CasualObserver 3,408 #1 Posted June 13, 2013 Quote I enjoy the history part of collecting Wheel Horses. One of the things I've been thinking about lately is that it would be interesting to see who can or is still patronizing a vintage original Wheel Horse dealer, or knows of some old dealers who've closed. We all know that the Wheel Horse success stemmed from a very successful distribution program which consisted of organizing regional distributors who were dealers themselves, while also dishing out tractors to their own networks of dealers. Back in the late 50s through the 60s, nearly any Tom, Richard(the bad word filter screens out ****) or Harry could sell a few Wheel Horses out of a myriad of outlets such as farm equipment dealers, garden centers, nurseries, hardware stores, little car lots, appliance stores, service garages and mechanic shops. For example, Rasor-West is a Missouri distributor that formed in 1958 for the distribution of Wheel Horse tractors across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. (a little fact I found in one of the founders obituaries) There are a few distributors I've been able to identify through many hours of searches of newspapers online through advertisements or other announcements or stories that I've dug up. More and more old newspapers and magazines are added to the internet everyday. It's sort of fun to see what new stuff turns up. There used to be a picture of a map of distributors from 1974 in an old topic here but the picture is gone and I can't seem to find it if I saved it. I've emailed that member to see if he still has the picture. I also have a short list of older dealerships that I know of, some of which are closed, some are still open. Feel free to post up your local dealers or any past ones that you know of, and when they opened if you know it. I'll try to keep this first post edited with any and all additions/corrections anyone has. I just thought it would make an interesting list, and virtually everyone could participate! Let's see who has or knows of the oldest dealerships and if they're still open! I've saved my original post in this thread above. This list evolved into more than I ever thought it could be. I've had many emails and PMs from people thanking me for doing this list. Those messages have come from people who are touched in different ways by seeing a familiar name on this list. Some are related to the past proprietors of some of these, others just celebrate what this list represents as an homage to many small business entrepreneurs that had a dream and made a living. I thank you each and all for those messages. I celebrate with you those small business dreams. And I thank each and every one of you who have contributed to this list! Updated through 7/23/19 #337 Distributors: (name - state or region) Boyd Martin - UT Brawley - PA Elmco - NJ Rasor-West - MO, AR, KS, OK RECO (Radio Equipment Company), IN, IL Thompson and Hamilton - OH Wilson-Dismukes - AL U.S. Dealers: Dealer name, city, state, date open, date close ALABAMA, , , , Wood Marine, Opelika, AL, -, - ARKANSAS, , , , Taylor Radio and Appliance, Mena, AR, -, - CONNECTICUT, , , , Baumert Sales Co Inc, Hartford, CT, -, - Bozrah Home & Hardware Inc, Bozrah, CT, -, open Civali Hardware, Meriden, CT, -, - Colonial Power Equipment, Monroe, CT, -, - Colony Hardware, Meridan, CT, -, closed Dick Tice, Cheshire, CT, -, closed Dubay's Tractor, S Killingly, CT, -, - Dubay's Tractor Center, Danielson, CT, 1976, open E C Allen and Sons, Hazardville, CT, early 50s, 1996 Ideal Mower, Derby, CT, -, open L & R Power Equipment, Monroe, CT, 1959 , open Linett Hardware, Ansonia, CT, -, closed Knights Power Equipment, Orange, CT, 1954, open Schmidts & Serfines, Waterbury, CT, -, open Stewart's Power Equipment, Rocky Hill, CT, -, - The Tractor