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So I picked this up today. Yes I know you are all laughing. Let me remind you that it is indeed a Wheel Horse. I know , not very collectable. I'm sure they are not what the Ponds envisioned when they decided to build tractors. Yes I know it is not a tractor but......... isn't it cute !!! Wheel Horse 108-5 Rear engine rider. I picked it up off CL from the original owner. I have the original bill of sale, manual, and some other paperwork from over the years. Purchased new in 1986 for 1,218.73. An additional 181.65 for the bagger. It runs and drives very well. When I went to get it I drove it from his shed to my truck. I never tried to engage the mowing deck. When I got it home I noticed the deck dosnt engage. Got to be something simple. I know the PO would have told me if it had any issues. I will look at it another day. Raining today and it won't fit in garage. So bottom line is I scored an original one owner, original paint, original bill of sale, Wheel Horse. That has to make you smile even if it is a RER !! If that isn't a good score then maybe I will mention that I paid 75 dollars for it. Can't even buy a push mower for under 100. I'm happy I have a thing for RER. Had a couple in the past. I think @WHX?? has a soft spot for them as well. Anyone else oit there who PROUDLY add one to their collection ??? Dont be ashamed to admit it.

Finally got around to checking this 1965 wheel horse 655. Serial # 133946. I got this over a year ago in a "Bundle" trailer load of other items. The Tecky H60 had imploded, rod, camshaft, internals like "chicken bones" bearing lobe on block broken off , etc. etc. So I also got most of a K181 basket case S/G engine with parts. Decided this one was too nice to part out or scrap so I checked engine and it looked pretty good with only governor shaft flag and counterweight broken internally. Long story short it spec' ed well and I completely rebuilt. It had the two-piece ASA cam and was a bit of a challenge but all went well. Took the Tecky out and put the Kohler in, new boot and flushed trans, new gear oil and it runs and drives. Definitely needs some "LOVE" but would be a great worker. Everything but seat is there. Mounted Tecky gas tank under hood. New regulator, re-built starter/gen .Will place in classifieds and high probability will be coming to "BIG SHOW" for first time from FL. Anyway enjoy pics. Also have a lot of Tecky parts that I would donate to anyone so inclined.

Just had a PM from Mister Howard. He just had a cataract removed and all is well.

Milwaukee Hay Tool Company The International Harvester Company was formed in 1902 with the merger of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company, and the acquisition of Milwaukee Hay Tool along with other farm machinery companies. Milwaukee Hay Tool was an obvious choice for the creation of the world’s largest agricultural conglomerate. They manufactured products used by farmers that were not offered by the other companies within IH, had a very extensive dealer network as well as holding several patents. Company founder William Gutenkunst began his business career repairing and rebuilding of sewing machines. Observing operations on the family dairy farm he began making improvements on existing devices and inventing others. Some people make a better mouse trap, Gutenkunst made a better hay fork. From there he and younger brother Charles made improvements to the family corn husker and then designed and patented a much better husker. Removing animal waste from the dairy barn was a daily chore that had a lot of room for improvement, The brothers devised a tracked device they called a litter carrier that lessened the work needed to clean the barn. Both the corn husker and litter carrier caught on quickly and the brothers moved to a larger facility with a foundry. The Milwaukee Malleable & Grey Iron Works was established in 1899 as a part of Milwaukee Hay Tools. They not only made their own parts in house but also the iron works began supplying castings to heavy machinery and other farm equipment manufacturers. The product line continued to expand including ensilage shredders, hay-carriers, improved swivel-sling hay carriers, and cable-track carriers; hanging hooks for steel and wood tracks; rafter brackets, harpoon forks, grapple forks and derrick hay-forks; Standard wagon slings; pulleys and pulley blocks and conveyors; wire stretchers, tackle hoists, cattle stanchions, ornamental iron-fence pickets, virtually anything made of iron the farmer could need. By 1902 they had become an attractive acquisition target for the newly formed International Harvester Corporation. The Milwaukee brand name lived on under IH control and the dealer network established by Milwaukee Hay Tools now had access to all of International Harvester’s product line. When the “Trust Busters” forced International Harvester to divest itself of some product lines Milwaukee Hay tools was one of brands that was severed in 1918.

