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Picked up an old beat up plow blade frame last year for this "back burner" project but since there is no way I could finish the current project I was working on in time for the show, this one got moved up front. It will stay a rat since the frame was already cut hacked and welded in a few places. Plus there will be no time for paint which is not my thing anyway. Maybe some parts purchases at the show will change that because the original plan was to do it much nicer with a much larger engine. Anyway, this will be the custom I'm bringing to the big show this year. Still have quite a bit to do but here it is partially mocked up. The springer front end probably won't be operational because of time but the future plan is to have it working. Trying to fit as many original Wheel Horse parts that will work on it like the handle bars, plow springs, brake drum, hubs, ect and all the little brackets and bars.

How about one of these Porsche Junior Tractors for your collection?? In closing this is as cute as a tractor gets...especially a Porsche tractor!You want the ultimate addition to your ranch or showroom collection...this baby is it.It is small and easy to handle, and is in fantastic shape!Asking$22,500 obo http://www.californiacar.com/59pjunior.htm

My wedding was yesterday and it wasn't traditional my wife and I each had a cake. Hers was a Harry Potter themed and mine was well...

at the after party

My father-in-law has been storing a WH for me for about 10 years. My dad dropped it off at my FILs a long time ago and I never had a chance to pick it up. My steering gear went out (three broken teeth) on my Suburban so I went to my FIL's to pick up the one there in the hopes I could get parts off it. I was expecting a Suburban or RJ based on what my Dad had previously shown me. I got this instead. I am going to pick up a battery at the hardware store tomorrow and change the oil. It looks to be complete but I am pretty new at this. I am definitely looking forward to the electric start if it works. It has a K161 motor. Serial Number is 62-7158 Any other info is appreciated.

The PO of our 82' C-105 (my brother) shared a couple of pics of one of his more humorous escapades with the WH back a few years ago... Mowing along when the front tire decides to fall off (bearing failure)...So he gets the trusty push mower, puts it under that side of the mower and with "Spare tire" attached, drives it in low 1 to the garage for repairs...Pretty ingenious for a guy in my family...or maybe not...

a year or so old restoration

6-5-1944 Allies prepare for D-Day On this day in 1944, more than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries placed at the Normandy assault area, while 3,000 Allied ships cross the English Channel in preparation for the invasion of Normandy—D-Day. The day of the invasion of occupied France had been postponed repeatedly since May, mostly because of bad weather and the enormous tactical obstacles involved. Finally, despite less than ideal weather conditions—or perhaps because of them—General Eisenhower decided on June 5 to set the next day as D-Day, the launch of the largest amphibious operation in history. Ike knew that the Germans would be expecting postponements beyond the sixth, precisely because weather conditions were still poor. Among those Germans confident that an Allied invasion could not be pulled off on the sixth was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, who was still debating tactics with Field Marshal Karl Rundstedt. Rundstedt was convinced that the Allies would come in at the narrowest point of the Channel, between Calais and Dieppe; Rommel, following Hitler’s intuition, believed it would be Normandy. Rommel’s greatest fear was that German air inferiority would prevent an adequate defense on the ground; it was his plan to meet the Allies on the coast—before the Allies had a chance to come ashore. Rommel began constructing underwater obstacles and minefields, and set off for Germany to demand from Hitler personally more panzer divisions in the area. Bad weather and an order to conserve fuel grounded much of the German air force on June 5; consequently, its reconnaissance flights were spotty. That night, more than 1,000 British bombers unleashed a massive assault on German gun batteries on the coast. At the same time, an Allied armada headed for the Normandy beaches in Operation Neptune, an attempt to capture the port at Cherbourg. But that was not all. In order to deceive the Germans, phony operations were run; dummy parachutists and radar-jamming devices were dropped into strategically key areas so as to make German radar screens believe there was an Allied convoy already on the move. One dummy parachute drop succeeded in drawing an entire German infantry regiment away from its position just six miles from the actual Normandy landing beaches. All this effort was to scatter the German defenses and make way for Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy.

An example of Jeff's work...which is obviously much better than my picture uploading ability.

I've not been looking to add to my collection but sometimes things just happen! On Friday I'd gone to my local garden machinery place (US - Outdoor Power I think) just to pick up a saw chain and out front was a WH. Now I've had many conversations with the guys there about WHs when ordering Toro parts and they've mentioned that they used to service lots of them at one time so I assumed it was in for a service. "You've got a Wheel Horse out front" I observed. "Yes and it's for sale!" came the reply, "We're going to put it on that auction site." It was apparently a 'barn find' that someone discovered on moving into to the area and as a non-runner the place had taken it in part-exchange for a new mower knowing that WHs are collectable. They'd got it running and discovered it was in good shape hence it was up for sale. "Why don't you sit on it, start it up, drive it round?" they suggested. Well, why not! No smoke, no nasty knocks from the Kohler, gears all worked fine and it was all so original and unmolested, a good deck for its age with no welding, even the lights still worked. Went and collected it today. It's a Belgium built Raider 10 eight speed made in 1972 I think based on the Amnor serial. It probably differs from the US spec as was usually the case but it should have the hood ornament which has gone missing - no worries I have one in stock, must have known this tractor would come along!. Here's the walk round photos... It's obviously had a replacement starter at some point and wow what a difference that makes compared with the other Kohler powered horses in the stable with their original motors. Interesting choke lever handle - its been made from a wooden door knob I think - actually doesn't look too out of place but I'll replace that. Even has what appears to be the original 70s style rear light lens - same as my D-200s have. Amnor (European) model number 1-0310 serial 126220. My Amnor serial list suggests this is probably a 1972 model but I'll get the Kohler serial tomorrow as a cross-check. The only issues that need fairly urgent sorting out are oil leaks from the drive pulley shaft seal and brake drum shaft seal, the latter making the brake band inoperable. I spotted these when I looked it over but they're minor issues in terms of cost. I discovered that the PTO bearing is 'iffy' when taking the deck and belt off and that the main drive belt is coming to the end of its life but that's about it so far. Andy

Bought this GT 14 today, It's been setting for many years, got it running, will report back in a few days with more info, Oh it has new tires in front and a new drive belt. and almost everything for the 3-point. sn. blade and deck.

Today I just scored a motorcycle lift. I've been watching Craigslist for one. I wanted one of these to make working on and restoring my horses much easier. This is the 854 I picked up a month ago. Wanna bring it back to life.

Yes I'm the other half of the AC Stables he's the brains and I'm the hands

Final update to this restore as I am calling it finished just in time for a long ride back home to the Big Show to visit. Enjoy the pics and Thanks to all who looked and those who commented.

Once you have a loader you`ll never want to be without it. The older I get, the less appealing a shovel and a wheelbarrow are...

I was told that these were home made parts and then I was told they are rare wheel horse special order parts. I don't know for sure and I was hoping for some help. If they were home made then the fabricator was perfect. The fenders are perfect and exact both sides. Weight basket is also perfect and even both sides.

Anybody who is a friend and relative of @ACman is OK in my book! If he is the brains you may be in trouble.

It’s been almost a year since I built my 312-8 loader and I wanted to share my experience. This tractor has been invaluable to me and I find new uses for it almost on a weekly basis. Upgrading the rear wheels to 26x12 Ag’s is by far the best modification i made. They provide insane traction, increased travel speed, and make the loader way less tippy. They also look great. This mod requires raising the seat pan 1” and using wider rims with the correct offset. 520rims are ideal but can be hard to find. The rims on my tractor are fabricated from two wheels (notice weld seam). Filling the tires makes a huge difference! The momentum of the fluid is very noticeable when plowing or plunging into loose dirt. The 26x12 wheels can hold almost 100lb of washer fluid each. I am currently not using wheel weights and I have yet to get stuck. I was previously running 23x8.5 AGs (unfilled w/ 50lb weights) and had serious traction issues, even with light bucket loads. Turf tires are useless. The 520 1” spindles and gear reduction steering are absolutely essential. This setup is so solid and certainly not a weak point. The amount of weight in the bucket is most noticeable in the steering. Even with the gear reduction system, the tractor needs to be moving to steer. It is important to know the limitations of the machine. I actually blew my differential by testing the traction. I bought these good year 26x12 super-terras used from a guy in CT. They were knife-sharpened to increase traction for pulling. The differential broke in 1st-low while peeling up un-disturbed earth with my bucket. This machine can easily load full buckets of loose-dirt and stone, but really shouldn’t be used for any real ground engagement IMO. What I love most about these tractors is that I was able to replace the transmission in less than 4 hours. I have used the snot out of this machine. It is awesome for what it is and will suit my needs for years to come. Thanks, -Justin These old wheelhorse carts are huge and take a heavy load! Was gonna sell it, but i am finding too many uses for it. ^Loader as is sits today. AG's up front simply for the looks. Its definitely pretty worked and dirty. ^These were all pulled out of the woods behind my house. Couldn't have done this without the loader. ^ I moved this rock no problem. Its a giant. ^ I moved this rock too. ^ standard hitch added. All the parts are from harbor freight. ^ I bough this hitch because it had the lower mount I need for towing my cart. ^Knife-sharpened endges. Notice weld seam in rim. ^ Tractor with 23x8.5 AGs.

