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Some may have seen my C-121 aka The Black Horse on here. I purchased the tractor off my Southern mate Chris Sutton, sight unseen and he brought it up to the Newby Hall show 5-6 years ago. It ran, drove and entered the line up in the Wheel Horse Round up. And then home hoping swmbo wouldn't notice there was an extra tractor on the trailer. Unloaded and in the workshop, the intended restoration began. This will be a condensed version. It took me a year to complete. Until a pile of bits lay on the workshop floor. One thing I did find, that neither Chris or I had noticed, was a lot of play in the left side rear axle. The needle bearing was shot. After separating chassis and trans, the box was stripped and rebuilt. That job deserves a thread of it's own. So it may get one at some future date. After the trans was back together, the tractor rebuild could continue. First the chassis got a lick of paint after the trans was rebuilt. Agricultural tractor enamel brush painted. BTW. All parts were grey primed first. Some by brush and some by rattle can. The tower was next. Getting a good prep first. To be continued. Photo's seem to have got a bit mixed up. But never mind.

I missed the Monday opener, but arrived at my friends camp in Potter County around noon on Tuesday to find they had a good first Monday even though they hunted in a icy rain/sleet all day. Tuesday noon. Needless to say, this looked good, so I unpacked, and headed for my deer stand. After a 40 minute drive and a 20 minute hike, was in my tree stand at 1:00. I was only there about 10 minutes when two doe fed by, so I thought ,this could be a busy afternoon. But, I didn't see another deer for 2 1/2 hours. Then at 3:30 this buck came out of the hemlocks about 160 yards from the stand. I got lucky and the .270 did its part. Two of the Monday hunters went home with their deer, but we had mine and two other deer on Tuesday to fill the meat pole. Wednesday, I filled a couple doe tags. And took a couple pictures of the landowners original cabin and spring run. I saw a few elk on the way home early this morning. Sorry for the poor pics....no light. The fun's over, now the work begins.

Got done cleaning up the rims for my 855 Then putting on the original color of almond from Rustoleum. Sweet!! Sprayed two coats of clear on top.

What did I do to my Wheel Horse today? Not a lot. I did open the door and find this box. I have them next to the heat vent warming up. Was going to put them on but my nap got in the way. I've got time I also ordered new bearings that are to be here next week. I'll get back some time later with more pictures. Well I am back sooner then I though. Tires are mounted, used my vice trick. Had to hunt up a different rod as the bearing have been removed from the rims. It's a bit of over kill as the rod is 1 3/16" with a massive nut. I also used the board and clamp some ones idea to mount the front side worked great. That and a large dose of WD-40, one screw driver and my 175 # they went right on. I used the boards and clamp to hold that side on the rim as I pushed and pried the tire on. Easiest set of tires I have ever mount except when I stood back and watched the tire shop do it. Yes pictures: free image sharing It took longer to stuff the tube in then it did to get the tire on. [/url Here the tire is on. Aired up and ready for the new bearings when they get here. The WD-40 worked so good I had to clamp the stims with Vicegrips could hold it to put the air in.

Gonna save this 754 tomorrow. Needs a carb and some deck work, new cables push button start. Worth saving I think!!!!!

The steering arms spindles were cut down to 3/4". Then a pair of trailer wheel spindles modified as shown on the left. Cut off spindle inserted in the end and welded. Trailer spindles and hubs source from a company here in England called.....Indespension.

I am not sure. But we will summons the @953 nut

Pics would be a real collectors item....for the outhouse maybe! PM me your address and I will make sure you get something not quite as collectable....

Thanks for thinking of me! The key you need is a #RX Woodruff Key. It is 1/4" wide and 2 3/4" long.

What did I tell you Kev @pullstart.... winner hands down ... pick your prize Chris... a key chain or an autographed framed & signed pic of @squonk picking his nose? Anybody can id the roadkill gets the same choice!

Parts machine hood in vehicle

pics. Used a power window motor for the rotation. It's covered with a piece of rubber to keep the ice out. You can find a thread Duke did a while back. "snow chucker"

There is just nothing that rusts like a Wheel Horse.

Your right, got ahead of myself. Lauson H60, electric start. 654. Good looking tractor! What’s the plan for it? Gonna get her up and running then work the patina with some clear. Ags on the back and tri's on the front. Admire, use and care for.

Also, forgot to mention: for cleaning the threads of the inside of that cog on the starter, a .410ga bore brush fits through there perfectly. Decided to keep one out in the shop for future needs.

I have already downloaded any and all manuals I can find. With many thanks to Garry who has pointed me in that right direction. This sight has been just loaded with helpful "friends" that is more than willing to help again THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN ADVICE AND WHO WILLINGLY GIVE ME ADVICE. IM SO THANKFUL I FOUND ALL OF YOU.

Also, having a IPL Parts Manual List for your Wheel Horse tractor model is an almost essential item to have when redoing a tractor!

1st thing is throw that Chilton manual in the garbage. Then (now that you are a supporting member) go to the files section and download the all the Kohler manuals in there. There are quite a few in there so let us know if you have problems finding the ones for your tractors/motors. Read them, They will tell you everything you need to know about your 8hp. Print the good ones for the shop bench. The learning is endless in there if you are a Kohler fan.

Those white cream cheese containers, yogurt, cottage cheese containers, especially if they have a see-thru lid. Sometimes, zip-top baggies. I try to keep them with the part removed, and label them if I'm not sure I'll be putting it back together real soon. And take pictures before disassembly if it's complicated. My memory isn't what it used to be. Jim

The answer to that would be D, all of the above. I have no idea who on this site or it was or I would be very happy to give them credit but somebody suggested to use old muffin tins at one point and I've been known to do that as well. Do not tell your significant other that you have stolen said muffin tins.

That's pretty awesome Jonathan. It looks like you're a wicked happy little kid on his new Fast Tractor. I love it.

Famous last words "Hold my beer, watch this"

Little by little I am digging into this tractor and learning about it. It certainly is not simple like the older ones. Pretty sophisticated wiring and thinking behind it. I can see why they are famous for electrical gremlins.

Oddly enough, I never made a video of this tractor "in motion". It was nice today, so I asked Mrs. R. to follow me around with the camera.

@Chris G You have to come to the Big Show and meet the @squonk or as he is also known Skunky and the tractor mafia . We can not name the members of the tractor mafia because the members appear out of the wood work ( or woods) and disappear with your tractor immediately there after. Don't park near @pullstart. Your tractor will be buried in the his truck somewhere.

I'm definitely late to the party here, but just saw this thread. Thanks everyone for the support and once again Dan, your rat tractor is just awesome. Every issue I have dedicated space for a WH exclusive article. Typically I try to stock up on tractors and stories at the big show. That gives me a chance to write articles from people outside of just New England. I plan to do the same this June. I have enough material to get me thru the winter and to the next show. I think you'll really like the upcoming Nov/Dec issue as well - another fellow RS member!

Wait till we have another ungly seat contest Cris... that one beats @Achtos where it was infested with ants and crawling up his a$$

Niiiicceee!!! I shot a 7pt on the last day of archery so I have to wait until Saturday to find me a doe!

He built the cabin from ground up with the help of his son. His son made a bandsaw mill on wheels that he takes to the tree for sawing. They felled and sawed the trees on the farm for the cabin. The slab siding and rafters were made on the mill and the porch railings were made with a chain saw. I did not stay for opening day. My BIL had to take his wife(my sister) for a medical procedure, so he could not hunt. So I used the rainy Monday to return home. Then headed North Tuesday for my leased ground in Cameron County. Venison ?? I'll start another topic. Wait for it Jim.

One of the two... Still nice patina and worth saving. ....

This is all I know, keep it secret

I use any thing that comes to hand, tins, trays jars etc. Labelling as I go along. Also photo's. Though having similar models of tractors helps. Lane Rangers post reminds me of a handy tip if shelf space is in short supply. Screw the lids of coffee jars under shelving. Put whatever in the jar and screw into the lid.

Good thing we just moved an old file cabinet to the shop, I’ll have a place to keep everything together. Wifes gunna be a little mad though, we just bought a new ink cartridge, and I have a feeling it’s gunna get run dry 😂😂

Shop tip here Cas .... close that choke plate any time you have it opened up. You do not want to drop errant hardware down there!

Congrats on a good runnin’ Kohler, and for being a supporting member!

I was pretty sure that roller was added.

That roller looks like a belt guard spacer?

I've had plenty of machine come thru my garage and I've never seen that roller either Eric. Makes me think it might be a home made/added feature.

It has been done a couple years ago actually. I helped some friends turn a b-80 into an "s-80". Had vinylguy make some decals. It has skis on the front and atv tracks on the rear. We will be getting it out of storage very soon. I will get pics when we do

That's a good thought, but when I looked at my 2nd ride tracks in the front yard only the lugs were imprinted in the snow. Don't tell anyone, but I forgot to open the choke.

ebinmaine, Only in your dreams, will I send them to you. My super-sized Suburban luvs the snow

I have an update! Got 9" of good heavy stuff last night, the prototype retainers held up great.

Anything but green or yellow!

Ask the seller if the Flag is on his tractor. Here's what the flag looks like. It attaches to the tractor which then in turn connects to the tube you have pictured. If the seller doesn't have it, this pic was taken off an ebay ad so you can get one there if need be.

I'm ready to go just waiting on the snow! Well should've been a songwriter after all I am in music city !

you could also pick up a couple of LED replacements for the bulbs that are in there now and see how that would work.

Put the snowblower on for the first time in about 15 years. Still works. Headlights are kaput and even when they worked, didn't throw much light so the next project might be an LED light bar.

These are from the other day when the misses stated that she “could drive that” pictures were too large, not a problem now! Mr. Man wasn’t happy about having to give up “his tractor”. *Theyre all “his tractors” 🙄😂* We need to get the tires replaced on Peggy (Charger 10), but I’m having a rough time finding Ribbed tires for the front. I like the way ribs look, more like a tractor. Anyone have any “go to” places for tires?

I was gonna use a broom like I normally do, but I guess I could let you give it a try with a brush.

@KyleLengerich Nice job becoming a supporter. And for the record, most of us 5 year olds really do appreciate lots of pictures.