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For those who don't know, I suffered a stroke on June first while visiting our granddaughter in Florida. I spent seven weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation before we were able to return home to North Carolina. Over the past couple weeks I have had some in-home PT and the progress has been amazing. I am able to do so many simple things we all take for granted like having a shower and caring for myself without being a burden to my wife. I can stand for brief periods without hanging onto anything. My ability to concentrate on tasks like typing this update has improved immensely, I am only taking a few medications rather than over a dozen and I know that the side effects of the meds was holding me back. I never was one to exercise for the sake of exercising but after so much time in a hospital bed I am pumping Iron (although it is only five pounds) and doing resistance exercise to regain some of what was lost. It will be some time before I can get out to the shop and do some Horsing Around but I know that it will happen. Thanks to all who have prayed for my recovery, please keep praying, God hears all of us and has been so good to me.

I keep hearing this loud humming noise since this thread started. I finally figured out it's the gears spinning in @Pullstart's head. @rjg854 and I have an agreement. Who ever bites the big one first, the other helps the widow deal with the aftermath. Randy can have all the spare parts he wants. The rest is to be taken to the show and dumped into Waldo's Volvo when he aint lookin!

While laying in a hospital bed for a few weeks the past couple of months this subject crossed my mind a few times. I have told my wife many times that when I kick the bucket she should go onto Rede Square, post the sad news and give any and all of my toys (tools and all) to members on here. Let them go to someone who will have some appreciation for what I have accumulated. Like @ebinmaine said, I collected them because I enjoy them and when I'm gone I would like to know someone else is showing them some love. I don't have any members close by to appoint as the "executor" of my herd so I guess it would have to be first come first served. As is the case with so many collection, your kids don't value your collection the way you do, they have their own stuff (unless you raised them right like @WHGuy413 and @Pullstart). If my wife isn't here to carry out my wishes I suppose my step son will probably just have an estate auction and all I can hope for is that someone at the auction will have some appreciation for it all. Like John said,

Well, someday some lucky WH soul is going to "come out and take a look", Then, the wifie will just say to them "Just get it all T F outta here! Is a $100 fair?" Then, hopefully there will be a post here on RS about the wonderful score for a $100 and everyone can pick apart my backyard fixes.

That looks like a 1950s JC Whitney type plug wire. Only thing better is good old barbed wire!

After the passing of my grandparents, wife's grandparents and few other relatives I learned the following and hope you guys see the point of these because I now have different thoughts on material possessions. Don't put guilt on your kids or grandkids expecting them to open a museum in your name to keep your "stuff" and maintain your possessions. I got stuck with 3's and 4's if not more of tools, tractors, equipment, house hold items etc... Relatives excepted us take things because they used to belong to so and so. Yes I kept things that meant something to me or I had a use for. Do your future heirs a favor if they don't want it, accept it and sell to someone who wants it and appreciate it's more.

Well here I sit, contemplating death now, surrounded by my Jurassic Collection of Dinosaurs. I actually have quite a few now. I have never bought one myself. Some come from friends from Red Square, some from around the world, one from my Dental Hygienist, some from my wife...as I look around, they all have some special meaning. My horses...I have already sent a few on their way. JoeBob got my Dad's 502 and he restored it to show quality. WHX?? got my REO-65. Another 502 went to a great guy (RS member) in Janesville, Wisconsin. One went to Denmark (Skipper) (Raider 10) A couple more have passed through here (RS members). The problem is, I inherited 4 from my Dad, then I won the 2010 Raffle Tractor at the Big Show. That makes 5, and I still have 5 at the moment. I just can't seem to get below 5 horses. So, I guess that means, I do not have the time to die. So, I am going to keep eating my Wheaties, Super Beats, Pickled Herring, Homemade Wine and Rock & Rye. BTW, I still have my hair, so I have that going for me. All 5 are still running also...so, why not me.

