Stigian 1,234 #1 Posted January 3, 2008 Howdo all, ive been lurking for a while now so thought it was about time i joined in the fun Ian's the name, i live in Paddock Wood, Kent, Uk. I used to be a Westwood man, not quite sure why now i think on it but they got the grass cut. Id always fancied a Wheel Horse and this years finally splashed out on a Commando 8 that needed a total restoration, it didnt even come with an engine that fitted The '8 was soon sold when a 1974 Raider 10 and a 312-8 suddenly filled up the space in my workshop Heres a few photos for you, hope their not to big for you guys on dial-up A Before photo with duels mocked in place, and an after its resto photo. And a photo of my 312-8, in need of a good paint job but very good at cutting grass Oh, and a big to Mith for pointing me in the direction of this forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kj4kicks 151 #2 Posted January 3, 2008 Hi Ian. WELCOME !! Thanks for the pix. Looks like you've got a great start on the resto project. Eldon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,258 #3 Posted January 3, 2008 Welcome Ian, nice looking group of horses you've got. Nice job on the restoration too. Are the WH parts readily available in the UK, or do require a lot of searching? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rollerman 290 #4 Posted January 3, 2008 Stigian...WELCOME to the site Were going Global!...good to have another member from across the pond. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #5 Posted January 3, 2008 Ian!! I like the "Raider 10" decal on the first picture, is that a standard UK version? I've not seen that before. Perhaps VinylGuy can expand his catalog into those versions for you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496 #6 Posted January 4, 2008 Welcome, Ian. It's good to have another member from the UK. And great job on that Raider, btw. I have your 312-8's bigger brother, a 314-8. I hope to see more of your posts. Again, welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #7 Posted January 4, 2008 Cheers for all the comments guys Eldon - The restoration is about 99.99% done, just a few nuts and bolts to paint and putting duels on the back. I think from new it had a headlamp blanking plate, but if i ever stumble across a headlamp unit for it, it will go on. jschahl - I think (but might be wrong ) the stickers are standard Uk ones. I will get a complete set for it at some point, it was nice to see all the original stickers when i first bought it from an auction. The stickers were all too far gone to be removed in one piece but i did take loads of photos of em so i know what to get. nylyon - Parts arnt too much of a problem over here, though i wish i we had the parts supply you guys have Tires are easy but expensive Bearings easy, stickers no chance Strange as it sounds finding a new drive belt can be a pain, at least both the Raider 10 and the 312-8 use the same belts Thats it for now guys, once again cheers for all the warm welcomes Im off down the workshop to build a snowplow/blade for the Raider :o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mith 2 #8 Posted January 4, 2008 Welcome Ian, took your time to join eh!? I can measure the drive belt if you want next time I have it off, then you can buy them for the price of a pint on the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaineDad 85 #9 Posted January 4, 2008 Welcome to the forum... The Raider is a great tractor. My kid's music teacher sold me this one which I gave to my brother; Nice job on the resto too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #10 Posted January 4, 2008 Both tractors use a Wheel Horse part number 7473 drive belt. It's an HB/5L 81.95" long. No measuring required if you have enough books! LOL Dale Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #11 Posted January 5, 2008 Both tractors use a Wheel Horse part number 7473 drive belt. It's an HB/5L 81.95" long. No measuring required if you have enough books! LOL Dale Thank you for that Dale, you have just saved me and Mith a measuring session Books are very handy things if you have the right ones Mith - better late than never to join eh Silly season and other things kept me away. A belt for the price of pint sounds good to me Which website is it sir? MaineDad - Love your Raider The pin strips look good down the hood :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mith 2 #12 Posted January 5, 2008 Try Bearing Boys. The belt is an A82 I believe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #13 Posted January 5, 2008 Cheers Mith thats a handy site. Good price on the belts, i like the bearing prices as well :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #14 Posted January 6, 2008 A 5L is 21/32" wide, which is comparable to a B belt. Notice though, it's also listed as an HB, an agricultural version of the B belt, which is why if you just put an A, B, 1/2 or 5/8 belt on instead of a standard Wheel Horse belt, odds are it's not going to last near as long. So while you might save 30% of the cost, you could give up 75% of the life expectancy in the process. Also note, it's not quite an exact replacement in length, though it's closer than some. For all those reasons, I just get the correct belt from Wheel Horse. Dale Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mith 2 #15 Posted January 6, 2008 Learn something new every day, I thought that the '5' related to the number of 1/10" on the width. I checked and you are right, 5L relates to a B belt. No idea where I got the 1/10" thing from? I have been putting A section belts on WheelHorses for years, next time one fails I'll put a B on it (not had one fail yet....). 50 thou out on the length is not a big issue on a sprung tensioned system. B82 is Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #16 Posted January 6, 2008 Hello Ian, If you can could you post the VIN and model number off of the data number plate of this Wheel Horse Raider? It is interesting to note that here in the United States Wheel Horse changed from Pro sports type model designation in 1973 and your tractor still retains that type of name (and mower deck desgin) and yet the the shift knobs on the tractor are 1975/1976 era. Any chance of a close up photo of the Raider decals? Here is a side picture of my model B-60, notice the decal and flat top shift knobs, this is a 1976 model. Bill in Richmond, Va. Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #18 Posted January 8, 2008 Just order a couple of B82 belts at a grand price of Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
