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Mrs. P. loves her OBS Chevy Suburban. She loves it so much in fact, that she wanted to park De Ette during the salty seasons. I don’t blame her. We also realized that Norman isn’t always the most friendly road trip vehicle and he’s the only one that gets double digit fuel mileage on most days. We set out on Saturday to look at up to 5 Suburban (bodied) vehicles, including GMC and Cadillac brands. Just no Tahoe/Yukon short wheelbase rigs. Our budget in mind was landing us from some special 2015 models to some base 2021 models. She made contacts with all the sellers, I just put in my 2 cents along the way. Our first pick, a 2018 GMC Yukon Denali XL (XL in the GMC line indicating Suburban length) turned out to be a 2WD rig and I found it out by literally pawing around on the ground at the dealership, rain, wind, etc. but I needed to see what I was going to sign for. We never heard it run. The salesman asked me for my ID, barely made communication with her. We constructively criticized the new salesman for the ad, and looked at a Caddy that was on the lot. It was clean but made a lot of noise. I left the lot in the driver’s seat. We made it 1/4 mile and switched. I proceeded to crawl around the cabin area while she drove a little neighborhood finding all the noises, seats rattling, ceiling crackling, way bad. The Carfax comparable report indicated a major front on collision had taken place more than once and we were out. Our second vehicle was a private party. 2015 Cadillac Escalade Sport. We didn’t realize at the time, but Sport indicates the Tahoe length. Everything about it, the seller, the maintenance records, garage parked and regularly detailed, says we need to act on this one. Maybe we can deal with the shorty back end. While we waited for his weekend plans and ours to jive, we contacted another dealer about option #3. A 2021 LT model Suburban. LT sounds kind of lame now days, but the newer LT is more flashy than the 2015 LTZ we once had. It was priced fair, maybe too fair. It sold minutes before we contacted the dealer. We asked if they had anything comparable and were led to a 2015 Suburban, but it seemed too high miles for our taste and a bit ragged on. Looking through their online inventory, we found this 2019 Z71 Suburban. I am like a cub bear with boxing gloves with my new “smart” phone and I saw the entire 32 count picture gallery scroll in about .012 seconds. Did I just see a blower under the hood? I’m thumbing back through, frustrating Mrs. P at my haste and had to explain I just saw something that doesn’t belong and I need to find it again. Sure enough, WHIPPLE cast into a blower, atop a 5.3L engine! This dealer had a free carfax link posted online and much to my surprise and major taste, it had lived in Colorado it’s entire life. The salesman made sure we understood that this was not a soccer mom car any more and we were well aware of that. We said we’ be there in 10 minutes. Now we need to back up to option #2. This owner through Facebook marketplace ends up being mutual friends with 8 of Mrs. P’s colleagues, friends, family even. We had to at least pay him the respect of pulling through with an appointment. 2:30 we’ll be there. 2:00 PM. Now we’re torn. We meet the dealer of the supercharged Z71. We see this beautiful truck. We hear the whine of the 2.7 liter Whipple blower. We hear the absolute beast roar of the Borla exhaust. We know that this is the one. Nope, it’s surely not the one for everyone, but we aren’t everyone. Momma’s daily driver goes about 6 miles a day. Her 8 mpg if we’re lucky is just fine. It’s more about a modern truck that she can daily drive and we can pack the family or friends in it for a road trip. He made a copy of her license, tossed her the keys, and we rolled out. A quick ride and we were sold, but we were 20 minutes from our next appointment and 15 minutes drive time away. We told the dealer we are very interested but need a price. There was an MSRP online but we never heard a sale price from him. We also said we have to honor our next appointment, but hope to be back by their 3 o’clock closing time. We cruised across town, met our private party salesman, made the small talk about the crazies on Marketplace and Craigslist, took it for a stroll, let him down easy. Time to fly back to the blowerburb! Before leaving the lot, the salesman told us his price, but indicated that it was on the lot over 140 days and had to move, so he was willing to make a deal. We got back and played the hardball game. He was granted the lot owner’s permission, showed us their physical lot sheet showing each vehicle’s purchase/trade price, days on the lot, and current sale price. To the dollar, they asked us for their purchase price. We shook hands. This thing. It’s clean. It’s beautiful. It’s got a loud button under the driver’s right foot. It drives very well under normal conditions. Push that skinny pedal and it’s a monster! According to GM, the truck stock makes 355 HP. According to Whipple, the blower at 7-8 lbs of boost makes over 200 HP. That’s a claimed 550+ HP. A 2020 Corvette makes up to 495 HP. This is literally a race car feel in a soccer mom body. Practical? Yeah. If it’s driven with respect. Fun when we need it to be? Sure is! Now how did a vehicle like this live in Colorado for so long, then land in Michigan all of the sudden? Our salesman told us the story. Military. Momma’s ride was an Army soldier’s baby. He was injured and honorably discharged. He moved back home to live near family and traded this in on a Jeep that was a bit more practical for him. I am thankful for our men and women in uniform. I am so sad to know we are riding in his pride and joy because he can’t. I hope that he knows somehow, that we are honored to be the new stewards of this ride!

Literally the title of this thread but in a different manner and for a different purpose. No vehicles involved, just some very sharp tools. The carvings on these pierced yokes have to be worked from both front and back . Therefore during the piercing step specifically the cleanup, it is very important to stay true and accurate to the lines marked. That would involve tedious constant turning of yoke and looking at other side which would make it a nightmare of a job. Most times one doesn’t cut or pare all the way to the other side but is has to be watched closely specially if using the very small keyhole saw to make sure it is not going astray which would be catastrophic in this type of work. So to minimize or virtually eliminating all the turning of workpiece, I raise it on the carving table to allow a “ floating “ mirror and a light between it and the table. They can be moved as needed. Mirror is two sided one side magnifying subject. Another benefit of light is showing exactly the surface left by the carving tool by reflecting on its curved facets unlike the light emitted on the front of piece. That shows exactly the quality of the surface left allowing one to correct it if less than desirable. Light and mirror in between workpiece and table String allows mirror to be moved where needed Lines on opposite side clearly and easily seen Position of tool such as keyhole saw clearly seen on opposite side Tool marks and quality clearly seen due to backlighting. Areas needing correction are clearly visible

T & E Wheelhorse Stables... AKA Trina and Eric... ... is making another attempt at spreading the appreciation affliction addiction. My father has had a box store riding mower that he bought used, for several years. It wasn't great when he got it. It's been getting less great the whole time. Knowing the understanding that Trina and I have of being able to repair machinery he's sought out our advice and opinions a few times. Knowing his mower was getting to a point of being financially not viable to repair I decided to keep an eye out for a Wheelhorse my parents could use. @PWL216 has treated us right twice now. Paul and his wife are good people. Thank you folks. He'd mentioned he was looking at swapping around/thinning his Herd so I said keep me posted on what HYDROS you have available. My father's old mower had the ability to change "gears" but really was a simplified transmission closer in usage to a hydro. Well a few weeks later after some gabbing and back n forth between me, Trina, my parents, and Paul ... He was nice enough to drop off this C121 project right at my parent's house. Trina and I have picked it up and brought it to Maine where we'll put it through our shop and get it back together for the spring mowing season. Now the introduction. I've created a new Supporter Membership for my father. His username is @Qball Given name is Bruce. He, and my mom, Karen, will be able to follow along with whatever TRINA gets done on this tractor. 😂 We all joke about her doing all the work but we all know you GOT to keep a Trina person busy. She absolutely loves working on these machines. I'll be helping with the grunt work of course and going through the wiring harness as usual. We'll work it in between other projects because it doesn't need to be back down to Massachusetts til maybe April. We have a LOT of things to do here between now n then as well.

Winter beater? I was more expecting something like this ! Sweet ride though

Thanks Eric and Trina

Those are really tough to mow under.......

That’s true enough!

Awesome story so far, @Qball! You’ve created quite the Skrewball!

Under the hood

@Qball!!! Your kid is, shall we say, entertaining... We know Trina will do a good job and @ebinmaine will, well... uhm, entertain...

You went out on a quest to find a winter beater and ended up with a real beauty. Nice find and great backstory. That is too nice to subject to the salted roads and nasty winter weather, Better go find a beater now.

Tossing in a vote for the 42 RD. Extends just a bit past the track of the (8.5”, no spacer) wheels on both sides so you can get close to flower beds, walls, etc, (It won’t go under a post and rail, though). Gets close on either side which is helpful when you are mowing around a fair number of obstacles. Cut is wide enough that typically you do not need to overlap the tire path from the previous cutting pass. Somewhat heavier than a 36 but still pretty narrow (unless you have a known “37 inch passage” that you must get through!) With a flap on the discharge (we used a piece of 4” vinyl cove), you can keep the clippings very well under control and NONE wind up being sucked in by the engine fan (unless it’s really really dry and windy!) They do poorly at rock chucking.

If it were me, I would keep the 36 inch Rd deck. Several reasons: not as heavy (the older I get weight of decks is a big factor), I can get close to everything 'less time weed whacking. I have a lot of allergies, one being grass and the Rd decks help with that problem. I have one 36SD deck that is used for leaves with my Trac Vac. (got that one from @Ed Kennell)I do have a 42 Rd that is the backup mower (that came from @squonk). You always need a spare deck in case one retires it self when you are halfway thru mowing. (just like tractors).

I really pulled out my inner @PeacemakerJack on that one!

Here is a selection of manuals for the D-200 and accessories that work with it. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, we are here to help. https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?q=D-200&quick=1&type=downloads_file

Hey all, just acquired my first tractor, a Wheelhorse D200 yesterday. Eager to learn all I can about is and get it running and back to work.

Hi @WHX??, here are two better pics of the dealer pic. I picked the blade, weights and chains up in Sparta, WI, about 1-1/2 hour from Arlington. Not sure if the older gentleman I purchased the package deal from had the stuff a long time or not. Glad the dealer sticker stirred up some memories. Mike

Congrats on the new wheels. Agree on it now being a difficult decision about which one gets to see the ice and salt. Only one thought...you aren’t gonna put any poor, defenseless horses outdoors to make room to winter store one of those humungous trucks, are you?

Don't give him any ideas - a "Cannonball Run" with 8 WH tractors on the trailer in tow.....

If the switch has a magneto terminal it never makes a connection with the battery because that would release the magic smoke from the ignition module. Have never seen a switch with a magneto terminal and a coil terminal. Plus have never seen a coil terminal on a switch.

Or make his infamous multi-day multi-state pick up runs even faster!!!

Kevin - was that part of a Po-lice package????? Could came in handy for chasing out those pesky out-of-state Horse Rustlers...

Some stains are worth a million bucks...misty water colored memories.

Adding link or two you can use the smaller pliers even just a chisel and some pry bars. But when you are adding cross links to go from 4 to 2 the right tool will make it easier. You can pick up old car/truck chains cheap at auctions as no one ever seems to know what size but you can make them fit your WHs. The chains on my blower horse are Army surplus Weed Brand chains for jeeps. Bag was dated 1956 never used. Yo can see the links are bigger thicker She rides a bit rough even at 2 link spacing...

We gotta keep De Ette looking nice now! I do not like the steering geometry of the Superlift bracket kit. I think since she has a nice ride for all seasons now I might see about planning a solid axle swap for the front of the big one.

Sorry Kev gotta side with Richard on this. I just best come get it. Don't worry T... I'll bring over the fish truck for you to run. A true winter beater and every time you see the wine stain on the carpet you get to think of @stevasaurus...

Hmm... cinching up the lap belt and adjusting the sunglasses at the stoplight might be a warning......!!

Looks to be a pretty nice machine to start with. Love the rear discharge deck. Qball will enjoy it I’m sure. Welcome aboard Qball!

I only use one deck generally. It’s powder coated orange and it’s 52” wide. It has a super high blade tip speed and works very well! SCAG

Are any of the driveline components upgraded to deal with the increased power? I’m on my third Volvo wagon, this one with an electric super-charger on top of the turbo. I’ve always considered them wolves in plain wrappers. Like your new rig, quite docile until let out.

Testing this thread to make sure I set up the Qball account correctly.

I just spent the weekend at my Sisters cabin near Meyersdale.

48SD several acres to mow. Not so good for trimming close work but then it is weed wacker time. Really would hate to give up the 36 RD for that work.

If I read the Model number as 0630 then you have a 1974. Love my D200 with the Arc FEL just like yours.

You ain't wrong

There are different styles of chain pliers. The small ones will work OK on Garden tractor new cheap light chains. Most of my chains are madeup/modified old car/truck chains. If you have to make significant changes to those your hands will get really tired . The big one makes it easy but it is a bit awkward. Note how one handle is flattened you put that on the ground step on it to hold it while you push down on the other handle. Got my big one at an auction for $5. no body knew what it was

I’ll get the Greasy Pete for sure! Also, we have unlimited car wash packages at the joint about 2.5 miles down the road. They have a 10 hour full brush wash, and a 24 hour touchless wash, both included in the package. Sometimes we use it 3-5 times a week, sometimes once every month. It is all depending on the vehicle’s needs and road conditions.

Congrats!

Welcome. Nice machine. Starting your Wheel Horse journey with a loader, excellent! Please post with updates on your repair progress.

Yap you be right in both. I found few good deals, but not only one close on my site. Checked several Way’s but a simple transport of Tractorparts incl.Tax and duty of one crate over 250Kilos is 1500€ to my Door. This year i spent the Money better to be live on the WH BigShow. - who knows what i have after that to crate... 😎🤐

I think it all depends on how much grass you have to cut and how many obstacles you have to cut around. Their all great decks I've used them all, but in the long run my for acre and a half of grass with some trees and flower bed my choice is either the 42"rd or the 36"rd. I've use the 36"rd most of the time, for the last 35+ years, well up until I bought a Zero turn .

Valid

@Qball

48SD for me. 42 and smaller make for some difficulty around fences. I have alot of those, and a fair amount to mow. My 60 is the best, but it is bleeping heavy (300lbs). My zero turn is the primary mower anyway, but my Wheel Horses have to do backup work from time to time and in places the Scag won't fit.

@Pullstart good story , good for both of you ! related , counter and relatively easy , to get behind the fender mounting start area . penetrating lubricant , will creep down to the wheel opening edges . verify its protection , with an oil film there , instead of rot out . very easy to see what's going to happen , just look for a similar truck in any parking lot ! tail gate is also very easy , door / floor entry area , been doing this for many years on all my vehicles , zero rust / rot , also wash it down as often as possible , that road salt , is nasty ,Pete

Happy Birthday Buddy celebrate the Day 🎁🎂🍺

You asked for it @WHX?? Sorry EB . Happy Birthday

Interestingly, I ordered the chains a couple of years ago and had to remove two sections for them to fit properly on my old, worn 23x9.50x12 turf tires. Here is what I wrote at the time back in December 2016: "I just bought a set of chains for my 416-H marked 23 x 9.50 x 12. The links were 14" including the hooks that connect them to the side links. I had to remove two cross-links from each chain, ending up with a total of 37 side links going around the outside of the tire. Each of the side links was 1-1/2" long. I slightly over-inflated the tires after installing the chains to make them a little more snug."  It's amazing how much different in size the new tires are over the old ones. Now I am trying to find the sections that I cut off in hopes that I can reattach them.