Simplecity 22 #1 Posted May 17 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 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,500 #2 Posted May 17 Absolutely get it. Parts availability is very good. Those little 8 HP engines are powerful for their size, run great, and sip fuel. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,882 #3 Posted May 17 857 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. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monstrosity 1,128 #4 Posted May 17 Hey Kevin you have a hood laying around for one?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,118 #5 Posted May 17 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! 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,882 #6 Posted May 18 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monstrosity 1,128 #7 Posted May 18 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 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,882 #8 Posted May 18 20 minutes ago, Monstrosity said: Short or long doesn't matter if it's beat up the better PM me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,457 #9 Posted May 18 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,118 #10 Posted May 18 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.. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,457 #11 Posted May 18 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moe1965 738 #12 Posted May 18 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. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,751 #13 Posted May 18 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 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simplecity 22 #14 Posted May 19 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 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,500 #15 Posted May 19 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. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simplecity 22 #16 Posted May 20 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 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Mac 8,619 #17 Posted May 20 In the mean time here is a pic of my old 857. Great tractor. No complaints on it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,457 #18 Posted May 21 @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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simplecity 22 #19 Posted May 21 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. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,457 #20 Posted May 22 (edited) @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 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
