Leaderboard

About 6 months ago a gentleman contacted me about purchasing this literal barn find C-101. He did so after posting here and many of you fine gentleman said I should be the one for this tractor. It would have been an 8 hour drive one way for me, so after asking for help here on RS @Ed Kennell stepped up and said he would help me. I have to say that if it wasn’t for him I’m not sure this would have happened? So thanks again Ed ! He was kind enough to pick it up, store it in his garage and then bring it to the Big Show for me. This tractor I believe is as close to New Old Stock as you will ever find. The guy I bought it from wasn’t a Wheel Horse guy but knew that it was old and in great condition and he wanted it to go to someone who would take care of it. He actually did find it in a barn he was cleaning out with his coworker who said that it belonged to his grandfather. Upon actually seeing it first hand and then driving it, I was amazed! It really was as described, the nubs on the original tires, paint on the muffler, no belt has ever run in the PTO pulley, original seat with not a crack or scuff on it, the paint is still on the shifters where it hits the shifter plate. I am now super happy to be the proud owner of this timepiece. This also completes my collection of the 1978-79 C Series tractors. I’m sorry that I didn’t take pictures of it as soon as I got it home, but basically it was just dirty and dusty. The rear rims had a little rust on them and I purchased a set of ags with nicely painted rims at the show so I switched them out until I repaint the original ones. Don’t worry, I have a new reflector for the one that is missing. I know one of you would pick up on that!! I did a light power washing, compound and wax, here it is!

I've driven past it many, many times having lived just 9 miles north. Going into Chandler's with my dad as a little boy. I wish I could have appreciated what I saw at the time. I saw Chandler's showroom across 30+ years of it evolving. But mostly.... I love wheel horse because of my Dad. He was no ordinary Dad. He was the best. He taught me how to steer while sitting on his lap on the 1962 Lawn Ranger. That and a 1963 Thunderbird! Ha ha. Then came the time to solo on the Lawn Ranger! If he told me once, he told me 50 times..."Get in trouble? Turn off the key! This tractor will run right up a tree and flip on its back". I often wondered what kind of beast I was driving. My dad only lived to see me acquire one wheel horse. A 1977 B-80. I bought 8.5 acres of land. And burnt up the Tecumseh motor on the Ranger mowing some of it. So I needed something bigger. (I had no clue what wheel horse really made). But the B-80 mowed about 3 acres sufficiently. Each wheel horse I bought had a high and a low. I thought of my dad each time I got one. And was also sad to think he wasn't there to share in the experience. Sorry I got caught running down memory lane. I have often wondered. Has anyone seen photos or videos from within the wheel horse factory on Ireland Rd.??

58 years later and still representing. Pulling a rookie out of the pond spill way. 1257 that came from the big show and she jumps right in and goes to work. @WHX??trained her right 👍🏻

Just thinking back about my 1257, back when I helped my dad get it, back when he had his own place to work on stuff in his garage before moving in a smaller apartment building. I want to say it was the summer of 2009 when my dad got it. Then I took over it in the spring of 2016 when he moved in the building. He took it apart and cleaned it up then painted it before I got it, I put it back together and added/changed some things throughout the years. Definitely a big difference between then and now looking back at a couple old pictures. Next year I really want to make it to the Big Show as things keep coming up every year. I’d really like to meet some of you guys as I’ve learned quite a bit on the forum from everything that’s been posted on here. It’s the friendliest and best forum I’ve ever been on.

About six years ago John “Brrly” Campbell told me he had a 603 he would sell me if I could drive up to Toledo, Ohio and get it. i knew John from the time I first met him at the old Mentone Swap Meets we had in early 2000’s . I drive up with my trailer and John took me to a fabulous place his friend had where the 603 was stored! II put a 6 HP Kohler recoil start on the 603. It was a motor I had sitting for about eight years that I bought at the Portland, Indiana swap meet from Marshall Fyffe (IndyWH). A local resident heard I had this 603 and had to have it as it was a model his grandfather had . He showed my a picture with him on it as a child with his grandfather. He offered me a very good amount and I accepted but have since regretted the sale. Again, we can’t keep them all but the memories of people associated with a tractor are significant! John’s friend and his father were Wheel Horse Collectors and had some nice ones and a pretty large RJ contingent! John Campbell was the first to show me a Tombstone weight and weight bracket. He later led the effort to reproduce Tombstone brackets for collectors. John was an iron worker from Iowa. But he was a Wheel Horse guy through and through !

I cleaned, lubricated and sharpened/balanced the blades on the 36” RD deck that’s on the 308-8 I bought from @Docwheelhorse Ill do an oil soak and dry once we see the sun again MA. I recently installed the ceiling, mounted electric winch on a trolley system in my garage and that thing has come in handy a few times so far. And like I do with most everything, I just had to weigh the deck

My neighbor was pulling drip tape in the sweet corn today when I noticed the brand on the spool. The boys maintain some tension on the spool to keep it from tangling while the horses pull the tape attached to a cultivator.

