SkyCrafter 5 #1 Posted June 4 With the show coming up (or just passed, depending on timing), I thought it’d be fun to hear from everyone—what’s your favorite Wheel Horse memory, project, or machine? Maybe it was a restoration that took months, a tractor passed down through the family, or even your first time at a Wheel Horse show. Feel free to share photos, stories, and the little things that make the Wheel Horse hobby special to you. Looking forward to hearing what keeps you all turning wrenches and riding red! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,092 #2 Posted June 4 My first Wheel Horse memory was somewhat of a letdown but kindled the flame that now burns brightly. In 1956 we went to a lawn and garden show to look at the latest and greatest new equipment. I was eleven years old and we had looked at rototillers and mowers of all sorts, there was quite a good variety to choose from, then we rounded the corner and I saw it! It being a bright red Wheel Horse RJ-35. I jumped on that RJ and attempted to sell dad on the notion of us having a vestal rider with all of those accessories. I guess I wasn't a very good salesman, we ended up with a walk-behind Roto-tiller and a walk-behind rotary mower. 4 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 65,599 #3 Posted June 4 Favorite? Probably from 2013 until about now. I can’t pick the best memory, but ranking at the top would be the friends I’ve made in the last 12 years, the fools I reluctantly accept as friends (), and the journeys we’ve made along the way. I can’t tell how many miles I’ve racked up for these little tractors, or what kind of money I’ve spent. My first Big Show was epic, I never planned to spend the majority of the weekend packing my truck, but that’s what it turned into! Seriously, I thought my truck was full with just Putt Putt! Bringing tractors home to my girls, and seeing them develop motor skills like running a clutch smoothly, backing up well, operating trailers, plows, and such, building confidence along their young way, that’s pretty awesome. It built their ability to do engine swaps on trucks, drive a stick shift Jeep, break stuff, and smile a ton! Their first big show was just as awesome! Watching them cruise around, gather parts, make their tractors their own, and planting that seed that collecting old rusty stuff is ok, has been sweet. They both have summer and winter vehicles, Rylee has a pile of her own tractors, and our driveway looks more like a parking lot with projects! Country life is good clean living, and I don’t mean no dirt. How could I not mention actually shipping a tractor to Bavaria!? A journey of a lifetime, I picked up a 656 in 2018 from the Big Show, and it made it’s way to Michigan, then crated up in 2020 and shipping to Chicago, then Jersey, then The Netherlands, then to Stephan. Meeting my bro face to face last year at the Big Show became a big favorite too. We had a weekend for the memory books! @Racinbob and I had a conversation in 2018 at the hotel one evening. We all have different walks of life. We have different views, responsibilities, ages, health issues. We all have one common interest. Wheel Horses. Quite the bunch has gathered, and it’s pretty rare to find a bad egg! Picture heavy… 12 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,276 #4 Posted June 4 (edited) Took this tractor from this: To this in a month's time. Including replacing the transmission. Edited Saturday at 10:36 AM by squonk 3 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,552 #5 Posted June 4 Im not gonna post as much as Kevin! 🤣 My rat rod was a really fun project & I really am not into that theme. My suburban was really too rough to cost effectively restore & it had no emotional/significant value to me. So here's a before & after pic. My diesel RJ project was also fun. Sold it. My plan is to build another diesel with some parts I have & the RJ I bought from Pullstart. Have to confess that my RJ, 753, & 953 I got from Buckeyes were already restored. Saved me the grief & expense. 5 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,247 #6 Posted June 4 3 hours ago, Pullstart said: ranking at the top would be the friends I’ve made Says it all. 6 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1968Commando 143 #7 Posted June 4 (edited) My favorite memory was the first time I drove my great uncles commando 8 man I loved that I was 6 years old and he let me putt around the driveway at idle while he and my dad talked and followed behind me. Now I’m 16 and that tractor was gifted to me and I have use to for Lawncare and now I restored it this winter that tractor is more then a mower to me it’s memories I’ll cherish forever Edited June 4 by 1968Commando 3 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,166 #8 Posted June 4 My best Memory? recieving my first Wheelhorse - noo Stay in 2024 at the Big Show and see all my Friends once Face to Face Memories for my eternity. 2 3 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 12,007 #9 Posted June 4 Have to agree with Kevin and Ed, it's all about the friends I've made because of these tractors. If it hadn't been for the tractors, I wouldn't have met so many people from all over the country. 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 10,105 #10 Posted June 4 Having the privilege of being able to afford a new WH tractor in 1989. Bringing back a 420-LSE to its original state to the best of my ability and still working on it. Looking forward to our 7 th annual Meet & Greet this September with some great Red Square people. A few people from our 1 st Meet & Greet pictured. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,320 #11 Posted June 4 My favorite Wheel Horse memory is the process of taking my 312-8 from the top picture to the bottom and current condition. It’s how I found the forum, and it was also my first Wheel Horse. I also used to mow my neighbor’s lawn with it who was the PO when I was younger. The first get together I went to last year ranks pretty high too. 