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Yea, after the chocolate was licked off it.... :laughing-rofl: Chasm

OK. Is that a piece of caramel being used as a shifter knob?

Being in the spotlight definitely works both ways, doesn't it Joe? You'll never make everyone happy, but if you are, that's what matters most! I have made several purchases from JOP over the years and continue to check the listings for potential goodies. I personally see no difference in buying from an organized salvage business or from a guy with parts on a table at a tractor show, flea market, garage sale, public auction, etc. Used parts came from a whole tractor somewhere. I appreciate the help - the same as I do with Kelly Hollister, Bill Jenkins, Glenn Cockerham, Jordon Cressler, and any of the other guys helping to keep our tractors alive.

"It's not a purse, it's European." Seinfeld

I know of a 60th Anniversary 315-8 near Pittsburgh, but it has 62 hours. It comes with a 42" RD deck and the seller is asking $5000 I'll PM the info to you.

it amazes me that the little wheel horse tractors from 50 years ago can do more work than the pieces of junk we have now

Saturday we got around 8-12" of snow here in western Indiana. The most my little Suburban has ever pushed in one day. Cleared the long circle drive twice plus the neighbors once. Here are a few pics of the little beast after the first run.

For those who have been here a while already know the benefits of being a RedSquare supporter. We have a high rate of supporters, continuing to support the forum financially when their current membership expires. We encourage our members to please support the forum you enjoy. Terry at ReDoYourHorse.com continues to not only support RedSquare and our members with outstanding graphics, decals and insight in his posts, but did you know that he also extends discounts to RedSquare supporting members? There's more too! Beginning 2014, Terry has begun to offer supporter only raffles, where he's GIVING away items from his store to some lucky supporting members. This month he'll be giving away a hat to a lucky supporting member. Want in on some of this, become a supporter NOW (don't forget to add the supporter magnet to your order! (click here) When you think about all the benefits to supporting RedSquare, does it make any sense not to support?

I bought the 94 520H that was listed on Red Square classified. Very happy with it. 350 hours. 48" SD deck. Should get years of use out of it. I have 93 520H with 980 hours. It is in fair to good condition. I can't decide if I should keep it for parts or sell it. It seems I've heard more bad than good things about Onan 20hp motors. I think the 93 520H tractor would be worth about $750-$850 with the 42" RD deck and mule drive. Feel free to post good stories and bad nightmares about Omen motors.....I mean Onan. I am curious.

I had to share my 'blackhorse' collection. I have been driving the C-105 8 speed since I was old enough to sit on my dads lap and steer. Needs an engine rebuild or swap. Haven't decided yet. It has been stored inside since it was brand new, its in incredible condition. I just recently bought the C-125 8 speed that needs paint work and a new seat. Today I bought a C-165 (power!) Automatic that will be the work horse after getting some TLC. I paid WAY too much for it but considering its being delivered nearly 250 miles, I think I came out ahead. I really wanted the 'big block' Kohler and hydro for doing work. It is coming with a deck, plow, and wheel weights for all 4 wheels. I am planning on keeping two for sure. The third may be converted to electric (i have a 36v 3HP motor that is itching to go in something) or sold for parts to help other people restore some black hoods.

Guaranteed to be a 1961 551. The engine is a 5.5hp Tecumseh - Lauson.

Omen...I like that... five two zero...the new number of the beast.

I wonder how many guy's play the good neighbor.The day after our big snow it was so cold I was not going to plow since I didn't have to get out . Well what happens is I look out the window and my 60 year old neighbor is out there with a shovel trying to dig her car out as she had to work the next day.We had about 15" on the ground and along the highway it was banked 36" high at the end of her driveway.So on go the carharts and two hours later I'm back in the warm.Now I like pushing snow as much as anyone,but i'm getting old and 4 degrees hurts this old man. I guess you know the moral of this story.When it's below freezing'DO NOT LOOK OUTSIDE" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Possible? - yes.... but highly unlikely. I wouldn't be too concerned unless it loses another gasket. Retorque the head bolts once or twice (after a few heating / cooling cycles), perform the normal maintenance, and enjoy your new tractor!

You know my feellings Bill. I love the 312-8's!!! The 12hp motors had just enough power to turn a 48" mowing deck, and plenty of power to run a tiller attachment. The 12hp engine did not have the reciprocating mass of a 16hp engine and therefore was alot smoother and more fuel efficient. Upgrading the rear wheels to the 520 size (with wheel weights) and upgrading the front wheels from 6" to 8" were really all I needed to do to my 1991 312 to make it look and feel like a garden tractor. My 312 has the 1 & 1/8" rear axles. The pic of it in my avatar is before the front wheel upgrade and before adding the rear wheel weights. Like Taylor said, they can be kind of a pain to mow with if you have to mow around alot of trees, but hey thats what they make chainsaws for. Too bad Wheel Horse never made a chainsaw attachment !!!

This is a good one. I was turned in to the EPA two years ago by a disgruntled employee. After a full day investigation, we were told we have the cleanest place they ever seen for the type of business we do. All of our waste oil is stored in farm fluid containers which are set on top of waste oil catch basins to keep any from going on the ground. When the containers are full, we transport them to a waste facility. None is ever put on the ground. If any does spill, we dig the ground up and dispose of it as required by law. All engines, transaxles, fuel tanks, etc. are drained, none are taken to the scrap yard. Our parts cleaner is a top of line ZEP environmentally safe parts cleaner. No waste ever is dumped, it evaporates leaving the sludge on the bottom which is then disposed of as required by law. The cleaning solution is also environmentally safe and non-toxic. We also sell parts all the time to people when they stop by, we only refuse when they want something that requires a major dismantle (transmission, etc.) or tires because 1. If we are not parting the tractor in the garage, we do not want oil on the ground (see above) and 2. Tractors are too hard to move with no tires. As for auctions, we have not run most parts auction style in over two years, only a few are run on auction, everything else is fixed price – no bidding, no artificial inflation, etc. We also offer best offer on most items which means we are willing to negotiate prices. I still have the investigators card and he stops by occasionally and likes what we do and how we keep it clean. Grace & Peace Lv. 25:14 - Joe

Picked this up Tuesday. Supposed to run and mow At -10 with -25 windchill just getting it home was enough for the day. Had to break it out of the ice with the truck Has a 60 inch deck with it,

I FINISHED THE CLEANUP ON MY 1988 312-8 TRACTOR. HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT. I WILL TRY TO SELL IT IN THE SPRING. IT HAS 3 YEAR OLD 42" DECK AND 610 HOURS ON TRACTOR. BOWTIE IN OHIO

MIKE I AM ALMOST 85 AND STILL RIDE. I HAVE HAD OVER 8 SCOOTERS AND 50 MOTORCYCLES.I CAN NOT GIVE THEM UP

Onan engines are as good as any other air cooled engine when they were developed and initially manufactured. Like any other engine they have their particularities, in different applications some engines work better than others, Onan's mounted in WH long ways seems to create a cooling problem with the rear cylinder due to grass buildup on the fan screen as well as in the tins, in a D series or something painted another color with the engine turned cross ways grass build up and cooling don't seem to be as much of a problem so you have to ask yourself is it the engine design, the tractor design or a maintenance issue or a combination of things? the opposed twins run smooth and quiet for a long time in a fixed rpm application particularly in power generation, that being said if you run your Onan at WOT 3600 rpm and let the governor control the throttle the engine and hydro trans will last a long time with proper maintenance. Also remember that the good running engines get very little recognition , they just keep on running.

That is a 61 551, the only mid engine to ever have a 2 piece trans and battery box. Looks complete other than the belt guard, looks to be in nice shape too! I would say the price is probably at the very top of what its worth, but it does look nice!

This stuff will make it glow.

Thats a good way to go when you have to carry small stuff Chasm. I've often thought what would be a good kind of tool box to bolt to a Wheel Horse but I can't bring myself to drill any holes in the sheet metal.

I thought it was a doggy biscuit.

I'm interested and enjoy the progress updates, but I'm getting grumpier and more anti-social in my old age. (or so I'm told ) I have not given up on wanting a Smithy 3-in-1 Combo machine for my small home shop and I'm still trying to talk the boss in to (at least) a decent lathe for the shop at work. A few trips to the local machine shop would easily cover a decent chunk of the price of a used lathe - not to mention the downtime saved by being able to machine a needed part 24/7. The concept with "Forums" is that they are a conversation. This requires both "give" and "take." While I do want to share what I've been doing with my tractor, its seems that a comment from others would be appreciated. Not too many people enjoy "talking" to themselves, and those that do usually deserve a rubber room. And after a while, if one does not get many responses or comments, one gets tired and goes somewhere else.

Nice "Man Purse"! One good thing about the 953 is the large built in tool box.

Very nice. Great to have one (C-105) that you know the history.

I've often thought... they should have kept under seat tool boxes on every model.

What a guy! Terry,Lola,and Buddy Rock! If I win I might give it to Steve to cover that "THIN" spot!

Agreed, there's nothing like a little Katie Sunshine to brighten up your day.

