Al C. 1,426 #1 Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) Yesterday I was at Lowe’s checking out what’s new for Spring around the Great Lakes. I was looking at the specs on some lawn equipment when a sales person approached me to promote the top of the line Husqvarna. After a minute I stopped him and told him I already have two horses that work on my lawn. He laughed as if I was making a joke of his pitch. So, I pulled out the iPhone and showed him a picture. His reaction ... “what is that!”. Hard to even explain the difference to a young person. Edited March 29, 2018 by Al C. 15 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 54,383 #2 Posted March 29, 2018 I'm surprised he didn't point out the fact that your's doesn't have a drink holder! 7 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,164 #3 Posted March 29, 2018 Salesman was probably 20 years younger than your horses... The problem of course is that all us "old" guys just don't understand... It's all about the eye candy design now...Gotta look "cool" and "zoomy"...It isn't about the work it can do or how durable it is, since it will be at the scrapper in 3-5 years...and besides, they will change the color scheme so you gotta get a new one anyways...right? I mean, when you post your selfies on snapchat the tractor's gotta look cool after all. Cuz like...that's what its all about, ya know? Low monthly payments for the rest of your life...new one every 2-3 years... UUHHGG... 8 8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,869 #4 Posted March 29, 2018 Before we moved to Florida in 2000 just about everybody knew Wheel Horse. For the 17 years down there just about nobody did. Now back home just outside of South Bend and a mile from the old plant I'm amazed at the number of people that haven't heard of them. Times sure are changing. It would be an interesting poll to sit your beautiful SK next to that Husky and see who would pick what. Actually, it might be a sad poll. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Al C. 1,426 #5 Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) I agree. The Wheel Horse will probably lose because it has a manual transmission, two shifters, and a clutch. What are those ... ?! Edited March 29, 2018 by Al C. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #6 Posted March 29, 2018 1 hour ago, Al C. said: Yesterday I was at Lowe’s checking out what’s new for Spring around the Great Lakes. I was looking at the specs on some lawn equipment when a sales person approached me to promote the top of the line Husqvarna. After a minute I stopped him and told him I already have two horses that work on my lawn. He laughed as if I was making a joke of his pitch. So, I pulled out the iPhone and showed him a picture. His reaction ... “what is that!”. Hard to even explain the difference to a young person. Maybe I should try that at my local Lowe's...silly boy orange is for carrots and toys if ain't red leave in the shed... 9 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 66,582 #7 Posted March 29, 2018 Let ' em keep buying the new grass cutters and leave the tractors for us..... 10 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris G 3,296 #8 Posted March 29, 2018 I am only 32 but I was raised a bit different then most people my age. So I get a laugh from this because I get people stopping me all the time when they see me working on my old tractors or hauling a new horse home. If its the older generation there usually excited to see them and are always up to chat about them. But if it's the younger generation it's always what are you gonna do with that junk. So I tell them I'm gonna restore it or I'm gonna use it for work. Then you get the the normal oh why not just buy a new one. Then I get my laughs and say this is a new one to me and it will out last your plastic $5000 investment by many years. 6 8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 2,949 #9 Posted March 29, 2018 16 minutes ago, Chris G said: I am only 32 but I was raised a bit different then most people my age. So I get a laugh from this because I get people stopping me all the time when they see me working on my old tractors or hauling a new horse home. If its the older generation there usually excited to see them and are always up to chat about them. But if it's the younger generation it's always what are you gonna do with that junk. So I tell them I'm gonna restore it or I'm gonna use it for work. Then you get the the normal oh why not just buy a new one. Then I get my laughs and say this is a new one to me and it will out last your plastic $5000 investment by many years. I'm only 27 and I have had the exact same experiences. Now don't everyone go hating on me, but I mow my grass every week with a Cub 102 that belonged to my wife's grandfather. Great tractor, runs like a champ, cuts nice. My neighbor has a brand new Cub Cadet he got last spring and makes fun of what he calls "my old jaloppy"...........what does he know about tractors lol 8 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #10 Posted March 29, 2018 I started out on the CC original at age 6 then dad got another Cub 1200, when I got my own place with land I bought a Cub 106(which I regret selling), then around the same time a newer aluminum rear gear drive CCC (late 80s that wasn't near the 106) traded it off for the brand new 520H 20 years ago ain't looked back. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Al C. 1,426 #11 Posted March 29, 2018 3 hours ago, WVHillbilly520H said: Maybe I should try that at my local Lowe's...silly boy orange is for carrots and toys if ain't red leave in the shed... Great looking Mahindra !!!!! Wish I had room for a FEL. My wife says my car has to go first. Tough trade-off. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,516 #12 Posted March 29, 2018 Grass cutting season always makes me chuckle when I see the 'Land Gurus' looking at 'tractors' at Lowes or Home Cheapo. 40+ years ago, purchased a Crapsman. Friend laughed and left. Returned later with my first Horse. Sold the thingy. My first Horse and my oldest son (now 50'ish). 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsPond 51 #13 Posted March 29, 2018 Years ago I had a little fun with one of the guys at the local Sears. I was walking thru the tractors and mowers, just taking a look at what they had. A salesman approached me and asked "are you looking for a tractor?" I just looked at him and said, "yeah, do you have any?" He went on to help someone else. 1 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,963 #14 Posted March 29, 2018 2 hours ago, Al C. said: Is it just me, or is that Mahindra looking at the camera? Looks a little sinister. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #15 Posted March 29, 2018 2 hours ago, Al C. said: What car you gotta let go...momma knows my toys (tools) don't go nowhere they just hide... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,329 #16 Posted March 30, 2018 23 hours ago, Racinbob said: Before we moved to Florida in 2000 just about everybody knew Wheel Horse. For the 17 years down there just about nobody did. Now back home just outside of South Bend and a mile from the old plant I'm amazed at the number of people that haven't heard of them. Times sure are changing. It would be an interesting poll to sit your beautiful SK next to that Husky and see who would pick what. Actually, it might be a sad poll. the old plant I'm amazed at the number of people that haven't heard of them. Times sure are changing. Now that is Sad to hear that. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #17 Posted March 30, 2018 I'm lucky that at the age of 10, Emory really enjoys his horses. He sees the value in older things. Given the choice between an antique or something new, he always chooses something old! A friend offered him a special horse the other day at a very fair price. Now, he's willing to look at his herd and sell one or two to fund the purchase. I'll post more on what the horse is as well as his for sale items in a few weeks. 2 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 54,383 #18 Posted March 30, 2018 9 hours ago, dells68 said: He sees the value in older things. Given the choice between an antique or something new, he always chooses something old! That being the case I guess @Ed Kennell and I must be worth a fortune! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikeeyre74 289 #19 Posted March 30, 2018 The bumper on that orange thing! If you need a push bar that big, perhaps you shouldn’t be driving after all? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 37,492 #20 Posted March 31, 2018 2 hours ago, 953 nut said: That being the case I guess @Ed Kennell, @elcamino/wheelhorse, and I must be worth a fortune! I didn't want Jim to feel like a youngster. Correct me if I'm wrong Dick, But Jim has to be a "Level 7" and I know he is a valuable gem. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,237 #21 Posted March 31, 2018 I am a level seven , the wife calls a " funny little man " , my mother (she is 91 ) calls me a stubborn jackass. Everybody else calls me a grump or worst. Never thought I would make it to level seven. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red144runner 657 #22 Posted March 31, 2018 On 3/29/2018 at 1:40 PM, jsPond said: Years ago I had a little fun with one of the guys at the local Sears. I was walking thru the tractors and mowers, just taking a look at what they had. A salesman approached me and asked "are you looking for a tractor?" I just looked at him and said, "yeah, do you have any?" He went on to help someone else. Sears now or any craftsman made in the last 20 years are box store quality. I had a 1987 GT18 that I bought for the engine. That tractor was pretty rugged. Had a horizontal opposed twin I/C Briggs (others had Onan and kohler k and magnums). Not near as heavy duty as the horses, frames were thinner and an aluminum cased rear. But the aluminum was thick and it has a 2 speed rear. If this tractor was made today it would be just below the top of the line gt deeres and case. Quality and box stores parted ways a long time ago. Occasionally I go for light bulbs and spray paint. Hardware, lumber, tools and equipment I purchase from local independent places. Look at craftsman tools now, years ago all the power tools were house brand, made in USA and were good quality. It's all my Grampy bought. Then DeWalt showed up, dremel, and others too. Then the little tag on the craftsman didn't say made in Chicago it said China. But the price didn't drop. The hand tools held for a while. First the combo wrenches went to china, I never thought they'd sell out the socket sets but they did with the pliers and finally the screwdrivers. Blame harbor freight Home Depot and Lowes. They sell cheap junk. $20 for a 90 piece socket set it hard to compete with. And they can claim their stuff compares to snap on or s-k but that's all bs. The tools are surface hardened and fail under less than severe load. You could probably sell a "classic" Wheelhorse today. First there's almost no competition, I know there are z turns and scuts. Market it commercial, dealer only who knows? Wouldn't be a huge seller I'm sure but there is a market for quality tools for guys who miss them 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,331 #23 Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) Someone needs to explain to me why garden tractors, lawn tractors and even big farm equipment from articulated 4 wheel drives to combines need to have sloping aero dynamically hoods? Sure you might get some better visibility, but there again on a combine the hoods in the back. I have farmed and mowed grass for years and I have never been hampered by needing to be able to cheat the wind by picking up extra speed to get down to the end of the field. I did not know that as I was mowing with a horse that my square open hood was hurting my speed. I just don’t see it. I must be missing something here. Maybe I should contact NASA or Gen. Chuck Yeager and ask them. For some reason something tells me if I did the guys with that white straight jacket might be after me. Yet people go out and purchase aero dynamically lawn equipment and people think nothing of it. Just can’t figure it out. Edited March 31, 2018 by MalMac 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Al C. 1,426 #24 Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) On 3/29/2018 at 6:46 AM, Al C. said: The SK-486 has 1,362 hours on its meter. Doesn’t break a sweat mowing or pulling. Spindles purr like a cat. Doesn’t cough or smoke. I wonder how the orange brand will run when it passes 1,300 hours? Edited March 31, 2018 by Al C. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,478 #25 Posted March 31, 2018 On 3/29/2018 at 6:51 AM, 953 nut said: I'm surprised he didn't point out the fact that your's doesn't have a drink holder! Or a zillion safety switches ..... 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites