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Member oldnugly (Tom Flynn) passed away in February. I spent some time talking to him about tractors in the past and didn't realize he had left us until today when I was looking on CL and saw his 953 with sicklebar for sale. I didn't know him well, but I know he loved his 953 and talking about Wheel Horses. I contacted his wife and she told me it'd be ok to put a note on here. May he rest in peace.

Looked at the first picture and wondered how the hood got totaled ? Then I saw the second picture and now I understand.... You should operate the tractor with the wheels on the bottom and the hood on the top. Oh, Pardon my manners, .

When I purchased my first Wheel Horse project a few months back, I was a little bummed to find out that a previous owner attempted to repaint the entire tractor with spray cans. It was obvious that there was no care taken to prevent overspray or any regard for taping things off, it was a quick down and dirty paint job. While some of the painted parts I could strip and clean, one problem I ran into was the serial number plate riveted on the dash tower. I completely dissassembled the tractor to have the parts sandblasted back to bare metal, so I removed the serial number tag for safekeeping. Once removed I began my attempt at restoring it. I tried soaking it in a few different solvents with no real success. I combined soaking the plate in solvents and gently scrubbing with fine steel wool, but still little to no success. Only with some fine grit sandpaper did I start to get through the layer of red paint. Unfortunatley the coat of paint was uneven and required more sanding in some areas than others, partially removing the underlying black printed part of the tag. As I thought about how to restore this I first considered using waterslide decal paper as it was thin and I could easily recreate the graphic for on the serial plate (I am already setup to make waterslide decals as I do it frequently for custom model cars and fire trucks). My only concern was that the waterslide decal film was very thin and could scratch easily, so I concluded that the durability just wouldn't be there. Then I got an idea to try making a dry transfer. I had never tried this before, but I found a kit online that only required an inkjet printer (most kits require a lamination machine which I didn't have). After ordering a starter kit to try this out, I designed the graphic with some imaging software and then followed the directions provided with the kit. Suprisingly the dry transfers came out very well, though I will admit I probably went through about a half a dozen before I finally perfected the placement and was satisfied with how it looked. The transfer paper isn't much thicker than the decal film, but I think that it seems a little more durable and shouldn't come off it I ever spray the tractor with water to clean it. I did attempt clear coating the plate, but didn't like how it looked, so this final version is just the dry transfer on top of the original serial number plate that I had sanded down to bare metal and polished to a nice shine. The grainy look of the tag in the last picture is exacerbated quite a bit by the flash from the camera (it looks much better in person), but I am well pleased and think it looks as good as new. The only downfall to the dry transfer kit is that seems you can't just make the transfers and let them sit. I tried using one that had sat for a day and it didn't work out as well as the freshly made ones did; therefore I think offering to make some for other people and shipping them is not really an option. I do have the original artwork that I came up with and if someone wants to try this I would be more than happy to share my files. Hopefully this post can help someone else out who is looking to restore their original serial number plate and if there are any questions feel free to contact me. - Seth

My wife's mother stopped in to visit with the patient yesterday. So I took advantage of the relief nurse and went on a bread and milk run. This followed me home. Now, what do I do with it .... Full restore, redo , keep original rust and unique throttle lock ?? It runs and sounds good, but needs some attention. What Ya think ?

My Thought's are with the families and friends ,including there extended Wheel Horse Family here at the Red Square. As we all grow older we seem to learn how short the time it that we are here on this earth. Enjoy your families and the little things that we all seem to take for granted until it's gone I haven't been part of the Red Square Family but I wish we all lived closer, so we could share more. Have a Good evening All.

My condolences to the family. I think it would be proper and a nice gesture to establish a separate member section for the ones that have left us. It would be a little memorial to them and at the same time inform other members of their passing.

if the alum push rods wear out so fast how come sixty year old motors are still running good with the original one in them change your oil once a year with a good grade 30wt and yours will last that long too Brian

Daughter-in-law went to a party. At the party, kids made tractors.

I did a "dry run" with my fender idea. I think it turned out ~ok. I think/know they need to be positioned lower, but I am also going to run taller tires...probably in the 28" range. They actually worked out pretty good this way, I removed the seat pan, bent 2 of the tabs in and the remaining one used the original seat mount bolt. Once I get the bigger tires on I will add more, so maybe consider this a teaser(??) Thoughts/opinions welcome. Ps, this is my daughter's tractor, I modified the clutch pedal to be used with the deck lift rod.

