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As mentioned in another thread, Europe is Gaining a Suburban! LOL This little 551 is headed to Norway! Lars AKA Knusern and I have been talking for some time in the chat room. (And some of you thought it was useless! HAHA) I recently bought a "lot " of tractors on EBAY and this little Jeewl was in the mix. Lars has been wanting another tractor, but they are very expensive in Norway. So I told him he could have this Suburban if he could get it there. It is missing some pieces , but shows some promise. I have looked at a few Suburbans, the fenders are in great shape, rear tires seem ok Front end needs some attention. Not sure whats going on with that hood stand? Basically the plan is this...We are going to gather all the parts here in the states, Then I am going to take it apart, to fit into a shipping crate. Then off to Norway for Knus to restore it.

Here's one of my projects that has stagnated. I need some motervation (or just more time and money)

Stephen...you would have died laughing watching the 2 of us get out of the truck after 100 miles. John was great...he stopped more then I would have...but I think I learned that I need to stop more often. We used every handicap parking spot we could...and as we walked up to the doors at McDonalds...the help rushed to give us a hand. How great is that. John is fun to watch...and I think he would say the same about me. Was a great trip and a great weekend...I would do it again tomorrow. I want to say we did over 1800 miles running all over 3 states last weekend...and 3 state capitals also.

OK, the stuff we use for building reproduction wheels is made by "Smooth-on". http://www.smooth-on...1206/index.html We have 3 different compounds on the shelf, 326 (60 minute cure) and 327 (2 to 4 hour cure) and "Smooth Cast Onyx" (3 minute cure). (Cure times off the labels). The 327 and 326 need color added to them when mixing. The stuff stays in resin form till it kicks, and doesnt go to a useable "putty" stage so for repairs you will have to build a dam around the bit you want to repair, and pour in the liquid, let it cure and then shape it to what you want. The cured product is best shaped with files and samdpaper, its very easy to get the stuff too hot with power tools (even a buffer) and it will start to melt. After shaping, its sanded with finer and finer sand paper until it can be polished. (pretty much what you did with the original wheel). Small voids and pits repaired later are undetectable after polishing. I've never actually done it, but I have seen it done a few times. We make wheels that have a cast aluminum core that is put into a mold and then the plastic goopy poured in to form the grip around the outside. The whole thing done under vacuum. The guy that does it did warn me that the 3 minute stuff does go off quick, often while you are still mixing it up. We have gallon cans on the shelf, but I see they offer a "Trial Size" that seems like it might be perfect for our (tractor) uses. This isnt one of our wheels, but it is this is what we reproduce: Hope this is of help.

I was digging through my numerous boxes of show pictures & came across these...sorry that they are not clear as I took a picture of a picture to post them on here due to my scanner is on a blitz. ~Shawn~

very nice to have mr ponds family here,its an honour,and really cool story of the bird house

Hi, I am Gary Pond (Cecils son who worked for Wheel Horse for many years until sold). My son Jonathon Pond, sister Constance, and I had the pleasure of visiting your annual Wheel Horse Collectors show in PA the year that Michael Martino came out with his 2nd edition of From the Horses Mouth. As my Dad was a number of years earlier, we were greatly impressed and proud to see the large gathering of the wonderfully restored old Wheel Horse tractors and owners. Michael tracked me down about 5 years before the 1st edition to see if Cecil was alive and could be contacted. He told us of the Collectors Club and the need for more accurate information. That started a long and happy relationship (friendship) between Cecil and Michael. A family member (Jonathons Mother) showed me a link to your blog. The Pond family wanted to say "Thank You" for all of the heart felt comments about Cecil, Elmer, and Wheel Horse Products. Our appreciation and respect to all Participants. The above photo shows 4th generation Jonathon Pond with a tractor that his Great-Granddad Elmer Pond designed.

This is my favorite picture of him. He was amazed when we lined up virtually every model he made. Look at that smile, he was like a little kid in a candy store.