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About six years ago John “Brrly” Campbell told me he had a 603 he would sell me if I could drive up to Toledo, Ohio and get it. i knew John from the time I first met him at the old Mentone Swap Meets we had in early 2000’s . I drive up with my trailer and John took me to a fabulous place his friend had where the 603 was stored! II put a 6 HP Kohler recoil start on the 603. It was a motor I had sitting for about eight years that I bought at the Portland, Indiana swap meet from Marshall Fyffe (IndyWH). A local resident heard I had this 603 and had to have it as it was a model his grandfather had . He showed my a picture with him on it as a child with his grandfather. He offered me a very good amount and I accepted but have since regretted the sale. Again, we can’t keep them all but the memories of people associated with a tractor are significant! John’s friend and his father were Wheel Horse Collectors and had some nice ones and a pretty large RJ contingent! John Campbell was the first to show me a Tombstone weight and weight bracket. He later led the effort to reproduce Tombstone brackets for collectors. John was an iron worker from Iowa. But he was a Wheel Horse guy through and through !

I found a chunk of 1” thick aluminum, just right to bolt to the hydro. I need to trim an old too box to fit and it should fit ok. I have stirrups to remove the floor boards as well, and will trim the floorboard top mounting plate to hold the belt guard stable.

If you can find a 953/1054 then definitely get one! They are a bit different but in a unique way that I like. Mine is an early model w/ross steering. I dont see many of them at shows, unless I'm at the big show. Although I don't work my shiny 953 its obvious they are very capable tractor. Last summer I did haul bout 2000lbs of stone around the yard. Couple times the front tires got some air under them! 😅 Attachments/implements seem to be a bit harder to come by cause most are exclusive to the model.

Music lovers worldwide come together to celebrate Global Beatles Day on June 25. The occasion pays tribute to The Beatles and the impact they had on both music history and pop culture. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison first recorded together as a foursome in 1962 — after producer George Martin fired original drummer Pete Best. The band’s work throughout the decade remains unparalleled in pop music. Known as the “Fab Four” the initial beginnings of the band was actually in 1957, but they went through a few name changes before settling on The Beatles in 1960. A bunch of smash hits later they were performing All You Need Is Love to 400 million people via the first global live TV link, with the broadcast reaching 26 different countries simultaneously. This huge moment in pop culture history took place on June 25, 1967, and is the reason why Global Beatles Day is celebrated on June 25 every year.

The toolbox is not asymmetrical, but I was able to pull it off! I also took no video of this one. I figured it would be fun to kick it old school, pre-YouTube. The foot rests are on and it feels quite nice at the helm of my 1445 Automatic!

Continually planting that seed. Jada is babysitting often and occasionally watches kids here. It might be a bit wet today, but Putt Putt didn’t care!

THAT'S where all the early round hoods ended up. Together.

I have a buddy in sales. An avid vintage motorcycle enthusiast, he has bikes stashed all over the country in little storage units. Never know when you’ll need a ride to cleanse your soul!

At one time we had five . Now down to three and some parts tractors. I have three extra transmissions, a couple mower decks and other assorted 953/1054 parts. I have one I want to get restored. I have one with a 50 inch sickle bar mower made for the 154/953 wider frame. one has a Work Horse 1054 decal. They were produced from 1962 to 1966. They were still listed in a Wheel Horse sales brochure in 1966. This was the first 48 inch mower deck used on a garden tractor. The hydraulic pump and lift were great for the heavy attachments. The Ross steering gear in the early 953’s was also used by other tractor manufacturers and cussed wheel horse to develop a fan gear of later 953/1054 models This was my dads favorite Wheel Horse tractor!

Put some ag tires and a sleeve hitch on that thing so @SylvanLakeWH can use it next plow day and maybe he won't get stuck

Lots of WH work the last two nights. Last night I got the Commando put back together for mowing, and I was working on the 855's surge issue. I made a new carb base gasket, put the spare carb on it, and it wouldn't run off choke. I got mad and just went inside, it was after 7 and almost 100. Today one of the Commando's blade bolts sheared while mowing, doesn't look like anything got hit, the bolt just failed. So I got that set up with the 855's deck so mowing could finish before rain started. Then I took my carb back off and went through it, it was just a stuck float. Cleaned that, worked it a bit, put it together, and retuned. It's better, but still surges at times. Haven't tried to run it run it since it started raining pretty good while I was working on that. Then I got the broken bolt out of the other deck. Thankfully when the head broke off it got loose, the blade, bolt head, and washer were all recovered and no threads are damaged. That means, at least for now, all I have to do it go through my boxes of bolts to find a suitable replacement. And of course, in the middle of all that, my two went the way of @Pullstart's and started running through the retention pool at the end of the driveway, while it was pouring. At least they didn't fight about showers since they were already wet.

