Curmudgeon 28 #1 Posted July 3, 2008 I have. One good runner, C-121; one almost runner, Suburban; and two partials, both RJ-57's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teddy da Bear 11 #2 Posted July 3, 2008 I don't know if you can count it as "free" but my first wheel horse was a wedding gift from my folks. Your making me day-dream about getting a freebie now. B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,131 #3 Posted July 3, 2008 I answered a "free 1962 Wheel Horse" post on the big Yahoo group a few months ago and got this: I have also gotten a 753 (rough) and a C-101 (minus engine) for free, but they gave their lives for the good of others. B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgjks6 6 #4 Posted July 3, 2008 Long story, but you asked. The only horse I have was free from my parents. They quit mowing the lawn for a while, so in the mid 90's gave it to the manager of some apartments they owned. After a while he quit using it and it sat in a shed. Then in 01 my father passed away and my brother decided to mow the lawn. He got the horse back, but decided a new tractor would be better so he bought a $1000 craftsman. My mom needed the garage space so I stored it at my house, but I had a lawn service. Then my father in law wanted to start mowing his lawn and I offered it to him. He took it to the tractor repair place and they said he would be better to fix the horse than get anything new, so he had it tuned up for $200. He took it home and did not like the way it mowed so he gave it back to me a few years ago and he bought a $1200 John Deere. I still had a lawn service, but Iused it to haul stuff around the yard. Then this year I started to mow and got this wheel horse addiction that you guys have. In all of these years no one realized what a great tractor my dad bought. Now I use it for everything and work on it daily. So far my only investment has been a new seal for the transmission. That and the cost of the parts I have put in it. Less than $200 total. Sorry it is a long story, but I love telling it. BTW, the craftsman is a piece of crap - it still runs, smokes a little, but the steering is almost shot. The John Deere runs fine but he has had multiple trips to the dealer for repairs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,407 #5 Posted July 4, 2008 Two of mine were free... the first was a B-80, and the second was a 1968 Lawn Ranger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rollerman 290 #6 Posted July 4, 2008 I've come across a few freebies....a 753, an 854, & a JD110H for services perfomed on a Electro16 Mutt. The 753 was a near total loss...it had sat in the weeds so long not much was salvageable. I did get a set of wheel weights, a nice short frame dozer blade with brackets, & some other misc. items. Joe Papke & I had to drag it through soft grass about 50 yards to my trailer with only 1 wheel turning. It was a fun adventure. The 854 came from my neighbors house 2 doors down. He was surprised to see I had so many & offered it to me knowing I'd make it a good home. The JD was not free...but I didn't put much into the E 16 Mutt other than TLC, time & paint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #7 Posted July 4, 2008 I came accross a couple frebies myself, I got a 1054 with with WH dump cart and vaccume system. Only problem Is I had to drive 530 mile to PU. So I guess that wasnt a freebie per say, but it was a onderful trip! Also while picking up a 55 and 551 I was given a 65 Reo so that was a good find! Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #8 Posted July 4, 2008 My 312-8 was a freebie, although acquired under less than happy circumstances. My best friend's sister passed away unexpectedly and among her possessions was the WH. No one else in her family wanted it, and he already had a green tractor. He isn't much of mechanic by his own admission, so since the 312-8 had been sitting for six years he figured it would take more work than he could put into it. He knows I love tinkering on things and thought I'd like it - boy, was he right about that! So we drove to CT and picked it up. Like Greg (dgjks6), I've only had to put parts into it and I work on it as often as I can because I like to! Except for needing a new battery, it started and ran just fine as I got it. I've just R&R'd everything else to satisfy my own sick craving to make something good a little better if I can. Cheers! Deerman B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustbucket 4 #9 Posted July 4, 2008 my GT-14 was free no moneh from pocket spent for her but alot spent on her in the form of parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BairleaFarm 340 #10 Posted July 4, 2008 FREE, hell I cant even find one to buy. I paid 60 for the one I have know but Had to drive 4 hours to get it. Thats the best deal I could find on any WH around here. but I might be picking up 2 more tomorrow. Not free of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #11 Posted July 4, 2008 Tell you what Dura, come on up to Michigan and buy a tractor, and I'll give you some free "stuff" to help with gas expenses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #12 Posted July 4, 2008 my GT-14 was free no moneh from pocket spent for her but alot spent on her in the form of parts. You know that tractors are like sex. The ones you pay for are actually cheaper than the ones you get for free... B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BairleaFarm 340 #13 Posted July 4, 2008 I'll give you some free "stuff" to help with gas expenses. IT would have to be alot of free stuff. Diesel is stupid high and 175$ a fill up id burn alot of fuel getting up there/ But thanks anyways B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #14 Posted July 4, 2008 My BIL found this for me, fixed it and sold it, twas a nice little profit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 14 #15 Posted July 4, 2008 You know that tractors are like sex. The ones you pay for are actually cheaper than the ones you get for free... You're not paying for the sex, you're paying her to leave you alone when you're done. Dale, Careful, Duramaxdavid, 4starcustoms, and myself are only about 20 miles away from one another. We could just all pile into Scott's new ride and invade ya! The only free 'Horse I've gotten was my first one. Daddy's "little red tractor", a 400 Suburban. B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #16 Posted July 4, 2008 Jim, It wouldn't be the first time. Had four guys show up from Canada and by the time they got done chewing me down, much of their gas was paid for. Maybe not ALL, but much. I see in your signature you're from Kentucky. That is a hike, but if you share expenses...... Remember also, the sooner I'm invaded, the more stuff I have to get rid of!