Wild Bill in VA 1,452 #1 Posted December 27, 2022 A trip up to Pennsylvania to my parent's house for Christmas and the subject came up on what to do with the B-80 Wheel Horse. Now unfortunately they are no longer able to use this B-80 so a call was made to my nephews to see if they could the B-80 with mower deck and snowplow and they declined because they had some heavier machinery. Now some history about this Wheel Horse B-80, about 20 years ago my parents owned a Bolens garden tractor that came with the house they bought in 1969. I grew up on the Bolens and it had been welded, sections cut out of the hood and a Chevrolet hi beam headlight welded to the hood, it was worn out and the Bolens was traded for a hood for the B-80 up at Ray's Mower Shop in Boyertown, PA. I gave Dad and Mom the Wheel Horse B-80 ..... I mean why would I let my parents use any other brand! This B-80 was purchased by me from a farmer who used to run a big tractor show every summer and it was in rough shape but repairable. So, in 4-degree weather pulled the B-80 out of the shed, not an easy task being the right front tire was flat ..... that's frozen flat, I could not fill the tire up with air because the tire was off the rim bead and frozen that way. I had to jack the B-80 up and remove the wheel and put inside the house by the heater so it would thaw out and get back into shape. This gave me time to find out that nobody had checked the oil and the oil level was low. Filled the oil up to the full mark and put a charger on the battery. I was told the B-80 was started about 2 years ago so I was optimistic about it running again without major adjustments but in 4-degree weather nuttin' wants to start! With the help of a little either the Kohler 8hp finally started but it would only idle and as soon as the clutch pedal was let up and the drive belt turned the Unidrive drive pulley the engine cut off, the transmission oil was that dang cold! This kept up until the engine finally warmed up, it also helped to back out the carburetor adjustment screws 1/2 turn. The ignition tune up I put on the Kohler 8hp back in 2003 still was good and will start every time with a charged battery. I might use this B-80 for snowplow duty or just to cut the lawn. Wild Bill in Richmond VA 7 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,315 #2 Posted December 27, 2022 It looks respectable…not all hacked up. Agree with putting it to work 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,849 #3 Posted December 27, 2022 Do I see 1045 front tires, or are they different? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,315 #4 Posted December 27, 2022 3 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Do I see 1045 front tires, or are they different? Similar, but they are different. Commonly found on the 70’s C and B series. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,454 #5 Posted December 27, 2022 (edited) Bill, nice post. I have had a few of these B80`s 4 and 8 speeds. Dollar for dollar these tractors are a work horse, and they do not take up much room and very reliable. Enjoy it every day! Edited December 27, 2022 by Retired Wrencher 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,465 #6 Posted December 27, 2022 Excellent! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #7 Posted December 27, 2022 That is a great story Bill. Your play by play of moving that old girl in suck low temps reminded me of my first senior. Same conditions and bought site unseen. Getting her out of sheet with cold flat tires and onto my trailer my myself was not easy but I was determined! 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike avad 41 #8 Posted March 23, 2023 nice tractor I just got one a few weeks ago 8speed run good 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
