workhorse sub brand

[chorusguy 227]

Just curious.  I have seen several tractors that are lab led workhorse by wheelhorse.  What is the story on this sub brand?

[varosd 1,185]

Wheel Horse lore has it that that the Work Horse line was a more affordable line for the consumer.  No Kohlers or Onans for engines, only Briggs.  otherwise, all the other parts were the same. Curious that while the Black hoods style were being sold, the Work Horses GT's hood/dash and metal fender pan were the future style until the end.

[Tankman 3,518]

Picked up a Work Horse last year, 16 hp 2-cylinder Briggs, runs fine. I've used the Work Horse for snow (48" blade), mowing (48" SD deck), pulling a 17 cu ft loaded cart. No problems what-so-ever.
Not a Briggs fan, love Kohlers (older models) and my 520-8 Onan. I could be wrong 'cause this Briggs puts out!

The lift / height adjust was not on Work Horses. Via eBay, I added the height adjust parts, easy enough to install.

Don't care for the all gray Horse so, painted the right and left belt guard sheet metal Rustoleum Regal Red. I've used a lot of Rustoleum Regal Red over the years.

 

Edited July 25, 2015 by Tankman

[oldredrider 2,548]

The "Work Horse" is, as stated, Briggs powered. Every bit of a tractor as a Wheel Horse. The first Wheel Horse I owned was a GT-1142, 11hp Briggs engine that was up to anything I could throw at it...tough as nails. I've had several since then and wouldn't hesitate to have another. 
Usually you can find them lower priced because of the Briggs engine but don't be shy, you won't regret having one...all Wheel Horse tachamatic implements interchange.

[Racinbob 11,037]

Yup, what Don said. The mid 80's were gray but the earlier ones were red. Apparently they were intended to compete better price wise with the cheapies of the time. Along with no dial-a-height and the Briggs the 8 speeds had the 4 pinion/1" axles. Back in the mid 80's I walked in to a dealer in Elkhart and saw a GT1100 on display. The thing was priced so right that it came home with me.

[c-series don 8,661]

I bought a work horse brand new in August 1984 still have it. Although it doesn't have an hour meter on it I know it has thousands of hours on it. That Briggs has never let me down. I mowed commercially with it for almost ten years,tilled gardens,plowed driveways,etc. She is still going strong!

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I bought a work horse brand new in August 1984 still have it. Although it doesn't have an hour meter on it I know it has thousands of hours on it. That Briggs has never let me down. I mowed commercially with it for almost ten years,tilled gardens,plowed driveways,etc. She is still going strong!

I much more recently bought an 84 without an engine and have debated about whether to rebuild it as an original or just take whatever engine that comes along.  Nice to hear that your Briggs held up fine but which Briggs?  11 or 16hp?  Mine was an 11.  Also, mine has a 1" axle #5086 8 spd trans.  Perhaps your was an 1100 Eaton hydro?

[Aldon 4,826]

My C-161 16hp Briggs Opposed Twin is a great tractor and engine combo. I see no real delta is reliability between the brands of that era. I have not had to source parts and not sure of availability between the two brands.

 

[Racinbob 11,037]

Mine was the 11hp. When I bought it new I didn't get any attachments with it. I had an extra 48" deck to put on it. I also used the snow blade on it with the blower on a 16hp. I didn't think the motor would hold up and I just figured I'd put a Kohler on it when it blew but that thing just kept going. Even a total submersion in a pond didn't phase it.

[roadapples 6,983]

pond?

[ol550 830]

Don't forget these two.