Leaderboard

Going to rescue this in a day or so , engine turns freely. Oil is clean no water. 100% original and complete with mower deck🙂

A C160 with wheel weights. Worth digging out. Good thing you found it before @ebinmaine did!

Occurring at the cusp of winter, National Absurdity Day, November 20, is a fantastic way to liven up a dreary day. What started as a philosophical movement called absurdism has bloomed into this marked calendar event, during which anyone is allowed to follow their most preposterous whims. It’s a time to exchange social customs and dull norms for playful and untethered behaviors, expressions, and ideas. Dye your eyebrows pink, juggle eggs in the city park or lead a meeting while standing on your hands. There’s no limit to the wackiness of this holiday! Absurdism can be difficult to define since it is by its very nature anti-establishment and anti-order. Embracing absurdity simply requires us to move directly past all the tacit rules that we tend to accommodate each day, from the way we dress to the way we speak, to how we sit in a public place. Today, the primary location for National Absurdity Day celebrations is an elementary school. This is one of the only places where people can truly embrace the meaning of the day without paying significant consequences—it’s not so easy for adults in the working world. Another likely location would be on a website dedicated to little red Wheel Horse garden tractors, how ridiculous.

I love my Onan until I don't!!! Last week while pushing snow, it all of a sudden quit on me. Luckily I was right in front of the garage and didn't have to push it too far. After some quick troubleshooting, I came to conclusion that I had erratic and/or no spark when trying to start. Rather than change one component at a time and wait for parts I decided to just purchase the all inclusive (and not so cheap) ignition component set on eBay. Only took about 4 hours to disassemble, replace the parts, reassemble and test. She's running good now. Also decided to change the oil and filter since I had such great access. IMG_8465.mp4

Now that the structural part of yoke is completed, the tedious process of the embellishments start. Both sides are carved . Ordinarily the back receives more modest carvings many times looking “rushed” ,but in mine they are equal to the front , or different but of similar quality. The design of the pierced areas has now been transferred to the back . First the pierced areas have to be trimmed to the line and totally cleaned within their thickness. This is time consuming since one has to be concerned with the other side at the same time. This is done by carefully trimming with the appropriate gouges ensuring clean crisp lines specially at tight areas which many times require specially modified tools. It has to of course be done from both sides. To be able to see the opposite side I elevate yoke from bench. This allows me to have a “floating “ light on other side which shows clearly the quality of the cut being done. In addition I use also a “ floating” mirror on which I can see the line on other side. First I trim to the line on each side leaving a high part in center , taking care of that last. Raising the work in this manner also keeps work clean since chips fall onto table. Yoke is raised on table allowing chips to fall off work. Floating mirror and light behind yoke Mirror allows viewing lines on back side Back lighting allows one to see clearly quality of cut in the thickness. Mirror is attached to a weight by a string allowing it to be moved Crisp lines, sharp inside corners, and sharp points are crucial.

I've said before, his threads could serve as assembly manuals!

Good to see it was tarped.

If you tell me where it is, I'll go tonight...

Well the wheel weights are worth a couple hundred of that. Good find!

Everything goes thru the ammeter first. If this was mine that would be the first thing I check. Seen it many times.

I'm onboard with Eric on the drive belt. You're best to just use a Toro belt. Do a search for Wheel Horse (or Toro) 7473. Also like he said the idler can be suspect. Make sure it's good or just replace it. Then there's the spring. I've seen many replaced with something close from the hardware store. That's a no no. While you're searching for the belt also search for a 108035. I always try to keep a couple spares on the shelf. Once you've addressed those items and you have it working well you can go on to tweak the linkage if you'd like to but I've found that unless there's excessive wear it's really not needed.

I live in an orange 🍊 house 🏠 with a bright red 🔺️ roof. Done! ✔️

On a machine that has all the safety switches and the much more complex wiring harness... no thank you. I agree 100% Eric.

Eric, she has an excellent work ethic. I’ve seen her in action just amazing.

The 2026 RedSquare calendar is here and better than ever. @ebinmaine Trina, has once again knocked it out of the park, and I hope you all love it as much as I do. Putting this together takes a lot of time and effort, please drop a thanks here, and enjoy 2026!

New seat and rear wheel/tires. Really made a difference in how it feels and performs. I'm 6'4", so that's why the seat is so far back, but it is mounted on sliders. I've used these seats for other projects and you cannot beat them for the price and comfort. Tires I have also used on other projects and they excel in all conditions over ags except for clay/mud.

Awesome job as always. Thank you for volunteering to take this on for all of us. Much appreciated.

I’ll be following along to watch this tractor come back to life 👍🏻

My barber finds broken pieces from a wire wheel stuck in my ears.

Nah... hangin' out with all the 10 mm sockets...

I restored one sitting outside swore I'd never do it again - C-160 might be the exception to that rule ..

Rephrased it or you.

The first picture is exactly how it was when the gentleman walked me 200 yards from his house towards the woods🫣 and there it was peeking out through the brush

If you have an upholstery shop in your area, they can be a source for the right sort of foam cushion. Bring a sample of what you have.

If it is, I live an hour away and have a big pasture...

The 416 and 315 are getting some upgrades - finally pulled the trigger on LED's - 416 is getting the bullet spots added ( one in the back ) - these 30 pound ( capacity ) magnet mounts on the jungle site did not disappoint - they are strong .

Also replace the idler. For the belt ... some folks have okay luck with aftermarket belts. I have not. I use only WH belts. And .....

Frame threaded holes chased with tap. Return line ready to install. Return line installed finger tight. I will fully tighten all fittings later.

Rear axle ready for return line elbow. Return line elbow ready to receive new #906 Nitrile O ring. New O ring installed onto elbow. Elbow installed finger tight into rear axle.

I’m not sure how many people are on this forum? Many, many people. But you sir are the most thorough in your restoration work.

Lower steering shaft flanged bearing ready to be installed. Lower steering shaft flanged bearing installed. Lower steering shaft lightly greased then slid into flanged bearing.