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It is hard to quantify all that this community means to so many...I have witnessed all kinds of selfless acts of friendship from those who were at one point total strangers, yet as a result of commitment to a little red and white tractor, the become friends. Six years ago, I couldn’t have picked Dan @Achto out of a lineup if someone was forcing me to but today he did such a special kindness for my third born that it brings me to tears as I type this post. Judge is a good kid, mild mannered, and much quieter than his older siblings. However, loves all things mechanical and having just turned 10 years old started to express the desire to purchase a mini bike/dirt bike. We started looking around for one but weren’t having any luck finding the right fit for a reasonable price. Those that we found, sold before we could bring the cash. A few weeks ago I mentioned it to the Local Circle at the Symco tractor show. Dan grabbed me and said he might have something for Judge. I make longer story short, he showed up today with a very special gift for Judge... This is a 1977 Honda and I’ll let Dan fill you in as to the backstory but suffice it to say, Judge is overjoyed. My favorite moment was when Dan asked him what he would give for it. Judge answered “$600.” Dan responded, “lower.” Judge, “$400” Dan, “lower” Judge, “$200” Dan, “lower” Judge, “$50” Dan, “lower” Finally Judge got the picture and realized it was a gift from Dan to him. ❤️ He couldn’t wait to ride it and as he strapped on his helmet, Dan gave him some instructions. Of course he killed it on his first attempt but the second one, he was out and rolling. Granted, he has never driven a clutch vehicle and it will take him some practice to get comfortable but we all had to start somewhere ourselves. Before long he was looking the part and ready to tear up my already anemic looking yard 😂 Dan, I can’t express how grateful we are to you for this act of kindness and will be sure to “pay it forward”. I know that Jonathan, for one (me too), will never forget this as long as he lives. We would’ve gladly paid you for this sweet little bike but are so thankful for your generosity. Once again, Red Square is a great forum and not just for tractors, for friendships... @WHX24, @Coulter Caleb, @stevasaurus, @Shynon, @pullstart, @19richie66, @WVHillbilly520H, @Vinylguy, @prondzy, @Sparky, @AMC RULES, @953 nut, @ebinmaine, and the list could go on and on of those of you who have done special kindnesses for me and or my family through the short 6 years that I have been a member here. I can’t thank you enough one and all🤗 Never underestimate the power you have to make someone’s day, week, month, or year!

Picked this up from a customer's house just 'cause I thought it was cool. It's a 30" long x 3" D bolt and nut that was going out as scrap. Just assuming it might be from large heavy equipment or something like that. Thought about just hanging it on the wall of the shed for art decor or maybe use it as a front tractor weight.

What do you think... good hobby to have?

The under cover story Dan was just just cleaning out his shed and found the bike. Figured he got rid of it room for another round hood! Seriously now you know why I run with these !

Leave me out of this!

I think you should tape that to your upper leg.

Well here I am again. In the " other brand " section of a Wheel Horse Forum. Its like my own little section down here. Picked this up today. Went to look at it last week made an offer and it was turned down. He called me today to see if I still wanted it. I always " want" I just never " need". So I went and got it. International Harvester Cub Cadet 106. Not exactly sure of the year. 1969 - 1971. It was owned by the same family since brand new. Father bought it new passed it down to his son. They each owned it roughly 25 yrs a piece. It is in some desperate need of some loving but I think it is in OK shape. All original Has a 10hp Kohler. 42 inch mowing deck, and a 42 inch snow blower. Has chains under the seat but I am not sure if they are tire chains as I have not pulled them out to see. Has original manuals. Runs and drives. It is a TANK ... very heavy. It is covered in greasy dirt. Need to clean it see where its coming from. Engine dosnt smoke when starting or running. This is my first tractor with a shaft drive and it also has disc brakes which is also a first for me. I hosed it down to clean off some old grass clippings and mud and oil and grease . After that I couldnt get it started but I am assuming its because I hosed it down good and coil wire wet. Fingers Crossed it will fire right up in the AM as it had previously done several times beforehand . I look forward to all your comments, opinions, advice....etc. May have paid a little more then I wanted too. Your opinion on its value as it sits I would like to hear as well. You know I will posting pictures of its progress as I try to fix it up some. I still need to go over it and see what I think it needs. The ratchet strap was just there to hold the deck up level. it was missing an R clip to hold it in place. I already put new clip in and its fine now.

I listened to Judge talk about wanting a mini bike and really enjoyed the enthusiasm that he was showing. It reminded me of buying my first bike and how excited I was when I purchased it. My first real motorcycle (after owning a couple mini bikes) was a 1975 XR75 that I worked my tail off to get the $100 to purchase used in 1982. That bike is long gone but I've always kept a 4 stroke 75 or 80cc Honda around, guess I just have a soft spot for the little bullet proof machines. This bike I acquired after a side line customer failed to pick it up after I told him what it all needed to be safe to ride. (Little things like replace 8 missing spokes on a loose wobbly rear rim, rear brake linkage, neck bearings) After it sat in my garage for 3yrs I decided to re-lace the rear rim and fix the necessary safety issues. Over the next 18yrs it saw limited use, usually 30 to 50hrs per year. I'm really happy to see the bike go to good home where it will be ridden and enjoyed. I also explained to Judge that once he learns how to effectively ride this bike that he will have the mechanics down to ride almost any bike made. It's not in perfect shape but it is ride-able and all of the important controls work on it. I explained to Josh & Judge that it could really use a top end rebuild as it smokes pretty bad. I'm guessing that will be a good father son project over the winter, in the mean time they should have the rest of this season to enjoy riding it. Enjoy the ride Judge!!

Damn.... I need to move closer to you guys ! Dan, very thought full of you. I would like to shake your hand. Corona virus be damned.

Giving the XI a little blow jobby to the engine compartment with the air gun! It’s got years of grass and leaves and after an hour or so of mowing the temp gauge starts to creep up to the orange area. One thing’s for sure... It’s a monster! CRUISE CONTROL? Are you kidding?

I’ve got a few Wheel Horses in my garage

Wow Dan that was pretty sweet, but I'm not sure who is more excited Judge or his father. Many great people on this forum.

Here you go Russ, I have a picture of you on the 1054-D

Somewhere there is a heavy machinery mechanic saying, where the heck is that last bolt and nut? Can't imagine how I could have misplaced it!

Fail 🤬 next time i ask a upholstery company to get a new surface on a Seat. I do as suggested, but it be not easy to get a clean Surface. firstly i derusted the contact Areas with grinding fleece and repaint it with a rusprevention paint in black. Than i let it dry over night. Next Day i take a look at the Paint and it seems ready for the next Step. I glued the foam arround and on the contact surface and even also the Skin. i let it dry for 15 min as suggested and than i try to stick it on the Seat. firstly begun in the middle of the Seatpan what seems so far not Bad at all. i pressed the skin onto the middle section on the seatpan and roll it out to the sides. than i pulled it with pliers on the sidesections, with maximum force i can handle to get it wrinklefree. but it failed. I can not pull with that force it shall needed. when a wrikle gets solved, another comes up.. Aaaaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh. that‘s definitely not my Job. I just can produce wrinkles like an old man. But ok, the Seat itself is again sealed with a closed skin, so i can deal with it. and it is comfy as before.

When your done drooling over all those pictures above, how about a little sympathy for this one..... At least its now in a dry barn... Planning for this horse to someday return to it's former proud stance, but maybe not fully original.

I bought some new Torrington B-2212 needle bearings to put in the 701 Sickle Bar Mower. The drive shaft is not turning like I think it should. Removed the spring, removed drive shaft pulley, shaft and bracket. Shaft showed signs of wear or rust from bearing so I used Emory tape to clean up the shaft. Removed old bearings from bracket and replaced. Going to put on the 701 today to test out. Noticed a spot on bracket missing something (in yellow). Not sure if it is a set screw or grease fitting. Checked with Ryan Transue and his 701 chain drive CBR-327 sickle bar mower has a grease fitting in that spot. Going to add the new repo chain guard bracket and the Bolens sickle bar diverter in front later this week!

I went to an auction yesterday took a trailer because I have one😉 I wanted implements to use in the garden, they lumped everything in one big lot but I did get this nice cultivator! I don't know if it is wheel horse or not, it may have been modified to work.

Y'all know what i think of Dan; the Mafia ( that i have met)😉 Mr @Achto; Dan...You, Sir, my Friend... You are a Class Act.👍🏼👍🏼 There, too, though: I think Y'all are.😊❤

It’s great to read something positive with all the commotion going on here in the US. What a cool first bike! Mine was a rigid framed mini bike with a Briggs 5 and a rear scrub brake. The pegs were welded to the frame so a hard lean would sink em in my dads lawn and send ya flying! My brother and I quickly learned how much you could lean

Make sure you hang it at least 6 feet high so you don't bang your head on it!

Using it. Getting closer on the house.

Here’s a better look at it. This tractor was given to me, however when I got it it was literally a basket case. It was in pieces with the smaller pieces in milk crates. A buddy of mine said that I should just sell it in parts the way it was, and I said nope I’m putting this baby back together. So I sand blasted the big stuff and glass beaded the smaller pieces. Rustoleum automotive primer and sunrise red with LOTS of wet sanding. I didn’t do anything to the motor, it smokes a little bit at the startup but runs like a top.

I too have a love for the 953s.

I’ve come to likin’ the 953/1054 platform too... and Rylee on @Shynon’s 1054 plow beast!

Also replaced the broken lift cable on the plow mule.. had to take it out for a test run....put a mirror finish on the share... may have to shave in it in the morning

Cleaned the stalls....

Hooked up my trailer and decided to give it a good pressure wash. Looks a whole lot better now!!

You talkin the bolt or the Fish? Just sayin Jay.

We had to pick up my step daughter at her dad's this weekend in South Bend In. So of coarse we had to take a detour to the old Wheel Horse plant to see where my horses were born. Took a few picks with the phone..... enjoy

I was taught by an old-time mechanic years ago.When mounting a tire with a tube on a rim.First air-up,bring it up to recommended pressure.Then let the air out completely.Air it up second time.Make sure you've got the valve stem fishing tool on the valve,or you'll loose it through the hole. I was taught that this removed all wrinkles.Knock on wood,haven't had a failure yet with hundreds of tube tires changed in my lifetime.

While mowing the green and verges yesterday, I sensed some vibration, more than usual. I've replaced the anti vibration spacers between engine and wobble plate. After fitting them there was just a trace of vibration. When I'd finished mowing I decided to investigate. I found two broken bolts. One LH rear and one RH front. No wonder there was more vibration. I'd no spare bolts, but I do have a quantity of 10mm cap head Alan bolts. They'll do thinks I. I'll remove the cross bars that the wobble plate sits on and re-thread the holes. The rear bar came of easily. The front was a different kettle of fish. The bolts were inaccessible due to the front axle. So the tractor was jacked up, wheels removed,tie bars disconnected and axle lowered. I could then get at the bolts with a socket and short extension bar. Re-drilling the holes was fun, as I don't have any Vee blocks. Carefully fit in the hand vice and level up with a spirit level. Then tapped them out and re-fitted. Engine of course was still in place, but with a big tyre bar levering the engine up, I got the bars in place. Replace axle, tie bars and wheels. Let the tractor down and then the fun started. Using the same method I replaced the spacers and bolts. But would the bolts line up with the holes.. I must have fought on for an hour and wishing I had four hands. Had a coffee, sit down and a think. Back to the tractor and then it hit me. Wazack! I'd got the rear cross bar in the wrong holes in the chassis/frame. There's two sets about an inch apart and I'd used the rear ones. The rear bar was to far back. Got the bolts started and then another problem showed up. An Alan key/wrench would not fit due to the close proximity of the heads to engine. That was solved by cutting off about 3/8" off the end of a key. That and a 8mm ratchet ring spanner did the job. Started the engine and now back to how it was. Just a slight tingle of vibration.

Your parting that machine out?! It looks in better condition than nearly all of mine! 🙄

Well I have been working doubles and filling in so go figure the first couple days in a row I have off we are on the road heading after another tractor!!!! 😂. No rest for the tractor lover!!! Picking up a truck load lol.. a front reel mower, wheel weights, a tractor, seeder, blade, front weights. We planned to head out last night but as luck would have it we picked our truck up from the shop and the brand new engine was acting up so back to the shop it went and we bummed a ride with my mother in-law and her boyfriend! We might get them into wheelhorses lol... over 700 miles one way! Wish us luck!

You know what they say about big nuts... Big bolt.

Another parts tractor and attachments today; 1 owner unit , 5 minutes from my house, price was right. Tiller is older than the tractor and decks but is in the best shape out of all of it. Tomorrow everything gets pressure washed and the tractor is put in line for teardown.

Carb is missing, ignition switch has been by-passed and a push button start added, wiring has been hacked, mule drive is missing knob and one pulley is seized, all 4 tires are dry rotted/don't hold air, hood latches are torn, PTO brake is missing, PTO clutch disc needs replaced, shifter boot is missing ........that's just the obvious. Plus it hasn't run in 15+ yrs. I won't sell a tractor that isn't at least 100% mechanically sound and safe.

Know of this one abandoned on a mountain top near here.

Keep a couple wire ties in your tractor tool box, or cup holder. When your a mile from your shop mowing trails. Checking trail cams and deer stands. That's when a tie rod fails and the wheels go cross eyed. A couple wire ties saves a long walk.

I HAVE A 10 H/P DIESEL IN MY 1054. SORRY NO PICTURES.

What's wrong with the tractor that you're calling it a parts machine? Doesn't look all that bad to me.

An old timer at a show told me long time ago. Kid it is like having money in the bank with these tractors. Just look at market price of these today.

Two Pictures of a 953/1054 12 inch garden plow made for these models (and later the GT-14 and C-195). This thing is heavy too!

Loaded up!!! On to the next stop!

Started at 6 am this morning and stopped at 6 pm, but that included several hours of reorganization in the garage. Worked on the 418-A for a bit to figure why I needed so much pressure on the Hydro lever to go in either direction, picture tells the story. Shop vac came out and a long flat blade screwdriver to loosen debris and then lubed all moving points for now and will re visit after 420 is back on it's feet. Worked on the motion control assembly on the 420 and finished that up but never took pics, long day, will take a few tomorrow and post. Sanded the side covers on the 418 and ready for paint.

Just a few of our treasures we are after!