Barn, Brookfield, CT, -, 70s West End Power, Danbury, CT, 50s, open FLORIDA, , , , Jackson Bike & Mower, Orlando, FL, -, - Midway Tractor, Ocala, FL, -, - IOWA, , , , Krumm Sales and Service, DesMoines, IA, -, 2012 ILLINOIS, , , , A1 Rental, Collinsville, IL, approx 1970, approx 1997 Bill's Mower Shop, Georgetown, IL, 70s, 90s Bill Steffenhagen Sales and Service, Grayslake, IL, -, - Byram Automotive, Metamora, IL, -, closed Christiansen Sales, Frankfort, IL, -, - Double Y Sales, Cisna Park, IL, -, open Franko Small Engine, Granite City, IL, 1986, - Fred's Radiator, Rantoul, IL, -, approx 2000 Graff Implement, Minier, IL, -, closed Illinois Cycle, Pekin, IL, -, closed Kendall Outdoor Power Equipment, Yorkville, IL, -, 80s Killmer Motors Sales and Service, Dixon, IL, -, - Kipps Lawn Mowers, Naperville, IL, 60s, - Lincoln Radiator, Lincoln, IL, 1959, 2008 Lincoln Rental and Sales, Rockford, IL, -, open Lincoln -Mercury, Alton, IL, 60s, - McKinley Chevrolet, Avon, IL, -, - Nubby Service, Bloomington, IL, -, closed Ross Lawn Mower Shop, Carbondale, IL, -, closed Smitty's Lawn and Garden Supply, Bethalto, IL, -, - Streator Lawn, Streator, IL, -, open Wright Equipment, Farmington, IL, -, - INDIANA, , , , Basset Wheel Horse, Belleville, IN, -, - Bill's Gasoline Engine Repair Service, Marion, IN, 1956, open Bob and Don's Wheel Horse Sales and Service, Crawfordsville, IN, -, closed Boyer Bros. Sales & Service, North Webster, IN, 50s, - Chandlers Sales and Service, South Bend, IN, 40s, 2015 Coopers Wheel Horse Sales and Service, Clear Spring, IN, - close Countrywide Wheel Horse, Elkhart, IN, -, approx 2008 Decker Small Engines, Terre Haute, IN, -, - Dan Young Chevrolet, Indianapolis, IN, -, - Gruel Brothers, Crown Point, IN, -, open Harry's Goodyear Tire Service, Sullivan, IN, -, - Heinhold -Feller, Valparaiso, IN, -, open Highway 19 Wheel Horse, Elkhart, IN, -, - Hoffman Outdoor Power, Etna Green, IN, -, open Humphrey's Small Engine, Green Castle, IN, 1966, open Jack Modlin, North Vernon, IN, -, 1980s Jim's Avenue Lawn and Garden, South Bend, IN, -, - Jones Wheel Horse Sales and Service, Hamlet, IN, -, - Lee's Outdoor Power, New Haven, IN, -, open M and M Sales and Service, Merriam, IN, -, - Machledt Stables, Montezuma, IN, -, - McAleer's Hardware, Morocco, IN, late 50s, late 70s Newby's, Anderson, IN, unk, approx 2002 Penniga's, Demotte, IN, -, open Precision Repair Small Engine Repair and Rentals, Churubusco, IN, 1982, open Scotty's, Haubstadt, IN, - , - South Side Repair Shop, Atwood, IN, 50s, - Staley's Sales and Service, Bluffton, IN, -, - Terpstra's Sales and Service, Griffith, IN, 1943, open Waymouth's Service & Machine Shop, Remington, IN, -, - Woodies Rental, Warsaw, IN, -, - Zook's Burlington Hardware, Burlington, IN, 1965, 1997 KENTUCKY, , , , CV Sturgill's Wheel Horse Sales & Service, Paintsville, KY, - , open Darlington Tutt Wheel Horse, Lexington, KY, -, - Hill's Texaco, Harrodsburg, KY, -, - Joe Hill, Bardstown, KY, -, - Miller Lawn & Garden, Garretsville, KY, -, closed LOUISIANA, , , , Slay Electronics, Many, LA, -, - MASSACHUSETTES, , , , Boyden and Perron, Amherst, MA, -, open Gasoline Alley, Lakeville, MA, -, closed Gauvin Supply Co, South Grafton, MA, -, open J W Wilbur and Sons, Easton, MA, 70s, open Maestranzi Bros Inc, Beverly, MA, -, open Sleeper Equipment Co, Carlisle, MA, - , 70s Sleeper Equipment Co, Westford, MA, -, 70s MARYLAND, , , , Arnett's Garage, Hagerstown, MD, -, 2000s Gartner's Machine, Gaithersburg, MD, -, 1980s Lawson's Outdoor Power Equipment, New Market, MD, -, open Watson's Garden Center, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, -, closed MAINE, , , , Bradstreet Lawn and Garden, Brewer, ME, -, open Guptills Lawn and Garden, East Machias, ME, -, - Teague Distributors, Fairfield, ME, -, open MICHIGAN, , , , Bickfords Firestone, Milford, MI, -, closed Brady's Power Equipment, Holt, MI, -, open Bush Hardware, Sheridan, MI, -, open Casey's, Ashley, MI, -, - Cedar Springs Tractor, Cedar Springs, MI, 50s, closed Country Corner, Almont, MI, -, closed Dankin's, Jackson, MI, -, open Fullers, Lansing, MI, -, open Giants, Ionia, MI, -, 1995 Granville Tractor and Implement Co, Granville, MI, -, - Hagen Ford Tractors & Equipment, Paw Paw, MI, -, 1989 Hoffmans Power Equipment Inc, Saginaw, MI, 2005, Open King Brothers Inc, Pontiac, MI, -, closed Manus Power Mowers, Royal Oak, MI, -, Open Marks Small Engines, Northville, MI, -, open Meister's Yard and Gardon, Muskegon Heights, MI, -, - Meyer Sales and Service, Kalamazoo, MI, -, 2000 Midstate Sales, St Johns, MI, -, open Monicatti Motors, Utica, MI, -, closed Neeland's Hardware, Clio, MI, -, closed Overbeck's Kalamazoo Implement Co, Kalamazoo, MI, -, - Ott's Sales and Service, Corunna, MI, -, closed Road & Turf, Battle Creek, MI, -, 1996 S&K Farm and Garden, Owosso, MI, -, open Sewell Ford Tractor Sales, Utica, MI, -, - Shiawassee Sports Center, New Lothrop, MI, -, - Spartan Distributing, Sparta, MI, -, open Stanley's Lawn and Garden, Marshall, MI, -, open Townline Lawn & Garden, Flint, MI, -, open Trav -L Home Inc, Flint, MI, -, closed True Value Hardware, Hastings, MI, -, closed True Value Hardware, Kingsland, MI, -, - Waco Sales, Wayland, MI, -, open Warren Barber Inc, Gull Lake, MI, -, - Warren Barber Boats and Motors, Plainwell, MI, -, - Waterford Fuel and Supply, Waterford, MI, 1967, 1994 Weingartz Supply, Utica, MI, -, open William Sell and Son Inc, Taylor, MI, -, - Wohlfeils, Saginaw, MI, -, - MINNESOTA, , , , Chanhassen Lawn & Sports, Chanhassen, MN, -, - Doyle Wilson Sales and Service, Racine, MN, 1964, 2007 Hugo Mill Sales and Service, Hugo, MN, -, open Lindstrom Greenhouse, Lindstrom, MN, - , - Lyle's Sales and Service, Rochester, MN, 80s, open Manke's Outdoor, Owatonna, MN, 1960, open Minnesota Maintenance, Faribault, MN, -, - MISSOURI, , , , Anderson Car Market, Carthage, MO, -, open Andersons Car and Tractor, Joplin, MO, -, - Art's Mower Shop, St Louis, MO, -, appox 1975 Auto Supply and Parts Inc, Independence, MO, -, - Cecil's Engine Service, Marshfield, MO, -, closed El -Mel, St Louis, MO, 1961, open Hillerman Nursery, Washingont, MO, -, - Kincaid Small Engine Service, Excelsior Springs, MO, -, closed Lumax, Belton, MO, -, open Midland Hardware, Joplin, MO, -, closed Midway Hardware Lumber Co, Joplin, MO, -, - Mueller Motors, DeSoto, MO, -, open Newman's Tractor and Garden, Eureka, MO, - , - Norm's Wheel Horse, St Charles, MO, 1968, 1996 Parrot Farms, Raymore, MO, -, - Rafferty Plumbing, Drexel, MO, -, closed NEW HAMPSHIRE, , , , A to Z Power Equipment, Manchester, NH, 1974, 1977 Granz Power Equipment, Salem, NH, -, open Kinville Sales & Service, Kinville, NH, -, - Mountan View Nursery, Goffstown, NH, -, - West Side Lawn Mower, Manchester, NH, -, 1974 NEW JERSEY, , , , Ackley's, Deerfield, NJ, - , 1997 Applegate Lawn & Garden, Bordentown, NJ, - , - Barg's Lawn & Garden, Freehold, NJ, - , - Bookmans, Warren County, NJ, -, - Bruce's Mower Service, Phillipsburg, NJ, 1980, open Parisi Mostor Chrysler, Hammonton, NJ, -, - R&K Mower Service, Inc, Lincoln, Park, NJ, -, - Rymon's, Washington, NJ, -, open Steven Wiland Co, Fairfield, NJ, -, - The Sharp Shop, Midland Park, NJ, 60s, open Weinmann's Garden Center, Wayne, NJ, - , 2000 NEW YORK, , , , B & B Equipment Co, Gloversville, NY, -, open Berical's Equipment Co, Schenectady, NY, -, - C J Perry and Son, Gasport, NY, late 60s, 1989 Christiano Hardware, Leicester, NY, 50s, 2013 Dave Carrick Equipment, Avon, NY, -, closed Dombrowski's, Florida, NY, -, open Don's Sales and Service, Hannibal, NY, -, open Elmer G Schultz, Middleport, NY, -, - Emerich Sales and