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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!

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 !

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!!

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 👍🏻

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!

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

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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.

We went to this show yesterday but the threat of rain and the little bit of drizzle kept some people away. @Sparky grabbed a bunch more pics but I got a couple. This little steam train was pretty cool.

Trina and I and a friend went out to a medium sized hike yesterday. Approximately 6 miles. Elevation gain well over 1000 feet. Great calorie burning. Excellent woods hike. No real long distance views so it's not super popular with most folks. Big Rock Cave is a literal pile of giant rocks that form a few walkable and crawlable openings. Jungle gym!!

Had sometime to mess with the 2 rigs I hauled home on Friday. First was the C-81: Pulled the shroud, pretty clean and no mouse house. Disconnected the fuel line from the fuel pump (tank probably has nasty stuff). Checked the oil. Put a battery in it and a shot of carb cleaner in the carb throat and she fired off @ri702bill haven’t forgotten about you IMG_2834.mov

This show was a rain out Thur. and Fri., but the sun saved Saturday afternoon.

Quick bath to get some of the funk off em. The K-181 rolls over by hand, the 10hp does not, hopefully it’s just packed with critter stuff.

I see a Wheel Horse blanket coming soon.

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…

@WHX?? found this practically in his backyard this weekend. I says if nobody else wants it I do! I made a deal with the seller and Uncle Jim plans to pick it up before next weekend for me to pick up at Portage, WI Garden Tractor Daze. It’s the wide track model and the 20 hp engine. It’s locked up and needs some major work to be a runner. I’m torn between getting it going for a rip around the field, and making it another shop ceiling hanger

Beautiful Don, thanks for letting me be a part of this adventure.

Guy at the BS had four of the old style mufflers for a real good price so Achto and I cleaned him out. Swapped out the strait out silver one for a down and out. Thought black looked better. First oil change as long as she's in.

I took it for a spin today. The overseas carb might need a bit more float tuning, it tends to flood out over any ruts. Otherwise, it’s great!

Not homemade but Achto got me for xmas one year ...

I can just hear Uncle Jim now… “Oh balls.”

At one time we had five . Now down to three and some parts tractors. I have three extra transmissions, a couple mower decks and other assorted 953/1054 parts. I have one I want to get restored. I have one with a 50 inch sickle bar mower made for the 154/953 wider frame. one has a Work Horse 1054 decal. They were produced from 1962 to 1966. They were still listed in a Wheel Horse sales brochure in 1966. This was the first 48 inch mower deck used on a garden tractor. The hydraulic pump and lift were great for the heavy attachments. The Ross steering gear in the early 953’s was also used by other tractor manufacturers and cussed wheel horse to develop a fan gear of later 953/1054 models This was my dads favorite Wheel Horse tractor!

I was doing some cleaning and rearranging and found this from my trip to that I wanted to share! Back in 1987 I went to the Wheel Horse School of Business at Notre Dame, and I'm wondering what other members ever went to this training? It was great training and I learned a lot from it! When I got there the president of Wheel Horse started out saying that he'd just come from Disney World, and how he and his family had to wait in a long line to get in there! Then he told us that "until we have people standing in line to buy our tractors, we have work to do!" C-85

I was original looking for a 1955 RJ that had smooth hood with cast steering wheel but what I found I didn't want or was not for sale. Wondering around the least barn A to Z had a 1967 model 867 that did not look too bad, and the engine ran! The mower deck could use a new shell, but I cut part of my lawn when we got home Saturday. The lights work and that was road tested during the Friday Night Cruise. The tires are original, and I did need to find a few parts before leaving the show like another battery box (Thanks Lane), a correct choke cable (Thanks Daves Parts World) a hood ornament and a new steering wheel center cap ....... and I know where to get a N.O.S. cap. I own a model 1067 and 1267 so I needed a model 867 to complete the set. Wild Bill Richmond, VA

Here is the link to my YouTube video from the Big Show Big Show Video

Mike got some better pics and the exhibitor sign explaining what this is. I scrambled to get a shot while he drove it by.

Changed out old yellow head light bulbs with LED's in Artie.

Bought these 2 today.. C-81 and a 1973 10-8 speed. Neither run, not sure what I’ll do with em. Bought cheap and were only 5 miles from home. While I was there I spotted a 42” RD shell that was brand new. For another $20 that came home with me. Strange electric lift thingy on the 10 horse machine. Factory??

Terry just made me a new custom set as well. Expecting them on Monday. I asked him to help me come up with something and sent him a pic of my tractor as it sits now. He sent me a rendered pic back, and I think it'll look great! Terry's work is awesome, and he's a great fella to deal with! Nobody else will get my money for decals.

nice rescue --- great to see these decks saved !!! I harvested a 42 rd reinforcement plate from another damaged 42 and then transferred to a better shell i did a more complete rehab on

If you can find a 953/1054 then definitely get one! They are a bit different but in a unique way that I like. Mine is an early model w/ross steering. I dont see many of them at shows, unless I'm at the big show. Although I don't work my shiny 953 its obvious they are very capable tractor. Last summer I did haul bout 2000lbs of stone around the yard. Couple times the front tires got some air under them! 😅 Attachments/implements seem to be a bit harder to come by cause most are exclusive to the model.

A few years ago there was a great exhibit of half scale tractors and equipment at the Florida Flywheelers Show.

Workin on her tan today in the heat.

I had to use a ratchet strap to pull Steve Oh Two up and out, he was in there good!

I’ll go out on record, and say a guy could probably search on here and find where I’ve said I wouldn’t ever want one of these, and maybe some place that says if it were cheap enough I’d nab it!

Nice tractor, this was the first year I made to the BIG SHOW and encourage you to go if you can. Took one tractor with me that was sold, but brought three tractors and a 701 motor back with me. Meet a great bunch of guys/gals while I was there, (953 nut was one of them). Well worth the trip, and wished I had not put off going all this time.

I'd say more than pretty alright I'd say good more for the rest of us ... Had an uncle once who would put some raw 3/8" slices between two slices of bread for a sammy...

Three days at the show and hardly had a chance to get around but I did get some pictures! It was a very memorable and very appreciated show this year! Thank you to the Wheel Horse Collector’s Club and all the volunteers! 103 Photos posted so hang in there!