Checklist when lookin to buy 1966 856

[FLtractor 3]

Afternoon,

New member here, looking at getting my first Wheelhorse, going to look at a 1966 856. 
seller says used last 3-4 years to pull 4000lbs boat. Somewhat underpowered. Runs starts everytime. Needs gauge wheels and deck spindle. Rear tires water filled and cracked badly. Told him I’d offer him $400.00 if I’m cosntion he states it’s in upon inspection. Total id be around $5-550.00 with tractor, trailer and 300 miles round trip. How does this sound for pricing based on description and condition? I’m in central Florida, looked online all over state and most is junk overpriced for garden tractors, not much to choose from down here. I’d be using it mainly to pull a steel wagon on property. Maybe get something to help me flatten or drag or cut some weeds- best impliment for that? 
thank you. 

[ebinmaine 70,266]

 

 

 

If that tractor runs drives and cuts grass that price is quite reasonable.  

 

 

Here's a thread several of us created a few years ago for a good before during and after checklist. 

It's very thorough so it's a LOT of information. Very helpful.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,894]

Welcome! That looks to be a 36" deck (they also made a 32" version). Needs a spindle??? It's probably more than just that. If one spindle is bent, there is a very good chance the NLA cast housing plate is cracked. Drop the deck, flip it over & look. Can be rather pricey to fix.

The document above is great reading for someone getting used to their first Wheel Horse...

Edited Friday at 10:52 PM by ri702bill

[FLtractor 3]

I’ll check out the document.

I just messaged the seller with some questions and this is what he told me.. 

Afternoon Peter, Regarding the tractor, when was the last time the transmission fluid was changed and the tractor greased? 
How come you’re selling it now?

he replied: 

Austin  

I think we discussed this in your first inquiry.  The engine oil has about 10 hours on it in the last 4 years I have owned it I did nothing with the transmission, but greased the zerks probably annually.  

Also you may recall I purchased it to pull my boat in the yard but it was not large enough to really do the job properly, therefore it does not get used.  I figure I have only run it for at most 10 hours in 4 years. Much of that was just to make sure I took care of it.

is that to be of concern given it’s been driven so little over that period of time? Or if it runs drives and doesn’t smoke then it should be ok? 

[953 nut 57,415]

When I lived in Florida I always had to go out of state to find a Wheel Horse,  A 300 mile round trip for a nice short frame  is well worth it, price is very reasonable.

[D_Mac 9,031]

Here is the check list I had when I bought my 856.

1. Parked in woods and left for 20 yrs.

2. Tires and wheels buried half way in the ground rotting.

3. Weeds and trees growing through the frame.

4. Plants and moss growing out of the seat.

5. Covered in dirt, rust, and crusty as can be.

 

So after I found one that checked all these boxes I dragged it home, cleaned it, cleaned fuel tank, installed new carb, new battery,  put new tires and wheels on it, gave it some fancy pinstripes, changed seat. It is now one of my most reliable Wheel Horses I have ever owned. They are bullet proof. Yes it's an 8 horse power but it is always ready, willing and able to complete the task it is asked to do.

[Ed Kennell 40,180]

to the 

[adsm08 2,536]

I gave a lot more for my 855, and it had sat a lot longer. I also got a snow plow with it. You should see if he has a snow plow for it.

 

 

After 10 years sitting all mine took was a spark plug, a battery, and some fresh fuel and away we went. I've had to chase down a few other issues in the years I've owned it, but it's 60 years old,  and I have yet to come across a single part that couldn't be sourced between  Brian at K&B or Lowell at Wheelhorse parts and more.

Edited Saturday at 12:24 AM by adsm08

[SylvanLakeWH 27,087]

 

Go get it!

[FLtractor 3]

2 hours ago, D_Mac said:

Here is the check list I had when I bought my 856.

