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C-85 I bought awhile back has always had two leaky fronts. Been stored in the shed up on blocks so the rubber wouldn’t get ruined sitting flat..well today I decided to tube em both. I hate tubing the small tires ! This old HF tire changer comes in handy still. But now it’s done and the big test will be to see if they stay “up”.

In 1982 the SK-486 cost roughly $1800. Today that would translate to about $7000. That puts it in the range of the John Deere X500 series. The problem, at that price point, John Deere’s margins are MUCH higher than Wheel Horse’s would have been because of Deere’s use of molded plastics and consumables vs steel and cast iron. We’re all lucky to own what’s left of the dinosaurs 🦖.

Picked up this front deck mount about 1 month ago and the 42" deck on the way home from @Pullstart's plow day. Finiched getting it all mounted up and working today. The instructions want you to cut out a notch on the RH belt cover in order to clear the drive belt. Don't think I'll be doing that for now. Mows pretty good, but will get a little getting used to. Also need to get a hydro to install it on. Way too wet to mow due to all the storms that past few days, btu wanted to to make 1 pass around the garden to check the cut. IMG_9702.mp4 IMG_9703.mp4 IMG_9706.mp4

Kind of front end pics?? My C-85 was in the garage for two flat front tires today.

Painted some 42” and 48” mower deck belt gaurds. The 42’s (smaller set) are Rustoleum Regal Red and the 48’s (larger set) sprayed with Rustoleum Farm IH red. Today outside in full sun the Ih red looks to have a little more orange tint to it. I go back and forth on which flavor of these 2 shades I like the best and have come to the conclusion they are so close it just depends what day of week they where made to which shade is the darker of the two. Both were sprayed over gray primer and clear gloss sprayed on them soon as last coat of red was applied.

Measuring the hole might be better than trying to measure a plug that has been wrecked when removed. Calipers would be best but if you have a good drill set you may be able to use that as plug gauges.

It's always about money. Cecil Pond sold out to AMC in the 70's? (for money) Hats off to Cecil but he bailed. Investment company's have stock holders and have to produce money...... not so much a product. Toro gets a bad rap but truly it kept the brand alive through the early 2000's. They (Toro) made a good effort to compete with the JD's of the time with the xi machine line and the smaller hydro machines like the 14-38. I figure their network was not concrete enough to go head to head the the MTD style manufactured machines. It is a me not us world now. Americans in particular, have switched their purchasing needs, some so much toward offshore manufactured products that there are very few true USA manufactures left. And the US manufactures now just assemble using offshore parts so they can compete. I have enjoyed these machines over the years. But as far as coming back, not going to happen. I just enjoy the WH machines and those WH people.

I try to go to 15 show each year in tx and one big one that in Temple tx I did make it to the big wheel horse show last year and hope to go again soon it was a lot of fun

My contribution for front end Friday. You can see on the C160 where the grill had been pushed in a little too close to the muffler LOL. Then the 2 youngins out “horsing’” around

I agree Cecil sold out for the $$$ in the ‘70’s. I don’t fault him though. He probably saw the writing on the wall, realized that the future trajectory was inevitable, and accordingly captured the full value of the company while it was still available.

June 12, 1987, in one of his most famous Cold War speeches, President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down” the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the repressive Communist era in a divided Germany. With the wall as a backdrop, President Reagan declared to a West Berlin crowd in 1987, “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.” He then called upon his Soviet counterpart: “Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace—if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe—if you seek liberalization: come here, to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Reagan then went on to ask Gorbachev to undertake serious arms reduction talks with the United States.

I attribute part of the demise to the fact that WH originally built tractors based on an over-engineered design. In other word, they were too good. Great interchangability of parts over decades, reliable Kohler engines, various grease fittings for high wear areas, and so on. In theory, IF you performed regular maintainance faithfully and stored the tractor inside, you probably would end up with that functionimg worker being dependable for the rest of your life..... Neglect all the above, all bets are off. Why buy another if it suits your needs?

It's called plagiarism on steroids...

I like the Big Show, and Portage, WI. I can’t make Portage this year due to a family function. Uncle Jim I’ll count yours if you count mine

Seven last year ony six this year The BS included. Boycotting one since they threatened to not allow dogs in the campground. We camp at all shows. Generally only exhibit three tractors but the Portage GT show nine tractors. Then there is mine and Pullstart's plow day do they count? At a show right now ... weather crappy tho.

Don't try to do any welding and use that coat hanger for "fill material!"

Hot day. Horses looking for some shade.

I was fortunate to see Berlin before and after The Wall... Palpable difference...

A picture is worth a thousand words. See attached. It also makes a heck of a front end bumper!

Must be nice having a family that functions.

I mowed the neighborhood volunteer fire departments lawn with the 312. I also weedwacked around the building, poles and other lawn ornaments. It was mowed a few days ago but it needed another pass. No photo’s as I had my nephews 8th grade graduation to go to immediately after so I was hustling. Here’s a pic of the 312 which was the setup for the FD lawn mowing.

I asked AI whether someone could have saved Wheel Horse. Here is its assessment: An analysis of the outdoor power equipment industry indicates that saving the Wheel Horse brand without compromising its heavy-duty, cast-iron quality was highly improbable. The brand’s demise was driven by structural shifts in the market rather than simple corporate mismanagement. To understand why the brand could not survive in its original form, one must look at the specific economic and competitive pressures that dismantled the premium garden tractor market. ### 1. The Bifurcation of the Market During the 1970s and 1980s, the market for residential outdoor power equipment split into two distinct segments, leaving the traditional heavy garden tractor without a viable customer base: * **The Rise of Sub-Compact Utility Tractors (SCUTs):** For consumers who actually required ground-engaging capabilities (plowing, tilling, heavy towing), Japanese manufacturers—most notably Kubota—entered the U.S. market. These machines featured diesel engines, true category-0 or category-1 three-point hitches, and robust shaft-driven power take-offs (PTOs). Wheel Horse tried to compete with large-frame machines like the D-Series, but they were fundamentally stretched lawn tractor designs competing against miniaturized agricultural tractors. * **The Commodity Lawn Mower:** For consumers who merely needed to cut grass, the market shifted toward disposable, stamped-steel lawn tractors. Mass retailers and big-box stores demanded low-cost units. Consumers proved unwilling to pay a massive premium for a cast-iron Uni-Drive transmission and a heavy-gauge welded frame just to maintain a standard suburban lawn. ### 2. The Economics of the Independent Dealer Network Wheel Horse’s business model relied entirely on a dedicated, independent dealer network. These dealers provided custom fabrication, mechanical diagnostics, and long-term parts support. * When Toro acquired Wheel Horse in 1986, the industry was shifting toward mass distribution via big-box retailers. * A premium, heavy-duty machine cannot be sold profitably through a department store or home improvement center because these channels demand high margins and low price points. * Without the high-volume sales of lower-tier units to subsidize the dealer network, independent shops could not survive on low-volume, high-cost garden tractor sales alone. ### 3. The Cost of Over-Engineering The defining characteristic of classic Wheel Horse tractors—such as the late 400-series 8-speeds—was their heavy, standardized construction. * **Production Costs:** Manufacturing heavy cast-iron transaxles and thick steel frames in South Bend, Indiana, became cost-prohibitive as commodity raw materials and domestic labor costs rose. * **The Longevity Paradox:** Because Wheel Horse machines were engineered to last for decades with basic maintenance, the replacement cycle for existing customers was exceptionally long. A company cannot survive on replacement parts alone when its primary product line is virtually indestructible and new unit sales stall. ### Summary of Strategic Dead End | Strategic Path | Required Action | Outcome | |---|---|---| | **Maintain Original Quality** | Keep cast-iron components, heavy frames, and independent dealer support. | Price remains too high for suburban homeowners; capability remains inferior to compact diesel tractors. **Result: Bankruptcy due to lack of volume.** | | **Pivot to Sub-Compact Diesel** | Engineer a completely new, shaft-driven diesel platform from scratch. | Requires capital investments well beyond Wheel Horse's financial capacity under AMC or Toro. **Result: Out-competed on price and engineering by Kubota and John Deere.** | | **Adapt to Mass Retail (The Actual Path)** | Use pressed-steel frames, plastic components, and shared platforms. | Brand survives as a badge-engineered label until total elimination in 2007. **Result: Survival achieved only by eliminating original quality.** | Ultimately, Wheel Horse was a victim of a changing society where small-scale hobby farming declined, suburban lawns shrank, and consumer preferences shifted away from repairable capital goods toward disposable convenience. To save the brand without compromising the quality of the machine would have required an entirely different macroeconomic environment.

