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Ed Cole took photographs of the collection in 1991 to orient Minneapolis Saint Paul employees to the different products made over the years. Toro has now closed the South Bend plant. The museum tractors were at the Ireland Road plant, the dusty ones were at the distribution warehouse in Elkhart. Ed’s photos are shown as forty-four images in the gallery album “Wheel Horse, Inc. Museum Tractors.†What is the disposition of these tractors today? Has the collection been scrapped or sold? Are they available for the public to see?

I got to thinking a few months ago that it might be interesting to use the family tree concept to map out the entire wheel horse family. It's easy to plot right from an RJ up to a black hood knowing that they evolved into round hoods, short frame, long frame, hydros, etc, etc I'm up for drawing this up, but might just need a little help as whilst I know my wheel horse onions - I'm by no means an expert I think as a point of reference it could be incredibly useful esp. when it comes down to swapping out engines, transmissions, etc. Here's a quick sketch of what I was thinking, thoughts??

I did repairs on Lionel trains in the late 80s and early 90s before the electronics took over and made train repair impossible,"taycotrains" was the name of my side business. TAYlor COmpany TRAINS .....The name just stuck.

That is so cool Scott! I'm sure it makes the kids proud and they deserve it. It goes without saying that this entire forum is proud of them and of you as well. What you are doing for these kids is just something we don't see anymore.

Well I must admit that I have dropped the ball on updates. For our loyal followers, we are still plugging away and making progress. The end is in sight!!!!! We managed to meet the entire summer and only took a couple weeks off. We didn't miss a beat once school began again in the middle of August. Things have been very hectic on my end and I apologize for not sharing the updates that many of you look forward to on a weekly basis. I will try and pick up the slack! We have been lucky enough to show off our projects in two parades, received many compliments, and a group of kids that don't understand the word "quit" Thank you to everyone that has supported us......who would have ever thought things would have turned out the way they have. We are truly blessed! Here is one picture I snapped tonight. The past two days the tractors have been on display in the front entry way of the school so the entire student body can admire the craftsmanship of the kids. We will be rolling them back in to the club barn tomorrow to work on getting these closer to completion. I will try and get some other pictures posted soon! Here you go...........

I had to go over to the neighbors this evening. His "Orange" tractor won't move. Yep.... he was correct. So I pulled 6 crazy hairpins and removed the deck. Then I grabbed the steering wheel to tip it and put blocks under the wheels so I could look under it ............ I about flipped it over on me when I gave it a good yank. WOW.... that's light! Anyhow ... the problem is a melted plastic idler pulley. The bearing is not smooth. Comparison.... The "RED" one ready to work. The "Orange" one napping.

He can talk about it here, we have the other brands section. If someone gets offended that's their problem, people can do whatever makes them happy. I do most of my mowing with a Cub Cadet Commercial zero turn, wouldn't want to get the Horses dirty you know.

Been my nickname for a long time. Went to get personalized license plate for the bike, Burly had already been taken by some woman in Cleveland who already had the plate, so we improvised, came up with Brrly1 and thats me and has been since I landed the first computer that my kid sister gave me, with her thinking I needed to be knowledgeable about computers. So here I am Brrly1 P.S. Some woman in Cleveland with a nickname of burly scares the daylights out of me just thinking about it.YIKES!!

Found a tractor listed on CL with snow cab and two stage blower, less than 100 hours on unit. Older gent moving from WI to AZ, he had purchased new for $5500 in '96 per dealer receipt, owner's manual, and service records. It had never spent a day outside of his garage. Thought I had uncovered The Great Find, and started dreaming about owning a near mint show tractor driving over to his house, caller #1 baby! As we were opening his garage, he first mentioned that it had gotten "a little rusty" from the salt on his driveway. Soon discovered that would be like saying Dolly Parton is a "little busty." There wasn't a piece of tin on it that wasn't covered with rust and bulged up paint scabs over top of rust; it had even undermined the decals. It started okay, but moved really slow even at full throttle. That is the second 520H I've passed over that went really slow even pushing the hydro lever forward, and I thought they were supposed to go even faster than my 8 speeds? He said; "I didn't bother to wash it because I didn't know anybody collected Wheel Horse." So, for lack of a hosing off each Spring, that ultra low hour garage queen was ruined by rust... I was distressed, and I figured that after the rust pits the metal that bad, and the chrome air cleaner is solid rust and even the hood louvers are all rusty, it wasn't worth even $1K to me. I suppose some would have parted it out and made money, but I was too disappointed and figured maybe someone better equipped could restore it... Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section. "wyzmark"

Scott, you are the kind of teacher that makes kids want to go to school. You epitomize the dedication one looks for in a teacher. Your dedication to these children will remain in their memories long after you are in another place. They will tell their grandchildren about you and I bet a few of them are inspired to become teachers themselves and carry on the fine tradition you have instilled in them.