What I could never figure out is why they were only made for two years?? Too costly? Sales had to be fairly brisk on them as many as there are out there. Not a easy one to resto that's fer sure. I think the HY on them is what made them.

I got my new 14 Auto going today. The aftermarket carb had a float that wouldn’t quit flowing, a choke lever that was inside out, and the 2017 battery that we scooped off the barn floor held a charge for a week, long enough to pull fuel through and get it fired up! I’m impressed with this machine! After about 45 feet of driving it, it makes me want to keep it. The headlight lense is in great shape, the lights even work, and it’s quite quick! What’s not to love about a big block, hydro lift and electric clutch? The rear toolbox is pretty cracked up, and I sold the seat off it. I got thinking, since I passed @Sparky’s old 657 to BBT and @ebinmaine, maybe I should make this one into a round fender springer seat…

This load I picked up the other day, was meant to mostly pass on to others. I did not mean to like this no name 14. I didn’t mean to want to keep it. Dangit! It runs great, and I think I can put it to good use. I sold the seat to Mark @Horsin'round at the big show. Well, now I need a seat. I got a cool one from @TonyToro Jr. at the show too. Let’s see now…

"The Horn" was the highlight of every "little" that drove the E-141 that pulled the SL&WHN RR... they would keep that horn goin' and the neighbors loved it!!! Never a complaint... even the local would wave and light up their lights for the kids... That kid will be a next generation guy...

now we just need @WHX??’s seal of approval Having that big seat spring, I can see myself doing lots of chores on it. Plus the parking pawl actually works, and neutral is spot on too!

Glad to see you keeping that one... you couldn't keep the 60's parts off it though hahaha.

Driving a tractor in the rain highlights two of the best features of a child: they are usually game for grown-ups being silly and they are washable. Kudos to Jada‼ Over 100 here today so I’m looking forward to having that rain head this way.

I can just hear Uncle Jim now… “Oh balls.”

The K241 through K 321 has 9 head bolts. The K341 has 10 head bolts. So remove the top tin and count the head bolts. You can't always go by the number "k241" cast in the block. Kohler cast some blocks with extra thickness in the bore so they could be machined to multiple sizes. These blocks had 13 air cooling fins instead of 12. The only way to tell if it is a K241 - K321 is pull the head and measure the bore diameter. The blocks light grey color indicates it is a factory replacement engine or short block. Looks like someone built up a factory replacement block with parts from multiple engines. So you have a "newer" engine. No harm, no foul! The worn hood hinge is common and can be repaired with some bushings. The lift linkage needs some attention The did a nice job adding the newer style front mule drive, so that's a plus! Paint or No paint is your choice. Yes after almost 60 years it has some Frankenstein to it, At 68 years, I have a few repairs with extra screws and pieces of metal too. So call me Frankenstein too! Excellent tractor that just needs some little final TLC Since his bunch of inconsistence's is bothering you, I'll gladly take it of you hands for a $ Benjamin

A Haiku... Walked down Abbey Road T'was the Sixties remember? No, it's all a fog A Limerick... There once was a band named The Beatles Famous era of pot and needles We saw them first on Ed's show Then man did the go Flying much higher than The Eagles...

You can always change your screen name to " Pieatr"

Hmm….Ill be in California next week. Would be nice to have a tractor there

Yep!! Upgraded mine

Nope. It just passes from one generation to the other. ...So far at least.

If it makes you feel any better (it probably don't) but the ol girl did go to someone who really appreciates her and will give her a good home. Really enjoyed the show and meeting yall. Big thanks to you and @Achtofor pointing me in the right direction on the throttle and choke cables for my 701 and have them on the way.... I was surprised at how many times I had gotten asked about what sqrlgtr stood for at the show. I used to love to squirrel hunt when I was younger and that handle was short for squirrel getter. Agree a squirrel Gator would be cool but scary and probably would have keep me from hunting them ... I prefer to be the predator and not the prey....

Forgot about these too ... @Sparky knows ... Thank you @fast88pu !!

A few mower decks and this is the only machine I bought.

58 years later and still representing. Pulling a rookie out of the pond spill way. 1257 that came from the big show and she jumps right in and goes to work. @WHX??trained her right 👍🏻

Took out the five RJ’s for a breather! My twin granddaughters are going to do some riding today! It all started in 1960 when dad bought a 1958 RJ. ! Now I have five great ones - one for each grandkid if they want one! The RJ’s propelled Wheel Horse into the great company that manufactured these garden tractors. 1958/59 RJs had 22 attachments. IMG_0859.mov Wheel Horse made 24,000. Of them and garbed $2.5 million in profit to be able to build a brand new factory on the South Side of South Bend on Ireland Road!

I heard plenty of comments about never hearing that horn again. Blow it buddy, and live up that childhood memory! Everyone’s baby cries in a restaurant at least once in their life. I was a parent of a young one too. Instead of being annoyed, it makes me remember those glory days.

The BBT's livingroom reorganizing is going well. New shelves and TV stand built and installed. Other shelves gone. Stuff moved. MUCH better.

I represent that... Kevin - You can follow Alex's advice right after you get my new Black Hood ready...

Magnums were not. I fixed my original post.

That little guy was having a ball ! Go man go !

I LIKE IT !!!

Now put it to work!

I continually tell myself why I can’t get rid of some. Sentiment, a single need or use, what have you. However, I got along fine before without them too. I have a feeling in the next few months to a year, I may get rid of some that I wish I didn’t.

One thing to keep in mind: Kohler K series engines and Magnum engines (single cylinder 10-16hp) are the same engine. The only difference is that the Magnum blocks were not drilled and tapped for points. The crank, cam, valves, rods and pistons are interchangeable between K and Magnum. I have more than one Magnum 10 and a 12 that both have K301 embossed above the PTO shaft. Same casting, just bored differently. The main difference is the aluminum bearing plate, starter mount, and most of the K series had points. Also obviously the tins and flywheel.

Mrs. P’s “Frank” has the seat turned backwards, with a steel adapter to go from the hydro 4 bolt pattern to 2 bolt spring seat pattern.

That outage started on Sunday and no sign of coming back on line. The Big Show dodged a bullet.

While some of you up north have just finished planting, or like @ebinmaine are just planting now. Our corn is about 8+ ft tall and most of the ears have been picked. The green beans were in front of the corn and were done. So the new plants are Okra and Peas. Most of the ear corn has been harvested. All blanched, then some frozen on the cobb and some cut off the cobb. The camp has 5 miniature Longhorns in a large area next to the garden. I have them spoiled and they come running when they see us at the garden. Sesides the shucks, I've begun cutting 5 corn stalks a day and had feeding them. Tomatoes have been good, but the 90+ temps have stopped them blooming/producing. My wife blanches then, peals them and freezes them in ice cube trays for future cooking use. The green pepper have finally begun producing, not sure why it took this long. Stuffed peppers for supper last night. My wife has made about 10 jars of pickels, as well as lots of cucumbers eaten fresh. No pictures, but the yellow squash are about done and will be replaced with more okra or peas. No pictures, but we have 3 water melons and 3 cantaloupe on the vines.

It's always a pleasure with Terry. Fortunately he's still cranking out incredible decals. I just received these this spring for Dino. It never hit me until this morning when I saw this thread. This little display on the wall behind me here in my den could be a tribute to his fine work. The banner, the cards, the still sealed popcorn and the sign. The sign caught my eye when I saw it on his site and realized the Suburban used for it was mine. It's the same picture used for the banner with the stack and background photoshopped out. Cool! Also a Wheel Horse rye bottle from Steve, a mug from Richie, a coffee cup and ink pen from Highway 19 Wheel Horse sales and an ink pen and key fob from Chandler Wheel Horse sales.

Was great hangin' with you @sqrlgtr. I always enjoy meeting new friends.

Thanks for posting this pic @sqrlgtr! Thats me in the middle with the thumbs up! The big show is best for hanging out with friends! BTW, is your user name squirrel gater? Or squirrel getter? A squirrel gater might be cool!

That’s an old photo too. The shiny red machine second from the end has gained a faster engine, some skis up front, and some other goodies. I recently traded for another one too, and gave it to my daughter’s boyfriend.

That is the best part of the show, Good Memories.

I kind of upset with myself for not stopping to shoot the breeze with those guys. I did pop in, but just for a brief moment. Many of those guys are part of the core of Red Square. I guess I didn’t get a chance to say hi because I was out kibitzing with other folks, shopping and admiring all the tractors!

She better keep an eye on it. It may end up in Hawaii!

Also brought home some bent screws on the canopy.