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Hi All, I thought I would start a thread for the 401 that I bought last week and picked up yesterday. I have been wanting a 401 for a long time and am so happy to finally be able to have one! This is my first RJ/Suburban and I already love it alot! It is a nice, orginal tractor and also came with the plow, inside wheel weights, and tire chains. Am planning to restore it this winter and hopefully will have it done by next spring. Thanks to Jim Meyer for selling me a great tractor! Here are some pics of when I unloaded the tractor today and also after I power washed it and also of it in it's new stall . I will be sure to keep you all updated on the restoration! Hope you enjoy the pics! Taylor

And that's the rest of the story... Just kiddin papa, I think you are spot on!

Ok, been busy with work and all, my pulling tractor, and other projects I am working on. So I have not had time to reply to some of the questions that were asked. I apologize. So, here goes... The new front tires on my 552 I purchased about about a year ago from M.E. Miller Tire off of ebay. They are Firestone Turf Guides. Not sure if Miller still sells them... did not see them on their web site the other day. The tread is quite similar to the original tires that were on the 552 tractor. I liked the fact that they were Firestone branded and that's why I bought them because my dad liked Firestone tires. He even had one of those Firestone rubber tire ash trays that he always kept near his seat at the dinner table. The lift lever was finally disassembled with torch heat and a heavy duty press which I don't have in my garage. Fred did say that the shaft was swelled from the end down about an inch or so... probably from me pounding on the end of the shaft trying to get it pushed out of the sleeve. I think I understand that instead of twisting the shaft loose to get it out, by pounding on the end I was probably making the fit of the shaft in the sleeve more and more a tighter press fit. So, the more I tried to pound or push it out, I was only making it tighter. I did not ask if I could go through their bone yard to look for any old Wheel Horse tractors. I will have to do that next time I get down there. Wheel prep and paint... sandblasting, a lot of hand sanding to smooth out rough spots, Rust-o-leum spray bomb primer and paint. I chose to use Rust-o-eum spray cans instead of a professional automotive paint job due to relatively low cost of spray cans at the local Wal-mart stores. I am quite comfortable and adept at using spray cans I have spray bombed lots of other projects all my life including spray painting those plastic models cars when I was a lot younger than I am today. I also use one of those squeeze trigger handle attachments that you can place on the top of spray cans, so it kind of feels like I am using a "professional" sprayer. I find using spray cans can do a really nice job if the spray technique is done properly... start and end the sweeps off of the parts being painted and allow several light coats to dry some between each coat instead of spaying on one heavy coat that has the chance to cause runs. Takes some time and lots of patience but I am proof that a spray bomb paint job can be done successfully. Besides, as long as my paint job looks good to me and lasts maybe another 20-30 years, I will be pleased. And finally, I can only hope my dad would be proud of my restoration project. He passed away 20 years ago and I still miss him dearly. I do know he would probably smile some but wouldn't have much to say as he always was. When I was about 15-16 years old, he had a 1940 Dodge pick up truck that we used on the farm I grew up on. The old truck was pretty beat up but one day I asked him if I could have it and fix it up. He told me not to waste my money on the truck. He said it was junk and he wouldn't let me have it. Today, I now wish I would have stolen that old truck or taken it anyway. Sometimes, when I just sit down and look at his old Wheel Horse now and think about how beat up it was a couple years ago when I got it, I wonder if he would kick my ass for putting lots of my time and money into fixing it up. But I can honestly say that even though I have spent a lot of time and money in this project and eventually the resale value will ever only be several hundred dollars, this tractor is worth a fortune to me personally. They say everything has a price, however I wouldn't ever sell this tractor for any obscene offer... at least while I am alive to enjoy it. Thanks to all you RedSquare members here on this fantastic Wheel Horse forum. I enjoy reading about your projects as well and will promise to keep you informed as I bring my dad's 1962 552 WH tractor back to its second life. Still can't wait for the day I saddle up and ride her again.

I have been restoring my dad's 1962 552 Wheel Horse for almost the past two years now. Been a slow process but enjoying every stage of the rebuild. So far from this... to most recently this... Anyway, had a bit of trouble getting the lift lever/hood stand assembly disassembled. Soaked with PB Blaster for a long time. Still no results getting it apart. Figured that I needed to take it to a "professional" who had more powerful persuasion tools than what I had. Took it a local Cub Cadet dealer just a couple miles from my home. Once I mentioned it was off of an old Wheel Horse tractor, he said he wouldn't touch it... wouldn't even look at it. Well, that ended our conversation rather quickly. Took it then to a farm implement dealer, specifically Wertz Farm and Power Equipment located near Lineboro, Maryland which is about 30 miles from my house. Now this area is where I grew up as a child when my dad originally purchased the 552. The technician there took it immediately and got it apart within 30 minutes. Got to talking to the old guy and he said that he lived in the area all his life and has worked at Wertz's since about 1965. I told him I grew up near there also and started talking about how I acquired my dad's tractor just a couple years ago when I had not seen it for nearly 40 years. My uncle found it two years ago and gave it to me. Well, seems this guy knew my uncle and said my uncle lives in that house over there... and he pointed across the street. I honestly did not know that. Anyway, seems this guy also worked on my grandparents farm near there when he was a lot younger like way back in the '50's. Not knowing exactly where my dad bought this Wheel Horse tractor, I asked Fred if there were any Wheel Horse dealers in this area in the early '60's. He said that this company he worked for, Wertz Farm and Power Equipment, was once a Wheel Horse dealer when the company had their location in the town of Lineboro, Md. He smiled when I showed him pics of my RJ58 and 552 and said he really liked working on the old Kohler engines but didn't care much for the Techy's as they were generally hard to start. Although, Fred said he was pretty sure that they no longer had any purchase records from the old Wheel Horse tractor sales, I am now convinced that my dad bought my 552 tractor from Wertz in Lineboro which was just a few miles from my childhood home. That's my story from my little corner of the world and I'm sticking to it. So, back to my resto project, just got done painting the original rear wheels off of my 552 and a couple of front wheels for my RJ58.They actually came out looking like new... I was able to save the original rear tires from the 552... BF Goodrich Silvertown 6-12 turfs... There is some cracking on these tires, but they are generally in pretty good condition considering how bad the whole tractor looked when I got her a few years ago. Got new inner tubes for it and a bottle of that black tire paint from m.e. Miller Tire Co, so we'll give it a try and see how they come out.

I had this 1954 Dodge Red Ram Hemi engine laying in the garage for many years. I wanted to build a power unit out of it but I tripped over these 1959 Copar Panzer parts and thought, hmmmm! So I have it mocked up so far but I'll have to make a new frame and weld it together. It looks pretty beefy so far! Should I do it or what? Looks like a done deal to me! KJ

So I was outside working on my parents house when I heard a rumble in the sky. Looked over to my left and this is what I saw. (turn the sound up and listen to the engines rumble wish the video did it any justice. pretty damn cool) There was a small "wheels and Wings" show at the local airport. (BVY for anyone interested) The main attractions were two bombers, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine†WWII Heavy Bomber and a Consolidated B-24J Liberator “Witchcraft†WWII Heavy Bomber. There was also a P-51C Mustang. Just got a glimpse from a distance.

Its not a tall schute but I figured for 25.00 I did ok

Awesome indeed. What a great wessage. BTW-Mike Rowe is an eagle scout also.

What a FANTASTIC message!!!

Bragging Rights for 5 guys...this ought to be good!!! :banana-linedance: :banana-linedance: WOW...Michigan sure is making a lot of teams look good.

Well don't do 50% thinner that's about like spraying it with a garden hose. There is no way to stop any paint that thin from running. I am not a professional but I have sprayed a lot of paint. Here is what I found, if it's 70 degrees or more I use very little thinner. Now you have to realize I do paint outside which does make a difference too. By outside I don't mean usually wide open as I paint in a big open door on my shop. I don't let the tractor sit outside and get hot before I paint either. I don't mix large batches of paint to start with. Depending on what I am painting I usually mix 4 or 8 oz. of paint. I use a measuring cup, For the Van Sickle paint I use, I put the paint in, then you add the hardener( in my case that is 1 oz for 8 oz. of paint ) and stir, let it sit for about 10 minutes covered, then I will add an ounce of thinner maybe less depending on the temp and stir it with a paint stick. When you pick the stick up out of the paint watch it run off the stick. If it looks too thick add a little more thinner until you are satisfied. Now you don't spray it on what you want to paint yet! Take a scrap piece of metal and shoot some on there, if the coverage looks good and it doesn't run you should be good to go. If your gun doesn't spray it good you have a couple choices. You can thin it a little more or increase your air pressure a little or adjust your spray pattern until it works for you. Before you do any spraying with a gun though you should read as much as you can about the adjustments on your gun. If you have never used a gun before don't assume that you should just start with your newly restored tractor without practicing first. When it comes to painting even professionals have problems from time to time. Don't get in a hurry or discouraged when you get runs, orange peel or it is dull. You can always wet sand and put some more paint on it. Take it slow and remember that old adage if you fail, try, try again you'll get the hang of it.

Stopped by the mentone show today ( 100 mile one way ticket) and grabbed up a pretty nice 96' 520H with a 60" deck. Both are virtually flawless. Very happy with it. Original paint and 609hrs. 50th anniversary model to boot. makes 3 520s now. 2H's and one 8 speed. Of course this is the nicest so far. This one didn't even make it in the show grounds.