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,247 #12 Posted June 5 5 hours ago, rjg854 said: Have to agree with Kevin and Ed, it's all about the friends I've made because of these tractors. If it hadn't been for the tractors, I wouldn't have met so many people from all over the country world. Fixed it for ya friend. 2 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,092 #13 Posted June 5 The memories I have regarding Wheel Horses and Red Square continue to get better every day. My first post on Red Square was responded to promptly with more information than I had ever expected. That was followed by numerous welcomes and additional offers of assistance. Until that day I had never had such a satisfying experience on a website. I became hooked on Red Square and attempted to answer as many questions as possible as well as learning from others. One thing I noticed right away was that when you give an incorrect answer (yes I've done that) you aren't chastised over it as seems to be the case on Facebook, someone provides the correct answer and life goes on. Over the following couple of years I became a full fledged member of this new family of Horse-A-Holics and was eager to meet everyone. My first planned visit to the Big Show was put on hold due to the need spinal fusion surgery. I had pre-purchased a 953 from @Ed Kennell that I wasn't going to be able to pick up, @Wheel-N-It and @Jrblanke stepped up and brought it to North Carolina for me. Total stingers, but members of this family of outstanding people. The following year I made the pilgrimage to the South Mountain Fairgrounds for my first Big Show and hadn't even unloaded my 953 when @stevasaurus came up and introduced himself, inviting me to join them for dinner. This was followed by countless others whos screen name I recognized but never expected to meet in person. The family friendly nature of the forum and the work done by our moderators to keep it that way is so impressive, as is the sharing of experiences and life lessons that we share. Each successive Big Show has become better than the last and the people make it special. I look forward to seeing all of you in a couple of weeks. 6 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,612 #14 Posted June 5 There are two big ones amid too many to count. First, when I realized I’d bitten off more than I could chew to add remote hydraulics and a flail mower to what is now our 518-H++. Without the encouragement (prods, kicks in the butt, etc) of some members here, I might have given up but instead have a result I am very proud of. Second, the first time a member sent me a few needed parts for my 854 refurbishment and only wanted some pictures of the work in exchange. 1 5 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,208 #15 Posted June 5 What an excellent thread. It's all about Red Square!! This site welcomed me when the membership was under a 1000. It has always been about helping anybody that had a question...member or not. So, it has always been about the people that frequent this site. I've made friends all over the world (and SKYPE) has had a great hand in that along with going to all the shows through the years. I think the best thing that has helped bringing people together here is the "digital camera". With that said, being able to give back to Red Square has become what has kept me young all these years. My videos to the different transmission builds has made it easy for me to talk to people and walk them through the process of saving a Wheel Horse. I don't want to make this to long, so I picked out a short entertaining video...one of my best efforts. Please enjoy and Thank You Red Square. 2 7 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 10,105 #16 Posted June 5 BEST video on RS, bar none. The music. the cup, the smoke , the head movement, the stool, it's all there. Along with a great attitude. Looking good . @stevasaurus 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,166 #17 Posted June 5 Right, you guy‘s blame me, i forgot to mention how Strong that RedSquare was the foundation of my addiction. The first place where people helped me in kind words with informations with my first own Garden Tracta. It was a 200Series Wheelhorse since, but it worked great. she is now live its second Live as a „Farmshop Transfer Machine“ I learned a lot of the Wheel Horse Stuff in this Forum and about Wheel Horse History and i learned that my 200 Series is „just a Shetmetal Machine“ and extremely different to a „real Wheelhorse“ so slowly i became addicted. The reliability and the easy construction with huge potential of things to do with addicted me. Few months ahead of my Birthday i decided to get me one and started searchings for a Wheelhorse, but it was nearly unable here on my Side of the Pond in an adequate Range to find and even to get one. So i simply bought me one in The States at my Bro Kevin as a own Bithday Gift to me but without any idea how to transfer it. Live sometimes is a friend and give me the possibillity to bring it Overseas to my Home. Nothing where happen without RedSquare - so a Big Thanks for all Moderators, Admins and Guy‘s and Ladies and also all Members in and arround this Geat Forum.- Countless Hour‘s it do it‘s Job now with regular Service and Maintenance. It‘s just a 656 what needed a little Care, but here it is the still Star in the whole Areal. a Gardentracta 58years old and it runs and runs and just do it’s work. With Red Square i get Infos and also Friendships to overseas, things i couldn‘t believe in first, but after my Visit in 2024 one thing is Clear for me: that wasn‘t the Last Big Show i where. The Wheel Horse Community is my importantst Social Media i use. About the Boogie Van restauration i completely underestimate that this binds such a lot of Time. that‘s the reason i be rarely here at the Moment. 2 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,092 #18 Posted June 6 A more recent example of a Wheel Horse memory that sorta' sums up the nature of this group was the WHEEL HORSE EXPRESS at its best. I had seen an Electric A-60 for sale in Wisconsin, it was what I had been looking for because it would provide greater mobility following my stroke. However, it was rather geographically undesirable since I live in North Carolina. @WHX?? and @Achto agreed to pick it up for me and while they had it they mounted a badly needed new set of tires on freshly painted rims and made some other much needed repairs. They then loaded it up and took it to @Pullstart's plow day where @Mike'sHorseBarn transferred it to his trailer and delivered it to the 2024 Big Show where I took position of it. @Tractorhead attached a milk crate to the back of the A-60 for me so I could make the rounds at the flea market. @JPWH wasn't able to make the Big Show in 2024 so @squonk and @rjg854 loaded some of Jay's purchases in my truck for the trip south. A few weeks later @JPWH was able to pick them up while he was delivering a couple of parts tractors he had brought south in 2023 because I was hospitalized following a stroke and couldn't make the Big Show that year. Also, @Sailman had an unfortunate incident with a tree falling on his Wheel Horse shed and had sourced the parts he needed for the repair but wasn't able to come to the show so his parts and pieces went into my truck. A few days after the show I had lunch with @Sailman at a little restaurant that was only an hour's drive for each of us. If there is a better group of friends anywhere in the world I would love to meet them! I am prevailed to be a part of this family. 3 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,297 #19 Posted Friday at 02:16 PM (edited) Redsquare is definitely my fondest and current memory concerning Wheel Horse tractors. I almost fell into Wheel Horse tractors. My first , a 1994 520H, I bought from a lady who just “wanted it out of her yard.” About 120-140$ for tractor, 36” rototiller, 48” SD deck, and a leaf sucker. HAD TO HAVE REDSQUARE to help me get it operable, and semi-restored/ refreshed. Then a friend who I was proudly showing pics of my 520 to, offered me a 1984 Work Horse GT-1600 , which “only needed a fuel pump” for free, just to “get it out of the yard” Well the monkey was on my back and I just couldn’t get it off. After that came a snow/dozer blade(we avg. about 2” every 5 years or so)🤣, and a moldboard plow. Then I bought a 1975 or 77 C-160 that @ebinmaine didn’t grab first that I am currently trying to go through. During this whole Wheel Horse addiction I have been reaching out to you guys for answers on just about everything I do small engine and tractor wise. I could not do it without youse guys! I often feel that I take more than I give… I will see some of you fellas at The Big Show this year. I also seen some of you in 2022. It so far has been a blast ! Edited Friday at 04:21 PM by Horse Newbie 2 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,329 #20 Posted Friday at 02:22 PM Well since Kev all my good pics but yeah all the people I met. Watching @jeremi3210 & @PeacemakerJack boys grow up and my girls grow up to fine young people. I never realized it before but when you meet younguns when they are weed hoppers and don't see them often before you know it they are all grown up! I thank the hobby and RS for that slice of life. When I first stumbled on RS just looking for parts for a ragged 1067 I met @Achto and saw his rat rod. I thought man what a hillbilly. Then he got me into collecting & restoring & eventually exhibiting at shows and camping and drinking capt's. Then I met @stevasaurus and thought what a fruitcake. Then I met Pullstart and figured this guy was on something... or off his meds...I remember Kev calling me a genius for taking a bike to the Show. It got better after I hung out for awhile and before you knew it I had @Racinbob sending me dog points and Hank @JPWH sending me steering wheels out of the blue. Then there is the MN and their goofy plowing. Yeah look where that got me! Then you go to a couple BSs and actually meet guys like Squonky and wonder how can I not bust some stones. On 6/4/2025 at 6:43 AM, Pullstart said: Picture heavy… Ya Think!?!? 1 5 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,799 #21 Posted Friday at 02:22 PM 6 minutes ago, Horse Newbie said: I often feel that I take more than I give… With your name in Red, rest assured you are giving the gift of keeping RedSquare going for everyone! 4 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 65,599 #22 Posted Friday at 05:03 PM 2 hours ago, nylyon said: With your name in Red, rest assured you are giving the gift of keeping RedSquare going for everyone! As many pictures as I post, I figured I’d keep going with the 2 year plan. If I turned into a lifer, you’ll end up loosing money on the deal! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brockport Bill 1,888 #23 Posted Friday at 09:02 PM many, many memories --- one of the best was having my grandson learn to run the original 312-8 at age 3, then grow up as teenager to do a few mower deck rehabs with me over some summer months - Some special WH memories for him to tell his children and grandchildren - - now he has his own 520HC - mowing, plowing and even driving it to school one day with his cart and bookbag and books in tow 3 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wvtroutbum81 266 #24 Posted Saturday at 01:35 AM This, me in 1982 with my dad! 2 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites