Martin 2,131 #1 Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) im off work at the moment and was just working around the house doing some housework and a bit of demo work on the kitchen today. well, didnt get much time on the forum today until 5-6pm tonight. did the usual and thought id check out cl for any horses in the area. normally everything is beat to crap or way to expensive so i just skim through it and then im done, but the first one i come across was only 15 minutes away and cheap so i looked a little closer..... called the owner and ended up there around 7.00 tonight. well after dealing with flat batteries and bs i gave up and just said ill take it. not the first one ive got not running. its always a gamble, but what the hay, its 9.00 and im getting tired and im either walking (not a chance) or getting it in the truck and handing over the cash.... we had to drag this thing out of a barn and up 100 feet of slippery slope to get it where we could push it up into the truck. ice and mud (40s here today) and his jd400 was struggling to get it up the hill, ended up giving up and used my truck. went really slow as i was very concerned about towing it as its a hydro. needless to say got it in the truck in about 45 minutes and home i went. shortest trip ever, less than 15 minutes couldnt be happier with that and was, for me worth giving more than i usually do for them..... anyway here is 2 pics, first is from the ad, the second on my truck when i got home, not real good ones but better than nothing. more will come when i get it off the truck, but i though you guys would let me off tonight with just these....... tractors in reasonably good cosmetic condition, not real clean, it spent its time in a covered barn when not being used, but its got a bunch of crap all over it and doesnt look like it was cleaned very regularly after mowing. not sure of the year though...... Edited January 10, 2013 by Martin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #2 Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) alright, even though this isnt my first horse, im looking for pointers on what stuff to check out on this one tomorrow when i have time to play...... i know all the basic first time stuff, but am really wanting more specific to these models stuff to check out. ive only ever had single k series kohlers with manuals or sunstrands, so you could say im a briggs and eaton virgin...... of course the others were all red too so this really is a new one to me...... Edited January 10, 2013 by Martin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175 #3 Posted January 10, 2013 Martin, I'm sure you'll have it looking like new by next week! :teasing-poke: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevbo 80 #4 Posted January 10, 2013 From what I have heard...the grey workhorses were created because a John Deere dealer refused to sell red wheel horses in their lot so this model was created to still get into the market amongst the Deeres. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but otherwise awesome pick up! Doesn't look too beat up...if there are any rusted parts you need moving again I would mix 50/50 acetone and ATF and put it in a spray bottle. It works amazing for loosening up parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,554 #5 Posted January 10, 2013 Looks very nice martin! Can't wait to see when you get to messing with it! ~Jake Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,407 #6 Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) From what I have heard...the grey workhorses were created because a John Deere dealer refused to sell red wheel horses in their lot so this model was created to still get into the market amongst the Deeres. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong... I'm not saying you're wrong, but I can't see Toro/Wheel Horse bowing to the pressure of a single John Deere/Wheel Horse dealer. I think the Work Horse line was just a marketing tool to compete with lower priced units in a market that was changing. By the way Martin, nice find. The GT-1848 was either an A1-184801, 1982, or a D1-184801, 1983. Edited January 10, 2013 by rmaynard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,032 #7 Posted January 10, 2013 Nice find Martin! Get your wand out and start waving. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
546cowboy 301 #8 Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) I have one of those I picked up last January and it was cold and couldn't get it started either. It also had three flat tires. Fun pushing it on the trailer. Yours looks much better than mine did as mine sat outside it's entire life. Here are some before pictures. If you need the manuals PM me. I have redone this one but right now I am on my back-up computer and don't have the finished pictures but they are on my website in my signature. Edited January 10, 2013 by 546cowboy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #9 Posted January 10, 2013 NIce find, these are nice units and the briggs is a good motor. About the only thing to watch is the drive belt pully, just make sure the bolts are tight. I have seen a couple of these that it came loose and wiped the crank out and of course the steering column. Same as the 84 and up tractors. And like said before they were built to compete with the lower price units. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #10 Posted January 10, 2013 thanks lynn, are the manuals the same as the ones in the manual section on the forum? i need to work out what year it is, will do that when theres abit more light outside, i need to get this thing off the truck and inside this morning, rain is forecast and then 20's, i dont want to fight the weather. (man, im spoilt with a nice heated garage- have to kick out my wifes new chevy cruze though to make room.....) :*****: i seen yours and i think a few others on here of late, and then this thing comes in. not sure about the engine though, seller said it smoked 'a little' so im not expecting miracles there, hoping its at least bearable and the hydro is good. i chased this one mainly for the rear wheels, hydro and lift, but if its a good runner then thats a bonus....... we just dont see much of the bigger stuff around here cheap.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #11 Posted January 10, 2013 Nice pickup! WHA (Wheel Horse Addiction) runs rampant 'round these parts! 1st order, a wash job? Can't wait to see the cleaned up, engine runnin'. Before the Horse Play, finish the demo work or the Boss might complain! Have fun with the new Stallion! :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #12 Posted January 10, 2013 thanks guys on all the replies, info etc. well the demo work is gonna take some time, and the wife has just left for work, so while im going to juggle it a bit here and there, the tractors gonna get the most attention today, at least to get it off the truck. couldnt get the thing right on the truck without the back wheels resting on the tailgate, so im not happy running around with it in there. im going to throw the battery on the charger and see whats up with that first, terminals and cables look like crap so a bit of maintenance and a healthy battery might take care of the starting situation. seller said something about having problems with the fuel pump when cold, so if i don't get it started it will get moved out the way and covered up for another day. ive got too much stuff going on right now to mess with it too much. if it starts and runs good, that would be great. other than the kitchen, ive got a snowblower apart and rebuilding and i need to take care of some other red stuff first before i do too much on this one. i wasnt planning on getting another right now, in fact its a litttle cramped in the garage with my wifes car in there....... it was my idea though to put the car in there though, don't blame her, she wants to drive it, but with all the salt and crap around at the moment, its sitting until the weathers better. she only got it 3 months ago, and i want to keep it looking nice for a little longer...... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,943 #13 Posted January 10, 2013 Martin: You are going to be adding on to the garage at this point !! Just don't make it so that you are living in the garage. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #14 Posted January 10, 2013 im doing a little research to try and work out what year this is. the id tag on these things isnt like the earlier stuff and so im trying to decipher it.... a little help might go a long way.... i cant find any number on the engine as yet, maybe after a clean it will be easier to find..... heres some more pics of it on the truck, check out the home made wheel weights!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #15 Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) alright i think i found what i was looking for....... this post...... had what i needed, i guess with the id number all together with no spaces confused me but it breaks up and now ive got it........ Back again with some questions regarding the differences between a GT-1848 Work Horse and a GT-1800, what are the differences? TT id'ed this thing for me but i don't know what parts to get for it , i am in the process of tearing it completely apart, getting a new lift and controls, PTO, seat, fenders, and engine and will spend some time painting and i'll be ready to go. 1982 A1-1848 01 GT 1848 1983 D1-1848 01 GT1848 1984 A1-1800 01 GT1800 my number is A1184801 10105 (A1 1848 01) so if im not mistaken its an 1982...... Edited January 10, 2013 by Martin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,968 #16 Posted January 10, 2013 Good piece of equipment Martin. Looks like its all there, and it has some serious potential. Looking forward to your progress. I followed the work you did on your C-125, and I know its just a matter of time until this WorkHorse is running and working like it should. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fun Engineer 859 #17 Posted January 10, 2013 Martin Your correct that you have an 1982. My recollection from when I did mine was that everything is the same as a red tractors except the engine and colors. I used a urethane to paint mine. I belive it's a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury color for the grey and white wheels. The only problems aside from needing a rebuild kit for the hydro control valve was I had to replace the coil. I would be out mowing and when the tractor started to heat up it would cut out and not start again until it cooled off. New coil and no problem. I allways worried about the B&S but it was a great engine. This was without a doubt one of the best tractors I ever owned. The 48 inch deck and snowplow worked great with the hydro trans and hydro lift. Wish I would have kept it. Here's a picture of my son driving it at the 2001 PA Show. Notice how few tractors were at the show back then? Here's another with his little brother on the 857. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diesel cowboy 263 #18 Posted January 10, 2013 If i remember right from one of those engines I worked on the model number for the engine should be on the tin work over the head near the spark plug at the front of the tractor. You probably want to make sure that theres no mouse nest or crud in the fins because those engines are real suseptable to over heating and they like to pop the valve seats out. I have 4-5 of them at work that did that. Hope this helps. Stewart Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 844 #19 Posted January 10, 2013 I agree with diesel cowboy on the mouse nest , i check all my engines for that. Also , the Briggs does not have a compression release , so you will need a good , strong battery to start it. I love my 1848 . When i bought mine the engine rattled on the top end and i was going to redo it until i found a Craftsman GT with the 18HP Briggs and just swapped engines. Both engines are powerful and hardly bog down in tall grass with the 48" deck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #20 Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) thanks guys, it runs ok. the fuel pump wasnt working and i couldn't get gas to flow so replaced fuel hoses as they were old and cracked, still more is needed as it wont run up high unless the choke is out. i will look at that sometime down the road as for now just wanted to see how it drove and check out the smoke issue and see how strong the hydro was..... hydro is strong and nice and quiet, lift works well, no complaints there, the hydros are always a worry for me if i get one not thats not running. everything i come across lately isnt running, and while its a bargaining thing sometimes, its still a worry that maybe you just bought a bunch of parts that look like an assembled tractor. ok if you are only giving $50 for it, but when its in the hundreds then it does concern me. except for the c160 which i gave 300 for, this is my next most expensive non runner at 250. i think i did ok, im happy with how it drives, didnt test out the mower deck as the pto clutch is bad, the seller told me the lining was worn out, so i will look at that later. the engine is noisy in the lower rpms, seems ok up high but a bit too noisy for me at idle and when starting and shutting down. i will post a video and see if any ideas come up. it runs strong and has a bunch of power. i think im going to let it sit for some time, might get it running better in the summer and mow with it this season. heres some pics and a video or two will follow..... gave it a good blow down with air, got in all the known areas, still need to pull the tins and check out the fins on the engine. gave the hood a pb blaster polish..... garage is getting a little crowded...... Edited January 10, 2013 by Martin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,131 #21 Posted January 10, 2013 This is what my '83 sounded like: Here's what I found when I recently opened it up: The timing pin that's inserted into the crank is worn too, so there's close to one tooth of backlash in the crank (timing) gear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #22 Posted January 10, 2013 heres some engine noise videos... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #23 Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) terry, yes that noise sounds similar to mine, definitely better at the higher rpm..... heres another video from earlier when i first got it running. took it out to see if it drove ok. interesting experience holding the phone in one hand and steering, pulling the choke to keep it running and jockeying the throttle all at the same time with the other....... it actually started to run better later on, but it still needs some carb/fuel work...... Edited January 10, 2013 by Martin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodchuckfarmer 333 #24 Posted January 10, 2013 My son in law has an 1848 workhorse , and his noise was a broken baffel in the muffler . Take it off and shake it ,you will soon find out. Good luck with your new tractor.....Wayne Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #25 Posted January 10, 2013 i will check that out. sometimes it sounds like its coming from that area. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
