Deadguy 861 #1 Posted April 15, 2017 Just how far could you factory custom order a Wheel Horse back in the day? I have a B80 whose ID plate states it is a 1975 model year 4 speed, but it has an 8 speed, and it uses an 85" drive belt, not the 82" 7473 that the manual calls for. Any thoughts? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326 #2 Posted April 15, 2017 The PO may have switch out the transmission for an 8 speed. I plan on switching a 4 speed trans out of a 1972 Commando for an 8 speed I picked up recently. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB ELLISON 2,981 #3 Posted April 15, 2017 From what I can find B80 was only made from 1974-1977. The 74-75 came with a 4 speed the 76- 77 was a 8 speed Someone could have put a 8 speed on your 75. I'm sure both trans would hook up the same. I have the 77 8 speed and it is a better trans I think 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deadguy 861 #4 Posted April 15, 2017 What about the factory 8 speed operation decal on the frame, that appears to have a patina matching the rest of the tractor? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #5 Posted April 15, 2017 Back in the day decals could have been ordered from another style tractor to make the 8 speed functional. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deadguy 861 #6 Posted April 15, 2017 Ok. All the paint fading matches exactly. If this was changed to an 8 speed, it was done shortly after it left the factory. I wonder if the dealer did it for a customer who wanted it that way? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,519 #7 Posted April 15, 2017 No matter the case, I really like the layout of the shifter area. I have always disliked the "H" pattern shift plate that gets bent and carves grooves into the shifter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #8 Posted April 15, 2017 @Deadguy I have a 1975 B-80 also....with an 8 speed transmission......Maybe we have late 75's that use the 76 transmissions. Wouldn't be the 1st time Wheel Horse "mixed it up"! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deadguy 861 #9 Posted April 15, 2017 My B80 also has a K341, but that was installed by the previous owner. So would the combo of the 8 speed and the K341 make this a C160 without headlights? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,519 #10 Posted April 15, 2017 I little more research reveals that the Raider 6/8-speeds had that shift decal. So because the ID tag indicates that the base tractor is a 1975 B-80 4-speed, and the wear marks on the hoodstand assembly show that speed nuts had once been attached to hold the "H" pattern plate, my conclusion is that a transmission and decal from a Raider was transplanted either at the dealer or by an owner. Just my 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,325 #11 Posted April 15, 2017 4 hours ago, KC9KAS said: Wouldn't be the 1st time Wheel Horse "mixed it up"! When I began posting on RedSquare I was sure I knew how to figure out exactly what year a was base on the numbering system etc. Now I know that the Ponds were very capable of changing course in mid stream and have given us a lot to talk about. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
