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My dear friend George Sleezer gave me this beautiful viper red 656 that was his pride and joy. I’m so grateful for this, but sad to see he’s getting out of the hobby due to old age. It came with a sickle mower and tub cart. More pictures to come.

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

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!

Scored some decent tools from a local online auction. Pick up Tuesday morning.

So nice to have this club/site. Still using my 1996 314-H. In the late 80’s I worked in the Wheelhorse offices/factory in South Bend. Didn’t work for them but for the finance company Borg Warner Acceptance Co. our office was in their facility and we financed / Floorplanned all there dealers. I had all dealers in the NE PA up through Maine. Remember walking the assembly line etc. John Munn was running the company at that time. Knew most everyone in the offices. Solid people! PA had some big dealers. Only after moving to TN in 1989 I purchased my tractor as I knew Toro was going to eliminate the old quality stuff. The last National Lawn and Garden show I attended in Louisville Toro had 4 or 5 of the “real” Wheelhorse units there but they were stuffed in the corner. You could tell they didn’t want them front and center. So, I went to the local TN dealer and ordered one before it was too late. Recall the dealer asking me why I wanted a 314-H just to cut grass. My answer was because I never wanted to buy another tractor. This to date is true! I’m in Ohio and gave the yard one last cut today and put the old girl away until spring. Have only posted once when I joined a number of years ago but wanted to share my story and love for my tractor. She’s a great machine! Thanks for allowing such a long message. Mike

Couldn’t get this one fired up today…motor didn’t make a sound. Also the rear tires are constantly flat..super annoying! It’s tractors like this that make me wanna get outa the hobby

Sort of finished a "Proof of Concept" project. I am not getting any younger and neither is my chore tractor (and favorite WH) the L-107 father bought in May of 1967. She has been in use ever since. The HH70 replacement engine is over 30 years old still starts from cold two pulls if I use the recoil...but she is burning oil. I am not sure it is possible to really overhaul a techy anymore didn't see much in over /under parts availability. I have many other WHs (18 or so) but as I get older climbing on and off gets more tiring. Not a problem mowing or snow plowing as I don't have to get on and off a lot...but chore tractor constant on and off. Staring at a 856 one day I wondered if I could almost convert it to Lawn Ranger size. So swapped out wheels used a spare Lawn Ranger rear fender. I do not like to dill holes or cut metal on WHs. But I did have to drill 4 holes in the 856 hood-stand to mount the LR fender and some holes in the fender for the seat. ( I have a correct seat with a beautiful new cover but I don't want to get it dirty on a chore tractor.) Wanted front tachmatic, had to grind a bit of the side plates to clear the hood (need to do a bit more so hood opens farther). Had to make a modified rear hitch to get right drawbar height for the trailer (It was a Father son project from the 1960s with several mods over the years). The engine on it is from a pallet of engines I got for $25 bucks two of them run but will need overhaul. This one starts and runs but smokes some. Good enough for now. Going to use it for a few months see if it works okay then pretty her up some and drop in a new engine. Long run the old L-107 may get an S/G K-181.

TRUTH!

Today would have been @BOB ELLISON's 77th birthday. Gone too soon!

I live a scant 9 miles north of Mecca....error I mean the Wheel Horse factory ..lol I own old man Chandler's personal Wheel Horse which I got from his daughter some years ago. For those who don't know. Chandler was the first wheel horse dealership. They built the horses out back and sold them up front. (corner of Auten Rd. & 933 S. before moving to their Ireland Rd. location in South Bend) I will never forget going there in early 60's with my dad. If he mentioned Chandler's? I was already sitting on the front seat of our 63 t-bird. Funny how I can remember dad, the T-bird, Chandler's, (building still there), but don't know what I had to eat for breakfast yesterday.

Bought this about three years ago finally got all the parts I needed to put this rj together

Hi all. Me and Mrs.W are at Manchester Airport hotel ready to fly out to Australia in the morning. Longest trip I've ever been on with plenty of seat time in a tin tube at 36,000 feet. We are off the Perth to watch the first Test match in this Ashes cricket series. Experience of a lifetime as when we have watched the game we fly to Brisbane to see Sandra's brother for a week on the sunshine coast. Im looking forward to seeing things for the first time, koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras etc. Bet it's a great place to play scrabble. Ill update you as we go, Qatar first stop for a refuel and leg stretch. Then on to Perth 14 hours later.

That's a dressing tool for your grinding wheels. To true up the face of the stone. Best if you have a solid guide you can rest against to stay flat with the face of the stone.

It is just math! there is girl math there is guy math and then there is tractor math 2+1=7

As our treasures pass between us, I have pondered on several occasions that our motto should be "in good hands we trust."