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 14 #17 Posted July 4, 2008 Jim, It wouldn't be the first time. Had four guys show up from Canada and by the time they got done chewing me down, much of their gas was paid for. Maybe not ALL, but much. I see in your signature you're from Kentucky. That is a hike, but if you share expenses...... Remember also, the sooner I'm invaded, the more stuff I have to get rid of!!!!! Not to be After a little thought I recalled that every time I have been to Mt. Pleasant I have left a little lighter in the pocket thanks to the Indians. It is a long haul unless, of course, there's a 'Horse involved. Very few come up for sale in this area. Most of my roundups have been about two thirds that distance, by myself, in a beat up old F-150 with no air and no radio. She will sit untouched for months on end, (11,000 miles over ten years) but when I need her she fires up and runs all day at 80-85 mph no problem. I think the longest trip I took was 734 miles round trip with the second half hauling a D-160 and deck. Was away from home for 11 1/2 hours, including the two hours at the POs house. And it was 103 degrees when I picked it up. And my truck is black (and rust). :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #18 Posted July 4, 2008 Free???....Well, alot of you guys know my story...I'm retired and work at TSC part time and usually deliver new stuff for customers that don't have any way to haul it home...when I unload a new piece of MTD junk, I always ask if they have any old riding mowers that they want to get rid of....most of the time they do!!....got the picture?...they pay me CASH to deliver and I haul the old stuff away FREE... Most of them are not faded red in color, but I call them "tradin' material"....lets see, 20 hp Onan on a Crapsman, yea, it trades...yellow Cub w/snow blade, yea, it trades.....but once in a while I get lucky and sometimes I just tell them to keep the delivery fee (CASH) and I'll take the faded red stuff......one was a 704 with snow blade....all original and only had to replace the recoil spring in the pull start...one was a 416-8, one was a C-175 with blown twin. Now I am not a big fan of vertical engine stuff so seldom take it but this one was a keeper...lady open the garage door and there was a like new B-82....husband had passed away several years ago and she said he took care of that mower like it was his baby....it is so new that it is the one I mow my yard with today...not the most collectable model but my neighbors like it cause it is the only Wheel Horse in the neighborhood....they have never seen a rear discharge deck!!! Everyone one at the store and alot of customers now know that I am always looking for "faded red stuff".....and now I think I have mastered the art of collecting WH's....just a few months ago, someone hauled a WH to the store to see if I wanted it!!!....I felt so guilty I gave him a little CASH for it.......but when ya got em' haulin stuff to your barn, I guess you can spell that FREE....what do you think? B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #19 Posted July 4, 2008 Frank, you are a credit to the American way of life! Keep up the good work...er, collecting...er, recycling - oh what the heck..... just keep doin' what yer doin'! Cheers and Happy 4th! Deereman B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #20 Posted July 4, 2008 Not to be After a little thought I recalled that every time I have been to Mt. Pleasant I have left a little lighter in the pocket thanks to the Indians. It is a long haul unless, of course, there's a 'Horse involved. Very few come up for sale in this area. Most of my roundups have been about two thirds that distance, by myself, in a beat up old F-150 with no air and no radio. She will sit untouched for months on end, (11,000 miles over ten years) but when I need her she fires up and runs all day at 80-85 mph no problem. I think the longest trip I took was 734 miles round trip with the second half hauling a D-160 and deck. Was away from home for 11 1/2 hours, including the two hours at the POs house. And it was 103 degrees when I picked it up. And my truck is black (and rust). You know, I've lived in this area since before the casino went up. I now live 15 minutes from it. In all those years, the indians have gotten less than $100 from me, and the VAST majority of that was at the buffet. Ah, longest trip, another thread if it's not already done. My longest was also in the 6-700 mile range, a day trip with the Ranger and 4'x8' trailer. Hauled home two tractors, mower deck, front blade, chains, extra 8 speed, and maybe some other stuff. Funniest part of that trip was a post on a forum the next day about a red Ranger going by Toledo like a bat out of heck, hauling a trailer, with both truck and trailer loaded to the gills with red. Some of us can't get away with anything!!!!!!!!!! :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #21 Posted July 4, 2008 Frank, I do believe you'll take top honors in the freebie category!!!!!!!!!! I scored a few off-color tractors by placing "Will haul away for free..." ads, but nothing like you have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dual Wheels 2 #22 Posted July 8, 2008 I don't think I ever got one "FREE" until tonight that is. My neighbor had a 314-8 that he got from his Uncle..used it all last year to cut about 2 acres ..then it sat around till tonight ..came over with a new old tractor and ask if i wanted the WH..Didn't run and when it did last only had low range ..bad rearend...but may be some good parts . Well after blowing about 4 lbs of old dead grass and dirt out of the cooling fins and putting GAS in it ..fiered right up...now to see if it moves..runs good in low range...try hi...jerks and grabs....back to the work shed ..install new drive belt...run over to his house...third gear hi range...runs FINE...abuot then I think he wanted to go hide somewhere...ALLMOST feel guilty ..nice 42 inch deck to boot B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #23 Posted July 8, 2008 I don't think I ever got one "FREE" until tonight that is. My neighbor had a 314-8 that he got from his Uncle..used it all last year to cut about 2 acres ..then it sat around till tonight ..came over with a new old tractor and ask if i wanted the WH..Didn't run and when it did last only had low range ..bad rearend...but may be some good parts . Well after blowing about 4 lbs of old dead grass and dirt out of the cooling fins and putting GAS in it ..fiered right up...now to see if it moves..runs good in low range...try hi...jerks and grabs....back to the work shed ..install new drive belt...run over to his house...third gear hi range...runs FINE...abuot then I think he wanted to go hide somewhere...ALLMOST feel guilty ..nice 42 inch deck to boot No wonder why yer snickering!!!! Good Find! Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rod(NASNUT) 1 #24 Posted July 8, 2008 My free ones are my Charger 9 from my dad and a Raider 12 and Bronco 14 that I got from a back yard B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
