The things former owners do, "shakes head" (pics).

[WHX?? 50,875]

[6bg6ga 272]

9 hours ago, Tankman said:

Guess the belt guards, although perfect match and fit, got to go?

 

The coarse skateboard tape on the foot rests is a no-no.

Forget aftermarket decals. OMG! I'm using Huskee Kevlar belts from TSC! Shame on me!

 

Not in the biz sellin' Wheel Horses, keeping them sharp and working. Perhaps I would be better off with a 100%'er from Home Cheapo?

 

 

I think your missing the point. As nice as they are they are a copy and as a copy they aren't an original Wheel Horse. Like I said you did a great job but when the day is over they are just a good copy with Wheel Hose stickers. 

 

It would be no different if I bought a D250  modified it to the point the only thing that was original was the steering wheel.  I would have an abortion with the Wheel Horse sticker on it. In all probability the only thing that might be original would be the gauges and a few minor things. By rights could I call that a Wheel Horse?  I would paint it red right? That would make it right and then again I could slap some stickers on the non-original hood that had to be made to provide adequate cover for the straight 6, V6, or small block that was now sitting on the new frame I had to make to put everything together. I won't even touch base on the narrowed rear end that would be needed or the new re-designed electrical harness and the improved charging system or the power steering.

 

I guess I could call anything I put together copy or abortion a Wheel Horse as long as its Red has the new stickers and somewhat resembles a Wheel Horse.

Edited June 1, 2017 by 6bg6ga

[6bg6ga 272]

Sir,  let me ask you this..... If I built a Marshall JCM800 2203A   100 watt tube guitar amp from scratch put it in my own hand made cabinet and slapped on a Marshall sticker on the box could I call it a Marshall amp?  The reason I used this is because most people from the east coast and down south play with guitars.

 

I might have a 98% copy but at  the end of the day its still a copy and not an original Marshall Amp.  Granted the box is made from 9 ply birch and the chassis is a hand

made copy that has been chrome plated. The box covering is NOS material original Marshall color.

 

It looks like the original, the chassis won't tarnish, the controls have been upgraded the box is superior to the original. So, can I throw a Marshall logo on it and call it a Marshall Amp?  At the end of the day its a nice copy just like your horse is.

[Racinbob 11,788]

Geez! Now I'm totally bummed out. All these years enjoying Wheel Horses and now I'm told that they aren't 'real' Wheel Horses but just copies.

[6bg6ga 272]

10 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

Geez! Now I'm totally bummed out. All these years enjoying Wheel Horses and now I'm told that they aren't 'real' Wheel Horses but just copies.

 

Bob, are yours original? Did you fab up all your parts or are you just coming to the aid of one of your buddies?  Did you fab up your frame from stainless steel Bob? My opinion here Bob..... If you put an original Wheel Horse back together using Wheel Horse parts then you have a Wheel Horse. If you made a copy from NON original fabricated parts then you have a copy.

[Sarge 3,464]

It's generally acceptable to replace parts to keep an original tractor going . If that includes sheet metal in some areas - it's a necessary mod to replace parts that are no longer available . The better those parts are made , the better the quality of the restoration . Yes , there are some serious degrees of an honest restoration , but some new parts are accepted here to save a tractor that otherwise is missing or has damaged parts beyond repair that would otherwise get scrapped or parted out . These aren't old Mopars that were documented from the factory to the extreme , nor do they have a build sheet and the reflected market value . Even those old cars need a new fender , door , floor pans ect...the list goes on . It still has a vin number and if done correctly is widely accepted as an honest restoration . Watching the auctions , you'll learn real quick what is acceptable and the market will reflect the rules - same thing here in our little world of red tractors . The same rule applies here as well as the car world - the ever important ID tag , if that is missing then the tractor loses it's soul . The frames can become a crack-prone nightmare and I guarantee I can fab a new one from scratch so dimensionally close no one would ever know it . Much better than restoring a useful machine than slapping a whole lot of paint on something with a broken spine .

 

The level of workmanship from some of the members here in their restorations is mind blowing - a lot of these parts are not easily formed since non of us have the original stamping dies from the plant . To go to that level requires tycoon levels of cash and would be pointless in this hobby . The one thing that a lot of critics miss about these things is that even restored , it's a tractor and is fully capable of going to work to do it's intended purpose . The simplicity and versatility of these machines is what drives their value , and of course that beautiful shining red color...

