82Caddy 851 #1 Posted October 10, 2014 Hi All, My grandpa bought this 1972 Wheel Horse Commando 800 Special brand new. He used it to mow his yard and move snow in the winter up until probably 15-16 years ago when my parents acquired it from him. They used it until about 10 years ago when it developed some issues (I’ll get to those later) after a rebuild. Now, it’s my turn to play with this old beast. My wife and I just bought a house and we needed a lawnmower and snow mover. Best part, this one was free. It needs some love and work but that’s ok. I bought the snow blade yesterday because it was a good deal and I figured if I have a push blade and a snow blower that means I can start looking for another tractor to run the blower It has a few issues, maybe I need to post those in the engine area, but overall I like this little machine. It seems fairly simple and easy to work on. First issue is with the throttle and I think is causing the second issue. When I move the throttle lever the cable housing moves a bit and then starts to move the cable. It’s hard to describe so I have a few pictures. Second issue is there is no throttle control besides idle and wide open. I think this is all being caused by the throttle cable issue above. I can manually move the lever on the carb and it’ll go whatever speed I ask it to. Even Ellie approves Serial Tag: Engine: Throttle cable issue (coiled housing moves): Gas tank hold down? I feel like there should be more parts here that aren't wire... Couple more questions, what is a good place to get a new seat for these? Mine is weathered and cracked. Not very comfy on the butt Is there a preferred vender or a list of vendors that have a good reputation or am I better off going to a place like Mills Fleet Farm for parts and things? I’m new to this whole Wheel Horse game and want to get this thing going well before the snow flies ïŠ Thanks in advance for the help. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,742 #2 Posted October 10, 2014 I get my replacement seats from a local RURAL KING. I am sure any farm & family type stor has them. Once in a while you can find a Wheel Horse seat on Craigslist or Ebay. Your fuel tank hold-down is missing a spring from the U shaped end forward to the frame under the fuel tank. The outter coiled sleeve on the throttle (and choke) should NOT move. That is your throttle problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #3 Posted October 10, 2014 I get my replacement seats from a local RURAL KING. I am sure any farm & family type stor has them. Once in a while you can find a Wheel Horse seat on Craigslist or Ebay. Your fuel tank hold-down is missing a spring from the U shaped end forward to the frame under the fuel tank. The outter coiled sleeve on the throttle (and choke) should NOT move. That is your throttle problem. I figured it shouldn't move. What is the best way to secure that? I tried squishing the hole smaller that the coiled sleeve goes through without much luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,743 #4 Posted October 10, 2014 You and your Commando 800 are in good hands now! Mike........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,929 #5 Posted October 10, 2014 Hello and again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,742 #6 Posted October 10, 2014 I figured it shouldn't move. What is the best way to secure that? I tried squishing the hole smaller that the coiled sleeve goes through without much luck. It looks like there is a small (squeeze together) clamp on the end of the movable throttle lever control. The part where the coiled sleeve ends. That is what should hold the coiled sleeve in place and keep it from moving. I think that is the part you "squished". Is the wire hard to move in the coiled sleeve? If it is too hard to move, and you havent broken the place where the coil part is squeezed, you may need to replace the throttle wire and coiled sleeve...I think you could find a generic cable pretty easy & not too expensive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #8 Posted October 11, 2014 It looks like there is a small (squeeze together) clamp on the end of the movable throttle lever control. The part where the coiled sleeve ends. That is what should hold the coiled sleeve in place and keep it from moving. I think that is the part you "squished". Is the wire hard to move in the coiled sleeve? If it is too hard to move, and you havent broken the place where the coil part is squeezed, you may need to replace the throttle wire and coiled sleeve...I think you could find a generic cable pretty easy & not too expensive. Yep, that clamp piece on the end of the moveable throttle lever is what I squished/pinched together. The cable itself seems to move just fine just nothing holding it in place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Molon_Labe 731 #9 Posted October 11, 2014 (edited) The only way I've found to fix that type of problem with a cable is to remove the entire assembly from the tractor, lay it out straight, unscrew the cable housing (outer sheath) completely from the bracket and use a vise to close the gap in the bracket until the housing will snugly thread back in. You'll get 'er done. Edited October 11, 2014 by M_Bailey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,410 #10 Posted October 11, 2014 I'm just down the road in Kasson. Your dealer decal caught my eye. I'm sure you're aware Manke's is still in business. There are a few other members in our general vicinity. welcome aboard, look forward to meeting up sometime. Sent using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanda 81 #11 Posted October 11, 2014 Welcome to redsquare Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #12 Posted October 14, 2014 The only way I've found to fix that type of problem with a cable is to remove the entire assembly from the tractor, lay it out straight, unscrew the cable housing (outer sheath) completely from the bracket and use a vise to close the gap in the bracket until the housing will snugly thread back in. You'll get 'er done. That's pretty much what I ended up doing over the weekend. Seems to work better now but still doesn't feel right. Seems like there isn't much adjustment between wide open and idle. I can at least control how much the throttle cable moves now. Little steps Up next is looking for some new tires since these are all dry rotted and cracked. Primary purpose for this machine will be pushing/blowing snow so any recommendations for that? Driveway is all concrete so no gravel or dirt to worry about. I'm just down the road in Kasson. Your dealer decal caught my eye. I'm sure you're aware Manke's is still in business. There are a few other members in our general vicinity. welcome aboard, look forward to meeting up sometime. Sent using Tapatalk I did not know that Manke's is still in business. I don't get over that way very often. My wife and I just bought a house in NE Rochester so things are pretty crazy right now but keep me posted if a meet or something is going on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tlb41 38 #14 Posted October 17, 2014 Welcome to RedSqaure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry M-(Moderator) 2,178 #15 Posted December 10, 2014 Welcome to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,739 #16 Posted December 12, 2014 Ellie is one lucky dog! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,410 #18 Posted August 10, 2015 (edited) I'm just down the road in Kasson. Your dealer decal caught my eye. I'm sure you're aware Manke's is still in business. There are a few other members in our general vicinity. welcome aboard, look forward to meeting up sometime. Sent using Tapatalk I did not know that Manke's is still in business. I don't get over that way very often. My wife and I just bought a house in NE Rochester so things are pretty crazy right now but keep me posted if a meet or something is going on. Hey @82Caddy just wanted to make sure you knew about the big get-together over at the LeSueur Pioneer Power show in a few weekends.... Hope you can make it over! Edited August 10, 2015 by CasualObserver Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #19 Posted August 10, 2015 I'd love to make it over, but I'm out of the country to visit relatives in Norway for a few weeks starting in September... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
