May end up with a 857

[Simplecity 22]

Good Day All

  A local mower/small engine repair shop has offered me a Wheel Horse 857 (tractor only) seems the P.O. dropped it off for repair and then died.

 Tractor has been sitting inside for a couple of years. The Good: Really don't know if there is any good as the tractor is buried under a lot of 'stuff'.

 The shop owner says all the pieces that he removed are there. The tractor appears to be unmolested. Heavy patina (think rat rod).The reason for the PO dropping it off was a broken flywheel (Kohler 8hp starter/generator). Apparently the flywheel became loose and broke a chunk from the center (broken piece is there, that I could see).

 The Bad: Parts availability? The seat is trashed but it is there. Tires look to be original Dry rot unknown. Have no idea on motor/tranny condition. 

Price seems reasonable ($100.00) 

 Based on this info, do I take a chance or pass. 

 Thanks for your time

  Simplecity

[ebinmaine 67,420]

Absolutely get it. 

Parts availability is very good. 

 

Those little 8 HP engines are powerful for their size, run great, and sip fuel.  

 

 

[Pullstart 62,834]

857 is a great little machine!  It shouldn’t be too hard to find a flywheel, and other associated parts.

 

Here’s one we have, and modified it into a 1045 look alike.

 

 

[Monstrosity 1,127]

Hey Kevin you have a hood laying around for one??

[squonk 41,067]

58 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Absolutely get it. 

Parts availability is very good. 

 

Those little 8 HP engines are powerful for their size, run great, and sip fuel.  

 

 

I actually ran out of gas with mine today. Couldn't believe it! Haven't seen the bottom of the tank in years. It was shiny! 

[Pullstart 62,834]

3 hours ago, Monstrosity said:

Hey Kevin you have a hood laying around for one??

I don’t think I have any spare square hoods for a short frame.  

[Monstrosity 1,127]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

I don’t think I have any spare square hoods for a short frame.  

 Short or long doesn't matter if it's beat up the better 

[Pullstart 62,834]

20 minutes ago, Monstrosity said:

 Short or long doesn't matter if it's beat up the better 

 PM me

[Retired Wrencher 5,450]

Simplecity: I have had a few. I miss them all. Was always my go to tractor for a days work. I hope you end up getting it and fix it up right. Enjoy the ride.

[squonk 41,067]

12 minutes ago, Retired Wrencher said:

Simplecity: I have had a few. I miss them all. Was always my go to tractor for a days work. I hope you end up getting it and fix it up right. Enjoy the ride.

Perfect tractor for yard work. Tight turning radius, looks old school great show cruiser and never runs out of gas untill yesterday..

[Retired Wrencher 5,450]

1 minute ago, squonk said:

Perfect tractor for yard work. Tight turning radius, looks old school great show cruiser and never runs out of gas untill yesterday..

Ben there done that Mike.

[moe1965 737]

I m currently working on one now I have a 854 that got me hooked on the shorter frame tractors.   Amazed with the power it has pushing snow.  I have a spare mowing deck that I might part with so you can mow with it. Your not far from me I'm 30 miles west of Cleveland.    

[oliver2-44 9,729]

17 hours ago, Simplecity said:

Wheel Horse 857 

Price seems reasonable ($100.00) 

Have you picked it yet 

Are you at least on the way 

 

Dont let some other clown beat you to it now that we know where it is 

[Simplecity 22]

Good Evening

  Thanks to all who responded.

    Truth be told there are TWO lawn tractors that can be had, The other is a JD214 w/deck. It was dropped of for service and then abandoned. That was also a couple of years ago. The shop owner says it will need the fuel system drained and cleaned. Other than that it should be good to go as it ran well. 

     I know the owner well, great guy. I pick his brain regularly and drop him off a 12 pack of Pepsi. 

     Anyway, it is a $200 package deal. With the encouragement received from the responses, I will 'pull the trigger' next week. Once I get it home I'll attempt to post some pics.

     I have no use for the JD so I'll flip that one (have no idea what a fair price would be).

10 hours ago, moe1965 said:

I m currently working on one now I have a 854 that got me hooked on the shorter frame tractors.   Amazed with the power it has pushing snow.  I have a spare mowing deck that I might part with so you can mow with it. Your not far from me I'm 30 miles west of Cleveland.    

 moe1965

   I am interested in the deck.

   Simplecity

[ebinmaine 67,420]

You'll be very pleased with the Wheelhorse. Good call to pick it up. 

Absolutely ANY help you need/want is here on this site too. 

 

Pricing on that jd would be determined by your local area as well as condition. 

A quick look at cheap disposable products at a box store will show you a bare minimum no frills rig is $2500 new. 

A nicer condition modern used machine should easily get close to half that. 

Around here in Southern Maine my favorite shop says anything that runs drives and cuts grass is worth $400 minimum. That's for a worn out old 💩.

If that jd has a nice seat, decent tires and the paint looks OK I wouldn't even think about taking less than $600-$800. 

 

[Simplecity 22]

Good Morning All

  The 857 and the 214 have been purchased.

  Plan is to flip the JD.  The 857 will be made runable, Undecided if I want to repaint or enjoy the patina as is.

  Sorry no pics yet will take some as it emerges from storage.

  Simplecity   

[D_Mac 8,607]

In the mean time here is a pic of my old 857. Great tractor. No complaints on it.

[Retired Wrencher 5,450]

@Simplecity When you can post up some picks of it. If I where you painting is pain at best. A good cleaning  will help and apply oil or I use Marvel on the tins to bring out some color and stop any rusting. Enjoy the project.

[Simplecity 22]

Good Morning All

  Went to shop this morning to get some pics of the tractors. I was also able to score a flywheel  (yesterday) from a long time Wheel Horse fellow in nearby Swanton. I didn't think $25 was a bad price seeing that the one on Fleabay was going for close to a 'C' note by the time you added shipping/tax.

  Anyway, Friday morning is when they will come to the house.

  Pics: JD is first, then the 857. 

[Retired Wrencher 5,450]

   @Simplecity  If that 857 was mine I would take my time clean every part. I am doing this to a 1057 now. I am also tap and die all holes and bolts to brining it back to speck. After 57 years of running and working a lot dirt and grease build up on these parts.It will pay you back in the end. Enjoy the project. Also That steering wheel might be bad. Those to me looked the best but after a while they did not hold up from grabbing and pulling on it to get off the tractor.

Edited May 22 by Retired Wrencher