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Trina's daughter had a baby boy today!! His name is Jaxon. Trina's been at the birthing place since yesterday evening. I'm told both new mom and new kid are doing well.

After receiving clearance to release and confirm this information 😂 from a certain individual, yes it is the Work Horse models. Here’s the confirmation picture!! I’m the proud original owner of this GT-1800, and will be throwing a 40th birthday party for it in August.

Was the tractor revolutionary or evolutionary? The word “tractor” comes from the Latin word, trahere, meaning “to pull.” The first recorded use of the word “TRACTOR” was an 1890 patent request filed by George H. Edwards for what had previously known as a steam traction engine. So, we will give Mr. Edwards credit for building the first “tractor.” Credit for having invented the gasoline engine powered tractor is generally given to John Froelich. He combined two proven technologies, the tractor and a gasoline engine in 1892, then added a forward/reverse transmission which was his true contribution to tractor development. Steam tractors did not need a reversable transmission as the steam engine will operate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The Froelich tractor was not successful commercially, of the four tractors built by the company only two were purchased, and these were later returned by unsatisfied customers. Many prairie tractors with gasoline engines like the Wallis Bear were developed around the turn of the century. Weighing 16,000 to 20,000 pounds these huge tractors were ideal for opening up the large homesteaded tracts of the great plains. The first commercially successful light-weight petrol-powered general-purpose tractor was built by Dan Albone, a British inventor in 1901. He filed for a patent in 1902 for his tractor design and then formed Ivel Agricultural Motors Limited. Albone called his machine the Ivel Agricultural Motor, it was light, powerful and compact. It had one front wheel, with a solid rubber tire, and two large rear drive wheels and had one forward and one reverse gear. His tractor won a medal at the Royal Agricultural Show, in 1903 and 1904. About 500 were built, and many were exported all over the world. In 1909 most farmers owned a full array of horse-drawn implements and the thought of replacing all of them to go horseless was quite expensive. Several early tractor manufacturers like Universal of Stillwater, MN, built tractors that adapted the farmer’s own tools to fit their new tractors. One of the major contributions to the development of lightweight tractors was the Wallis tractor’s 1913 U frame design. The “U Frame” served as the engine’s oil pan and the tractor’s frame connecting the steering system at the front and the transmission at the rear. The elimination of a heavy frame reduced the weight of farm tractors by 2,000 pounds or more. World War One brought about a shortage of horses because the war effort required thousands of horses to move supplies and munitions in Europe. During this time hundreds of small manufacturers produced machines to replace the horse. One of the major players in the lightweight tractor race was Henry Ford. The first experimental Ford Automobile Plow was built in 1907 and following further development the Fordson Tractor was introduced in 1916 for European export and in 1918 for domestic sales. During the 1920s 75 % of all tractors built in the United States were Fordsons. While the Fordson was excellent for fitting the soil for planting and pulling harvesting equipment it wasn’t built for cultivating row crops like corn and soybeans. 1925 was a true milestone in the farm tractor world. International Harvester introduced the general-purpose tractor, the Farmall. With its high ground clearance, narrow front wheels, and reduced weight it was ideal for cultivating as well as ground preparation and harvesting. It became the dominant design for farm tractors and was soon used by Case, Deere, Massey on their GP tractors. The power lift introduced by Deere in 1927 increased their popularity and the 1932 release of low pressure rubber tractor tires were both major game changers. The first commercially successful power take-off (PTO) was offered on the International Harvester Corporation, IHC 8-16 in 1919. Rather than being power by a rolling wheel on the implement the PTO used the engine’s power encouraging the development of larger planting and harvesting devices. Dent Parrett’s 1946 invention of the double acting high-capacity clutch allowed the tractor to be stopped while the PTO remained in operation, the “Live” PTO. The Oliver 88 tractor is credited as the first mass-produced U.S. tractor with a “live” PTO in 1947. The desire for a smaller “Compact Tractor” to meet the needs of truck farms and small farming operations that used a horse or mule was first met in 1937 by John Deere with the introduction of their Model 62, later known as the “LA”. The International Harvester Farmall Cub, Massey Harris Pony and Allis Chalmers “G” soon joined the compact tractor field. These tractors were smaller and less expensive than the farm tractor, but had the same general-purpose capabilities. their introduction offered operators on small farms the chance to replace their one horse or mule with a tractor, and was responsible for the beginnings of the tractor’s popularity in the South and New England where many farms were forty or less acres. These small tractors were quite nimble, featured adjustable front wheels and high ground clearance for cultivation, which made them considerably more flexible than the larger models. Within a few more years manufacturers were offering their larger models in ‘high-crop’ versions as well. A joint venture between Irishman Harry Ferguson and Henry Ford brought Ford back into the tractor business with the Ford-Ferguson three-point attachment lift. The Ford 9N was an instantaneous hit with farmers capturing about fifteen percent of the tractor market in just two years. Before long all other brands were also offering a three-point hitch. Factory equipped power steering was another vast improvement as tractors became larger. The Sheppard SD-4 tractor was the first tractor with power steering coming out in 1953.

After a few years away from Horses, we put a deposit on one for me and my wife got herself this freshly redone 1990 520H with low hours. Can with an unrestored 46" side dischange deck. Need to weld in a patch or two, then give it a quick respray. This one will be back use only, mostly for show/butt buggy use and at plow days(I have bar tires for the rear once I repaint the rims). The paint isnt fully cured yet so I will sun bake it a couple days this week. He used genuine Toro/WH rattle cans @ $19 per can to paint it and did take the whole tractor apart down to a bare frame, did some resealing on the engine, only needs the valve adjustments done. I will do that one day this week. I will pick up my low hour 50th aniv year 416H tomorrow, it has under 550 hours, 42 rear discharge/mulch deck and is a creampuff condition wise.

Was the first year for my younger grandson. Talked about it all the way home! I must say he liked the tractors but really loved the double cheeseburger at lunch. (so much, the Road House was backed up out the door, he said we can go back to the show and get one of those cheeseburgers!) In-closed trailer this year.........no rain.......go figure

Well I can’t say I am real excited about that choice but I guess the “gray” headed stepchildren need recognition too… lol

Thank you @JoeM for selling me this blade! I have it installed, now just need it to quit raining. Build quality is top notch.

I have a work horse with a 10hp K series kohler. My Son has 2 vertical shaft Briggs lawn tractors. Decisions decisions for next year.

So would a Wheel Horse Workhorse with a Kohler transplant be ok ?? Asking for a friend

Well, the Victoria Secrets bag was fun prank pulled on me. I paid for my Annual Wheel Horse Show "T" shirts and went back later to the registration office to pick them up. As soon as I got in there Vannessa Smith held this Victoria Secrets bag up high as she could and waved it around like "Old Glory" and yelled out "Bill here's your show "T" shirts" ...... just making sure every noticed. And she even pulled out the pink tissue paper in the bag to show folks. My head hung down as I just knew I was in for it today! Yes it got lots of laughs and giggles from people but made for a lot of fun! Wild Bill

20240621_202232.mp4

I somehow managed to take a few pictures this year.

Bought this seat at the show for one dollar figuring I would try my hand at upholstery work. Turns out upholstery is super easy!! Bought it to put on my “beat up” 414-8 and to save the minty-mint high back WH logo seat.

That is days until the next Big Show, start planning now! Be here before you know it!

My Ole man @Qball. Mowing his front lawn. VID_20240624_093151.3gp

Ripped the wiring out of my trailer and decided to fix it today but didn't want to drive my tow car down to the shop to just move around trailer, so I hooked up the tow ball to the front hitch of the 1257HEAVY and hauled it into my shop. This front hitch works slick!

Got the next one home.

Mentone Indiana had the concrete egg before you did bill! Thank you again for your enthusiasm and exuberance that generate support and fun for the Wheel Horse Collector’s Club Show! It is contagious ! 2024 was a really Really good turnout!

While we are on this subject, I’d like to thank @Wild Bill in VA Bill Pearson. I have been going to the show for over twenty years and to me Bill makes the show, as parade host anyone listening can tell his knowledge of our tractors is second to none. It doesn’t matter if you show up on something that you just dragged out of the woods or a beautifully restored tractor, Bill will make you feel happy that you brought it to show the folks. It doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or eighty, nobody drives away from the parade without a smile on their face. He will stand out there no matter what the weather as we have seen, and will stay there until everyone that wants to go through gets a chance to. We are very fortunate to have him as the MC for the other events that take place as well. To me I can’t think about the Big Show and not think of Bill. My hopes are that he continues to do this for many years to come, so we can all leave the show happy that we came! 🇺🇸

Thank you for including people in your photos. We all like Wheel Horses but the people make the show.

Speaking of Saturday games, I knew I was getting slow, but the slow horse race proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

The one C-175 in the silent auction brought $275 for a top bid and the new owner generously added another $25 and paid $300! Wild Bill

All new to me except the 420. I picked up a few plows as well as a few smalls…

Yep, I resemble that too--as do a LOT of the show participants! It’ll be interesting to see if a bunch more gray shows up amidst all that RED! I suspect there might be a run on Work Horse decals as a few WHs undergo a “redo”!

Started the cleanup of the C175 I got from @PWL216. The dual coils are out of here.

I RESEMBLE THAT !!!!!

This was my second show - had a great time! I met people I only knew from the forum, picked up some goodies and got my C-105 fixed! Here are the pics I took…enjoy!

I'll be interested for sure... Thx! By the way, there may or may not have been Capt'n involved in the various stages of storage, transport, loading, unloading and general handling of your little ... Some shady characters up nort in Wisconsin...

Mike @Mike'sHorseBarn told me about that. My guess is a fifty year old capacitor probably bit the dust. When I get into it I will add the information to this post and do an instructional thread.

Congrats all, and Welcome Jaxon! There goes all the rest of the C-160’s in the eastern US…

I noticed two common denominators, everyone was on Wheel Horses and everyone had a smile on their face. Guess the two just go together naturally.

Congrats! I hear grandkids are where parents get a little payback. Spoil and enjoy. Send home. Repeat!

Don, Thank You for the kind words. I do enjoy seeing everyone and their Wheel Horses every year! See you next year. Wild Bill

Congratulations!!! Hope Mom and baby are healthy!!! Perhaps Colossus will be ready for him??? I know... Crazy talk...

Congratulations! My granddaughter just turned two and I can’t even think about her without smiling! I’m sure the same will happen to you, you’re going to love being a grandpa.

Thanks again Bill. Had a great time. Hope the Victoria’s Secrets bag made its way back to the rightful owner 😬

Kevin, Thank You for the compliment. I was told there will be no parade on Saturday due to the heat of which is like taking a lollipop from a kid BUT I always have a plan. I do think if we do the back up to egg game again ...... there will be a lot of people looking at the egg I use! Wild Bill

EB, better go buy him a Wheel Horse you should have time to get it ready by the time he's old enough to use it.

Red would have been pleased with your DT skills.

Bill, thanks for all you do including making the parade a fun time. You do a fantastic job.

Bill, you are the Best MC ever! Your Saturday games challenge looked great! That heat whooped me, and you rocked it out!

Ah ha this is why Bob Maynard is looking for a GT 1800 for a project tractor! Good choice for a feature tractor I believe.

Takes me like a minute n' a half.

I moved some big totes to turn into firewood storage later.

Don't know his last name either. But he was selling really nice wooden signs.

Thanks for sharing, it was nice meeting you!

The 2024 Wheel Horse Show parade broke the record at 3 hours and 5 minutes! Now think about this add another 55 minutes and that would be the length of time it takes me to drive from Richmond, VA to Arendtsville, PA !