The Trina Momma's been doing a really cool craft project this past few days. I don't have a specific measurement but that's a kid sized blanket. It comes up to the Trina momma's waist. She had a pattern for the engine. Only. The other three squares are completely freehand knitting!!

Took out the five RJ’s for a breather! My twin granddaughters are going to do some riding today! It all started in 1960 when dad bought a 1958 RJ. ! Now I have five great ones - one for each grandkid if they want one! The RJ’s propelled Wheel Horse into the great company that manufactured these garden tractors. 1958/59 RJs had 22 attachments. IMG_0859.mov Wheel Horse made 24,000. Of them and garbed $2.5 million in profit to be able to build a brand new factory on the South Side of South Bend on Ireland Road!

Worked on the 314A that @c-series don gave me at the big show. When I brought it home and unloaded it, the engine ran fine but it but barely moved. I put it in the barn and planned to leave it for a winter project, but today curiosity got to me and I had to open it up. Got the choke cable freed up and working. Then pulled the tins off to find the problem that seemed to have the motion control system locked up. I disconnected the link to the cam plate and with some cleaning and lubrication, got full motion from the cam. The motion lever was still locked up. Then I saw it, the brake pedal spring was missing and allowed the pedal to fall down and lock the motion control lever in the neutral position. Duh ! Added a spring to pull the pedal up and all is well.

Next was the 1973 10/8 speed. This one is locked up tight! Pulled the shroud…not as nice as the C-81 . Really packed! Found some fur and whatnot was jammed between the starter gear and flywheel, she freed up once that was removed! This one will need more attention before a battery goes in it for sure. But not seized is a win for today

Although there's plenty things that need done around the house, I chose to clean up the tractors instead. Wash & wax all 3 along with a few cold beers & a cigar. What a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Met a guy this weekend who owns these sweet rigs and I’ll ask him if that name rings a bell @squonk . Supposedly Him and his son built a couple of them . He wants something else made and lost his number years ago .

I’m a day late…just mowed with the ‘77 B-80. What a pleasure to operate!

hi men, just wanted to give a shoutout and say thank you to two members here. thank you daveoman for all the help (diagrams, pics, and your time and patience) to help me get my C160 auto tranny adjusted properly. works great now! thank you pfrederi for sending me the seals i needed to stop my bronco tranny from leaking. i had to pull the tranny out of the bronco and replace some seals on the shaft that goes to the white plastic motion control cam. PITA of a job but, no more leaks! paul sent me these for free. i know you guys like pics and i'm sorry i do not have any as i do not own a cell phone. being a member here is fantastic! best regards mike

This was the largest mountain I've tackled in several years. I feel GOOD! 7.09 miles. 2050 feet Elevation gain. Substantial !! Here's a passel o' pics...

Put the new to me C-101 to light duty work this weekend.

You could use Kev to demonstrate the consequences of unsafe practices.

Continually planting that seed. Jada is babysitting often and occasionally watches kids here. It might be a bit wet today, but Putt Putt didn’t care!

Semi-rehabbed a 2 piece seat. Picked it up for $20. going on my 875. Had a set of springs in stock. Gave them a quick flat black paint job. Got the pads off and gave all of the dead stink bugs trapped inside a proper burial into the rectangular dumpster. Pretty hot out with a high DP. Paint was a little slow to dry but my Big A$$ fan helped!

We were heading to a cookout on the 4th when I saw a round hood for sale a few minutes from my house. It’s a 753 with a mower deck and a k161 for $100 so I took it. The engine spec indicates “tri powered corp” so not original but that’s ok. Just about everything is seized up on this but the rear wheels so I’m probably in for quite a project haha. wanted to post my find on the forum to see if anything stands out about it or if it looks pretty correct. I thought it would be cool to get a round hood eventually but who would’ve thought it would pop up right in my own street!

I did manage to get a picture of @Chrishar and my tractors side by side again. The last time that our two tractors were together was when we made a trade with each other and were swaping parts in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Iowa. After we both put our personal touches on them. Chris's 753 and my 633.

Finally almost done

This was our first year and we only went up for Friday, but we still had a great time driving around and seeing everyone despite the rain. We drove through this little number on the way up Thursday night. Our 312-8's... Some WH's from around the show. I also picked up some wheel weights for plowing and @WHX?? (to hold them down?) No wait, that was because he broke down!

Preparing for my brother's medieval-themed birthday party in Devon (England)

Picked this up today for $300!!! 1989 Town Car w/69k miles. Been in garage almost 30yrs, never driven in winter. Needs minor maint, fluids, tires, & fuel pump. All original rust free paint will buff out & shine when I get done with it. Couldn't believe how rust free underside is too. Interior needs a light cleaning. Old school luxury......I like it

July 4th Side Shot!

Had to involve the wheel horse somehow

Jammed one more into the shed (7 now) Maybe room for one more. Tried to take a panoramic pic.