Service, Charlton, NY, -, - Fran Kehl Sales and Service, Strykersville, NY, -, closed G and G Lawn and Power, Stone Ridge, NY, -, open Gordon R Morris & Sons, Barton, NY, -, open Good Enterpizes, Grand Island, NY, -, - Hutchinson's Equipment, Hopewell Jct, NY, -, - Ken's Sales & Service, Elma, NY, -, open Knapp and Trau, Fairport, NY, -, closed Lindsay's Garage, Greenwich, NY, unk, closed Majestic Hardware, Gardiner, NY, -, open Newburgh Power Equipment, Newburgh, NY, -, open Niagara Implement, Newfane, NY, 1989, open Rolle Bros, Riverhead Long Island, NY, -, 1995 Shafers Mower Service, Souquit, NY, 1960s, 2012 Snyders Fix It Shop, Endicott, NY, -, - The Lawn Shop, Kingston, NY, -, - Van's Lawnmower Sales and Service, Pleasant Valley, NY, -, - Wehner Mower Inc, Rochester, NY, -, open NORTH CAROLINA, , , , Aldridge -Durham Saw & Mower, Durham, NC, -, open Barfield's Equipment Inc, Charlotte, NC, 1970, 2000s Breyard Chain Saw & Lawn, Breyard, NC, -, - Brown Supply, Granite Quarry, NC, -, closed -sold to Faith Farm Equip) Chain Saw & Lawnmower, Asheville, NC, -, - Faith Farm Equipment, Salibury, NC, -, open Firestone Store, Albemarle, NC, -, - Haywood Richmond Hardware, Concord, NC, -, closed John McDaniel and Sons, Mocksville, NC, - , closed Killians Hardware and Outdoor Equipment, Hickory, NC, 1953, open Leadford's Lawn and Garden, Franklin, NC, 1960, 80s Philips Electric, Kannapolis, NC, -, closed NORTH DAKOTA, , , , Leonard Implement Co, Leonard, ND, -, 1995? OHIO, , , , A&E Tractor Doctor, Norton, OH, 1985, 1990 Apex Hardware, Marietta, OH, -, open Bair Tractor Sales Inc, North Canton, OH, -, - Barnhart Sales and Service, Groveport, OH, 1968, 1975 Blubaugh's, Crestline, OH, -, closed Buck and Sons, Columbus, OH, -, - Buckeye Power Sales, Blacklick, OH, -, open Capell Lawnmower Sales and Service, Elyria, OH, 1968, closed Carter's Wheel Horse Lawn and Garden, Marysville, Ohio, - closed Central Sales, Miamisburg, OH -, closed Cohagen Hardware, Columbus, OH, -, - Columbus Lawn and Garden, Gahanna, OH, -, - Dick's Mower City, Marion, OH, -, - Ditmars Power Equipment, Lancaster, OH, - , open Doc's Lawn and Garden, Massilon, OH, -, open Eckert Bros, Sugarcreek, OH, -, open Fred Fetherolf Tractors, Kingston, OH, - , - Frank Cline Sales and Service, Shiloh, OH, 60s, 70s Galati Sales and Service, Brookfield, OH, - , open Gene's Wheel Horse, Marengo, OH, -, - H&H Hardware, Middlefield, OH, - , - Johnson Service & Repair, Litchfield, OH, -, closed Jones Service, Piqua, OH, -, - Jones Wheel Horse, Grand Rapids, OH, -, - Jones Wheel Horse, Maumee, OH, -, - Jones Wheel Horse, Waterville, OH, -, - Jones Wheel Horse, Wauseon, OH, -, closed Kells Hardware, Lexington, OH, -, open Krichbaum Lock and Mower, Youngstown, OH, 50s, - KL Welch and Sons, Newcomerstown, Ohio, -, open Kuhn Sales and Service, Bascom, OH, -, open Labuda Farm Service, Herminie, PA, -, open Loar's Wheel Horse Sales, McConnelsville, OH, -, - Michael's Mowers, Houston, OH, -, open Miller Lawn and Garden, Garrettsville, OH, 60s, open Motter's Sales and Service, Mansfield, OH, -, open Mt. Orab Tractor Sales, Mt. Orab, OH, - , - Old Mill Power Equipment, Ashville, OH, - Open Phillipsburg Hardware, Phillipsburg, OH, -, closed Roth's Outdoor Equipment, Bellefontatine, OH, - , closed Share Lawn and Garden, Patalaskla, OH, -, - Smith Custom Service, Goshen, OH, 60s, open Stakers Outdoor Power Equipment, Portsmouth, OH, - , - Steve Meyers Service, Cridersville, OH, -, open Streacker Tractor Sales, Tiffin, OH, -, - Sugarloaf Power Equipment, Chillicothe, OH, - , open T and T, Hilliard, OH, -, open Taylor and Sons, Canal Winchester, OH, -, unk Tenger Implement Sales, Willoughby, OH, -, open The Garden Store, Columbus, OH, 50s, - TNT Reynoldsburg, Reynoldsburg, OH, -, - Vollmar Implement Co, Edgerton, OH, -, - Westerville