Is this a good place to start?

[Dennis 0]

Hi All

I'm just getting into this hobby and really have only one tractor that I'd like to restore and own right now. The 1953-55 Pond RS-83 Senior. I'm I getting in to tough? Can you give me an idea how much one would cost in decent, rebuildable condition and how hard it might be to find?

I have a 1988 520-H that I bought new I wouldn't trade for the best big box store ah :thumbs:

[DMESS 24]

Well Dennis, you have good taste for starters, but I'll warn you in advance that you're looking for one of the rarer, costlier items in the Wheel Horse portfolio.

Production of the 1948 to 1956 4 wheeled tractor, the Ride Away Senior/RS-83, is claimed to be around 600 units. No concrete guarantee on that, but that's what the best sources claim. Give or take 50 plus years and I'm certain it's quite a few less, LOL. They're out there, but finding one on the cheap is getting tougher all the time. As the Wheel Horse has evolved into an enthusiast hobby these types of "jewels" have been identified and sought for more heavily than in the fledgling days of what wasn't always a hobby. What I'm getting at here is most of these are going to be in the hands of collectors that know there value.

Which leads us here: Most of these machines in original running order are easily in the $2500-$3000 range at least. They've been found for far less, but I'm talking current value between folks "in the know". Restored examples can reach higher towards $5000 give or take. If memory serves me correctly the last restored example I'm aware of was right in this ballpark.

Place want ads, scour the enthusiast web sites like this one, watch ebay, Craigs list, public auctions etc. You never know what you could turn up! We secured both of ours on almost the same day back in 1998. Best of luck with your search and be diligent. :thumbs:

[Teddy da Bear 11]

I have only seen one or two in the last year.

At the Portland Indiana swap meet and at the show there.

[Dennis 0]

Well