leeave96 487 #1 Posted July 23, 2013 I know I drive you folks nuts with posts like these but.... In my never ending soul search as to keep the Toro/Wheelhorse decals on my 520H and 314-8 or replace them with reproduction Wheelhorse decals or do nothing, I'm now wondering if anyone has tastefully just removed the Toro part of their decals and were left with a decent looking decal? Any pics? Thanks! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Kid 105 #2 Posted July 23, 2013 I think it would not look right as it would not cover the whole side of the hood. Why not just get wheel horse decals (1989 and back)? I think they look so much better than the Toro ones!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 487 #3 Posted July 23, 2013 Why not just get wheel horse decals (1989 and back)? I think they look so much better than the Toro ones!!! That was my original thought. I put up a thread a while back asking if anyone had done this and how the Wheelhorse logos looked with the Toro red paint vs the older, brighter Wheelhorse red. I kind of agree that hacking off the Toro would likely look cheesy, but I'm thinking that if you sculpted/planned your cut, it might not look so bad. I'm not opposed to leaving the Toro/Wheelhorse logo's as they are. I have a certain amount of respect that Toro pretty much kept the Wheelhorse design intact until the bitter end - and didn't soil the Wheelhorse name onto an MTD box store riding mower like they did with the Toro name. The plus side of having the Toro name is it keeps the Wheelhorse original, doesn't cost me any $$'s and really helps tell the final chapter of the Wheelhorse story. The biggest problem I've got with the Toro logo is that it stands out larger than the Wheelhorse - even though the design is Wheelhorse. Toro should have left their logo off completely IMHO. When they bought Lawnboy, they didn't rename the mowers Toro/Lawnboy mowers. But the thing that REALLY drives me nuts is when I am mowing, say at a Church (this really happened one time) and a friend sees me mowing, pulls up for a quick howdy and chat. I'm feeling great about having some quality/quantity Wheelhorse seat time - and doing a good turn too. I stop the tractor, get off of it, me and my friend begin to chat, he really likes the heavy duty garden tractor I'm using, I'm soaking up the complements like a sponge and then the friend says, "TORO REALLY KNEW HOW TO MAKE A GREAT HEAVY DUTY GARDEN TRACTOR." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,331 #4 Posted July 23, 2013 Unfortunately they didn't , that's one of the reasons they bought Wheel Horse. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #5 Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) I've replaced many decals using aftermarket from Terry; http://www.redoyourhorse.com TORO is gone, left my little herd. Using a heat gun, decals are easily removed. I can then paint the part before adding new decals. Edited July 26, 2013 by Tankman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 267 #6 Posted July 24, 2013 I have every intention of re-doing the artwork on my 414-8 Don't care for the the lettering in the logo in silver (or wheels for that matter). Used photoshop to see what it would look like in white and am now going ahead Have a Toro Wheelhorse trailer - did the same with that. Photo attached. Made the trailer art in less than a minuite. Got lucky with font I.D. Recently saw original trailer art so will update to that. If I actively bought/ sold/ traded I might feel differently. But it's my Horse and I want to see white accents and it's not changing hands anytime soon. My $.03 (cdn.) cheers john Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-85 681 #7 Posted July 24, 2013 Hi Bill, I applude anyone that wants to rid their W/H of the Toro labels. I know there were many economic factors that went into Toro's decision to eliminate W/H, but I'm still kind of bitter about it. I'm glad that my units were made before Toro got involved! As far as Toro not going into the mass merchant route, I believe Wheel Horse made at least one attempt at that. When I was a dealer, Wheel Horse came out with the Work Horse. We were told that Wheel Horse attempted to go to the box stores with the Work Horse line, but they said they couldn't make them cheap enough for them. As a result they presented Work Horse to the dealer network to try to compete with these mass retailers. That's my worth! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,036 #8 Posted July 24, 2013 I like the idea of getting rid of the Toro logo too. I just haven't decided which decals to get. I have a 2005 Classic GT and most all the replacement decals have the model desination on them so that wouldn't match my model. The Work Horse was a fine machine.. I had GT-1100 and when I bought it new I figured when the B&S engine died I would just put a Kohler on it. But that thing just kept on running and turned a 48" deck just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 487 #9 Posted July 24, 2013 I like the idea of getting rid of the Toro logo too. I just haven't decided which decals to get. I have a 2005 Classic GT and most all the replacement decals have the model desination on them so that wouldn't match my model. I think you could get one of the sponsors to change the decals to the text you need? I know I had a Simplicity hood stripe decal altered to read Agco Allis for one of my tractors. The charge was minimal. In fact, I got a discount because I was the test mule for the decal - which the guy later offered for sale in his catalog at a higher price. Again - FWIW, I have a love - hate relationship with Toro. On one hand, I am thankful they kept and made a few improvements to the Wheelhorse design where they could have MTD'd the design to the bitter end. On the other hand, they could have left the Wheelhorse name alone and built on it - to include zero turn riders like we have today. Simplicity still offers lawn and garden tractors, as well as zero turn mowers. Good luck, Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #10 Posted July 25, 2013 I like the idea of getting rid of the Toro logo too. Exactly why I enjoy my '90 520-8 thanks to Terry! Now, my question. I saw someplace but forgot (old brain power), a replacement plastic piece for the 20hp Onan center screen. The circular piece reads "TORO" of course. I have seen just the WH Horse logo replacement piece. I really need it before I lose my mind. I don't mind WHA (Wheel Horse Addiction) as long as it doesn't progress to the point of pain, regret, shame. Where can I find the center WH piece. Help! HELP! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,036 #11 Posted July 25, 2013 I understand Leeave96. I was born and raised in the South bend area and my Dad got his first Horse in 1960 (I was 5). It's been a love affair every since. I've toured the plant on Ireland road and the Studebaker Museum. I was a contractor at the time and was there on business allowing me to go places the public couldn't go. The collection not available for the public to view at the Studebaker museum was amazing. I sold the herd I had when we moved here in 2000. I finally found a 'real' Wheel Horse down here even though it had the Toro on the decals. You just don't find the reds here. Nobody has ever heard of them unless they are from up north. My whole point is this. I do appreciate Toro for keeping the great machines around a while but I'm very old school. They assured the South Bend politicians they wouldn't change the name, the tractor, or move out. They tried their best to make them Toros. Just look at the decals right after they took over. You can just barely make out the Wheel Horse name on them. They improved later on and I know the economics building a tractor as well but, as I said already, I'm old school. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #12 Posted July 26, 2013 If i get another tractor that says Toro on it I'm gonna head on over to Auto Zone and grab one of the American flag decals they sell in the decal section. I'll slap one on each side where it says Toro and call it done. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 487 #13 Posted July 26, 2013 Well - here's' what I'm thinking today.... Subject to change and any second... I'm going to leave the Toro/Wheelhorse logo's in place for now for the following reasons: 1. Keeps my tractors original. 2. Toro IS part of the Wheelhorse story - like it or not. 3. The Toro logo doesn't alter the WHEELHORSE design in any way like an electrical or mechanical mod. 4. I'm cheap! New logos would mean I'd have to pry open my wallet... Thanks! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
