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So I stumbled across a private sale of a late WH collector im going to see the collection today I've attached a picture ands that's not all to be had for sure there is a complete original of the following - C81, C85, 686, and 68 commando 8, couple of 12 HP kholers, hoods, etc. Since everyone has been so damn nice to me here i thought id share if there's something in there you need id be happy to grab it have you venmo me the cash and cost of shipping and get it to you. I know each tractor has sat for 2 years since his passing ALL were running. Im not looking to make any money just help the crew here out if theres something hard to find your looking for. Also appreciate any advice on the 3 tractors listed im looking for a larger early model (not huge but not a lawn horse) thats a good resto and display project not sure how hard the 4 listed are to work on. Let me know. Oh and i know ill get asked a lot the sign is coming home with me

I saw this today and thought I would repost on Red Square for members to enjoy. This is from the South Bend Tribune July 19, 1998 , page 39. The article is about the employees who made the Wheel Horse tractors in South Bend at the Ireland Road factory.

Tough to recoup your money on a restored tractor. Impossible unless you work for free.

Don't worry about the messy garage. You'll have plenty of time to clean it when you stop paying for my SS and retire. Then your nephew Kevin will be paying for yours.

Hello all, I recently acquired this C-195 for not a whole lot and am trying to decide what to do with it. It has sat in the elements for a couple years and that is evident but the looks of it, but I got it home, all 4 tires hold air, it runs and drives, and the hydraulic lift works. The kt-19 purrs and has great compression. It also has a deck that is complete but needs work. I am aware these are relatively sought after and I was wondering if I am best served Leaving it original so it’s all original if I sell it, or tear it down, rewrite, repaint, new decals, and do a real restoration. I will probably sell it regardless, I’m just trying to decide if fixing it up isn’t worth what it would go for, or if the bad shape means I have to fix it up to sell it for a reasonable price. I am located in central Mi. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing that, Lane. I always assumed WH had a strong and engaged workforce to deliver such consistent quality. It speaks to the Ponds' ethic that the jobs were well paid, too. During college I got lucky and worked a couple of summers in a factory--part of the time loading and unloading automated lathes as piecework. It opened my eyes to what it took to earn a living and I've never forgotten the camaraderie of the production floor, though as the "college boy" I had to learn to endure a lot of ribbing.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. When I saw it, I didn’t even know they made the model and I have worked on and owned several C series tractors in the past. And by me quick research it does seem quite collectible. I would certainly field offers for it as it is, but it was about to be scrapped and I didn’t want to let that happen so I brought it home and I’m just worried about having the time to work on it. I’m not necessarily looking for top dollar, I’d just like to make a few bucks to cover the gas of getting it and a little extra to put at other projects. Maybe a middle ground is best. Clean up And paint the hood and fenders, tidy the wiring, and include a few extra attachments and make a package. If anyone is interested feel free to make an offer. Just trying to save a cool machine and I’d rather it go to someone who has the time to fix it up right. Thanks again for all the input.

JM- I always find to clean the hole tractor first to see if any leaks from engine or tranny, and go from there in general maintenance. I have done many tractors this way had good luck with it. Enjoy the project.

I did a heck of a lot today. Tore down the transmission on the 607 to clean and repair. Took apart, cleaned, and reassembled the diff. New bearings are required as well as new seals/gaskets. Since the rear wheels were already off I painted the rims to make them look good and to prevent them from rusting.

I bought this deck last year for $150 and set it aside with several other decks we have in a shed. I looked at it this am and said man this is the nicest deck I own! So I hauled it home and going to put on my 1996 314 hydro ! We will see how she mows tomorrow!

Layout of face starts. Boundaries defined and design traced onto transparent paper for transfer onto yoke. Got to be firm on it now since at this stage new ideas always come up.

Not a lot of progress lately but did get the K341 painted and head on. Went with duplicolor engine paint an really liked it. This red is almost exactly IH red so it will be perfect. I bought this engine totally apart and in boxes. It’s been frustrating to try and find all the little bits, for instance I was short 3 head bolt washers😡. Had to get some off flea bay.....

Cleaning the crank is fine. But you better check or get it checked with a micrometer for out of round or you just going to blow it up again.

I don't know if you would have enough clearance with the heat shield, but, on my 520 and 417, I was able to put the trunnion on top of the PTO lever to get better alignment.

You clowns wise crack about the pool ... I gotta take one to tractor shows!!!!!!!!

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This isn't new, I just realized I didn't add final pics to this post.

Buttoned up! Unfortunately found the crankshaft end play out of spec, so I gotta take the side cover off when I get the correct shims. The one I have is .015 too big. Anyway, looks good so far!

Your Raider isn't equipped with all the safety switches found on the "C" so here is a much simpler diagram with the 103990 key switch.

This looks like a great place for some information. Have been doing lots of research lately. My brother and I just recently acquired (2) 606’s and a 700. They are in some need of tlc, but the bones are in good condition….. Trying to figure out where to start.

Well that's what it may come to a hub it comes to my shop! So go to pull a new 220 volt line to the new shop AC and the power box is in the corner by the press and I notice this hub for a 953 sitting on it. Now I got some tractors sitting in pieces in the shop but I don't recollect a 953 being one of them. Ok whats this for or better yets whose i?!?? After much It finally dawns on me that @953 nut gives me a bag of crap at the BS to put a new key way in! Well duh maybe that's why it was sittin on the press. Never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer! You'll be happy to know Richard I sat down right then and there and giterdone! I only had it what since what June? Took a whooping 5 minutes! Sides it beat climbing in a very hot attic and rolling in fibergla$s. Goes to show how long I seen this corner of the shop. Gotta blame it on @Achto and all his stupid tractor shows just about every weekend. Yah my garage starting to look like his! Hope I didn't set your project back by years Dick! Came out good tho Richard. I put the new keyway in line with the back set screw figurin a guy could put a new set screw in line over the back one. Hub was pretty messed up too....awful hard on the equipment ain't we Mr. Schmidt ?!?!? 'pose you gonna tell us you got it that way! Let me know if you want that set crew put in ...I'll get at it next year.... Now for that wiring..... nawwww it's Miller time!

I hear you. I'm treating it as a "chuck and duck" chipper - chuck the stick into the blade and duck out of the way as it feeds.

Very handsome look

On top is the way to go !!!!!!

The 1/4 inch length in the shaft difference will not be an issue. The PTO sleeve won't know ,or care. Going from Onan to Kohler will require a different belt length for an 8 speed.

Got a Welch plug today. Called a couple of small engine shops and neither of them had one but the second one I called said to try Napa. Not a bad idea so I did. They had one and since it wasn’t in their inventory list I got it free. The folks down there are wicked nice. Gonna put it in now.

Take a chisel and come in straight at the woodruff key. Get into the metal and pry it out. A pair of side cutters can do the same job. New keys are cheap. Now you can pull out that input gear and shaft. Yes, that is a bearing in the end of the input shaft...the spline shaft fits into that bearing. You might be able to get a small blade screwdriver in between the bearing race and the casting, rip the bearing a little and then pull it out with a needle nose pliers. Harbor Freight has a cheap set of bearing pullers in a kit that you may want to invest in. That would make life a lot easier.

This is one example, of one tractor. May give you an idea, depending on how deep you want to go. I had this one painted by an actual painter, with automotive style paint Cost of tractor........................$350 Paint and media blasting........$500 Spray paint...............................$50 Head lights...............................$26 Tail lights..................................$80 Wiring & supplies.......................$5 Battery & cables........................$70 Seat............................................$80 Decals........................................$70 Carburetor..................................$80 Starter.......................................$150 Fuel pump..................................$70 Oil & filters................................$70 Degreaser sandpaper cleaning...$50 Coil............................................$70 Ignition switch...........................$15 Tires.........................................$170 Condenser...................................,.$8 Front grill mesh...........................$40 PTO switch..................................$25 Ammeter......................................$15 Misc. I forgot...............................$50 TOTAL......................................$2144 Satisfaction......................PRICELESS Keep in mind this is my cost of rebuilding the tractor, the way I wanted to do it. There are things I probably did not have to buy, I just wanted them. The starter worked fine, but the teeth on the bendix did not look good to me. The condenser was rusty, crusty, and wrapped with electrical tape and I just didn't like it. It had a 3 position ignition switch. The lights were on any time the tractor was on. It is suppose to be 4 position. PTO switch worked, but I wanted a new one. Coil was probably ok, again, I wanted a new one. I had someone offer me a free seat. It was yellow. I thought that would be sacrilegious. I bought several cans of spray paint, just to try the color, did not like them. Tires? What can I say? They are just cool. I could have painted the tractor myself, like my other 14, but not with these results. It really looks nice. IMO These costs do not include tires and wheels. + $1200

And a mower deck

700

How many times you gonna flip that today?