Remember??, I am Mr ED.

$5 for this set w/ nice bolts at the recent Airville Fire Co. Mud Sale.

That K181 is most likely the best thing that ever happened to your 655.

Just about everyday I check out ads for WH's. Prices seem down and the late 80's and up machines seem plentiful. I think if someone is looking for a lifelong machine, add a little TLC and you couldn't beat it. A little bit of what I am seeing. Whats hot in your area?

BBC News - Rotherham theft suspect snared after car, foot and bike chase https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-68791541 This is an ex colleague of mine, I saw a similar piece recently of a horse pursuit in America, thought you'd like to see how we do it. Mick

Well I was working the garden with the 312-8 plowing, etc. and then in between breaks it would not start. Dead, no clicking solenoid, nothing. Quick look and didn't see anything obvious so just jumped it from solenoid to finish the day out. Got to poking around on it today. The solenoid tested fine. Determined the start signal wire to the solenoid was not getting the 12v. So onto the switch...it was fine but cleaned it up while I was in there. Started tracing back the signal wire, mine was black with 2 purple lines, and came to the issue! Either while switching from Hi to Lo range, or working the brake the wire pulled off terminal at the PTO Safety switch. The other terminal was bent and nearly broke off. So I replaced that one and rerouted the wires to be less in the way of the shifting and brake lever bar. Still seems really tight but is better then it was and all connectors were holding tight. I'll know where to look if it happens again but can't complain about a free electrical repair that took less than an hour. They can be annoying but patience and just following one wire at a time usually gets you there. So the 312 is back to normal starting and I can sleep again...

Trail cam... Filling parts buckets for the Big Show...

Little different but I love my A-60...

$500 OBO

I don't think the size matters. I've had several different sizes on tractors.As far as adjustments, raise the lift and tighten the nut so the rubber bumpers on the deck are against the footboards.

those rear tires are so cool!

Nice 855 you have there

Oh it's not my first WH. Not even my first WH RER. Sure wish it was a one owner WH garden tractor though. I already found out what was wrong with the deck. The belt had slipped off the back pulley. It runs, cuts, and mows great now. Very tight turning radius. Can turn on a dime. One of the rear tires keeps losing air so I ordered a pair of tubes for the rear. I'll clean it up when it stops raining.

" A horse is a horse, of course, of course, but no one can talk to his horse of course." How many remember "Mr ED"?

Yes Kev, but that doesn't make it a SPECIAL. My all origonal C-120 Auto had a Tecky, and it was not badged SPECIAL.

They did and are on my 310-8 that needed the seat switch connected and the clutch damper adjusted. PO said no one could get it to run so he wanted it gone for $175. I used some discretion and didn't start it to load it. I waited till 10 minutes after I got it home. Has a nice 42SD that mows nice.

d C-120 Special that needs a battery and starter. $200

Maybe they are trying to "cash in" on the legendary WH name.... The same folks that you see trying to unload Granddad's rotted up to the door handles 1952 Chevy 4 door 6 cylinder Powerglide. "Ran when parked" (next to the creek that overflows) "Good glass all around" (glass don't rot) "True mileage unknown" (the odometer crapped out back in the '60's) !!

I have a set of them on HHHOOOWWWAAARRRDDD!!! General Garden Tractor S.S. 6-12

You are at the BEST site/ forum to get all the help you need…

And what about this cabover? I swear if I I ever hit one of those big lottery jackpots I’m going to get a cabover (maybe not a GMC?) and have it painted this color scheme so I can haul my horses to the Big Show!!

I miss 2 or 3 tone paint schemes on vehicles, most vehicles today are all one color, which I think is boring! Having more than one color breaks up the vehicle and if you get a dent, you only have to repair that area instead of the whole panel. C-85 This was my '88 Chevy K1500 that I had for 30 years!

It's one of a kind. Tach a matics, .020 over K321, extended steering shaft and custom exhaust. " Special " As far as patina, this tractor was turning pink when I got it.

That's not a factory special Squonky... come back when you put a tecky in it and a has a fine patina...

