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This is a bit of a long story but I have to tell it. Back in June at the big show I ran into a woman who I recognized but wasn’t exactly sure if it was her. She was selling a few items so I stopped to talk to her. As we were talking she said “Aren’t you Don, from Long Island?” And I said “Aren’t you Pam from Ohio?” We both were happy to meet again after many years. I first met Pam and her husband Mark at the first Wheel Horse show I attended, which was the second or third show. Mark’s C-125 that he restored inspired me to do my future restorations. When I asked Pam where Mark was she very sadly informed me that he passed away in December. Mark and I had become good friends at the show and I couldn’t wait to see him each year. He was the kind of guy that was a genuinely nice person. I was truly saddened by this news. In 2006 Mark came to the show with a 420-LSE that had 2 yes 2 hours on it. It was pristine and I was jealous! That year Cecil Pond was there and signed it for Mark. So after talking with Pam for a while I asked her about the LSE, she told me that she still had it. She also informed me that it wasn’t really for sale but she would consider selling it to me because she wanted it to go to a good home. Pam told me what she’d like to have for it and I agreed that was a fair price, however I didn’t have that kind of money at the time. She graciously said that she would hang on to it and not sell it to anyone else until I came up with the money.Four months later my wife and I made the trip to Ohio. We made a road trip/vacation out of it driving over 1900 miles round trip in seven days stopping at many beautiful places along the way.I must admit Pam and I were both a little emotional as I loaded up the tractor. So Mark Klingler I sincerely hope that you are looking down and are happy with what has transpired. Your beautiful tractor is in good hands and I promise to cherish it as much as you did for years to come.God bless. Thank you folks for reading this story.

Hehehehehe @JCM

I think they were made to compete in the lawn tractor category at a lower price point than the full sized horses. Here is mine. 54 years old and still used year around. She is my favorite Horse and my chore tractor. (When you get older you find that getting on an off her is a lot easier that her big brothers) Father bought her new in May 67 .. I added electric start because I am lazier than Father...

Happy Birthday Kid! I love ya!

I accidentally got into the hobby of fixing and rebuilding Lawn Boy mowers. I use to pick them up from my small engine guy for 20 bucks a pop. I was over there one day and there was a Wheel Horse tractor in the shop. I loved the look of that tractor. He assured me it was not for sale. It belonged to a Dr. in an adjoining town. I started watching CL for Wheel Horses, but nothing ever showed up, until finally a C-141 came up for sale about 25 miles away.It ran, and the guy drove it onto my trailer, and I brought it home. That was in Oct. of 2020. This was the first time I ever put a wrench to a Wheel Horse. I was bit ! The rest, as they say, is history. I am one of those guys who prefers bright and shiny over patina. It's just my way. After the 141 I found the 656. Then the 876 Then the C-125 And finally the C-175 That's it, that's all I got. I don't have room to store even one more tractor until I sell off about 15 more Lawn Boys. The market seems to be a bit slow on them. If I were to find the RIGHT Wheel Horse, at the right price, The Lawn Boys would go, one way or the other. Until that happens, I am resigned to rebuilding motors for Horses I don't have yet.

I saw this nicely done Lawn Ranger on marketplace and wondered why it seems I don’t see them that often here. Definitely in a class by themselves. Post em if you have em.

We are all just temporary custodians of our stuff. Extremely glad to see this tractor go from good hands to good hands.

That is a great story. Glade to see you are the caretaker of that nice machine now. At some point we will all pass these machines along.

In 1991, my lawn had expanded to the point that the 8HP AMF Dynamark was no longer practical, so I went tractor shopping. I knew little about garden tractors, so I looked at green, yellow, orange and red ones, compared specifications and made my choice. Using the weight, twin cylinder and hydraulics as the most important criteria, I thought that the 416H was the right one but the dealer talked me into a 520H. The rest is history.

Just over 9yrs ago I was walking the dogs in my avatar, down the lane past a field a man kept a microlight in a poly tunnel. I'd seen him mowing a runway on a ride on. I was using a Lawn Flight to mow the green and lane verges by our property. I'd not seen the man for some time and it turned out he'd had an accident and it was found he'd a heart condition. That put paid to his flying. I noticed the double doors to the tunnel were open and a car and trailer were there. So walked in just incase it was some one up to no good. Turned out it was him and he was clearing everything out. His ride on was standing to one side, a Wheel Horse C-125 with a 42" deck. I'd no knowledge of WH's and he said it wouldn't start and he couldn't sell it till it did. I had a look and managed to get it running. A deal was struck and the following night after parting with £70, I drove it the 1/4 mile home. Since then I've acquired two more horses. '78 C-121 12hp the Black horse. '79 8hp C-81 and a '79 Sears GT16 with a B&S twin. C-125 rebuilt last year. C-121 modified for ploughing. C-81 with sickle bar. Sears GT16. Bought of a friend who rebuilt it from a complete wreck.

I am up early on a Saturday because I had a nightmare about mice and rats raiding my place!! Now I see this😳

Thank you...I have gained a lot of knowledge here already, just being a lurker, reader, and using the files section. My current machine is a Quicksilver MX ( red, white, blue ) my buddies Weedhopper is in the background. They are both flying with 2cyl Rotax engines. Mine is 35hp and his is 40hp.