Latest update pics on my dad's 552 tractor... Obviously did not get er done by July... but then again, if I had gotten it done already, there wouldn't be more to do, ha. Still coming along nicely.

Picturing them flying over your lake reminds me of a story my Dad and Uncle would tell. As I remember it they were pretty young and in a small boat just off the coast fishing with a couple of friends. The saw one of these big bombers flying over head pretty low so they all started to make machine guns out of their fishing poles, oars, arms and whatever they had in the boat. The plane was low enough to see them and the pilot had a sense of humor so he made a wide loop and then came back around. This time he was brushing the tree tops. He snuck up on them good. They didn't hear him or see him until he cleared the coastline and when they did they were jumping out of the boat to get out of the way. I'm sure the story has been embellished a bit over the years but I bet that's exactly how they remember it. They can't tell the story without busting up laughing.

On my way home from pa scored a Nice truck load 4 mower decks a 633 and a restored c81 with boxes of parts. The best part are the amish family I got to meet. Heres some pictures and more to follow.

Picked up up this really nice C-165 8 speed last night. It has a newer "teal colored" replacement 16hp Kohler that runs perfect. I got it for a great price too......about $50 more than what a new starter would cost!!! Can't say I needed another horse......but when they go that cheap, what is a guy supposed to do? Thad (Ohio)

I just saw this video while surfing youtube. Thought it was pretty interesting and it struck a chord. I've read many posts on this site by folks who I think might enjoy seeing this. The real message starts 10 minutes and 55 seconds into the video.

I was just curious. When I got mine it was a little rough on the eyes but it was a runner, it took me 2 years to get around to cleaning it up because I was having too much fun using it.

Thanks Rich for the nice comments! Unforunantly, it does not run (does not have any compression), but I have a rebuilt K91 that I bought from my Grandpa last week that is going to go in it!

As someone else mentioned....that mid hitch where the deck mounts to doesn't look right. With engine off....can the deck be pushed forward and backward by hand much?

Humm... looks like I see some of the factory paint emerging there in that last pict.

Great looking new toy

Funny you should bring this up Mike. I've had nothing but problems keeping my stuff going and I just recently figured out stuff is getting into the carb.( My lawn ranger gas tanks are really dirty with rust and junk) I took a look at the fuel filters I've been buying at $7.99 a crack from my local hardware store and read on the package that it is a 40 micron filter. So I started looking around and found some 80 and 150 micron filters for sale at a place not too far from home. I opted for the 150 micron filter at a easy to swollow $1.29 each in a 10 count package. Cleaned up my carbs and tested these out and now when I drop the bowl on my carbs they're very very clean. so far I've cleaned carbs and installed these better filters on three of my four lawn rangers and am very happy with the filters performance. I'll have to wait and see how they do for the long hall. Just my 2 cents ....

He does some awesome work!! I'm really digging the 70 camaro!!

(2) My wife and I

Any time the Queenies lose can brighten an all ready bad day. Now after the Bears lose tonight I'll start the week on a good note! Force 4 turnovers and score 30 straight points and lose! Has to be some kind of record. Rogers was Cutleresque!

Cleveland wins 31-27!!!!!!

Hello, welcome to red square. Sorry for the time it took me to find this thread. I also have a 1970's Raider 10, sadly I don't have all the attachments you listed... The only attachments I have are a homemade cultivator and a snowplough, here's a few pictures of mine.... Before And After,

Well I tried the card trick this morning on my winter wheels. I used some old flash cards the kids had when they were much younger. I cut the cards lengthwise so I could tape & card both sides of the tire at once - so they would sit flat when flipped over. It all worked so well and went so fast I didn't get any pictures. After these harden up for a week or so I'll mount them and do my summer wheels - I promise to get some pix then. I used Rustoleum Antique White and the color looks to be a perfect match for the Gravley front wheels I just put on the tractor. My 310-8 is an '85, but I like how the white wheels look better than the silver. I'd recommend the card trick strongly to would be wheel painters. It works. Deflate the tires and push down a bit on the tire to slide the card in between the tire and rim. Thanks for the tip. Tim

Somehow I had forgot about this project. Even if you have not made one inch of progress, I'd love to see some more pics!

Will try to break a-way from the fields so count me in for 2.

Ahh, I see... The hub actually broke broken set screws are common but easily removed with a welder, washer and sacrificial bolt! Mark

Hi Rob welcome to RedSquare, good to have another Kent member aboard... Where are you in Kent? (Staplehurst?) I'm in sunny-ish Hawkhurst. If you need another key for your axle I can help you out. I don't know if the 1" axles have different key's to the 1 1/8" axles, but I expect I can rummage up something

Sweet Ride! So, what your saying is the best thing to do at the shows is hang out in the parking lot and grab up the good stuff before anyone else gets to see them. Now we know how its done!

