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You guys can probably tell that the tractor has been painted by the photos in the gallery. I am going to throw a couple more out there for now and see maybe we can get some good weather and maybe a video who knows. As this process has been moving forward the words that I look for are like "awesome". How else would you desdribe it?

I JUST PUT THE DECK BACK ON THE TRACTOR. IT HAS THE ORIGINAL RED PAINT. THE WHEELS ARE REPAINTED, HOOD AND CONSOLE BLACK TOUCH UP. THIS TRACTOR HAD A VERY EASY LIFE WITH ONLY 608 HOURS. THE DECK IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. I TRYING TO SALE IT NOW ON CRIAGSLIST AND REDSQUARE. BOWTIE IN CENTRAL OHIO

Every time I read an update to this I just grin from ear to ear. Scott, you are the man and from the looks on the kids faces in all the pictures I know they will agree with me.

953 might have a Ross Steering gear instead of a fan gear BUT 1/2 of them do have fan gears!

Today my 1981 IH Cub Cadet 582 Special was finally picked up. It was sold a year ago but the new owner never retrieved it until today. Tom Rupprecht's hitch with crane attachment for the HF crane came in handy as the Peerless 2300 transmission was locked in gear. The previous owner of my house had pushed it into the field where it was abandoned. Not wasting any time (much to my wife's chagrin!) it was off to the local tractor show where I bought this 1952 David Bradley Model 917.57560 "Super Power." It has a 2 1/4 hp Briggs model 8 engine. The first model sold with the more powerful engine, it still retained the red hood. This one runs compared to the Cub! Being from Illinois originally, I had to have a piece of Illinois history. This should be an easy restore as it is complete. Just to give a size perspective, I parked it next to the 518xi. The 16" wheels are impressive! Downside is when I go to replace the tires, they will cost three times what I paid for the Bradley. But seeing as the Cub was free and the Bradley cost the same as what I sold the Cub for, I am ahead in the game - so far.

I planning on making it, my first time this year to Mentone, 3 hours, will bring almost everything I have. Glen

Each had different headlights. The 953 had the smaller diameter headlights (both had different plastic lens design) If you have the lenses in the grill the easiest thing to do would be to compare the lenses to those on Glen Pettit's vendor link.

Posting a picture may help, with ID-ing assuming all is original (excepting for the hood decal.) There may be some tel-tale signs to indicate wheather it's a 953 or 1054(A.) The headlight buckets/lenses were different, I think the grill housing and the seat frame was different. You can check to see the build date code for the starter/generator on the oval I.D. tag, again assuming it is original. Mark.

As Lane Ranger said, if it has a fan style steering gear, it could be either model. If its the Ross style, its a 953. If the engine is original, the 953 would have a K241S-46135A, the 1054 would be K241S-46215A.

Looks like we are going to have to do a Panoramic for the group shot this year...or maybe a video with everyone saying Hi. Unbelievable Terry...what you mean to this hobby.

I don't often speak to or see my landlord, maybe once a year, so it might be a while until I get any info from him.. So here's a few photo's from yesterday.. Here's one of the many stray bricks, no frogs, very strong and very heavy for a brick! Here's the strange brick structure in the woods, a bit hard to see as it's overgrown and the trees are doing there best to demolish the brickwork.. It's about 20ft in length.. It's U shaped with a curved and rendered top course of bricks. A closer up of some of exposed brickwork which had been coated in render of some sort. I have no idea what it once was or what it was used for, there in no obvious way of water getting in and out through pipes/channels. 10 seconds walk away is the first clay pit. Which drops down into another.. And another, and another until eventually the final pit dig is level with the stream. Oh, here's the latest in the "Clocks out of context" series..... I call this one "Peek a Blue"

Just picked this up yesterday from a relative. 2nd owner tractor with 1359 hours. I always liked the Suburban 400 tractors and last year I finally got a Suburban 550? and a RJ58/59. This year I got this. I see a trend. Anyways, its a real nice tractor.