Lawn and Garden, Westerville, OH, -, - Williams Wheel Horse, Medina, OH, - , - OKLAHOMA, , , , Kearney Mills Motor Supply, Miami, OK, -, - PENNSYLVANIA, , , , Adams County Lawn Mower and Truck Repair, McKnightstown, PA, -, - Becker's Lawn and Garden Equipment, Hanover, PA, -, closed Bob Peffer's Garden Shop, Harmony, PA, -, open Bob's Weld Shop, Pinchot Park-Lewisberry, PA, -, open Cain's Wheel Horse Sales and Service, Apollo, PA, -, open Canfield's Lawn and Garden, Shinglehouse, PA, -, open Chester County Timber, Unionville, PA, -, - Dale's Mower Service, Kempton, PA, 1990, open Donald W Leiser Lawn & Garden Equipment, Bethlehem, PA, -, - Eagle Machinery Co, Chester Co, PA, 60s, became Frames Eckert Power Equipment, Dallas, PA, early 60s, 1990 Eldon Wolfe, Berwick, PA, -, closed Fisher and Father, Venango, PA, -, open Frames Power Equipment(formerly Eagle Machinery), Chester Springs, PA, 2000s, open G and R Garage, Hughesville, PA, -, closed Hazle Penn Oil and Brake, Hazleton, PA, -, approx 1988 Horst's Mill, Lebanon, PA, -, open Innerst Auto, Jacobus, PA, -, open Jack's Wheel Horse, Sarver, PA, -, open Kane's Lawn Mower Shop, Arendtsville, PA, -, - Kemps Wheel Horse, Shinglehouse, PA, -, became Candfields Ken Bergren Inc, Williamsport, PA, -, open Ken's Mower Service, Northumberland, PA, 1975, 2019 Leisers Rentals, Eason, PA, -, open Lutz's Honda, Still Creek, PA, -, - Mast Mower Co, Oley, PA, -, - McCoys, Roaring Spring, PA, -, open -not dealing Metzler Mowers, Strasburg, PA, -, open Miller Brothers Garden Center, Erie, PA, -, open Modern Way Supply, Kane, PA, 1957, late 90s Montgomery Hardware Inc, Jackson Center, PA, -, - Northeast Equipment, Clifford, PA, -, 2003 Owen Wirt's Sales and Service, Sunbury, PA, -, early 80s Penn Woods, Pleasant Gap, PA, -, open -not dealing Pristow's Sales and Service, Johnstown, PA, -, open Ragan Sales and Service, Burgettstown, PA, -, open Ray's Mower Shop, Boyertown, PA, -, open RE Davidson & Son, Millerstown, PA, 1965, open Rhodes Lawn and Garden, Imperial, PA, 1972, open Rich Sales and Service, Loganton, PA, -, closed Ringtown Farm Equipment, Ringtown, PA, -, open Shealer's Motor Clinic, Gettysburg, PA, -, - Smith's Suburban Supply, Washington, PA, -, open Staub's Lawn Mower Service, Arendtsville, PA, -, - Steve's North End Mower Shop, Pottstown, PA, -, open Thomas L Dunlap, Jersey Shore, PA, -, open Waldes Motor Repair, Gettysburg, PA, -, open Zanoline's Garage, Sybertsville, PA, -, open RHODE ISLAND, , , , Timberlake, Tiverton, RI, -, - SOUTH CAROLINA, , , , Blakely's Sales & Service, Greenville, SC, -, - HL Hedgepath Garage, Newberry, SC, -, - Martin Hardware Co, Spartanburg, SC, -, - P & T Hardware Company, Laurens, SC, -, - Palmetto Flower & Seed, Greer, SC, -, - Robinette Hardware Co, Pacolet, SC, -, - Roebuck Lumber co, Roebuck, SC, -, - Simmons Sales & Service, Easley, SC, -, - Walden Appliance & Furn Co, Landrum, SC, -, - Western Auto, Fountain Inn, SC, -, - Wiggington Saw & Equipment, Seneca, SC, -, - Woodruff Auto Supply, Woodruff, SC, -, - TENNESSEE, , , , Brentwood Lawn and Garden, Brentwood, TN, -, open TEXAS, , , , Daniel Implement, Frisco, TX, -, - Lowe's, Bryan, TX, -, - UTAH, , , , Boyd Martin, Salt Lake City, UT, -, - VIRGINIA, , , , Chimney Corner Lawn Mower Service, Mathews, VA, -, - J.L. Bradburn Lawn & Garden, Penn Laird, VA, -, - Millerbuilt,Inc, Lynchburg, VA, -, - Pohlig's Inc, Mechanicsville, VA, -, - Rockingham New Holland, Harrisonburg VA, -, - Shanaberger & Sons, Farmville, VA, -, closed WEST VIRGINIA, , , , Kimbles Lawn and Garden Equipment, Upper Tract, WV, -, - WISCONSIN, , , , Al's Service, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, -, - D&D Welding, Ripon, WI, -, open South Leeds Garage, Arlington, WI, -, open Total Power, Oshkosh, WI, - , open Non-U.S. Distributors: Agri-Tech Incorporated, Quebec, Canada Columbia Equipment Company, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada F. Manley & Sons Ltd, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada G D Mountfield, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England H. C. Paul, Ltd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Non-U.S. Dealers: (name, town, county, country) CANADA, , , , Cam Enterprises, Hyde Park, Ontario, -, - Henry's Lawn and Garden, Orangeville, Ontario, -, open Orilla Small Motors, Orilla, Ontario, -, open Rowan's Auto Electric, Nobleton, Ontario, 50s, 70s Woodward’s Service Centre, Forest, Ontario, 1963, open NETHERLANDS, , , , van de Riet, Ambt Delden, Overijsel, The Netherlands, unk, open UNITED KINGDOM, , , , B H White and Son, Cannington, Somerset, England, unk, open D J Scott, Warnford, Hampshire, England, 70s, open G S Mowers Limited, Glasglow, Scotland, unk, 1984 Multipower Equipment, Effingham, Surrey, England, unk, open Narin Brown (Glasgow) Ltd, Busby, Glasgow, unk, unk 13 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #2 Posted June 13, 2013 I'll start off with my own hometown dealer was Lincoln Radiator, Lincoln IL. It was owned by Daris Knauer who was a family friend. I've spent countless hours talking with him about old stuff. He opened in 1959, and had the very first RJ-58 that he sold back in his showroom for many, many years. It was traded in several years after purchase and he never resold it. He had an amazing back room full of parts and older tractors. There are probably a lot of old timers here who will recognize the name and have bought parts from Lincoln Radiator. He sold out his inventory in 2008, coincidentally to someone who eventually became a member here lincolnpower38. That shop has since closed. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to own the sign when it came up on auction. It's really faded, it hung on the west side of a brick building for about 40 years. Who else owns one of their hometown dealer's signs? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #3 Posted June 13, 2013 We need Saltywright for this one!! Where are you Russ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Kid 105 #4 Posted June 13, 2013 Sounds like a very cool project! Here is my dealer to add to the list: Dealer: Countywide Wheel Horse, Elkhart, IN, Date of Opening: Unknow, Closed: Maybe 5 years ago. This former Wheel Horse dealership was sold to a guy maybe 5 years ago or so and is now named Yard-N-Gard Outdoor Power Equipment. They sell Gravely, Toro, Simplicity, Stihl, Echo, Billy Goat, Ariens, and Husqvarna equipment now. You still can order Wheel Horse parts from him though since he is a Toro dealer. Hope that is what you were looking for... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
546cowboy 301 #5 Posted June 13, 2013 I know of three in NW Indiana Heinhold-Feller in Valparaiso, IN had two stores that I know of and they are still there, Penniga's in Demotte,IN still opened and Terpstra's had several shops in several towns and still in business.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 628 #6 Posted June 13, 2013 (edited) Mueller Motors; DeSoto, MO -- This was a long time dealer (Dave Mueller) who I bought my 310-8 from in 1991 -- It is still there under different ownership -- They still have "staches" of new Wheel Horse parts; much to my suprise and pleasure Edited June 13, 2013 by dcrage 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #7 Posted June 13, 2013 we have henry,s lawn and garden here in orangeville,they have been there for several decades and are still there,i grew up with his oldest daughter,i bought my 308 from him in 86,he still deals toro and other stuff too,but i get all my toro parts from them,try to keep them in buisness or i would have to drive 45 min to get parts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #8 Posted June 13, 2013 (edited) Hazle Penn Oil and Brake..... Hazleton Pa. Closed 25+ years ago. Its where my Dad got his 12 Auto brand new in 1973. Ringtown Farm Equipment...... Ringtown Pa. Changed buildings but still open I still get parts from them Zanoline's Garage...... Sybertsville Pa. Still open but priced insane. 3 miles from my home but its worth it to me to drive 40 inutes to Ringtown Edited June 14, 2013 by hodge71 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bewford 21 #9 Posted June 13, 2013 Newbys in Anderson, IN closed 8 or 12 years ago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #10 Posted June 13, 2013 a picture is worth a thousand words... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lagersolut 649 #11 Posted June 14, 2013 a picture is worth a thousand words... I bet you're familiar with Bob's weld shop on Alpine Rd ? that was a Wheel Horse dealer I noticed you're from Lewisberry....I'm a stone throw from you south of Spring Grove .....our local dealer was Inerst Auto in Jacobus .....still open today with Toro/ Echo / Wheel horse parts . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #12 Posted June 14, 2013 Very interesting thread. I have 2 near me that I will do research on and write about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #13 Posted June 14, 2013 My ex father in law was a Wheel Horse dealer for many years, dont know when he started but he was a Case dealer until Case closed him up Sold Wheel Horses till the day he died in 1995. Leonard implement Company, Leonard ND. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wp205a 43 #14 Posted June 14, 2013 Wood Marine, Opelika, Alabama. Cushman Scooter dealer that helped me get back in that hobby. Learned in the past year that they dealt in WH, and had a bunch of parts that went to the dump. They sold my 854 new to a ranch in Chambers county Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dieselcowboy 210 #15 Posted June 14, 2013 Dan Young Chevrolet, Indianapolis,IN unknown stop date. I have two B-80s that were bought there new in 1975. One being the one my grandpa bought new =-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,434 #16 Posted June 14, 2013 My dealer is: Lawson's Outdoor Power Equipment 113 W Main Street New Market, MD, 21774 He still has old and restored Wheel Horses on the showroom floor. Here is a picture of his sign on the front of the building 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,459 #17 Posted June 14, 2013 Minnesota Maintenance in Faribault Mn. I use to work for Curly part time in the later 80's. He started selling Porter Cable riding mowers in 1958 Not sure when he closed, was in shop last December still has inventory that is getting water damaged. Tried saving with no luck. I remember he had what I believe was a GT 14 with a forklift attatchment on the back, had to sit on a seat on the hood and steering wheel between your legs. Always thought it was cool. Tom 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOWTIE 226 #18 Posted June 14, 2013 HERE IN COLUMBUS,OHIO WE HAD A LOT OF THEM: COHAGEN HARDWARE,COLUMBUS---TAYLOR&SONS CANAL WINCHESTER---TNT,REYNOLDSBURG---T and T,HILLIARD---SHARE LAWN & GARDEN,PATALASKLA---COLUMBUS LAWN AND GARDEN,GAHANNA---BUCK AND SONS,COLUMBUS---BUCKEYE POWER SALES,BLACKLICK---WESTERVILLE LAWN AND GARDEN,WESTERVILLE THERE MAY HAVE MORE THAT I FORGOT. ONLY BUCKEYE POWER AND T AND T STILL ARE TORO DEALERS. BOWTIE IN CENTRAL OHIO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diesel cowboy 263 #19 Posted June 14, 2013 There's Boyden and Perron in Amherst, MA. I think they opend in the 60's and are still going today. Not sure what exactly they sell anymore but when