1. Parked in woods and left for 20 yrs.

2. Tires and wheels buried half way in the ground rotting.

3. Weeds and trees growing through the frame.

4. Plants and moss growing out of the seat.

5. Covered in dirt, rust, and crusty as can be.

 

So after I found one that checked all these boxes I dragged it home, cleaned it, cleaned fuel tank, installed new carb, new battery,  put new tires and wheels on it, gave it some fancy pinstripes, changed seat. It is now one of my most reliable Wheel Horses I have ever owned. They are bullet proof. Yes it's an 8 horse power but it is always ready, willing and able to complete the task it is asked to do.

Beautiful work!!! Glad to hear it took so little mechanically to get it running!

seller by me has these parts for sale .. anything I should pick up, do you think the seat would be worth it or even Salvageable if I took to upholstery shop? 

Edited Saturday at 02:09 AM by FLtractor

[oliver2-44 10,217]

Go get it. 
You will soon learn we are “enablers” around here. 
Check the condition of the rubber boot at the top of the transmission that the shifter goes through. If it’s in bad shape/missing and the horse is parked outside that where water gets in the transmission. If you see a lot of oil has leaked out the shifter hole That can mean water is filling the bottom of the transmission and the floating oil is coming out the hole. 
The 3 speed transmission are easy to rebuild and used parts are relatively available.   Take an oil drain pan and a 1/4” ??  Allen wrench. If you see oil out the top ask if you can quickly pull and reinstall the transmission drain plug. The plug is on the bottom a little in front of the rear hitch. It is recessed and probable full of dirt.  If you get pure water In my opinion, this becomes a $200 negotiating item. 

If you get white milky oil than may clean up with a diesel flush or two. 

Sine he was pulling a heavy trailer, check the rear wheel hub is tight on the axles.  The hubs have a woodruff key and are locked on by the jack bolt on the hub. 

 

If the rear axles, brake shaft, input pulley shaft are leaking where the shafts comes out of the transmission there is a 50/50 chance a new seal will fit it, or the shaft bearing is worn allowing the shaft to slightly wobble around enough to wipe out the seal. 
 

 With all the above said, buy it anyway.
 

These old horses need some someone to show them lots of love when needed. 

 

Im in Texas, and like Florida not as many horses, and many that are here have been rode hard and put up wet. 

Edited Saturday at 03:07 AM by oliver2-44

[adsm08 2,536]

I'd grab all the parts there and sort out what it all is later. Even if you never use it you can probably make the money back selling it here.

[FLtractor 3]

3 minutes ago, adsm08 said:

I'd grab all the parts there and sort out what it all is later. Even if you never use it you can probably make the money back selling it here.

He said open to offers.. any idea what all those typically sell for and or what a good offer would be ? 

[adsm08 2,536]

Just now, FLtractor said:

He said open to offers.. any idea what all those typically sell for and or what a good offer would be ? 

 

I'm not even sure what all of it is. Some early mule drives, some idlers, lots of lift links. I'd offer $100 for the pile of parts and see if he bites.

[FLtractor 3]

7 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Go get it. 
You will sone learn we are “enablers” around here. 
Check the condition of the rubber boot at the top of the transmission that the shifter goes through. If it’s in bad shape/missing and the horse is parked outside that where water gets in the transmission. If you see a lot of oil has leaked out the shifter hole That can mean water is filling the bottom of the transmission and the floating oil is coming out the hole. 
The 3 speed transmission are easy to rebuild and used parts are relatively available.   Take an oil drain pan and a 1/4” ??  Allen wrench. If you see oil out the top ask if you can quickly pull and reinstall the transmission drain plug. The plug is on the bottom a little in front of the rear hitch. It is recessed and probable full of dirt.  If you get pure water In my opinion, this becomes a $200 negotiating item. 

If you get white milky oil than may clean up with a diesel flush or two. 

Sine he was pulling a heavy trailer, check the rear wheel hub is tight on the axles.  The hubs have a woodruff key and are locked on by the jack bolt on the hub. 

 

If the rear axles, brake shaft, input pulley shaft are leaking where the shafts comes out of the transmission there is a 50/50 chance a new seal will fit it, or the shaft bearing is worn allowing the shaft to slightly wobble around enough to wipe out the seal. 
 

 With all the above said, buy it anyway.
 

These old horses need some someone to show them lots of love when needed. 

 

Im in Texas, and like Florida not as many horses, and many that are here have been rode hard and put up wet. 

I’ll definitely have to get a woodruff key and check all the places you stated. You said $200 negotiable if oil is pure water.. if that is pure water i take it it costs around $200.00 currently for an already rebuilt 856 transmission? 
this is the shifter boot I’d need if i would have to replace? 

[FLtractor 3]

Just now, adsm08 said:

 

I'm not even sure what all of it is. Some early mule drives, some idlers, lots of lift links. I'd offer $100 for the pile of parts and see if he bites.

Any idea if that seat could be saved? Ever seen one brought back to life for these tractors? 

[adsm08 2,536]

Just now, FLtractor said:

Any idea if that seat could be saved? Ever seen one brought back to life for these tractors? 

 

I'm not much for seats and upholstery. Unfortunately our master upholsterer retired some time ago due to arthritis (IIRC) and has since passed.

[oliver2-44 10,217]

59 minutes ago, FLtractor said:

I’ll definitely have to get a woodruff key and check all the places you stated. You said $200 negotiable if oil is pure water.. if that is pure water i take it it costs around $200.00 currently for an already rebuilt 856 transmission? 
this is the shifter boot I’d need if i would have to replace? 

 

If you had to replace all the bearings and seals it would cost you about $200.  A lot of times some of the bearings are reusable. But if I open a transmission I always replace the outer axle needle bearing and all the seals. JMHO. 
 

Yes the boot you have pictures looks correct 
One of our vendors “Wheel Horse Parts and More”. Sells transmission overhaul kits. 

Edited Saturday at 03:16 AM by oliver2-44

[953 nut 57,415]

9 hours ago, FLtractor said:

seller by me has these parts for sale .. anything I should pick up, do you think the seat would be worth it or even Salvageable if I took to upholstery shop? 

I don't see anything in that pile that was used on the 856. The seat cover pierce in the pile would serve as a pattern but is not going to be useable as is. Here is what the seat cover should look like.

 

[moe1965 751]

I would ask the owner if the charging system works the starter generator can be very costly depending on what might be wrong if it does not charge sometimes up around the range of 250 to $300 to be fixed

[FLtractor 3]

31 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

I don't see anything in that pile that was used on the 856. The seat cover pierce in the pile would serve as a pattern but is not going to be useable as is. Here is what the seat cover should look like.

 

Oh ok. Would a modern tractor mid or high back fit? Or can be attached to the pan 

[FLtractor 3]

3 minutes ago, moe1965 said:

I would ask the owner if the charging system works the starter generator can be very costly depending on what might be wrong if it does not charge sometimes up around the range of 250 to $300 to be fixed

I’ll have to ask him. Thank you for the tip

[adsm08 2,536]

2 hours ago, FLtractor said:

Oh ok. Would a modern tractor mid or high back fit? Or can be attached to the pan 

 

I have a saw-zall and a welder. I can make anything fit.

[rmaynard 15,886]

Back in 2010, I bought an 856 for $75.00 it included a snow plow. I didn't run. However, after replacing the spark plug, and installing a new Woodruff key in the transmission pulley, I had a fine running tractor. I unfortunately sold it in a package deal and regret it to this day. As far as the price of $400, I think that is not a bad price in todays market as long as it runs with no smoke or unusual noises. The transmission must shift and run in all 3 forward speed and reverse. A bonus if the mower deck works.

[FLtractor 3]

I read the very helpful checklist document above thank you.

have some questions prior to seeing tractor that could help me:

1. Is there a shifting diagram as to the 3 speed.. is there a a video or pictures telling what each lever, knob, pedal does on the 1966 857 3 speed 8 hp? Or similar layout tractor. 
2. what is the simplest was to check the charging of the tractor? I have watched some videos on YouTube but doesn’t quite make sense to me, electrical not my strong suit. 
3. For changing engine oil and transmission fluid.. where are the fill holes for each? Where is drainage for engine oil? 
I have attached a a picture of the transmission drainage hole if I am mistaken please correct me.

 

Thank You.