clearly there is a generational dynamic of the "baby boomers" who grew up with the WH tractors in the 50s to 80s, then a bit into Toro time line in 90s --- but its also a cultural value set of the "older" wh owners who simply have a different set of interests and values than the Z generation or milenials etc ( disposable society, short attention span, etc ) -- sorta like the baby boomers popularity of Lionel trains or other hobbys and keepsakes of an older generation versus those born in recent decades. Fortunately, their will be some, or perhaps many, who will follow and carry on the WH legacy??? Just this week a guy bought an implement from me who was maybe 30s - perhaps 40 and told me he has 20 WH tractors -- so there is hope our WH herd "Cult" will live on? Lastly, I see many herd enthusiasts who routinely have photos and stories of their children and grandchildren who are following in the WH tradition -- and in my case a son and grandson who have a few in the herd already - and perhaps a couple younger grandsons to follow who will have the same affection for these machines ?? In the end we are all teachers - - and hopefully as role models we will share enough of the WH appreciation that it becomes an interest for others?????????? Their fondness could be for Hess trucks, or Transformer collections, or maybe some pretty red tractors?

I only had 5 and now I am down to 1. The other four have been turned over to their new owners. Four happy grandchildren.

I'm thinking Lyn won't know when he's part of the obits. Just ask him daily. Any answer. You wait. No answer. Head over.... All of whatever Trina and I have goes to Trina's daughter and her husband. I believe they'll keep some. Maybe all. Cogitate carefully on this: Your Wheelhorse collection is yours because you wanted it. Everyone has their own likes, desires and the opposites. Enjoy it while YOU can. "Will" it properly and legally to the person(s) YOU want to steward the collection after it's no longer your own. That's the best we can do.

It is used to set the height of cut for the snow blade etc.

I might be stirring the pot or whacking a hornets nest but here goes.......I would like to know what the folks on this site with these incredible wheel horse collections plan to do with them in the future?? It just seems to me the "younger generation" don't have much interest or appreciation for the things we have all found great joy in restoring and using. I am amazed at what folks on this site have done with restorations, mods, etc. and am curious where all these fine machines will go in the future?

My neighbor is giving me a good deal on his old 312-8, I'm here to look, listen and learn.

This is ugly. I feel like dejavu is going on right now, like we just recently had this conversation. I’m gonna go away now, but if anyone finds my number in their wife’s speed dial… it’s not for a good time!

Hey neighbor, let me know when I should check the obits. We should all probably select a WH executor to insure Red Square members are informed of estate sales.

Just think about the cars you had a half century ago, where are they? Yep, on the scrap heap. There will be survivors just like cars, but my opinion is that in the future most WH owners will destroy them using their usual neglect and abuse. I have some good offspring and look at their history of little interest in preserving what they have and I can see my herd will not last. So watch for my obituary and get right over here when the time comes.

Just hope that the next generation has people involved. It’s one of the reasons I have @WheelHorse_Kid in the garage so much. He loves them. I just hope he always has a soft spot for them as he grows up.

Call me an optimist- but I think "kids" reach an age where what didn't matter yesterday begins to do just that. At least this is how it happened with me. I thought old stuff was neat when I was 20, but had no real interest until my grandfather passed. Then suddenly all the old stuff that he constantly spoke of as "don't make 'em like that anymore" reminded me of all the memories of him. He never owned a Wheel Horse, but he always worked on stuff and built stuff. Even today when I get greasy or covered in red paint, it makes me smile remembering him. So I don't enjoy this hobby only because of him, but he influenced me greatly. I believe that some kids today will gain interest in the future. And the collectors of the past are why we still have so many of these tractors today as well. Of course the build quality contributed too...

I rather suspect there will almost always be a wheel horse collector out there - demand may drop (thus value of collection), some may eventually go to museums (New museums pop up all the time) Many of them are actually still in daily regular use , Many of the poorer non-museum quality machines may become parts machines, and finally, those that don't make it to those categories may either just be parked in a barn to rust away, sent to a scrap yard, or just taken and beat to death by the new owner that doesn't appreciate what they have compared to what is available these days.. but I suspect it'll probably be beyond any of our lifetimes before they become a mostly forgotten machine (Like the Panzer, which I rarely ever see any more, but I used to have one!... or the Reo.. - I had a walk behind pushmower Reo mower once, too...)

I picked up a couple of 8 horse Kohler's and this spark plug wire was on one of them. Looks like clear vinyl tubing with a thin wire inside. A new one for me!

Save room for 10 -15 buckets of WH junque.

I’ll even admit, in my teens I shared a barn with an old guy and his “old mowers” and couldn’t figure out why he messed around with all that old junk. Oh, how I wish I could pick Earl’s brain today…

My wife knows @Pullstart in my phone is short for "all things Wheel Horse"... only caveat is that if any of my herd end up in Cheese-land, better be in @Achto or @WHX?? garages...

I’m prolly the oddball here. My kids could care less. I’m at 11 now and I’m having to build shelves to store them all. Making room as they say. Most of my tractors were rescues that I’ve tried to put back to OEM mechanically sound status. I have a couple of “redone” ones but unless I do the work I don’t feel right for some reason and I don’t have the skills that some of you do. So not many will be “redone”. Not sure if that will hurt over all value I suspect not. My plan is to donate some of the rarer ones to a museum(s). I’ll just have to research the more sound museums cause my wish is for them to be enjoyed by many future generations. I’ll sell off some if I get a chance but will get the donated ones in order soon. It will help when my herd quits breeding though. Gitty up, Cheers!

I expect I’ll have only one left, the one I use for mowing, towing, etc. Two have already been distributed to eager owners and the Lawn Ranger I expect to have ready for sale in the coming months. I’ve already made sure someone has my Red Square credentials so they can post whatever they deem necessary.

Good to hear from you Richard and to know you continue to recover with your usual positive outlook on life. We’ll continue our prayers for your recovery and keep looking forward to hear from you.

They better, because when the time comes, Mrs. Sylvan will be contacting you to come over and "inherit" the whole train etc... (Bring cash...) May need to rename it though...

Getting closer to having my collections somewhat organized and ready for a couple interviews.

Brace makes quite a difference. Different tractor, same procedure.

I was lucky. My Grandfather was a carpenter/mason. I didn't learn any of those skills. But it taught me a work ethic and appreciation of tools. When I was 4 my Dad bought a brand new 604. I started to work on it at a young age (Tecky powered) Again I was lucky that less than a quarter of a mile away was a small engine shop run by an old man much like my Grandfather. He taught me how to work on mowers and engines. I'm sure my tools of 50+ years will be sold off . I hope I reach an age where I realize I can't use them anymore and can liquidate them so my wife isn't burdened with that task

When I retired a few weeks ago, I off-loaded all of the tools from my truck after working 52 years, I had a lump in my throat because some of those tools I have used since trade school. Hand saws, (yes I still carried one on my truck) chisels (some of them worn away to about half of what they were when I got them in 1970) and other tools are now in my shop. These tools will mean nothing to my son-in-law or grandsons. They are just not something they are interested in. My tools, cars, lawn tractor, train set, basically stuff that I have invested many an hour in will likely be sold. My brother-in-law and I have talked some about our "stuff" and we've decided that most of what we have has served us and that little, if any, of it has an historical significance that will warrant it to being saved for future generations. I'd like to live another ten or fifteen years but sooner or later this body will will serve it's purpose and then I'll move on. I began thinking about stuff a couple of years ago when an older gentleman in his 70's wrote on a model railroad site that I visit occasionally that he was dismantling his beautiful layout. He no longer could crawl under his train layout to attend to it. There was quite a discussion about donating it, selling the individual buildings and ultimately the gentleman said that the train was for his enjoyment and he wanted to be the one relive the memories of his time in his train room while he put it in a dumpster. We all have our own way of dealing with our stuff be it Wheel Horses, model trains or peanut butter glasses.

My wife and I have one of the largest collections of peanut butter glasses in the world so we attend auctions where many are being sold. When we look around the room there are very few, if any, young folks there. We have noticed that only the very rare glasses are increasing in value while the rest are actually dropping. This tells me that new collectors are few. These glasses were primarily produced in the 1950s so only those that remember buying them care, later generations are happy to toss containers and tell you how green they are. Look up “peanut butter glasses” on fleabay if you want to know what I am talking about. Again, watch for my obituary and get the glasses before they are used for target practice.

Glad recovery is going well for you!!!!! Nice to have you back

Mystery solved, my brain has not been working all week! Everything works as it should. The reason for all the play in the L shaped rod is that the mower deck was in teh up position. When I lowered the deck it took up all the slack and loaded the L rod/knob. Slapping my forehead here...such a bonehead. Thanks fellas!

All things are possible....if you have a 4.5" angle grinder and a welder.

I just hope my kids will at least appreciate that there is value and keep them out of scrap!

I really don't have a collection, more like a bunch of stuff. Daughter ask a while back what are you going to do with all that "stuff"? The kids got their machines and more so they won't need it so......I can be a final PIA and they can sort it out. Not much on material things but have a lot of memories going out an getting the machines (aka stuff) and meeting people. Every tractor has a story.

Why you guys picking on me , I have my piles of WH parts and tractors to get rid of . I'll leave them to my granddaughters so my son will have something to do and not contact you turkeys. Messing with @squonk will go into over drive..

Good to hear Richard...thanks for keeping us updated!

This really depends on how much gunk is in there. If there is a lot and it has been in there forever, no amount of flushing is going to really clean it out. If no body has ever been in it, I'll bet you have some rust (at least from condensation)...flushing will not clean out that. It would be better if you took off the brake shaft side plate and took a look. Then you could see what you've got and maybe running your parts cleaner would be a good option. Remember, right now you are trying to drain out gunk through a 1/4" hole...not a very efficient way to do things. BTW, you have a couple of good neighbors near you...maybe they will chime in. @WHX?? @Achto

So glad to see you back here on The Square, Mr. Richard! Keep pumping that iron and we’ll have to call Arnold to the Big Show for arm wrestling competitions!

None of us were born knowing anything, we all learn from one another.

I really appreciate it, I'm new to the wheel horse world. This is my 1st wheel horse and I'm trying to fix it up while trying to put some of my own personal touches.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/334638-concentric-international-deluxe-low-back-seat.html?t if you are looking for a new seat , worth a look , pete

Thanks to all who have sent out prayers for my well being following a stroke that occurred June 1. 2023 while we were visiting our granddaughter in Florida. The rehabilitation center had no guest internet so I have been unable to keep in touch with my Red Square brothers and sisters. Special thanks to @BOB ELLISON for filling you in on the situation. After six weeks of hospitalization and rehab I was able to make the twelve hour trip home. In the past I would have done the driving but my wife stepped up to the plate and with me as her navigator and GOD as our co-pilot we had a flawless trip from Mount Dora, Florida to our home in North Carolina. It will be a slow recovery but I will be getting better every day. We were blessed to have my wife be able to stay with our granddaughter for the majority of my rehab time. I will keep you updated on my progress and please continue to pray for a good outcome. GOD bless all of you, Dick Schmidt

Hey thanks for posting a response. It's aK 341s engine on a 416. I don't know how old it is but it's got an ignition coil on it so I assume there's a distributor and and points. And yes I'm very happy to hear they have nothing to do with that ridiculous courage engine. Once again thanks for your response and thanks for offering support I'm going to try and look at this tractor as soon as the guy gets back to me take care

"Paint blocking". Been there, done that. Back in the day, I painted custom vans, motorcycles and even guitars for the stars. I didn't spend a lot of time on this tractor as time is limited at this stage of my life. I have multiple spray guns, and equipment/materials, but mostly use a brush or rattle can these days. Quick and easy. I certainly do appreciate and love to see the work others put into their restorations and know what it takes to do these projects. I'm still driving my 61 Impala that I restored in 1980 and again in 2000, mostly for upgrades.

I have been using sea foam deep creep since the winter and I have been pretty impressed with it. Stuck hubs and steering wheels. I just soak it when I’m out in the garage and work on something else. Maybe a day or two before I attempt again so patience is also key I think