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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPi_m-sMfEM

Turning a hobby into a real business sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. You'll have to give Uncle Sam and your state a cut of what you bring in and I can't imagine there really being that much general demand for parts or fixed up machines. A typical homeowner is more likely looking at a new sub $2000 machine at Home Depot than at an older, cruder, heavier duty tractor. I don't feel that those of us in this wierd hobby are very representative of the general demographic. Most people don't repair things. Many don't even mow their own grass anymore. Wheel Horse is not a widely recognized brand name either, so you'll have to cast a wider net and incorporate other colors immediately. The parts business is likely the more viable option. You can advertise and ship things to customers at great distance rather than service only those in your neighborhood. Corralling the junkpile and complying with local nuisance regulations will be the biggest hurdle. I'm not in agreement that prices for old junk are disproportionally up. Milk, gas, and bread cost more than they did 10 years ago too. I think pricing peaked in the 2007 timeframe. I've never owned a business, so don't know of all the pitfalls. You'll certainly get more advice here and please take what hbrooks has to say seriously. The thing that prompted my response has more to do with your future education plans. If you're going to college, some majors are much more time consuming and demanding than others. You may not have much - if ANY - freetime to devote to running your business and maintaining whatever assets you accumulate before you matriculate. It might make more sense in the immediate term to look for a job where you're letting your employer take the risks instead of you. I worked while I was in school and had an amazingly flexible and accomodating employer. And, I was lucky enough to have found a job where I made decent money compared to most of my friends. You may get lucky. Jobs are harder to find now than they were then, of course, but as an entry-level employee you're probably more employable (and cheaper) than a veteran. Push yourself harder in school so that your make yourself either better prepared to start a business later or a better candidate for the limited jobs that exist upon gradution. Chances are, you're not going to college to become a scrapyard proprietor. Follow your interests and dreams as much as you can, but also pay some attention to what is in demand in the job marketplace. Enough of my preaching. If you start any kind of business you've earned a great deal of respect from me and I suspect everyone else here. Just do the math and PLAN everything as extensively as possible before you jump in with both feet. Best of luck, Steve

Ah to be young again .... let me give you my own personal take based on 50 plus years of playing with all things mechanical and running a couple of very part time businesses (actually hobbies - more later). These are just my opinion and hopefully a few members with more tractor specific information will chime in. First - before you do anything - do the math. Plan A - how many tractors would you have to flip a year and how much profit per tractor would you have to make to make a living ???? The math doesn't work - not enough hours in a year - not enough tractors available. It might work as a sideline to a "small engine" repair shop where you repaired all things small and mechanical - but not standalone. Plan B - First, you need to expand your horizons to include all makes and models of old equipment - not just Wheelhorse. Second - in order to make a living you have to become large enough to turn over a lot of parts. What you will basically be running is a salvage operation. Look into local and state laws regulating salvage operators. Some states will require you to inventory each part against the purchase price of the tractor - you will spend a lot of time on bookkeeping if this is the case. Second - in many areas this type of operation is a magnet for local authorities in regards to everything from storage conditions to waste disposal - nothing will shut you down quicker than a cease and desist order from the local authorities.Third - you need to keep everything above board from an accounting standpoint - the IRS can shut you down as quick as local authorities. It's one thing to have a part time business dealing in restoration or parts. Even in the old car hobby few "restore and sell" places make a living solely from sales of cars - they have to supplement with repair work on the side and/or a going parts business. Second - very difficult to run as a one man show - a supply of fairly talented, cheap and reliable part time labor is essential - family preferred. Nothing is impossible at 17 - but crunching a few numbers should convince you that Plan A comes very close. It is extremely doubtful that Plan ""B would work as a standalone. In running numbers do a quick calculation on start up costs for equipment and inventory - tools are not cheap - not even at HF. Honestly not trying to throw cold water on your ideas - but "do the math" before you invest a lot of time in the process.... More experience than I care to remember ....

Hello all, these are a few of the pictures I got whilst at the UKs 2nd wheel horse round up. It was a great weekend with the sun shining bright ranging from 28-34 Degrees, sadly I caught the sun abit, suffering now lol, Hope everyone has/had a safe journey home, it was brilliant meeting all of you, and seeing your machines in person, they all look fantastic, especially Ian's 6X6 not only did it look brilliant it sounded absolutely amazing, well done for all your hard work with it,.. Huge thank you to the show hosts for making it happen, it was really an enjoyable weekend, Also a big thanks to Mark, Neil, and Chris for the stickers I got here and there, only problem is now I've got them all, I don't know where to put them, Here's the pictures I took I'm guessing others will upload there's as well,

My grandson loves to mow with me but as you can see he doesn't make it through the whole place, but when I stop to have his grandma take him he wakes up, he will sleep the whole time, through all the bumps and all. Just thought you guys might get a kick out of these.

If they want to put him on the cover fine. I think it should be a before and after Pics. Before as seen now and after of him hanging from a tree with a stick of TNT shoved up his *&#!!. Come on Really Rolling Stone, give publicity to a sworn combatant of the US.

To honor Mr. Ron Hough from TN, who sadly passed on some years back, I'm posting these pics of his crawler. I have no idea what happened to the tractor. Perhaps someone else can speak to that. These are pics from here on the forum at a past WHCC show

It's been a month and a half sense I got over to the farm to mow. Been raining here almost ever day for the last three weeks, can hardly keep my yard mowed. The last three time I had to mow my yard wet. Had a couple of days with only a small shower so I loaded up and went over to the farm. Here is a couple of pictures. We had another gully washer around an hour after I finished mowing.

Yep--- the wheat is in ---the beans are waist high ---and the corn is tasslen up at 10 ft. Best year I've ever seen for farming. My little working 120 Tecky keeps the roads open. Thanks to all for looking.

Somehow I wonder if I got this right or not?

Don't know the name yet, but I can tell you that these pictures are from the parking lot of Valley View Diner just south of there. (The photographer told me the Wheel Horse rigs picked up and delivered just off the next exit north on I-91)

Been looking for quite awhile and have been torn between an open or enclosed trailer. Both have their positives and negatives for my intended use, which other than hauling a few red ones around the place, I sometimes need to haul lumber/building materials, maybe a car, whatever...... I also needed to consider the possibility of a larger full size tractor in the future, (maybe)... I've liked the fact that the enclosed I used was secure and kept everything dry, but it was like towing a brick wall behind my old red Sierra, gas mileage sucked, Been using an open just recently and it's like there's nothing there. Well, I've gone and dragged an 18 ft flat bed car hauler home for future hauling duties. It's staying open at the moment, but may end up getting some tractor height front and sides, sort of like the low height motorcycle haulers..... At least I can take 3 or 4 comfortably now, the enclosed would only fit two and it was a pain in the rear to load.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I could do that.

I got this at a auction couple days ago. I'm thinking fix it up a little and repaint, not a full restore. I have always wanted a WH should be a fun project. I got the engine running yesterday, it was stuck when I got it. 01-16K801-15930 Kohler K341AS Are the rear wheels tires factory, they look a little small? Is a new rear fender still available? It is busted up on the other side.

Thank you for the acceptance in. This looks like a great forum!

Hi all! i am new here and just got first wheel horse D-180.

Hi all, I have got a little 1960 suburban 400 and I'm having problems with the transmisson. At first it was all very seized and stiff obviously due to the previous owner letting it sit outside. However it now selects all gears and works well except the right hand side hub(as you look from the back) is very stiff. When in neutral the left hand side one spins fine as it should however the right hand one is very stiff and I can only just turn it by hand but it takes a lot of effort then when in gear the left hand one spins fine again and obviously then spins the drive pulley however the right hand one you still can't spin very well. I have filled it with diesel numerous times to try and help however it's still very stiff. I have tried removing the hub however it is very tight on there and I can't remove it. What could this be? I'm not too great with transmissons so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Tom

Hey all, Picked up another 401 last night. This one came from a facebook tractor group. The guy wanted to part it out but luckily I stopped him. It was complete other than a engine, foot rests, and fenders. Its in really nice shape too! The previous owner said it had been repainted a couple times in the past, but it looks like they used close to the correct color. It has a nice mower deck and snow plow too. When I told the guy I would take it he didn't tell me it had a belt guard, he showed up the the tractor and it had an original belt guard! That was a big plus. I probably would of paid more for the tractor if I had known it had the guard. It is the narrower style guard like the 551 had but I will still use it and put it on. I spent about an hr this morning and had the tractor driving around the yard. I still have to hook up the throttle cables and put the belt guard on. But other than that it is probably done. I may end up painting the wheels, and I am thinking about repainting the engine blue. The transmission is in great shape, it still has a nice rubber boot on it. I don't plan to paint this tractor, I will keep it the way it is, I really have missed my 401 before I redid it, and having the snow plow like mine did was a real plus. I wouldn't be surprised if this one ends up with duals in the future. Here are pictures of it when I got it last night, and after I got it going. Jake original belt guard anyone know what these pieces are for? Here it is when I got it. The hitch is welded to the transmission! Not sure how I will fix that! after throwing a trusty k91 on it.

Thanks for the advice Cutlas! I appreciate it. I at least want to do a tractor business until I am out of college and then I will go from there. I will not be just doing tractor selling. I also want to have a repair/service business on the side.

Actually it's pretty quiet around here. Get up at 4:00 A..M. Fix all the screw-ups and try to keep about 1200 people happy and comfortable. Get home at 5:00 P.M. Eat and spend about an hour here trying to figure out who Craig is this week and hit the sack at 8

Too late.

