Crash course - what do I want to buy?

[Pete D 175]

Ok, so I guess I should focus on function over form.  I can always get another tractor in the future if I want.

 

I need a rototiller.  I can always buy a walk-behind unit, but with 2 trashed shoulders and a painful damaged wrist, I'd rather not go that route.  Knowing, now, that a 6-speed or 8-speed is what I want, and the rototillers seem better suited for newer models, what should I consider?  Or, do I just rent a rototiller this spring, and wait for the show?

 

This rototiller is available, but "buried in a shed right now", so I can't inspect it.  They are also asking $400, which you have told me is pretty much top end for one in great condition.

 

 

[kpinnc 13,147]

40 minutes ago, Pete D said:

This rototiller is available, but "buried in a shed right now", so I can't inspect it.  They are also asking $400, which you have told me is pretty much top end for one in great condition.

 

That is actually in better overall shape- especially the tines. It looks like it has a bit of a leak on the shaft, but that might be beneficial when it comes time to replace the axle seal. Those tines can be an absolute bear to remove. 

 

Also, that is an older tiller (1967- probably 1972). All the hookups with it should work with tractors more like what you've been looking at. 

 

If the axle bearings are good- the price is in the "not crazy" range. You can check the bearings by hand: with the tiller standing off the tines, you shouldn't be able to wiggle them up or down and side to side. Minor In/out axial is ok because the axle is solid. 

Edited Sunday at 04:06 AM by kpinnc

[c-series don 9,280]

Okay, here’s my opinion on this subject. And it’s just that, my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. Having owned Wheel Horse tractors for over 40 years, if I were you I’d look for something from the mid 1970’s or newer. A C-series, 3,4,500 series. It seems attachments for these tractors are more readily available. I see you’re looking at tillers, a tiller that has tines that come to a point are done, they are worn out. This I know from personal experience, having bought my tiller in 1985 and am now on my third set of tines. Pointy tines will work in sandy soil, but in heavy ground it will just bounce along.Tines that are squared off will work best. I used to till several gardens for my lawn mowing customers, each with different soil conditions. Although an 8-Speed may be preferred for tilling, overall I’m a fan of hydrostatic transmissions. Mowing, snowplowing and other chores are made easier and faster with an automatic. Plus many automatics offer hydraulic lift which to me is almost a necessity. Down pressure with hydraulics while using a mid-mount grader blade or dozer blade certainly helps. 
 As far as the newer 500 series I personally don’t own one (yet!) I do know that one of these tractors that has been left outside or not properly cared for can be plagued with electrical problems. Do I want a 520-H with a forward swept front axle and gear reduction steering?Yes of course! Do I think that all the extra electrical stuff on those tractors is unnecessary? Yes. Much of that just leads to problems, just look at how many threads there are here on electrical issues with those era tractors. 
 Don’t get me wrong, I also fully appreciate the older Wheel Horse tractors I really do. I even own a few! For many guys here, those era tractors are their thing and that’s great! I like the fact that there seems to be experts here on all the different models of these tractors. 
 So in closing I’d say whatever you decide, don’t rush. Take your time and find a nice tractor ( they are out there ) find one that best suits your needs. Good luck and keep us updated!! 

[ebinmaine 69,812]

@c-series don.  Well said sir. 

 

@Pete D.  Don makes a great point on the attachments. 

 

I believe 1973 and up is the full changeover to the new ish type.  

 

 

[Pete D 175]

So, should I consider the rototiller for my '73 16 HP with the FEL?  Think I can till with the FEL installed, and fluid filled tires?

[Daniel Bailor 10]

Pete,

This is from craiglist (Lebanon, PA), about an hour or so from you.

 

Been posted for a while.

It has Toro decals on it, so it's for the newer models as @c-series don mentions.

 

"Wheel horse tiller for sale.call 7179263783 only.. It has new seals in it And was repainted in the detail..Lebanon pa"

[ebinmaine 69,812]

22 minutes ago, Pete D said:

So, should I consider the rototiller for my '73 16 HP with the FEL?  Think I can till with the FEL installed, and fluid filled tires?

 

I believe you'll want the FEL Tractor to be its own machine.  

[Pete D 175]

10 minutes ago, Daniel Bailor said:

Pete,

This is from craiglist (Lebanon, PA), about an hour or so from you.

 

Been posted for a while.

It has Toro decals on it, so it's for the newer models as @c-series don mentions.

 

"Wheel horse tiller for sale.call 7179263783 only.. It has new seals in it And was repainted in the detail..Lebanon pa"

 

I saw that on FB marketplace, listed twice, but he does not show the tines, and he also lists some highly modified items, making me wary of what he is selling.

[Pete D 175]

17 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I believe you'll want the FEL Tractor to be its own machine.  

 

Hmmm, I thought I replied to this, but it's AWOL.

That's why I planned to buy WH#2.

[kpinnc 13,147]

3 hours ago, c-series don said:

So in closing I’d say whatever you decide, don’t rush.

 

Don is correct. Better to take your time and get what you'll appreciate. 1973 and up is definitely better for attachments. 

[Brockport Bill 1,786]

i bought my original tiller in 1989 with my 312-8 - - I used it to install my original lawn plus for a bunch of years for small garden projects - the tiller is awesome attachment --- I had not used it for recent years so sold my tiller couple years ago. I also got two tillers in past couple years in 2 different package deals when buying tractors -  as you know the WH $price market varies by state/region and by season -- ( but as an fyi since you mentioned price  ) -- here in Hudson River Valley, NY area they earn $ 500. One buyer from NJ drove from a couple hours away. From my experience a decent condition tiller is not often found for sale but people who want them will travel and will pay a solid fair price - - Good Luck -- Bill

[Pete D 175]

Well, this one is a bit dirty, and the right side needs some attention, but they are asking 400.  I'll point out the seal and see if they will accept 350.  It's been on marketplace 7 months.

*  36” Rt-366.  246144  *

 

 

 

 

Edited Sunday at 08:07 PM by Pete D

[kpinnc 13,147]

1 hour ago, Pete D said:

Well, this one is a bit dirty, and the right side needs some attention,

 

That picture is better than the previous one. Someone welded something on the tips of those tines. So they are worn more than I previously thought. 

 

And while that tiller will fit newer models, the front pulley assembly shown with it will not. The assembly is for pre-1972 models. 

[c-series don 9,280]

Nope personally I’d hold off on purchasing that. 

[Pete D 175]

I'll see it on Saturday.  I'm still unsure what tractor I'll buy.  Looking at an 852, up through some mid-80s model.  I have about 15 bookmarked at the moment.

[Handy Don 13,110]

8 hours ago, Pete D said:

 

Hmmm, I thought I replied to this, but it's AWOL.

That's why I planned to buy WH#2.

I suspect the extra weight and ungainliness of an FEL would make tilling quite a challenge, even if you could find a way to mount it around the FEL subframe

 

I also concur wholeheartedly with @c-series don on the attachment benefits of a C or a 3,4, or 500 (though personally I prefer round hoods! 😁) and on the electrics on a poorly treated or stored tractor from the safety switch era (post 75-ish?). These are always going to be a bit more complicated--the Onan twin wiring in particular. Other makers’ units of the same era have similar challenges. WHs are sturdy and strong but not invulnerable. 

[Pete D 175]

@kpinnc - I looked more closely at that photo of the rototiller, and I see exactly what you were saying about something being welded on them. Looks like big washers or something. So I canceled next Saturday to go see it.

 

@c-series don & @Handy Don - I have located a C-121 not too far from me. The guy has about 20 wheel horses, so I think I'm going to take a ride out there and see what he's got. He has a bunch with bad engines, but unless I can find a bolt-in engine, I'm really not thinking that I want to deal with a complete overhaul. (Maybe if I can grab something for $100 I will consider finding an engine).

I know that things like engine overhauls can get expensive very quickly, and I want to have this ready by spring tilling season without dumping big money into it.

 

I guess it's time for me to re-register my trailer and get going to see some stuff.

Edited 21 hours ago by Pete D

[ebinmaine 69,812]

Engines are easy to find with the right sources. 

 

Lincoln at A to Z Tractor in PA likely has some.  

[Pete D 175]

10 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Engines are easy to find with the right sources. 

 

Lincoln at A to Z Tractor in PA likely has some.  

I’m going to look them up, thanks!

Going out to the shop now, for the 1st time in months!

[Handy Don 13,110]

55 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Lincoln at A to Z Tractor in PA likely has some.  

Lincoln will have tested any engine he sells as running.

Be aware, though, that an engine in good condition constitutes a significant chunk of the value in most used tractors absent unusual accessories implements like tillers or iron wheel weights, etc. In other words, rarely cheap!

[adsm08 2,406]

Engine swaps are easy too. I can do an engine swap in mine in less time that I can do a tire rotation on my car.

[Pete D 175]

I keep looking.

This just came up.  Very boring style to me, but function over form (for now).

Many more photos, but this thread is already too long.

Attach-o-matic?

 

 

[ebinmaine 69,812]

25 minutes ago, Pete D said:

Attach-o-matic

Yep

[adsm08 2,406]

I'd pay $500 for that.

[Pete D 175]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

1 hour ago, Pete D said:

Attach-o-matic

Yep

 

So,

1) Is the tractor decent at 5 bills, and

2) is "attach-o-matic" a pro or a con?