WH 420 LSE

[Gilou15 23]

Hello friends !

Always searching for an hydro WH in France ,can you tell me the type of transmission in a 420 LSE ?

Thanks for yours answers  

[ebinmaine 70,207]

@JCM could say. 

 

I believe an Eaton 1100. The heavy duty one for a Wheelhorse. 

 

Is there a 420LSE for sale over there??

 

Very rare and desirable! 

[ri702bill 8,878]

21 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Very rare and desirable! 

And.... usually very expensive.

[953 nut 57,293]

This brochure will tell you a great deal about the 420-LSE.

 

 

[Gilou15 23]

Thanks guys !!

It is to sell in France ! I am not alone on the list ! I propose 750 € 

What is the difference with a 520 H except the engine ?

[953 nut 57,293]

16 minutes ago, Gilou15 said:

What is the difference with a 520 H except the engine ?

Chrome plated rims and other parts, custom leather seat, wood trimmed steering wheel are a few of the features.

[ri702bill 8,878]

Only 200 were made - it should have a plaque with its' number.

 

I have a feeling that there are clones out there too, like the 1967 Camaro Z28's.

[Gilou15 23]

Yes ! But the LSE mention ,what does it means ? This model is not on the brochure !!

[Gasaholic 239]

20 minutes ago, Gilou15 said:

Yes ! But the LSE mention ,what does it means ? This model is not on the brochure !!

LSE = Limited Special Edition.  Dealer I worked for back then when they came out, we sold a couple of them, they were priced at a premium of around $1200 more than the standard 420 , but functionally they were otherwise identical. As mentioned earlier it was more just fancy trim - chrome, etc - that made them "Special"   Because of that, it would not be difficult to "make" a 420 LSE from a regular 420 just by adding the extra trim features, so you'd want to check and verify your serial numbers for authenticity (and that plaque coming with it might help if it also could be authenticated) Otherwise, it would be treated as a plain old everyday 420 

Edited March 13 by Gasaholic

[ebinmaine 70,207]

1 minute ago, Gasaholic said:

LSE = Limited Special Edition.  Dealer I worked for back then when they came out, we sold a couple of them, they were priced at a premium of around $1200 more than the standard 420 , but functionally they were otherwise identical. As mentioned earlier it was more just fancy trim - chrome, etc - that made them "Special" 

 

 

When they came out in 1986 there was no other 20 horse engine.

The largest available on a standard offering was a 418. 18 horse Kohler twin.

That was a couple years before the 520 Hydro or 8-speed came out.

 

The 400 Series have the Kohler engine. The 500 series had the Onan engine.

 

[Gilou15 23]

Thank you, if I manage to buy it (I'm not the only one and I'm far away!) I'll ask for more photos and post them.

 

[lynnmor 7,535]

27 minutes ago, Gilou15 said:

Thank you, if I manage to buy it (I'm not the only one and I'm far away!) I'll ask for more photos and post them.

 

Since this is a collectors item you may want view it as an investment and not a working tractor.  The 520H had larger tires, easier steering and a longer wheelbase to allow a 60 inch deck.

[JCM 9,971]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

Chrome plated rims and other parts, custom leather seat, wood trimmed steering wheel are a few of the features.

No wood trimmed steering wheel. Leather wrapped chrome 3 spoke steering wheel with 4 holes in each spoke.

 

49 minutes ago, Gasaholic said:

LSE = Limited Special Edition.  Dealer I worked for back then when they came out, we sold a couple of them, they were priced at a premium of around $1200 more than the standard 420 , but functionally they were otherwise identical. As mentioned earlier it was more just fancy trim - chrome, etc - that made them "Special"   Because of that, it would not be difficult to "make" a 420 LSE from a regular 420 just by adding the extra trim features, so you'd want to check and verify your serial numbers for authenticity (and that plaque coming with it might help if it also could be authenticated) Otherwise, it would be treated as a plain old everyday 420 

No such standard 420 that I am aware of.  $ 8000.00 with 48'' side discharge deck and misc other items.  blah blah blah.

[Gilou15 23]

Hélas I didn't got it , too many buyers to propose and I was so far !

My search goes on 🤞 400 /500/ C series ..Hydro 

What is better : Onan or Kohler. ( Twins )?

[pfrederi 18,267]

Not a popular position probably    but especially in Europe I woould avoid the Kohler or KT or M-18 series and the onans.  Parts for Kohler twins are getting hard to get here  in the USA   I doubt Onan parts are all over Europe either..Get a K-341 16hp single or get a B&S  Vanguard twin.

[Gilou15 23]

Thanks for your advice !

Indeed ,I would prefer a Vanguard, all is available in France and reliability is top !

However I like Singles Kohler K serie..

[c-series don 9,363]

@Gasaholic There’s no such thing as a “standard 420” As @ebinmaine said only other tractor available for that year that was close to the 20hp that the LSE came with was a 418. There’s obviously a 520 but that doesn’t have a Kohler it has an Onan. Someone else said a wood trimmed steering wheel, but actually it’s a chrome leather wrapped wheel. Then there’s the button tuck leather seat which would be damn near impossible to replicate without the original base frame which is no longer available. 
Here’s mine 100% factory original except for fluids and the transmission filter. 22hrs on the meter and signed by the man himself Cecil Pond. 

[Gilou15 23]

Absolutely wonderful 👍 👍 😊 

[Gasaholic 239]

On 3/13/2025 at 12:33 PM, ebinmaine said:

 

 

When they came out in 1986 there was no other 20 horse engine.

The largest available on a standard offering was a 418. 18 horse Kohler twin.

That was a couple years before the 520 Hydro or 8-speed came out.

 

The 400 Series have the Kohler engine. The 500 series had the Onan engine.

 

Ah that's right. I forgot about that little detail after all these years since... 

[Gilou15 23]

Hello Guys !!

You are lucky in US !!

I've just found a 420 LSE in correct condition but not possible to ship it in France !!

I give the link eBay ....Perhaps one of you will be interested....https://www.ebay.com/itm/156483134534?itmmeta=01JP7P6M8QYN5HB1T24761NBZX&hash=item246f1f2446:g:kbUAAOSw525nILLl&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4MHg7L1Zz0LA5DYYmRTS30kAG1v2023Fd6vFNYm8Br2V4%2FaBXm9GuRhPFYaVhj5ui%2F8r2eoSsQaXXPJXDEJ8ArvSwws5QwkNBPyt0kni22m7kfckUWYwKed2NZ5dtCicPnCuMhZPBf9asmtfBWAaGMo7bcTCH0CgUJwjgGNmTJs3zG2ZIIJPu7IOtGo94CMFOZp4h6gq%2Fa8m1g%2FiXFt5lhTcJm8tgC5PsCZQrASQ6uVS5lFYPcMvNBwifiW3uV4GPqfPEInUO%2BgJIDs%2BL6GsmsRsHcN5iE2v66kgT0iJ5FIn|tkp%3ABFBMtsSa9rFl

[Blasterdad 2,942]

Wow, what a shame.... 

[Gilou15 23]

However ,I would be happy to find it in France !! It is impossible and very very expensive (more 2000€ in this condition!!)

I thought I was doing the right thing by reporting it to the community.!!

 

[Blasterdad 2,942]

3 minutes ago, Gilou15 said:

I thought I was doing the right thing by reporting it to the community.!!

You did the right thing, it's just sad the condition it's in.

[c-series don 9,363]

7 hours ago, Blasterdad said:

You did the right thing, it's just sad the condition it's in.

One can only wonder how the heck that even happened? I’ve seen others like that and just shake my head in disbelief 🫢 

[lynnmor 7,535]

22 minutes ago, c-series don said:

One can only wonder how the heck that even happened? I’ve seen others like that and just shake my head in disbelief 🫢 

Standard Operating Procedure today.  Folks don't take care of anything and toss it out at the first sign of failure.  Then they replace and do it all over again.  Eventually they retire and want financial help because they peeded away all of their assets.