Sooooooooo.................you pulled out of the house in a pickup WITH a trailer attached on just a milk and bread run???? That's a lot of milk and bread. You are a sneaky devil

I AM SOMEWHAT NEW TO THE RED ROUND HOODS,,,AFTER READING THIS POST IT DAWNED ON ME,,,,,I HAVE MADE IT TO 3 BIG SHOWS THE LAST 3 YEARS,,I HAVE ALREADY RESERVED MY ROOM FOR NEXT YEAR....I LOOK FORWARD TO THE BIG PA SHOW NOW...... BUT YEAH KNOW......... I HAVE NOT HAD A FAMILY REUNION COOK OUT IN 10 YEARS..... IM NOT SAYING "THAT,S SAD",,,,ADJUSTING PRIORITIES MAY BE IN ORDER.......... MY TRACTOR PASSION $$$ ........... FAMILY: PRICLESS 857HORSE HOWARD IN VIRGINIA GONNA GO FOR NOW... MAYBE CALL 1 OF MY KIDS

The poor old ('68 ?) Horse just followed you home? Likely story. I'm sure the Stallion'll be fine with a wash 'n oil. Just don't lose the throttle lock!

Ah, you are wrong, I use a vise grip on my 875 to keep the throttle open! Red-neck at it's best, but it works! Nice find, but how do you find something like this on a "milk & bread" run? Let me know your secret

You would know if it was only running on one cylinder so rule that out. Does the engine hunt when running? It could just be an adjustment on the governor of the carb. It will bog down a bit when the PTO is engaged. What size mower does it have? Using a 518xi with more than a 48" is pushing it. Could be bad spindles on the mower as well. What year is this 518xi tractor? If it is a 518xi, it does not have power steering so don't look for the filter and screen. If you do buy it, replace all the fluids and spin-on filters (there are two, engine and transmission) to extend the life. The Smart-Steer was because of the Cruise Control that the 520xi and up have. I guess Toro figured that owners would engage the cruise and make a 180 at full speed! This prevents that from happening.

The gear looks good to me, it fits the input gear solidly without any loose so I figure it's OK... I added some pictures of the engine. Working on the trany and waiting for the carb and fuel pump kit. I will try to polish both of them, it should look nice. To answer the question about the use of my 701, I will not do any exposition or hard work, just running around in the wood and haul the grand kids in an wagon that I will make next, looking for blueberries, raspberries and other good little fruits . This little guy is 53 years old and I will give him an easy retirement

Another member (toolman) Ronnie from Warsaw MO died a few months ago..he was "one of a kind" and loved his Wheel Horse...think it was a 73 model but he had it looking good and loved to talk tractors....not sure what his wife will do with the ole WH and sulkey...RIP Ronnie

I'm gonna go with the "quality" vs. "quantity" on this one. I'm not sure, and photos can lie, but I did not see any that needed anything done to them. I could be wrong, but I think that makes for a quality herd. Not that you do not have some quality horses, but I think, IMHO, he has us all on that one!

The wife asked me to clean the bathroom, so I used the WH to get the pressure washer up to the balcony.

hauling people and everything i can (seat moves up and down with 3 point) dragging dragging driveway and green tractors.

I just noticed in one of the posts on here that Craig Allen ( AMC Rules ) has over 10,000 posts. Congrats Craig, I know that many of those posts were answering questions for me. Thanks for all your help.

I bought this tractor last year, and it was really neglected. It was sitting out in the yard where it had stopped running.I don't know how long it sat there,but the gas had just started to gel in the carb.It was fortunate that it died or the engine would have been toast. Anyway I got it running,put a kit in the carb,new fuel line and filter.I changed the oil which was barely touching the stick. The engine smoked,but sounded good, no haunting noises.I used it to push snow last winter,and if I ran it for two hours it would use about a half quart of oil. I had in mind to ring it this year,but I used it to push some rock,and to my surprise the smoking has all but disappeared.It smokes lightly when I let off the throttle, but that's about it.The machine has plenty of power and I love operating it. So now I can get to work on the 48" deck which needs a lot of work,a couple big holes in the common areas.

