315-8 TRACTOR AUCTION WITH BAGGER

[BOWTIE 226]

THERE IS AUCTION TOMORROW 7/13 10:00 IN LIMA,OHIO. IT'S A 315-8 2002 OR NEWER 42" WITH BAGGER SET-UP,415 HOURS  $4500 -$5000 NEW.  I CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE AUCTION  MAYBE ONE OF OTHERS MEMBERS CAN MAKE IT. ONLY HAVE ONE PICTURE OF IT.

 

BOWTIE

 

  

[546cowboy 301]

Wouldn't be worth the time if I was 15 minutes away!

 

To reply to several later posts farther down, no I don't think much of those later models and $4500 to $5000 is way to much for my bankroll. Also I too have never owned a Wheel Horse newer than a 1991. The only newer one I would buy, if the opportunity arose , would be a 520.

 

I had a fellow, a member here I believe, that came from Ohio to buy a 42" deck, and he had two of those for sale. I think he said one had 0 hours and the other .2 hour. He wanted $5000 each.

 

Now you have to understand I am not a collector really. I just like to refurbish these and find someone to put them back to work. I do have two that will be here a long time but one is not really a Wheel Horse. That is the one I have for my Avitar , just the sheet metal is W/H, and the other is the '89 520H I have. Of course if I find a newer 520H the '89 will be for sale. I can't say I am a purest like some here as I will modify one with a newer engine. I have nothing against Kohler twins as long as they don't have Courage any where on them.

 

I have become kind of attached to the 656 I have though but I have found that the more you keep the more they sit and that isn't good for any of these. They were meant to be used and sitting does not agree with my horses.

 

As far as being no more made wasn't there a thread here a month or two ago about some new Wheel Horses. Those were in name only and I wouldn't have one of those either.

Edited July 14, 2013 by 546cowboy

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

Wouldn't be worth the time if I was 15 minutes away!

 Lynn, are you saying that because of the engine, or something else???  I don't own a Horse newer than a 1991 model, so I don't know alot about the ones made much later than that.

[Challenger 27]

A NOS dealer display model sold in our area a couple of years ago for $2,900.

Edited July 13, 2013 by Challenger

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

 

Wouldn't be worth the time if I was 15 minutes away!

 Lynn, are you saying that because of the engine, or something else???  I don't own a Horse newer than a 1991 model, so I don't know alot about the ones made much later than that.

 

I am curious to know too why Lynn does not like it. I thought the Kohler Command that came in it was a good motor from what I have heard. Maybe I am wrong?

[BOWTIE 226]

I think the Kohler command motor is good engine. Yes it's aluminum with overhead valves. They been in lawn tractors and mower since 1998 and I haven't heard anything bad so far.  I personally rather have any Kohler over a two cylinder Onan in a  lawn tractor because of the cooling problems.  The Kohlers can take a little abuse. 

 

BOWTIE

[BOWTIE 226]

Challenger, did that tractor for $2900 have a deck. If so I would have bought it. You guys got to realize their are no more WHEEL HORSES. 

 

 BOWTIE

[Challenger 27]

Yes, it had a 48" deck.

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

 You guys got to realize their are no more WHEEL HORSES. 

 

 BOWTIE

 

This is exactly why I built up my collection. I saw the writing on the wall........................................

[Tankman 3,518]

I've collected a few Horses 'cause I like 'em and appreciate the engineering, fairly simple. My first Horse came to me 'bout 40 years ago.

 

Of course, I speak pre-TORO. Since TORO, I feel, "all downhill." 

 

IMHO the Kohlers are #1. The Courage I have had some experience with, no problems. I didn't own the Courage powered equipment long, sold the acquired junque off. Picked up some very new stuff, Courage powered, cheap.

 

Haven't owned my '90 520-8 long. Had to pick it up 'cause it was el cheapo**. My feeling was engine problems, re-power Kohler. This season, workin' a lot with the 520-8 Onan, has me wondering 'bout all the negative blah blah blah, "Onan engine problems." Haven't had a problem.......yet.

 

Running the '90 520-8 Onan with a 48" SD deck through thick and thin. The chatter 'bout Onan's IMHO doesn't fit (fingers crossed I guess).

 

**The poor Stallion was sittin' outside, cold, hot, wet, shivering. Not for sale. Stopped, made an offer "to remove the junque" and was haulin' the "Gold" to my barn. Best WH find I've made....I think.

 

P.S. Am I the only nut that chuckles when I see a "tractor" being loaded for delivery at the BIG box stores?

Edited July 15, 2013 by Tankman

[Challenger 27]

I'm curious, if Toro had not purchased Wheel Horse, where do you think Wheel Horse would be today?

 

I'm not sure of the answer.  Would it be like Case/Ingersoll, barely hanging on,  or could it have become more like John Deere (lawn and garden) if it had not been sold to Toro.  Did previous ownership have the vision, finances, management ability to continue the brand and take it successfully down a "better" path?

Edited July 15, 2013 by Challenger

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

Don't know the answer to your questions, but I did recently meet a gentleman who retired from Toro's Lawn and Garden division. He told me it was a sad day when Toro stopped production of the Wheel Horse.

[Tankman 3,518]

Challenger, I too wonder. Guess all forum members do too.

 

Now it is what it is but, we're all here 'cause we're believers. All saving the old Horses. All love 'em and treat the herds very well.

 

When I put my Horse in the barn yesterday, hosed down, blown off, air screen vac'd, Grandsons did the McGuires tire shine thingy.  Beautiful Stallions! 

 

PS. That tire shine works great on the PE gas tanks.

 

PSS. At the BIG box stores you're not getting a Deere or a Cub. Like duh.

Edited July 15, 2013 by Tankman

[MalMac 1,331]

If Toro had not bought them they would have ended up like Cub Cadet and Troybuilt. Good Ol (junk) MTD would have acquired them.

[BOWTIE 226]

I got a 75 82 97 99 wheel horses with horizontal motors. The newer Toro units are just as dependable as the 70's units. Yes they changed some but the drive train is the same. Some of the safety features and EPA standards can be pain. But like most people think, I'm glad Toro dropped it instead of making it throw away. By the way those Command motors have hydraulic lifters like a car and never need adjustment. Just my two cents.

BOWTIE

[Challenger 27]

I'm thankful that I still have two long time (old)  family owned Wheel Horse dealers in my neighborhood. 

 

So far thy've been able to meet my service and parts needs.

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

So does anyone know what the 315 went for at the auction BowTie talked about??? Just curious.