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Thought it would be a neat idea to see some of the best picture or moments of your tractors in 2016. Let's see them. I have a couple 2016 was a big year for me got my first wheel horse was a raider 12, also my other big score was a rj35 and last but not least this one's is alittle hard for me to do but I went to indaina to get my first suburban from malvin and his daughter Kimberly talked to the gentleman for a hour or so shared great stories. But 2 days before xmas I got a email stating he has passed away from Kimberly. I reinsured her it is in great hands and will be going to shows and I will be sending picture to her regular. Glad to meet the man. Now let's see all of your awesome tractor pictures, moments, and story's of 2016!

when i finished my 2 projects

Happy New Year all!!! So I made a road trip for a 1056 and some other "stuff".... included for the whopping sum of $5.... was this 197x something Sears LT 1036 riding mower... well the motor is rusted solid (briggs 10) , the 3 speed transmission is rusted solid (its a 3 speed peerless that drives a chain to a differential equipped axle) and the rest of it is just rust rust rust... I am lucky enough to have 32 acres here in Andover CT and "way out back" I'm bordered by state owned land and a large buffer from neighbors. I always had an idea to bring a tractor out there, park it and leave it to be found by somebody someday... I do some hunting and its always interesting to find abandoned cars and equipment and farming stuff out in the middle of nowhere and ask "how the %^&*%^ did this get here?" This riding mower was perfect for the task so today I brought it out there and found a perfect spot between two trees... there it sits in in final resting place. Tony

Just putting out a reminder that it is five years ago this day that Cecil Pond passed away. If it were not for him this site would have no reason to exist. So here's to Cecil for all he had done that brings us all together on this site. I know this is the Wheel Horse tractor category but without him this category would not exist so I think it is Wheel Horse tractor related.

Great topic Ryan--I would say that meeting you, @achto, @stevasaurus, and @WHX9, has been a highlight of my year. Pictorially speaking though... Started the year with Snow removal on "reD"! Here Judge is enjoying some seat time. A highlight of the year was purchasing Blackbeard from Todd for my youngest child Zac. Time spent wrenching with Caleb was awesome! Here he torques the head bolts on Blackbeard. Zach on Dad's Iron Horse! Met Dan and his awesome WH's at Symco this year. Zach and I on GhostRider at Symco before his new clothes. Hopefully Dan will post his classic pic of Zac and I plowing! GhostRider at My Uncle Bob's farm day with the new clothes! Berlin tractor show with Dan and Jim and some of their collection. The plow day at Jims was a blast as was time spent with our very own Stevasaurus (here on GhostRider) My sons loved driving some of Jims herd while there... Caleb tooling around! Judge plowing with GhostRider for the first time! @dtallon 's family was awesome to meet at Bluniers Plow day! These are are just a sampling of the great wheel horse times had by me and my family this year!

THANK YOU Cecil for the positive impact that your ideas and inventions have on our lives here.

This first picture was mine. Enjoying the big show with many friends and especially my boy. The boy had his first ride on the senior and also claimed the 420 as "his" ... The second picture is asking me if he can switch gears to second

My first visit to the "BIG SHOW" and meeting so many of you was the highlight for me.

Our loss has been God's gain!

When I was back home for Christmas I found this little gem sitting in the back of my grandfathers workshop collecting dust. I managed to get it away from my grandmother before it disappeared. Now I just have to figure out exactly what I have. Near as I can tell its a mid 60s with the wrong gas tank. I did manage to clean off the plate on the motor enough to see the numbers and as near as I can tell the motor is a 65 8hp kohler. Any assistance would be appreciated so that I can get into the manuals and start rounding up parts in order to restore it. The good news is the engine spins free.

Just wanted to show some of the Panzers that I have ran across at some of the shows.

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 was born 6-4-1924 and passed away December 30, 2011.

In the summer and fall when not driving for work related trips this one is my driver of choice....

12-31-1985 Rick Nelson dies in a plane crash Former teen idol Rick Nelson dies in plane crash in De Kalb, Texas, on December 31, 1985. When the teenage Ricky Nelson launched his pop career in 1957 by picking up a guitar and singing at the end of an episode of The Adventures of Ozzie And Harriet, he established a template for pop-music stardom that inspired hundreds of imitators in the decades that followed. But what Ricky Nelson had that so many other actors who failed as pop stars didn’t was undeniable musical talent. Having the full weight of the American Broadcasting Corporation behind him at the start of his career certainly guaranteed that the younger son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson would sell a few records, but it didn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t stink. And Ricky Nelson didn’t stink—not by a long shot. Beginning with his double-sided hit debut single, “I’m Walkin” b/w “A Teenager’s Romance” (1957), Nelson reeled off a string of 30 rockabilly-tinged top 40 hits in the next five years—more than any other artist in the same period save for Elvis Presley and Pat Boone. Like Elvis himself, Nelson saw his commercial appeal take a major hit with the arrival of the Beatles in 1964. Nelson would remain musically relevant over the next decade, though, even earning credit for helping inspire the California sound of artists like Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles with his country-inspired late 1960s work. But after a brief revival in the early 1970s fueled by the #6 pop hit “Garden Party” (1972), Nelson’s career as a recording artist essentially ended. Nelson continued to tour frequently, however, and it was on one such tour that he boarded a chartered DC-3 in Guntersville, Alabama, bound for a New Year’s Eve appearance in Dallas. Shortly before reaching Dallas, however, the cabin of Nelson’s plane apparently filled with smoke due to a fire of undetermined origin. While the two pilots of the plane would survive their attempted emergency landing in a field outside De Kalb, Texas, all seven passengers on board were killed, including the first pop star to cross over from the Nielsen charts to the Billboard chats, Rick Nelson. In 1987, Rick Nelson was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—an honor no other former child actor has yet achieved.

Did somebody put @stevasaurus. up to "True Confessions". This Turquoise colored one jumped in my truck some time ago. Fairly rare this far south I guess you could say I couldn't pass it up and put it away for my future retirement Very solid built machine.

Hey guys what you reckon this may have been...also I believe some were built not to far from me in Waynesboro VA,Jeff.

Mrs Rules and I, celebrating our 25th anniversary... ...combined with collecting attachments from Niagara Falls was a great time.

We picked up our first Wheel Horse this week - Hooray! I haven't driven one since the mid 70's. We've been working to make it ours, removing later add-ons and modifications, heading to a more stock configuration. We just got the stock drive pulley and belt on and drove up and down the drive and court, smiling all the way. I was all set to install the blower, until the brains (Sally) reminded me it would not fit the shed until we get rid of the old mower. We are digging our new 856 and looking forward to a WH 2017!

You guys know how to spell F U N !

Yes I still have the 400, I bought the tractor from Bob Rock a couple of months before the show and he very kindly took it over for me, I drove it in the parades both days and around the site before shipping it back to England

I had the great honour and prevalige to meet Mr Pond at the big show when he and Mike signed my book, the next day i managed to chat with him at length and he signed the hood of my Suburban 400. God bless you Sir, a true legend

Upper Canada I couldn't agree more. This is the best and easiest site to be on. I like vintage Ariens blowers I have a few it is not like being on this site. So My to Mr Pond and this site for making our lives a little better every day.

When, one fine day I discovered that my herd had grown to three antiques and five total in the herd It was really only eclipsed on the day I realized how nice this place was and the fine people who inhabit this site...

My original Wheel Horse (Commando 8) that I had Cecil sign at his last appearance sits comfortably in my garage.... I have "heroes" such as John Wayne etc... But only ONE real hero---Cecil Pond! Tony

Many of us collect all kinds of stuff and even spend all kinds of money for "signed" items. But how many of us have things in our lives that we not only collect but also love and admire and have the opportunity of having the person responsible for them sign that item? And no certificate of authenticity needed since we were there in person witnessing it, photographing it, and shaking the man's hand. Perhaps not priceless but certainly treasured.

The cameras are back on again for 2017, and the eagles are back. Let's hope they have better luck this year. This is direct from HDonTAP: http://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/bald-eagle-live-cam

Please tell us you still have that hood Chris!

So officially we are at 62" as of yesterday but received another 5.5" last night. We are 8+ inches over last year. I say officially as these measurements are taken at a weather station about 12 miles from us. We live in the snow belt which receives a lot of Lake affect snow. I'm sure that we are well over 70 inches so far this year.

I have the double link Vee Bar chains on turf tires on my 520 snow blower, and the are great on the unpaved roads. They will cause damage to a paved driveway and IMO have less traction on the paved surface that you just cleared than a unchained turf tire. I cannot back up my steep cleared paved driveway without spinning the chains. For the paved drives, I have gone to the rubber chains in turf tires and was amazed at the traction....and they don't cause any damage if they would spin.

Here here.

I have a coworker who has many of them stored in his barn. Stacked up on storage shelves. I have never been to his place myself. Have only heard the stories. A little google history. http://gardentractortalk.com/articles.html/_/history/pennsylvania-panzer-garden-tractor-history-r102

Amen to that! As a result of his dedication to Wheel Horse, an American-made machine lives on in American hearts and beyond globally! Amen and praise to Cecil!

In memory of a great American!!!

AMEN to that! Long live Wheel Horse!!!!

I'm usually the loose nut behind the wheel.

