Skittles, the GT14

[ztnoo 2,298]

5 hours ago, 19richie66 said:

if I only had a seat.

 

Why don't you try a shout out on Wheel Horse Junkies FB page???

Can't hurt and you might be able to turn something up.

Between that group and this one, you should be able to come up with something.....might not be an A1 First Class Primo seat, but just something that would work for now since your restoration isn't completely done yet, even though you are going to the show with it. Just a thought......

Somebody might be able to deliver it and save the shipping.

Lots of guys from out this way that will be headed to PA, and are generally very cooperative about hauling things back and forth.

[19richie66 17,508]

I am taking the one off my C120. I’ll go shopping when I get there. 👍

[19richie66 17,508]

Now that Skittles had shed her colors, had to do something to keep her honest. And, my oldest grandson has Aspbergers syndrome, a type of autism. 

 

Edited June 12, 2018 by 19richie66

[953 nut 55,298]

17 minutes ago, 19richie66 said:

Now that Skittles had shed her colors, had to do something to keep her honest. And, my oldest grandson has Aspbergers syndrome, a type of autism. 

 

Richie, that is the coolest thing I have ever seen done to our beloved Wheel Horses!                              

[19richie66 17,508]

 Skittles is on her way to the Big Show. It will be our first time there. Can’t wait to meet everyone. We made it out of Florida, through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, taking a break and then....... the journey continues   

[953 nut 55,298]

Welcome to North Carolina!        See you in a few days.

[fast88pu 3,324]

Hope the trip goes well

[ebinmaine 67,592]

Just now, fast88pu said:

Hope the trip goes well

 

Be safe Richie and copilot

[19richie66 17,508]

We made it to the Big Show and have had a blast so far. I have met so many people in two days. Wanted to take in all I could. I see now why it’s more than just the tractor that draws so many here. Beautiful scenery, lots of Wheelhorses and good food and fellowship. Skittles ran great all weekend except for water shorting out a relay and my lights coming on by themselves. Have to invest in some dielectric grease. Don’t know when I will make it back but I will be back. Hopefully with more money and trailer space. 😁

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Richie—great inaugural run for Skittles!  That is a super fun tractor and very well built.  I had a blast driving it a little yesterday and thought that the airplane landing lights (in the fenders) are super cool and functional for lighting up the roadway at night.  Thank you for letting Caleb drive it around too.  For all the work that you put into it, it meant a lot to me that you would let Caleb have the keys and free time to drive it.

Very cool to get pics with Skittles and dad’s old 875 Iron Horse.

The two most notorious GT-14’s from the forum and their owners!

 

I totally agree that meeting you and many other forum and non forum members was a highlight for me too.  This event is great and is a Mecca for Wheel Horse related stuff.  Would be very easy to come home with a bunch of tractors-running or not from this event provided the cash and trailer space were available to a guy...

[Pullstart 62,905]

On 2/26/2017 at 5:07 AM, 19richie66 said:

So we went to the Florida Flywheeler's show on the last day and I had planned on looking for a tiller to go behind my 418-A to use around the yard. Didn't really have any hope on finding one and really had NO plans on bringing back a tractor as I hadn't taken a trailer. Two rows in and I saw this homely looking thing sitting in front of a vendor's motorhome. Asked about it and the vendor's wife said " he bought it to use to build his small scale JD tractors". So I asked about some parts since he was going to strip it anyways and he said all he really wanted was the 3 point lift upper arm and hyd. cylinder. Said he would sell the rest. Started it up and it ran and moved. Found the nearest atm and gave him a deposit.  While he removed his parts we walked around looking at the other stuff till noon and came back to get it. Disengaged the hydro and out to the truck we went. Loaded it up on a ramp they had and to the house we go. I never thought I would ever find a gt14 much less here in Florida. Plans are for a restore when I get my stuff together. Just glad I got it and saved it from what was going to be done to it. It already looked bad enough in it's current paint. Not sure of the year but I think it is a 1972. Tag is painted over but barely readable. I see a " 1 ? 532  7 " up top and then just barely with my eyes see below that "853".  I will take it off and see if I can get a better idea from the backside of it. Overall it is all there and in good shape. Still has all the original tires on it yet they are trash. So my bucket list tractor begins.

Finally found your Skittles build... what an amazing transformation from what I saw at the show!  Warning... your notifications will have a lot of likes coming soon...

[19richie66 17,508]

Thanks Kevin. It was a journey for sure. Still not quite finished but I am happy with where it is at now. 

[Pullstart 62,905]

On 11/26/2017 at 3:56 PM, 19richie66 said:

New hoops welded up for the back. Bought rim shells from speedway and got the centers cut from a guy in ohio from 3/8" plate. It's like having built in wheel weights. These things are heavy. Just got to decide on what color I want to paint them. It's either Charcoal grey or gloss black. Also got the new front axle bushings reemed out and my "new" spindles installed. Thanks @Aldon. Worked great. Making a new stainless tie rod and have a new rod end for the steering cylinder. Waiting on the post man.....

Made it to this post before I got cut off on my likes for the day...  awesome work!

[19richie66 17,508]

@pullstart Kevin, you’re going to make me blush. I appreciate all the kind words. Hope to get started on the 1054/417-A project. Lot of planning going on for that right now inbetween raindrops and drywall screws.

Edited July 5, 2018 by 19richie66

[Pullstart 62,905]

I hear ya on the home projects, workin on an enclosure for the jacuzzi tub in the new bathroom... just mid 90’s and no breeze though

 

 

[Pullstart 62,905]

On 5/11/2018 at 8:33 PM, 19richie66 said:

I’ve come to a point where my ideas, abilities, resources and working environment have met up with reality. So after a couple painted parts got bumped, fell over and got scratched, I said the heck with it. Back together she goes. I have Chip Foose dreams and a bum’s budget. So she will have patina, primer and paint. It will be put back together, hopefully running and moving without incident. This will be her shakedown run and I will hopefully have time to fix anything that comes up. That’s where I’m at today. Carry on 

And to think, I hadn’t even started on Putt Putt yet!  Still so impressed by your build!   But back to work on the bathroom project I go... 

[Pullstart 62,905]

On 6/3/2018 at 8:25 PM, 19richie66 said:

Well it moves! She is strong feeling too. Still have some minor adjustments but should be good to go!

 

 

Man that thing looks good!  You’re  makin’ me think I need one!

[Pullstart 62,905]

On 6/22/2018 at 5:33 PM, 19richie66 said:

We made it to the Big Show and have had a blast so far. I have met so many people in two days. Wanted to take in all I could. I see now why it’s more than just the tractor that draws so many here. Beautiful scenery, lots of Wheelhorses and good food and fellowship. Skittles ran great all weekend except for water shorting out a relay and my lights coming on by themselves. Have to invest in some dielectric grease. Don’t know when I will make it back but I will be back. Hopefully with more money and trailer space. 😁

 

 

 

More trailer space? “watchyou talkin’ ‘bout Willis”?   

[19richie66 17,508]

@pullstart you must be really bored to go back and read all this mess 

[dells68 7,498]

Hey Ritchie, maybe we need to talk to Kevin's wife and help her come up with some more home improvement projects to keep him busy😂!

[Pullstart 62,905]

1 hour ago, 19richie66 said:

@pullstart you must be really bored to go back and read all this mess 

 

26 minutes ago, dells68 said:

Hey Ritchie, maybe we need to talk to Kevin's wife and help her come up with some more home improvement projects to keep him busy😂!

 

 

Wish I wasn’t bored, sitting with Rylee at the children’s hospital with some kidney troubles..  reading about tractors helps pass the time.  All will be well soon!

[AMC RULES 37,130]

  Get well soon Rylee.  

 

 

Edited July 15, 2018 by AMC RULES

[dells68 7,498]

I hope everything is ok.  Really tough seeing your kids sick Kev.  I'm so sorry.

[Achto 27,601]

Best wishes for Rylee. I'll put a prayer in.

[Pullstart 62,905]

Thanks guys, the prayers worked!  We’re on a 12 day antibiotic plan at home now, she probably won’t hit her 9 hrs a week gymnastic practice for another week or so, but we found the road to recovery,  something uneasy about sending your little girl in the ambulance, because they want to transfer to a better hospital though.