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6-4-1924 Cecil Elwood Pond was born Cecil Pond was an American businessman, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was the founder of Wheel Horse Products Co. Inc., and was the primary inventor of the modern American Garden Tractor and riding mower. Pond was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Elmer and Ann Marie Pond. He graduated from South Bend's former Washington-Clay High School, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1946, Pond returned to South Bend and in June of that year, married Betty Alber Pond. Mr. & Ms. Pond were the parents of three children: son Gary Pond, and two daughters, Linda and Constance. 1946 saw the beginnings of Pond's manufacturing future. Pond joined his father Elmer, who at the time was building two-wheel lawn tractors (which the operator would walk behind) from angle iron, surplus motorcycle and automotive parts in his garage. At first, the Ponds' company was simply called Pond Tractor Company; however, they discovered another family member owned a similarly-named company. "Wheel Horse" was then chosen, and the name stayed with the company even after its acquisition by Toro. In the late forties, military veterans returning from World War II began moving to the vast new suburbs then transforming the American landscape. Their suburban homes had larger lots that demanded more attention—and the Ponds' riding mower found many ready buyers as a result. In 1954, Pond introduced his first 4-wheel lawn tractor, an event which altered substantially the lawn care manufacturing business. By 1957, his Wheel Horse Products Company recorded sales over $1 million (US $ 9.09 Million in 2019 dollars.) for the first time. Just two years later, the company's sales more than doubled, to $4.5 million (US $ 39.5 Million in 2019 dollars). In 1975, Pond sold Wheel Horse Products to American Motors Corporation. At the time of the sale, Pond oversaw over 500 workers at his plant and over 3,000 dealers were selling the brand. In 1986 Toro acquired Wheel Horse. Cecil Pond passed away December 30, 2011.

I had two English Walnut trees croak this spring, one was 100 years old, the other 24. I should have taken a picture at the beginning of the tree cutting project, this is at the end and doesn't really show the magnitude of the cutting. The loader and trailer was running much of 4 days hauling firewood, bark and brush. Having three tractors really was the ticket. I hauled and dumped the cords of firewood with the loader and that still needs to be stacked.

Over the weekend I Purchased an older truck and bought some polish and wax from the local auto parts store. It is made by Maguires. I just tried it on the top of the hood on my 414 -8 and wow ! What a shine!

I have this wheel horse tractor that belongs to a friend of mine. He gave it to me to work on it for him. I would like some information on it and a place to get parts. Transmission is leaking oil, needs new oil seals. I am in closing a picture of it in hopes someone can help me. Thank you in advance for your time.

Bought my first WH last week after hearing rave reviews about these tractors. Found a 416-8 from original owner. 1100ish hours on the meter. Gotta do some fabbing/welding on the deck and some new belts. I`m excited! Word is this is da place for anything Wheel Horse.

Try Ace hardware..

Lost my help...

I get mine at Ace Hardware

Welcome, @Red Power! Enjoy your stay, look around and feel free to ask questions! I know most of what I tell you!

Thank you everyone for all the responses. I have downloaded the manual and now I know the year and a little more insight on the motor I just ordered a new carb kit. $20 well worth it even if it don't fix it. Ill keep it updated to let everyone know how this pans out. Look forward to more help to. I'd really like to get this back to what it once was. When things were built with pride in mind not $ signs and cheap labor lol. Thanks again!

4 strokes... my auto shop teacher taught us “Suck Squeeze Bang Blow” That’s one Bang to four down/up movements, or 2 full revolutions

I'll keep my mouth shut ... for now... What the heck you surfing for tractors over here Kev... you know we don't let horses cross state lines!

Happy birthday to a true Einstein and entrepreneur of his time. Who created an amazing equipment simplified and easy for all to use happy birthday!!! Thanks!

1 spark for 2 revolutions you are correct.

Picked this up cheap at Mentone! Never seen one, I like it!

Can’t even finish my own house and you’re pimpin me out to do other’s

Great to hear from you. If you get tired of the Sunshine State you can always consider becoming a "Half Back"! I was born in New York State, lived in Florida most of my adult life and then mover half way back and settled in the mountains of North Carolina.

Well, the relocation is final. We settled on a house in the country with 5 acres on April 1st. Our mailing address is Bushnell, FL, but we are closer to Nobleton, FL about an hour or so west of Orlando on the Gulf side. Country, cows and horses - not a tourist area, so don't tell anybody where it is I apologize for not posting in a while. We have been very busy getting our stuff from PA to FL, changing DL's insurance and doing fairly major remodel of the house we bought. We have been living in our RV next to the house while replacing floors/vanities/etc. and doing a total interior repaint. It's me for the most part and EVERY project takes twice as long as thought. Plus I discovered a few aches I didn't have back when we built our other house 19 years ago... plus we want to get everything done before hurricane/rainy season. If you don't like hot, this isn't the place for you, but on the other hand, it's been sunny almost all of the time I'm a cold sissy, what can I say... GOOD NEWS - all the Wheel Horses and other restored stuff I'm into made it to FL unscathed! There in the WAY back corner on the right (552 is in the house garage). Fortunately, I have about for times the garage space I used to have! I have to confess that I had to get something a little more robust and user-friendly for cutting about 4.5 acres of grass every week so I got a Gravely that works flawlessly. Hey it's still red(ish) BAD NEWS - Sadly, I'm not going to make the PA show this year That has been my favorite event every year and I will miss seeing all the regular attendees. We are coming to PA for a week in June to finish some business up there but not until 6/24 sadly. I kept the trailer that I can sleep in so my goal is to get back up there next year once things settle. My wife likes the show as well so, wouldn't surprise me trade the 5th we for a smaller toy hauler. We'll see . . . I'll miss you all at the show

You may want to take a look at these,I love mine! https://www.redoyourhorse.com/patriotic-decal-set-for-all-300-400-series-wheel-horse-tractors/

During World War Two Harley Davidson made shaft drive motor cycles for the US Military. The one @Jennifer has pictured was probably a Harley Davidson Golf Cart made while AMF was running the show.

Shoulda just told ya to run over to EB's @ebinmaine place... he's probably hoarding them but they might be painted funky colors!

In the past weeks I have been in ACE at least a dozen time's for Ben Moore Arborcoat Solid Stain and numerous other painting supplies and never gave it a thought that they would have those. Who knew

What the he double hockey sticks would we do without these guys JC?!?!

I'm not sure if any one has mentioned this, but Ace Hardware has them in stock.

No I'm not the same person, I've turned to a more delicate form of art. Once this is all over, as Arnold said "I'll be back" hammering away

That's awesome when the kids create something, anything. So now Rylee's build off challenge has got things moving again. Next was the front spindles. There was some difficulty getting the holes right for the steering arms but this is how it went. Drill some holes spaced properly and centered for the steering arms. Finally got 2 that looked OK. (this was not the first toothpick!) Then to keep them symmetrical so the steering isn't off, the toothpick was split where the holes are to make two. Here's the steering arms Then spin a toothpick down to a small round, break it for the 90 deg bends of the spindles and glue the steering arm in that bend to hold the break. Front axle with tires on. (Had lots of problems with the axle tubes and such so sorry there aren't pics of that process.) Everything will get squared away with the steering like the rod and link before cutting and gluing pieces to hold everything in place. The plan is to make it steer by the steering wheel.

Ranks right up there with the plastic packaging that you nearly requires a chain saw to open up.

She did another right quick, reminds me of a Panzer!

Your just in time.......the World Famous WHEEL HORSE BIG SHOW is being held again.....near Gettysburg Penn at the South Mountain Fair Ground... it is this month 20,21,22 Anything and everything wheelhorse is hear......Hugh Big.....cannot be held under a tent.......bring cash and a friend/.......OH and a lawn chair/..... DO NOT MISS IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ain’t that the way it always goes Kev? Now when you’re done, they’ll want to be the first to go for a ride! Wouldn’t change it for anything! Even when he’s not helping, Emory is the best help I could ask for!

Don't be afraid of the carburetor, there is really not much to them. Down load a free Kohler manual, so that you have reference. Disassemble the carb and clean it up, I'm sure that it is full of gunk from old gas. If you buy an average rebuild kit it will only include new bowl gaskets, a float needle & seat.

We’re ALL happy you were born!

And we’ve got a build off! This is Rylee’s rendition of a model tractor. How’s that mouse training coming along, John?

Agreed. Over the last 3 years of tweaking the system so to speak, Trina and I have gotten into the habit of bringing the splitter to the forest instead of dragging the logs out. I've been hauling the splitter to the work site then going back and getting the orange dump trailer to haul wood. Trina takes her trailer with all the tools and saws. We find that it keeps the logs much cleaner and makes things a lot easier to handle because we are cutting the wood into smaller pieces immediately as it falls. At some point soon, I'm going to add a two inch hitch to another tractor and leave the splitter hooked right up to it. That will raise the front of the splitter so as to make the work easier. Don't have to bend over as far to run it. Right there with you on that one. Statistically speaking, Maine is the most heavily forest covered state in the nation. We most certainly have NO shortage whatsoever of trees. In the last 110 years we have gained forest. Still, it bugs me some when one of the old growth behemoths needs to come down for whatever reason.

Barney made his way home to Mayberry... and for some my buddy decided the muffler needed some paint The battery ran a little low, same time the gas did too... so it needs a bath from working and it’ll be ready for the trek.

I'm not a "greenie" by any stretch of the imagination, but I hate seeing big old trees go. It hurts me every time I see big old oak trees or some other substantial tree being knocked down for a sub division or new business. Sorry to hear that you had yours give up, but it looks like you were in good hands with the Horses! You ought to have fire wood for a while.

I don't even wanna know!

Wow talk about pulling the trigger at the same time Dan... why does my tablet smell like urine?!?!

In case I haven't done so Terry the @Vinylguy can help you out. He is also in the vendors section or simply Google Midwest custom graphics.

@JCM, PM me your address and I'll send them to you.

Thank you for the info, this manual should help out a lot. I'm sure my buddy will be real happy now knowing that I should be able to get her going again. Again thank you both so very much.

Yep, I made sure of that... I’m just under 100” Yep, it’s under 8’ 6” and the door is 9 or 10 ft

You have the honor of working on a 1955 or 1956 RJ-35. The one saving grace when working on anything made by Wheel Horse is that they used conventional hardware. If you remove bearings and seals and take them to an industrial supply house or "GOOD" automotive parts store they will be able to match them up for you. This manual should be helpful.

Hired me some recruits for front wheel cleaning / sanding / painting!

I gave everything a gas bath tonight and it cleaned up quite a bit. I ran a hone inside the reservoir tank and it cleaned up about 75% of the surface area. The rest is badly pitted and I think it is either where water condensed at the top, or sat at the bottom of the resivoir. This shouldnt affect the functionality though. I did not have a hone that would fit either the spool valve bore or the inside of the cylinder. Instead I made two passes around what I could reach of the spool valve with a piece of 220grit emery and some WD for lube. I made approx 10 rounds with the paper on the area I could reach inside the cylinder where the end cap rests when installed. This area was particularly rusted and pitted which makes sense because it should not see fluid, and is sealed at the farthest end inside leaving the rest vulnerable. After wiping up my mess I looked inside the cylinder and it only has one or two areas farther inside that look to be surface rust not pitting. The cylinder rod is also shiny and smooth everywhere except the last 2 inches, which I believe with the configuration will rarely/never be used. Pushing the rod and piston inside of the cylinder is tight at full extension and full retract. However the center is smooth. I think what I was feeling was it getting into the areas of the cylinder that have never been used and the area where the end fitting rests. I also tried to reinstall the spool valve but could not get it to start into the bore. After looking at the bore I saw where I had inadvertently hit the lip of the bore and it was swelled out. I diamond filed this area down and was able to lube the piston and start it into the bore. It did not go in easily by any means. Many times in and out gaining a couple thousandths each time it seemed. Twisting increased the amount of headway I made considerably. Eventually I was able to get the spool valve in place but it turned very hard. I pushed it in 1/4-1/2" and lubed the piston. I then installed the piston and worked it back and forth and in full circles stopping to wipe the bore and valve every 5 or so turns. The cloth showed a redish black deposit at first, then turned to grey after several minutes worth of actuating thr cylinder. I beleive it was actually lapping some of the deposits off as I did this, the lever now turns freeley with the resistance I would expect from an O-ring that has that tight of a fit. Hopefully in the coming days I can get the cylinder and other pieces completed and isntalled so that all I have to fix is a K181 and build a rockshaft.

Tonight I’m sorting materials to lay out a deck over Norman’s bed and a set of ramps to help load. If you’re unsure what I’m talking about, look up “sled decks” for more details.

I love that! Especially the tire tread on the mat. I wouldn't be able to walk on it though.. Definite wall hanging material.. If you ever want to get rid of it or come across one you don't want, let me know!

Putt around the yard and go...oooohhhhhh...aahhhhhh!!;)

Is it just my minds eye,,or my mentality..????? the closer the BIG SHOW ,,,,,i feel everyones age gravitates between 8 and 12...... It cant be all the Hype of the show.............. Or can it ????????

Welcome to Florida, if your a cold sissy then your damn sure in the right place. It's June time to start learning about what you need to do for Hurricane Season. Other than the heat, hurricanes and retired yankees (oops) it's a great place to live.