Good you jumped on that, it looked like a nice tractor for the price and I was planning on making room for that. You have some nice straight sheet metal there. I agree with the others, that would make a good "natural refurbish" I call it.

It has already found itself in some pretty tough orchard grass ~ I mow 4 acres all with Wheel Horse of coarse ~

Already done ~ Safe in the barn ~

Hey Rusty One thing that strikes me is that it has the recess like the plow hitch for a rod but there are no locks or holes to mount the locks on it. I have a belt drive trac-vac blower attachment but it mounts to the standard plow hitch.

This one is for you Craig...

KC9KAS said - Nice find, but how do you find something like this on a "milk & bread" run? Let me know your secret Yeah, Inquiring minds want to know.

rustyedge1,

Number two with dozer blade. number one with mower The padded round seat is a lot more comfortable!

Absolutely wonderful Idea!!

pennsoil SAE30 at TSC

Welcome back to the sweat box, Bob. Tractors looking great. If you need the strap rewelded to the hood, offer still stands. Bring it down and ill zap it for you , unless you got somewhere closer to you that would do it. I learned something new today. Didnt know they were attached to the hood.

The lift level may be original... some RJ59's are known to have 60 Suburban lift systems installed...

Hmm, Looks unanimous ... a good scrubbing and apply the body lotion may be the way to go.

There is also a picture that TT posted one time that shows an extension on the side plug to allow level checking at that location. I know that the book says one thing, but it is a little confusing. I did the experiment with my 857 by putting in 3 pints. Then I put a measuring cup under the side plug, removed it, and 10 ounces poured out. So, either the book is wrong or I am crazy. I am sticking by "the book is wrong". Here is TT's picture showing and extension on the side.

Nice looking BEE-Hind!

Bob, just so you know, I have seen in the manuals where they say it should take a certain amount of oil, but fill it until it comes out the fill hole. I'll try to find a link for that. Look on page 2 of both of these links...if there is no dip stick, this is what it says... http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/download/1843-tractor-1966-856-om-ipl-wiring-687pdf/ http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/download/1828-tractor-1968-commando-6-1-4631-om-ipl-wiring-314-revapdf/

Free is always good Nate.

Agreed 100% Cub Cadet makes a lawn/garden tractor with the same tranny - if it's the one I'm thinking about, a Hydro Gear G730 tranny. I like that transmission and read very good stuff about it. My brother came within a hair of buying a tractor with that tranny this past Spring. FWIW - here's what else I think I know. The transmission in my Simplicity Landlord DLX is a Tuff Torq K71. It is "rated" ground engaging and is supposed to be stout enough for a moldboard plow. If you look at the specs, it a stronger tranny than the G730 from Hydro Gear. I don't think I would pull a moldboard plow with the Simplicity, but would use it with a push blade, tiller and to pull an aerator or utility trailer. I refer to the Simplicity as a sheet metal tractor - LOL! I would use a G730 tranny tractor like the Simplicity too. I had to tow a crippled IH Cub Cadet of mine up a hill to the other side of my house and gave it a tug with the Simplicity - the tranny really groaned under the load before it started to spin. Broke out the 520H with ag's and weight and no sweat - pulled the IH up the hill no problems - tranny didn't sound any different if I was mowing the grass. But certainly the serviceable tranny's like the G730 and the K71 (similar K72 is used in the Deere x500 series tractors) are a step in the right direction. Thanks, Bill

That's just crazy!!!

I'm sure this has been seen before on here but as a new comer. This was pretty impressive and overwhelming seeing for the first time. I have my hands full with the few that I have already! http://rbwheelhorsestables.yolasite.com/ Kyle

How is this one?

Anyone can do it but when you go ask expect some funny looks from the Fastenal employee. I don't think many people use Fastenal for shipping, the employee looked at me like I was crazy at first. They have a form on the Fastenal website under third party logistics, fill it out and e-mail it and they will approve the shipping.

As I go to about a dozen shows a year,the $5 fee is way too low.This year I have paid between $15 Jones,MI and $170 Greenville,OH.Most are $25 to $50.This been said I will donate at least $25 plus something for the fund raiser.I don't want to see this great show disapear because of funding.I think we can help can all help Gene and Richard out by making a little bigger donation.It takes a lot of work to put this on ,lets show them our appreation.

This one would make you a good puller.

I WANT ONE!!!! NO... I NEED ONE!!!