Welcome cuz you made it ! You'll figure it out . Don't beat your head into a wall Wouldn't have any horses if it wasn't for you . Thanks for the addiction it's fun watching you work ! And I'm sorry for all those when your were a kid

I got a really nice light put into my blast cabinet and have used it quite a lot in the last week or so on my wife's Gilson project. Well today I was going to blast a really rusty rim and even though it was "light" inside the cabinet, I still couldn't see because of all the dust. I decided to connect the shop vac to the vacuum port to expel the dust. This was a very good idea. When I assembled the cabinet I used a lot of silicone sealant on all the areas that could possibly leak. With that being said, I know my cabinet was going to be air tight....In fact, so air tight that the vacuum collapsed the cabinet bending the top piece of metal and busting the glass......Now it is really hard to see into the cabinet. Note to self.....Remove the vent cap in the back of the cabinet next time I try the vacuum trick!

Dont know why. I just saved it from the scrap yard. 418-A with deck for $200. Guy said if he disnt sell by next week he was calling the scrap guy. I'll give it a good home.

Jim, That is a good point about the trasmission. The 312 is from the 90s and did have the 1-1/8 axle 8-pinion diff. I replaced it with an identical transmission from a 416-8. Regarding your engine choice, I find the single 12 to be sufficient for everything I do. A 14 or 16 single would be my first choice for a loader. The singles are extremely reliable, fuel efficient, and much quieter than the twins. They also like to sit and idle, which i find myself doing a lot. I just love the quiet and unremitting heartbeat of a single kohler while manually loading the bucket or tying up some roots/ vines to pull out. Although a 20HP Onan chugging through 2 feet of snow is a sound I cant get enough of. Thanks for the feedback, -Justin

LOL! Hence the hammer??

Congrats to you both! Now the Ms. will need her own Horse too!

Another small victory!! Able to remove rusted in pipe nipple for muffler and able to loosen rusted slot hitch. Used a half & half ATF fluid & Nexgen mix on the slot hitch. Came up with the mix from one of the threads but had no acetone so improvised.

Another Michigander is always good!!! Are you associated with AC man? Always enjoy his posts!

All the best to you both! May you have many years of happiness together.

CONGRATULATIONS Health wealth and happiness to you both!!!

Nice score, but...you've got some safety issues there...with that narrow lift. Gotta figue out some way to make some table extensions, to get it's surface wider. Heaven forbid, it tips over...will put a world of hurt on you. Just sayin'.

This is how it looked when I dragged it out of the barn I'm restoring it now I didn't know if I should put them back on or put The right fenders on.

Could be repurposed fenders from another make of Garden tractor, look factory made. If you want a conversation starter for your Suburban I would say that will do the trick; lots of folks will come up and tell you what they aren't.

Craig, shucks man you finished that bumper/weight bracket to make it look that good I just had a vision then cut milled drilled the steel...,Jeff.

Bob, I've had this tractor a week or so now. There are two set screws, one of which was a bit loose. The hub was sloppy as if the axle was too small. Not in a rotational manner. After I tightened the set screws that went away. I plan on pulling the hub this week to see what's lurking inside.

@Lane Ranger That is nice, but I am about $22,300 short!

6-4-1924 Cecil Elwood Pond was born Cecil Pond was an American businessman, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was the founder of Wheel Horse Products Co. Inc., and was the primary inventor of the modern American Garden Tractor and riding mower. Pond was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Elmer and Ann Marie Pond. He graduated from South Bend's former Washington-Clay High School, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1946, Pond returned to South Bend and in June of that year, married Betty Alber Pond. Mr. & Ms. Pond were the parents of three children: son Gary Pond, and two daughters, Linda and Constance. 1946 saw the beginnings of Pond's manufacturing future. Pond joined his father Elmer, who at the time was building two-wheel lawn tractors (which the operator would walk behind) from angle iron, surplus motorcycle and automotive parts in his garage. At first, the Ponds' company was simply called Pond Tractor Company; however, they discovered another family member owned a similarly-named company. "Wheel Horse" was then chosen, and the name stayed with the company even after its acquisition by Toro. In the late forties, military veterans returning from World War II began moving to the vast new suburbs then transforming the American landscape. Their suburban homes had larger lots that demanded more attention—and the Ponds' riding mower found many ready buyers as a result. In 1954, Pond introduced his first 4-wheel lawn tractor, an event which altered substantially the lawn care manufacturing business. By 1957, his Wheel Horse Products Company recorded sales over $1 million (US$8,425,355 in 2016 dollars.) for the first time. Just two years later, the company's sales more than doubled, to $4.5 million (US$36,529,110 in 2016 dollars). In 1975, Pond sold Wheel Horse Products to American Motors Corporation. At the time of the sale, Pond oversaw over 500 workers at his plant and over 3,000 dealers were selling the brand. Cecil Pond passed away December 30, 2011.

holy crap! its like your dad and father in law have been hiding the treasure on oak island ! awesome surprise for you hope you can get it running cant wait!

Awesome advise , maybe a few speed limit signs dotted around would help to remind those to be safe . dont want anyone spoil ing the fun . have a great show chaps ,wished I was going . be safe

@Racinbob, I understand @ACman has a posse out looking for you right now, better hide!

I'm starting on restoring a Gt-14 that has been sitting in pieces in my father in laws barn for 20 years. He blew the engine and parked it. I plan on doing a complete teardown to bare metal. Where can I find parts diagrams for the mower. I have found them for the engine and transmission just no luck on actual mower.

I have access to two loaders here.A 440 JD track loader with a 1 yrd bucket and a Ford 3400 with 1/2 yrd bucket.They both do the job but I am thinking something more able to work up closer to things that don't like getting hit like the house or pole barn.I have many hours with a shovel moving dirt and am just about through with that as mid sixties approach.Good job Rexemouse.JimAnderson

Justin, I am still trying to figure out which later WHs have the 8 pinion transaxles .I sold a late 80's 310 transaxle to a member here that had the 1"axles.I have a couple of 14 horse Kohlers in the shop now waiting for rebuild and will put one on the Dark Horse for now.The 20 horse Onan is in pieces but I really like the smoothness of the thing.The 416h has me spoiled.Everybody is busy but keep us updated. A lot of oldsters like what you are in to.Luck,JimAnderson

wish you and the wife all the very best!! congratulations!!

@Monty72 There are plenty of manuals and other folks that will help out here on Red Square. We are in the process of redoing a GILSON. We used a lot of small zip lock bags for small parts and wrote on the bags what they were for, as well as taking a lot of photos. I can't stress enough to take MANY, MANY photos from different angles and mark the bags really well! (ask me how I know?)

Pretty much the differences between "B" and "C" series...the rear tires on the "B" are smaller. Otherwise same horses, 10 and 12 hsp. My B-100 My friend's C-121

Your dealer basically described a leak down test. You could probably rent/buy a leak down tester from the same auto parts store, however you need a supply of compressed air. With the piston at TDC of the compression stroke. You apply compressed air into the spark plug hole. Air could come out of the exhaust pipe (bad exhaust valve), the carb (bad intake valve) or the dipstick/crank case breather...bad rings. Some leakage around the rings is inevitable the tester will have a gauge that tells you if the leakage is acceptable.

wheeledhorse-man Must be your lucky day. looks well maintained, should be a good worker.

What a wonderful offer, your time and experience to help a fellow forum member in person. Racinbob is quickly becoming one of my favorite Red Square heros.

There's 4 seals. One in the end of the axle housings (sometimes they are double seals so 2 on each axle housing and 6 total), one on the input shaft and one on the brake shaft. As long as the hubs, pulley and brake drum come off it's a piece of cake to replace them. No need to open it up. Bearings would require opening it. Don't fret over that. It's really pretty easy. As I mentioned, I'd be glad to help you out. Once you see how easy it is you'll be off and running.