I love them. Shoulda never sold the flying freaking A-81 and I ever come a cross a late model one like that in half way decent shape and low money it'll come home. Strip the deck off and they make excellent ranch run arounds, yard workers & mail getters. Just can't beat them for pulling a tub and pickin up sticks... so easy on easy off! I have joint custody with @Achto of your old '55 RER Mac. One of these days we'll get it running for a ride around at shows. Last pics a '67 I got from Madge. Put an offshore carb on it and run great now. I think @c-series don and @rmaynard have early restoed tubs.

Very cool and for the $75 what a steal! I bet it's fun to use and will be a great back up or maybe loaner mowing rig. I almost got one of these a couple years ago. It didn't have the bagger but did work but the guy was wanting like $300 or so and I just didn't want to do that much for a mowing only rig. But it was clean and worked. Had no idea they would cost that much new! Cool grab and you never know...this could be the missing WH collection piece down the road for someone who HAS to have it!

Don't know Jimbo, but I've seen the SPECIAL badge before. Sorta like the CLASSIC badge.

Yea that's that guy from Lansing. Most of his other stuff is resonable. Seems to be on CL forever tho. Lots 520s around here some pretty beat up and $$$$. Some nice ones in the 8- 1k. Seeing mid 60s in the 500 range. Those woulda came home for sure. Weight heavy but nice cheap Xmas present for one of you canaries.

Still got mine in the box! How bout a Toro pickup?

There’s been a set of wheel weights (plastic concrete) for sale for months for $150 on CL.

Right now, there seems to be quite a few $300-400 single cylinder tractors available that would be excellent workers, just nothing super exciting. The twins usually seem to push up to $700-1000+, maybe with an accessory or three The central PA listings always get interesting leading up to the big show......I expect our local listings to start multiplying and the prices go through the roof. It always cracks me up when I see ragged out vertical shaft WH models with people asking ridiculous amounts of cash for them.

Thank you all for your reply's.

Pete, you'd be happy with Trina because the first thing she did on reassembly was go hunting around for the right thickness washer and put a new clip in there...

I don't think the size matters... Not to often that this is the case, but it is. Adjusting the trunnion, regardless of the chain style, sets the height. On the C81, I find it easier to remove the lower dash panel to get better access..... I remove the chain and trunnion for plowing - I use a solid link to give down pressure. The chain setup goes back on - untouched - when the deck goes back on...

There are some areas of the country that Wheel Horse did not have as many dealers as other brands. I have been on this forum long enough to see posts from members who claim that they can't find a Wheel Horse due to it's limited market share it had in that area. There other areas where the opposite was true, Wheel Horse had a strong presence and had a lot of dealers at one time.

My brother dug up a toy truck just like that. I cleaned it up restored it. It’s the exact same!

I just sharpened blades on this deck last week and did take a picture of the blades with one washer and not. This goes on top the blade but there is a much thinner one used under the blade. My pic would be of the #33. Washer on top. But #29 is the under blade washer. They are different and “special” since Toro made them so!

Anybody remember this?

The adhesive on this, once exposed to air by peeling it off the roll, cures instead of drying. Make sure the vinyl is very clean and fully dried before applying the tape. I use an alcohol wipe and leave it for about 15 minutes before taping. To keep the tape ends from getting pulled loose when I slide on or off the tractor, I’ve carefully remove the band that secures the cover to the pan, run the tape to the bottom edge of the pan, and then crimped it back in with the seat edging band.

My seat could use some gorilla tape.

We have all experienced the wear and tear of our seats -- the one approach that can have some success is to stop the tear or crack from getting worse as soon as its discovered -- i have used the black gorrilla tape with some success to not let a tear or crack continue to "grow" -- not perfect, but mostly effective - if left unattended it just quickly gets worse and worse

Other than being a plastic base I like it! Looks comfortable.

This is MUCH easier instead of pulling the splitter around by hand. My wife said the tractor is still so clean I must be driving it around without boots and just socks. Never thought of that...good idea...

Here is the latest for my tractor. Added a ball hitch/clevis hitch combo and I continue to put 1979 through its paces. Working well daily....as a Wheel Horse does....