It's been almost a year with a C-125

[rjcap 13]

and I have become a huge fan of Wheel Horse tractors.

 

Late last summer my 30 year old JD 400, Dad owned it before me, went down with starter and other electrical issues. When I found out that to get to the starter to replace it I would have to pull the engine I really began to doubt how much more sweat I wanted to put into the JD. So I started to look into other options to cut the grass for the rest of the season. I looked at new big box offerings and was disappointed in what I was seeing. I started to look at what I could find on craigslist and I saw that there was a C-125 Wheel Horse for sale really close to home. Knowing absolutely nothing about Wheel Horse I made arrangements to look at it. I liked what I saw, very clean well kept tractor with a nice heavy duty front axle, two speed rear end, and an engine compartment that would let me change a starter if I ever had to without having to yank the engine. Fired her up did a few test cuts around their yard and was sure I could finish the season of mowing with this machine. They were asking $400, I offered $300 and we had a deal.  The seller was even nice enough to deliver it to my place. Cut the rest of last summer with it, in October I located a single stage snow blower for it for $100 and used that to blow snow up here in lake effect CNY. What a handy, easy to work on, super tough machine. I love it. 

 

The JD is still sitting in my garage with a bad starter, I'll fix it someday. I do miss my old 60" cut on the JD but the 42" rear discharge is doing the job just fine. 

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

Sounds like you're hooked,big time.How long before you start looking for another Horse??? Or have you been peeking at the classifieds already when no one was looking?Gotta love the Wheel Horses.

[rjcap 13]

I look on craigslist almost every day.   Right now I am looking for a replacement for my cracked plastic fender. My fault, it was perfect when I got it. That is right up until I decided to see how much fun I could have flipping the tractor over in the swale in front of my house. Not on purpose of course. But stupid me I left the tire chains on from winter and when I was climbing up the hill I pushed in the clutch in to slow down for an approaching car. Man, when I engaged the clutch again those chains bit hard and flipped me a$$ over tea kettle. Bruised the heck out of me but nothing broken. Except my plastic fender.

[B-100 Dan 7]

Yeah, I'd say you are hooked.  Had a fellew in my garage a couple of weeks ago wanting to borrow a trailer hitch, well he was looking at my 1976 B-100 while I was getting the correct ball for the hitch.  When I found what I was looking for, he's still giving the Wheel Horse a good look, and he says, you wouldn't want to sell that tractor would you?  He commented on how well it was built and rugged looking.  I said NO of course.  That you just don't find them every day.  Oh there out there, but you have to look, then hope they can be bought.

[Ken B 3,164]

Welcome aboard! You can put on a meta rear fender pan off of any 3,4 or 5 series tractors.

[squonk 41,016]

Welcome! I'm about 40 miles to the west of you. I may have a solid but with a few rust bubbles fender pan after the show if I can find a better one for the tractor I'm redoing.

[Keith 21]

The John Deere 400 is a tough tractor too, but its kind of big isn't it?    Most garden tractors are not as easy to work on as the belt drive Wheel Horse models, but the 400 has a good following.  I'd not want to have to buy any new tractor sized like the 400. The 400 cost a good deal back then.   I saw a 400 a few months ago on C/L the asking price was $4,000, which was way too much.  At least it is only a starter repair.  New JD parts can cost a lot.   I like all colors of tractors but I know what's good for me too.

[leeave96 487]

As was mentioned, you can get a metal pan to replace the broken fiberglass one.

While you are at it, trade that JD 400 on a Wheelhorse 520H w/60 inch deck...;)

[rjcap 13]

Welcome! I'm about 40 miles to the west of you. I may have a solid but with a few rust bubbles fender pan after the show if I can find a better one for the tractor I'm redoing.

I travel for work and was just in Waterloo this past Wednesday. Had breakfast at the Magee diner just off the thruway too. Let me know what you decide to do. I would be interested. 

[rjcap 13]

The John Deere 400 is a tough tractor too, but its kind of big isn't it?    Most garden tractors are not as easy to work on as the belt drive Wheel Horse models, but the 400 has a good following.  I'd not want to have to buy any new tractor sized like the 400. The 400 cost a good deal back then.   I saw a 400 a few months ago on C/L the asking price was $4,000, which was way too much.  At least it is only a starter repair.  New JD parts can cost a lot.   I like all colors of tractors but I know what's good for me too.

I cut my teeth on that 400. Even though my Dad was the one that bought it, I did most of the work using it for cutting, rototilling maintenance etc. But it is not an easy piece to work on. Taking the mowing deck off takes alot of swearing and ripped knuckles and the job to replace the starter requires almost complete disassembly of all of the cowling and frame support members before you even get to the engine bolts, not to mention being extra careful not to mush the tranny cooler which is wedged down so low I think it just levitates there.  I have been so happy at how easy this Wheel Horse is to work on. I've had the mower deck off for cleaning, a coat of POR-15 on the underside and new blades in no time. Putting the snow blower on was a little more work but I think it was just because I had not done it before. 

As was mentioned, you can get a metal pan to replace the broken fiberglass one.

While you are at it, trade that JD 400 on a Wheelhorse 520H w/60 inch deck...

Watching the forums here I recently saw some very nice 540's. I want one too. 

[squonk 41,016]

Next time in Waterloo travel into the village and hit Connies or The Green Apple!

 

If I do find another fender, you can have mine. Needs some sanding and repainting. Here's a pic of it on Marvin:

 

 

 

 

Edited May 18, 2013 by squonk

[rjcap 13]

Thanks squonk. Think I've been to Connie's before, (be on  the right heading out of Waterloo towards Geneva on 5&20), not sure about The Green Apple. If it works out I would be glad to treat you to lunch at your choice. 

 

I like that snowblower set-up too. Is that a new blower? Like brand new.

[squonk 41,016]

Got it used. Bought it with a cab for $350. Didn't want the cab and sold that for $325.

[Keith 21]

As the JD 400 has been in the family, I'd definitely keep it.    Those green tractors are sized like a super garden tractor. The 400 were good for plowing a garden, heavy enough for a front loader.   I think it compares more with a D-200.   There is no beating the belt drive Wheel Horse when it comes to keeping an older tractor going for reasonable costs. But the power steering of the 400 is a good feature and I believe its got a Kohler twin instead of an Onan.

[Tankman 3,518]

 

As was mentioned, you can get a metal pan to replace the broken fiberglass one.

While you are at it, trade that JD 400 on a Wheelhorse 520H w/60 inch deck...

A 520H with the 60" deck? You, and a lot of us, are dreaming. It isn't Christmas ya know! :smile:

[rjcap 13]

Thinking about your possibly available metal fender and I found a couple recent pics of my C-125 and one with the cracked and holding together with clear epoxy fender. 

 

 

 

 

Next time in Waterloo travel into the village and hit Connies or The Green Apple!

 

If I do find another fender, you can have mine. Needs some sanding and repainting. Here's a pic of it on Marvin: