New and Horseless help!

[lastchance83 0]

Hi all, I am tired of sinking money in modern mowers. Every year it is something else. I got a jd lt150 a few years back thinking it would last me if I take care of it and since then I have put 3× the amount in repairs that I purchased it for at auction.

I want a good old mower that will last me with minor frustration. I have looked at old bolens, gravely,case and simplicity but I keep getting drawn back to wheelhorse. I like the looks and everything I read about them. So here I am.

I have been doing a lot of reading, here and other sites. Trying to decide what to get. I need to mow 3 acres and maybe up to 5 in my future. I am looking to do some tilling for a garden. I need to be able to plow or snow blow a 100' country dive on a hill in NE Ohio. I will also need to haul around a small trailer to the back 40 sometime with 50 gallons of water in it. I have a very small hobby farm. A few sheep, ducks and chickens.

I believe I shoud be looking at the C series or the 300-8 series. Not sure of the engine size but was thinking with my needs larger than a 10? I am on a budget. No more than 1000 but the closer to 500 the better. Attachments now would be nice but not necessary, but will definitely need to mow this season.

I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks in advance!

Joe

[Bert 760]

 you've come to the right place

I think your right about a C or 300 series, but the 400 and 300 are very similar so I'd include them in your search as well.

Im sure the experts will be along shortly and help better than I can.

[stratostar250 919]

Welcome!   Well, for Wheel Horse info, you've come to the right place. As you stated, a C-Series or a 300,400, or 500 series looks to be a good path!  If you plan on getting one, and switching attachments, this is where the Wheel Horse shines.  Changing from a mower deck to a push blade or a snow blower on most models is literally no more than a 10-15 minute chore, also from about the early 70's, many of the attachments for these tractors are interchangeable (for the B series[horizontal shaft motors], C Series, 300, 400, 500 series) up to when toro stopped making the classic series tractor in the mid 2000's, so you would have no problems finding attachments that would fit what you get.  

 

Just make sure that the tractor that you find interest in has a Horizontal Shaft engine, this indicates that it is a Garden Tractor.  All of the tractors that have Vertical Shaft motors are considered Lawn Tractors, and are not as heavy duty, and do not have the versatility in attachments that the Garden Tractors do.  Some of the earlier B-Series tractors have horizontal shaft motors, and later they switched to verticals, so keep an eye out for that.  

 

As for horsepower wise, you could do all of what you said with an 8HP tractor, but for longevity of the tractor, and hearing what you want to do with it, I'd say it would be better to have closer to 12 or more.  It really depends on which size mower deck you use, as tall grass with a big deck can really work the motor.  It sounds like a 14HP would suit you best, but a lot more people have more experience with the HP than I, so hopefully they could chime in! 

Edited April 27, 2015 by stratostar250

[Ken B 3,164]

I don't want to discourage you but IMO asking a tractor to mow 3-5 acres with all the other chores thrown in on a 1000 dollar (closer to 500 dollar) budget is a pretty tall order. You may get lucky and find a real gem for 1000 bucks but I wouldn't expect much in the way of getting something for much less than that. You really don't want to start out mowing 3 acres on a tractor that is all around worn out or under powered so I would begin my search looking for a Wheel Horse in the higher end of your budget.. Something real clean that was taken care of with relatively low hrs. They are out there in the 1000 buck range but you need to act quick as lots of guys are looking for the deals. IMO you need at minimum 14 hp and at minimum a 48 inch mower deck. Stick to Kohler power. As you know owning a farm there is always something that needs to be done, you don't want to be spend any free time you might have cutting grass on a tractor that is to small to do what you ask, it'll take much longer than it needs to take. Too small and under powered usually leads to break downs and premature wear...  I would look at the 3 and 4 series tractors with a Kohler motor, I think a Kohler powered 416-8 would fit the bill pretty nice but a 314-8 would probably get it done also. I would stick to a gear drive tractor if you plan on hauling over 400 pounds of water to the back 40....

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

 

You have to keep in mind these are not "repair free" tractors. The reason that people are drawn to WH is that they are strong AND simple. The repairs are usually able to be done at home by someone with limited mechanical knowledge.

 

3-5 acres to mow will take a while even with a 48" deck. WH offered a 60" deck on a 520H (available in gear drive but more rare). But then you run into the Onan engine. Which, with proper maintenance, is a great engine but when something goes wrong its $$$. The single cylinder kohlers are much more forgiving to minor maintenance issues and can be rebuilt for less than half of a two cylinder anything.

 

Personally I would be looking for a 416-8 with an M16 engine. Its a 16 hp single with pressure lubrication. They are also available with K341 which is a Kohler single with splash lubrication. The K341 will last you forever, I just like the extra assurance of the pressure lube. The 414-8 would also be a good bet and those were made for a longer time frame. (The 416 eventually went to a twin cylinder onan)

 

But your price range for getting this out of the box is far too low. If you get an average $500 wheel horse, expect to sink $600+ into it to get it to the point it will be "repair free" for 5-10 years. If you aren't afraid of tinkering and doing a little extra preventative maintenance then you could get any of the C series or 400-500 series and be just fine. Just remember these tractors are starting out "new to you" already 20+ years old.

 

If you were buying new a 520 would be your best bet as you can run a 60" deck and if you are starting fresh with an Onan you can make them last 2000+ hours without an issue.

 

If you look at something newer with low hours you can expect to pay $1200-$2500. Keep in mind this is a very good deal as I would compare these tractors to the x500 series current john deere machines which are $5-10K tractors depending on how you option them.

 

 

Another option would be to look at the 500XI machines (518xi, 520xi, 520lxi, 522xi, 523xi). These are newer machines and much harder to find. They are built tough but only available in hydrostatic. Also the attachments are specific only to this series and therefore are rare and more expensive. But they offer 52" and 60" decks on them and are built solid enough to handle small farm duties.

[Racinbob 11,036]

  All great ideas here. You're in a good area to find horses so you will have a choice. If you could sink a bit more $$ in it your selection would be even better. With what you're planning to use it for a 12-16 single cyl. Kohler powered machine would be your best bet like others have mentioned. I mowed 5-6 acres every week with an 11hp and a 16hp and never lacked for power. I also agree with the 8 speed. Your lack of Wheel Horse experience will quickly change once you get one and spend some time here. Then, should you decide to, you'd be better armed when you go looking for your second tractor. For your first one I'm thinking one that's ready to go. There's also other members in your area that I'd bet would love to help you out.

Edited April 27, 2015 by Racinbob

[lastchance83 0]

Thanks all,

I know wheel horse are not maintenance free and problem free. I like to take care of my equipment. And i know how to do basic maintenance on vehicles and equipment. I mow with a 36 deck now so anything larger is a plus. I appreciate all the good info. I have a lot of searching and thinking to do.

[953 nut 55,040]

  Keep an eye on the listings for sale on this site and Craigs list, Once you get the basic   with mower you can pick up some good deals from time to time, just got to be ready to pounce on them. Central Ohio seems to be the happy hunting grounds for  . 

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

[MalMac 1,331]

I'll throw my 2 cents in here. All the advice already given is all good. I am already doing what you are asking for a tractor to do. So my pick for you would be a 314-8, 414-8 or a 416-8 with a Kohler motor. Also any of the C's with a 14 hp or better. You have  come to the right place for info. If you can't get your question answered here then it's a question that does not pertain to Wheel Horses. Good Luck and Welcome to the brotherhood.

Edited April 29, 2015 by MalMac

[KC9KAS 4,741]

  I can't add anything else to the great comments. Just take your time looking for a garden tractor to fill your needs.