1971 Raider 10 Revival

[jsoluna 23]

Hello all,

 

First time Wheel Horse owner.  Have worked on them for customers at our shop for several years, but there are very few of them immediately local so we only see a handful every year. We mostly work on the 300/400 series.  We see mostly Cubs here, as there is a dealer down the road from us.

 

Excited to have received this one.  It was a single owner machine, bought new back in '71.  It was used every year by a friend's grandfather until somewhat recently (~5ish years).

 

This thread will be updated with data and posts from our YouTube channel as we go through the revival process.  It needs a ton of work, but last week we were able to get it running, driving, and mowing again.  The biggest hurdle there was in needing to rewind the electric PTO clutch.  First time attempting a rewind/repotting.  It went really well and we have about 5 hours of heavy mowing on the machine since the repairs.

 

Looking forward to learning more and being able to share the experience.  Revivals are what started our YouTube channel and continue to be the source of joy that keeps things interesting and fun.  

 

Some links for reference:

 

Our Shop:

Soluna Garage

 

Our YouTube Channel:

Soluna Garage YouTube

 

Raider 10 Revival Playlist:

Raider 10 Revival Playlist

[jsoluna 23]

Brought the unit over to a property that I maintain for a friend of mine.  Figure he'd get a kick out of it, and he did!

 

Like the Tecumseh smoke haze? 🧐 Plans in the works for an engine swap with a Command CH13 single, keeping everything as original as possible.  No sheet metal movement or cutting.

Edited Friday at 08:58 PM by jsoluna

[wallfish 18,117]

Nice. Looking forward to the progress on it.

That tractor looks to be garaged most of it's life so that paint should clean up but pics don't always tell the whole story either.

[jsoluna 23]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

Nice. Looking forward to the progress on it.

That tractor looks to be garaged most of it's life so that paint should clean up but pics don't always tell the whole story either.

You are correct.  Definitely not touching any of the sheetmetal wiith anything other than some mineral oil and a Scotch Brite pad.  Haven't even touched it with a pressure washer yet.

Edited Friday at 11:51 PM by jsoluna

[SylvanLakeWH 28,440]

 

Nice find!!! 

[ebinmaine 72,710]

 

 

Looking forward to seeing your progress! 

[Retired Wrencher 5,789]

That’s good news keeping it running and moving. Looking forward to seeing that engine swap. Keep us in the loop.

[953 nut 60,069]

On 8/1/2025 at 4:51 PM, jsoluna said:

Figure he'd get a kick out of it, and he did!

Just think of how happy he will be without the Tecumseh smoke haze.

[jsoluna 23]

Mowed yesterday with it and put it under a good heavy load.  Amazing little machine but man, that poor Tecumseh is ready to go.

 

Got the donor engine fired up and test ran it.  Runs Amazon, seems to be very low hours.  Crankshaft height and diameter are different, crankshaft length is almost identical.  Going to start the mockup process and pull the Tecumseh soon.

 

I realized this unit has the 10-pinion LSD diff.  Probably not at all limited slip anymore, given that it has been run low on fluid for decades.  Are these 10 pinion units a reason for concern at all if not maintained?

[ebinmaine 72,710]

6 minutes ago, jsoluna said:

Mowed yesterday with it and put it under a good heavy load.  Amazing little machine but man, that poor Tecumseh is ready to go.

 

Got the donor engine fired up and test ran it.  Runs Amazon, seems to be very low hours.  Crankshaft height and diameter are different, crankshaft length is almost identical.  Going to start the mockup process and pull the Tecumseh soon.

 

I realized this unit has the 10-pinion LSD diff.  Probably not at all limited slip anymore, given that it has been run low on fluid for decades.  Are these 10 pinion units a reason for concern at all if not maintained?

 

 

The actual limited slip piece is literally a metal ring that slides in between all the pinion gears.

It is of course a wear item.

My best suggestion I think would be to get a rare earth magnet and attach it to the bottom of the transmission near the drain plug.

Run. Flush. Repeat.

 

Hopefully that will get whatever metal filings are floating around in there, out.

 

 

[pfrederi 18,685]

Techy engines have a raised mounting plate without that you may find your Kohler lines up better

[jsoluna 23]

33 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

The actual limited slip piece is literally a metal ring that slides in between all the pinion gears.

It is of course a wear item.

My best suggestion I think would be to get a rare earth magnet and attach it to the bottom of the transmission near the drain plug.

Run. Flush. Repeat.

 

Hopefully that will get whatever metal filings are floating around in there, out.

 

 

Currently doing a flush similar to what you suggest, using ATF.  The neodymium magnet is a good idea.  I'll chuck one of those on there.

Edited 4 hours ago by jsoluna

[jsoluna 23]

24 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Techy engines have a raised mounting plate without that you may find your Kohler lines up better

I'll post with all the details of the swap, but yes the Tecumseh raised plate raises the Command a hair too high for the crankshaft centerline to remain the same, and also causes the valve cover to contact the hood.

 

I've determined that if I keep the crank centerline and fore-aft location the same, the Command will clear by about  1/4"  between the hood and the valve cover.  This will require a custom mounting plate, but no big deal.  There should be ample room to change the oil filter, there is clear access to the oil drains and the air filter assembly.  Need to get it fully mocked up to see how it interacts with the drive belt guide and battery tray area.

 

The crankshaft diameter difference (Command is 1.000" and the Tecumseh is 1.125") should be easily dealt with a custom crankshaft sleeve and key.

 

I'll get some pics and measurements as we move forward.  Excited to keep it as original as possible. I believe the original style control cables, electrical system (although we will rewire it because it is really pooched) fuel system, and muffler will all swap over to keep it as original as possible.  I've owned a lot of the single cylinder Commands, and they are a really fantastic little engine.

Edited 4 hours ago by jsoluna

[pfrederi 18,685]

29 minutes ago, jsoluna said:

I

 

 

The crankshaft diameter difference (Command is 1.000" and the Tecumseh is 1.125") should be easily dealt with a custom crankshaft sleeve and key.

 

 

  No problem.  WH used both 1 and 1-1/8 shaft electric PTOs.  Your rewound coil should fit the 1 "  pulley set 

 

I have 1"  pulleys if you want one.

Edited 4 hours ago by pfrederi

[jsoluna 23]

23 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

  No problem.  WH used both 1 and 1-1/8 shaft electric PTOs.  Your rewound coil should fit the 1 "  pulley set 

 

I have 1"  pulleys if you want one.

Thanks! 

 

Would need the drive pulley as well.  I've already ordered a crankshaft adapter sleeve and key, but if it doesn't work out an 1" pulley set would be great 

Edited 4 hours ago by jsoluna