1971 Raider 12 Project

[Maz91 202]

1971 Wheel Horse Raider 12

 

Whats up gang! Today is a good day because I finally took possession of this Raider 12.

 

When I bought my house a year and a half ago this old wheel horse was sitting out behind the garage at the showing. I thought it was so cool  and asked for it if it would be agreeable to leave but instead they gave it away for free! We recently hired a trash guy and it turns out he had it and agreed to give it back. Probably because it’s got a long way back. 

I intend to return this thing to new. It seems that the hardest parts will be the dash panel and the seat. The dash plastic has shrunk and cracked like crazy and the seat frame is salvageable, but the upholstery is toast. Nothing is seized including the engine which also seems to have compression. I’ll get some new gas in and see if it runs, but even if it does I will take it down and check the specs and address some fluid leaks.  

 

This project will take a while as I am expecting a baby in January, but I wanted to show another Wheel Horse that is saved from the scrap yard and put a placeholder which will hopefully pressure me to follow through with this thing! Nice to meet ya’s and hope you guys enjoy my journey bringing it back. I can’t afford a muscle car project so the tractor project will do it 
 

 

[Maz91 202]

Some more photos! I even found some original paint! 
 

Does anyone know what the correct muffler setup was on the 71 Raider 12? Was it this longer style muffler as in the picture, or the small round one? 
 

I see the breakerless ignitions stink. If it runs, (the people who owned the house said it did) I’ll let that coil live the rest of its natural life and convert to points later. 
 

I’m really excited for this project. I like “older” everything. Cars, records, houses, guitars, etc. I’m on the fence about plowing with it this year. 

[kpinnc 12,159]

She's got good bones. A little work and that machine will work for 30 more years easy. 

 

Congratulations on saving a solid tractor! 

[ebinmaine 67,730]

 

 

Niiiiice save!

 

That's a great base for a restoration or to leave it in its "work clothes" and wet sand the paint. 

There's a fair chance that tractor has a Limited Slip Differential.  

You're correct in your thinking on the ignition.  

Those coils last a long time but replacing them is expensive.  

You can either set up a home shop made trigger ignition, but an aftermarket replacement, or switch to points. 

Test for spark and if isn't there try removing the engine side cover to clean out a few things. 

 

You'll want to find a NON ethanol gas station near you and start using that if you don't already.  

 

Parts for these old tractors are still readily available. You just need to know who to ask. 

 

Plowing?

YES! That's an excellent plow.  

 

 

My hometown is just south of you, Athol MA. Good to see more NH and ME folks.  

 

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,468]

Maz91 Luckily it is an eight speed this make it easier to work on and move around if you have limited space. I would take your time clean every thing Take pictures as you go. If you are not painting it and you just want to protect the metal I found the espies way is to use Marvel mystery oil on a rag spread it on and it will bring the color back whip off excess. This will be a great winter project for you. Enjoy the ride when done.

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,999]

Great Project! Raider 12 is a nice machine. The original muffler setup would be the same as my Electro 12 below. It'll be fun to follow along on your progress! A great place to go for parts is AZ tractor!     https://www.a-ztractor.com/index.php

 

[rjg854 11,389]

   That seat would have been rated pretty high in the ugly seat contest we had a few years ago    Good luck with your project, that will be a great tractor once you get it running and driving.

[Handy Don 12,270]

No crime at all to replace the seat with one that lets you really enjoy seat time! Check out Northern Tool and Tractor Supply, for example, and since you aren’t in a rush you can look for a sale.

Good luck!

 

[Maz91 202]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Niiiiice save!

 

That's a great base for a restoration or to leave it in its "work clothes" and wet sand the paint. 

There's a fair chance that tractor has a Limited Slip Differential.  

You're correct in your thinking on the ignition.  

Those coils last a long time but replacing them is expensive.  

You can either set up a home shop made trigger ignition, but an aftermarket replacement, or switch to points. 

Test for spark and if isn't there try removing the engine side cover to clean out a few things. 

 

You'll want to find a NON ethanol gas station near you and start using that if you don't already.  

 

Parts for these old tractors are still readily available. You just need to know who to ask. 

 

Plowing?

YES! That's an excellent plow.  

 

 

My hometown is just south of you, Athol MA. Good to see more NH and ME folks.  

 

 

Small world! I drive through Athol a lot because most of the work I do is (unfortunately) in Mass. just moved up here about a year and a half ago from Plymouth.
 

Good to know about the limited slip rear end. I’ll have to jack it up and check that out. I love that this thing is more or less a real tractor and not just a plastic lawn mower. I’ll look to find a non ethanol gas station and hopefully I can snag a plow before the snow starts falling. It’s a weird little dream come true that is his tractor came back to me.
 

I appreciate the welcome. In all the lurking I have done since the original wheel horse sighting, I have gained a lot of insight from your posts on here so thanks for chiming in! 

[Maz91 202]

1 hour ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

Great Project! Raider 12 is a nice machine. The original muffler setup would be the same as my Electro 12 below. It'll be fun to follow along on your progress! A great place to go for parts is AZ tractor!     https://www.a-ztractor.com/index.php

 

Thanks a million for the picture and the parts recommendation! This will definitely help me get it to the stock configuration. Glad to finally join the wheel horse community after having previously lost this thing! 

[Maz91 202]

1 hour ago, rjg854 said:

   That seat would have been rated pretty high in the ugly seat contest we had a few years ago    Good luck with your project, that will be a great tractor once you get it running and driving.

Hahaha oh man, opportunity missed! I’m guessing the moss is not factory original 

Cant wait to get this thing working again! 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,609]

[Lee1977 6,677]

2 hours ago, rjg854 said:

   That seat would have been rated pretty high in the ugly seat contest we had a few years ago    Good luck with your project, that will be a great tractor once you get it running and driving.

Yes, but the one with the saw blade took the prize.

[ebinmaine 67,730]

If you search ugly seat in this site you'll likely find the thread.  

Contest is of course long gone but we like the occasional entry just for kicks.  

 

NH is Non ethanol friendly so finding that should be fairly easy, especially around Keene. 

Try

pure-gas.org 

for a list.  

 

If you're serious about finding a plow place an ad in our classified section.  

Never know what's out there.....

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,925]

  Nice ride, call me a punk rocker but I kind of like the lip ring on the hood 

 

Fully restored or mechanically cleaned up, enjoy it and congrats on the baby coming!  First time parent or do you have more?

[ebinmaine 67,730]

4 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

call me a punk

You're a punk. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kpinnc 12,159]

On 11/5/2023 at 8:23 PM, Maz91 said:

 

I see the breakerless ignitions stink. If it runs, (the people who owned the house said it did) I’ll let that coil live the rest of its natural life and convert to points later. 

 

I've probably just been lucky, but that system on my Bronco is still going strong. The only time it ever gave any problem was when the little wire pulled off the single tab on the bottom. 

 

So far as an exhaust, I didn't go with the factory setup. At least not for a 1971 model. I used the exhaust for a 1985 and up, and couldn't be happier. Gets the muffler out from under the hood. My engine runs cooler, and there is no concern with burning the paint off of the hood. Just something to think about...

 

 

Edited November 9, 2023 by kpinnc

[Maz91 202]

1 hour ago, kpinnc said:

 

I've probably just been lucky, but that system on my Bronco is still going strong. The only time it ever gave any problem was when the little wire pulled off the single tab on the bottom. 

 

So far as an exhaust, I didn't go with the factory setup. At least not for a 1971 model. I used the exhaust for a 1985 and up, and couldn't be happier. Gets the muffler out from under the hood. My engine runs cooler, and there is no concern with burning the paint off of the hood. Just something to think about...

 

 

Wow, that bronco is a freakin beauty! I appreciate the info, thank you. Hopefully my ignition is working and will continue to do so. Going to try to start it up this weekend. I am definitely open to the exhaust options. Yours looks really clean and I like the idea of not burning up the paint. I also don’t mind the look of the small round mufflers so I’m wondering if there is any downside to that style.

Taking a look at your dash panel, is that original or is it a “redo your horse” decal? Asking because it seems there is no reproduction of my plastic dash panel (pictured earlier in the thread). I’m wondering if the redo your horse decal will line up with my configuration.. I think it will.

I really hope this thing will run for the winter plowing and then I can create a restoration thread in the spring and bring it back! I don’t know if it’s just me, but it doesn’t seem like there are a ton of Raiders around compared to other models. 

[kpinnc 12,159]

8 minutes ago, Maz91 said:

Taking a look at your dash panel, is that original or is it a “redo your horse” decal?

 

Yep, that's some of Terry's amazing work. Been on it there since 2008 with no issues. I did change the light switch to a brand new Cole Hersey (don't know if spelled right but is OEM) but it lasted only a few years. Ended up using a cheaper plastic switch but it lasted longer. 

 

Your Raider will definitely make for a great restoration project if you go that route. If not, it'll be a solid worker too.

[Pullstart 62,925]

2 hours ago, kpinnc said:

So far as an exhaust, I didn't go with the factory setup. At least not for a 1971 model. I used the exhaust for a 1985 and up, and couldn't be happier. Gets the muffler out from under the hood. My engine runs cooler, and there is no concern with burning the paint off of the hood. Just something to think about...

 

 

[Maz91 202]

On 11/9/2023 at 8:12 AM, Pullstart said:

  Nice ride, call me a punk rocker but I kind of like the lip ring on the hood 

 

Fully restored or mechanically cleaned up, enjoy it and congrats on the baby coming!  First time parent or do you have more?

Somehow passed over your comment, but thank you! First time parent here. We’re having a little girl due Jan 3rd. I’m excited and nervous, but I have spent the last few years trying to get things in a good place to start a family and it’s the coolest thing ever that the time is here!
 

I don’t know what the heck those chains on the hood are for, but yea it does look kinda bad ass haha. When I get to the restoration ((probably IF with the baby coming soon!)) I’m going to have to figure out how to fill those holes. The fender pan where the seat mounts has 2 holes as well. 

[Handy Don 12,270]

8 minutes ago, Maz91 said:

First time parent here

Congratulations!  Your (and your spouse’s) thoughtful preparations and excitement speak volumes. Enjoy.

Edited November 10, 2023 by Handy Don

[Maz91 202]

I’ve spent the last couple nights trying to do some research and figure things out myself but there is so much to know about Wheel Horse it gets my head spinning. Wondering if anyone can sort me out on the mounts on my tractor. 
 

the front hitch looks complete to me. That is a complete tach a matic, correct?
 

im wondering the same about the mid mount. I haven’t been able to find as much info on it. Is it the mid mount that will accommodate newer decks if I locate a mule drive? What’s the small little wheel on it do? 
 

I drained the old gas and after some cleaning was happy to see there was in fact a gas tank under all that crud! Does not seem to be cracked or split at all. I also was able to find that my tractor was originally purchased at Baumert Sales Co in Hartford CT. 

 

Lastly, any tips on filling the holes in the hood when I go to do the restoration? 

 

Im going to get some non ethanol gas tomorrow and see if this puppy will run!!

 

PS this is such an awesome community of people. Everyone is so forthcoming with information and generous offers, so I’m really glad to have landed here and appreciate everyone’s help. I hope to pay it forward once I have a more solid base of knowledge and supplies for these tractors. 
 

 

[Pullstart 62,925]

Those tach-a-matics look complete.  That era mid mount deck had a funky cam plate that rode in the little cast wheel to keep constant tension on the belt.  With the front mount mule drive, a newer style mid mount can be used for newer decks.  One of the best features of  tractors was the interchangeability of so many attachments!  I don’t know my east coast geography very well, but every year on the weekend after Father’s Day there is a “Big Show” in Biglerville, PA at the South Mountain Fairgrounds.  We make the drive from MI every year, it’s totally worth it!  If you don’t get to it by then, I would be willing to trade you a hole-less hood for that one with the chains.  Too much character to change if you ask me!  
 

44 minutes ago, Maz91 said:

First time parent here. We’re having a little girl due Jan 3rd. I’m excited and nervous, but I have spent the last few years trying to get things in a good place to start a family and it’s the coolest thing ever that the time is here!

So awesome!  I’ve got three daughters, and they are all a blessing in their own way.  The oldest isn’t really ours, but she was our German Exchange student 10 years ago when they were 3,5, and 15.  We see her as often as we can, and she costs more than the other two combined so we can claim her 

[Handy Don 12,270]

31 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Those tach-a-matics look complete.  That era mid mount deck had a funky cam plate that rode in the little cast wheel to keep constant tension on the belt.  With the front mount mule drive, a newer style mid mount can be used for newer decks.

As @Pullstart notes, the mid-hitch you have is complete but was only around for a couple of years. The PTO belt went directly downward from the engine and then under the tractor to the deck.

The newer decks have the PTO belt going forward to the mule (on the front hitch) which carries it around the front axle, and from there rearward to the deck. 

 

So the real question to you is: What deck do you plan to use?

The hitch you have will physically hold certain decks (if they are complete with all their parts!) "as is" (@gwest_ca might be kind enough to post the “compatibility” list 🙂).

The newest decks’ suspension systems require the newer style of mid-hitch that has a different lock/release mechanism (the deck suspension has a fork that fits over the lock release shaft). Changing would mean drilling one additional hole in the frame between the two existing holes on each side.

 

Pictures and model info on any deck you have will help a lot!