I've mentioned it a few times before I did get to tour the Wheel Horse plant back when they were still building the square hoods. I only wish I had some pictures but, of course, that was before the cell phone thing. One of the things that stood out was their paint line. I don't have a clue as to how they even managed a decent paint job. Ironically, some years later after the Toro thing and them moving to Minnesota the plant was empty and for sale. A large South Bend contractor was considering it but backed down. There was a tremendous amount of red paint residue on the ground behind the building where apparently the air handlers discharged it. They weren't allowing any testing to be done prior to the sale and any ground contamination was to be the buyers responsibility. The potential of 10's of thousands in costs. Some years later I was walking through the Studebaker Museum when it was at the old Sears building downtown. I was there as a contractor and laying out a fire alarm system and that allowed me on the upper floors where the public couldn't go. Somewhere along the way I spotted some red things covered in plastic. Of course I inquired and we went over to look at them. Yup, the Wheel Horses intended to be on display. They came from the Wheel Horse plant when Toro moved them but never put on display. Again, no cell phone picture taker thingy. Fast forward to 2022. I took my Grandson to the new Studebaker Museum, now on Chapin Street. I had heard rumors that they had the Wheel Horses on display. I thought we had seen everything but then I saw a door leading to a basement. Open to the public of course I went down. Obviously from the other items down there it was for the things that they didn't think would attract the most attention. Sure enough. They were poorly tagged and there were errors. Also it wasn't all the tractors I saw in the old building. I was disappointed and contacted the Museum. I volunteered my assistance to basically bring the display up to the standards they deserve as part of South Bends history. Their curator at the time, Ken Slater, emailed me back and said they were in the middle of some higher priority projects but when they get to the tractors they might take me up on my offer. That was the last I heard from him. Something I hear quite often and wholeheartedly disagree with is when was the last of the 'good ones' built. The most common I hear is mid to late 90's. Not so. It was 2007. Period. I currently have five tractors from 1964 to 2005. The best way I can put it that if I strip down to the chassis my 1976 that I purchased new and my 2005 purchased in 2009 there is no difference in quality. Sure there are things that the 76 holds over the 05 but it comes to lesser items like sheet metal and some minor stuff.......kinda like everything else in this world. But not where it counts. Don't get me wrong now. I would still prefer the 76 but Toro actually did us collectors a major favor by keeping the same basic machine as long as they did. I'm running a 1970's 48" deck I purchased new to on the 05 and have been for several years. That interchangeability alone amazes some people. Four of the five tractors I currently have are Kohler K's and I love them. The 05 is a Kohler Command. I won't live long enough to verify longevity but in smoothness the Command beats the snot out of the K's. Now, let's not even discuss the electrical systems. But that's not Toros fault. From the very first day I looked at the 2005 schematic I knew the day would come when I had an electrical issue. I also knew that I would enjoy removing 100% of it and starting from scratch. So far that hasn't been needed. I've just ummmmm.......tweaked...... ummmmm no, improved a few of the things I didn't like.

Nope, not an Eaton or a Sundstrand transmission. Just some information on the US Army Corp of Engineers hydro projects. I had the honor of working with the Corp on the development of most of their hydro plants. My son managed the recently completed Ice Harbor project. https://www.facebook.com/WallaWallaUSACE

Karl @nylyon fixed it. My pics load again. Here is the swivel setup. Locks about every 30 degrees of rotation unless the handle is pulled.

Yeah, here's what they look like Those tie rods don't go in on a locking tapered fit like automotive ball joints do. Loosen the nut to the end of the threads (to protect them) and hit it with a hammer to knock it through the hole if it's rusted together. If the nut is locked on the threads and it's just spinning, try twisting the rod by the locking nut with a wrench which will add friction to the joint.

Fixed it for ya... now that is totally absurd...

I'm not saying I am Batman. I'm only saying Batman and I have never been seen at the same time!

Oh, man! My OCD would not let me off the hook until I had matching tread!

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

@WheelHorse_Kid and I have been working on getting stuff squared away for winter. Had these 5 out of the garage so decided to snap a photo.

This front hitch is built a little different, but it is strong, comes right off and works great.

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 recently scored two C-160’s. I’m not messing with the paint, I just power washed them and sprayed them with WD-40.

I'm only going to buy one more tractor. Then that's IT, I'm DONE, NO MORE !!!

Once again, Mrs. Sylvan is astounded that an entire day has been set aside in honor of her husband...

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

How about this one?

A little visual on that.

It must be fun to celebrate your birthday when you never age! Mickey Mouse first appeared in the short film “Steamboat Willie” on November 18, 1928. Ever since then, fans all over the world have celebrated this day as his birthday. Mickey reminds us of the magic of childhood — a time when dreams had wings, and our imagination made everything possible. Besides, everyone loves Mickey! Mickey's full name is Michael Theodore Mouse. Mickey Mouse wears white gloves so that his hands can be distinguished from his entire body. Most U.S. presidents have posed alongside Mickey, with the notable exception of Lyndon Johnson. "Hot Dogs!" were the first words Mickey Mouse said. In fact, he was the first cartoon character to speak. He is the first cartoon character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Curiously I never liked using either type. I use and have great results using an old used diamond cutting saw blade. I find it easier to control and more versatile being able to use the very tip or the sides. Easier to control with faster results.

Howdy! I found this site while looking for parts and literature for my Wheel Horse Classic 312Hydro. I will post pictures later as it is only half torn apart for cleaning and inspection. It was dead when I got it almost 2 years ago from a friend who was moving. He got it from a friend who was moving... 😁 So it sat in the back corner of the shop as an "get to it eventually" project. So, now it is the project to do .. 😁😁 So.... Cleaned the carb, installed new crankcase breather and substituted a 1/4" vacuum hose to connect to the air cleaner. She fired up and runs like a champ. Drive it around the yard and scared a couple mule deer. So anyway, waiting on a couple new belts and I will have pics of the complete machine. It came with a 42" rear discharge mower deck. Looking for plans or parts to build a snowplow for it. It has the hydraulic attachment lift installed, so I'm guessing I can run the 48" plow. Looking forward to using this beast. Joe

What a beautiful machine. And such a wonderful gesture as well. We are all fortunate to be part of such a great group of people.

So I have not been feeling very well lately with my heart racing and difficulty breathing when that happens. This week has been particularly bad specially Wednesday and Thursday. Friday I decide to see doctor and as soon as he examines me he basically asks me if he should call the ambulance or if my wife will drive me. Sure enough this is what the poor woman needed now in her condition. So he states that I either already had a heart attack or am about to have one. Stubborn as I am I did not want to go in an ambulance and since my wife cannot drive a manual car I wound up calling a friend nearby to take us. Summarizing the events since then it was established that I did not have a heart attack yet but something is wrong either electrically or some type of blockage. They did find a clot in my leg which luckily has not traveled anywhere. So here I am all wired up doing all kinds of tests again. Seems like it never ends with health issues for both of us now a days. I’ll be here until Tuesday in the very least from what it looks. This may be the new normal unfortunately. Thank you to all that asked about my abrupt interruption while posting on something. From there things unfolded pretty rapidly.

GOT EM!! I used my induction heater I picked up a few months ago.

I have been reading and watching this post since its start. I have not commented before. It is easy to give advice on what to or not to do in things like this specially after the fact and even to make a little fun of it since the recipient is such a good sport. I am not going to do that. What I am going to do is to say how sad and unscrupulous human beings can be for the sake of profit. But let’s not worry about them because they will get their due sooner or later in their miserable existence. A few things I gather from reading this. It’s a few lessons for the rest of us. Through the disappointment and feeling really violated ,Kevin still made the best of the trip and of the situation. He wasn’t secretive about it but shared the whole thing unlike what many would do. He proceeded to fix the problems specially the safety related ones and makes the best of a bad situation. And finally, although sadly due to someone’s dire situation an opportunity to make everything work out surfaces. The lesson here is that good things always happen to those who deserve it and mean well in life. And Kevin, as far as your comment that neither you or your RV wouldn’t “fit in” in those places, don’t ever think like that. You and your family fit anywhere you want to be and it would be those that don’t think you fit in that do not in fact fit in and deserve the privilege to know you and your family.

My management is also quite understanding...she doesn't make me go shopping with her when it snows.

That’s no longer absurd, that’s commonplace with “normal” people…

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

One of the largest turbines made. Proud to have been involved in developing these 1 million HP turbines .Bing Videos

The last panel should ask "So, ya still married?"

@OldWorkHorse came byfor a visit. 3 YEARS ago he and I had @Pullstart send us a chunk of pvc to make dual wheel spacers. Steve and I used a table saw and some patience to cut several slices about 2.25" wide.

This is my vote too. I'm wouldn't be one to try to clip it. When my two older brother were little, a large bee hive formed in the tree by the back porch. So my older brother waited till the younger brother was under it. He stood at the porch so he could run in the door and threw a ball at it when younger brother was under it. Needless to say younger brother got bit up by bees and older brothers rear end got bit up by a belt

"Ran when parked"

Yes, a 1967 to 1979 Volkswagen ignition coil will get the job done and any idiot at the local auto parts counter will be able to look it up, though you may need to tell them what color the VW is.