Boy what I wouldn't do to be a hula hoop after watching this I'm sure I would light up too after that go around ( pun intended ) :icecream: Chasm

If I had the $$$$'s, I would be posting this question too! I hope you find one - there's nothing like buying at least one old iron tractor NEW with zero hours on it. I bought my 314-8 new and feel forunate to have done so. As time goes by, there are fewer and fewer original owners, so it's kind of cool to be in that club. I know Van bought his 312-8 new and I suspect if he had to part with his fleet, the 312 would be the last to go - just because he bought it new and has had it so long. I feel the same way about my 314-8 too. So I hope you find a new one and please post pics. Having said the above, I'm laying plans to rid myself of my other color tractors in the next few years and once again standardize on the Wheelhorse 300/400/500 series tractors. No disrespect to my other color tractors or any other series of Wheelhorse, I just like the 3/4/500 series models. What I'm seeing here and there are some really decent tractors between $500 and $1000 with less than 500 hours. IMHO when you have less than 500 hrs, the tractor is still pretty new and not anywhere near a problamatic restoration queen that will nickle and dime you to death. Sooooo, if you come up empty handed on a NOS Wheelhorse 315-8, don't be discouraged. A nice 314-8 with a Kohler Magnum with low hours will make you a very nice tractor for a loooong time and heck, once it get's hopelessly dirty, it's used anyway just like a NOS Wheelhorse. Good luck, Bill

Here is the trans manual with step by step instructions on dropping the trans. Your trans is in Section V... http://www.mywheelhorse.com/graphics/file/Transmissions/492-4004.pdf You want the shallow side down (input shaft side) and take off the deeper side (brake shaft side)...nothing will pop out. A 5 gallon spring water create works great for holding the trans on it's side. There are a couple of threads about reinforcing the mounting plate...I think Zane Petty just did that in his thread...it is a custom thing. A 1/4" steel plate welded to the back side of the mounting plate and drilling the mounting holes will do it. Your four mounting bolts will need to be 1/4" longer. Can you post some pictures of the inside of the trans when you get it open. We may be able to help see what is wrong in there. I am starting to think that it is something to do with the spline shaft and those bearings. The fork gears slide on that shaft.

If this was politics, it would be the other way around, 57 voters would cast 9,000 votes

You are probably better off with a good used one... ALOT cheaper and not hard to find. These tractors are easy to fix and as already stated LOTS of help here oh yea to

They are out there. Good luck to you.

Good luck finding new. I know there are a few members with NOS, but I don't know if they want to sell. Find yourself a nice 312,314 and you will be good to go. Even a 310 would make a good ride.

First of all, if the battery is discharged, and allowed to freeze, it may be history, but even with a bad battery and a battery booster, the engine should start. Number one on the list of things to check is all of your ground connections. Battery to frame, frame to engine cradle. Then make sure that all safety interlocks are operational.

My first Wheel Horse was a 312 H. Like Wheel-N-It says "The 12hp engine did not have the reciprocating mass of a 16hp engine and therefore was a lot smoother and more fuel efficient." I never did like the little front wheels but it was one great running machine. They were a really nice combination with a 42" deck for mowing mid sized yards. Now I have an M16 and an M14. The 14 reminds of the 12 just has more power. Much quieter and smother than Thumper but I love Thumper too

Yes. The 8 speed should have a 5/8" input shaft with a Toro #100442 or generic CR 6105 seal.

Guess I need to put a skylight in my barn and get one of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFTJW4Merbs

Never sells whole tractors, only parts. He's doing it for money not to save them from the scrap yard. I guess in a roundabout way he is saving them from the junk yard piece by piece but I would sooner see a whole tractor get saved then the parts of one. Thats why I stole that Charger 12 even though it didn't run….now it does though…And my son sure is happy because of it Actually, I love tractors, when I was 12 I built one from an old walk-behind, worked on them ever since, I also had a motorcycle salvage yard when I was 18 to cover my tractor hobby, when I sold the salvage yard, I had over 400 motorcycles. Now I do the tractors because I love it and it pays my bills. Sure, some people hate what I do, but then there are people out there that will hate someone for anything, no matter what they do. So, I am not to worried about pleasing people unless it is someone who bought a bad part. So, it is more that just being about money. I am sure many people would do what I do (or what they love) rather then the job they do now. Grace & Peace Lv. 25:14 - Joe Thanks to all of the people with the positive posts. I try hard to run an honest business that is fair and helpful to everyone. Grace & Peace Lv. 25:14 - Joe

Your welcome Van. I reciprocate . I use Google Earth to check out U.S. Member Locations/Geography and watch the ABC News spot on our BBC News 24 channel.

I'm thinkin' that Tecumseh modification is what makes it a beast.

Duane- Very nice pick up. They are smooth mowers and very well built. My buddy had a few that he built fel on.

And the winner is Eldon's C595 !! Very nice and well deserved for sure !!

Rob, my brother lived out in Burlington...just a few miles east of that picture. They were out for days and nights rescuing people that were stuck in there vehicles. He told stories of running the roads with his snowmobile...going over buried cars and pulling people out. These winters are dangerous...you can die out there. We have one of those winters going this year...be safe my friends...and smart....spring is only 70 some days away...you don't want to miss that. Here is one from 1978...my Dad with his 857...

The secret to welding cast iron is to use a high nickel content rod and to preheat the pieces and then cool slowly after welding to normalize the stresses in the metal, put the pieces in or on the woodstove and get them hot, weld them and then throw them back into the stove and leave them until the fire burns out before trying to use them. if you don't have a wood stove just build a nice hot charcoal fire and use that for the heat process.