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Nineteen years ago, Karl @Nylon-(Admin) and Mike @Sparky-(Admin) joined a high school student’s website that was created as a school project. Since that time over 30,00 members from all over the world have joined and over a million posts have been made on over 90,000 topics. Yes, I am talking about Red Square. It is interesting to find out how people first found Red Square and what made the keep coming back. Pleas post your “How I found Red Square” stories.

Has it really been 19 years? Here’s how I got here (long version): Growing up, my dad traded our old Springfield for a new 1974 C160 Automatic, and it was my job to mow the entire ¾ acre with the 36”RD and Parker sweeper. In 1993, it was my turn to buy a house, and having much more property, the only tractor I could think of getting was a Wheel Horse, and I bought a brand new 416H with a 42” RD Recycler. I used that tractor only to mow the lawn, but in 2006 I decided to buy some attachments, I couldn’t decide between a plow or blower so I hit the web to research. I am not sure how I found it, probably a search, but I found whtractor.15.forumer.com and joined as member #5. There wasn’t much discussion there except for one guy, member #2 @Sparky who he and I began to talk on-line. In those conversations, I decided on a snow plow and found the entire package, a 414-8 with plow, 42”SD deck, wagon, cheap sweeper and JD Dethatcher mounted to the mule drive. The rest as they say is history, I took over the management of the forum shortly there after, then became highly financially involved in 2011 by purchasing software, cloud space, and investing a lot of time and money to move from the failing forumer platform to where we sit today. For those who remember, forumer completely crashed literally 1 day after I got 99.9% of the data moved, the timing was unbelievable we almost lost RedSquare that day. It’s been an amazing 19 years, and so happy I was looking for a plow one day and stumbled here. Our members here are the best and I am grateful for all the support throughout the years, looking forward for the next 19 years! Thank you all for sticking around!

Earlier this year I had to plant 3500 bare root pachysandra plants. I used a modified auger with long extension so as to keep my back straight . Proved quite effective even though wife was shaking her head watching me. Usually that means she thinks I lost my mind. Better my mind than my back I say.

Earlier this Summer we renovated our bathroom. Had to make new jambs and casings for the new pocket doors to match rest of house, and of course all with hand tools. Vanity also matching the beaded details throughout house all made with my Grandfather’s 98 year old plane. Woodwork is to be painted so I used clear pine which is always a pleasure to work with. I don’t use door stops or nailed on casings but rather make split jambs and casings in one assembled piece with no fasteners visible. All edges jointed straight and square by hand. All faces dressed with hand plane Beads made with Grandpa’s plane . One full bead requires planing board from face and from edge . “Secret” to my signature corner detail on jambs is a hidden precisely cut rabbet on back of one of beaded boards. This is done with a moving filister plane. Lock side of jamb for pocket door is recessed for privacy. I almost never use nailed on stops. Recess is plowed using a shoulder plane riding against a guide. My signature detail on jambs Everything is dry fitted prior to gluing and assembling in one piece. Once finished there are no visible fasteners to deal with yet one side is completely removable to allow for to be removed if needed. It can then be reinstalled without any damage to it. All pieces hand cut for dry fitting prior to assembly. After cutting the miters with miter box they are trimmed perfectly with the “guillotine”. Vanity also with beaded panels.

Bought this tractor 38 years ago for mowing and snow removal mainly. At that time it came with a belly mount 3 blade mower and front plow blade. Over the years added a single moldboard and harrow that was used for a 25' x 75' garden deep with beautiful farm loam. After moving North it sat for sometime before I started to do a clean up and repaint. In October I was able to have help in splitting the A apart and replace clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and original carb stripped rebuilt and clear coated. While waiting for parts to come in I cleaned out the bellhousing and tunnel full of mouse mess and sanded up anything that needed it. Up and running now and did it ever feel good to be sitting up high listening to that 4 cylinder purr at idle, almost a nice lope to it. Change oil & filter, greased and adjust the width of the front end. If it wasn't so late in the year I would use it this Winter for a little snow plowing. Working on the front grille trying to straighten the horizontal bars now and some painting to do. I was able to locate a nice set of tools to do it. Gave it a cleaning yesterday and moved some leaves to the pile. I will update as I progress along. Pictures are through the course of years since purchase with the rims painted all red and left rear tire on backwards. It's getting there.