Just because

Having finally got the GT's 3 point finished yesterday, I wanted a relaxed but fun day today before I start on some serious rust repairs tomorrow.. So Pete and I decided to go for a little drive on the GT to have a look for good places that would be a challenge for my 6x6 and Nigel's Noddy Holder.. The looking didn't last too long as it was such a nice restful place down in the valley, lot's of wild flowers, the sounds of birds chattering and a babbling stream.. I love it down there Sorry about the quality of these first four photo's, my video camera is much better at video than stills.. It's a shame that the orchids around here grow blurred! And then suddenly an idea I have had floating around for a long time popped into my head!! So back to base for a quick bit of lunch, and then back on the GT for another drive in the opposite direction this time armed with a good camera So welcome to the first 3 of my "Clocks out of context" series.. This ones called "A crack in time".. "Time for a hanging" The next two are simply called "Don't jump" 1 and 2 As an added bonus here's "Don't jump with colour" I love the colours on the bricks, lump of rock and the tree root. A beautiful spot with the sun shining on the stream. Have a couple of the bridge brickwork.. My area is well known for clay pits and brick making, so I guess there bricks are slowly returning back to nature.. I'm not sure Pete would of driven over the bridge had known of the big crack in it at the time And that's been my relaxed fun day.... Fun eh

Always look forward to your updates, you and your dad are doing such a great job with the students.

Online -that's where I got mine! Roadpro RP-105K Chrome Plated Hub Cap Clips 8-pack Part# DAS-RP-105K

We are back at it and have tons to do! It was great getting back together with the kids and moving forward with the project. The kids came out to the barn and realized very quickly that we have less working space. While they were on Spring Break somehow the C-120 lured a C-121 in to the barn to keep it company. Clyde Potts in Wooster, Ohio donated the C-121 that was pretty much all repainted and ready for reassembly. The only catch was that I needed to get it out of his garage in a timely manner. Dad ended up doing the trip, which I am very grateful for and hauled the new machine back to the barn. After spending just over 8 hours behind the wheel, it finally made it to Warsaw. Dad really looks forward to the time with the club. He was glad he could help in this capacity. We worked more tonight and found out with two tractors going together, we don't have much room. We are going to reorganize and have a better plan. We have about 7 weeks left of school and the club tractor WILL be done. We don't have a choice. The C-121 will get done if we can, but it isn't the top priority. So tonight I worked with 4 kids on the C-121 and dad worked with 4 kids on the C-120. We were moving along pretty good until we ran in to a few snags on reassembly. All of those little hands were busier tonight and thankfully no horseplay with injuries. Here are a few pictures that I snapped off tonight. Notice the multitude of parts. The only problems we have are good ones! We are so thankful for the generosity! Enjoy...... And of course my goofy daughter doing a signature photo bomb!

Difficult question to answer. Looks like the hours are getting right up there. You know what though? It's worth more than any brand new John Deere, Cub, Ariens, Craftsman, etc...that Home Depot, Lowe's, Sears has sitting on there floor. I challenge anyone to disagree with me! Fair market value oughta be right around $400-$600 depending on how well it runs, condition of the deck etc... Well worth overhauling engine and a good general refurbishing.

Well I could barely see where I had been, but it didn't matter.

953 =1963 9hp 1054=1964 10hp Basically the same tractor manuals for both are in the manuals section

I can not speak on your fitment question. Ever since I got a tiller for my Wheel Horse I hardly use my Troy Built tiller.

A Holder and a Mobility Scooter.. Need I say more A big thank you to Nigel for letting Pete and I have a play with your toys yesterday.

I can't wait to see this, John. Awesome is right!

Like maybe a blown head gasket or cracked head

I was really ready to do more work with my 417A today. I awoke to 2" of new fallen snow.

