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What's happened to me? I'm becoming obsessed with garden machinery! I've just bought a Ransomes 76 Reelcutter second hand which will need a bit of TLC to get it looking and working well. And my local park, dont get carried away guys it's not a national park, have asked me to service their ride on mower. This was bought mew three years ago and has never been used as no one had the guts to drive it! I will be collecting both later in the month and will post some updates as I go. As hobbies go I suppose there are worse ones I could have been bitten by. Mick

We all have dealt with these helpful gems at one point. From Danger/Poison to the famous Do Not Eat. I couldn't help myself when a garbage truck we purchased from Tampa FL arrived and this is on both sides of the packer body...

Yea I'm thinking it my be to small I came across a few other that I'm more likely gonna follow up on tomorrow I really like the 520 hc ive been looking and contemplating that one for months

I have been using a two piece 3/4 inch collar when rebuilding my Wheel Horse tractors. These two piece collars are particular good when putting on the steering wheel shaft! The work well at other applications on the wheel horse tractors also!

Welcome to wheelhorse anonymous! I own a restored rj58. Wonderful machines.I have never seen someone brake the cast housing ouch!! It looks to be a 58 or 59. They are basically the same machine. That one doesn't look to bad id buy it! The only thing on mine not right is the variable height adjustment someone added and the recoil. I gutted mine inside and out. If you need parts these folks on here are awesome. The steering looks a bit boogered I had the steering made it is basic and simple. they can really work alot for just a tiny 4hp kohler.

ey guys, new to the forum but have always loved wheel horses, my grandfather had one when I was a kid and I have such fond memories. I'm now lookong into buying one for my small farm I've started that gotten a little to big to not have a little extra help. Ive found what I think is an rj58. Its rough but just wanted some opinions if possoble that would be great. I havent gone and looked yet but from the picture he looks like he has some mechanic experience. Let me know what you think it would be greatly appreciated Will Ma

So it's all back together, bit of petrol in a make shift tank and away she goes. Runs good and drives nicely. It's a bit heavy going but then men were men in 1947 when she was built. I'm very happy with the results.

I have been using a two piece 3/4 inch collar when rebuilding my Wheel Horse tractors. These two piece collars are particular good when putting on the steering wheel shaft! They work well at other applications on the wheel horse tractors also!

This information comes from an older post on how to fix the threaded pieces on your Wheel Horse aluminum gas tank. I have a 753 that needs to have the threaded pieces on each side of the tank repaired in order to secure the hood on the tractor. Red Square members have used PC 7 epoxy and either 1/4 x 20 nuts or Nutserts. I think the Nutserts are the way to go. When you place the thumbscrew in the Nutserts they work well to secure the hood. I have not used the PC 7 before but people say it it almost thick as peanut butter and cures hard in 24 hours. The Newsert has a flange on it that will set the Nutserts in place flat on the tank surface. I bought stainless steel Nutserts for the non rusting characteristics.

If you do not have the tool to crimp your new cert in place, here is a method that works very well. You will need a 1/4" bolt and a 5/16" wiz lock nut. A picture of a wiz nut for those that may not know what one is. Slide the 5/16" wiz lock nut over the 1/4" bolt with the locking part facing down or way from the head of the bolt. Now thread this assembly into the nut cert until the wiz nut is flush against the cert flange. Next insert this assembly into the hole so that the flange on the cert is flush against the surface of the hole. Use a 1/2" wrench to hold the 5/16" nut still and tighten the 1/4" bolt until the cert crimps on the inside of the hole. During this process the wiz lock will keep the cert from spinning allowing you to crimp the cert in place.

This was just posted a few days ago on FB Marketplace. Wrong color and all, but appropriate to the thread. It's in Lockport, IL if anyone is interested.