Looking for parts for a 1067 that was already on a scrap pile. Wandered across a site called Red Square and wondered what the heck does a place in Russia have to do with a lawn mower. Accidentally clicked and the rest they say is history. Wow they actually have a manual for it. Now i have to put up with the likes of Achto and The Pullstart and a whole host of other ! fellas!

I got this one Sunday in Corcoran mn 250. I know i can make it sweet 😋

Dragged my 1971 Rupp Roadster out of my fathers rotted and falling down shed. Last ridden summer of 1987, got caught riding it and it was permanently taken away... had it under a tarp but the moisture got to it. Plan to clean it up and combine it with a parts one I bought to make it as nice as I can. Im 54 and boy... had alot of good times on it driving all over the back roads of my country town. Used to grow alot of tobacco in town and the fields / service dirt roads made for awesome riding Never knew that RUPP Industries was this gentleman. Boy I bet Cecil and Mickey could've had a good conversation as each looked over the others product. Thanks Mickey Rupp for some very cool rides. Yes he was an Indy driver

Thank you to all the Veterans who have served our Country...

I was in the tractor scene and was pretty much a WH guy but would bring home anything if I could flip it for a couple bucks. Posted up on Craigslist a Craftsman lawn tractor and a guy named Chris from two towns over reaches out to me about it. We talked price and eventually settled on a number, then he asks if I could deliver it. Didnt really want to, but decided I would. Get to Chris’s house and he’s a “kid” ..I had no idea as we were using the Craigslist messenger system. He shows me his tractor stuff and he had a 702 (and maybe a Black-Hood?). We exchanged phone numbers and did a few other tractor deals and became friends. Fast forward to his high school years and he asks me to join a tractor forum he started as a high school project, had zero members other than himself. I became member #2. Left to right: Chris @whchris, me/Sparky, Dustin @DMESS , Karl @nylyon

It’s all Bob Rock’s @whlpny fault. I needed a new lawn mower and was kicking around the idea of something new and modern, but saw this really awesome looking old lawn mower. Yeah, I had wool over my eyes too. When I got there, I was a little upset that the mower deck was gone, the whole reason I went looking to grab it! He had the deck on the scrap pile, nobody wants those for a garden tractor. Tractor? This cute little thing can’t do tractor stuff! He told me about the wealth of knowledge of this forum, and when I got home I joined. That was June of 2013, if I recall correctly. Honestly, reading Karl’s story about the almost crash in 2011, blows me away that the place is still kind of young. The shirt I’m wearing this morning is older than Red Square! My cute little mower:

I was doing a case study on addiction and this site kept turning up in my search results.

first year on my c145 had it on my 75' c120 last 2 years hydro work much better than gear drive tractor least i have hydro lift

Been awhile since my last overhaul...I am fortunate to have a quality machine shop to do the machining. He has also did one of my big tractors and 230ci engine in my M37. But like everything else it is getting costlier....Bore and hone .010 over $100 Grind crank $75 Insert and size valve guide $50 valve job $20

Thank you for all your work and investment to make this what it is today. This has been a great asset to me and I'm sure all the other members would say the same. We be lost without it, and I think the hobby might not be what it is without this forum.

Searching for info on a C-105 in 2015 that was gifted by my brother to my teenage son for his lawn and snow business... he went on to become a mechanical engineer and I remain fond of them... remains a daily fix... great people and great info... Thank you @nylyon and @Sparky!!!

I make these at home good for arthritis.

As I age and inevitably more things are found wrong or wearing out, I think lot about what is in the future for me. Watching my wife fighting the rapid deteriorating effects of Parkinson’s specially when coupled with effects of Arthritis is a sobering daily affair. If similar conditions will happen to me , what will I do and how will I cope with it. Particularly if I loose the ability to use my hands. I will lose essentially what keeps me grounded and probably with some normal degree of sanity. I will lose what is my shield against the undesirable effects of life. I am a firm believer in science but I also believe in the existence of certain energies, good and bad , some of them having had great benefits in my life. A simple bracelet is not going to harm anyone. It is also a craft obviously enjoyed by its creator, tastefully done making one at least taking a look at it and appreciating the craftsmanship and that went into it. Something I can definitely appreciate. So that along with my worries about what the future may be holding for me , looks like I may be getting a bracelet when available.

