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Well as for me and my family we will stay with WH as long as I can peace her together. In my modest opinion there is not a better built tractor on the market, having said that there are smoother,prettier,more comfortable, bigger,smaller,fancier but none with a simple design that is strong and works. I will never understand why this tractor design was not continued. I will ride mine till I ride no more. Bob

My greatest fear is .....when I'm gone, Hun Bun sells my WHs for what I told her I paid for them.

In general the uneducated uncaring public is stupid, for proof watch any movie which contains an element from something that interests you and you know a great deal about. They get nothing right and don't care as the average slob does not know the difference. Case in point the old made for TV movie Atomic Train. The locomotive was supposed to be electric but it was a diesel, no overhead cantanery or 3rd rail electric. Inside the locomotive they removed the prime mover and mechanical equipment and turned it into an RV for the crew. (crews do not travel with the train they only operate over 100-300 mile districts in which the are qualified.) The air brakes were shown to be leaking oil, need I say more... Lawn mower = you push Lawn Tractor = you ride but can do nothing else but cut grass Garden Tractor = heavy duty transmission and engine rated for ground engaging equipment. Oh yeah and they are not Styrofoam cups they are EPS Cups (Expanded Poly Styrene) Styrofoam = insulation made by DOW chemical. Rant over now I feel better

A lawn mower does just that....mow lawns; nothing else, except blow smoke and make noise. A tractor can do all that (including smoke and noise), plus.... plow, push snow, blow snow, grade, drag, disc, pick with a FEL, till ground, and a host of other 'farmer' stuff, whether you're a farmer, or not. Of course, this is IMHO.

My point exactly. My story about the Economy was only as a reference. A Senior and the Economy I had are somewhat similar in construction. IMO not too much harm can be done pushing a little snow or pulling a plow once in a while with a Senior, so long as you don't over due it. Working one on a regular basis isn't even practical. At the end of the day I apreciate anyone that takes brings out there Senior for the rest of us to see, whether they work it or not.. I have a friend in the Antique Outboard Club. A few yrs ago at one of our wet meets he brought along one of the rarest outboards ever made. It was a BEAUTIFUL, original condition Indian Silver Arrow, roughly 10 hp. There were about 75 guys at the meet that day and most of us had never seen an Indian outboard in the flesh. We had no doubt all seen pictures of them, we had all heard of them and we knew they are extremely rare and valuable (roughly 5 grand in the condition of this one) We all really appreciated the fact that Bill brought the Indian along for us to all see. None of us had a clue what we were in for. We were all sitting up away from the water eating lunch when we heard an outboard fire up down on the river, it was a sound none of us had heard before. It was then that one of the founding fathers of the club who was eating next to me jumped up and said to me "we better get down to the river to see a sight that we may never see again". By the time we all made it to the river (like 30 seconds) Bill was roaring up and down the Merrimac river wide open. He was flyin and he had a smile from ear to ear. (4000 rpm's) All of us just stood there speechless enjoying the moment and takin it all in. Remember, very few of us had ever seen an Indian in the flesh and NONE of us standing there that fine day had ever seen an Indian in action. Ten minutes later Bill came to shore to lots of smiling faces. He then offered rides to anyone interested! Bill and that Indian were all busy for the next few hrs. as we all wanted a ride. I recall later in the day as we were all sitting together bs'ing one member sayin, Wow! I can't believe you actually run such a rare and beautiful motor! Bill looks up, he smiles and says, " its an outboard, outboards propel boats!" Right then and there I had myself a new hero...

I'm with Dave on this one. It depends on it's designed use and capabilities. The Horses I love are garden tractors as they are too small for large scale farming but they do a great job around the house and garden getting actual work (besides mowing) accomplished. Now the fact that these tractors are still doing their intended jobs 30, 40 even 50 years later is a testiment to their toughness!

Hard to tell anything from the pictures, but as I suggested earlier, just make a jumper by taking a piece of 14 or 16 gauge wire and go directly from the (+) terminal of the battery to the (+) terminal of the coil. That's the quickest way to test it. If it starts, then you know that the coil, condenser, points, plug and plug wire are okay. Then you can take a meter and check the rest of the wiring as shown in the diagram to see where the problem is. On the other hand, if it doesn't fire by using the jumper wire, you can safely assume that either the coil, condenser, points, plug or plug wire are bad.

The RS-83 used a Ford V-8 Gearbox. The Lever Steer Pond used a Ford Model A Gearbox. I have used My RS -83 as a worker- its has plowed the garden, gone to plow days, Scraped a lot of snow. Theres nothing on it that can't be replaced. Its a worker and wears its show clothes as it is. By far the best driving running tractor I have ever owned.