Trust me, if it's a WH tractor, it's good. Sure, there are plenty of beautiful trailer queens on display and done by some real craftsman, but the majority there will be workers from the ugly rust buckets to the 520s. There's never any official judging of any tractors which the WHCC specifically doesn't do so everyone can feel comfortable bringing ANY WH tractor, it's great idea. Definitely bring something to ride if you can because the more the merrier but even if you can't, I guarantee without a doubt, someone will loan a tractor if you want to ride. My father always has 3 or 4 and he can't ride'm all at once!

The center case I had on one of my RJ transmissions had three welds on it It had been welded twice. The farmer that owned the Wheel Horse tractor used it for his vegetable garden every year. One year he had his garden plow on and pulled it across a stup and cracked the center case. He had the case rewelded at a dealership and they also placed a better differential in it as he had also cracked the center differential gear housing. The crazy thing about it was he did the same thing two years later as he had not removed the stup. I traded an RJ front wheel for the welded center case and a box of RJ transmission gears (including the cracked center differential gear housing). The cracked center differential case did go into another RJ or Suburban however as Steve had a contact that wanted it and thought he could welded or braise it up. However, the guys machinist friends convinced him the have a ring made around the cracked differential housing and that saved it for reuse. I have sent Will a message already and told him I have several center housing and I would sell him one reasonably priced to fix the RJ58 if he buys it and wants to redo the center housing.

@Willlawre Welcome to Red Square and (yes) you posted in the correct place. That looks like a nice RJ 58. I would call it a 1959 only if the casting date on the trans has a "9" on the end of it. I just don't see how a transmission cast in 1959 can be on a 1958 out of the factory. What did you have in mind for duties for this horse?? I think you are a prime candidate to coral at least one more...go for the Short Frame Square Hood. Most of the attachments will inter-change and the horse power is double at 8 hsp. As far as that transmission, if it was welded with nickle rod, it looks like it should be OK. @Lane Ranger has one with the same welding pattern and I think that one is fine. Obviously, someone has been in there before. If it was the P.O. ask him about it and see if he sounds like he knew what he was doing. Also, see if he has the hitch for the rear end...you will need one to pull anything.

I had a slight conversation with @Racinbob at the Big Show a couple years back at the hotel one night. Us folks here at Red Square came for just one common reason. Wheel Horse Tractors. What is interesting, is how we find so many other common interests... and many we had no idea even existed. I didn’t say Us American folks here at RS, people like you Mick are everywhere in the world! If you asked me to take a 10 hour trip for any of my other hobbies, not knowing hardly a single soul personally... I’d tell you you’re nuts. One year under my belt, I was planning for the whole family to come along. It’s not just the tractors that bring us together any more, it’s the friendships. But it all started because of one common interest. I’ll hand it to the mods for running a tight ship, but letting us stray out on a looooong tangent once in a while (read about every post). I’ll also hand it to every contributing member who adds to the quality of this forum. I’m not talking about who has sent money, though I’m sure it’s appreciated for those who keep the lights on, but contributions from post after post of quality info that a guy like me can come and get answers, and maybe some day help another poor clueless chap looking for some solid information.

It starts with the leadership and goes down from there. It only takes a few bad apples to ruin the basket. There are plenty of rude forums here in the US. Honestly this forum is why I have turned to Wheel Horses instead of Cub Cadets. I love my cubs, but the forums are either inactive or have some rude people in them. I just use them for data mining to fix stuff and try not to participate much. Here at Red Square, its a large family with lots of support from everyone. I am a social person, so here is where I like to talk tractors!! Randy

Oops. Will refrain from doing so in the future.

Had some storm damage with a large cedar tree. I finished pulling the limbs down with the Toyota. Used the Wheel Horse to get the generator and saws out there. Then hauled two trailer loads to the brush pile.

4-sale in CT the New Haven area for less then $400 Nice little tractor!! Would make a good worker.

And for us stainless freaks of nature...... https://www.amazon.com/Climax-Metal-H2C-075-S-Collar-Stainless/dp/B000IL82R4/ref=sr_1_36?keywords=2+piece+collar&qid=1580331235&s=industrial&sr=1-36

I‘m in. Flight is booked, the rest we will see. Ah, oh huh - must there be anything planed ahead except some time for shaking hands? 😎😂 oooops.. 😂😂😂

They most deffiently are! Had reply with in 30 minutes of joining. Seems like a great group of people here!

Maybe we need to start a boats thread... unless this counts already! Growing up on a lake, and vacationing on a Lake Michigan often, boating has been pretty commonplace for me too. @stevasaurus must be Queen Mary was a popular little boat name no matter what side of the lake you’re on! Our little Queen Mary had a 2.9 Merc... big enough to be the captain of the lake for me, small enough I could operate it before boater’s safety! My Grandparents lived closer by water than by land so I would take daily or multiple trips per day rides to see them.

I think @bottjernat1's horse is more like a $750 Horse. @pullstart is more in line at $250 with that transmission case. One thing about these RJ's, they are very light in the front. If you are pulling something from the back, you are looking for the front wheels to come off the ground. You have to pull something while backing up. I would wait and go for the 8 to 10 hsp horse...mid 60's to mid 70's for from $400 to $600.

I have Rj's, Suburbans, short frames, long frames, and late twin cylinders. Just my opinion (and I'm sure some may disagree), but I think an Rj is not strong enough for light farm work or heavy gardening. They are great for riding around, restoring, and showing, but they just don't have the 'umph' for heavy work. I'd go with a model from the late 60's or later with at least 10 HP, and one that has been well maintained. That Rj looks like a fun 'project', but its days as a 'worker' are probably past. BTW, WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION. Why not buy this one, and a bigger one? Good Luck, Jim

Let the learning begin as I have a lot to learn about this horse and it's components like the sundstrands. Rear tires are the original wheel horse with many cracks but still holding air at this point. Seems to run well and move well, wanted to get the tranny and all warmed up really good but at 25 degrees outside that did not happen. Hub caps in real good condition as well as the seat, so I have much good out of it so far. First to be done is all fluids changed after learning how to properly drain the tranny and I assume will need bleeding at refill or maybe not. Any way another horse in the herd hi hi.

What’s the world coming to? “As long as old men sit and talk about the weather.. as long as old women sit and talk about old men”

So you can't even chat about the weather or tractors???

Last year since I only live about an hour and half away I just came down with the tractors for the day on Friday.........that was dumb and my wife let me know it too . So this year I'm trying a new hotel in Gettysburg right beside the National Cemetery and The Pike restaurant who has a great wing night on Thursday night! Looking forward to June!

Mick it's time to build a bigger shed. Or two.

That's how Trina and I learn ALOT of stuff!!! We try as much as possible to do as much for ourselves as we can. Tractors and everything else....

Please, do not post Craig's List adds or links. Thank you.

One of my long time favorites was good old lye. Used to be able to buy it at the local grocery for about a buck a can and literally made gallons of degreaser, but it’s getting harder to find as well as more expensive. Just had to be mighty careful when working with the stuff. It actually doubles as a degreaser and excellent paint remover, so NOT recommended unless you have a good paint department (which I see you have covered, Eric)! 😀

I am not sure if this is funny or dumb. I have been trying to figure out a shorter hood. The Commando hood is 4” shorter. I can drill spot welds and replace the nose! We just gained 4” more leg room!

I was looking at that tractor, thinking he would price it lower if he wants to move it. Has been for sail for a while. Keep looking, our area has a lot of red tractors around, for five hundred to thousand dollars that are much more useable for what you want. Keep looking be patient you will find a solid tractor that you can put to work with out working on it. Welcome to Wheel horse addiction.

I've been addicted for a year now just havent pulled the trigger on one. I don't wanna have to do a bunch of work to it to start right off.

Oh no way i would pay $750. especially with the broken tranny casting. I sold my wifes rj58 running and driving for $400 or $450. And it was in better shape. Maybe offer that or $500 worse case they say no thanks.

58 or 59 no matter it's a nice tractor and not a parts tractor by no means... everything is ther for a mechanical or complete resto. Unreal about that welded tranny case. I don't think even backing into a rock at full speed would cause that! Certainly lends character so we'll call it an honorable battle scar. Not really the right tractor for helping around the farm in this day and age put you certainly could hook a tub up to it and move a couple of haybales or gather in some produce.

Here’s my progress so far. Have the tank mounted fuel line ran, belt on and just about to run wires from the battery back to the motor. Hoping to fire it up this weekend!

Quick question - the tractor looks completely serviceable, why not put a Kohler on it and use it as it is? Sears made a good tractor.. it would be a shame to part it out.

cool little wagon my neighbor built years ago

There is a real good chance the polarity is already correct for flux core, since the machine is gas less. try it first. As far as hot to the table and visa versa, not to worry, that is only relative the the welder itself. It is just the direction of flow.

I got this one 'fish... I got it I got it ..... We were kinda hoping you weren't but then again we do .....bring a tractor...... Mafia could use some practice on field stripping ...

I bored out my axle to 1” and then installed 7/8” ID/1” OD bronze bushings. I reamed them out, drilled a hole for the grease fitting and they worked great. Also installed thrust washers and bearings between the spindle and axle. Steers pretty nice.

A good friend of mine did the building I did the customizing and parts finding. The baby stroller is a pedal car with a custom paint job. We cut apart a car seat to fit inside. The front wheels are off the ground about a half inch because we welded castor wheels underneath so it turns like a shopping cart. Then made the handle for the back to push it. All of that can be easily removed so it could be used as a pedal car again. The other 3 are all Radio Flyer wagons. The big red one is 2 wagons. A large and a small one. Small one was cut for the radiator and back trunk. The engine is actually a cooler, holds a 12 pack of cans of your favorite beverage. It was first designed to haul stuff at swap meets and flea markets but later designed for the kids. I also mounted a blue tooth speaker inside the radiator. I play burn outs and engines revving from my phone through it so it sounds like its coming from the wagon. The black one is steered and pushed from behind. Notice the arm off the back with the chain steering wheel. Engine is all made of wood. Has a wooden dash with gauges and a key and carpet. The seat is off a bicycle type pedal car and has custom hand painted pinstriping. Small red one was the first one we did. Engine made of wood. Seat is off of a small tricycle. Has a dash with a key and carpet. All 3 have a Hurst shifter. The small red one and the baby stroller are gone. I still have the black one and the " Meet Wagon" . People always say " you should sell these" not knowing how much time is spent making them plus add in the cost of just the parts needed for the build. They were fun projects. Kids loved them. They got a lot of attention. Im sure I will find new homes for the last 2 at some point. Bothers me so see them hidden away in the garage and shed. Besides they take up so much room I could have another Wheel Horse or 2 in their place !!!

Just to add. Mick, where ever you go, you will find people with different attitudes towards others. Some helpful, some indifferent and alas some who think if you don't know or think like them, your beneath them. The second kind don't bother me. As for the latter I feel sorry for them. They'll get their comeuppance on day. Must admit, Red Square is by far the friendliest forum I've ever been on. And kudos to Karl and the Mods for keeping it that way.

Try watching Hell's Kitchen, that may give you a different view. In my area of the country most people have a fairly positive attitude. Then again according to one survey of the 10 drunkest cities in America, Wisconsin held 5 places. Actually it should have been 6 places, for some reason they put Oshkosh & Neenah together at #6.

Without question, the mods deserve all the credit for making this site so positive. Trust me, all US sites are not this way. As far as the general attitude of residents of different countries, I have worked in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Canada, USA, Wales, and Slovenia. With the exception of one country, I always felt welcome. I will not disclose the country that seemed to have a negative attitude, but it was not the UK.

I agree, swap the tires to maximize the cleaning action of the VEE tread. Fill the tires and add wheel weights. Past bearing studies have indicated adding load to the axle bearings at the slow rotational RPM does not significantly affect the bearing life. The bearings normally have 4-500 lbs of radial load, so increasing that by 200 lbs is not a problem.