Leaderboard

started plowing the garden with the 73 8hp today. i tried it earlier this year and the 10" brinley plow was a little too much for the tractor. the ground has never been broken and is full of rocks and an occassional root. I decided to cut the plow down to 7.5". that has made all the difference in the world. it still bogs down a little when hitting rocks, but just powers on through. I have to disc later, but the robins were lining up to get at the earthworms. lots of fun and love to hear that old kohler getting 'er done. :)

Fantastic pictures everyone and even better stories to go with them. Well many of you that know me have heard me talk about the family business that my dad was part owner of in the Metro Detroit area. He was with the business for just over 30 years and was the last one out the door when they had to close the doors in 1994. I was lucky enough to live about 200 yards away from the business, so needless to say that is where I spent most of my free time. I loved having the chance to hang out with my grandpa and my dad, not to mention getting to play on all of the big boy toys at the shop. I can remember to this day dad coming back from a trip to Indiana with a 1981 C-85 with a 36" rear discharge deck, a 10 cubic foot trailer, 48" plow, and a set of plastic wheel weights all brand new. I was 7 years old at the time and thought it was the coolest thing ever. This was dad's first brand new tractor that he had ever purchased. He saved up his pennies to make sure he bought what he believed in. He had to make the trip to Elkhart, IN where Wheel Horse had one of their storage facilities to be able to pick it up. This one could not be transported by their semi's with their normal orders. This was a promotional deal for the dealers. If a Wheel Horse dealership had stock that didn't sell or the business went under, these units were brought back and sold at 33% off the original dealer price. Dad's C-85 has a ton of miles on it as it was shipped to Seattle, WA and then back to Indiana. This was the tractor that I grew up on, learned to mow with, plowed many driveways with, hauled plenty of top soil, rocks, and mulch. That little K-181 never failed us. Needless to say that it was never sold, and it never will be. It is still actually being used on a pretty regular basis. Some day it will have it's turn to be retired, refurbished, and cherished. Fast forward to the year 2005 and a good friend of mine had a 312-8 that he was planning on selling as he needed some cash to buy something bigger for his pasture. I said I might be interested. I went and looked at it and was very impressed with how well it had been taken care of. It is a 1991 with a 37" side discharge deck. I told him "sold" right away and asked when I could come back and get it. Not too long after I was a proud owner of my first Wheel Horse. That one is still in the collection and of course get's used pretty regularly as well. There are no plans to ever sell that one either. The tractor has done it all for me in the past............I have mowed with it, I have used a rototiller with it, I have plowed snow with it, I have used a snowblower on it, installed a snow cab on it, plowed a garden with a 10" plow with it, hauled mulch, stone, top soil, etc.... It has been a great tractor and one that I love dearly. It will also be retired some day and refurbished and enjoyed by the family. Here is a pic of my baby............. Then the restoration bug kicked in and dad and I cleaned up a 1968 Commando 8, finishing it up last winter of 2011. We had heard through the grapevine that the Commando 8 was going to be the feature tractor at the 2012 Wheel Horse Collectors Club show. We had always dreamed of going so with a rusty old Commando sitting in the barn we put two and two together. Let's get this one done first and then go have fun at our first "big" show. We learned a lot along the way. The most important thing is that the tractor isn't perfect............but it is perfect for us. We are really looking forward to the event this coming June. A lot of blood, sweat, tears............and new words were created during this project. But again..........another one that we hold close to our heart that has finally found it's last resting place. I am hoping my daughter has the same feeling about her first tractor at the age of 6 years old! Well over 100 tractors later, we are still enjoying the hobby more than ever. We have finally scaled down to approximately 26 tractors and hoping to get that number in the teens in the near future. The adventure of collecting and tinkering the past 7 years has been a blast. I can't imagine what the future holds for us!

Hi all.... Here is my new toy '95 416-8 i got in january, $150 cash and traded $50 in fixing his wifes van's headlights. Picked it up and started to do all the tune-up, fix up to get her ready to do the mowing duties.... Clutch pedal does not spring back..... have to "lift" it with the top of my foot to go..... there is a spring that is on mine... doesnt look stock.. per how there is no dirt on it (before a power washer bath). Its no where on the TORO master parts viewer....any help from anyone would be appreciated. ALSO a big thanks to can whlvr and BOWTIE for helping me with a question a couple months ago about the oil light.... it stopped blinking... for some reason... Here are some pics.. the morning after i picked her up... 5 inches of snow. Here is spring in question... Before Bath... Bath Time...Clean..... Hope the pics post for everyone to enjoy... Red Square addict I have become.....

I'm new to the Wheel Horse world after inheriting a 1989 520-H with tiller, snow plow, and mower deck. I recently found an RJ-58 in an old shed under a bunch of junk and luckily acquired that one too. Now I'm restoring it and am looking for a heat shield, front wheel(s), and I would love to get my hands on a toolbox/fender assembly for this thing. Any tips you have for me I'm all ears. Thanks.

Now that I'm not employed, I have time to work on stuff. It's amazing just how much you can get done, even with a little time. Before I wouldn't get home till dark, and no lights/power in the tent in less I run the extension cord. Anyways, started on this last summer I think. Bought a 1045 with no motor. Frame was toast, hood was bent bad, but the rest was decent. I parted out the 520, kept the frame and some small stuff of it. I bought a complete 1276 over the summer, frame was junk on that, didn't want the hydro, rear fenders were hacked, had a "furry" seat, (was comfy tho) so really ended up using just the hood and front axle. I took the frame from the 520, bolted up an 8-speed, used the 1276 front axle and hood, used the 1045 dash tower, fenders/toolbox/seat, and the 10 horse diesel that was on the 520. I had to raise the hood to clear the diesel, buddy is bending a plate that will raise the dash and steering wheel. It will bolt on to the 1045 tower, then bolt dash onto it. Not gonna cut or modify any of the 1045 stuff, since they are little hard to come by. Actually will have to drill a hole for the low range lever to go thru. Once the plate gets bolted on, really only need a belt to get it to roll under it's own power. But still need to get brakes, probly should do that first. I doubt I'll paint it pretty, really depends how much is going on this summer. I plan on not working, just enjoying "unenjoyment" every week. Not in less something good comes along. Daughter steered while I pushed....

Yeah, hit the bricks...and not on one of my tractors.

I know what your talking about! :ROTF: Matt :flags-texas:

ughhh where in the world rick do you find all these and to top it off i bet your getting a steal price on them!

I know I already said this in your other post, but that thing is awesome! For that matter they are both beautiful machines, but the rear tires on the GT-14 really put it over the top! Matt :flags-texas:

My winter project is finally starting to take shape . Just in time to cut grass up here !! Had to make parts that were not availabe new. All bearings and bushings were replaced or fabricated shifter boot has been replaced since tranny paint,dash is not done yet,sticker is on the way from Vinyl guy. will post more pics later

THE 1974 C-120 (RESTORED) 2ND IS 1991 312-8 666 HRS ALL ORIGINAL 3RD 1993 314-8 126 HRS ALL ORIGINAL

Thats a great looking GT-14 bud...congratulations!!!

I have no intention of restoring the Snapper, just to fix and put into service. However the Toro will get a good going thru, new deck bearings, seat, paint, and decals, and whatever it needs to be in proper working order. Sparky, I'll have to get back to you after I've used it for awhile. I would say, none of the plants, shrubs, or cars will be safe untill I get adjusted to this monstrosity! Matt :flags-texas:

What a beast! Was there a learning curve to get used to driving something with rear wheel steering and a deck that big? I could see me mowing down the bushes around my house and whacking the car ! Mike............

Looks like a nice tractor and I bet the b80 will enjoy some time off from work. Jake

I spent last week at our river place with my two youngest sons (who are about to turn 14 & 15). It was just them and me. We had a great time, and I got a lot of work done on the house. The house used to be the home of my maternal grandparents, and I've already posted and other places about how after many years, I was able to get back my grandfather's long-lost 1973 Wheel Horse Model 10 that was sold after he died in '93. Anyway, this winter when my B-80 went on the list just before a potential snowstorm, I made some room here at the house, brought the 10 home, and spent about 10 hours one Saturday getting it running so I could push snow. And run she does! There's a little smoke during rapid throttle adjustment, and the slightest of "creep" forward when she's in neutral on level ground, but other than that, she's strong. Although the front lens is gone, even the headlights/tail light work! But I digress, so back to the river house. There's a pretty nice Craftsman 19HP Twin down there right now, but it had been sitting all winter and I wasn't sure what it's running state would be. Plus, I can put a regular hitch-ball on the WH, and I knew that would be handy, so I put a deck on the old girl (the original is solid, but needs some welding), loaded her up and off we went. I know it sounds silly, but it was really an emotional moment cutting the grass there with that tractor for the first time in almost 20 years. I don't know if my grandfather is looking down or not, but if he is, I can't help but think he was pleased. He really loved that tractor. So...just for fun, I thought I'd do a "DearPhotograph" kind of thing. It's not exact, but close enough. Enjoy!

Love it! I am instinctively attracted to anything with tracks, but a - tracks combo?! That is a bowl of fantastic heaped with awesome-sauce!! :laughing-lettersrofl:

Grasschopper!!!!!!!!!! LOL

NICE TRACTOR...

It looks like this thread has migrated to an original vs restore conversation. To answer your question, from my perspective, a early round hood is your best bet to get the bulk of your restoration dollars back. Various square hoods do hold value but..... basically any resto is a loss in some form. Now if you score the basisc tractor for a good price or even for free, then the return on investment is greater. Now for my opinion on original vs resto..... I would agree that a "nice" original is the way to go. But I find no enjoyment in a pitted bent up original just to say its "original". I have a couple originals which are boarderline. Next no one has taken in account for the level of resto. There are thousands of bondo repaints with new decals out there which on the surface look great but are still junk. Then there are those restos which have been done with care and vision to get it right. There is a world of differnce between the two.

The one that started it all for me is my 1977 B-100. Purchased used in 1993, it came with a snow plow. The snow plow has been used every year since 1993. The plow has only been off of the tractor 4 times in 19 years. The only things ever done to the tractor other than routine maintenance is a couple of seats, batteries, a muffler and some tires. .

Short answer...8 pinion. Any pulling guys that chime in will confirm this, (to peices)

That red tractor would look much better in Wheel-N-It's garage :banana-rock:

Nice tractor Thats an awsome set of photos for the gallery!

My dad sold Wheel Horses when I was a kid, and I always liked them, but did'nt get one of my own until about 6 years ago. My B-80 with a K-301, witch I used as is for a long time until a few months ago, when I decided to rebuild her. Now I'm hooked. Matt :flags-texas:

Craig, I don't like this subject! When I think about all the blood,sweat,tears, and the amount of dieting my wallet did during my horse's resto, and then I look at what its actually worth, it makes me want to cry. But that's OK, I love my ! Matt :flags-texas:

While I haven't played with any of the different brands newer versions I have played quite a bit with their older ones. I have finally come to the same conclusion as you Will. It is much easier to work on the Horse's and much easier to collect one brand. Here is something that is MOST important to me, the fellowship just isn't their with any of the other brands like it is here with the Wheel Horse's. This is bar none the best forum and the best group of guys.

Heres some more photos, the first two are of Trachorse at the same event as the photo that started this topic. The last photo is from rally earlier in 2011 and shows Trachorse with another one of Chris' creations, the Rowcrop8

Tried enlightenment but got tired of all them salads...back on burger diet.....................

Wait, What? I was going to plow and it started raining. You lost me somewhere, I'm sorry. I was daydreaming. I'm sorry. What was that about cutting grass? . When you are able to obtain this pebble from my hand. You too grasschopper, WILL become most enlightened....

Mark when working on techy the first thing you want to do is replace the points and condensor. Once you do that you should have your spark again.

Cool looking machine!! :thumbs:

This is just me I think I raffle one off. You could sell a chance for as much as you want at least half the folks on here would buy a ticket, I know I would. Maybe make back (I don't have a clue what you have in them) a portion of what was spent on the lot. Then everyone could have a shot at this kind of "once in a life time" moments. Maybe I'm crazy too?

all i can say is ....... we are not worthy :(

That is worse than pouring salt into a fresh wound- WH's around here are pretty scarce, much less finds like that. I am genuinely happy for you, but have mercy on us! :omg: