My new to me 17hr LSE signed by Cecil Pond

[c-series don 7,772]

This is a bit of a long story but I have to tell it. Back in June at the big show I ran into a woman who I recognized but wasn’t exactly sure if it was her. She was selling a few items so I stopped to talk to her. As we were talking she said “Aren’t you Don, from Long Island?” And I said “Aren’t you Pam from Ohio?” We both were happy to meet again after many years. I first met Pam and her husband Mark at the first Wheel Horse show I attended, which was the second or third show. Mark’s C-125 that he restored inspired me to do my future restorations. When I asked Pam where Mark was she very sadly informed me that he passed away in December. Mark and I had become good friends at the show and I couldn’t wait to see him each year. He was the kind of guy that was a genuinely nice person. I was truly saddened by this news. In 2006 Mark came to the show with a 420-LSE that had 2 yes 2 hours on it. It was pristine and I was jealous! That year Cecil Pond was there and signed it for Mark. So after talking with Pam for a while I asked her about the LSE, she told me that she still had it. She also informed me that it wasn’t really for sale but she would consider selling it to me because she wanted it to go to a good home. Pam told me what she’d like to have for it and I agreed that was a fair price, however I didn’t have that kind of money at the time. She graciously said that she would hang on to it and not sell it to anyone else until I came up with the money.Four months later my wife and I made the trip to Ohio. We made a road trip/vacation out of it driving over 1900 miles round trip in seven days stopping at many beautiful places along the way.I must admit Pam and I were both a little emotional as I loaded up the tractor. So Mark Klingler I sincerely hope that you are looking down and are happy with what has transpired. Your beautiful tractor is in good hands and I promise to cherish it as much as you did for years to come.God bless. Thank you folks for reading this story. 

[Sparky-(Admin) 19,439]

Wow, just wow! 
  Beautiful machine and great story. No doubt in my mind you will treat that 420 the way Mark did 

[stevasaurus 22,229]

I've got tears in my eyes...just excellent!!  

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034]

That is a great story. Glade to see you are the caretaker of that nice machine now. At some point we will all pass these machines along. 

[Handy Don 10,548]

We are all just temporary custodians of our stuff.

Extremely glad to see this tractor go from good hands to good hands.

[stevasaurus 22,229]

You know, the hoist table that the Horse is on is "THE PLACE" to show off that tractor.  Out Standing pictures Don.  

[c-series don 7,772]

Thank you guys for all your kind words. I honestly couldn’t be happier. This expense almost caused a divorce 😂😂 but luckily my wife understood how much this all means to me. @stevasaurus the lift table is also making my back happy doing any repairs or service work!

[Snoopy11 5,713]

 

 We are not worthy 

 

Don

[c-series don 7,772]

Geez, I just did a full service on it and I honestly can’t believe that I own this tractor. I just keep looking at it and I’m so thankful this came to be. 

[rmaynard 14,863]

You lucky duck. What's the number on the plate?

[Moparfanforever 711]

Great story , great tractor !!

[76c12091520h 3,263]

After meeting and speaking with you at the show on Saturday, I have no doubt it went to the right home. 

[Pullstart 59,540]

Congrats on your acquisition Don!  Mark, thank you for taking such good care of such a cool piece of history…

[520HC 207]

Yeah great story, I also knew Mark and great Guy he was. I was there at the time Mr. Pond signed that tractor. Super piece of history. Glad to see someone get it that truly appreciates it, instead of some "flipper".

[Brockport Bill 1,368]

Spectacular WH Tractor - but an even better story !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I don't understand how it will fit under your pillow?

[SylvanLakeWH 24,084]

[WheelhorseBob 1,548]

Congratulations on one fine tractor! From what I can tell, it couldn’t have landed in a finer location. 

[JoeM 7,606]

has the wheel horse museum idea every get anywhere?

 

If so, that LSE should be in it!

 

 

Edited October 31, 2021 by JoeM

[dclarke 4,011]

Don, very nice tractor and a great story. I'm glad you have it! 

[rjg854 10,708]

If ever there was a  to drool over, that would definitely be one.

[WHX?? 46,682]

13 hours ago, rmaynard said:

You lucky duck. What's the number on the plate?

and whose name? Marks?

Truth be told I was never a LSE fan but I said that about Seniors once too. Now here I sit with one! Told myself if I had a LSE @Achto or the Hosen would want to stick it in the dirt!!

No doubt it has a good home and hope to drool on it in person at a BS.

[WHX?? 46,682]

Just out if curiosity Don does it have the orginal battery Don? I would be tempted to disconnect the hr meter and start it every now and then to keep things lubed. Those starts don't count as hours anyway. Thoughts on how to keep fresh gas in it or drain it out? Better ? Is what would a museum do? 

Edited October 31, 2021 by WHX??

[c-series don 7,772]

Okay I’ve got some questions to answer. It’s number 124 out of 200. The name plate on the hood is blank. The battery is not original, she put a brand new one in right before I bought it. I’ve since changed the engine oil, sucked out the old gas and ran it out of fuel. I couldn’t believe how long it ran on just the fuel in the line. I kept looking at the hour meter hoping it would run out of fuel 😂. Also serviced the transmission, pretty sure it hadn’t been done yet. Probably didn’t need it with only 17 hrs but I feel better knowing it’s had a complete service. Some of my friends that came to see it say that since I’m probably never going to sell it I should get the hood plate engraved with my name. I’m not sure about that? It wasn’t specifically built for me I know so I have mixed emotions about that. What do you guys think? 

[Pullstart 59,540]

I’m thinking either left blank, or Mark’s name in his honor.  Then again, it’s not in my garage to make that call.  

[76c12091520h 3,263]

55 minutes ago, c-series don said:

Okay I’ve got some questions to answer. It’s number 124 out of 200. The name plate on the hood is blank. The battery is not original, she put a brand new one in right before I bought it. I’ve since changed the engine oil, sucked out the old gas and ran it out of fuel. I couldn’t believe how long it ran on just the fuel in the line. I kept looking at the hour meter hoping it would run out of fuel 😂. Also serviced the transmission, pretty sure it hadn’t been done yet. Probably didn’t need it with only 17 hrs but I feel better knowing it’s had a complete service. Some of my friends that came to see it say that since I’m probably never going to sell it I should get the hood plate engraved with my name. I’m not sure about that? It wasn’t specifically built for me I know so I have mixed emotions about that. What do you guys think? 

Make a second exact reproduction plate to your liking, save the original. No harm / no foul. I would think something like this would be within the capabilities of a local trophy shop.

Edited October 31, 2021 by 76c12091520h