OK, here's my wedding ring story. When I started working in the Allis Chalmers Hydro turbine lab, we measured test pressures with 200 inch mercury manometers. This required climbing a ladder as high as 20feet many times. I would run up the ladder, read the mercury level, and with my hands and feet on the outside of the ladder rails, slide back down fireman pole style. Yep, one day the ring got caught on one of the thin metal angle braces . I was lucky to be under enough control that I could stop before the finger was ripped off. After the swelling went down, the ring was put in the jewelry box and not put back on until 50 years later when I retired. When I did put it on I discovered it no longer fit my gnarly index finger but it did fit the little one.

Picked up this 315-8 at the show from @ljsdad414. Carburetor and various linkages were missing. Acquired all the missing pieces. Had to settle for a cheap carburetor for now. Happy to report she’s alive and running. Replaced the rear tires, fuel lines and filter. New seat from @76c12091520h. Small oil leak around the valve cover to fix along with complete fluid and filter change. Then a good scrubbing. IMG_1436.mov

I got the last C-160 running from my recent haul. The previous owner told me it blew out lots of oil and “I can’t tell you how many trees I’ve hit”. I swapped out the hood with a nicer one, and cleaned up the improperly assembled breather vent assembly. It runs great, and doesn’t blow the dipstick any more! @Jrblanke here’s some pictures of it for ya!

I found a chunk of 1” thick aluminum, just right to bolt to the hydro. I need to trim an old too box to fit and it should fit ok. I have stirrups to remove the floor boards as well, and will trim the floorboard top mounting plate to hold the belt guard stable.

Big thanks to all who welcomed me to the big show and sharing your shade with me…. @squonk @rjg854 @WHX?? @953 nut and Dan (can’t think of your handle Dan)….. and several others…

I bought this little gem from Howard! Thanks buddy!

Workin on her tan today in the heat.

Was doing some oil changes today and was getting frustrated trying to read the new oil on the dip stick. I'm sure that others have had this issue as well so I thought that I would share my cure for this. First off a picture of what I am talking about. The picture below shows the dip stick right after I pulled it out of the engine. Hard to see but yes there is oil on it. The solution that I came up with was to sand blast the end of the dip stick. This made the oil level very easy to see. Next question, would this still improve things after the dip stick has been saturated in oil ??? The answer is, YES. Even after the dip stick has been saturated it is still easier to read. Hope this may be of some value to those of you out there.

The ole B-80 .Probably my Most favorite out of the three tractors I own . Cuts the back 40 great perfect for my yard .

I had to get the C-141 8-Speed with Sweepster C-48 broom out today to help prepare the driveway for seal coating. That tractor was blocked in by a few others. The LSE and the Work Horse were still in my enclosed trailer since the big show and I wanted to put them back in their proper places. A few were just in my garage so I took them out too! The other half of my collection is in my basement awaiting late summer/fall photo shoot.

Need I say anything?!?!? Just glad it's off my trailer ... room for a real ...

Not today, but I’m just getting around to what I did in the fourth. Drove our FD tanker on the local parade. 1996 Pete with a 425 hp Cat, 9-Speed coupled to a 1973 Trailmobile 6200 gallon tank trailer. We are one of only two departments to have tractor trailer tankers on all of Long Island. I was on the purchasing committee for tractor and am very proud of it. I have supplied countless thousands of gallons of water for all kinds of fires.

It was a decent show. Kinda clashes with the WHS in PA so hard to say when I’ll go again. Next year it’s probably the same weekend I think. Even with iffy weather it’s still good to just “hang with the guys”, bust chops etc… @wallfish

The toolbox is not asymmetrical, but I was able to pull it off! I also took no video of this one. I figured it would be fun to kick it old school, pre-YouTube. The foot rests are on and it feels quite nice at the helm of my 1445 Automatic!

I got my new 14 Auto going today. The aftermarket carb had a float that wouldn’t quit flowing, a choke lever that was inside out, and the 2017 battery that we scooped off the barn floor held a charge for a week, long enough to pull fuel through and get it fired up! I’m impressed with this machine! After about 45 feet of driving it, it makes me want to keep it. The headlight lense is in great shape, the lights even work, and it’s quite quick! What’s not to love about a big block, hydro lift and electric clutch? The rear toolbox is pretty cracked up, and I sold the seat off it. I got thinking, since I passed @Sparky’s old 657 to BBT and @ebinmaine, maybe I should make this one into a round fender springer seat…

Looking at my phone on the way home, I came to a realization. I suck at remembering to take pictures when I'm at a show!! I guess I was too busy living the moment to remember to capture it. I did have a great time talking with people and checking out tractors. Some pic's that I did take was on the way to the show. Spied a load of 1/2 scale tractors while putting fuel in. The craftsmanship and detail on these was impeccable. From a distance you would think they were the actual tractors, close up gave you the appreciation for the work that was put into them. @WHX?? was willing to take the Oliver 66 home. They were being hauled by a professional driver so we did not get to meet the owner. Anyone knows this guy please tell him how impressed I was with his machines.