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I've been looking for a replacement small General Motors pickup from roughly 25 years ago in reasonable shape for 4-5 months. After reviewing untold numbers of CL listings during the period, I ran across what looked to be a reasonable mileage example in good aesthetic shape within a reasonable driving distance from my location. It was listed on CL in Louisville. Not exactly the next county over (a three hour one way drive), but a good enough prospect, I decided to take a day road trip 3hr 2min, 187 miles, per Mapquest. I was thinking.......OK Steve, you are wanting to drive to Louisville to look at a vehicle, so what if I couldn't find anyone (a local friend/neighbor) available on Saturday to go with me? Three strikes and I was out. Bingo. Reality sets in. My theory was, if it was something I really decided I wanted, I needed to get it out of Louisville THAT day. But with no drafted co-driver, I had a definite problem. In a eureka moment, I remembered Chaplain Manny, who I had never met, but with whom I have conversed extensively, not only here at RS, but on various WH FB sites, and by email as well. Manny was raised in Louisville, so I instinctively knew he would be an excellent guide and pathfinder in a metropolis I had no familiarity with, other than passing through on I-65 to go to Florida. So, I messaged Manny on Friday with my situation and proposal and asked if he would be available to assist me for a few hours on Saturday. He now lives east of Jeffersonville (across the river from Louisville, in Indiana) in a very small rural town. He replied and told me he was available to help me, given his wife and young son were away at a wedding he wasn't attending. I explained the situation generally, and to my amazement and luck, Manny agreed to help me go into Louisville on my long bed S-15 quest. I arrived a little after 9 am at Manny's residence (following a three hour drive) and Manny proceeded to guide me into the bowels of Louisville. Traffic was horrific for some reason on Saturday morning on both southbound bridges over the Ohio River into downtown Louisville. Manny speculated there had to be some big event going on downtown that morning, but we never did learn what it might be. I would have definitely lost my cool sitting and waiting for traffic to start moving and the stress of trying to navigate the unfamiliar interior of a major urban jungle. But Manny took it all in stride and we eventually maneuvered around the bottlenecks and we got to the desired address in an area of town known as Germantown. So the short of it is, I bought the truck because it was in excellent shape for a 1990 model with reasonable mileage given its age, and Manny drove the station wagon while I followed in the S15 and we went back north across across the bridge over the Ohio River leading the way back to his place east of Jeffersonville. Generally speaking, the theory "move your feet, lose your seat" applies to CL items, because they can move very quickly and you usually have to have your ducks lined up and be ready to act promptly, or there's a high risk of losing your chance. With Manny's help and assistance, I was able to achieve my goal. Manny let me park the truck at his house until I can draft a friend into a day road trip to go retrieve my little S15 jewel later this week. When we got back to his place and he showed me his Wheel Horse collection and ongoing projects and we philosophized about life a bit before I left. Manny is a great caring and helpful person with a warm and outgoing soul. He has considerable health issues for a male of 56 years of age, but he does his best not to allow that to distract his quality of life and daily routine. I now consider him to be a friend and buddy and not just a correspondent........having met through our mutual interest in Wheel Horses, GT 14s in particular. Steve ___________________________ Manny & me. Manny in front of my purchase. My "new" S15.

A Kohler sign! Not exactly wheel horse but hey they do power them! Scored this 3ft metal sign at antique mall down here. I was very happy!! Just gotta hang it tomorrow...

I took my Brother to Erie last week for his annual fishing trip. He really enjoys Surf Fishing for the Steelhead and this year was a Banner year. He got to fish the surf everyday as there was a dominant south wind. He caught fish every day and we only killed one that bled. A beach comer happened by and wanted it so it worked out good.

