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After about 100hr on this one. I am done. This is my third 1257 I have had and have. I hate to paint these, but the P/O did the outside only It had three shades of red, so that is why I redid the paint. I hope you enjoy the picks.

I said I would refrain from posting wood projects in a tractor forum, but I sort-a tractored these up,l so I thought it would be OK. My wife wanted me to make some small keepsake boxes for the grandkids, so I made 9 of them. Then she thought it would be nice if I made some for the kids next door, so I made 4 more. She also thought it would be a good idea to have a couple of them for the annual Christmas exchange with her family. I made 2 more. Then she figured..................long story short, so far I have made over 30 of these little boxes. I am boxed out. These 2 boxed have a Wheel Horse theme. Several have an Iowa Hawkeyes theme. There is a mechanism inside consisting of a linkage, a 9 volt battery, a solenoid, and a magnetic reed switch. The key you see has a magnet inside of it. The key has to be placed on the box in a strategic place, to activate the switch, and the box will open

I bought "Ezra" 73 12 8 speed from the original owner. Saw an ad on CL and with a deck he wanted $475. When I called he was thrilled that a Wheel Horse guy was coming! As we got near his house I told my wife I bet he's sitting in a lawn chair next to the tractor in the drive way. Sure enough he was. We get talking and I found out the tractor never had seen water except to wash it. It still had the original spark plug in it which he kept. Had all the manuals papers everything. He gave me a box of belts old fuel pumps ect. He named the tractor Ezra after the Secretary of Transportation under President Eisenhower. We talked for 2 more hours about his antique fire truck, his Beagles , and his neighbor's Cockatoo!

Now I know it is not as easy as it used to be to buy a 1970 or older Wheel Horse from the original owner but I would like to hear the story's y'all have to tell. Not Wheel Horses from another collector or the guy who picked up an old Wheel Horse from some estate sale then sold it to you or the dealer who sold you a one owner trade in but a Wheel Horse that you got from the original owner, and it was a 1970 or older Wheel Horse. My story was over decade ago, it is about a Model 1075. An elderly couple had talked to a local Toro dealer, and they gave her my phone number about selling their 1965 Model 1075. So, I get a phone call from this nice lady, and they want to sell their tractor. A trip to the southside of Richmond was made and a nice for the age Model 1057 was sitting in the driveway. I did all the usual checks being that it was hydro by driving it around to see if the transmission was slipping, then checking the starter generator and steering, well everything seems good. Now the elderly couple was quite firm on the price of $500 and would NOT back down, they bought the tractor brand new, and that original purchased price still stuck in their heads. Yes, it was an expensive item for them back in 1965. So, there was no reason try and negotiate a better price on my behalf, I wanted the Model 1075 and 500 bucks was the price! Well, I like to talk so the three of us sat on lawn chairs in the driveway and talked about the state of the union, it was a delightful chat. All the sudden the little old lady gets up from her chair and says we have something for you, then she walks into the house. The old man and I continue our talk and then she walked back out of the house with a large envelope in her hands, now my first thought is "great they have all the original manuals and sales papers" but I opened the envelope and almost went into tears. This was a FEDEX envelope from a Senator here in Virginia with the United States Flag inside that hung over the US capitol in Washington DC in this women's honor with a letter from the Senator! I was shaking and told the couple that I could not except this and they should give the flag to their grandchildren. It seems after our driveway chat that they liked the way I think, and they insisted it be mine now. Both the 1075 and US Flag will always be treasured at my house. I have had other dealings Wheel Horse owners that wanted to sell me their tractor they got brand new but the 1075 was in the best shape ran well and to get that kind of gift WOW!. Wild Bill in Richmond VA

Sheesh…my story won’t be anywhere near as cool as yours Bill. But September of 2021 I messaged on an 867 that had been up for sale for well over a week (so I assumed it was gone). Message came back that it was still available so I made arrangements to go see it. Was less than an hours drive one way. Turned out that the 40+ year old guy I thought was the seller was actually the son selling it on Facebook Marketplace for his 80+ year old dad who HAD BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW in 1967. There it was in a garage, mower deck installed, had never been left outside and came with original owners manuals. To say I was thrilled is an understatement! It ran ok…a little carb tweaking when I got it home and it was perfect. Price: well the asking price was $500…I offered $450 and the old guy countered with $460 … These are pics of it the day I hauled it home.

Well, don't know if this will qualify since there was a third party intermediator, but here goes. While I was living in Florida I attended the Florida Flywheelers February show with a friend David who is into hit and miss engines. At the time I was looking for a rugged garden tractor to keep up a piece of vacant property we owned. At the show I purchased a 1055 and David knew I was hooked on . A few week later David was in Ohio dropping off a load of furniture and household goods for one of his family members. After unloading the stuff he and his cousin went to an estate sale. The wife had passed away and the husband was moving to a smaller place. While they were investigating the barn and sheds they found a few interesting items including a 953, he called me and said he had an empty trailer and would bring it back for me. The owner of the 953 came onto the phone and said that it hadn't ever given him any problems but hadn't run in about twenty years. He said he wanted $ 250 and the deal was done, David paid the man (plus several interesting things he bought) and loaded it up. A couple days later I brought it home in all of it's patinaed glory and decided right then that this 953 should never be painted. Some fresh gas and a new coil and it started right up. This one has made the trip to the Big Show a couple of times. I did replace the upholstery with a Bob Ellison seat but that is the only change I've made in twenty plus years.

Here is an old picture of EB with a freshly harvested crop of rocks ready for market.

Hey all , is this little pony worth the trouble , I do not know anything about and need to know if its worth the time and effort.

Maybe not what you had in mind as I didn't buy it..Inherited it. Father bought it in May 1967. With exception of a year or so in early 90s when he got too sick to use it she had been working ever since... year round the last 22 years...

8 years ago my buddy and I were getting ready for our first show of the season. Along with another buddy of ours we had 30 tractors at the show between us. We lined these ones up to wash them and I’m sure we turned some heads. Most of my neighbors must think I’m nuts. At the time 8 of them in this picture were mine. I think Ive got a few more now adays. My boys alone have 5 lol. Guess maybe it’s time to recreate this photo.

Got some primer on the frame, rims, and related parts. Before I started, my elderly neighbor asked what I was up to. Showed her around the project and got to talking about a lawn sweeper I want to find. Turns out she has one, and an old riding mower that belonged to her father that she wants to get rid of. Both mine for the taking when I have space. Wish I had more stuff to hang parts from to paint. Gonna be a multi day process for each step. (Prime and paint) Still got a bunch of parts ready for primer. The device the rims are on was purpose built for spraying cabinet doors from when I remodeled the kitchen. Back when lumber was still cheap

Spray bomb:

@Jrain I hear tell they make pretty fun show cruisers, or @stevasaurus block crawlers My neighbor friend has one that is in one of his barns, I’ve never seen it. He told me to come get it

Please don't cut that one up. It looks too nice to destroy.

I ran a regular extension cord 100 feet to my shed. I buried it where there was traffic. Made sure it was plugged into a GFCI outlet. Lasted 4 years until I built the pole shed and ran 40 amp service underground.

After looking at the deteriorated rubber mounts, I decided to tackle the solid mount replacements today. I used my cherry picker to lift the engine a few inches so that I wouldn't have to wrestle the engine as much. It wasn't too bad, but I still had to fight one of the bolts a bit. It was well worth the effort because now the engine doesn't shift when I engage the PTO. I finished the mounts, installed a 48" mower deck, and was pleased to see everything engage and align like it should. The condition of those rubber mounts were really nagging at me.

Wasn’t able to save much anything skin and main support wise.. now time to drill holes the blast and paint, I tried to keep it as close to original as I could but I may have put more welds on it lol

Just fiddling around with some small touches for Boss Man the 1045. Got new shoes up front. They are Carlisles. They are the diamond tread but not the same size diamonds as originals but I think they look great. Threw a set of caps on for good measure. Put new wheel bearings in both front wheels. Now the front is tight and straight. Gitty up and cheers!!

1965 875 Wheel-O-Matic - Purchased by original owner right off the showroom floor in 1965. He left it to his son. The son sold it to me because he wanted it to go to someone who would appreciate the tractor and the history behind it. It was bittersweet as he hated to get rid of it, but had to because of a health issue in his family. I let him drive it onto the trailer.

So many fasteners…stripped and painted…

While stationed with the 8th Div Hq of the US Army in Germany 1969-71, I was the driver of a deuce-n-a-half 6x6 enclosed/expandable cargo van that housed the G-2 intel surveillance unit staff. I had dual role as the driver and G-2 classified documents security specialist (E4). Behind the 6x6 was being towed one of these 2-wheel trailers and in it was a HUGE canvass tent that is deployed for troops while on bivouac. The bivouac site was a long drive on the Autobahn and I had that WWII vintage 6x6 van storming down the concrete at top speed...45-50mph. My E6 staff sargent was not impressed, but I was the lead truck and everyone had to follow/chase me. God, what a fun ride that was...like a thrill ride on county fair race day. ps... I got the drvier job 'cause I was able to back up the 6x6 with trailer...straight, everytime. Country boys know stuff like that.

Are these like the crop circles of wondrous fame?

He's in Maine! He'll dicker them for some empty rain barrels then trade the barrels for a cordless drill!

Always look for the oldest guy at the counter, preferably one with a bit of dirt under his fingernails, they will be able to find it by dimensions rather than application. just ask @squonk about NAPA counter men. , he will give you an earful.

A friend of mine inspired me to do this. Since I haven’t been in the game very long and haven’t had the chance to go to any tractor shows let alone a Wheel Horse tractor show I’d do my own little tractor show. These are all my current running horses catching a breath of fresh air. Thanks Eric! Gitty up and cheers!

when you look at the junk out there , military surplus is really the deal , if it applies to you , made for heavy use , easily modified to fit your situation , https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=military+surplus+%2c+short+trailer%2c+1%2f4+ton%2c+jeep&id=8D6B15B90699A8626DD4D8C53440E47957BB75B6&form=IQFRBA&tsc=ImageHoverTitle&first=1 , just spotted the other day , and immediately thought of its size and shape for W/H related usage , just an idea, pete

Too late, people out in California are buying them all up! Now if they only had some electricity to charge the batteries with

@SylvanLakeWH @squonk, didn't one of you sell a skiff to @stevasaurus? Sort of remember a picture of him that looked a bit like this.

Very nice! That 315-8 looks like I feel most days... Knocked back and shocked!

Great stories, thanks y’all! The only on I have, which may be iffy, is my RJ35. I bought it from an estate sale, over the phone, about 2.5 hours from home. It took me a week to go get it. When I arrived, I kept shopping for other stuff at the sale. It was a 2 part sale, so there was another wave of stuff. I ended up running into the son of the man who purchased it, and had passed. He told me that the day dad brought it home, he and his brother were allowed to drive it around the living room INSIDE their house until the fumes for too think and Mom hollered at ‘em to take it outside! It came with a cool little plow, made from a well bladder tank.

You are not kidding...

More work on the hood:

Has anybody out there rigged up temporarily electrical power in their storage shed? I have a shed that my two horses are using as a stable. It would be nice to have a light and an outlet there when I'm Worthing on the horses. It is at the back of the lot, maybe 50 feet from the house. I don't really want to run permanent power to the shed. I'm thinking of mounting a cord reel inside of the shed that will store enough cord that I can pull it out and plug it into the house when I need it. A hand crank reel would be a neat and easy to store the cord when not in use.

Keep in mind the load you're likely to put on the cord. Safe loading for 100' (ALL of these grounded, of course!): 16 Gauge for 1-10 Amps (this is the most common "big box" store gauge!) 14 Gauge for 11-13 Amps (also fairly common) 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps 10 Gauge for 16-20 Amps (think battery jumper cables!) Lighting and charging battery tools is no sweat, as you can see. If you want to use an air compressor or angle grinder or other plug-in power tools, though, you may need heavier cable.

And the cordless drill for another OHV 16 Tecky C-160..

Sparky, Dang that's a great find. A Wheel Horse model that people have traveled far to get one for their collection. I've been on the look out for a 867 and 875. And folks here's the schoolin' part .... The 867 was the only six speed built on the short frame. The 1267 and 1067 were long frame models. Wild Bill in Richmond VA

Leftovers from Medevial times. They are highly specialized for that task. No other tool is used. They are light and used not only to cut but also to pry Cork from trunk. Always scary sharp they can be used like knives also. Looks like a haphazard operation but those guys are extremely skilled with them never once damaging the actual trunk. A scar from an ax on the tree will be a source of shame for the worker. Too late this time since I am now at airport but next time I’ll bring a couple of them. They are pretty cool looking. A couple of interesting facts. A Cork oak needs to be around 25 years old to produce any harvestable cork. Once it starts if Cork is not removed, tree will actually not last very long. The removal of the bark in the main trunk at minimum is essential for its survival . They are harvested every 9 to 10 years. Those in video are actual plantations of them pruned and cultivated to stay around that height so as to be conveniently harvested. In between harvests they are also still very essential for the local economy. They are incredible abundant producers of acorns. The other main product of those areas is pork meat. Pigs are herded into those areas daily and feed on the acorns.

Our outdoor workshop has its own power but the 2 portable garages don't. We ran a VERY heavy duty 100 foot cord from the outdoor workshop over to whichever portable needed power. When the new pole barn is built it'll have the same cord for awhile. Power will be run to it at some point but not right away. I do like the retractable cord idea for keeping your power convenient but also out of the way when not needed.

The counter guy at my local store could not find a cross to match in the NAPA system, so he didn't offer. I found several sources on line, but, I'm going to need to mow in the next day or two. The immediate availability of a bearing at the Toro dealer, plus a 25% discount he gave me, and supporting the local brick and mortar store was why I went that way.

Bet they can get it for you in a day or two for a whole lot less than Toro.

Today the boys and I mowed our 2 1/2 acres of lawn. This is the second time in a week and a half that it’s needed it after not mowing it for close to 6 weeks. It’s amazing what a little rain will do. Alex tackled the biggest piece of it which is around 1 1/2 acres with my 416H with 48” deck, Aiden tackled the side piece which is probably 3/4 of an acre with his 856 and the 36” deck on that and I pulled my trusty 753 out of hibernation and mowed the front yard with it. After I had to go over the front and wind row it with the 416 because it was so thick and a huge mess. Then shockingly my bronco 14 with the Briggs conversion on it fired up (it’s been giving me some trouble and I haven’t had time to fix it) and only gave me 2 quick hiccups and then ran perfect for half an hour while I raked up the windrow and tossed it in the trailer. For those who have been looking for more pictures of my trailer I will be attaching them to my bumps and bruises post from yesterday. way to much grass for just over a week. Guess I should ease up on “borrowing” fertilizer from work.

Well the road I live on isn’t traveled much but a few people did drive by and “gawked” and a neighbor guy drove by on his Montgomery Ward and stopped and took a few pictures. I mainly do this to impress myself. It’s cool if others enjoy my joy though. I’ll talk your damn ear off so it’s prolly better I live on an untraveled road. 😂

Mrs. M world have something to say about that.

I have a 1967 REO Lawn Skiff that I took all apart in the spring of 2021. My intention was to clean it, paint it, get the engine running, and have it all assembled in time for the 2021 WHCC show. Well that didn't happen and 19 months have passed since I took it apart. Now I don't think that I can remember how it all fits back together. Sort of my own version of Humpty Dumpty. Before: After:

I was only a few years old when this one was sold and don't remember a 2% sales tax or ever hearing of anyone putting down a $10 deposit on a garden tractor. Nice piece of family history right there

Well the story goes with the 1965 1045 “Boss Man” I purchased recently that the guy I bought it from was the son of the original owner who lived two houses down from his son, the guy I bought it from. I’d have to do some calling around to make 100% sure. As the guy who handed it off to me worked for the guy who owned it. He apparently was his handy man with anything that ran. The owner has 3 homes, one in Monroe where the tractor was and a place up in northern Michigan as well as a winter home in Florida. I have no reason to doubt the guy as he didn’t know much about Wheel Horses that much was apparent. 😂

Finished up the “yard art” flower bed. Thanks again for the wheels @953 nut. Worked out perfectly. Now to get those plants growing.

More random painted parts. Nothing like watching paint dry….

Jerry is a special friend. If he gives me something, It won’t have a for sale tag on it