Which Wheel Horse Tractor to get?

[mazzbob 8]

HELLO ALL:

 

I am looking into, new to me Wheel Horse GT Units.

 

 

I have been trying to find a tractor, that will do it all for me, whereby the chore of maintaining my property becomes a little bit easier.  

 

I have a Bolens 900 Tractor that came with a 38" Mower Deck model 189446-02 and 32" model 18514-01/02, Snowcaster.

 

I also have a IH-1450 Cub Cadet, has hydraulic lift, Deck, Blade & SS/Blower.  The CUB Mower Cut is professional, the Bolens cut is not as good. The Cub, Front Blade, is awesome for the snow but, the SS/ Blower (Sucks) even with the Flap mod, it does not throw the wet heavy snow well & clogs up and I am not fan of the Mules Drives as they are PIA to setup and get working each season.

 

I have to make a decision which Tractor to keep, or replace both and start anew. We really do not have the storage space for 2 units on the property, & the development has rules which have become problematic & I can not move. 

 

There are advantages and limitations to both Tractors.   I need one tractor that will do it all.     The Bolens has the Adjustable Rear Traction Option which is amazing for plowing and Snow removal, not so good for Mowing. The Cub Mower Deck and Blade are great but Blower not so good.

 

At this point, after experiencing many disappointments on my current units. I'm looking into Wheel Horse Units which maybe able to do it all.

 

I have ½ Acre which is hilly, a Rear Discharge Mower Deck and Good Operating Snow Blower to move Heavy Wet Snow & a Blade would be an asset.

 

ANY and ALL suggestions are welcome.

[Achto 27,562]

@mazzbob

If I could only have one  I guess I would look for a 520H, w/ a 48" deck and a 2 stage snow thrower. A front blade would be nice as well, but I would not take the time in the winter to change from a blower to a blade. Sure I would find more summer chores for the blade.

 

Changing implements is not my favorite thing to do, that's why I have designated tractors for each implement. 

 

 

[Handy Don 12,204]

A much a fan of WH as I am, asking one machine to do everything perfectly is a daunting challenge.

 

As I read your post, and living myself not too far from Middletown, it seems the single most frequent use will be mowing. How complicated is the mown area regarding edges, obstacles, and boundaries? You don’t mention any trees but if you (or your close neighbors) have them, then fall leaf cleanup might be the second most frequent. You don’t mention either, if you prefer to cut-and-leave, bag, mulch, or sweep. These are important factors.

 

Individual snowfalls in this neck of the woods have exceeded 10 inches only a couple of times in the past decade. Last year there was only one significant dump plus a few that were under three inches. Snowfall is trending toward fewer inches of wetter and denser precipitation. A two-stage blower might do better than a single in the right snow, but you don’t mention the amount of area that needs clearing, its accessibility, the surface (paved or not), where to put moved snow, and slope. Very important factors for deciding between blade and blower.

 

My 2¢? A 314-H or 416-H (or an older C-160 with hydro) with a 42” or 48” mower that you like and a dozer blade could do you well and, bonus, can tow stuff around like a trailer. Fill in some of the other info and I’ll be happy to refine my thinking!

Edited July 30 by Handy Don

[mazzbob 8]

Yes,  I forgot to mention obstacles, trees and leaves.  I use the Cub to Mulch the grass and leaves & it does a good job of that.  I am thinking the use of a rear discharge Mower Deck because a side discharge unfortunately sometimes ends up on the neighbors property and I have to be extra careful about that as I have had some drama over it recently with one neighbor.  So I have to cut on that side of the property backwards not to blow grass clippings and leaves onto that property but it's doable.     Last winter here In Middletown, which is West of you in Cortlandt, New York, we only had 3 incidents of deep snow 10, 14 & 22, inches.  Middletown being in a valley we get more accumulation from PA.   I have a 2 car wide paved asphalt driveway of 65 ' long,  on a slope.  DPW plows the street, that snow,  gets compacted,  at the edge of the drive, which can be at least 36" high & 4' wide or more.   The snow can not be moved back to the street therefore,  the only place is to move it along the edges of the driveway.  I can use the plow to move snow the length of the driveway,  & it does a great job,  but that moved snow,  goes onto the neighbors property which causes drama.  Therefore, I have to plow the width of the drive and as such,  I can not develop enough speed, with the plow to push that heavy wet snow deep enough even with wheel weights + hanged weights. (a FEL would do better in that regard).  I have been using my walk behind 2 Stage which moves the snow to the edges of the driveway.   I would rather use a tractor to do that.   The Cub-Single Stage even with the Flapper Mod, does not cut it,  in wet snow, especially the DPW compacted snow at the edge of the drive. I used the Cub Blower only once last season where it couldn't move the snow, it got clogged or couldn't throw it, therefore I removed it from the Tractor as it was useless & went back to using the Walk Behind 2 Stage.  So far The CUB and Bolens are good but not at everything I need.   I am hoping perhaps a Wheel Horse can work if I can get the RIGHT UNIT, that can do it all.  

Edited July 31 by mazzbob

[PWL216 889]

I think a 314 or and 400 series would work well. In my opinion, a 2-stage snowblower would need to be a dedicated machine because they are heavy and a bi*ch to store/move and not easy to swap to a deck, as an example. I realize they do a better job than a single stage, but to me the trade-off isn’t worth it. Unless you need to throw the snow along way, I’d stick with the single stage. I mow about 1/2 acre with a 36” rear discharge deck. If it takes me a few extra passes then using a big deck, I’m OK with that. I’ve had 48 inch decks in the past and have sold them. Unless you have a big yard, I don’t see the need for it. Again, you have to think about the ease of changing the implements and moving them as well as storing them. And of course maintaining them. I also use a 42” rear discharge and a 42” side discharge but the 36” is might go to.  

[Handy Don 12,204]

2 hours ago, mazzbob said:

I am hoping perhaps a Wheel Horse can work if I can get the RIGHT UNIT, that can do it all.  

Thanks for the additional descriptions--especially your desire to avoid neighbor drama.

 

WH had only the 42” recycler (there are a couple threads here where mulching is discussed). I personally prefer rear discharge both for maneuverability and because the discharge doesn’t go where I don’t want it (patios, flowerbeds, sidewalks, etc). You’ll find 36" and 42” for the later model tractors--“C” and 3,4, and 500s. Simple bagging was possible with the 2-blade 37” SD but that model works best only on models with 6” front wheels (310 or 312) or a swept front axle (later 520-H). 42 and 48 SDs can bag using an aux blower. 

 

I’m with @PWL216 as far as snowblowers go, too. The 2-stage is heavy and bulky and you don’t have the option of a dedicated machine. Lots of folks here are doing very well with the one-stage units. Almost any blower will clog if not fed at the right pace or in slushy sticky snow. The layout of my street also gets me a pile of village-plowed, compacted, salt-laden stuff across the mouth of the driveway complicated by having a sidewalk along the street that I must also clear. I suspect you might do best with a hybrid solution--a blade plus the walk-behind. Blade for the larger area to make piles on the “safe” side, especially in the lighter or wetter snowfalls, and your walk-behind to shift the piles to where you want them. You cannot beat a good walk-behind for ease of maneuver, especially in confined areas. This is my strategy.

[Lee1977 6,655]

One machine to do it all is a selling point. Changing  equipment gets harder to do as you get older.  As has already been said one machine that performs for each job works best.  Equipment still has to be remove for maintenance and repair but not as often and not when you need to switch to another job. My suggestion is if you already have one tractor that does one job well, keep it and get another tractor for the other job. Mowing three rounds backwards isn't that big of a deal.

Edited July 31 by Lee1977

[mazzbob 8]

Thanks alot everyone for your input.  Wheel Horse may work..... with the mowing as well or better as the my current CUB (excepting one PIA neighbor).   I'm not sure how effective a different SS blower will be if the SS Cub is ineffective on my property situation.  I'd love to keep the 2 tractors but that's one of the issues.  They only allow One Shed of a specific size on the property.  That means only one tractor with attachments can fit.   The Board really does not want anyone to do their own maintenance.  Most owners now,  are newly relocated from NYC,  and they hire a service to do it.  I have been here for more than 30 years & i'm 71, I do not want to move,  because of family obligations.  I do not want to pay a company an annual fee of 3,200 for this service.  I never have done it before , I don't like it now, but maybe,  that's the way of the future on how things are going around here.  If I can find one Tractor to do it all,  I then tell the board to shove it. I just don't like being forced into a situation because others are doing it.  

[lynnmor 7,303]

49 minutes ago, mazzbob said:

Thanks alot everyone for your input.  Wheel Horse may work..... with the mowing as well or better as the my current CUB (excepting one PIA neighbor).   I'm not sure how effective a different SS blower will be if the SS Cub is ineffective on my property situation.  I'd love to keep the 2 tractors but that's one of the issues.  They only allow One Shed of a specific size on the property.  That means only one tractor with attachments can fit.   The Board really does not want anyone to do their own maintenance.  Most owners now,  are newly relocated from NYC,  and they hire a service to do it.  I have been here for more than 30 years & i'm 71, I do not want to move,  because of family obligations.  I do not want to pay a company an annual fee of 3,200 for this service.  I never have done it before , I don't like it now, but maybe,  that's the way of the future on how things are going around here.  If I can find one Tractor to do it all,  I then tell the board to shove it. I just don't like being forced into a situation because others are doing it.  

What did you sign for when you bought the place?  Perhaps you would be grandfathered in and any new "rules" can be ignored.  Any chance you can have a boat or RV in the backyard, they make dandy storage units.

 

A single stage snowblower should do just fine and they are easier to move and store.  A 42" RD recycler mower should take care of the leaves, just be sure to return any leaves that belong to the neighbor.  Always look up in your storage shed and see if things can be hoisted up making that area do double duty. 

 

To get maximum efficiency from a Wheel Horse be sure to remove the muffler and only run it in the cool very early morning hours. 

[Handy Don 12,204]

2 hours ago, mazzbob said:

They only allow One Shed of a specific size on the property

If you’ve had two tractors all along, I’m assuming the limit was not being enforced or is new.

Is the shed height specified? I like @lynnmor’s “up?” question. 10x12x12H  

I also like the idea of parking a small box trailer. 4x6 would be adequate and keep a tractor pretty cosy. 

I’m also wondering about a large “cloche” box. Small ones are used to cover and protect newly planted seeds, larger ones protect bushes in the winter--yours could have the plants kept company with a tractor!

[mazzbob 8]

Yes,  the Board have changed the rules little by little over time.  It has become more restricted, but the neighborhood is really a lot better than it was, in regards to values and appearance.  It's the best area in the Town and the owners want to keep it that way & I can understand that.  Most board members are younger and demand more from the town & get it.  Not like it was before.  My shed is 8 x 10  & the largest in the neighborhood which was grandfathered in & I'm one of the few that still maintain their own property.  I am the only person that has 2 tractors & I guess some neighbors next to me do not like seeing one under a tarp  in the summer season when they have people over their place.  I can understand that as well.  I will be looking for a WH 4/5 series see what the comes up locally.  I'm not sure if a Geared or Hydro unit is better.  From my experience with the tractors I have,  Bolens is geared & w/adjustable locking rear, it can plow the snow better & seems to have a lot more ground power than the Cub.  The Cub with Hydro is faster, easier the use,  & cuts much better, there is always a trade off.    

[johnnymag3 2,517]

418-A...........   Twin Kohler. Dependable as all He11     Also,  Hydro Machines are better for certain things. Geared Machines like a 418-8 are better for tilling, etc. IMO

Onans on the 520 are problematic and costly to maintain. They also guzzle gas !!!!

 

John

[Handy Don 12,204]

2 hours ago, mazzbob said:

Bolens is geared & w/adjustable locking rear, it can plow the snow better & seems to have a lot more ground power than the Cub.  The Cub with Hydro is faster, easier the use,  & cuts much better,

No locking diffs on any WH. They had a “limited slip” system for a couple years in the early ’70’s on geared tractors but for most situations weighted wheels with good traction will do as well.

I agree with @johnnymag3 on the 520. I have a geared tractor and maintain/use two hydros. The hydros in the 300 and 400 tractors (Eaton 1100) deliver plenty of power and are plenty strong. 418-A, 416-H and 314-H are still at the top of my list. A C-160 with Eaton Hydro would be next.

A common test of WH hydros is to chain the tractor to a big tree, climb on, and try to pull the tree. Expect the wheels to spin. I’ve done this with a 312-H. Message? Plenty of power there; it is traction that limits what it can do.

[Pullstart 62,831]

  You have great suggestions above.  Keep in mind that 3/4/5 series attachments pretty much all interchange.  The 520 with a swept axle needs an extension bracket for a snow plow, and is the only one stock to be able to fit a 60” deck, which sounds like overkill.  Otherwise, any and all other attachments will swap.

[953 nut 55,162]

The 300, 400, 500 series Wheel Horses would all work well for mowing and snow removal. That wall of accumulated hard packed snow would best be handled with a front end loader but that seems to be out of the question. My 418-C will push a lo of wet heavy snow but the snow pushed into your driveway by the county needs to be removed a little at a time with a snow blower, nibble away a bit at a time.

[peter lena 8,604]

@mazzbob   done a lot of snow plowing , every time its different , a few base line steps , are a lubrication blade spray down , takes the effort out of movement , snow slide is like magic  ,  always back cut a problem area , so you have a place to go to , plow with the SUN , quickly move snow to , sun areas , so its melting , during the day . always plow to effect of  initial attempt , also have my plows , well movement lubed , especially steering quadrant , related , rods connections , all move with ease , full tractor chains , wheel weights , added rear end rotor weight , watch related , area people , struggle with any attempted , snow removal . pretty simple to learn from , what does not work , 40 plus years at it, snows today , are not  what we used to get , pete  

[rmaynard 15,434]

My 1996 416-H has over 1600 hours. It runs great. The hydro is tough as nails. The only modification that I added was a foot pedal motion control. My primary use is plowing snow, moving gravel and dirt, and hauling things around in my Wheel Horse tub cart. No matter the weather, it starts and goes immediately with no warm up. I have a 42" side discharge deck that cuts beautifully, however I defer to my John Deere x300 for that chore only because it fits my wife (short) better.

 

[Handy Don 12,204]

17 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

only because it fits my wife (short) better

I’ve added seat sliders from Simplicity Sovereign’s to two of the family’s tractors. They have 6” of travel and now both the compact-statured DIL and granddaughter and us long-legged folks can share happily.

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

On 7/31/2024 at 10:45 AM, Handy Don said:

Thanks for the additional descriptions--especially your desire to avoid neighbor drama.

 

WH had only the 42” recycler (there are a couple threads here where mulching is discussed). I personally prefer rear discharge both for maneuverability and because the discharge doesn’t go where I don’t want it (patios, flowerbeds, sidewalks, etc). You’ll find 36" and 42” for the later model tractors--“C” and 3,4, and 500s. Simple bagging was possible with the 2-blade 37” SD but that model works best only on models with 6” front wheels (310 or 312) or a swept front axle (later 520-H). 42 and 48 SDs can bag using an aux blower. 

 

I’m with @PWL216 as far as snowblowers go, too. The 2-stage is heavy and bulky and you don’t have the option of a dedicated machine. Lots of folks here are doing very well with the one-stage units. Almost any blower will clog if not fed at the right pace or in slushy sticky snow. The layout of my street also gets me a pile of village-plowed, compacted, salt-laden stuff across the mouth of the driveway complicated by having a sidewalk along the street that I must also clear. I suspect you might do best with a hybrid solution--a blade plus the walk-behind. Blade for the larger area to make piles on the “safe” side, especially in the lighter or wetter snowfalls, and your walk-behind to shift the piles to where you want them. You cannot beat a good walk-behind for ease of maneuver, especially in confined areas. This is my strategy.

hey Don -- are you indicating a 37 inch side discharge deck will in fact have enough clearance for a 520 with a swept axle when turning ? thanks Bill

[Handy Don 12,204]

4 hours ago, Brockport Bill said:

hey Don -- are you indicating a 37 inch side discharge deck will in fact have enough clearance for a 520 with a swept axle when turning ? thanks Bill

Yes.

However, what will frustrate you is the 42” track of the front tires on a 520 swept--extending 2-½ inches beyond the mower deck cut swath on each side! 

With the 10.5 in rear rims, the rear track is also wider than the deck.

Edited August 2 by Handy Don

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

3 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Yes.

However, what will frustrate you is the 42” track of the front tires on a 520--extending 2-½ inches beyond the mower deck cut swath on each side! 

With the 10.5 in rear rims, the rear track is also wider than the deck.

thanks for insights - -Bill

[Bill D 1,916]

I think a 416-H or GT1800 would be great for your needs.  Tough Eaton 1100 hydros.  Very simple wiring on the GT1800.  All the power of a 520 with none of the wiring issues , however the Briggs twin can suffer from loose valve seats, but not like the 520.  Also, the Briggs has stronger connecting rods than the Onan.  Plan to add a foot control to any hydro you buy.  A 416 won't have the engine issues of a 520 and with a few wiring mods can be made more reliable.  Onan's can have their issues, but once sorted out are great machines.  

 

 

[artfull dodger 394]

The 16 and 18hp Onans are far less prone to the valve seat issue that plagues the 20hp version.  Biggest thing with Onans, keep it clean, adjust the valves by the book and make darn sure the oil filter has the rubber grommet ring around it that seals it to the cooling tin work.  You loose 30% of your cooling air on the rear/right side cylinder if its missing.  And that side is cooling challenged to start with due to the belt cover/guard on the PTO side of the engine. Always have the Onan at full throttle when doing any kind of work.  That goes for all small air cooled engines, but especially Onans. Parts can be expensive but Kohler prices have closed the gap to Onan prices.  Aftermarket parts for the Onans are starting to get more plentiful which helps the situation.  A nice 416H with the 42 Recycler/RD mower deck would be the perfect base tractor(I have one myself), add the snowblower and snow blade and your all set.  Use the walk behind snow chucker to deal with the bottom of the driveway if its to much for the tractor.  If you cant have 2 tractors, then your plan B for heavy wet snow has to be your walk behind.   Cast iron wheel weights and chains obviously for winter work.  Used to live in Erie, PA, I know all to well the work to deal with heavy wet snow, lake effect where we lived at that time.  Here is my 1996 416H with 42 Recycler mower deck, 546.5 hours on the meter.   

Edited September 4 by artfull dodger