The tractor is starting to come together now. I had to build a few items that weren't in the kit like a taillight, lift valve, lift cylinder and neutral pedal. Oh, and a fuel filter, too. This is it on the tip of a toothpick. Detailing the battery always adds some extra visual interest. That's the kind of thing that helps make a model look real. I took a little liberty with the transaxle and painted it aluminum. I thought that would also give some visual interest - sort of an eye catcher - but I'm not really happy with it. Before everything is done it will end up being red! Now, this next part was fun to do. Wheel covers are an essential part of an Electro and I had an idea to make them out of a soft drink lid using a hollow punch. It worked like a charm! The horse decals didn't want to snug down on the shiny Alclad painted finish and a couple of them had to be redone but in the end they came out okay. After a little bit of paint, she was up on all fours and ready for some test fitting and even some assembly. I had already painted the fender unit but during test fit I realized that it needed a cutout for the hydraulic hoses. Now it's waiting to get repainted. The weather the last few days has been very rainy and I don't want to paint the "shiny bits" until the humidity goes down. That really affects the finish. In the meantime, it's starting to sprout wires and hoses and this is how it sits for the time being. Hope to make more progress soon but right now I need to check a weather forecast!

Love the story Ken!When posts about the Sr tractors come up here at RS it seems as though the passion for these tractors are second to none and I sure couldn't argue with that. I totally understand the historical/sentimental value of these tractors and would never ask someone to abuse their "baby" but was curious of the performance from those that have actually used them for work. It seems the only thing members here at Red Square like more than pictures are videos! Like your story above, if anyone ever gets their SR out and takes on some chores, please take a video camera! I bet you will get some smiles on the faces around here!

If you're willing to pay, you can have any part made. I'll pay to stay on mine forever! It's not all about the money. It's about the love for the machine.

Got a good bit of powder dropped on us yesterday, about 11 inches or so, and I could not wait until I got home to fire up the old horse to take care of business. Don't mind that bungie cord there, lost my cotter key for the plow angle lever. I need some chains and weights for the rear, but without them it does surprisingly well.

I fully expect to be on a Wheel Horse (working it) till the day comes that I'm too old and feeble to be on one anymore. I have enough Wheel Horses and mower decks and a tiller and blade and access to parts to hold out for long time.

B-100. The B-100 is a garden tractor. The B-111 is a lawn tractor. B-100 is by far the strongest, and a better built machine, capable of adding accessories. I don't think you can put a snow blower on a B-111,

Garden Tractor…plain and simple…guaranteed to out mow, blow and work any big box lawnmower out there

Straight from websters: trac·tor noun ˈtrak-tər : a large vehicle that has two large back wheels and two smaller front wheels and that is used to pull farm equipment In which one who pulls a plow or disc or other ground engaging equipment could consider his machine a tractor, correct? Also on the " a large vehicle" part. That cannot really be used today. An case MX series dwarfs and M farmall but the M is still a tractor. The M dwarfs a wh but it too can still be a tractor. Two large wheels and to small, well that's out the window too in today's same size tired 4wd terms. They too are tractors. Last but certainly not least in the old days they had truck patches. Most would not call it that today but more or less a garden. Say JD made a garden tractor in the 40's. It was an "M" JD. Put all this together and make the call. Just food for thought I guess.

As a 2nd possibility, there MAY be an issue with the FWD / REV valves in the MOTOR section of the hydro unit. Either could be stuck or the spring between the two valves MAY be broken. These are located toward the bottom of the Hyd MOTOR on LT side of tractor. Here are a couple pics...hope they help. PS...take CARE to keep these CLEAN and be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN to replace them EXACTLY as they came out. Don't use a steel object to push the valve and springs out of the cavity. I use the rubber tip of a pencil and a Magnetic pick-up tool. NOTE.... These valves have a FLAT surface on them, one FLAT being a bit wider than the other valve. Be sure you get it right! ! !.

Ha. Yea, depends on what kind of perspective you take. People that work around farm tractors most likely lean towards 'lawn mower', but people that live in the city around a bunch of push mowers will say 'tractor'. Mine is a 'tractor' seeing as i live within the city limits of a decent sized city, its the biggest tractor they see... I like "garden tractor". I know I'm not going to be plowing the fields with it, but it sure as heck could crush their 'lawn mower'

I think it a shame that folks would hesitate to put any old machine they have to work. I get the fact that they are quite old, but the technology is not such that anything on the machine that would break (except for the hood) could easily be replaced. Model A ford drivetrain parts are not in that short of supply, and guys that could repair anything related to an A can be found worldwide. Please understand my opinion is likely different than most since there have always been Model A's in my family and I have a fair knowledge and understanding of Model A's. My point being the mere fact that the tractors have Model A trans rear end etc as components of the machine should not scare guys away from working these tractors. Look at the Model A hobby, there are thousands of these cars all over the world still in use today. Folks tour their Model A's all over the country and put literally thousands of miles on these cars all the time. I just really hate to think of folks having machines or equipment they don't/won't readily put to work. Mind you I am not saying such machines should be worked like a dog, but rather yes, they should be used to mow or push snow or other such work from time to time in my mind. That is just my 2 cents, for me I have no real use for a machine or gun or whatever that I don't/can't/won't put to some sort of use or work, not abusive work, but some sort of constructive work. I will go visit a museum to see things so old their only use today is as a vision of a machine or tool of days gone by. Please accept my apology for anyone this post might offend as I have no interest in insulting any of my fellow members here, you all have nothing but my greatest respect regardless how you might choose to use or not use your machines or equipment. I am simply sharing my own personal opinion broadly speaking and not directed at ANY individual.

Agree with all those who suggested hearing protection. At age 56, an ex radio jock and over 30 years in manufacturing plus cutting firewood, running lawn equipment, shooting guns and listening to groups from Zeppelin to Alice In Chains in my cars at unbelievable levels, I blew my ears out. I went from being an audiophile with the best audio equipment to not hearing the difference between a Pioneer receiver with Bose 901's to a portable radio's output. I use them now but the damage is done. Do what you want to limit the decibels on your tractors but do yourself and all those around you right down to the waitresses and sales clerks you'll deal with later in life..........................ALWAYS USE HEARING PROTECTION AND START USING IT NOW!

Trout run was a frequent destination for my old motorcycle group. Head down on 15 and come back north on 14. Stop at the Wellsboro Diner for lunch. Funny story on the last trip I took there. I rode with 2 brothers and one of their father-in laws. His name was Richard and he was an old trucker. When we rode and he wasn't there we would get lost and we would say "What would Dicky do? Any way Richard died. He had requested his ashes by spread along rt. 14 as that was an old trucker route he drove for years. Terry his son in law packed his ashes in the saddle bag and away we went. Got part way up 14 on the way back and Terry pulls over. I'm sitting on my bike and he gets out the ashes. I notice how windy it is. Terry opens up the container and flings the ashes. But he tossed them AGAINST THE WIND!!! Richards ashes ended up blowing all over Terry and his bike. I was laughing so hard I about fell off the Goldwing. I yell to him He got you one last time! Great horse by the way. Bud has some nice horses! :thumbs:

Will never happen...if they all go in the box with you.

I don't EVER over pay for any tractors....EVER! My wife believes that my barn is chock full great deals!!!!

One other note that I forgot to add- Not all Seniors used the Model A rearend either. They also used Ford V-8 rearends. Snyders is a great source for "A" parts also I have used Joblot Automotive out of NY when Snyders doesn't have what I need. There are NO whimpy tractors in MR Whlpnys barn- they all are able to be used as intended. I have plenty of other workers here -no need to sell the Rs-83 to buy one as money isn't an obect. They were built to be used and so be it - that makes owning them fun.

Too much like work, lazy installer there...that's all. OOPS...did I say that out LOUD?

After deciding to give the 701 a new home(as hard as it was) I ran into a fellow Horse enthusiast on a popular social media site and he contacted me to arrange some swapping.The knot in my stomach seemed to disappear knowing the lil worker was gettin a great home.I ventured out yesterday morning on a two hour venture,met a great guy Bud Andrews and got a tour of his stable and projects.It was a great time.I'm glad to have met another diehard wheel horse fan and give an old worker an opportunity to get a freshen up!I'm super happy with my trade as I got just what I was after,another raider 12.I also took with it one of his super cool,perfect size prototype mufflers.Get ready Bud,You may have to give out your recipe!

Worn out drive belt ?

to

If my horse is loud , I can't hear my wife ! LOLOLOL

Don't have that problem, people always ask, How are your tractors? No worries, even Mom asks hows the Whlhrsn going? Can't remember anyone asking about my lawnmowers? It's like Huh, from the rj's, suburbans to the xi they do it all. I do have one lawnmower the front yard is what I mow, four swipes and I'm done. Oh yeah, I bag it

I agree..... Has the dia. of the rim and of the new tire been verified??? OP... where in Hudson Valley are you? And what shop are you working with?

There are two of these heads, I have them with both designs. They even have the same casting number. One has a real small chamber with no depression between the valves and piston. The other has more of a conventional kohler chamber with the depression. Outside they look identical. Some people even try to sell the second type on ebay as lp heads which isnt quite right because an actual lp head usually sells for 125-150 or so and the other type goes for around 25. I will try to post some pics on this so you can see the difference. Like I say its all in the chamber design. Joel

Make sure you take those hubcaps off and dry out the insides to keep them from rusting. Maybe a coat of WD-40 as well.

It take around ten days to get a delivery from US , but you could Pay extra costs for import duties & vat so be careful if you are thinking of buying from US

I would not try to square it,you would have to take it apart and it's really dry and brittle now. When someone mentions honey do lists I always think of my deceased father in law.He was a machinist and could make anything,his wife always had a list a foot long,but he liked working in the garage .She would get mad and tell him about all the things that needed to be done in the house,you could see him shaking his head ok,ok.After she went back in he would just keep doing what he was doing.When he would go in for something she would say are you going to do this or that, he would shake his head yes and say as soon as im done with this or that. This went on for years,I don't think her list ever got any shorter.It's prob still stuck in her bible where she was praying on it the day she passed.

My grandson lives on a farm,when he was about 8 I taught him how to use my Simplicity Broadmoor to mow.I had all the safety switches working so if he stood up it would shut off.I called it a tractor one day and he said,"thats not a tractor that's a lawnmower",I laughed for the way he said it.But after he used the WH pushing snow he never corrected me again. I think most folks call them lawnmowers,unless like us they know there's a big difference.Now a rear engine rider I think of as a lawnmower.

What the papa said.

City, or country... ...I'm a tractor guy.

That looks really good Gazza and to RS. Been quite a few new UK members recently which is great! Must get round to doing my B-111 up - its been waiting for a couple of years now. The modern Toro lens is a cheaper to produce item than the factory original but a couple of my tractors have them and they look fine. I buy some bits from the US and some from a local Toro agent. I've found it's easy to get a price from an agent by phoning them with the part number you want which allows you to compare prices with buying direct from the US. If the agent isn't exactly local to you they can get Hayter (who hold Toro spares in the UK) to post them directly to you rather than to them. It works well and can be quite quick if the spares are in stock in the UK - takes longer if they are waiting for them to come over from the US but not too long I've found. Hope this is of some use and looking forward to more pics. Andy

Your doing a great job with that tractor. A true "frame off" ! Mike.........

Hey, Welcome to the group! Good to have you on board... As Neil says, happy to help with decals if you need them Mark

I don't work my Ride-Away Senior on a regular basis, but I have turned soil with the rear plow. The tractor worked very well until the plow hooked a large root. It didn't even stall, but began to spin the tires. I have also hauled a lot of weight in a trailer pulled by the RS-83. I assume it will do just about anything. The horse power at the draw-bar is unknown, but I am sure it is much, much more than I think. My RS-83 is pictured in my book and has electric start. Mike Martino

I have one and love it. I would not have any issue working it other than the worry of breaking parts (especially the fragile hood). I have enough workers so my old girl is just for riding around. I have to say the clutch is kind of touchy on mine and the tranny is a little loud by nature but a very cool and fun tractor to drive.

can't wait to see some pics Koen

I recently had this Senior imported to UK & i wouldnt dream of using it to work . I got this tractor solely to preserve the history of the tractor. I may use it to pull a trailer around the garden but thats about it , this is my pride & joy & so i have other tractors that are probabley less valuable that will do what i need to have done . If you want a tractor to do some real hard work then i would recommomend using the D 200 as they are a heavier tractor & will do more work hard than the senior , thats not to say that the senior isnt capable of doing its fair share of work This is just my opinion on these tractors , some may have a different view .

Like Van said, Hearing loss in nothing to mess around with. I was not very smart when I was younger and really didn't know much about hearing loss and even what ear plugs were. I don't really think you will be able to quiet a horse down enough that hearing protection isn't needed. Sure, you may be able to tolerate the noise but that doesn't mean your hearing isn't paying a price.There are many different kind of plugs and you should be able to find some you can live with - in my line of work it isn't an option. My favorite is the simple push in as they are quick to insert. Of course, this time of the year muffs aren't bad either.

I am interested in this as well. Not only to keep my ears from ringing but, since I live on a smaller lot, as a courtesy to my neighbors. I want to make sure not to rob the engine of much power either... Might have to make a trip to TSC and experiment. I dont want a stack but maybe something could fit under the hood.

Pics are a must!

Looking forward to the pics on this.

I am really happy that I saved it from the previous owner. I don't think he would have ever scrapped it but just let it rot in the field. Ah the prices we pay (both money and wife's happiness) for the greater good of saving this old iron. If it was running strong with the belt that had chunks missing out of it and making the neighbors think my house was burning down I cant wait to see what she's like with a freshening up. I have a good running 12hp that I will probably switch in while the 16 goes under the knife.