the overall scheme of things. If it has the ID tag on it and uses at least the basic parts mfg by Wheel Horse, then as far as I am concerned, it is a Wheel Horse. Whether it be one of a handful of just off the showroom floor NOS units, or is someone's hot little rat rod, it is still a Wheel Horse. Like previously mentioned, they are never going to be an all numbers matching never before titled Hemi Cuda Convertible!

"It's a tractor and is fully capable of going to work to do it's intended purpose . The simplicity and versatility of these machines is what drives their value , and of course that beautiful shining red color... " Red is for the blood we shed! OK Sarge, well said! I like fixin' old Horses for me. Kind of like a hobby for grandsons, sons, and myself. Saving old iron.

The total rain forecast doesn't look like much, less than 1/10th inch . . . and how accurate are these forecasts anyway. Wished I had a job where I could be 10%, 50%, 80%, or 90% accurate. Even if it rains for just 20 minutes in the whole day, they still forecast rain, it may be mostly warm & sunny . . . it's still well worth the attendance. If it does rain, maybe sellers will give better deals, have a bigger selection, may be less crowded, and more time for talking too. - - - the field is well grown with grass, very little mud, and the people are Great!

Here is a schematic of what the PTO looks like..... You are missing # 75 and maybe # 59 & 62 The bearing race is # 54 and the internal roller bearing is # 57. 56 is a seal

Similar design to the nut roaster... only this one's a rump roaster.

Kinda takes a minute or two to wrap your head around that one...

Guess the belt guards, although perfect match and fit, got to go? The coarse skateboard tape on the foot rests is a no-no. Forget aftermarket decals. OMG! I'm using Huskee Kevlar belts from TSC! Shame on me! Not in the biz sellin' Wheel Horses, keeping them sharp and working. Perhaps I would be better off with a 100%'er from Home Cheapo?

I'm pretty sure many (most?) here ignore or even turn their noses up when they see a vertical shaft tractor, even if it's a Wheel Horse. I know I always have. After owning a 264-H for awhile, and finally getting around to mounting the deck and mowing a couple times I must say that I can't tell which way the crankshaft is spinning! Looks and feels like a good old Wheel Horse to me! I've never found the need for more than 14hp using a 48" deck but more is better when it comes to snow blowing so there's still up to 6 more horses available up to and including the 270. I LOVE the forward/backward foot control! Makes me think I'm on one of my xi's until I notice there's no power steering! Man if this tractor had PS it would be the cat's meow! Manual lift but I see little need for hydraulic lift for the deck and I would NOT want it for dozer blade use though I would for a snowblower. Mine came with a nice blower but I'd rather have a dozer blade with this. Never used a hydro, especially with foot motion control with a blade but I think I would like that a lot! However! I find that they command a pretty good price compared to the Classics. Perhaps because they are newer and the paint is still shiny? Don't know... I got mine for cheap because the owner didn't change the air filter that was so plugged that it would seldom start and if it did it belched out black smoke. New filter and plugs and she starts right up, runs great and with no smoke. So if you have a chance to grab a big 200 series I'd suggest looking at it. As long as it's not near ME!

Here's some better pics of the 1057 I sure hope my body guy can straighten this out .

How do you like the previous owner's hub cover?? Don't think I would have thought of that!!

It's when you start collecting 'em... that you've problems. Imagine this "what's in your mirror" pict.

Mine

You would need to replace the elbow and pipe to get it out away from the tank and hood. I put a stack on mine, no problem.

The 42" rear discharge deck is on and it is great. I will be posting the Mid-Mount blade and a few other goodies on the "Big Show" pre-sale thread, I hardly ever use the one I already had so don't need a second one.

Well it ain't much and no where's nice as Dicks but with this girl and her short frame big block sister I can make one go! Bob Barker was in the house as well ...price was right! Rare right side flywheel too!

The Workhorse 700 was I think the last of the short frame wedge hoods and was a 1969 model.. the 500 Special was a 1968. I don't think it holds any special significance other than that.... it was the low end price point garden tractor that year. And yes... it was a Teccy 7Hp.

I thought this would amuse..

Very nice piece of ingenuity! Very easy to get on and off of for those quick stops at swap meets to grab that Kohler that guy has! Bonus a way to haul it back to the truck!

This is the best forcaster:

Well said Sarge .

Lat time I did a Tecky motor, the head was off, and I depth checked down to the top of the piston when the points open. There is a chart someplace to tell you this. Normally, it works perfectly after that, (the spark that is). Perhaps also your condencor might be on it's way out. Just some thought.

Here are a few pics that I hope will help put this together for you. Your PTO bell is missing the outer 'stub'. The bearing race (noted as Crankshaft Sleeve in pic) you have should sllide onto the engine crankshaft...if it doesn't then it is too small. If it is too small, then you have a 1" ID race and it should be 1 1/8" ID race (I have one on Ebay now). The little slot in the bearing race is NOT for a snap ring. It is for the 2 keepers to hold it onto the crankshaft . The 2 keepers are bolted on top of the clutch disc which is thereby also secured to the crankshaft. 1) slide the race fully onto the crankshaft 2) fit the clutch disc over the race and fit...by hand..hold the two keepers atop the clutch disc so that the edge of the keepers fit into the little slot of the race. 3) use 4 short 1/4-20 bolts by threading each thru the holes in the keeper and disc, to thread into the crankshaft pulley behind the disc. 4) slide the PTO belt onto the now mounted bearing race. The PTO engagement lever holds the PTO bell onto the crankshaft., by attaching to the outer stub in the PTO bell.

Mid mount blade Richard?!?!?! Now we're talkin videos.... Saaweeeettt !

Dick...we are gonna need more than that tho!

Looking good guy just do it on your own time and do it right. Remember haste makes waste and this ain't orange county choppers! Enjoy your restos and builds but keeping balance with family. The BS will be there next year too! Hug your kids.

Yep, all true, but you have to admit, you know you have seen something that just makes you ask "why!". Those are the things the post is looking for, even if just stories to get a chuckle.

Nice looking tractor Dick. Looks to good to work.

Ready to go tomorrow... All loaded up and tied down. Just wish I could be there on Saturday.

You guys are like a cheap date...don't need to go anywhere...I'm surrounded by entertainment. Glenn's glass is always 1/2 full. I don't think I would know if I was in Indiana if it wasn't raining...that's when I would get my truck wet...once at Mentone in the spring, and once at Scott's M&G in the fall. I don't know if anyone noticed, but the day Gene and Ken would have had the Mentone Swap usually...was a great day this year. That's why they moved it!! LOL I'll be there Saturday...I'll be the one wearing a rain coat and carrying a stainless cup. The cup is also a rain gauge.

my wife would like that, then she would not have to carry her gardening stuff to the garden

At this point weather wise, it would appear Friday would be the day to attend, unless you enjoy wearing rain jackets and rubber boots. http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.1734&lon=-86.0347#.WS8Uvty1vV8 At least it won't be 45 with a chill factor in the 30's like last year.

Thank you! Another one in the books, LOL!