Got the belt guard on today. Also cut a piece of sheet metal for the serial plate and mounted the choke and throttle levers. I still have a plan to make one out of aluminum but for now this is a nice backing for Terry's sweet decal. I need to do some monkeying to get some cables rigged up since I've stuck an HH60 on and it has a different linkage. Looks like I'll be able to make loop and connect them up fairly easily. That's it. Not much progress in this guy today. Did get in some seat time though.

Not all of them. There are 'pure sine wave' inverters available, but they are quite a bit more money. The ones you might buy locally are all going to be what are called 'modified sine wave', which means that they will be high distortion (THD). A little math: A 1000 W generator at full output means that on the 120VAC side you will be drawing appx 8.3 A On the 12VDC feed side, this 8.3A will become almost 100 (yes, one hundred) Amps, and that is assuming that the inverter is 100% efficient. It won't be... maybe only 80% or so ... worst case... that means the actual current from the battery with efficiency factored in is more like 120 AMPS. It also means that a 63 Amp alternator isn't going to allow a 1000W inverter to draw full power without drawing down the battery at the same time. Yes, some of the current will come from the battery, so you MAY be able to draw full power from the inverter, but even with the alternator running full tilt, the battery will still discharge.

Great to see it running Craig. With all the bad press the Tecumseh gets I'm sort of relieved to see yours up and running so well. Like I said elsewhere maybe it's because folks just aren't familiar with them. If ours turns out near as good as that sounds and runs we'll be happy. Good job.

I must also apologise for missing this post initially Rob and a belated Welcome. Suspect I know where you got the replacement Hub from at that price . I agree totally not to disturb the other Hub (unless the Seal leaks), Not sure if the Woodruf Key is the same size on the 1" Shafts as on the bigger inch and an eighth diameter shafts. If they are, I may have one, or can make you one. The important thing is if the keyway in the Shaft is damaged. Is there any way of taking a pic and posting it on here for us to see?. We can then make a more qualified answer as to where to go next. I see your fairly-ish local to me , and pretty close to Stigian, who may also know more about the early Raider 10s. So don't feel too isolated down here in the South East corner of the Rock. Regards

WoooooHooooo...Wife is leaving me, and I will be there for the M & G! Keep my tee shirt and I will pick it up there....2 XL Add 1 to the guest list! Oh, she will be coming back home later that day, but It will be an overnighter for me!

So why did you buy a new hub, what was wrong? I thought the set screw had broken that's all?

50 or so

A guy I work with collects antique engines and he stopped by yesterday and looked around. He said a lot of stuff was too far gone to be worth much. Couple of tractors with trees growing through them. Kinda sad really. That's the thing I have about people collecting stuff just to have it. After a while it gets out of control and everything just sits. How many tractors do you need???? I have 4 and run them all the time. It's enough.

circa 2000 about the beginnings of the Wheel Horse Collectors Club and their show. http://www.farmcollector.com/Tractors/Whee...nd-Running.aspx

Here's my C195 Brian

Finally got the rear tires and wheels mounted... at least I now have a roller. The m.e. Miller tire paint came out real nice on the old rear tires... very pleased with the results. Mounted the engine last week but didn't get to take pics yet. Working now on refinishing the hood stand. The gas tank and steering wheel are ready for assembly once I get the hood stand finished. Hoping to be painting the hood stand, lift lever, hood/grill, fenders, seat, belt guard, and left side shield withing the next two weeks. The target date for me to saddle up and ride this pony for the first time in nearly 40 years is being planned on July 10, 2013.

The Raider 10 was made for model years 1970 to 1974. The 1970 model was the only one with a 4 speed and a Tecumseh engine. There also was an 8 speed offered in 1970 with a Tecumseh engine. All following years were 8 speeds. 1970 and 1971 were the only two years for the Tecumseh engine, the ones that followed all had Kohler engines. The above is according to an identification publication available on the internet. If you have the 1970 4 speed Tecumseh powered model it would appear to be the most rare of the Raider 10s.

Hi Rob, welcome to the group! If its a raider 10 then it's approx 40 years old. ID tag should be on the hood stand under the dash panel - usually close to the fuel tap on the left. I've a fairly simple model look up on my site at the bottom of this message, that should help you get the year. Back to your main question . Sounds like one of the set screws has possibly come loose and the half moon key that locates the hub has possibly sheared. This is not common, but there are a few instances of it happening. Good news is that hubs are generally easy to come by, hopefully the shaft/key way aren't beyond salvage.... Mark

Found the early style stand up springs being reproduced at Norms Toys, if anyone is looking. http://www.normstoys...wheel_horse.htm

If you play your cards right you should be able to have as much fun as this guy. The video is a little sketchy but trust me, its worth a look. Half way thru he starts laying down some good burn outs.

Here's one more. It's another articulating I believe was made by the same Red Square member who made the other one.