I started in 1985 A&E Tractor Doctor in Norton, Ohio. I sold Wheel Horse and Lawnboy and at that time I had the best Tractor and walk behind that money can buy..Before starting the business I went to South Bend to meet and see the product being made. Very impressive. I was sad to see Toro taking over Wheel Horse and Lawnboy back in 1990 and decided to sell the business because I new that I couldn't back the product I was selling A&E stood for my daughter Amy and E for my son Eric.

yep, pretty much. I love seeing C/L ads when someone posts an 854 made in 68 or something. Or automatically it's a 60s tractor when it's from the 70s....

In "Manuals">Misc Items>Chart Wheel Horse by the Years: posted by Trouty56 has the modle number and year data! I believe that's one thing along with the other from Garry, it gives all available/approved attachments and replacement models. You can free download these manuals and others at no charge and save to your PC file. I carry them on a flash drive so can access anywhere PC avail.

All I can say is as am unfamiliar with axel dia. We have a few on here that will surely know all about that, so just check back and good luck with your project.

Got this gem on craigslist for 25 bucks!! Scratched the points cleaned the carb and that k91 runs great!! I love that cable recoil, think i will put it on my rj35.

Hello and

Isn't it amazing what vision, time, ability and available spending money can create?

That is really wild. Thanks for sharing Jim.

Let me first say there is nothing to be nervous about when it comes to these tranny's... they come part and go back together very easily. Now on to the issue described, IMO you have buildup of poo in the tranny. It could be located in the axel bushing and or the diff/carrier. With the way you have described the initial stiffness (and you plan on keeping the tractor) I would give it a complete field strip, cleaning and replacement of bearing/bushings and seals. Even if you get the axel to loosen up with diesel the seals will weep/leak fairly soon. In order to get the hub off the axel you will need a torched and a medium size gear puller

Its amazing when a plan comes together!

That is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time! The dude did a real nice job making it look like the real deal. Tonka should get in touch with this guy, that is one wicked promotional truck! I still have quite a bit of my old Tonka's from the very late 60's to the late 70's all still in excellent condition, that I won't part with. Thanks for posting!

Not rare, but very desirable by Wheel Horse collectors. If you search the forum for "Top 5" Wheel Horse models, the 701 come up frequently in those lists.

Have you replaced the condenser? Do you have another coil you could try?

Mike.........

Welcome to RS!

Welcome to red square :)

Howdy ! Just joined myself . I've already learned a boatload of stuff from folks here . This place is pretty addictive .

to , very informative, helpful, friendly place. Check out the great sections and y'll agree!

For all the information you could ever want and a lot of good reading buy a copy of Straight from the Horse's Mouth. You won't get the chance later at this price. The "Gallery" tab at the top of this page will show photos of nearly every model. If you post a few photos and the model numbers you will get replys for sure.

If your tractors still have their ID tags, list the numbers and we will be happy to tell you what you have. If not, post pictures. In the manuals section should be a list of what attachments fit what tractors.

Always glad to have a new fan. Let us know if you have a herd or single stalion. When you need information or help you will find it here!

I went hunting some wheels for the C165 from a mower shop came back with these. Raider 10 Judging from the tree it had set for a while. B81

Thanks for remembering us Vets. My custom is not exactly patriotic but I have been a street rodder for years and just couldn't resist;

I put up a Shelter King brand 12x20 many years ago and the steel frame has been fine. I built a 12x20 pressure treated frame with 3/4 T&G plywood for a floor and its also been great. My tarps roof generally last me 4-5 years before the suns UV rays weaken it to the point that I can poke my finger thru it with no effort (and they leak ). I ended up with 3 extra covers so I just do a swap when it gets weak. I suppose I could cover the weak tarp with a hardware store tarp when my final top is finished. The poles seem to be thick-walled pipe and not the flimsy painted white poles that the Harbor Freight kit gets you. I have had no issues with sagging or bending. I did not have any extra ends or doors so when the one end/door that I used gave up (zipper) I ended up building a wood front with double hinged doors. With the framing underneath its a nice clean place to work if need be, plus it never turns to mud inside. Mike............

Thanks Bob. This tractor came with a second complete GT14 in pieces. If I decide to do any restoring I will start on that one. They both came with mowing decks which I have no interest in if anyone wants or needs one.

To do the belt guard, I put the sturdiest 90 degree fold of the metal into the table vise on an old Bridgeport milling machine. I supported the overhanging part with some wood and held it with my free hand. I used a single 1/2" end mill and plunged through and made single passes. Filed the edges and de-burred the slots. I've seen other guys do something similar and I thought the slots would not only be functional, but add a cool louvered look. This tractor is a grass cutting beast and in great shape so I want to keep it nice.

Thought I would give this a little more perspective. Below is a picture of this dash while still attached to a C-160. Now compare it to the restored dash after Mike worked his magic. Amazing. Bob B)