I'll spare you the step by step, but I always like when guys post before and after's, so here's a few . . . I picked this up from a kid at the show two years ago. It's a beast and was such a good worker it deserved better

Depends on how handy you are. If you are good at that kind of thing and like doing it, then I'd fix it up. If you are not mechanically inclined and relatively good at painting and refinishing I'd sell it. You mentioned a lot of good things, but the things I see that make it more difficult is 1) it doesn't have a three-point hitch, and two 2) it has a lot of rust here and there, meaning you can't just polish that (or wet sand and clear). I did a full restoration on three tractors and I mean down to every bolt and wire. All were in good condition to begin with, but it still takes A LOT of time and patience.

I know, when I busted it open I saw all the pieces and was so glad that I did.

Pictures will come today…

Neighbor bought one pony for his kids, now he has fifteen.

Hmmmm did you get me one too? I'm on the lookout for new shop AC

A little humility , careful reading and deference to individuals of higher knowledge on the subject can go a long way towards improving ones obvious lack of knowledge on the subject.

I would too just for the challenge and a shelf spare when @pullstart blows one up at plow day. The 241 is just one of my favorite engines. I have no idea why. Sorry Snoopy that crank gets ground or a donor no doubt. I would want to start with a perfect crank. Sides SWMBO gets quite miffed when she finds her nail files in the shop. I got the frying pan once just 'cause my ignition file looked like one! For a 25 clam workin tractor tho Outdoor I think yours & Richmond's idea is best.

I'm frum Joisey and I STILL think that's funny! <-- Mah Horse theivin' costume!

Got her home and couldn't have been happier. My daughter was equally as excited which was the reason I started this - yes she's young but she loves hanging out with her daddy and all things that have a motor especially mowing. Got it in a lift when it was delivered before the cash hand off no rust, no rot, new carb and fuel system, new brakes, mew belts all around, new filters and on and on really a beautiful example and a very strong running machine. The deck was rebuilt excluding the wheels which ill do when mowing season is over. There is a safety sticking somewhere. If im correct there are 3 safety's - seat, PTO, parking brake - anyone know if there is also a deck safety? and if anyone can point me to the location of a service manual that calls out the locations of these safety's I'd buy you a beer. All and all im very happy, strong mowing, strong up hills, looks fairly easy to maintain and service. She'll be used for mowing the lawn, pulling some kind of sweeper, and pulling a cart with stone, firewood etc. from time to time. No ground engagement or plowing planned for this one just some light yard work and polishing up pretty. Going to do the following except for regular maintenance and just enjoy. New Keyed ignition removal of spiked bolt head caps - replaced with something a bit more subtle Rebuild wheels on the deck Some paint and cosmetics here or there Now the REAL question.... whos got a bead on something 60's era that can be parked in the front yard for holidays with a cart holding a Christmas tree or pumpkins and hay - maybe even a lap around the neighborhood for Halloween to see all the spooky houses?!?!? Yup im hooked already

I’ve been rebuilding these old Kohlers for 40 plus years. I still do 4-5 a month in retirement. I don’t believe in wasting my money or other peoples’ money (that includes not overlooking issues in an effort to save a few bucks.) Pay me now or pay me more later. With that in mind, after looking at the thread if you came to me with this engine I would say if you wanted it done right it would need to be sleeved and the crank ground. (You are already over .020 and that chip looks like .030 won’t take it out.) While in you have the engine torn down you might as well grind the valve seats and check the guides. If they are out of spec replace and ream new ones. The rebuild will be costly. If it was a k341 I would say it’s worth it but not a k241 wheel horse spec. (However, not all Kohler blocks are the same. The pto sides on some are machined and bolt patterns are different. Even something at simple as the placement of the oil dipstick will make a difference as to if it will fit into the specific application) Therefore, for some people finding the correct block is near impossible so the old block must be used and the additional machine work is required. Unless you have an emotional attachment to that engine, I would find a good running k301 or k321 and drop it in. That will give you an addition 2-4 hp as a bonus. That’s just my opinion I’m sure there’s a lot more opinions out there and I certainly hope that helps and I won’t be canceled by the recent wave of “wokeness”. All the best.

The grandkids gave their Ranger a workout this morning.