For International Tongue Twister Day, celebrated every second Sunday in November, don’t get your tongue tied this November 9. We’re not talking about rolling or curling your taste-tester. In fact, we’re looking at Peter Piper, the woodchuck, and all their friends. Tongue twisters are a silly way to pass the time or practice pronunciation. Shoot, you can even use them to practice a foreign language! It’s time to celebrate all the twisty things you can say with your tongue. Tongue twisters have technically been around since as early as the 19th century when John Harris published “Peter Piper’s Practical Principles of Plain and Perfect Pronunciation,” which included a twisty tongue tango for every letter of the alphabet. And while the book was meant to help children learn the fundamentals of speech mechanics, its titular twister garnered quite the attention and inspired a lot of lore about its namesake. Speculation aside, it turns out Peter Piper was based on French horticulturalist Pierre Poivre, whose last name actually means ‘pepper’ in French. Pierre was said to be exploring the viability of growing American spices in the French Mediterranean. Whether you’re trying to master Peter Piper, the woodchuck, or even “The Guinness Book of World Records’” most difficult recorded tongue twister, “The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick,” you’re sure to get your tongue endlessly tied.

Back home after spending 4 days in the BILs cabin. Notice the windmills on the far mountain above the roof. No electric or water in the cabin.

Of all the years making videos, I let one rip while on camera the other night. First time ever, believe it or not. Editing the footage, I was falling over laughing!

That was an awesome day @kj4kicks, secretly Eldon had obtained a C160 Auto (Just like my dad’s) and asked me if I wanted to do a trade for a C160 (in rough shape) for my Electro and one other which I forget what it was. Anyway, Chris and Mike came to my house, they knew what was about to happen, and we took my Durango and trailer to Eldon’s. When we got there, he opened the door and there sat one of the nicest C160’s you’ve ever seen. Eldon travelled a long distance, then painted the C160, it was a magical day for me.

I've developed and managed several forums (in varying platforms) back during the big online poker boom. I also made a living for a few years designing and selling graphic modifications for online poker sites like PokerStars and FullTilt. That became unsustainable when the US DOJ shut down online poker and the US. Since then, I've developed several websites for friends and associates (but still consider it a hobby). In all of my exposure, I will say with confidence, this is one of the best maintained forums I've experienced - so kudos to the admins! It also has the most respectful members of any public forum I've ever seen. The knowledge base here is incomparable!

Back in the pandemic about 2021, I was looking for projects to work on. I was also looking for something to mow the small lawn I have. My brother had just bought my next door neighbor’s house. A Wheel Horse garden tractor came with the house, The tractor was a 1992 312 -8 that the neighbor had owned it since new. Interestingly enough, That was the tractor I had mowed the neighbor’s lawn with for years when I was a teenager. My brother had decided to sell it. So the tractor was sitting outside by the road for sale. The starter had begun to intermittently give up. You could however, start it by jumping the solenoid and smacking the starter. I saw it sitting there and asked him what he wanted for it. He decided to give it to me. Then began the task of fixing it. I looked up “how to replace Wheelhorse starter” or something like that on Yahoo or Google and the results brought me here. One Amazon starter purchase later and steadily fixing the smaller issues, and I was mowing my lawn. That tractor my mowing tractor has now been repainted IH red, and mechanically for the most part sound. After two M&G at @JCM’s, A friendship with @ebinmaine and now two more mostly refurbished worker tractors, one of which was owned by a cousin, with a roller in progress, I’m still here. I’m a supporting member and accumulating knowledge, parts and (ahem) tractors… 😁 Happy 19th birthday Red Square!!!

I know this is not Wheel Horse related but there are many veteran members here, so it is kinda Wheel Horse related. Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans out there!

Show us scientific study that it doesn't. My grandmothers wore them... they lived well into their 90s and didn't die of arthritis. I think they are cool Mark.

Or full blown?? Little story on the find ... saw it on FB MP and remembered something ... for once don't expect it again... Dan was snooping around at the BS for a 704 and narrowly missed out on one so I knew he had a hankerin for one. Texted him on this one and we kinda knew the guy. Cindy even says him and his dad were at our plow day one year and kinda met him at other shows and plow events. Younger kid who is a JD fan ... go figure ... and took forever to respond to my inquries. Turned out he works a lot so was excused. Did I mention I hate FB finds but sometimes one does stumble on local horse finds. Well we finally connect and get something setup up for a look see and pick up. I was gonna get it on my way home from deer camp since I had a empty trailer but just didn't work out. So I says to Dan hook up and take your trailer to work go get it Friday after work. Off he goes and I sit wondering on what mission from hell did I send him on! Gotta remember Achto doesn't FB ... smart man ... so never had any kind of contact with the seller. A blind date if you will and some of you might remember how those go... @Shynon sends me a alert PM on it when Dan's on his way to get it. Thanks Tom! Dan gets there and seller says picking it up for Jim? Nope He's tractor heavy...

Seen the steam train on the way to putting my truck in winter storage. I timed it well, only waiting a few minutes for it to arrive at each of the two locations I stopped at. IMG_4492.mov

National Pickle Day is on November 14 and it was created to celebrate the pickle as one of the worlds favorite fermented foods. Pickles prove to be preposterously popular with people across the country; the number of pickle-eaters is projected to proliferate to more than 250 million by 2026. That gives plenty of pretext to position November 14th as prime pickle time! The practice of pickling has existed for thousands of years. The process ensured a degree of preservation otherwise impossible in pre-modern conditions and was essential in providing a mobile supply of provisions for travelers as well as a dependable source of nutrition for those living through barren winters. While a diverse set of foods can be pickled, the cucumber emerges as the dominant food that most associate with the idea of both pickling and the word “pickle” itself. Archaeologists believe that the first evidence of pickled cucumbers originates from Tigris river valley civilizations, and the nutritional benefits of the food would go on to be lauded by such historical figures as Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. With all their popularity in the Old World, pickles would not make their appearance in North America until 1492. As you may have guessed by the year, the one responsible for their introduction was none other than Christopher Columbus. Pickles were included in sailors’ rations on his expeditions as a means by which to prevent the onset of scurvy. By the mid-17th century, cucumbers bought from Dutch settlers farming in the New York area were pickled and distributed throughout the region. This would lay the foundations for the territory to be the perfect site for the introduction of the kosher dill pickle. In the period of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, a large number of Eastern European Jews immigrated to the United States and settled in the New York City area. They brought with them the unique methods that produce kosher dill pickles, and these early iterations of pickles would develop into the now-famous and ever-familiar food available in grocery stores throughout the United States.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RED SQUARE !!! My Dad had 4 Wheel Horses and a small lawn bussiness when I got out of the Navy. He had a 502 (all there but in pieces), a 702, an 857 and a Raider 10 with a good mixture of attachments. I would help my Dad if needed, but as he got older, the bussiness dwindled to nothing. He passed in 2002 and it was up to me to go through everything. When I got to the shed, I considered myself lucky...my Dad never threw out anything, especially if it had RED on it. I needed help. I searched the WEB and found a Kowasaki site. A guy named Jon Bell got in touch with me and pointed me toward Red Square. Even on the old forumer site, all were helpful...finally had manuals, advise and I imersed myself into Dad's horses. The rest is history, this place has kept me alive and well. I feel like I know almost everyone here. I have friends from all over the world, I love this place. Happy Anniversary Red Square and Thank You !!

I had owned a few Wheel Horses prior to buying my GT-14 in 2012. It was my first hydro and I wasn't sure about a few things and Googled Wheel Horse GT-14 which lead me to a few sites. I posted my questions on three or four sites. Got a rater rude response on one of them, nothing at all on one, but on Red Square I received good information from a couple of members and a bunch of welcomes. What a difference. I began reading other posts and offering suggestions on some I felt knowledgeable about and learning from other posts. This has become my only internet GO_TO site and I want to thank all of the people who have continued to make it so great.

Thanks to all who have been a part of starting, maintaining and managing RedSquare. What a journey. Knowing just a little about these things really shines a light on how much work is done. An useful Idea, one that has grown into the "go to for wheel horse" Just a search and I was there.Then a join and then supporter. I often think the core is the tractor.....not really it's the members. You are RedSquare!

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Red Square! We are all glad you were born! There wasn’t any cake, so I got you some “caption this” pictures from the archives!

