B-100 Purchase

[kajamo240 3]

I am heading out down south tomorrow to pick up a B-100. I am just wondering if there were/are any quirks with them that I should be aware of...? Its an automatic which I am, by all means, NOT familiar with! I will be lucky if I can figure out how to move the thing...

I just want to know what I might be getting myself into.

The po said that the motor was just rebuild and its a really strong tractor and that everything on it is tight and the paint is still in decent shape.

Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks guys!

And thanks rydogg for passing his phone number onto me!

[Shuboxlover 478]

I too am fairly new to whole "automatic" thing, but let me tell you this........I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

in order to push the thing...

There is a "valve" you need to turn (I think 1 turn) counterclockwise....mine was on the front of the transmission on the left side kinda right under your left hamstring if all the metal was off you could see it plain as day.

Then don't forget to pull the parking brake lever up to disengage the drive belt been there done that.

That's about all my expertise on the autos so far. it's not much, but hope it helps.

don't forget....... :hbd:

[CasualObserver 3,408]

Matt... the 1977 C-120 used the same transmission, you can download that owner's manual at Mikes site. Doesn't look like anyone has put up the B-100 auto manual yet, but at least that should give you the directions on how to get it to freewheel.

Edit:... here's the instructions on getting it to free-wheel.

[kajamo240 3]

Matt... the 1977 C-120 used the same transmission, you can download that owner's manual at Mikes site. Doesn't look like anyone has put up the B-100 auto manual yet, but at least that should give you the directions on how to get it to freewheel.

Thanks for that info Jason. I will check that out for sure.

I am just not familiar with how to work one since I have never ridden one before... or for that fact, seen one in person before...

How are they in cold weather? Are they as dependable as the manuals?

[kajamo240 3]

I just checked out that owners manual Jason and think I figured it out. Seems pretty simple to get it going.

At first glance, I thought that the lever between my legs was the lever that determined the speed. But its the lever next to the pto lever.

Its all making sense now! B)

[rydogg 186]

I've seen the tractor in person and it is in very nice condition and runs great I would have picked it up but I wanted to get something older like in the 50's 60's. The po told me the motor was rebuilt by a person in Racine Minnesota, I spoke to another collector I know and he said that this guy has forgotten more about wheel horse than most people will ever know, I believe he was a dealer, maybe mod Jason from Kasson has heard of him. I know nothing about hydros since I have never owned a wheel horse hydro except for a parts mower that I bought without the motor so I can't help ya with that but I did try the hydro and it worked like I thought it should. Anyways, good luck with your road trip I hope you enjoy the tractor and feel free to stop in or call if you have any problems. I know of some more that I saw scattered around someones back yard while I was road tripping to get some stuff I will be asking the owner about them once the snow melts they look like B or C series.

[bitten 134]

Check the hydro fluid to make sure that there is no water in it.Let the tractor warm up for 10 to 15 min, drive it for 20 min and see how well the hydro works. If there is a hill or a good ditch try going up them, being careful not to roll it, and see how it pulls.

Good luck

[CasualObserver 3,408]

The po told me the motor was rebuilt by a person in Racine Minnesota,

[Rollerman 290]

Matt not much to add that hasn't been said & Ryan is giveing a pretty reputable impression of the tractor.

Things I always look for with an auto machine.....hop on test drive it & make sure you give it a proper warm up.

(A cold hydro will feel stronger than a warm one thats been run a while if it's getting weak)

So drive it around to see that both directions feel good.

Should be as fast as your B 80 going forward & some what slower going backward.

It should also be able to pull it self both ways on a slight grade.

Check the brake function....if the tractor wants to keep creeping it's not a huge deal....just an adjustment.

If the direction control lever feels loose & the tractor wants to slow down or speed up when released this is a simple fix too.

Other than that look it over for the normal wear & tear....crack in the sheet metal below the lift lever?, cracks in the frame where it meets the trans, excessive wobble in the front axle....

These are things I look at that tell me if a tractor has had a hard life of neglect or been properly cared for.

Good luck & sounds like a good match to your B 80. B)

[Kelly 1,029]

I restored one last year for my son 9 years old, I put a 8hp kohler on it because I had it and the 10hp had a broken rod, the trans is basicly the same as the C-120 but I found out the B's have 1" axles unlike the C's I had to get the axle seals from a auto parts store, Toro does not have the seals anymore, my son rides the snot out of his, great tractor.

[rickv1957 72]

Kelly,very nice tractor there!, Rick

[kajamo240 3]

Kelly,very nice tractor there!, Rick

Agreed!

Very nice tractor!

Ill be sure to post pics of the one I pick up!

[Retired Wrencher 5,440]

HI Mat just to add my experiences with auto`s they are a great to have it is easy to go forward and back the only this that is most important to remember is when u come to a stop use the the brake or slow to a stop then move the shifter. this will help the transmission from waring out. this little trick will save big $$$$ in the end. also keep a close eye on the fluid in the transmission. find a manual on eBay to help u out, and u will have many years of enjoyment with these autos. Gary B....

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

when u come to a stop use the the brake or slow to a stop then move the shifter. this will help the transmission from waring out. this little trick will save big $$$$ in the end

I guess you aren't aware that a B-100 Automatic (or any of the other early automatics) don't even have (service) brakes.

Depressing the pedal does nothing more than return the direction control lever to the neutral position - providing the linkage is properly adjusted. The dynamic braking effect is what causes the tractor to slow down or stop. (restricting or changing the direction of the fluid to the motor portion of the hydro unit)

The main cause of wear in a hydrostatic unit is contaminated oil.

[Kelly 1,029]

You don't have to use the pedal on this model to stop or slow it down, that was the main reson for me building this unit for my son he is on the short side and can't reach the pedals so he can drive it with the lever I also rebuit a C120 auto for my parents in TX because my mom is 4'10" and had a hard time reaching the pedals on most stick tractors.

[kajamo240 3]

I just got home from picking it up! She is a pretty clean machine like you said Ryan. I am just going to take apart the deck and keep it for spare parts and toss the shell...

Its too dark now to take pictures but I will be sure to get some up tomorrow morning!

Loving the automatic already! B)