I was there last year it was to pick up BCS parts and I think they had Stihl or Husquvarna chain saws and around 30-40 older Wheel Horses in the side yard. I think it was about 50/50 on those that were customers and trade in or parts machines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,170 #20 Posted June 14, 2013 Great topic Jason! distributor: RECO (radio equipment company) in Indy. They covered much of IN an IL, perhaps more. dealers: Bill's Mower Shop in Georgetown, IL closed in 1990's I think. They were one of the biggest dealerships back in the 70's. Double Y sales in Cissna Park, IL. Still open. Fred's Radiator in Rantoul, IL. Closed in 1990's or early 2000's. I have the sign off their post. Christiansen Sales in Frankfort, IL. Still open but no longer a WH dealer. I think they are a member here and I have signs from their building too. El-Mel in st. Louis, MO. Started sellin WH in 1961. I have the first tractor they ever sold. Still open. Dad ought his tractor their in 1987. Art's Mower Shop in St. Louis. Owner is brother of El-Mel's owner. Still open as a Deere dealer, stopped WH in 1970's I think. A1 Rental in Collinsville and Edwardsville, IL carried WH from the 1970's thru about 1997. Franko Small Engine in Granite City, IL carried WH for a few years after Toro picked them up as a corollary product line. The name escapes me right now, but the Lincoln-Mercury dealer in Alton, IL was a WH dealer in the 1960's. I am pretty sure Chandler's in South Bend was the first dealership. Their building was literally a few feet away from the Dixie Way factory. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,412 #21 Posted June 14, 2013 Great thread, Jason, here's a couple more dealers for you: [Don, maybe you could add your photo to that thread?] I don't know much about their history, but there's also Steve's North End Mower Shop in Pottstown PA, and Ray's Mower Shop in nearby Boyertown, both still in business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 501 #22 Posted June 14, 2013 (edited) Kuhn Sales and Service, Bascom, Oh still open selling Toro and others. This is the Wheel Horse on a pole I own two machines with a sticker that says Fullers in Lansing, Mi I believe that they are still there but never confirmed. I usually get my parts from Brady's Power Equipment in Holt Mi. Although Dankin's in Jackson Mi is closer to me they seem to not want to be bothered with anything that is not Kubota. Edited June 14, 2013 by SousaKerry 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,331 #23 Posted June 14, 2013 My Granddad ran a Dealership out of are farm. It turned into quite a large dealership always had no less than 12 to 14 tractors setting on the floor at one time plus every attachment you could think of. He started the dealership in the late 50's and we closed it in the late 70's. McAleer's Hardware Morocco, IN. (out in the middle of NO-Where) Distributer was RECO of Indianapolis IN. Though sometimes we did go straight to the factory for some things. I was lucky enough to get to meet C. Pond when he would travel with a factory rep. He dropped in a few times. Was lucky enough to keep old the old dealers Manuals, Paperwork, Advertising paperwork and gimmicks. Nos parts (which are almost all gone now) 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brybrychrismer 17 #24 Posted June 14, 2013 Norms Wheel Horse St. Charles Missouri not sure on the dates of open from and closed on. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qd-16 14 #25 Posted June 14, 2013 "Motter's Sales and service" Mansfield, Ohio .....Still open. "Frank Cline Sales and Service" Shiloh, Ohio......early sixties to early seventies............Closed. "Blubaughs" in Crestline, Ohio..........Closed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites