Tractor Lift for Wheel Horse Tractor

[heysavoy 19]

I have a 1990 wheel horse classic model # 31-12KE01. The older I get the more difficult it is for me to remove my deck in order to sharpen my blades each year. I am wondering if anyone has used a tractor lift and if so what type? I really don't wish to spend $300 for one (e.g. Craftsmen @ Lowes) but I'm not sure if the "budget option" from Harbor Freight for example will do the job as its maximum weight is 300 lbs. (Not sure how much my tractor weighs). Anyway any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

Edited January 6 by heysavoy

[SylvanLakeWH 26,161]

Here's what I use... Harbor Freight pick up lift mounted on a winch plate. Removable 2" hitch mount...

 

 

[squonk 41,653]

You're only picking up part of the tractor. So you don't need the Biggest and best. Use jack stands under the wheel baskets for safety.

[Racinbob 11,312]

I use this one every time I mow. 

 

 

[Ed Kennell 39,275]

8 hours ago, heysavoy said:

 The older I get the more difficult it is for me to remove my deck in order to sharpen my blades each year. .

 

Age has a habit of making our chores more difficult and at times dangerous.   I still like to remove my decks and turn them over for cleaning, coating, lubricating and sharpening before winter storage.    I use a small jack to raise the front enough to get the deck carriage to clear the frame.  Then use the hooked end of a wrecking bar to pull the deck out from under the tractor.    I would not attempt to sharpen or remove blades while laying under a suspended tractor.

 

[heysavoy 19]

1 hour ago, Racinbob said:

I use this one every time I mow. 

 

 

 

I like it! What kind of lift is this? Do you use it when you remove your blades? What keeps the tractor from roling backwards out of the wheel holders? Thanks

[JCM 9,639]

1990  312-H  12hp  Kohler with Eaton 1100 shipping weight 737 lbs. Great year for that model.

[heysavoy 19]

2 minutes ago, JCM said:

1990  312-H  12hp  Kohler with Eaton 1100 shipping weight 737 lbs. Great year for that model.

I was asking about the lift? What model / manufacturer is it?

 

[JCM 9,639]

10 hours ago, heysavoy said:

I have a 1990 wheel horse classic model # 31-12KE01.  (Not sure how much my tractor weighs). Anyway any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

 

[rjg854 11,582]

2 hours ago, Racinbob said:

I use this one every time I mow. 

 

 

Same one I have as it looks the same anyway.  The tires fit well into those pockets; I don't worry about them coming out. And it locks in place once you have it raised. Saves having to remove the deck just for cleaning.  When I remove the deck for winter, that's when the blades get sharpened and a good used oil soaking before storing.  I think it came from Horror Freight.

[lynnmor 7,389]

I had the lighter version from Harbor Freight, what a piece of junk!  The mount holding the bottom of the hydraulic cylinder bent and tore till the cylinder was pushing against the ground.  I welded i up and sold it to a neighbor with a disposable tractor.  If you buy from HF, at least get the $280 heavy duty version.  Keep in mind that the base of that type of lift will interfere with the mower deck which makes installation and removal difficult or impossible.

[Racinbob 11,312]

3 hours ago, heysavoy said:

 

I like it! What kind of lift is this? Do you use it when you remove your blades? What keeps the tractor from roling backwards out of the wheel holders? Thanks

 

That's the cheaper of the two that Harbor Freight sells. The tires are well cradled and there's no real chance of them rolling off. I clean the grass clumps that hold moisture off after every mowing. The tractor is a 2005 Classic 15hp. The deck is a 1970's 48" that I purchased new. 

[oldlineman 1,487]

Set the parking brake and leave an 8 speed in a low gear

 

[Racinbob 11,312]

2 hours ago, oldlineman said:

Set the parking brake and leave an 8 speed in a low gear

 

That's a good idea but don't lift or lower it like that. The rear wheels need to roll as it's lifted/lowered.

[squonk 41,653]

On 1/6/2025 at 2:46 PM, Racinbob said:

That's a good idea but don't lift or lower it like that. The rear wheels need to roll as it's lifted/lowered.

Yes. Tractor has to roll when raising or lowering. I leave it in neutral (or with a hydro parking brake off) and when it's where I want it I use wheel chocks at the rear and jack stands under the lift. 

[kpinnc 12,850]

And use jack stands or something as a failsafe if you are going to get under it in any way. 

 

I'm a pretty big fella, but I can't bench 750lbs... 

[John2189 472]

I just use a chain hoist hooked to a beam in my garage 

[peter lena 8,888]

@John2189   have a couple of 1 ton chain falls and heavy cargo straps ,  10,000 +  lift  load , 12 ft long makes a lift at  multiple areas . similar to a basket lift . couple of shackles ,  used these at work , had a time and  work load rating , pete

[John2189 472]

On 1/10/2025 at 11:12 AM, peter lena said:

@John2189   have a couple of 1 ton chain falls and heavy cargo straps ,  10,000 +  lift  load , 12 ft long makes a lift at  multiple areas . similar to a basket lift . couple of shackles ,  used these at work , had a time and  work load rating , pete

My chain hoist is 1/2 ton, but that’s plenty for what I need. 
I’ve that term used elsewhere, so why do they call them “chain falls”?

[peter lena 8,888]

@John2189    my response  ,https://www.google.com/search?q=why+are+chain+falls+called+that+%3F&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS866US866&oq=why+are+chain+falls++called+that+%3F&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRiPAjIHCAUQIRiPAtIBCjE3OTg0ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8  they are also a terrific  tree stump breaker , what you want to do , if you are planning to use one , is to leave  4 / 5  feet of  stump in place , if you have a nearby tree  ,  the solid height leverage advantage , pull point , will help to expose rooting ,  used to do that with a  J/D  M/T  MODEL  , 16 hp  with 34 " tires , amazing  gearing , pete 

[John2189 472]

20 hours ago, peter lena said:

@John2189    my response  ,https://www.google.com/search?q=why+are+chain+falls+called+that+%3F&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS866US866&oq=why+are+chain+falls++called+that+%3F&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRiPAjIHCAUQIRiPAtIBCjE3OTg0ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8  they are also a terrific  tree stump breaker , what you want to do , if you are planning to use one , is to leave  4 / 5  feet of  stump in place , if you have a nearby tree  ,  the solid height leverage advantage , pull point , will help to expose rooting ,  used to do that with a  J/D  M/T  MODEL  , 16 hp  with 34 " tires , amazing  gearing , pete 

Thanks pete, I guess I could have googled it too 

[peter lena 8,888]

@John2189  used to work on the week  ends also , before getting a real solid job , imagine that , was a do anything for a guy up the road , had a lot of  farming  equipment , also always took the time to , show me opportunities to do things easier , what a concept ! we were clearing heavy brush /  trees . when he told me to  cut the trees  , 4-5 feet  off the ground , I looked puzzled , when he had me shackle  chain in a cinching way , at  top of tree cut , that  16 hp  J/D  with 34 " rear tires , popped that  stump out of  the ground with very little effort ,  I WAS HOOKED , for more ideas  ! john, to this day , I never look at a problem , without adding  something that  i picked up along the way. that chain fall gear reduction , has helped me many a time . pete 

[John2189 472]

14 hours ago, peter lena said:

@John2189  used to work on the week  ends also , before getting a real solid job , imagine that , was a do anything for a guy up the road , had a lot of  farming  equipment , also always took the time to , show me opportunities to do things easier , what a concept ! we were clearing heavy brush /  trees . when he told me to  cut the trees  , 4-5 feet  off the ground , I looked puzzled , when he had me shackle  chain in a cinching way , at  top of tree cut , that  16 hp  J/D  with 34 " rear tires , popped that  stump out of  the ground with very little effort ,  I WAS HOOKED , for more ideas  ! john, to this day , I never look at a problem , without adding  something that  i picked up along the way. that chain fall gear reduction , has helped me many a time . pete 

Yep i use my chain fall alot. I also have a 3/4 ton chain come along I use quite often 

[Ed Kennell 39,275]

I use my 500lb. electric to lift the front end of tractors, to load decks and blowers, and deer.

 

 

 

[Racinbob 11,312]

I use a elcheapo 1 ton chain hoist. The eyebolt goes through a 4x4 spanning the trusses. It probably wasn't needed but I added reinforcing the truss cords to spread the weight better. I just did this a few months ago and immediately wondered what took me so long. You'll see it in action in a lot of my pictures.