Little mouse in my pocket told me it's my niece's b day today Pullhosen @Pullstart. Happy Happy Rylee the big 12 but next year it's the terrible teens! Keep growin gal! Got a little pic heavy here.... I'm not sorry!

@ebinmaine must be sleeping or something must have happened because he has not responded to this thread or my latest thread about my LSE! He’s usually right on it. Getting cold up there,maybe he’s getting the wood stove going?

Wow, just wow! Beautiful machine and great story. No doubt in my mind you will treat that 420 the way Mark did

My Father "slightly" sold the Wheel Horse in the '60s. I say it that way because, although he had a license, or whatever it took to have the sellers opportunity, he had it. I don't ever remember him selling one though, although he may have. He had 3 during the course of my upbringing on his 2 1/2 acres in Southern Ohio. His last Wheel Horse is STILL at the house where I grew up, and is still used, along side a Cub Cadet. I am looking to re~buy that home, will be my last.......... if the Lords willing......& the current owner finds kindness. A friend down my street called just September 7th, last month, & said a man had 3 riding mowers on a trailer for sale, & he knew I favored the Wheel Horse, said, "GARY, HE HAS A WHEEL HORSE", I said. I'll be right there!! Minutes, & $140 later, it was mine! Its a 1974 B-80, which hasn't run yet, partly taken apart, mostly all there, but its fun because, I'm sure, it is my Fathers wish, for me to have one again. It'll be running one of these days. Grandpa, again, used in my life's story as well, was my mentor. He spent time with me, had patience teaching me, taught me how to plow his 50 acres using rows/squares with an Allis Chalmers, & using that method to mow acres of grass as well. I learned an awful lot from him, and I cherish that I have the aptitude to learn new mechanicals. He had 2 Wheel Horses, which were electric starters, as we pulled our guts out starting Dads. I am looking forward to 2022, HOPEFULLY living in my 2 1/2 acre childhood home, with a RUNNING B~80, & enjoying the Biglerville show in June, looking there, to find another deck to replace this rusted out version.. I was member/supporter of this forum HOURS after buying my Wheel Horse!

@Stormin : A deal was struck and the following night after parting with £70, I drove it the 1/4 mile home. Everybody having killer deals on their first horses. HAHAHA, that wasn't the case with mine. €600 non running, not the original engine, busted axle bearings, but with a 42" side discharge. Stuck in a mudhole. hahah, Oh well, I love My raider 10.. M12. I think the C175 is my cheapest horse.

AS a kid my grandpa owned a C160 Auto with mower deck and snowblower. I was always fascinated with the thing. He still owns the machine and it still runs. now as an adult, i bought my own wheel horse

A modern update on the classic RJ "Nut Roaster"???

One of my earliest memories of my Grandpa's WH (C-120?) was mowing his "back 40". They lived up on a mountain between Albany and NYC. They had this 2-3 acre strip of grass in the backyard, with a pretty steep incline going down the mountain. Maybe 50-75 yards wide by the rest of the mountain long. And Grandpa asked me to mow it. He knew I mowed at home with my Dad's '62 Alice Chalmers B-10. So, I'm going down the hill and realize I can push in the clutch and now I'm FLYING! (We didn't have a mountain handy at home for me to try that out with the Alice!) Grandpa's got his steel rake, attending to the clippings, watching me. When I was done, I told him, so proudly about my discovery of the clutch. Grandpa looked at me sternly and said, "You should never let the clutch out going down a hill. You might speed out of control and crash. Or worse, burn out the bearings on the wheels, the transaxle..." Edit: I should maybe point out that Grandpa knew the whole time. He let me go and then later told me where I might have gone wrong. Helluva guy Grandpa was.

I've said it before, I'll say it again- if the Ponds knew just how much these little tractors do for us, above and beyond the work- they would be proud. Don, your story is both sad and inspirational. Without being in your shoes, I can absolutely relate to a very small part of why your tractor now has so much sentimental value. Great story, and thank you!

I've always had an interest in mechanical stuff and anything that had a motor. When I was 17ish i worked at a lumber yard/hardware store and i cant remember how i got to talking with one of the regular contractors but he had an old tractor that ran great but wouldn't move and hed give it to me free. I took it knowing nothing about it. It was a 69 Alice chalmers b112. I started taking it apart and ended up replacing a 90° "T" box and it moved once again. My pride was immeasurable. I had a lot if fun with it and even made a plow for it and fitted it with a pneumatic lift via an air tank mounted behind the seat. Sadly I got rid of it when an aunt gave me a beast of a troy bilt with a hydraulic lift deck and plow. FF a couple years after I had moved into an apartment and sold all my lawn equipment. I thought I'd like not having to mow but it actually drove me insane. After my last move in 2018 I got the itch for a project and after seeing a bunch of YouTube videos of wheelhorses I was fairly sold on my target. This forum sealed the deal for me though and alleviated any technical concerns that may arise. Bought a pair of them off marketplace and a third one later on. I thought I might sell one of them but I'd rather die.

As usual I have the typical fall issue of mice moving into my shed and tractors. But I think something bigger like chipmunks are in now. Fired up my plow tractor with a Mag10 and the horizontal exhaust and these acorns shot outa the muffler like small cannon balls!!

3 48" decks?!? I really like my 417. Looks like you got a real haul there!

Thank you guys for all your kind words. I honestly couldn’t be happier. This expense almost caused a divorce 😂😂 but luckily my wife understood how much this all means to me. @stevasaurus the lift table is also making my back happy doing any repairs or service work!

I've got tears in my eyes...just excellent!!

Here's mine resting after a hard 30 minutes work regrading a friend's driveway.

@Gregor... Casper is one of the most beautiful horses I have seen yet. Don

Hhhmmm…

Same here, unless I am outside for an extended amount of time, shoveling or plowing snow for example, or sitting around it’s always T-Shirt weather. We don’t even turn our heat on until after thanksgiving, and today one year ago we already had snow. Boot on one foot, flip flop on the other.

Yup, correct sir. He does a lot of trailriding. His buddy, moweroutlaw has a 312 for off-roading. The stuff I was planning to do with my lawnmower and later my Wheel Horses. But in almost one year I have only went out once for a light trail ride. I love my horses to much to put them trough harsh off-roading. I stay on the trail. Oh yep forgot to mention this, but probably have more money in my horses now then I would have if I bought an ATV

That's a fella named Todd from right here in Maine. Haven't spoken to him directly but to those who have. Seems like a good guy. He's also one of my own influences towards the rugged Wheelhorse.

I think it was around 2017 when I went over to a coworkers house to do a chore that she needed done. I saw the 1994 520H sitting out in the yard...at least 2 flat tires. There was a leave vac trailer set up nearby. In the shed was a 36 inch Wheel Horse rototiller. I asked her what was her plans for the Wheel Horse and she said " If you want it, I'll sell it to you". She had no idea what the package deal was worth, and neither did I. I told her the 520H, rototiller, and leave vac, was probably worth more than I could give her, but I would give $120 or $140(can't remember), and we had a deal. Brought it home and rolled it in the shed. Found RED SQUARE ! I HAD BEEN BITTEN ! In 2020 I decided to see how bad of shape the 520H was and decided to "refresh" the old tractor. Finished the refresh in spring 2021. I WAS IN LOVE ! In the spring of 2021 a friend gave me a 1984 Work Horse GT-1600 8 SPEED and I am working on refreshing it, and restoring the 48 inch SD deck that goes with the 1994 520H right now. LOVE AFFAIR ONGOING !

They are being very quite, I think they have already gave us a wrong direction as to where they came from. I also see a bucket full of duct tape, I think they went North.

Can't wait to hear the story about them!!

Amazing haul!

Yessir.

Removed 'em.

You know, the hoist table that the Horse is on is "THE PLACE" to show off that tractor. Out Standing pictures Don.

The rain and wind kept me out of the deer stand this week. So I spent some time rigging the new (1962) crabbing boat for next year. Tore out the old 15" transom and installed a new 20"er. Made a cleat and roller for the bow to assist in pulling the large crab pots and the anchor.

Your looking better than the last time I saw you, Mike.

Hey guys, wanted to update some of you with Charles' status. He is awaiting an appointment to meet with surgeons to discuss what options are available. Should have more news sometime next week. Thanks guys for all your prayers and support. Don

Swapped the 308 over to winter plowing mode today.

Thanks for all the nice words Pete. Here's another picture for you. I hope to have it assembled next week.

The ground for the voltage regulator is its mounting bolt, be sure you have a good clean connection there. Also, make sure that the engine is properly grounded. @peter lena beat me to the punch.

I was surprised to learn one could even get steel toed sandals. Must be a Maine thing.

Mine too. Remind sometime about a .22 and crows....

It irks me when someone uses the excuse of not having a metal brake. I make long bend like this regularly while my 48”x16ga.metal brake sets unused in a remote corner of my shop. I use a technique somewhat similar to the one shown here however I use hammer blows rather than lever force to do the bend. I clamp the sheet metal between a fabricating table and a flat bar in a similar way shown in the picture above. I leave the shortest leg of the bend hanging out over the edge of the table. I then use a block of hardwood (Corking Tool) and hammer to move the metal. My fabricating table is an 1800 lb. tooling plate I bought from the scrap yard. This large mass helps to transmit the energy from hammer blows into the workpiece much like a large anvil in a blacksmiths shop. This technique requires some experimentation and skill. Different size hammers and different width corking tool will give different results. With a bit of practice bends can easily be made that are as good as those made with a brake. Additional advantage is the variety of bend radii that can be made. By rounding over one corner of a flat bar and using it under the sheet metal, a larger radius bend can be made than that of a sharp corner. Even larger radii can be made by tack welding a piece of round bar to the edge of a flat bar. For example: a 1” round bar welded to a 1” flat bar. With this, a bend with a bend radius of 1/2” can be made. For occasional bending I found a heavy steel table much more practical in the shop. They are more versatile than a brake and won’t take up more precious space than a table that one would already have.