 

Sarge

[Tankman 3,520]

"It's a tractor and is fully capable of going to work to do it's intended purpose . The simplicity and versatility of these machines is what drives their value , and of course that beautiful shining red color... "  Red is for the blood we shed!

 

OK Sarge, well said!  I like fixin' old Horses for me. Kind of like a hobby for grandsons, sons, and myself.

 

Saving old iron. 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

 for @Sarge, @Tankman, and every other member who has "restored" or "refurbished" their  to their specs and satisfaction, so it's not 100% thoroughbred, techinally neither are any garden tractor of the era (Kohler,Briggs, Onan power, Sundstrand and Eaton hydros ect) the aftermarket runs amuck with off shore made parts for everything and most times they are O.E. equivalent, and why some people have to keep  about an otherwise helpful bunch with this forum over such trivial issues as 100% pure vs utility and function and keeping something as iconic  as these little wonders running boggles my simple hillbilly mind, sometimes I go to extremes with my opinions with fixes ect, or disagree with how something should be, but at the end of the day it's the "owner's" choice skills tools and budget that counts, Jeff.

[Sarge 3,464]

Frankly , other than larger farm tractors , possibly some cubs/deere models there is nothing else as versatile that can be restored and potentially go full-service for another 40-50yrs . Well , except maybe my old Land Cruiser , which was about the most indestructible truck ever built - and their restored market prices are flat-out scary . Once bounced through the Florida Mecum auction at $109,000.00 and wasn't even totally correct . Try to get that out of a Jeep...lol . It is so common to see one pop up in the forum groups with a new owner excited to start rebuilding it and not expecting that old straight six to actually run and drive with some tlc - some have sat for over 20yrs and will fire right off with a day's work...just like our old Kohler single cylinder engines here . All the tractors I've literally dragged onto a trailer , hauled it home , cleaned it up and fired it off and drove it around is amazing - they just refuse to die from sitting . Most were parked for simple stuff - bad points , dirty carb or just worn out parts and left outside to rot away . The fact they can be saved is amazing to start with and what some folks here have done to save them is staggering . The members that take a pile of rusted parts and turn it back into a beautiful , working machine ready for service for several more generations deserves a lot of respect . It's not an easy task requiring an amazing amount of knowledge , skills and not to mention money for something this size . I'm in awe of the quality of what folks here can do and that they are willing to share how they did it is a testament to their character - Salute !

 

Sarge

[slim67 2,744]

19 minutes ago, Sarge said:

Frankly , other than larger farm tractors , possibly some cubs/deere models there is nothing else as versatile that can be restored and potentially go full-service for another 40-50yrs . Well , except maybe my old Land Cruiser , which was about the most indestructible truck ever built - and their restored market prices are flat-out scary . Once bounced through the Florida Mecum auction at $109,000.00 and wasn't even totally correct . Try to get that out of a Jeep...lol . It is so common to see one pop up in the forum groups with a new owner excited to start rebuilding it and not expecting that old straight six to actually run and drive with some tlc - some have sat for over 20yrs and will fire right off with a day's work...just like our old Kohler single cylinder engines here . All the tractors I've literally dragged onto a trailer , hauled it home , cleaned it up and fired it off and drove it around is amazing - they just refuse to die from sitting . Most were parked for simple stuff - bad points , dirty carb or just worn out parts and left outside to rot away . The fact they can be saved is amazing to start with and what some folks here have done to save them is staggering . The members that take a pile of rusted parts and turn it back into a beautiful , working machine ready for service for several more generations deserves a lot of respect . It's not an easy task requiring an amazing amount of knowledge , skills and not to mention money for something this size . I'm in awe of the quality of what folks here can do and that they are willing to share how they did it is a testament to their character - Salute !

 

Sarge

Well said Sarge . 

[AlwaysLookin80 1,308]

7 hours ago, 6bg6ga said:

Sir,  let me ask you this..... If I built a Marshall JCM800 2203A   100 watt tube guitar amp from scratch put it in my own hand made cabinet and slapped on a Marshall sticker on the box could I call it a Marshall amp?  The reason I used this is because most people from the east coast and down south play with guitars.

 

I might have a 98% copy but at  the end of the day its still a copy and not an original Marshall Amp.  Granted the box is made from 9 ply birch and the chassis is a hand

made copy that has been chrome plated. The box covering is NOS material original Marshall color.

