Restored Wheel Horse Pain

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Up till about three months ago I had a grasshopper 721 zero turn I had been mowing the grass with, but it finally got so wore out it just was'nt worth fixing anymore, rusted out deck, kubota engine smoking like crazy, etc, etc. Well I had a little B-80 that I used years ago that I had always wanted to fix up. Long story short, I started fixing it up with the intentions of just making a good worker out of it, well one thing lead to another, and I kept fixing it up a little more, and a little more, until I eventually had completely restored it, now it was not by any means a perfect restoration, but it looks good. So here I am with a tractor I really love, and about 5 acres of grass to cut. I live very far south, so we dont really get any freezing weather, but we have had alot of rain so the grass is growing like crazy, so it requires alot of mowing! I am having a little trouble watching wear and tear happen to my almost new looking 37 year old horse. Is there anyone else out there that can feel my pain, or am I the only moron out there that would completely restore his horse, and proceed to work it like a dog?

Matt

It does'nt look quite this good anymore.

[Jake Kuhn 1,554]

That tractor looks really good. I kind of miss having my 401 original but It is awesome the way it is now too. ,Jake

[JackC 617]

Nice looking unit.

Many if us have several to spread the work out with some to beat and some to baby.

I have 14. I almost hate to put hours on any of them.

They are built for a lot of work as long as they are serviced and kept clean and kept out of the weather when not working.

You can always restore it again or buy another to spread the work out.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

I have been looking for another one, preferably a C-160, but they are very difficult to find down here. I see them very regularly on craigslist in the northern states, but never in Texas.

Matt :flags-texas:

[can whlvr 993]

i started to cut the lawn one day with my totally redone c101-8,i coulnt do it,the rocks were flying and i had to stop,i know what your talking about,i just do a maintanance job on workers now,get all the rust off,cheap paint(rustolium)and get them mecanically sound and then i dont mind working them

[sorekiwi 761]

The first scratch hurts, after that the pain gets less and less.

I dont have aany show queens. Some I'm a little more careful of than others, but they still have to earn their keep somehow.

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

You are going to have to bite the bullet (45 long colt in Texas) and get yourself another mower. I've got 5 acres (really probably more) to keep cut here, and there is no way I would ever try to do it with just one mower. Thats a fine WH you have, so why don't you save it for mowing around the house, and everything else mow with something bigger and faster. Can you use a sub compact tractor with a 5 foot finish mower?

Van

[gwgdog66 23]

I see your delema

I have a C-160 8 speed I got when my uncle passed away. I did a minor paint job on it, new short block back in 2005. I have 250 hrs on it now, mowing my cousin's horse ranch every other week. 40 acres, and about 5 of it is lawn.

Last year, I found an old C-100 8 speed, and was going to use it as a parts tractor, but the more I looked at it, I just couldn't. So I replaced a badly smoking k241 with a rebuilt short block, fixed a bad clutch lever and split time mowing with it and the C-160.

This year I ran across a 312-8 with low hrs, and will use it while I paint the C-100.

I couldn't stand putting all those hours on just one machine that I plan to keep forever, so I just got two more. :woohoo:

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Those sound like words of wisdom guys. Actually I do have a Kioti Lk3054 compact tractor, but there are alot of trees and other things to mow around that would make it very difficult to use something that big to mow with. I defiantly need another horse, something in good shape, and with a bigger deck to help my B-80 out. Every time I accidentally dont see something in the grass, and hear that loud bang as something goes launching out the side of my mower, I want to cry. I went to far with its restoration, I should'nt have made so nice knowing I was going to work it. Thanks for the response guys.

Matt :flags-texas:

[smoreau 658]

Sounds like your going to force your self to find a relative up hear that your going to have to visit and bring home a nice 520H with a 60" deck for the majority of your lawn cutting needs and use your B for trimming around the trees. :handgestures-thumbupright:

[Forest Road 594]

Why dont you look for another horse and drop a diesel or 13hp Honda or Harbor frieght special. in there with a 48" deck. Plenty of power and less fuel. Quite a few members have successfully switched over to these motors. Good luck!

[bowtiebutler956 650]

I was just thinking maybe you are a long lost relative of mine.

Matt :flags-texas:

[smoreau 658]

Hay cousin Matt!!! When you coming up here? :ROTF:

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Actually I have 3 honda clones running in our little of road buggies, a 16hp powermax 420cc, 15hp lifan 420cc, and a 6.5 harbor frieght for my younger boys, but I dont think I would put one in my horse though, and fuel is not an issue. However a C-160 and a 48" deck would be real nice.

Matt

I'll be coming up there as soon as I can convince my wife you are my long lost cousin! :ROTF:

[Hodge71 664]

Matt Dont feel so bad. I'm doing a complete resto of my 1973 18 auto. I plan on putting a mower on it and I have a 56" dozer blade for the front that will be modified with removable "wings" to clear a total swath of 72 inches of snow. So maybe its a bit of consolation to you to know that theres others that work their restos....

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Thanks hodge71, it does help. You know misery loves company.

Matt :flags-texas:

[AMC RULES 37,125]

You could always enjoy the process of restoring it again and again.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Thats true Craig, but that would get kind of pricey. Fun but pricey. I would rather get another horse to restore. This really is a sickness, I could probably find some less expensive low class, more modern "lawn" mower , but I dont want a lawn mower, I want another Wheel Horse!

Matt :flags-texas:

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

Matt, I'm curious. How far would you have to travel to get to a part of the Country where there are some wheelHorses for sale?

And at the risk of being Horsewhipped, have you given any thought to an International Harvester Cub Cadet? If you get a later model Cub, they are painted Red

I mean I wouldn't recommend it of course (even though i have one) but it is an option..............

[ezeastside 93]

Matt,

I'm in the middle of a 312-8 Restoration right now.

My full intention is to bring this back to new, and enjoy it and work it for many years.

Now your making me wonder if I will work it hard when its done!!

Ed

[can whlvr 993]

the hard work is worth it,when you restore them you know what you got,and then they are about as good as new,so they will run trouble free for years

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Say Wheel-N-It, I would have to go about a minimum of 1200mi. to start getting into Wheel Horse country. I like the cubs, but my heart is set on another Horse.

Ed, your doing nice work on your 312-8, very nice! I think you will find it more difficult than you think, to really work it when your done. I know I have found it very painful, to beat on it after all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into its restoration. Just wait till you start seeing the little scratches and nicks in the paint, or get your first flat tire, and you scratch the paint on the wheels removing it so you can fix it, or having to wash every time after use, and you see moisture getting in your gauges because of all the washings It is still very rewarding seeing how well it works, and knowing you did a good job. Best of luck with your horse!

It is worth it can whlvr, knowing they will be around for a long time to come, just painful when they start loosing that "new" look.

Matt :flags-texas:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

Work it as it was intended for. My .02 on your situation. The one other thing I feel I should add is 5 acres is a lot for a smaller deck that your b80 can handle. Hope you like seat time!

[bowtiebutler956 650]

There's the silver lining! Its true, I get alot of seat time mowing 5 acres with a 36" deck, I mean alot. That for helping me to see the bright side of things stevebo!

Matt :flags-texas:

[gapper 22]

You did a great job on the restoration. You might work it like a dog but with a little love and care it will always be true to you like a horse, wheel horse of course!!