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The "AR-Pro" tubes on the jungle site are decent. I haven't had any of them yet that gave any trouble. Go ahead and get a baby powder Shaker while you're at it and use a bunch. Makes life much simpler!

Transmission drive belt 78-7100 replaced by 7473 - HB x 81.9" or 5/8" x 81.9" You will find it here. Click on the fuzzy part

From what I’ve seen/read the next Pond generation wasn’t interested in taking the “reins” so to speak. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a factor with Cecil selling out too.

thanks for the pictures, and the story!

I use Anderson connectors on all my tractors. Lets me quickly swap batteries if needed and also completely disconnect when not in use. No parasitic drain, and no problems working on stuff.

I only go to the Big Show. I could go to William Grove, it's even closer to me that Biglerville, heck I drive right past their show ground almost every day. I just don't want to.

We ought to do a group photo for the 20th anniversary at @JCM’s gathering in the fall. It could be for the people who didn’t make it to the Big Show photo.

I'm curious as to what this attachment does. Obviously something else attaches to this but I'm stumped....

If you ever intend to remove the oak do it now while it is manageable and won't cost a small fortune to do later.

I used a bike inertube and zip ties to insulate the wires on my 856. Hasn't blown up yet.

Check to be sure the key switch on the 314H has a good ground. The switch is seeking a ground in the off position to stop the magneto from producing ignition spark.

After a few cranks, it fired up on carb cleaner sprayed in the carb and rad good (for a rough check) I had it jacked up to change the rear tires, so kept spraying/running and moved the hydro control lever forward and backwards and hub rotates as they should. So theirs signs of life, maybe, just maybe the 400 hrs on the meter is real. A part of the deal I got a pile of 3 piece and 2 piece 3 speed transmission parts. #/4 of them are good, some are pitted or chipped . The complete 3 piece transmission has interesting damage, if only it could talk! Who knowns what went through it to break this bearing holding ring The case and hubs and pullies are good. This other side plate was good. This is a "newer style diff that I guess was in the 3 piece transmission. There are also parts to another 2 piece 3 speed. some good, some pitted. Here a close up of that diff with a corner chippe dout The axles need to be flipped, they have heavy wear in the bushing area. More parts and more parts. So for trading a tiller that I had 2 of sitting in the barn I feel I make out great. I really needed some transmission parts for various projects. I thing I can build a really good 3 piece transmission if i repair or replace that side plate, and a really good 2 piece 3 speed with another transmission I have that needed parts. There probable another so/so 2 piece transmission in the pile of parts. While the 520H is rough in some aspects, It give me one to learn on since it is the first 520h I've seen down here in 10 years. Its 48" deck has a rust hole near the discharge but turns free. If nothing else, as @ebinmaine said, If it becomes parts, the gear reduction steering, seat pan, wide rear rims, and some other parts have value to me.

Over size tubes tend to fold up in smaller tires. I wouldn't used them unless I already had them. Lee1977

Great idea, all it takes is someone with a little time to organize it and someone with a camera. People come to Red Square the first time for some information, they stay because of the people and having the people in photos is very important.

only one I know of that Shaun (guy on the Senior) imported, he didn't bring it this time on account of now fetching a GT and D-200 with loader

We’re rapidly moving into summer now. The multi day 70+ degree days mixed with rain seem to be expediting the season change and the explosive grass growth.

We. your first post on

I am planning on using mini splits in my new garage. Originally was planning on traditional furnace with all the accessories. I talked to many people that have had them installed recently and they like them. I talked to an installer, the one that will be installing mine, and he initially said putting in a mini split will provide heat to around -20F and that the efficiency rating is affected using more electricity than under ideal conditions but it will still operate. I'll have about the same price as a traditional furnace with the added bonus of A/C, and on a day like today I don't regret my decision.

My new ride