Macwrench 133 #1 Posted October 23, 2019 Newbie... Let me start with a little back story...Airplane guy, helicopter guy. Troubleshooter. Been wrenching all my life. I appreciate how older stuff is (was) made. I mow my tiny yard with a 1978 Lawnboy, given to me from my dad. I have a 1955-ish Homecraft table saw that was my GF's since new (with drill press, jointer, disk sander, etc). Drive a 1972 Harley golf cart in my neighborhood, and just finished a quicky O/H on the engine. I'm the go-to guy amongst my neighbors for small engine stuff, mostly lawn mowers and boats. Learned it all from Dad and GF (greatest fixers ever!!!, sure miss them) Started shopping for a good used mower/tractor for Mom-in-law to mow her place, but tired of throw away stuff. Wanted something made of "bridge iron" and not "tin". Here's where the question is: Why do YOU like the WH's? I'm in South Texas, 5 miles from Galveston. We've never heard of Wheel Horse. We don't snow plow. Down here EVERYONE has a cheap lawnmower, OR a Kubota. For tractor work, it's mostly the Kubota's. A little further north, and you get Husqvarna's and JD's, or scattered iterations of Fords (spent lots of time driving and working on a 4000). My answer is simple: Ease of repair, cost, reliability. What say you? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,080 #2 Posted October 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, Macwrench said: Ease of repair, cost, reliability The fact that most maintenance parts are standard items and not overpriced propitiatory junk coupled with a quality product covers it. OH YA, they are cool to. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #3 Posted October 23, 2019 First of all, it sounds like you’ve lost loved ones. I’m sorry to hear that. Second, I found Wheel Horse by accident just looking for a mower. Always a fan of old rusty iron more than fancy new stuff, I stumbled upon the 502 I call Putt Putt to tackle my mowing chores for 1.6 acres in style. That little round hood reminded me of the 9N my uncle had at his place many years ago. Now I’m somewhere around 15 or 16 Wheel Horses, between my daughters, wife and I. Making it a family affair has made the hobby very enjoyable for all of us, I especially love their smiles when they’re cruising or working their units. They’re tough, easy to work on, easy to drive and look awesome all the time! 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #4 Posted October 23, 2019 Ease of use, durability, simplicity of design, not difficult to maintain, easy to repair—if needed. I grew up using one... strayed away for awhile... but I guess you could say that I’m back on board with a variety of horses spanning decades—Not unlike many of the guys here. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,336 #5 Posted October 23, 2019 53 minutes ago, Macwrench said: Newbie... Let me start with a little back story...Airplane guy, helicopter guy. Troubleshooter. Been wrenching all my life. I appreciate how older stuff is (was) made. I mow my tiny yard with a 1978 Lawnboy, given to me from my dad. I have a 1955-ish Homecraft table saw that was my GF's since new (with drill press, jointer, disk sander, etc). Drive a 1972 Harley golf cart in my neighborhood, and just finished a quicky O/H on the engine. I'm the go-to guy amongst my neighbors for small engine stuff, mostly lawn mowers and boats. Learned it all from Dad and GF (greatest fixers ever!!!, sure miss them) Started shopping for a good used mower/tractor for Mom-in-law to mow her place, but tired of throw away stuff. Wanted something made of "bridge iron" and not "tin". Here's where the question is: Why do YOU like the WH's? I'm in South Texas, 5 miles from Galveston. We've never heard of Wheel Horse. We don't snow plow. Down here EVERYONE has a cheap lawnmower, OR a Kubota. For tractor work, it's mostly the Kubota's. A little further north, and you get Husqvarna's and JD's, or scattered iterations of Fords (spent lots of time driving and working on a 4000). My answer is simple: Ease of repair, cost, reliability. What say you? All of the above you just answered your question ! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #6 Posted October 23, 2019 no more to say... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,277 #7 Posted October 23, 2019 2 hours ago, Macwrench said: Ease of repair, cost, reliability. Nailed it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #8 Posted October 23, 2019 (edited) Easy to work on. Strong. Versatile. Reliable. Modifiable for different uses. And don't HAVE to stay red. Edited October 23, 2019 by Stormin 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macwrench 133 #9 Posted October 23, 2019 What's funny is... I'm so new to this forum that I have never seen a running WH tractor. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #10 Posted October 23, 2019 4 minutes ago, Macwrench said: What's funny is... I'm so new to this forum that I have never seen a running WH tractor. They don't run. Trot. Canter. Gallop. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macwrench 133 #11 Posted October 23, 2019 28 minutes ago, Stormin said: And don't HAVE to stay red. I see you have the Black Knight jousting version. 2 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #12 Posted October 23, 2019 The Black Horse actually. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,505 #14 Posted October 23, 2019 First of all they are RED, my favorite color. Got a few Cub Cadets in the family too, but only red ones . Good hard working tractors that are easy to maintain and repair. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #15 Posted October 23, 2019 And independently what Model they are, as long as they are Wheelhorses... No other Tractor can be various that easy...😎🇺🇸 for mowing, maintenance other gear, diggin Heavy Snow, in unbelievable height, a Wheelhorse is simply a Garden Tractor which deserves that name.. 😎 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #16 Posted October 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Macwrench said: What's funny is... I'm so new to this forum that I have never seen a running WH tractor. We can can get you right fixed up now! 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Burnerman 758 #17 Posted October 23, 2019 How about some of each? Oh and you forgot yellow! LolThey’re all cool but I think Wheelhorse tractors and implements where the ones that sold the most. They’re the easiest well built tractor to get parts and attachments for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,296 #18 Posted October 24, 2019 (edited) If you take care of them , they will last . Here is my list all workers 1974 C -120, 1986 310-8 , 1987 416-8 , Also have a 1972 Commando 800 purchased new by my old man . Needs a motor when I get round to it. They are like potato chips , you can't have just one. Edited October 24, 2019 by elcamino/wheelhorse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #19 Posted October 24, 2019 Why? Because nothing runs like a Deere when it's chased by a Horse.. I've had dozens of makes, from oddballs to the big ones. But to keep it simple.. JD, IH, Roper/Sears, Simplicity etc. I like my WH's because of versatility and ease of repair. Very little you can't get for even the most obscure models. Sure a vintage Simplicity leaves a better cut finish, and a 60s era round fender JD never fails to draw a crowd (especially when it dont start at a show) I mean if you want all-out 'break it, I dare you'.. a Panzer tractor is for you. But besides being an overbuilt tank .. they really aren't much fun to use and are outdated even for the early 60s era standards. Not to mention parts are scarce. I liked my IH Cubs.. they were great. But the decks leave a lot to be desired and for the work they can do .. why own something more complex when a simple belt driven WH will do it all, and maybe a little more? IMHO if it had to be anything other then a WH, it'd be a 60s era Sears. Fairly universal implements u p through the 70s atleast, and millions were sold. Simple enough to repower too.. unlike a Simplicity or IH. If I needed to I could drop literally anything into a WH, and keep it going for another century.. lot of other names cant say the same. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macwrench 133 #20 Posted October 24, 2019 3 hours ago, AMC RULES said: Ok, this thing is bad ass!!! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macwrench 133 #21 Posted October 24, 2019 2 hours ago, Burnerman said: How about some of each? Oh and you forgot yellow! LolThey’re all cool but I think Wheelhorse tractors and implements where the ones that sold the most. They’re the easiest well built tractor to get parts and attachments for. Dang, I did forget yellow! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,976 #22 Posted October 24, 2019 If someone says hand me the 7/16 wench and you grab it without reading the numbers, then you know enough to keep one of these running. Simplicity and I don't mean the orange tractor. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,976 #23 Posted October 24, 2019 3 minutes ago, clueless said: If someone says hand me the 7/16 wrench and you grab it without reading the numbers, then you know enough to keep one of these running. Simplicity and I don't mean the orange tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darb1964 1,042 #24 Posted October 24, 2019 Used and older go with red,the horse is hard to beat.. New,I would go with kubota, I bought a 3010new in 2000 worked it hard, anyone who I have asked that owns one loved them, much like wheel horse. Orange is my favorite color,red not so much unless it's a wheel horse,then I like. Like the old I H. Cubs and letter models too. Had a cub should have held on to it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
