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Nineteen years ago, Karl @Nylon-(Admin) and Mike @Sparky-(Admin) joined a high school student’s website that was created as a school project. Since that time over 30,00 members from all over the world have joined and over a million posts have been made on over 90,000 topics. Yes, I am talking about Red Square. It is interesting to find out how people first found Red Square and what made the keep coming back. Pleas post your “How I found Red Square” stories.

Has it really been 19 years? Here’s how I got here (long version): Growing up, my dad traded our old Springfield for a new 1974 C160 Automatic, and it was my job to mow the entire ¾ acre with the 36”RD and Parker sweeper. In 1993, it was my turn to buy a house, and having much more property, the only tractor I could think of getting was a Wheel Horse, and I bought a brand new 416H with a 42” RD Recycler. I used that tractor only to mow the lawn, but in 2006 I decided to buy some attachments, I couldn’t decide between a plow or blower so I hit the web to research. I am not sure how I found it, probably a search, but I found whtractor.15.forumer.com and joined as member #5. There wasn’t much discussion there except for one guy, member #2 @Sparky who he and I began to talk on-line. In those conversations, I decided on a snow plow and found the entire package, a 414-8 with plow, 42”SD deck, wagon, cheap sweeper and JD Dethatcher mounted to the mule drive. The rest as they say is history, I took over the management of the forum shortly there after, then became highly financially involved in 2011 by purchasing software, cloud space, and investing a lot of time and money to move from the failing forumer platform to where we sit today. For those who remember, forumer completely crashed literally 1 day after I got 99.9% of the data moved, the timing was unbelievable we almost lost RedSquare that day. It’s been an amazing 19 years, and so happy I was looking for a plow one day and stumbled here. Our members here are the best and I am grateful for all the support throughout the years, looking forward for the next 19 years! Thank you all for sticking around!

Looking for parts for a 1067 that was already on a scrap pile. Wandered across a site called Red Square and wondered what the heck does a place in Russia have to do with a lawn mower. Accidentally clicked and the rest they say is history. Wow they actually have a manual for it. Now i have to put up with the likes of Achto and The Pullstart and a whole host of other ! fellas!

It’s all Bob Rock’s @whlpny fault. I needed a new lawn mower and was kicking around the idea of something new and modern, but saw this really awesome looking old lawn mower. Yeah, I had wool over my eyes too. When I got there, I was a little upset that the mower deck was gone, the whole reason I went looking to grab it! He had the deck on the scrap pile, nobody wants those for a garden tractor. Tractor? This cute little thing can’t do tractor stuff! He told me about the wealth of knowledge of this forum, and when I got home I joined. That was June of 2013, if I recall correctly. Honestly, reading Karl’s story about the almost crash in 2011, blows me away that the place is still kind of young. The shirt I’m wearing this morning is older than Red Square! My cute little mower:

I was in the tractor scene and was pretty much a WH guy but would bring home anything if I could flip it for a couple bucks. Posted up on Craigslist a Craftsman lawn tractor and a guy named Chris from two towns over reaches out to me about it. We talked price and eventually settled on a number, then he asks if I could deliver it. Didnt really want to, but decided I would. Get to Chris’s house and he’s a “kid” ..I had no idea as we were using the Craigslist messenger system. He shows me his tractor stuff and he had a 702 (and maybe a Black-Hood?). We exchanged phone numbers and did a few other tractor deals and became friends. Fast forward to his high school years and he asks me to join a tractor forum he started as a high school project, had zero members other than himself. I became member #2. Left to right: Chris @whchris, me/Sparky, Dustin @DMESS , Karl @nylyon

Back in the pandemic about 2021, I was looking for projects to work on. I was also looking for something to mow the small lawn I have. My brother had just bought my next door neighbor’s house. A Wheel Horse garden tractor came with the house, The tractor was a 1992 312 -8 that the neighbor had owned it since new. Interestingly enough, That was the tractor I had mowed the neighbor’s lawn with for years when I was a teenager. My brother had decided to sell it. So the tractor was sitting outside by the road for sale. The starter had begun to intermittently give up. You could however, start it by jumping the solenoid and smacking the starter. I saw it sitting there and asked him what he wanted for it. He decided to give it to me. Then began the task of fixing it. I looked up “how to replace Wheelhorse starter” or something like that on Yahoo or Google and the results brought me here. One Amazon starter purchase later and steadily fixing the smaller issues, and I was mowing my lawn. That tractor my mowing tractor has now been repainted IH red, and mechanically for the most part sound. After two M&G at @JCM’s, A friendship with @ebinmaine and now two more mostly refurbished worker tractors, one of which was owned by a cousin, with a roller in progress, I’m still here. I’m a supporting member and accumulating knowledge, parts and (ahem) tractors… 😁 Happy 19th birthday Red Square!!!

Thank you for all your work and investment to make this what it is today. This has been a great asset to me and I'm sure all the other members would say the same. We be lost without it, and I think the hobby might not be what it is without this forum.

I was doing a case study on addiction and this site kept turning up in my search results.

Searching for info on a C-105 in 2015 that was gifted by my brother to my teenage son for his lawn and snow business... he went on to become a mechanical engineer and I remain fond of them... remains a daily fix... great people and great info... Thank you @nylyon and @Sparky!!!

National Pickle Day is on November 14 and it was created to celebrate the pickle as one of the worlds favorite fermented foods. Pickles prove to be preposterously popular with people across the country; the number of pickle-eaters is projected to proliferate to more than 250 million by 2026. That gives plenty of pretext to position November 14th as prime pickle time! The practice of pickling has existed for thousands of years. The process ensured a degree of preservation otherwise impossible in pre-modern conditions and was essential in providing a mobile supply of provisions for travelers as well as a dependable source of nutrition for those living through barren winters. While a diverse set of foods can be pickled, the cucumber emerges as the dominant food that most associate with the idea of both pickling and the word “pickle” itself. Archaeologists believe that the first evidence of pickled cucumbers originates from Tigris river valley civilizations, and the nutritional benefits of the food would go on to be lauded by such historical figures as Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. With all their popularity in the Old World, pickles would not make their appearance in North America until 1492. As you may have guessed by the year, the one responsible for their introduction was none other than Christopher Columbus. Pickles were included in sailors’ rations on his expeditions as a means by which to prevent the onset of scurvy. By the mid-17th century, cucumbers bought from Dutch settlers farming in the New York area were pickled and distributed throughout the region. This would lay the foundations for the territory to be the perfect site for the introduction of the kosher dill pickle. In the period of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, a large number of Eastern European Jews immigrated to the United States and settled in the New York City area. They brought with them the unique methods that produce kosher dill pickles, and these early iterations of pickles would develop into the now-famous and ever-familiar food available in grocery stores throughout the United States.

That was an awesome day @kj4kicks, secretly Eldon had obtained a C160 Auto (Just like my dad’s) and asked me if I wanted to do a trade for a C160 (in rough shape) for my Electro and one other which I forget what it was. Anyway, Chris and Mike came to my house, they knew what was about to happen, and we took my Durango and trailer to Eldon’s. When we got there, he opened the door and there sat one of the nicest C160’s you’ve ever seen. Eldon travelled a long distance, then painted the C160, it was a magical day for me.

Thanks to all who have been a part of starting, maintaining and managing RedSquare. What a journey. Knowing just a little about these things really shines a light on how much work is done. An useful Idea, one that has grown into the "go to for wheel horse" Just a search and I was there.Then a join and then supporter. I often think the core is the tractor.....not really it's the members. You are RedSquare!

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Red Square! We are all glad you were born! There wasn’t any cake, so I got you some “caption this” pictures from the archives!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RED SQUARE !!! My Dad had 4 Wheel Horses and a small lawn bussiness when I got out of the Navy. He had a 502 (all there but in pieces), a 702, an 857 and a Raider 10 with a good mixture of attachments. I would help my Dad if needed, but as he got older, the bussiness dwindled to nothing. He passed in 2002 and it was up to me to go through everything. When I got to the shed, I considered myself lucky...my Dad never threw out anything, especially if it had RED on it. I needed help. I searched the WEB and found a Kowasaki site. A guy named Jon Bell got in touch with me and pointed me toward Red Square. Even on the old forumer site, all were helpful...finally had manuals, advise and I imersed myself into Dad's horses. The rest is history, this place has kept me alive and well. I feel like I know almost everyone here. I have friends from all over the world, I love this place. Happy Anniversary Red Square and Thank You !!

I've developed and managed several forums (in varying platforms) back during the big online poker boom. I also made a living for a few years designing and selling graphic modifications for online poker sites like PokerStars and FullTilt. That became unsustainable when the US DOJ shut down online poker and the US. Since then, I've developed several websites for friends and associates (but still consider it a hobby). In all of my exposure, I will say with confidence, this is one of the best maintained forums I've experienced - so kudos to the admins! It also has the most respectful members of any public forum I've ever seen. The knowledge base here is incomparable!

I had owned a few Wheel Horses prior to buying my GT-14 in 2012. It was my first hydro and I wasn't sure about a few things and Googled Wheel Horse GT-14 which lead me to a few sites. I posted my questions on three or four sites. Got a rater rude response on one of them, nothing at all on one, but on Red Square I received good information from a couple of members and a bunch of welcomes. What a difference. I began reading other posts and offering suggestions on some I felt knowledgeable about and learning from other posts. This has become my only internet GO_TO site and I want to thank all of the people who have continued to make it so great.

Spot on Joe ... all the guys I have met and become friends with. Not to mention texting and yakking on the phone off RS. Going to the BS and hang with them. Definitely makes life all the more worthwhile and I often wonder if Coach realizes or imagned that when he started this.

After a life changing event in 2006 I needed strength to move on and my first time on a computer stumbled upon Red Square. At that time there was around 30 members if I recall. Lurked until June of 2012 and decided to sign up. Enjoyed it so much after a few years became a lifetime supporter. Best money ever spent and got my life under control. Thanks Karl and Mike. Much appreciated.

I accidentally crop dusted my FIL this past weekend. Shocked us both. I just never did that in front of him. I'm 55 years old and every other time I've ever done that, I laugh like an 8 year old. Guess you're never too old to get embarrassed!

Been awhile since my last overhaul...I am fortunate to have a quality machine shop to do the machining. He has also did one of my big tractors and 230ci engine in my M37. But like everything else it is getting costlier....Bore and hone .010 over $100 Grind crank $75 Insert and size valve guide $50 valve job $20

This is the only forum that I support and for good reason, like others have mentioned the people are very friendly and helpful on here. Which is to the credit of the Admins on here, they don't tolerate the couple bad apples that ruin it for everyone, so thank you guys for that! I joined in 2017 when I got my first Wheelhorse 73 12-8, I think I came across Redsquare in a google search. I grew up using a Raider 10 so I was already familiar with them. But have gained so much more knowledge since then, with much more to learn.

Here it is, post #1:

Prepping for winter, moved the mowing rigs to the shed and the plow rig to the garage. Seven machines (4 with decks on em) in my 10x20 shed!

Heart beat replacement for the C175. Met up with Lincoln from A to Z and picked up this KT17 series 2. Most likely will be after the holidays before I get the chance to install it. Looks to be a 1995.

Knowing how to do it is worth more than doing it.

I have a Gray KT17-2 also. same spec number (Wheel Horse) but by serial number 1987. Always figured WH ordered replacement engines to go in place of failed KT-17-1...

I got new shims and gasket for the M12 that was leaking oil. Reinstalled the bearing cover and checked the end play, Made some dowels to hold the 4 shims and gasket. Shims were .003 and gasket was .010. Used longer bolts to pull cover in while I tapped on it with a plastic dead blow. Whet smooth until the purple wire decided it wanted in on the action and drooped in between. I removed it probably going to reroute anyway. I did notice once the plate was seated there was no end play, I tapped the crank with the dead blow back and forth a few times and that loosened her up. Total was .008 I checked it before I took it apart and it was .004. I did add the same number of shims.

A post at the time, it was very frustrating period for RedSquare, this was when the site would go down for days at a time, October 31, 2011 we completed the move of all the data to here, losing no data, but all the hosted pictures and member emails and passwords (I didn’t have the time to get that) Forumer dies October 31, 2011 but RedSquare lived on!

Back when I had one I winterized my travel trailer by taking it to Florida for the winter.

All good advice. Do remove the hub locking bolts and make sure there isn't a second set screw in the hole.

55# Craftsman weights on, I’ll have to measure and see if Terry can make a fun decal to cover the Craftsman decal,

Kosher baby dills are my favorite. Back in school the was a little shop that used to sell pickles out of a wooden barrel, they were about 8" long and they were enough to make a lunch out them; they cost a nickel a piece.

HAPPPPY ANNIVERSARY

Here's the puller I made up when Dino was fighting me. I should have done this decades ago. Initially I just ran the bolts through the stuck hub. I was putting so much force into it that I got a bit worried about it so I made up a backer plate to disperse the pressure even more. After many days of keeping pressure on it and soaking it finally came off. I've got a third plate to make a backer that will go behind the entire hub which could come in handy but if the hub is too tight to the transmission case it wouldn't work. That would be a better choice on 3 hole hubs and the lighter 5 hole.

I can see Kevin cruising the cornfields wearing a tweed tam.....

If you use Kroil Penetrating Oil be extremely careful about getting this on your skin, face or eyes. This stuff is pretty toxic. I have used before and it does break down rust but it is dangerous to your body if you get it on you- clean it off fast! https://www.kroil.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AEROKROIL-NA-GHS-9-4-24.pdf

I sourced these lights off Amazon gor $25 for the pair. They are direct boltup, plug and play, no modification required. You can see the huge improvement they make over stock. I have included photos of the part number and the box they came in.

Once extensions are fitted final shape of yoke is cut and it is planed to final thickness Extensions are finally fitted . Once driven in and planed flush with yoke body it will not be possible to remove them without damage . It has now taken its final shape. Extensions are planed flush and face is planed smooth. Front face is planed straight straight and across . The back is now planed . Back will taper across grain. Purpose of that is to make yoke lighter and elegant rather than having a thick plank. Where it sits on animal’s neck it will be about 1-3/4” while on top will be about 3/4” to 1”. extensions will taper slightly on both sides. Finally both faces are finished off by scraping them with a scraping plane. This will eliminate any tear out from the plane in difficult grain areas. Final thickness of yoke

Built my FIL a locking swivel seat for his Charger. He has a little difficulty getting on and off the tractor, so this will let him sit and swivel to center. Had to make two different adapters while trying to raise the seat as little as possible. But it worked out nice. Now we gotta figure out a latch for the fender pan. I have rebuilt the area under the seat that wears and allows rapid dismount over the rear of the tractor but I think it needs one more safety added. May use a hood latch from a semi between the fender and footrest on the left side. Can't load a pic for some reason. I'll add it later.

Yep machinist will be checking it out today

At tractor gatherings we often have contests in $h1'ting ones pants ain't that right @Achto. Not to mention dropping the kids off at the pool ...

Like @Achto always says the stock lights are akin to holding a candle in front of you.

Bread & Butter for me.

The crappy Chinese carburetors are generally a Carter 26 knock-off and your K341 needs a Carter 30. Lincoln's phone number is 717-821-5242, good guy to work with.

@Farmer Forbes have any KROIL PENETRATING OIL ? personally would remove the set screws , and get some kroil in all related areas , would also drive it around to enhance the lubrication creep , those hubs need lots of help in removal . never too early to get lube in the , set screw area , sitting at 12 o clock . so it can show you any soaking gain , pete

I have set a map gas torch on the floor pointed at the hub for ten minutes or so with the puller in place snugging it and giving the head of the puller bolt a love tap. Your changing the seal anyway so the heat is not an issue there. I use an old hub that I drilled out the threat to allow the 7/16 bolts to pass through.

Removing Wheel Horse rear hubs is one of the more challenging task on these tractors. 1st. Do not use a 3 jaw puller on the outer flanges of the hub You will break them. Remove the square head bolt that locks the hub to the shaft. Starting soaking it with a good penetrant like Kroil for several days. Here's a thread with several hub pullers shown. The key is to use a puller that goes behind the hub and pulls as close to the shaft as possible.

hi and welcome to my wheel horse tractor forum i hope you all enjoy it and would like any suggestions you have to go on the suggestion board and would also like you to keep it clean or you will be suspended from my board thanks and have fun chris

Bore and hone is about that here. Guides.... I dunno IF that can be done. Valve grind around here is more of a hand lapping sequence on small engines. There's a more concise shop further away. They definitely do good automotive work. Small engines.....???

I made this one for pulling C series hubs. Still did not budge the one I had to split the case on.....