Not exactly to my wheel horse but for it to do things to it. Made a set of back savers for the horses. Gets them up a bit higher so im not bent over working on them all the time. Made them out of just scrap wood had laying around I needed to use. ramps can be removed and tucked out of the way and when I get width where I need it for what im driving up on it I use 2 2x4 to lock them from sliding apart.

Mine was a three hole to begin with too. I drilled the two extra holes. It works great and as ri702bill said, I plow in the mid position a lot.

My other hobby (ok, obsession) is old flashlights. I’m kinda hot and cold with it though. I can easily go a year without buying one or even looking for one. Today the wife and I were in an antigue store and I wasn’t even looking for flashlights, but stumbled across this one so I picked it up to give it a once over and see what the price was. Bulb is missing and it’s not in great shade. Plus I like em older (this one is about a 1948 light). It was heavy, which usually means old dead batteries that have leaked out and corroded the inside. Yes it had old dead D cells inside, but they hadn’t leaked out. Check out the use-by date on them! Which means they were produced before that date. Bought this flashlight just for the batteries…. $7.00

Worked on daughters 522xi, oil change service and installed the snow plow. The deck has about 150 hours on sealed bearings. Still nice and smooth! Surprising how clean the deck is after cutting up the leaves. One other thing I keep an eye on is the right rear hub. It has one of those A to Z tapers hubs. The axle was about ten thousands under and I first had issues keeping it tight. That 1.125 taper is good to 5 under. With nothing to loose. I drove the taper in as deep as it would go, tightening and tapping on the taper while the out hub was blocked. I gauge it by the axle stick out. Has ran 95 hours on loaded tire and chains. Hanging tough!

This is the only forum that I support and for good reason, like others have mentioned the people are very friendly and helpful on here. Which is to the credit of the Admins on here, they don't tolerate the couple bad apples that ruin it for everyone, so thank you guys for that! I joined in 2017 when I got my first Wheelhorse 73 12-8, I think I came across Redsquare in a google search. I grew up using a Raider 10 so I was already familiar with them. But have gained so much more knowledge since then, with much more to learn.

Spot on Joe ... all the guys I have met and become friends with. Not to mention texting and yakking on the phone off RS. Going to the BS and hang with them. Definitely makes life all the more worthwhile and I often wonder if Coach realizes or imagned that when he started this.

After a life changing event in 2006 I needed strength to move on and my first time on a computer stumbled upon Red Square. At that time there was around 30 members if I recall. Lurked until June of 2012 and decided to sign up. Enjoyed it so much after a few years became a lifetime supporter. Best money ever spent and got my life under control. Thanks Karl and Mike. Much appreciated.

Added another round hood to my herd. I've always liked the looks of the round hoods, but was not a big fan of the square aluminum gas tanks. For this reason I had been looking for a 704 to add to my herd. @WHX?? alerted me to one that for sale on Face Book close by and was willing to do the FB work to get me hooked up. Thanks Jim !! Pics of the newest addition. PTO does not look correct to me. The gas tank that is in it is not right, but I have the correct one. Anyone see any thing else out of place please let me know. I also got this deck with it. It looks in pretty good shape but is not on the implement list for the 704. Anyone know off hand what it should be mated to? One more of my bucket lister's obtained. Only ? more to go.

Hauled some brush with the C-121 today

Great job. I will do that to mine some day. Similar to what I did for my deck rollers

Sharpened some mower deck blades before putting it away for winter! First time using this style blade fixture and it worked great. It's supposed to be bench mounted, but I just C clamped it to a saw horse and it worked great! Here's the link if anyone is interested: https://a.co/d/9IHreoA IMG_8403.mp4

Prepping for winter, moved the mowing rigs to the shed and the plow rig to the garage. Seven machines (4 with decks on em) in my 10x20 shed!

I guess there are a lot of things that have no scientific basis but that show positive effects in people. Whether thats a placebo effect or something we dont fully understand yet I'm not sure. I do yoga and aside from the physical benefits of stretching there is also a lot of "spiritual" or emotional benefit that can't be explained. The old yoga texts talk about energy pathways and chakras which can't be found by modern medicine. But you can feel the effects alright. So if copper wire worn next to the skin can make your joints feel better then give it a go, who are we to say its nonsense. Im cold water swimming and it definitely gives me benefits contrary to what everyone thinks. Mick