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Just ordered one of these wicked nice Wheel-Horse tractor covers... Ebay search... "Wheel Horse tractor cover" being offered there by one of our favorite RedSquare vendors... (hope this means...our Glen is on the mend.) Only posting here, because I didn't see it on his RS vendor site.

A mini clean up proved it's tidy and I'm pleased so far, couple of small items required before using but hey not bad for 32 years old.. [/URL] [/URL] [/URL] [/URL] [/URL]

So today at the job site we were waiting for a door to arrive, while we were waiting I went on the forum and gave likes to some great posts.Then all of the sudden it says I can’t give any more likes today. You know what I say to that... Anybody else share my thoughts?!?!Can’t a guy share some likes around here!?!?

Greetings All, Really nice site, and I am a new member. As I kick back and eat my lunch, I could not have imagined that Wheel Horse Tractor owners would have such a cool and well-organized place to ‘meet’ despite being out of production for so long. My name is Ron and I have a 1979 C-81. It has a WH pull-behind cart as well as a snow plow with chains, weights, etc.. The tractor belonged to my grandfather, who purchased it new in 1979 for just over $1,100.00. Some of my best memories are learning to drive it (barely reaching the pedals) and trying to understand the difference between the clutch and brake. I believe at one point it had a lawn sweeper, which eventually just dragged and made skid marks across the lawn until it was retired. My grandfather drove this tractor year-round for 7 years until he passed away. In the winter it was plowing and hauling logs to the house, in the spring it aerated, fall it mulched, summer it mowed. The C-81 always remained at his house and in my family. The most interesting part (or at least interesting to me) is that for the last 39 years, this mower has been in-service without missing one season. It has never been out of commission. To this day, we have it picked up for service every year and it is still running on its original 8hp Kohler Engine and cuts just over an acre of lawn. The only major replacements were pulley bearings for the blade deck and a starter motor. It is ultra-quiet and never strains while performing its tasks. So, when you look at the picture, you probably see a beat up old machine, but I can assure you that is a tried-and-true Wheel Horse used year-round for nearly 4 decades and maintained as best we thought possible. It’s a testament to a reliable and powerful brand. That said, I have decided to lessen the workload on this machine and perhaps get another Wheel Horse as a tribute to my Pop. The main issue is that the cutting deck on this machine is between 32-34” (I believe) and it takes a long time to cut the lawn. (although I enjoy the peaceful feeling of doing it, it’s not conducive with my day job). The secondary issue is that this is a rear-discharge deck. I’d like to somehow bag the clippings for most of my cuts in order to feed my mulch/compost pile. I’m open for suggestions as to what model would be best. I do have some hills (a few steep). One final note… I’d love to crown this C-81 with a new (or comparable) seat. My goal is to get one as close to original as possible, with the same bolt patterns. I can provide photos if needed. Any help would be appreciated. Again, glad to be a part of this community, and please bear with me as I get used to navigating this site. Thanks for reading.

I've got the trailer loaded, leaving Tuesday morning. I am looking forward to meeting all of you! David

We put the engine on its bracket and mounted it to the frame last night. Couple minor challenges with a broken bolt and other stuff but oh well. Installed carb (twice because I forgot to attach linkage the first time...) and breather, too. Would have done more but sometime in the past one of the nutserts broke away from the fan shroud so we reattached that and left it to dry.

I think I lucked out.. but not sure, maybe I just wasted my money? I picked this old girl up for 65 bucks the other day. It's missing a few things, and lots of worn parts but for the most part seems pretty solid for a 39 yr old tractor that spent it's life on a farm. Is the odd ball c111 worth fixing up, or maybe just keep it as parts? The motor doesn't run, but turns over and seems to have good compression. Any on here have any little odd and end parts for it? I need the air filter assembly, and the little throttle plastic handle. Figure I'll grab a seat off another junk tractor. Any info on this model and why it has a Briggs instead of a Kohler? I assume the motor is original?

So my wife and I are on a walk and the neighbor is rolling an apparently perfectly good Toro lawn mower to the trash...I ask him what's wrong with it and he says - "won't Stay Running..." So as my wife rolls her eyes, for she is wise enough to know what's coming, I politely ask if he minds setting it to the side so I can grab it after our walk (I know from my recent wheel barrow trash pick (Still working on that trailer build - more to come on separate thread) that she does not like sharing our walk with my treasures...). He says "I will do you one better and wheel it to your driveway" Did I mention I have outstanding neighbors?!!! Back from our walk I put gas in it and pull the cord...First time fires right up. No smoke, no issues. Runs like a top. So I do the right thing and go to my neighbor and inform him that it started right up and does he want it back?. He says "keep it...already got a new one...Besides - It just isn't in good shape.". Well - come to find out there was a wee bit more wrong with it - clutch shot, belts toast, and power drive shot as well. HHHMMM... what to do... FREE is FREE and I do not like making something free cost money, so I tear out the clutch and all associated stuff, disconnect the drive train making it a good old fashioned push mower, remove all the bizarre plastic crap under the metal deck, bolt on the blade solid like the old days, put back all the junk plastic covers and voila - My new push mower / brush hog for those areas where you do not want "stuff" clogging the deck or breaking the belts on the "good" mower (the 15 year old Toro)... Of course, I will only use this to loan out, when I mow down the perennials in the fall, or where the WH can't go or I do not want to risk damaging the deck due to less that pristine conditions... Not bad for an hour's work...

That’s what I’ve been telling @PeacemakerJack!!! Someone had been procrastinating!

I think once I replace the fuel line and add a filter, I’ll see how long it runs without the pump, just gravity feed. But if I have issues, I’ll remember that trick! Putt Putt is fat dumb and happy, I took the rear fenders off for the haul home and now I like the look of it without, so the fenders will probably sit on the shelf for now. Rylee’s Commando 800 that had the valve problem runs like a champ. We named it Screamin’ Jimmy. I set the governor the same way as I did for Putt Putt but it seems to like to run away like the old Detroit Diesel 2 Stokes. Rylee likes the 1067 hood that I picked up with the 857 so we’ll probably end up swapping the grilles before next year’s show. The Polished Turd 656 runs great, it made me not mind Tecky’s so much. I need to get a lift cable made up so I can do some garden work with it and it could use a new belt. This 857 needs a belt, I think I can use the one from Putt Putt when it had a 3 speed trans. Otherwise it should be good for Jada. I’ll pull the pto foot control off and finish installing the floor boards for her safety. I’m waiting for some trans bearings and seals to show up so I can put this 8 speed trans back together and get the C-101 back up and running, then the whole heard will be in business...

Guys, Thanks for the advice and information. I am not a good enough welder to repair the axles myself. I will remove the transaxle and disassemble it. I will replace all the bearings and seals and have a real welder fill the worn out keyholes. The machining part is something I can handle, and will cut a full length keyway in the axle. Thanks for the support, but be aware, I will have more questions once I get into this thing!

A photo from the archives! Josh, the 523Dxi was Paladin and the DC-105 was Dillon. Paladin is now in New Jersey and Dillon is in Massachusetts. Both really nice oil burners.

Caleb, just become a RedSquare supporter... then, those little problems will go away. http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/store/category/1-redsquare-support/

I'd say, it appears... you've finally seen the light.

more rum.

Chain for piling!

No real plans as usual - just worked at home. No fireworks, just set myself on fire torching off a big bearing for a buddy - does that count? Managed to finally mow again, despite the on/off rain showers. Off work for now, but I need a break of some sort. Nice to see everyone getting a chance to spend time with family, love the pics. Sarge

I went to the dark side from ford 🤦‍♂️

You got a good $200 8 speed transmission for 65 bucks with a free tractor attached.

Ahhh..maybe you better stay home from Portage and fix it then?!?!?

and I'm still

Hopefully by @WHX20, or by that time WHX25's meet and greet. It's a Corvair steering wheel looks cool probably gonna stay.

We spent a few minutes looking at the charging system and wires on the tractor tonight. It seems that a previous owner decided that they did not need to repair the diodes, one of which is bad, and the two AC wires were directly connected to the positive of the battery. We will rebuild the wiring harness and add a solenoid and new 5 Pin switch tomorrow. Added a couple engine outer pieces and the air filter tonight.

Very cool, but I gotta say for those Wheel Horses that work for a living and seem to thrive on dust and a wee bit of grime, I think there's gonna be a bit of snickering and whinnying in the barn at the prima donnas that get one of those for their birthday or Christmas...

Model "T" Fords had to back up on steep grades because they had gravity feed fuel systems.

Must be nice! We've got about 30 acres, only about 10-12 clear and that's got a lot of hills. Wouldn't trade our woods for anything though - coyotes, black bears, and bob cats all!

New lights in the 'BU...and an xi...

'Aye matey....the Captains ship has not sailed yet!

Thank you for all the information! stevasaurus, thanks for the parts list. You saved me the trouble of sending you an email for the parts list. Achto, good call on the marking of the axles! Since my hubs are longer than the stockers by 5/8", the keyway will be even closer. I want to get as long a key as possible so I have as much contact area as possible. With the stock hubs flush with the axle, I have about an inch of axle showing, so I should have enough room to put in a key the entire length of the new hub (3"), and still have clearance to make sure the keyway does not intrude on the seal. ebinmaine, pictures? I think I can handle that! Thanks again for all the help!

@McGrew The 5060 and the 5073 are basically the same. You can safely use the 5060 videos to tear into your transmission. The differences...steel plates on the 10 pinion differential...the brake drum is on the cluster gear shaft instead of the mushroom gear...I think yours has a dip stick. outer axle bearings...KOYO/TORRINGTON...#B-1816 AXLE SEALS...SKF #11050 GASKET FROM TORO...#3912 BRAKE SHAFT SEAL...SKF #7410 INPUT SHAFT SEAL...SKF #6105

Only time you'll have any trouble with the lack of a fuel pump is if you're go I g up hill for an extended period of time. It will tend to run out of fuel with the carb closer to level with the tank or even higher. Emory got 2/3 of the way up Dad's hill then ran out of gas on his 633. Now, I've ordered a fuel pump for the little rascal.

Thanks a lot!! hope I can remember it all. Lets see Tom's engine, rum, tractors, apple cobbler, tent, beer, cards, vodka, I know I'm forgetting something - this may be too much for me lil brain.

So what is the status on the other 20 you stuffed in the back of the truck otw home from the show?

OK, your one minute of holding pattern is up, go get another one!