Best Wheel Horse model

[hodge 6]

I know this is a VERY loaded question, entangled with lots of loyalty and opinionated experience. However, I would like your opinion, based as much as possible on an objective opinion and real world experience- what is the most-sold, longest lasting, least trouble, ease of maintenance, yada yada, WH made? You get my point. Is there a model that just stands out as the best of WH, overall?

With no more exposure than I have had, I love my 520, but like the B-80 the most for its simplicity and rock-solid design. :hide:

[Teddy da Bear 11]

I would say......

Popularity wise..... The lawn ranger series was very popular in the 60's

and like you mentioned.... the B-80 was very popular in the 70's.....

I think it was based on affordability, simplicity and the models got the

job done for the majority of people.

My favorite now...is the GT-14.... a near second is the C-195

You could make a poll of this......

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,256]

A poll sounds like fun to me, but there would be so many entries. I have a sentimental favorite (C-160 Automatic) but I do love my 416-Hydro. There is something to be said for the B80's, the D-series and the Super C's as well.

[dgjks6 6]

I only have one, so I am biased, but I am going to say the 312-8.

I see lots of them for sale and lots of them still in use. They seem to be very reliable, easy to fix, and they take all of the attachments. It was the last horse they made (well it was a 315). So my vote is for the 312-8 and the 300's as a whole.

Now if you ask me which is the best to look at - gotta love them round hoods.

Greg

[Docwheelhorse 2,660]

Late 70's C160 8 Speed or an Early 80's C165 8 Speed Blackhood! The Blackhood nudges the squarehood in the looks department in my book But either way a BIG one lunger Kohler and a manual (no girls allowed!) 8 Speed

Tony

[JimD 3,345]

i gotta go with my b60 or b80. easy change of attachments, wide open and easy to work on. simple, strong design.

[TJ 175]

I vote for my 310-8. Stick her in low range and you can mowe swamp grass like your cutting through butter. You can also pull the mower deck in 15 seconds. cleaning takes a little longer. :horseplay:

[htopjimmy26 3]

I gotta say that I've never got to drive a 520 but I love mowing with my ratty old c195, and as soon as I find the rest of the 3 point parts I'll be backblading too. :hide:

[buckrancher 2,679]

:hide: Tuff to beat my old C-101 still going strong since 1978

:horseplay: :horseplay:

:D

[BPjunk 184]

Welllllllll Now .....

Ifn's ya' have ever heard me announce the Wheel Horse models going through the parade at the Annual Wheel Horse Show Ya would know that the most popular models were the 8hp versions from 1965 to 1977.

Now there is some discrepancy on the early to mid-60's 6 and 8 horse powered models, buyers were not sold on the higher price they would pay for the 8 horse power tractor when a 6 horse power tractor could do the same work. (oh no .... here he goes with his Tecumseh talk again)

Wild Bill in Richmond, Va.

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[Electro12WH 50]

Wheel Horse made a lot of variations of the same thing. The last Raider 12, the C series what ever horse power, and the 300s. They're all the same frame, Kohler K series and 8 speed trans. They all have the Attach A Matic and the same implements.

[bambooheels 0]

plain and simple 657

[Michael Bullington 5]

I like the Raiders!!!

[HorseFixer 2,012]

854 :hide:

[stevinator 1]

Maybe the very first model.If it had been a failure there might not have been any more. :hide:

[Docwheelhorse 2,660]

"buyers were not sold on the higher price they would pay for the 8 horse power tractor when a 6 horse power tractor could do the same work"

Hey Bill.....

I have TRIED to plow snow with an EXCELLENT running Tecumseh 6 (the 500 Special tractor I got for the club to raffle) and man--it was fun and all slipping the belt etc... while I pushed snow ---BUT--- man there is a HUMONGOUS power difference betweeen that little 6 and a Kohler 8. I would suspect the same thing would happen when trying to mow the lawn. The 6 Hp tractors must have been ALOT cheaper than the 8's!! I'm not saying the 6 won't do it--but be ready to start the poor thing 1000 times after it stalls trying to dump the clutch and push 6" of snow!!

Tony

(nobody tell Bill---but I really liked that little 500 with that 6 on it---it ran like a dream and I couldn't believe it had Tecumseh on the engine!) :banana:

[bambooheels 0]

funny, my 6hp tecumseh work fine cutting grass, pulling a heavy load, myself included and yes blowing snow.

[Buzz 502]

854

I agree :horseplay:

[Lane Ranger 10,943]

My B-80 is a lot of tractor to do all I can with it. But I love the little Lawn Rangers a heck of lot more for just driving around and the simple pleasure of mowing the lawn!

[Rideawaysenior 25]

I use my suburban with the 5.5hp lauson to cut grass, plow the garden and push snow and even with my meager 300lbs on there, that engine doesn't hesitate in the slightest. If I dump the clutch, that little thing will throw me on my rear faster then a jack rabbit on a date. My neighbor laughs when he sees me on it. Says, it reminds him of a gorilla sitting on a door knob.

[Confused99 2]

I like the Raiders!!!

Me too, but I may be biased also as that is my first WH. I just like the simplicity of gears. I really feel like I couldn't break it if I tried, and I may have tried a couple times

Jason

[illinilefttackle 399]

:D You guys know my favorite! My C-125 Hydro! I love the looks of the Black Hoods. They are BIG tractors, very high off the ground. I really like the power and sound of the Single Kohler. In my case, the Hydro was just what I needed, my knees being shot all to heck and all. Plus it really makes manuvering while mowing a snap.

As for Tecumseh engines-I have a 7hp on my Trail Blazer 7 two stage snow blower. It starts on the first or secong pull and never misses a beat. -AL

[Lymedog 2]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a big tractor to complete my grand slam... I looked online at a d250,d180,c195 ,520-8 and 520hc. Any suggestions on these big powerful WH's?

By the way, my dad has an early 310-8, it's been sitting out in his yard in Sullivan county ,NY for years. It's totally "rust" colored from the harsh mountain weather, but to this day starts up on the first turn over and had literally pulled over a 1000lbs of wood and men without even a whimper. I'd say on toughness, like my 80 yr old dad ... You just can't stop em!

I like the 310-8 but I own a 416-8 ,312-8, and a 268h but am still looking for the toughest and best overall " Big Beast WH"!

Any suggestions from the "ones in the know" !?!

[Retired Wrencher 5,440]

Welllllllll Now .....

Ifn's ya' have ever heard me announce the Wheel Horse models going through the parade at the Annual Wheel Horse Show Ya would know that the most popular models were the 8hp versions from 1965 to 1977.

Now there is some discrepancy on the early to mid-60's 6 and 8 horse powered models, buyers were not sold on the higher price they would pay for the 8 horse power tractor when a 6 horse power tractor could do the same work. (oh no .... here he goes with his Tecumseh talk again)

Wild Bill in Richmond, Va.  

 I kina have to agree with wild Bill Being that I only owned K Kohlers 57 series.  I never thought I would say this but I have a new love::::::::: I pick up a 657 around Easter. And have been enjoying it ever since. So much I am picking up a 606 this morning. There very light easy to move around I can put one these sideways in the trailer with not much effort. I like those 6/12 and 4/8 tires kind of cool looking. So here is a another Tecky fan.......  Gary    B.....

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[slovinski 42]

An 855 with an RM364 square deck will cut through almost anything,  sip's gas, and will pull anything (within reason).  Have used mine for decades now with nothing more than normal maintenance.