Rob J. 1,942 #1 Posted June 30, 2023 Well went and did it again. This little guy came from NW Indiana. The story goes an older gentleman bought this new back in 64 and owned it up until the last 15 years due to his passing. Neighbor was friendly with the family and would help them out from time to time. About 5 years ago the gentleman’s widow called him over one day and gave it to him. Very nice of her. Next 3 years his son would use it to ride around the yard in then it sat for a couple more years. Was always garage kept. The older gentleman obviously took good care of it because it’s in better shape than me and he’s older. 🫤 It has been touched up in a few spots what looks to be IH Red brushed on but tastefully applied. The good, starts, runs, drives and mows, straight metal all around. Very little rust, Tank doesn’t leak and screw holes aren’t stripped, original tires that are NOT weather cracked, original carb, oh and of course an original nearly mint backrest pad. The bad, some brushed on paint in spots(doesn’t look too bad), gear shifter is loosey goosey but works, replacement gas bowl but have the original, pan seat has cracking (replaced temporarily for repair) parking brake needs adjusted, right deck spindle cover has cracking. All in all I’m very pleased. He still needs a major bath and the general round of maintenance. Gitty up, cheers! F26715EB-ED8D-4F23-99EC-FA9A48624AC0.mov 6 13 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,540 #2 Posted June 30, 2023 Beautiful ride there Sir! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill in VA 1,452 #3 Posted June 30, 2023 Those 45 degree bar lug tires that have Wheel Horse on them are extremely hard to find! To me the 854 was the best looking of Wheel Horse models. Wild Bill in Richmond VA 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,580 #4 Posted June 30, 2023 Nice! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #5 Posted June 30, 2023 (edited) Rob - nice score. The 854 is a great worker. Looks to have one repaint. Replacement correct muffler. Time for a new shift boot?? Removing the shifter will allow you to peek inside . and adjust the looseness in the shifter upon assembly. Nice to see the removable side covers are in good shape and intact on the "suitcase" deck.... most go missing. Edited June 30, 2023 by ri702bill 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,129 #6 Posted June 30, 2023 I have some nice deck gear covers you can have for the cost of shipping if you need them. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,459 #7 Posted June 30, 2023 Rob glade to see that vintage in that condition. That is something to proud of. Ohh I see your Shepard is like mine. Always 5 to 10 feet away. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treepep 564 #8 Posted June 30, 2023 Very nice find sir! Good pup. Now... Lets see that truck in front of it 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,318 #9 Posted June 30, 2023 Super nice and some great history! I wouldn’t change much on it except for that white grill. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #10 Posted June 30, 2023 1 hour ago, Retired Wrencher said: Rob glade to see that vintage in that condition. That is something to proud of. Ohh I see your Shepard is like mine. Always 5 to 10 feet away. Thanks but actually was the sellers dog. He’s about 150 lbs. big dog! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #11 Posted June 30, 2023 37 minutes ago, Sparky said: Super nice and some great history! I wouldn’t change much on it except for that white grill. My thoughts exactly Sparky! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #12 Posted June 30, 2023 57 minutes ago, Rob J. said: My thoughts exactly Sparky! I have seen pictures like that - always seems to be too overdone. Just the letters in white is just enough.... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailman 1,291 #13 Posted June 30, 2023 Very nice score!! Really cool to have the full history too. Congrats. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #14 Posted June 30, 2023 9 hours ago, Rob J. said: and the general round of maintenance. Watching the video, I see the voltage regulator rocking and the ammeter, though charging, is erratic. Is a chunk missing on the S/G belt?? And perhaps ground issue?? NICE to see the original 2 spoke steering wheel is not bent or distorted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,969 #15 Posted June 30, 2023 " Went out and did it again" I would do the same. That's a nice one right there. I hope to add a nice 854 to my little collection one day. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #16 Posted June 30, 2023 1 hour ago, ri702bill said: Watching the video, I see the voltage regulator rocking and the ammeter, though charging, is erratic. Is a chunk missing on the S/G belt?? And perhaps ground issue?? NICE to see the original 2 spoke steering wheel is not bent or distorted. You may be right. I haven’t done anything to it yet. I did notice what you’re talking about. Sometimes it functions properly and then sometimes it bounces around. I think the generator works because I’ve started several times and so had the previous owner on the same 3 year old battery. I plan on changing the belts. It’s nice to have the original everything but belts I’ll replace for sure. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #17 Posted June 30, 2023 1 hour ago, Wheel-N-It said: " Went out and did it again" I would do the same. That's a nice one right there. I hope to add a nice 854 to my little collection one day. I hope you do to! They’re neat little tractors. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #18 Posted June 30, 2023 6 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Beautiful ride there Sir! Thanks Eric! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #19 Posted June 30, 2023 4 hours ago, Treepep said: Very nice find sir! Good pup. Now... Lets see that truck in front of it Unfortunately that was the sellers Ford truck. 🙁 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #20 Posted June 30, 2023 51 minutes ago, Rob J. said: It’s nice to have the original everything but belts I’ll replace for sure. Changing the dual "matched set" cutting deck belts can be an adventure...let @Handy Don chime in on that... I went thru a 67 32" deck last fall - takes a bit of patience..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,129 #21 Posted June 30, 2023 39 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Changing the dual "matched set" cutting deck belts can be an adventure...let @Handy Don chime in on that... I went thru a 67 32" deck last fall - takes a bit of patience..... Lots of rags! 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #22 Posted June 30, 2023 (edited) Just fartin around and washed him up pretty good and stuck my hood ornament on I had Wheel Horse 3D make for me. It will go on the 854 Chief project eventually. Also the right side sticker came off so I cleaned it up and stuck a new one on. Gitty Up! Happy Independence Day holiday!!! Edited June 30, 2023 by Rob J. 2 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,821 #23 Posted June 30, 2023 9 hours ago, Wheel-N-It said: " Went out and did it again" I would do the same. That's a nice one right there. I hope to add a nice 854 to my little collection one day. I had one ...and I sold it... 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,232 #24 Posted July 1, 2023 (edited) There’s definitely a good reason that you see so many of those decks for sale with the dual final drive belts in place, even when the belts are shot! Let us know when you decide to do the change and be very sure to get the spec’d belts (the length, profile, and height are all critical). It is a bit of an adventure, but you’ll learn A LOT about how WH engineers were thinking. I lucked into my 854 but am so glad I did. Like @Wild Bill in VA, something about the overall look and stance just says “tractor” to me. Edited July 1, 2023 by Handy Don 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob J. 1,942 #25 Posted July 8, 2023 On 6/30/2023 at 7:00 AM, Sparky said: Super nice and some great history! I wouldn’t change much on it except for that white grill. Couldn’t stand it any longer. 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