Some may not like the Briggs but I bought my GT 1800 BRAND NEW in 1984 and mowed commercially with it for almost ten years. Also tilled countless gardens, plowed tons of snow. That ole' gal still runs like a top and is currently resting comfortably with a 50" mid mount grader blade that gets some occasional use. They may not be red but those tractors are Wheel Horse through and though!!

A lot of the equipment was indeed restored. There was a Horse Sense article in about 1988 that told of a fellow named Gary who restored some items for the museum at Ireland rd. Geez, I've been at this a long time. Since 1987! Steve

When Toro moved out of South Bend they put these tractors on loan to the Studebaker National Museum. The museum displayed a handful of them on and off for years, but obviously their focus was on a different kind of old iron. So the majority of them sat in storage in the attic. In 2000 (I think) at one of the first WH shows in PA I heard from Ed that these were at the studebaker museum after I asked him whatever happened to the tractors displayed at the Ireland rd plant. In the winter of 2000 my wife was interested in a job in South Bend, so I called the museum and was put in touch with one of the caretakers who showed me around. It was awesome. Not all of them were property of Toro as I recall, like the 420lse which was owned by the city of SB. As a side note, my wife had planned to cancel her interview but I told her I was going to the museum whether she went up there or not since I was really looking forward to it and had made plans already. She decided "what the heck" and went for the interview. We moved up there in the summer of 2001. Anyway, the museum rotated the tractors thru the displays when they featured things like "Made in South Bend". Lathes, sporting goods, Oliver plows, etc. In about 2005 Toro had the trucks that delivered equipment to the Indy 500 pick up the collection and take it to their hq in Bloomington, MN. Great pictures! Steve

I know you want that Geno.

Not until you get a two place Wheel Horse snowmobile trailer.....

Funny you should say that Kerry, I have been thinking about a Wheel Horse powered wheel lathe I might have the use of a big lathe in a couple of weeks for cutting the centers out, if not I will be doing something like this.. The axle stand is for illustration purposes only Thanks Nick, I'm guessing you like Project "Why Not" The next step is on the way. Thanks Mark, it's nice to finally see this project moving in the right direction.. And on to today's fun and games, starting with the remains of the frame that the engine top mount was once attached to.. I only needed the threaded tube bit's.. You can just about see it in this balancing act of bits of metal.. Its the bit with the masking tape on it that was being marked out for more trimming. After a day of careful measuring, cutting, welding and getting really confused until I realized the radiator is mounted on the engine an inch more to the right than left (why did Honda want everything on the outside of this engine offset from the center?), I had come up with most of the engine mounting frame.. I still need to make some cross members for it, but I'm happy with how it's turning out As I'm only using one of the engine mounting places at the top of the engine, I will be making some mounts which will go forward from the threaded stud and join onto my engine frame. So does the hood still fit? That would be a Yes

Purdue, Iowa, Western Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan St., Maryland, Navy, Wichigan, Minnesota, Texas St., Penn St., Missouri, Nebraska. Using a two-headed coin to pick em this week..

You can post the brand. The worse that will happen here is some good natured ribbing. There are a lot of older garden tractors that are fine machines. You just have to look past the John Deeres, Bolens, etc. that they sell at the big box stores now. One that comes to mind is an old (early 60's I think) Bolens my wifes grandfather had. It was very stout and had a differential locking feature I thought was cool. Take a look at one of the forums that covers all brands and you'll see some neat stuff. I think quite a few here have other brand(s) as well and there's nothing wrong with that.

Read My Signature!

There you have it! Only 1 person owns something other than a Wheel Horse!!!

She was the big hairy one at Sturgis!

Yes...but if you still have the trans attached to the frame...it works both ways. I always like being on top. I lied...I like the bottom also. Best answer...just like taping in a bearing. I use a punch (with a good edge)...you can see where you need to tap it and you can see if it is going in straight.

Jeesh! Tough crowd! Can't a girl get a break for burning her hand? It's tough to produce a video with one hand! So, here it is. Ed, it probably still wasn't worth getting up early for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plLoCF6tJpw

Not sure if I did this right but thought some may not have ever seen a Wheel Horse with a track. Found it in c/l.

Anyone ever seen one of these ? Owner claims it is a Wheel Horse UW-61 or 63.

They look great Scott

Looking sooo........nice Scott.

If the mounting holes were elongated they must have been loose at some point. You should be fine to just use it as is, once you tighten the rods they wont move arond. Wet sanding is easy, just dont spend too much time on the corners or edges and make sure the paint is cured.

Does this one help Geno? I have pulled the front plug wire off for better access.

I spent all day fishing on the river today...what a nice day...and we caught some fish.

Colgate WI. Nice pic.... you don't see the wide tracks very often. The 399 was the biggest they made in 1972. There was a 440 in 1970. There have been several posted up here over the years.

Looking the mutts already :D

Wow, Wow, Wow. What a great job. You are just moving along one step at a time and this is going to be one great project when it is finished. Can't wait to see the next step.

One could make a jig out of an old axle hub and a Dremel or die grionder with a grinding stone. With the die grinder mounted to a bar and a pivot point mounted to the old axle center you could grind a circle in the rim and eventually after several passes break through. The other way is to mount a lathe parting tool to a slow spinning drill press or motor. I have also seen people use hole saws with a custom pilot as well.

Mmmm the problems of chat rooms and social media.... Sarcasm is often lost. Being on this site and purchasing any other brand is akin to the Ghost Busters and the Stay Puff Marshmallow man. Don't say it, don't even think it..... Well most of us know how that one turned out. Really though best of luck with any other brand. Happy mowing!

Have seen model 400 serials range from 21900 to 37875. Garry

Well, I'm pretty much the blind squirrel looking for a nut this week. Picking a couple of FCS teams probably confirms that. Southern Illinois, Pittsburgh, Western Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Syracuse, Navy, Michigan, San Jose State, Illinois, Penn State, Missouri, Nebraska

5' 19" tall and been answering to Shorts for 40 plus years, I cant tell the whole story on a family forum

I love those that were filled with raspberry jelly. Those were the best ,, thanks for whoever bought

Some just don't appreciate things... If I pay 5500 for something... It's getting Waxed and a friggin blanket at night! Good luck in your search... Keep trying you'll find one...

Audi and Peugeot have both won the 24 hrs of Le Mans with diesel powered cars recently, Cummins engine sponsored oil burning Indy cars in the 60's before they went to the rear engine format. Lots of diesels cars all around the world except North America, I think that the Oldsmodiesel gas engine conversion debacle left a bad taste in the N.A. consumers mouths and they still aren't ready to try again. I've been driving a VW Golf TDI since new in 2001 and like the 40MPG, now 37MPG with the ultra low sulfer fuel, but with the premium cost of the car and fuel it would be hard to justify the cost premium when I replace it in the future

OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. OMG...it is not cool to pick on someones picks before the games are played. Man...that was close!!! :banana-linedance: :banana-linedance:

Brought home 520H #3 yesterday. I must have a hole in my head for bringing home another Wheel Horse. I think this makes 27 total now and I cant stop looking. Anyhow I went to an estate sale yesterday and found this 1989 520H with a 48" deck, plow, chains, wheel weights, mid mount grader, tiller and a pull behind spreader. Needless to say it found it's way on my trailer and to it's new home. It was running rough and initially I was thinking that it might be running on one cylinder. I sprayed a little water, from a squirt bottle on the cylinders with the engine running and got steam from each one. So I determined she's running on two. Then I sprayed a bit of starting fluid on the front cylinder and nothing changed, so I sprayed some on the back cylinder and she smoothed right out for a moment, so today I get to replace a head gasket. All in all it's in pretty good shape and should make an awesome snow removal tool this winter. It came with 4 really nice hub caps that should look really nice on one of my Suburban's or RJ's. My goal is to have a 520 for mowing, one for snow blowing and one for snow plowing without having to change attachments or maybe my goal is just having one more to tinker with who knows. Like I said---hole in the head.

Rob, Take a look at this video. I think that this is what we can expect. It is the nature of the beast. The side that he is talking about is not the side I am referring to. It is a different problem. The Legacy has a different muffler as well. John

My avatar is my first time !

Believe it or not, I did actually get some tools put away. Then I got sidetracked. My garage is an attraction for the neighbors and they stop by often. We had a few beers and after they left I decided to do a little more on the tractor. Got the shift plate on and the fuel tank. Don't want to get too far ahead as I know I will have to drill a hole in something after I get the foot pedal from Matt. I also got the brake band on and bolted down the dash pedestal. After I get the foot control all bolted up, I will put the wheels on and get it down on the floor to finish it up. I need to get new tires for it but that will have to wait till next month.

Nappy, my thoughts would be to start simple and get a few small victories under your belt first. I would trace back the wire from the headlights and wire that to the "A" terminal of the ignition switch. I would then find the wire attached to the "B+" terminal of the voltage regulator and wire it to the "B" terminal of the ignition switch. Turn the switch to the RUN position, and flip the lights switch and your headlights should come on. First victory and you gain some confidence in your wiring / tracing ability. Next step would be trace the starter relay wire back from the small terminal of the starter relay and attach that to the "S" terminal of the ignition switch. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and the engine should crank (won't start yet without the "I" terminal wired. Let's get this far - cranking and headlight s on - then we can go further.

I got the thrust bearings from McMaster-Carr yesterday. They are very fast at filling and shipping an order. Had to try them to see how they would fit. Will have to grind .015 inches off the top of the axle in order to get the top washer and cotter pin in. That won't take long and if what I hear is true it will make the steering a lot smoother.

i did a walk through on it not long after mike suggested i should try the solenoid setup on a starter gen.....