BPEisenhower 524 #1 Posted April 19 Hello All!! Long time no checking in but, THANK YOU ALL for the birthday wishes last month. Appreciate the acknowledgement of the day I was hatched 45 years ago. After finally getting time to be off work early today the opportunity to get the C125 out of it's hibernation since early 83-84. And the story of what exactly happened to it. How I wish Paul Harvey (September 4, 1918 - February 28, 2009) could do this narrative for me. Here is the rest of the story. Bill had two sons, Neil and Patrick. Neil being the oldest was tasked with the lawn work with their father and Patrick being 3 years younger, could help by raking, picking up sticks and trimming with hand shears. One day, the family was heading to Peoria and on the way, passed by the local lawn and garden dealer. Seeing a load of the new black hood tractors outside on display he pulled in and didn't hesitate to purchase a C125, the first Wheel Horse sold at Stoekers Lawn and Garden. Also, his first garden tractor. The tractor was delivered on a Friday afternoon and the salesman demonstrated how to operate it safely to Neil and his father. After taking turns on mowing the lawn, it was parked in the garage. Patrick wanted a turn but his father told him that he can use the push mower for a few years first and then graduate to the rider. Not the answer he wanted. Then came Sunday, the day of relaxing, family picnic and the accident. After church, they all raced home, mother busy with the prep of the drinks, salads and desserts, father cleaning the grill and placing tables in the shade with the help of both sons. That afternoon, people were enjoying their Sunday lunches and conversations when the sound of a motor got the attention of the father. A Wheel Horse had come out of the garage with Patrick driving... poorly at top speed. He managed to strike the concrete flower planter, picnic table with people, dessert table, and a pine tree. Needless to say, tractor was ruined and so was the picnic. I found out that the father had tried to repair/repaint the hood to the best of his ability but couldn't get it the way he wanted. So, instead of selling, or trading it off he decided to bury it in the back of his shed behind the many vending machines to be forgotten until a few months ago. His son Pat is the one who gave me this tractor and told me the entire history of why it was buried. The deal is that I maintain the lawn that tractor was intended for since he didn't get to. I installed a new battery and cleaned the fuel system. That's all! Runs beautiful, drives excellent, needs hood repainted and decals. Needs the Choke handle since it was broken off. Thinking about using plasma cutter and eliminating the discharge chute unless the deck from my 312 will fit. Have to get the C195 out for pictures from small to large 3 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,272 #2 Posted April 19 Excellent story! That 312 deck should swap right over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPEisenhower 524 #3 Posted April 20 34 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Excellent story! That 312 deck should swap right over. It was entertaining to hear about it from the person that caused chaos in the first place. Thank you for the information on deck! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OutdoorEnvy 1,442 #4 Posted April 20 Cool story...and I don't blame Pat for a second...I can't watch someone else ride a WH with out wanting to myself 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,607 #5 Posted April 20 1 hour ago, BPEisenhower said: I found out that the father had tried to repair/repaint the hood to the best of his ability but couldn't get it the way he wanted. Great story to go with an awesome tractor. Thanks I do wonder when the plastic fenders were traded out for steel ones?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 7,858 #6 Posted April 20 (edited) I’m not sure when they switched back to a steel fender pan for the black hoods, but some of the literature shows plastic and some shows steel. Edited April 20 by c-series don 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,895 #7 Posted April 20 Good to have you back with us. Great backstory on the C-125. most of us have no history on our Wheel Horses. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 10,656 #8 Posted April 20 I was maybe 10 when a well-to-do neighbor bought a spiffy new Cub Cadet. I was never allowed by my parents to drive it but I’m sure that that experience planted a seed for me. Eventually my dad converted a Crosley car into a tractor for our large household garden. It was a temperamental thing, for sure, but eventually i was allowed to drive it. What a blast. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPEisenhower 524 #9 Posted April 20 21 hours ago, c-series don said: I’m not sure when they switched back to a steel fender pan for the black hoods, but some of the literature shows plastic and some shows steel. Hi Don! This has steel seat pan and would like to find the belt guard plus the front mount mower 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPEisenhower 524 #10 Posted April 20 11 hours ago, 953 nut said: Good to have you back with us. Great backstory on the C-125. most of us have no history on our Wheel Horses. Feels great being back! I have a story on most of the collection no matter the color and it seems to me that quite a few people make sure it's going to be cared for or they will NOT let it go 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPEisenhower 524 #11 Posted April 20 4 hours ago, Handy Don said: I was maybe 10 when a well-to-do neighbor bought a spiffy new Cub Cadet. I was never allowed by my parents to drive it but I’m sure that that experience planted a seed for me. Eventually my dad converted a Crosley car into a tractor for our large household garden. It was a temperamental thing, for sure, but eventually i was allowed to drive it. What a blast. Isn't it something how the forbidden fruit is motivating? Especially when it comes to being built with your own design and ingenuity. Crosley was definitely a design all of their own! I don't think I can fit in one but I still want one 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