10-10-1952 The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet debuts on ABC Before the show aired, Ozzie Nelson persuaded ABC to agree to a 10-year contract that paid the Nelsons whether the series was canceled or not. The unprecedented contract and Ozzie's insistence on perfection in the show's production paid off in the show's remarkable longevity. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet premiered on ABC on October 10, 1952, staying until April 23, 1966; in 1962, it became the first prime-time scripted series on American television to reach the 10-year milestone. The show strove for realism and featured exterior shots of the Nelsons' actual southern California home at 1822 Camino Palmero Street in Los Angeles as the fictional Nelsons' home. Interior shots were filmed on a Hollywood Center Studios sound stage recreated to look like the real interior of the Nelsons' home. Like its radio predecessor (which finally ended in 1954), the series focused mainly on the Nelson family at home, dealing with everyday problems. As the series progressed and the boys grew up, storylines involving various characters were introduced. Many of the series story lines were taken from the Nelsons' real life. When the real David and Rick got married, to June Blair and Kristin Harmon respectively, their wives joined the cast of Ozzie and Harriet and the marriages were written into the series. What was seldom written into the series was Ozzie's profession or mention of his lengthy and successful band-leading career. The popular joke about his career was that the only time he left the house was to go buy ice cream. According to his granddaughter, actress Tracy Nelson, Ozzie went to Rutgers to study law and when pressed would tell interviewers that the TV Ozzie was a lawyer.

Thanks Glenn! When I seen it I was like a kid in a toy store lol And I got this Tecumseh gas cap box from owner of local lawn mower shop that has been in business for 30 years. It was free! Lol just another small decoration

Picked up this 58 RJ today! It has the shower head and the original heat shield and reel mower belt guard. Came with a deck, a tub cart, and a snowplow. Will get better pics later!

Most members probably recognize me for the 5xi tractors but I do have a few other Wheel Horse tractors, including my second favorite, the Blackhoods. I worked two of my three today. The C-145 came back from just sitting since I broke my ankle in June 2015. I was using it in the beginning of grass season while I prepped the 523Dxi ffor a trip to the Big Show. It never was stored properly but yesterday was a rainy day so I figured I would play around and see where I got to with it. Put a fresh battery in, it had spark, so I tried putting gas in it. Lets say gas flowed through the tank. It seems the mice were at this tractor, as well as my C-105, as gas came flowing out from around the valve. Called my local Wheel Horse (Toro) guy and he had two valves and grommets in stock. Using some new gas line I had, I re-ran the fresh line and added a fuel filter in-line while I was at it. Poured gas in the tank and second crank, it starts! Speaks well of Kohler K-series, Marvel Mystery Oil, and Stabil Marine additive. Not bad for sitting under my carport for 16 months unused! It needs a bath - really bad. After cutting the lawn, I needed to put down some Fall fertilizer. The DC-105 came out to do the honors with the spreader in tow. Its the perfect tractor as the torque available with the diesel never slows it down climbing my embankments. Plus it does have positive lubrication, unlike the K-Series, so I don't have to worry about starving it. A nice fun day for seat time!

I'm 100% new to WH tractors so take this comment with that in mind. I honestly typed "What is a Wheel Horse tractor?" into Google search and this site was at the top of the list. So I signed up. I've not had to go anywhere else as I've found and been offered all the information I need here. Heck I even got a PM from one of the members here with his personal phone number so I could call him with questions. Who does that now days? This was my first, and will be my only, stop for Wheel Horse information. Richard.

That Wheel Horse is the "SL-121" it's a custom built several years back. it had a nice write up LAGC magazine or the VGTCOA newsletter years ago. I don't remember the exact story, but he named it SL to honor someone called Screwy Louie, and it's a C-121 tractor. He's from somewhere around Peoria, IL (which is about 20 miles from the Blunier event), and I know he gets out to some shows once in a while. My brother-in-law told me he met him up at Franklin Grove a few years ago when he took these pictures of it....

My Grandson, Clayton, plays baseball on a 15U traveling tournament team that has done very well providing some great entertainment for his family. Over the past 5 years, we have played in international tournaments in NY, Del, SC, Va., and Ky. This weekend we played in a 17 team 16U tournament in Pottstown, Pa. finishing with 3 wins and a loss in the semifinal game. The highlight of this tournament was our third game win against the Philadelphia team that played in the 2014 Little League World Series semifinal game at Williamsport, Pa. You may remember this team and their ACE pitcher...Ms Mo'ne Davis. The only female to pitch in a championship LLWS game.

I have had my D-250 with a loader on it for over 10 years now and have had no problems with it of any kind just change the oil each year, a tune up and that is it. Used mine for my business up to about 3 years ago ( retired now) and never give up my wheel horse D-250s. Only disadvantage is no power steering but have just found a way to add power steering to it for just over $100. They are built very well with lots of power, Parts for the engine may be hard to come by but I have found lately new fuel pumps and new water pumps for them and may have found new after market mufflers for them (still working on that) . I am now building another D250 out of 2 parts D250s. I think they are great tractors for work and for collecting. Price on them is a wide range from about a few hundred to a few thousand depending on condition and what comes with it.

Just picked a 520h and plan to mow with a 60" deck on it. The problem is the tractor looks so tiny with the 23" rear and 16" front tires on it. Has anyone tried running 26x12x12 rears and 18x8.50x8 front tires with a 60" deck? That is what I would like to try but don't want to waste money on the tires if they won't clear. Thank you

Greetings. Wanted to share this Wheel Horse that's been in my family for quite a while. My dad remembers, as a kid, accompanying his grandfather to an auction where he purchased it. Probably sometime in the 70's near Fort Wayne, IN. It's been in the family ever since, and I guess now it's my time to look after it. Just trying to get her started up, she ran well as recently as last Summer, but I think the battery has given up the ghost. The one on the tractor right now is a John Deere StrongBox TY25221. Is that correct? Can anyone give me some direction in finding the proper battery? Also, I think I've got starter problems, as in the starter not always engaging the flywheel. I haven't even driven this thing in probably 10 years and so far all I've done is washed her off and put some wax on the hood, so please bear with me if I'm off to a rough start here. I do know a thing or two about cars and bikes. Thanks!

Dad had one for several years and eventually traded it for a BX23 because he wanted a backhoe. He had the 60" mmm and fel. The Bx series are really nice tractors. The tractor is about the same size as a d250 and is small and nimble enough that you can run them safely even close to the house. The bx2200 has a surprisingly powerful engine for something in that size class. The 60" deck in thick grass doesn't even phase it. At all. And it sips fuel. His was as reliable as a stone fence except for one issue when it was nearly new (maybe 50 hours). The shift fork for the high/low range fell off inside the transmission and wrecked it completely. One of those bizarre zebra sightings. Kubota replaced everything under warranty. After that, never an issue. Dad's sits in an in heated shed in a climate like yours. It starts right up in all weather conditions even if you forget to run the glowplugs long enough. The 4wd means no chains needed which I would expect would be great for asphalt driveways. Kubota builds the entire tractor. That's pretty much their philosophy across their product line: do everything in-house. Engines can last thousands of hours. The rest of the tractor is pretty much as solid as the engine too. Had a zero turn kubota with almost 4000 hours. Started and ran like a top every time. Really nice machines. Steve I should add that these "subcompacts" have what is considered a "limited category 1" three point hitch. You may find that some older implements are just a touch too wide for the hitch arms to grab. Usually, you can just turn the draw pins around (pointing inward) to compensate, but be aware that not all three point implements will fit. It's a trade off for the narrow tread width of the machine.

As 953 noted.....To run a "profitable" shop, you'll need to charge $50+ per labor hour. Figure the cost of rent/mortgage, utilities, equipment, insurance, all those antique decorations..... It's not just your personal time that costs you. Figuring in an average timeframe to disassemble, clean, strip, repair, paint, assemble a vintage WH, not to mention the time to search and find the replacement parts, of 80-100 work hours and you're $4000+ in labor to restore a small tractor. Who's going to pay that? This is the reason most body shops don't want to touch them. I'd love to do the same as the OP, just can't afford to lose my butt doing it. The numbers don't work. Now if you're retired, have a supplemental income, can work from home, and have nothing but time on your hands....go for it. If you and your family are depending on an income to live off, better think twice.

Last year my grandpa passed away and he was a big part of my life growing up. The only tractors I remember him ever having was international letter series tractors, ford tractors, and cub cadets. I have a cub cadet 106 and several other brands but wheel horse is becoming my favorite. When we were going thru things in his shop the other day dad found a manual for a wheel horse and gave it to me. It's a manual for 633,653 and 753, I asked dad did he ever have a wheel horse and he said yes but it was many years ago. Here's the really cool part he had circled the model number as a 653 and wrote the serial # of the tractor on the front. So here's the long shot does anybody have a 653 with the serial # 38815 it's probably went to a junk pile a long time ago but it never hurts to try.

I know no people in the photo but this was an awesome ride today

After getting the toolbox and fenders all polished up, I decided to do a little assembly. First though, was to cut the mat for the toolbox. I went to my local hardware store that carries all types of flooring, and bought a piece of rubber stair tread protector. After cutting it down to size, I drilled out the holes for the transmission fill plug and the two seat spring mounting bolts. I also decide to trim out the top of the toolbox edge with John Deere's rubber dash channel. I think it gives a nice touch plus will help protect the top edge. I also purchased some stainless steel hardware to mount the fenders. After the toolbox and fenders were ready to go and complete, I figured I might as well stay on assembly mode, so I mounted the toolbox to the transmission, as well as installing the seat spring, seat, and both rear wheels. I still have to clean up the left rear tire yet along with white lettering the tire, but I got excited and want to see some progress. After I stood back and took these pictures, I only realized that I never put gear oil in the tranny, so I had to figure out a way to get it in without having to disassemble anything. A small funnel and a Dixie cup came in pretty handy. The only other thing I did today was assemble the front axle and spindles to the frame. I think I'll wait and do all of my touch-ups after the tractor is complete. I don't like the unpainted look of the spindle tops, nor do I care for the natural look of the grease zerks.

One thing I stress to my wife when she passes a trailer on the interstate is to get around it as quickly as possible.I always try to minimize time spent next to any type of trailer.A lost wheel,blown tire or bad bearing can make any trailer a handful.Best not to be next to one when it happens.JAinVA

New here from PA. I just picked up a sweet 656 thats in pretty good condition (at least for its age). It starts right up and mows. It comes with some sort of home made plow and tiller. I plan to restore it and put it back to good use.

Just wondering what you all are using for fluid in your hy 2 or 3 pumps. And how long have you had your tractor running, and used or not used the hydraulic lift? How hot does the pump get? The reason I ask is I had The Machine out for a test run for about an hour and the pump was too hot to touch. Really looking to hear from those of you who have and have used an HY 2 or 3 pump. Thanks Tom

In this HY 2 Hydraulic Pump Manual it mentions filling with Wheel Horse # 4822 Hydraulic Oil which you could buy at the dealer. Not sure who made it and if we used it before that is long since gone from my memory! The fluid I use is Lucas Hydraulic Fluid. I bought a gallon and it should last me ten years !

It lives!!! Just about the time I was scratching my head in confusion HD-Horse called me and walked me through finding where the points were located and how to clean/gap them. Then he advised I bypass the fuel pump and gravity feed direct to the carb. As soon as I got those two things done I hit the key and fired her up. Just a couple little things left do do. I'm looking to order a new fuel pump for it but it acts like I'll be able to move it around and possibly mow with just the gravity feed. Richard.

8.5" On the later models. Earlier models were 7".

And Rick always sang a song at the end of the show.... Or I should say Ricky...... The girls just couldn't get enough of him!!!

You can pull the shifter out and fill the trans through that hole.

Yep belt drive removed... Chain and centrifugal clutch.....😭

Ah Ha, the belt guard is spaced off because the tension spring is on the wrong side. Spring should be connected on the other side between the lever and a small tab on the trans side plate. Small tab with a hole in it is bolted on with the side plate bolt below the axle tube.

Cleaned up the RJ a little today. I took off the extra custom stuff, and the stickers that weren't suppose to be there, and installed a Fairbanks recoil. Next is draining the bad gas, cleaning out the tank, putting good gas in it, then try to get it to run

I can tell you that getting a "clean" furrow is a real challenge at Bluniers. I took the main videos up above. It was my first time at Bluniers and it was a sight to behold. We turned about 35 acres of field in around 12 hours with only garden tractors. Of the previous 8 plow days held there, Steve Blunier told me personally that 2014 was the best that the weather and conditions have ever been for plowing with the little tractors. I'm planning to go this year and trying not to have that weather set as the bench mark for what the weather will be like this time! There were a lot of WH tractors there and I hope that more of you guys can come this year! Bring your horses, even if you don't plow with them. You can drive them around the vast farm, watch the plowing, and display them if you like. Those of you that want to work them, DO IT! Lots of fun. Watch this video to the end from Bluniers. First up is my cousin Mike on his modified Case called the White Knight. Second is a guy on a heavily modified simplicity, and last is a guy on a heavily modified WH just plowing away. Maybe someone on here knows him... As T-Mo and Ken stated there are many guys there that know what they are doing and do a great job, there are many novices there trying it out for the first time (I feel bad for those guys). They are surrounded by Cub Cadet and John Deere Super garden tractors with beefed up rear ends/hydros and modified 3 cylinder diesels pulling 2-10" custom made brinly plows with more ease than they can with their single 8" plow and 10hp tractor. However, many of those folks, especially the Bluniers, are gracious people and always willing to lend a hand and share their knowledge with someone who honestly wants to learn. So, now to your question...I assume you are talking about the big Cubs and John Deeres that are running 18-8.50-8 V61's on the front of their tractors. These tires sit just fine in most furrows and if you watch the video closely you will see many of the guys are running 4-6" front tires anyway. The most critical thing to a good furrow is to have soft enough ground so that the plow can be run deep enough to run plumb and nearly flat. When the ground is so hard that the plow begins to "chisel point" that is where your furrow wall looks like crap because the heel of the landslide is digging into the wall and tearing it to shreads. Guys that haven't plowed much will often put more suck (adjust the point down) on their plow to force it into hard ground. This isn't the answer either. that also causes the plow to run more like a chisel point. Some guys add weight to the plow to force it into the ground while keeping the proper adjustments--this is a better idea. With my tuned plows and tractors, I know it it going to be a tough day of plowing, if i drop the plow in and it doesn't grab and go like it should. No amount of adjustment will make the kind of clean furrows that we saw at Jim's Plow Day when the conditions aren't good. Then you just make the best of it and have fun anyway. It isn't a competition, just a bunch of guys having fun on their little tractors. The people that make it into a competition often take the fun out of it for those who are just there to enjoy themselves. At the end of the day, the tires have little to do with clean furrows...

When I was over at Jeff's (Wildside) place yesterday morning swapping horses, I took these two pictures of his C-160 Custom build. It's a great looking machine and Jeff did a great job on it. He'll probably be by later with his comments on it and can answer any questions anyone may have about it. I do know he's doing the deck also. One thing I learned over the years, that you meet some of the greatest guys when garden tractors are involved, regardless of brand. I have a good friend who is also close by who has over 20 Cub Cadets and 4 Power Kings, not to mentioned a nice Farmall Super A.

3 Yr.s ago I started restoreing My first one (C-160) and have gone on to building quite a few for people wanting original to extreme changes. Yall are right, the Hourly pay sucks but the Satisfaction is Awsome. I was forced into Retirement and this is a Great way to spend it. I've enjoyed helping a lot of People get into the WH community and I really do stay quite Busi. The small Business is a Great idea, go for it.

Thamks Terry, She is all done and left for the big city of Desoto where she already has a Fab Club. Someone will be getting a Brand New Old Custom C-160. I may have to dp pne more of these.

Nice score! You'll love that B-80. They steer so easy. Plenty of power too. I mow in 2nd. If the blades are sharp it will cut really well. I also bought a garage kept 1 owner B-80 5 years ago. It is a very capable tractor.

If there was a successful garden tractor restoration shop, people on this forum would know about it. There must be money in parting garden tractors. I have wondered if someone with a paint booth and a good inventory system could run profitable business. I know a family in Missouri that has done this for big tractors. It is called "Cook Tractor Parts." In the car world, I have admired the small company called "Healey Surgeons."

"Sherman Tank" comes to mind in terms of what they can do... Others with a lot more smarts than I will comment further...

Being a self employed hobbyist is probably not what was being referred to; was probably speaking of working in the mission field to improve the lives of the downtrodden. But, if this is the "mission" you are being called for and you aren't jeopardising your family's financial future I think it would be a cool idea. Most shops get $60 per hour for mundane tasks so anything less should seem like a bargain to your customers; though they will probably complain anyway. Farm out engine rebuilds etc. that could come back to haunt you if they go bad. Of course you will want to have a prayer corner so your preacher will consider this to be "your calling"!

I own a BX2230 also with 60" deck and FEL . There are a great machine , 5K is good price . You'll be pleased with the cut also . I've also found that the maintenance parts aren't to expensive .

I built my own so I could make it the way I wanted it. 18' with 3500 lb axles with electric brakes. I wanted something I could haul anything I have without worrying about it.

I had a 2230 Bob. Same tractor. 2005 54" deck with 500 hours and showroom condition. I got 8000 for it in June. Never had an issue with it except for the Temp wire broke and I had to repair. That tractor is well worth 5 grand in my neck of the woods. They are 13 or 14 new now here. What happened to the seat?

Since trailering may not be a big part of the interest on this forum, many might not know that 100 percent of ST (special trailer) tires are made in China or Thailand now. They are mostly junk. I replace them with LT (light truck) tires.

A "fish-tailing" trailer is often caused by the tongue weight being too low. Move the weight to the front. Demo I pull a travel trailer and look at how others are set up, needless to say, I keep as much distance as possible from any towed vehicle.

Attention to all newcomers! Words of wisdom above!

to the The 10 would fit in the C-81,but my recommendation would be to keep them both and use the C-81 as a primary mower in the summer and possibly a snow plow in the winter. The extra HP of the C=101 would be better for tilling and as a back up mower in the summer and for snow blowing in the winter. The tillers are not the easiest implement to install and remove. IMO, it is best to have a tractor for every implement. These 30-50 year old tractors are very dependable, but it is best to have a back up tractor for every task...especially snow removal.

I don't know you know what from Shinola but on my PK I use std R & O (Rust & Oxidation) Preventative Hyd fluid. If I had it to do over again I would have used maybe AW32 as the loader needs to be warmed up in cold weather to work properly. Being an old and not Hi Tech pump you probably could get away with Auto Trans fluid. Depends if the o-rings and seals have been changed. If it's all rebuilt any good hyd fluid should work. Somebody here has to know what was originally used. I would ask @Lane Ranger

i made my own, http://myoldmachine.com/topic/2415-wheel-horse-front-weight-from-bits-n-bobs/

That photo with the ball visible is amazing!!!

Those two Gems are owned by Bill Orr .

Ok, first thing is to remove the mowing deck and put it somewhere you won't trip over it. Now you can focus on the tractor, you will be working on the deck later. Remove the ignition switch and take it your small engine shop or NAPA and match it u p to a new one. Make sure it is for battery ignition only, not magneto ignition. While you are doing this let the oil drain out, I mean every drop. At the auto parts store get a couple of quarts of cheap oil to run the engine with for an hour or two and then you will need to change the oil again. From then on use straight 30weight oil. Don't try to rebuild the carb just yet. Remove it from the engine, put it on the workbench and carefully take it apart. Use a brass bristled brush and clean the bowl, the float and anything else you can clean. Then spray it all down with brake cleaner, reassemble and put it back on the engine and start it with carb cleaner not starting fluid. Use fresh non ethanol gasoline with one ounce marvel mystery oil per gallon to get the engine up and running for the first tankful. All this is your second step.