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Construction began on the 515 West Ireland Road Wheel Horse Factory The rapid growth of demand for Wheel Horse Garden Tractors was too much for the building that Pond had occupied for twelve years. On October 11, 1960, construction began on a new 46,500 square foot steel frame and masonry exterior factory building situated on 36 acres of land on Ireland Road, South Bend, IN. The new factory was ready for occupancy in August of 1961, the move from the old Pond factory on South Dixie Way (near Pond Street, wonder if this was one of the subdivisions built by Elmer Pond) took place in time for the next year’s production. The 1962 models were the first built in the new plant on Ireland Road. They included the 502, 552 and 702. All three models featured the new front mounted engine and cast iron cased transaxles. The business was acquired by American Motors (AMC) on May 24, 1974. The company paid $30 million as it expanded into non-automotive markets. In 1982, Wheel Horse was spun off from AMC to Munn Investment Group. During this time some cosmetic changes were made, but frame and attachment design remained the same. In mid-August 1986, Wheel Horse was sold off from Munn and purchased for $8 million by Toro. Tractors were built under the Toro banner for the next two decades. The Wheel Horse name was eliminated from production after 2007. Today the building is occupied by Lock Joint Tube, a specialty fabricator of metal tubing products used by diverse industries such as office furniture, automotive, health care, display fixtures and exercise equipment. Chandler Sales and Service located next to the old South Dixie Way factory is thought to be the first Wheel Horse dealership.

There’s nothing more satisfying than using a Wheel Horse to perform a chore. Unless, of course you’re using two!

ML3……. Congratulations. You are the winner. Please send me your address and I will get it out to you this week. Thanks to everyone for being a supporter of this great forum.

Those are just bright LED bulbs off of the jungle site. They look bright but they really don't cast very far. (search 1156 LED) Better to add tractor lights if you need them for vision. I found a vintage pair in a box of crap I picked up in a barn sale, then replaced the bulbs with LED. They light up some ground!

National Chess Day takes place every second Saturday in October and is on October 11 this year. The royal game has been played for centuries, and despite its limited pieces and simple layout, chess is a complex art that has captivated players and viewers alike. Former President Gerald Ford said it best: “For both professionals and amateurs, chess is a game that sharpens the mind, tests human faculties, and encourages healthy competition. It has captivated the attention of players and spectators worldwide and will continue to do so as long as competition and excellence challenge mankind.”

Today I did something I’ve been meaning to do for years. Take the transmission and hydraulic system out of this 416-H. I took out the wiring harness and might save the spindles and steering wheel. This tractor was given to me and was already in rough condition. I lent it to a buddy to use around his farm. He is not known for taking good care of his equipment, so that’s why I let him use this particular tractor. Well after a few years of use he called me and said it’s making a funny noise. I went there and listened to it, it was knocking like crazy. Checking the oil I found none on the stick. I was not surprised or mad because I knew this could happen with this guy. Luckily the transmission oil was full so I drove it around and it worked fine. I brought it back home a few months later and it sat in my back yard for a few more years. So I decided today was the day to finally do this and junk the rest. While I was working on it my granddaughter decided that she wanted to clean and work on her tractor too! I was absolutely thrilled to have her in the garage with me! ❤️

I found what I guess to be the original hanging pouch from the showroom, the warranty statement, a safety brochure, some receipts for blades, filter etc. And some unique looking washers Anybody know what these washers are for ?

Replaced the shifter boot this morning. Annoying but necessary job.

My back yard tonight.

I didn't wanna go off on Plunge's thread ... ahhh to hell with him he'll get over it ... tellem EB made me do it...

That trailer too? Seems a shame to trash those steering wheels if they're good and the metal guys don't get anything for them. Cut the 3/4 rod as low as possible

I definitely agree. I was able to get my C-141 to where it is because of this forum.

Cylinder heads cleaned then bead blasted. They are nice and flat. Cylinder head bolts and washers bead blasted and painted. Bolt threads have not been blasted or painted.

The construction is pretty much wrapped up. Time for making it weather proof!

Fatigue crack / break repair on the 12 hp belt guard. May have been a candidate for "JB Weld, but I like brass. My question is what's happening to the old art of Brazing? Don't let it become a lost skill!

She really did well!!! She use yours for bait?

Rules... Gonna need pics...

Never known a Nor'easter, but we got one coming supposedly. But it makes pretty sunsets...

Just over 28 years ago I was on this house (my brand new house) nailing on the 3 tab shingles myself with help from a buddy that was good at roofing. Today I watched a crew strip it and re-roof it. Quite a bit of compromised sheathing unfortunatly. Done one day before a massive storm (rain & wind) will hit us.

Got these 4 lined up for a trip to the scrap guy. A buddy of mine is down on his luck and hauls stuff to scrap yards for a few buck to make end meet. So I figured I’ve picked off everything I’ll ever use off these and he could use whatever $$ they bring him. Left to right: GT1100 … C-81 … C-85 … 308-8

Morning all, just a up date, on my weight loss, feel great, back and knee's are happier, and so is wife. As of today 105 lbs, 8lbs to go for my goal of 230.

Rather than hoping the new gauge is compatible with a sending unit that is likely to be over forty years old you will be better off having both be new.

For those who have not seen the last day slide shows, here are a couple of links as well as the Wheel Horse Jingle.

The way many drivers don't see bikes I'm not too sure about that. May be better off having the sun ion my eyes and the other driver able to see me.

@953 nut Although I know there are pictures of the inside of the factory, I wish there was more. Perhaps even a video! I am the third owner of this clock that supposedly hung in the factory. The guy I bought it from bought it from a guy in Indiana who claimed he got it out of the factory. I wish I could had a way to prove this, just to add to the cool factor!!

I will say this: If you’re looking for a tractor that you can use as a loader and mow grass with a Wheel Horse is not your best bet. Unless you by two!! Once the loader is mounted on the tractor it’s pretty much committed to the tractor. Taking it off to mount the deck will be a very time consuming process and not just something you just easily switch back and forth. If that’s what you’re looking to do I’d look at a newer small JD or Kabota. Something with 4wd and power steering. Some of those tractors allow you to have both the loader and the deck mounted at the same time.

Thanks for all the help guys I will be going down Sunday to look at the lawn mower at least I know I can push it and find a tow valve. Or if it has a filter in the back of the lawn mower I can just push it with no repercussions thanks again to all you guys

Flux core welding can do most of what brazing used to handle steel on steel. No gas. Cheap equipment.

Decided this C-141 needed some taillights. Upgraded the headlights while I was at it. Still contemplating how I want to setup auxiliary power for some beacon lights, with winter coming. This $300 tractor has turned out to be a really solid unit! I had to double check the fluids since there were no oil spots on my garage floor - I thought maybe everything had run dry!

I cannot back up a 4 wheel wagon...pushing is much easier

You got a nice yard Bar ... and big! What do you mow with?

LOL! At 31 years old I was much better suited to be on the roof for days hand nailing shingles, those days are behind me.

@Sparky Funny you bring this up Mike, because 29 years ago me and a friend roofed my house. I just started getting quotes on stripping off the original roof and putting a new one on. There’s no way I would attempt that now even if I had plenty of help.

East shore on Mille Lacs MN after a fruitful day chasing walleyes.

The engine mounting holes are the same for all the short frame tractors. The Magnum height and length may be an issue with the hood

Those are used on the gear drive decks to attach the blades to the spindles. In remarkedly good shape - they usually are almost flat from over tightening.

Footrests and pads wiped down with contact cleaner to ensure a clean surface for the adhesive to stick to. Footrests masked off where adhesive is not required. Footrests and pads sprayed with two coats of 3M 90 adhesive. When adhesive had dried to a slightly tacky state I removed the masking and carefully applied the pads. I use the little roller shown to firmly set the pads into the adhesive and remove any air bubbles if any are present. Pads are fully installed.

Whew. I didn't win.

Both used 106234 tank for the two models I checked but you should check using the model numbers to be sure. There are 6 models of C-165 and 32 models of 312.

Muffler painted with high temp paint. It looks very shiny now but should dull down as the paint dries.

What I love about this forum. Everyone is always willing to help with the perseverance of this brand!

They are 10 - $40 on Amazon. This Bosch one comes with multiple adapters. Some cheap ones don't. Like Richard said why waste time on trying maybe to match your maybe working sending unit.

On the Eaton 1100 you will hear a slight clicking noise while pushing it, this is normal.

No additives for me. If it has a carburetor, including the '71 El Camino and '57 Chevrolet engine in the '47 sedan delivery. it gets 91 octane zero ethanol. I try to drive both vehicles 600 to one thousand miles a year. When we had a boat, the mechanic said to keep Stabil 360 in it so I kept it in all my carburetor engines but finally weaned myself off of it. The first question local small engine shop asks if the engine isn't running correctly and it seems fuel related "Do your run ethanol or non-ethanol fuel?" My generator's fuel tank it kept dry. In the fuel line, I've "T"ed in a smaller container that I use to run the generator every month or two. Then I drain fuel out of fuel bowl. If/when I need to use the generator for a power outage then I'll fill the main tank.

Iwas thinking about this post today. 1st week of January this year i put up my splitter..CR950 briggs, steel tank. I put it up nearly full of gas, ethanol gas, untreated. We had a foot of snow a couple weeks later then an early spring...the splitter sat out but under a mower cover up until this morning. I planned on pulling it out and start getting it ready for the season. I opened the fuel cap and looked in, expecting disaster but...shockingly it was clear fuel, about 1/4 tank. I smelled it, wasnt awful. Figured hell why not..I opened the fuel petcock and choked it, 3 pulls it fired to life and ran normally. Topped it off with fresh and changed the oil. Im not sure how i got away with it. But I know I didn't use it any after i split for 8 hours right after new years.

1990

Over the last few days in between work I’ve got my spare M12 buttoned up to possibly be run on the C-85. I also finally added a missing bowl gasket to the K341, once I brought them back from my parents house. I started to take off the shaker engine mounts. I’m going to set up the C-85 engine mount wise like the other three. And once I confirmed I had all the right and parking brake parts. After work I replaced the stretched parking brake spring and added a helper spring. I also lubed up the idler and rear end drive pulley.

The fellow in Rhode Island used to come to the Big Show. He also makes a receiver hitch and with that I use a HF 1-7/8" / 2" combo.

Very thanks