Wheeww . . . . I was concerned about the "unknown substance on your dipstick" . . . till I saw it was your tractor

The GT-14 has Hydrogear 90-2062 which is nearly the same as the other Wheelhorse Hydrogears (Bronco 14 Chargers Electro12)...but NOT quite the same. The GT-14 hydro drive gear has 11 teeth whereas the others have 13 teeth. Accordingly, these may (or may not) be interchangeable as some have suggested,although they share the 5-bolt pattern to secure to gearbox. The Sundstrand piston-piston model 90-1136, 90-1137, or 90-1140 (B and C series) each have a drive gear with 11 teeth, the same as the GT-14. However, these may not bolt up to the trans case, based upon 4-bolt pattern & gasket shape. Another issue is the different hyd hose routings and sizes as well as possible linkage variances. See pics here and compare:

You may be able to do it with the spec number off the engine. You can bring up all the 312-8 models here https://lookup3.toro.com/partdex/index.cfm?xCaller=Toro by doing a search for 312-8. On each line at the right side is the model Details where the spec numbers are listed. The background of the side hood decal was maroon up to the end of 1989. 1990 and up it is black. The Kohler service manual has a serial number to year built chart in the first pages. You could have a K301 engine or a M12 engine which are in different manuals. Garry

Either that or antifreeze might be getting in the oil.

Thanks for letting us know what it took to fix it! So many times a member will post a "problem" asking for help. Folks give their ideas for fixing the problem, but we never find out what helped! Knowing the repair will assist in diagnosing future problems from the computer screen. OK, I'm done.....

You didn't say what problem you are having. Many times the acceleration springs are bad and new ones will bring it back to life. The Raider, Electro and Chargers would all work, I don't think a "C" will. I did this type of change out about a year ago, mine were both gear to gear. Do a search on here for Hydro Gear output gear and you will find a tutorial I did on the subject. It was a half day job, but not too involved. You need to change the output gear because they are different to make up for the 15" vs. 12" rear tire size. As far as the moaning goes, I think they all do that. I know mine always has! Good luck.

Pulled off a front wheel to try and match up the right sized one at a mower shop close by. PO had 6 inch on it and should have 8. Need to quit saying those bad words when I think of the guy I bought it from. Maybe new tires and wheels soon.

A-maz-ing!!! How about a little video with the camera on the drive system from stationary to tearing up the turf, and back to rest again? Andy

I can't think of an honest negative for it. There are of course pros and cons for everything. All I can say is you will definitely see more fuel consumption than with your 8 horse, but when it comes to mowing some serious grass, or throwing some nasty snow, it is one tough dude!

Tecumseh #31820

Spent a few hours on it today, and I am very pleased with the result. I think that I will reapply new "Super Power" decals on the hood (they're cursive in yellow and below the name) and leave it at that. Found that the one tire has a big crack in the sidewall so I may have to put tires on it eventually. Then I will paint the wheels the correct green. The engine could use paint, although it is grey and restored units in pictures show black. More things to research! Now to find a sulky or cart. They have the brakes to stop with.

Great weather today for a nice relaxing family day. Little Joshua got to take his first ride on his own tractor the recently finished 654.

Great pictures look like all the kids were in 7th heaven. Of Course a Wheel Horse has a way of doing that. Yep my grandkids were over last week but it was too cold out. So I will hafta defer their ride till later. ~Duke

The bandit was out again with this as I only paid $100.00 for it. PLUS - the guy delivered it for me so no rear view mirror shot! The tires are Mansfield 6.50-16. The tread is aged but the sidewalls are decent. I have only taken it for a few "walks" as I am still recovering from foot surgery. The outside of the hood may have been repainted at one time as it has a rough finish but not too scratched. But the frame looks original and not faded. Today I'm going to change the fluids, try polishing what I can, and put some tire paint on the tires. The gas line is a bit cobbled but the tank looks to be in good shape compared to some I have seen. No rust, at least inside on the top where I can feel. I'll scope it with my HF snake camera as well to be sure. The Briggs 8 is sure a small engine. The economy model only had 1 1/2 hp so I'm glad I got the "big" engine! But, Mike, I don't think that it could handle dualies. Craig, I have been looking at the HF Trailer Dolly to see if I could adapt that until I can find an original. It has to have a U-bend bracket to ride on the saddle bracket to get under the transmission as the hitching point is at the front. The original actually flexed at the saddle bracket. Love the kickstand!

Did some discing in the garden. Didn't really accomplish anything but wasn't expecting to. I just wanted to do something with my 416-8 repowered with a new 20 horse Onan.

That Bradley is just itchin for some dualies!

Doc Unfortunately I will not be able to make it to Mentone this year. Lola and I are moving that week. Once I get my equipment moved and set up things should get back to normal. I will be preparing for the Big Show once we are all settled. Will update this thread and check my list to make sure everyone who has posted will have a magnet. Terry

Scott, thanks for all you do. The before shot of your 603 looks better than most of my "afters"

Thank you so much for following along. I appreciate you taking the time each week to check in and see what is going on. We were able to get back to work on the machine this week. Unfortunately we were delayed a bit because tools were misplaced. Due to the down time I had a small issue with a few of the boys getting restless which led to some horseplay. Of course that doesn't mix well within a shop setting. One young man somehow bounced his head off the edge of the oil pan that was on a cart. He ended up with a good little goose egg. The young man received a stern talk and the parents were made aware of the incident. I have a good feeling that this behavior will not happen again! Due the fact that we had some unfortunate hiccups at the beginning of club, I neglected to snap some photos. I did haul up my 603 that I have been wanting to redo. I am letting the kids tear it apart. I will pay for everything on this one, have it blasted and powder coated, and then let the kids put it back together. This will keep more hands busy which will help distract from unnecessary horseplay. This one will have a special place in my collection. We are now on Spring Break so the next update will not be until the 16th. Thanks so much for following along! Here is the 603 before they started tearing it down.

I had huge plans on using the 417-A with a 48" deck UNTIL the governor gear broke..........now I will have to use my CC1864 with 54" deck. It's very similar to the xi series but without the hi- lo range. (I was going to sell that!). GGRRRR. The 416-8( with a 20 horse Onan) will be the back up and trimmer.

417-Auto for me on the big smooth stuff Ken! 416-8 on the rough and hilly stuff. 312-8 for when I want to give some love to my first Wheel Horse

P'Chop is my boy and is ten, going on 35! Lol! The wife says he's a chip off the old block head. I had to get him his own tractor because he tried claiming mine when I got it running and painted. He's doing the mechanical work while Dad is stuck cleaning and painting, but I would not have it any other way!

Mike, Nice score! The 8000 in my opinion is the best looking of them all. I have one of each as well. Here's a few pics of my long term, million dollar 8000 resto. Hope to finish it up this season.

Well since I started planning for the show the min. I put the key in the truck to leave last year I'll be there. I'm bringing Marvin so there will be at least 1 non red hood there plus Ezra as 73 is the feature tractor but I have a big problem. Last year I needed tons of stuff as Marvin needed to be rebuilt. This year my list will be much smaller. I'm supposed to keep a certain Dino entertained all weekend by walking in back and forth in front of his lawn chair carrying parts. Since I have a short list but the main thing I'm looking for is a pair of 8" HORSEHEAD HUBCAPS!!! I hope to do more driving around taking pics, cooking brats and maybe selling a few things. I'm bring the home made mid grader which is sold to drop off and an electric Flake Flinger for Vinylguy.

Terry: I would will be attending my first Big Show in June! I have been wanting to go since I joined Red Square and learned about the Wheel Horse Collector's Club -which I am also now a member of along with my brother David Ralph. I am sending you two photos for a magnet for both me and my brother. Lane Ralph David Ralph