c-series don 8,663 #1 Posted January 26, 2020 I figured I’d start a thread on the restoration of my EZ Rake. I purchased this from a gentleman in Illinois about a year ago and I’m just getting around to mounting it. I looked for years to find one of these and finally found it in the classified ads in Lawn and Garden Collector magazine. I’m not sure what it was made to mount on but not a Wheel Horse! I’m going to use an old mule drive and cut the bearing shaft off, then use the pieces of angle iron that came with it. After the fabrication work is done and I do a test run I will completely disassemble it, sandblast to bare metal, prime and paint. All hardware will be replaced with stainless. I’m not sure if I’m going to paint it the original white or red. From what I have gathered it was available in either or. I’m open for suggestions!! 7 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,265 #2 Posted January 26, 2020 Nice find. I'll be following along. Either color would be cool. I'm torn on that.... Leaning a little towards white. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 9,130 #3 Posted January 26, 2020 Nice rig Don, when I bought my Super A back around 1986 I repainted the tractor IH red and the Belly Mount mower the original white color and happened to find a picture of it this afternoon and hoping to post some pics tonight after dinner along with a few other toys from way back. I think the white looks sharp with the wheels white in your case JMO. Good luck with the fabrication. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,478 #4 Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, c-series don said: I figured I’d start a thread on the restoration of my EZ Rake. I purchased this from a gentleman in Illinois about a year ago and I’m just getting around to mounting it. I looked for years to find one of these and finally found it in the classified ads in Lawn and Garden Collector magazine. I’m not sure what it was made to mount on but not a Wheel Horse! I’m going to use an old mule drive and cut the bearing shaft off, then use the pieces of angle iron that came with it. After the fabrication work is done and I do a test run I will completely disassemble it, sandblast to bare metal, prime and paint. All hardware will be replaced with stainless. I’m not sure if I’m going to paint it the original white or red. From what I have gathered it was available in either or. I’m open for suggestions!! This will be a cool one to follow however I will make no further paint color suggestions in this or any thread Quote Edited January 26, 2020 by Digger 66 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #5 Posted January 26, 2020 23 minutes ago, Digger 66 said: however I will make no further paint color suggestions in this or any thread No problems buddy, just as long as it’s not peach! Only two colors most of us can see are red and almond/linen white! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 8,663 #6 Posted January 27, 2020 This afternoon I tack welded it to the mule drive. I used a snowblower lift flag and tube for the lifting mechanism, it works great. Here’s some pictures of it raised up. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #7 Posted January 27, 2020 16 hours ago, Digger 66 said: This will be a cool one to follow however I will make no further paint color suggestions in this or any thread Paint it pink or peach or blue or skittles Digger I promise my feelings won’t be hurt I might need to build me a Wheel Horse Harlequin edition to make it up to you, huh? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #8 Posted February 3, 2020 On 1/27/2020 at 2:51 PM, pullstart said: That would make a great getaway car. Really confuse the witnesses. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 8,663 #9 Posted February 20, 2020 Update on my EZ Rake. Sorry I should have taken more pictures. After welding the bracketry, I took it for a test run and it worked great! Next I completely disassembled the entire unit, sandblasted the deck/shell and belt guard. Everything else was glass beaded down to bare metal. I then primed all the components with rustoleum clean metal primer. Next I painted everything that used to be white, Rustoleum sunrise red. I found out these came in both white or red and I couldn’t find the proper off white color so I went with red to match my C-161. I’m now ready for reassembly. 1 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,265 #10 Posted February 20, 2020 Beautiful work Don.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigtrx34 321 #11 Posted February 28, 2020 On 2/20/2020 at 4:20 AM, ebinmaine said: Beautiful work Don.. very well done 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 8,663 #12 Posted March 9, 2020 I know it’s been a little while since I posted anything but I’m finally done with my EZ Rake. I had the pulley shaft and bearing assembly together then clear coated it and the red crinkled so I had to disassemble it. In doing so I gouged the black paint on the shaft so I glass beaded everything down to bare metal again and repainted it. Upon reassembly I managed to scratch the red bracket. Not too bad but I had to touch it up and guess what? It crinkled 😡So back apart again! And start over. Third time was a charm and I decided not to clear coat any of it. Since I know how much you guys like pictures I took a bunch. Thanks to Terry for the awesome decals! Hope everyone likes it, I’m going to bring it to the Big Show this year. 9 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,265 #13 Posted March 9, 2020 Well done sir!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 8,663 #14 Posted March 9, 2020 Thanks Eric! Now I’m not sure if I want to use it and get it dirty 😂 However I did purchase it to use so come spring she’ll be put to work. Or maybe I’ll bring it to the show and wait till the fall to use it. Fall is a better time to de-thatch anyway!!!😂 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #15 Posted March 9, 2020 (edited) Looks brand new!! Very nice job! Edited March 9, 2020 by Jennifer 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,265 #16 Posted March 9, 2020 7 hours ago, c-series don said: maybe I’ll bring it to the show and wait till the fall to use it I like that idea. Cool to show stuff... But they're built to work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