 

It looks like the original, the chassis won't tarnish, the controls have been upgraded the box is superior to the original. So, can I throw a Marshall logo on it and call it a Marshall Amp?  At the end of the day its a nice copy just like your horse is.

What a joke. 

[Tankman 3,520]

I think this thread should be trashed.

[C-101plowerpower 1,606]

9 hours ago, 6bg6ga said:

 

 

 

It would be no different if I bought a D250  modified it to the point the only thing that was original was the steering wheel. 

 even original it isnt a wheel horse so that doesnt count

[slim67 2,744]

1 hour ago, Tankman said:

I think this thread should be trashed.

It's going in a bad direction, I agree.

[Tgtack 779]

1 minute ago, slim67 said:

It's going in a bad direction, I agree.

 

Yep, it is. The original intent was to post up some humor of weird stuff you have found over the years that others have done to these tractors. It was never intended to call into question people's efforts to restore and preserve these little machines. After 50 years or longer, the term "original" is so subjective, that it has little value in the overall scheme of things. If it has the ID tag on it and uses at least the basic parts mfg by Wheel Horse, then as far as I am concerned, it is a Wheel Horse. Whether it be one of a handful of just off the showroom floor NOS units, or is someone's hot little rat rod, it is still a Wheel Horse. Like previously mentioned, they are never going to be an all numbers matching never before titled Hemi Cuda Convertible! 

[slim67 2,744]

5 minutes ago, Tgtack said:

 

Yep, it is. The original intent was to post up some humor of weird stuff you have found over the years that others have done to these tractors. It was never intended to call into question people's efforts to restore and preserve these little machines. After 50 years or longer, the term "original" is so subjective, that it has little value in the overall scheme of things. If it has the ID tag on it and uses at least the basic parts mfg by Wheel Horse, then as far as I am concerned, it is a Wheel Horse. Whether it be one of a handful of just off the showroom floor NOS units, or is someone's hot little rat rod, it is still a Wheel Horse. Like previously mentioned, they are never going to be an all numbers matching never before titled Hemi Cuda Convertible! 

Very true. Let's remember these are tractors and I don't think they will end up at Barrett-Jackson like your Hemi Cuda either. To me that's one thing I like is that it is an affordable hobby. I'm not a rivet counter so I really don't care what is original or isn't anymore. Life's too short to worry about it.

[6bg6ga 272]

I stated my opinions which you are entitled to either agree with or not. I'll respect your opinions and expect the same.  My posts in MY opinion are within the realm of this topic.

[Tgtack 779]

8 minutes ago, slim67 said:

 Life's too short to worry about it.

 

You got that right!

[WHX?? 50,875]

10 hours ago, 6bg6ga said:

I built a Marshall JCM800 2203A

Good for you Marshall still makes amps then... us in this hobby don't have that luxury, I guess we just have to settle with our "copies". Hey guess what my RJ59 copy still has 1959 steel in it!

 

In bringing your thread back to it's intent Tg back in the 60's 70's horses were aplenty and not in the wildest of their dreams did people think that in 2017 a bunch of clowns like us would drool over tractors and pics no less that we would electronically yak about them on a thing call Red Square forum. All they knew was their tractor was broke, grass was needed to be mowed, snow moved &  gardens tilled and they had to fix it anyway they could often on a limited or no budget & most often without proper parts, tools, & knowhow. They couldn't hop on the internet and ask a RS bro what's the best way to fix it. They couldn't  be in the belt isle at TSC grab their smart phone and quick ask someone here what is the correct belt for a tractor and have the correct  belt or bolt in their hands in minutes like we can. I myself is guilty as charged when doing improper things to a horse. I was a young man with not a lot of disposable income and there was no TSC and the only place to get parts for a 1067 was a dealer a byzillion miles away, the Studebaker wasn't up for the drive,  and they often they didn't have parts. Lucky for me wealth (well kinda) & wisdom came with age!  Back then there was no EBAY, Parts Tree or online ordering in your mailbox bearings in days. There was no big show where they could go to get parts to keep our tractors true "copies" but it didn't matter because farmer Joe couldn't afford to go anyway.  So folks got by by doing the things we have seen. They used a pully off a junk corn picker and hotwired ignition switches.  Necessity is truly the mother of invention.

 

 

Edited June 1, 2017 by WHX11

[AlwaysLookin80 1,308]

2 hours ago, 6bg6ga said:

I stated my opinions which you are entitled to either agree with or not. I'll respect your opinions and expect the same.  My posts in MY opinion are within the realm of this topic.

I guess it's just the negativity and way you present your opinion that creates the issue here. We were talking about what people that own these tractors do to them that doesn't make sense to us as collectors in the hobby. Nothing more really. You basicly went off and started bashing someone's hard work and fabrication on THIER tractor that THEY own and stating that it makes the tractor a copy and not a real wheel horse. My OPINION along with many others I'm assuming at this point is "OK Buddy", we get it. You rightfully excerised your right to free speech by stating your opinion, soooooooo, let's move on. Let's all get back to shooting the breeze and enjoying our forum and talking about wheel horse tractor related topics. 

Edited June 1, 2017 by J.A.

[Racinbob 11,788]

and

 

I'm on track to get my beloved 1976 back after a 17 year separation. I bought it new and shake my head when I see some of the things I did to it just because it was functional. Mount a exhaust insect fogger tank to the hood   Hey, it worked. I've been wrenching on these things since the 60's and Jim nailed it. Times were different and we had our tractors to get jobs done and did whatever was needed to do it. 

[Tgtack 779]

2 hours ago, WHX11 said:

Good for you Marshall still makes amps then... us in this hobby don't have that luxury, I guess we just have to settle with our "copies". Hey guess what my RJ59 copy still has 1959 steel in it!

 

In bringing your thread back to it's intent Tg back in the 60's 70's horses were aplenty and not in the wildest of their dreams did people think that in 2017 a bunch of clowns like us would drool over tractors and pics no less that we would electronically yak about them on a thing call Red Square forum. All they knew was their tractor was broke, grass was needed to be mowed, snow moved &  gardens tilled and they had to fix it anyway they could often on a limited or no budget & most often without proper parts, tools, & knowhow. They couldn't hop on the internet and ask a RS bro what's the best way to fix it. They couldn't  be in the belt isle at TSC grab their smart phone and quick ask someone here what is the correct belt for a tractor and have the correct  belt or bolt in their hands in minutes like we can. I myself is guilty as charged when doing improper things to a horse. I was a young man with not a lot of disposable income and there was no TSC and the only place to get parts for a 1067 was a dealer a byzillion miles away, the Studebaker wasn't up for the drive,  and they often they didn't have parts. Lucky for me wealth (well kinda) & wisdom came with age!  Back then there was no EBAY, Parts Tree or online ordering in your mailbox bearings in days. There was no big show where they could go to get parts to keep our tractors true "copies" but it didn't matter because farmer Joe couldn't afford to go anyway.  So folks got by by doing the things we have seen. They used a pully off a junk corn picker and hotwired ignition switches.  Necessity is truly the mother of invention.

 

 

Yep, all true, but you have to admit, you know you have seen something that just makes you ask "why!". Those are the things the post is looking for, even if just stories to get a chuckle.

[WHX?? 50,875]

Ok Tg ...you asked for it .. be warned you might get both barrels... why would anyone do this for a shift boot rubber  rather than get one from @wheelhorseman1000 who sells them by the boatload for less than what I pay for a pack  of cigaretttes?? 

[chip61 664]

How do you like the previous owner's hub cover??   Don't think I would have thought of that!!

 

[WHX?? 50,875]

These are the things that make you ask you why? Some guys just don't give  damn  ....that's ok too...our country  (without going political on this otherwise fine thread)  means that guys that are going to do what it takes to "just get by" are not like us hoobyists ..who might demand perfection (restorers) or likeness to near original  in keeping  with original specifications. or just plain spent 100 bucks on a tractor that  they just want to mow their lawn with and will do whatever it it takes  cobbling or not. That too is ok with me.  To each his own I say  and I hope that others think the same as me as to just keep doing these mods .....keeps us diehard  enthusiasts  out of the tavern and in our garages with hopefully our kids that can appreciate the difference between a 7 and a 9 16ths?

In a nutshell it amounts to redneck.... strike that ... back yard under the orchard tree engineeering. ....  strike that... innovative do it with what you  have fixes tht make us wonder why!

Edited June 2, 2017 by WHX11
speeling