All original low mileage 70 Chevy C30 Longhorn. She is in hibernation for the winter....

so I know we love seat time,thats what this hobby is all about right,but this year up here in my area (central south Ontario)we have had snow many times already,a couple that were over 10 inches,in my new job as a groundskeeper for a large estate I do snow at work,and lots of it,ya I have a brand new 35 hp deere with all the attachments but then I come home and have a lot,i do about 1000 feet at home so its no 1/2 hour job,and its been windy so its no fun with the blower,i have an old homemade cab that fits my c160 but I use my 414 for blowing now so I'm gonna make it fit,havnt installed it in years because we havnt had much snow but this year is like an old fashioned winter,so how much snow have you guys received this year so far,im curios to find out,sorry no pics right now cant find my cable for phone to puter

Happy New Year all... Well if you haven't seen my other posts I had one last road trip for 2016.... it got started looking for a 46" deck for my Craftsman GT5000---the GT5000 only comes with a 50" deck and no bagging option. So..... find a 46" deck and swap it on from a GT3000 and you can put a bagger on. Well the guy seemed to have a bunch of tractors etc...and I "flipped" through his stuff and he had a 1056 with a snow plow (couldn't resist that...) plus an old "junk" Sears LT 1036... I ended up buying the GT3000 he had, the 1056 and the LT 1036.... story on the GT3000 was that the previous owner dropped it around a foot out of his shed and that the transmission was "shot". I didn't care as I was buying it for the deck anyways.... turns out the deck is a bit beat up... but I should be able to get it welded and working for my bagger. Welll..... LMAO---after I got the deck off and tires blown back up I crawled under and the belt had simply popped off the idler... put it back on, threw in a battery and it started right up and I was driving it around. It does have a cough/gag in the carb I will need to address but it runs nice and drives just as good! It needs a bath BAD but that may wait till spring, I did clean the mouse nest out of it. I can't believe that this guy with a yard FULL of Bolens tractors and so on didn't spend 5 minutes seeing what was wrong.... Engine video---I DID NOTHING but put in a battery... its running on the gas in the tank!! http://vid430.photobucket.com/albums/qq30/andoverct/20161231_131548video_zpsxnstqs1z.mp4 Tony

Happy New Year all!!!! So I took one last road trip to Alpha NJ ~225 miles one way from my house for a 1056... I have one already but the transaxle is rusted solid and the rest of the tractor needs everything. I've always had an itch for one as a short frame "big block" Kohler just screams cool to me... Its a dang shame the hood took a hit (it looks recent as the rust looks new in the crease). Its already in protected storage and I want to get it running soon... check out those wheel weights... there as heavy as they look! I did make a deal with the guy and got a 48" short / long frame plow with axle bracket, a 1998 Sears GT3000 hydro and a 197? Sears LT1036---check other posts for details. One question---Why does it have the optional PTO bell / clutch? Didn't all of these just use a spring loaded pedal operated idler pulley to engage the deck belt?? Tony

Cheers! Happy New Year from my to yours!

Thanks for the memories Cecil .

A bunch of us were in the chat box last night (a few from across the pond) and the subject of Panzer tractors came up. I have always liked the looks of these guys, and if I see one at a show, I will usually take a picture. Well, since you can't post pictures in the chat box, I figured I would start a thread and put them in here. Looks like I am not the only one who likes Panzers. Thanks to those who have added to this thread...the history is a very good read!! If anyone has anymore pictures or information, please add it here.

Watch your language!!!!! I just hope I make it to retirement, and once there, I definitely wouldn't want to unretire.

One thing about this smartphone picture taking business that most people have no clue about...... These phones take GREAT pics, but the default resolution/pixel size is ABSOLUTELY humongous. The images eat up loads of bandwidth when sent, not to mention hard drive, memory, and data capacity. You wouldn't realize this unless someone emails you a smartphone pic and you view it on a PC or laptop, then you realize how gargantuan the image really is........you have to scroll up and down and sideways almost until hell freezes over to see these pics. That could conceivably explain why they aren't accepted here at RS..........especially I you don't have supporter status. If you can change the resolution the phone takes pics in to a smaller size, you may have more success. Your first pic posted is a hefty 2048 x 1536 or 429.1 KB. If you multiply that by 10 pics of similar size in a single post you are looking at 5MB of data. That's getting pretty weighty, so to speak.

Heres a mag i have

I've tried Bar Lugs on snow and they are functional but when it gets icey at all, they aren't much better than turfs. Chains just plain work when it comes to snow and ice. I prefer 2 link chains because they provide a much smoother ride. When it comes to ground engaging, summertime work (plowing, garden work, blading gravel, etc) I prefer the AG tires for sure. They look cool 😎 AND they work great. Chains work for that purpose but I don't care for the look at all. PLUS with chains, you have to constantly worry about marring the surfaces that you drive on. That is one thing to keep in mind if you have a solid surface drive and plan to run chains in the winter. Don't let them "claw" too much or they will scratch up your top surface for sure.

When it comes to snow or ice chains just can't be beat. Lug tires are the go to when it comes to ground engagement implements in the dirt. IMO

I made a new wiring harness for the engine and got that installed and got the tins back on the engine, a new set of battery cables and I think most of the wiring is done.

I sold all 3 of my short frames last year because of lack of space and time to work on them. My favorite was the 876 (automatic). I absolutely loved cutting the grass with that little thing. The styling of the mid to late 60s tractors are my favorite.