cmyoch 35 #1 Posted November 21, 2022 Hello everyone. I have recently acquired my late uncle's Raider 10. The tractor is complete along with the mower deck that is removed and stored in a covered building. The deck appears to be 36". The tractor has sat at least for 3 years and I think with a good carb cleaning, fresh fluids, fresh battery, and fresh air in the tires, it should run just fine. Someone in the past has done an amateur respray which can be cleaned up with with some fresh decals, etc. I'm looking forward to getting to know this machine and putting it to use. I've never owned one of these so I have to learn a bit about how the pulley system works when hooking up the mower deck. It also has an electric PTO which I don't know if this is an add on or original. Serial number states 1 0300 G which leads me to believe it is a 1971 model. I'll attach a few pictures. I look forward to getting to know you guys. 2 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,524 #2 Posted November 21, 2022 You're in the right place!!! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,039 #4 Posted November 21, 2022 Welcome Click on the picture in the link for more. Just a guess on the deck 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,099 #5 Posted November 21, 2022 to the The Raiders were one of the great Wheel Horse tractors. I don't have one now, but I have saved quite a few. None of mine had the electric PTO, so I'm guessing that was added by a PO. I see parts of the original side drive deck drive system on the right side. It appears the frame mounted front mule drive system was also added to replace the side drive. This front drive system was used to power the decks before the front attach-a-matic was used. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmyoch 35 #6 Posted November 21, 2022 1 hour ago, gwest_ca said: Welcome Click on the picture in the link for more. Just a guess on the deck Thanks so much for this! I was going to start searching for literature once I dove into it. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmyoch 35 #7 Posted November 21, 2022 52 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: to the The Raiders were one of the great Wheel Horse tractors. I don't have one now, but I have saved quite a few. None of mine had the electric PTO, so I'm guessing that was added by a PO. I see parts of the original side drive deck drive system on the right side. It appears the frame mounted front mule drive system was also added to replace the side drive. This front drive system was used to power the decks before the front attach-a-matic was used. I have been wondering about the electric PTO given its age. If you can zoom in on the dash, there is a pull knob labeled "Electric Clutch" which has the same raised lettering as the rest of the dash components. I don't know much about the setup of the PTO system yet. The drive belts for the deck are missing. I will need to source the correct sizes to make it work. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmyoch 35 #8 Posted November 21, 2022 1 hour ago, gwest_ca said: These manuals are EXACTLY what I'm looking for. I think I already know what PTO drive belt I need and now I'm reading up on the deck. So far, it looks like parts are still available. I know the spindles and bearings are still in good shape. I'm thinking a set of drive belts and giving the blades a good once over should get me going this coming spring. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,827 #9 Posted November 21, 2022 @cmyoch! I seem to recall the Electro models had the PTO clutch standard, and the Raider models had it as an option? Maybe I’m dead wrong. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmyoch 35 #10 Posted November 21, 2022 8 minutes ago, Pullstart said: @cmyoch! I seem to recall the Electro models had the PTO clutch standard, and the Raider models had it as an option? Maybe I’m dead wrong. I just read through the manual for 1971 and it mentions the electric PTO as an option. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,380 #11 Posted November 21, 2022 To Great group of folks here. Absolutely any questions you have, please feel free to post. You've got there an excellent working tractor. With a little elbow grease and some time that'll clean up nicely. As noted above the Electric PTO was optional for that year. I believe that began in the late 60s. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,155 #13 Posted November 21, 2022 Always glad to see a Wheel Horse stay in the family and receive some love from another generation. Looks like your uncle took good care of it and was quite mechanically inclined. The belt tensioning device he created for the deck belts looks like it will get the job done very well. You may need to do a bit of measuring to come up with a deck drive belt that will work because of the front idler pulley system but it should work fine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,099 #14 Posted November 21, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: The belt tensioning device he created This frame mounted spring loaded idler/tensioner system was made by Wheel Horse. It was only used for a short time when they ended the swing arm side drive and before the front attach-a-matic mule drive system was put into use. I have several of these mule drives. There was also available a tombstone shaped pulley guard that bolted to the front that served as a nice bumper. I personally liked the spring loaded idlers as they maintained a constant tension on the drive belt regardless of deck position or belt wear. The 60" decks on the 520s also use a spring loaded mule drive. Edited November 21, 2022 by Ed Kennell 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,065 #15 Posted November 21, 2022 to !!!! You will be glad you came ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midpack 862 #16 Posted November 21, 2022 I put a Magnum18 in a C175 and had to use an electric PTO, they engage rather abruptly. I found a "soft start" module for the electric PTO and it's a whole lot better! really easy to install too 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmyoch 35 #17 Posted November 21, 2022 2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: This frame mounted spring loaded idler/tensioner system was made by Wheel Horse. It was only used for a short time when they ended the swing arm side drive and before the front attach-a-matic mule drive system was put into use. I have several of these mule drives. There was also available a tombstone shaped pulley guard that bolted to the front that served as a nice bumper. I personally liked the spring loaded idlers as they maintained a constant tension on the drive belt regardless of deck position or belt wear. The 60" decks on the 520s also use a spring loaded mule drive. I plan on going out there today to give the mower deck a good look over. I was wondering if there was a guard or something that protects that pulley from debris, etc. Are they hard to come by if mine is missing? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,099 #18 Posted November 21, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, cmyoch said: I was wondering if there was a guard or something that protects that pulley from debris, etc. Are they hard to come by if mine is missing? Of the 3 or 4 that I have had, only one had the guard. I'll have to check to see if I still have it. Here is the one I still have. It is missing the front guard and the flat back side pulley and the spring. Edited November 21, 2022 by Ed Kennell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmyoch 35 #20 Posted November 21, 2022 I went out over my lunch today to take a couple more pictures. One is of the deck and the other two are the engine. I've owned multiple Briggs engines and one Kohler but not a Tecumseh. Other than normal maintenance, is there anything I need to be aware of to extend its life? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHGuy413 2,683 #22 Posted December 6, 2022 Welcome! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites