Dan.gerous 2,696 #1 Posted April 17, 2020 Has anybody ever looked into resurrecting the wheelhorse brand? Even making limited runs of the older models or just spare parts - its probably not financially viable but the basic units could easily compete with modern machines, even with just a slightly updated look Just a thought, as parts and accessories/implements get harder and harder to source. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #2 Posted April 17, 2020 If you had the money to do it, you couldn't use the Wheel Horse name. Torro will own that I assume. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #3 Posted April 17, 2020 non logo replicas like a "Factory 5 cobra" instead of a Shelby cobra 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,267 #4 Posted April 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Dan.gerous said: probably not financially viable but the basic units could easily compete with modern machines, even with just a slightly updated look After you factor in the insurance company and lawyer the best corporate plan is to drop the idea as fast as possible. Only a select few folk with enough intelligence and wherewithal to plan ahead would buy one. There are more new parts becoming available as demand increases to make THEM financially viable. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,490 #5 Posted April 17, 2020 I think the concept would be wonderful, but the lawyers and marketing gurus would destroy it before it got off the ground. But what @ebinmaine is getting at IS viable - keep these things running and restored will take parts - some new / some old... So keep the vendors on this site busy!!! And - maybe increase our contacts with local scrap yards to alert when WH's come in for scrap to keep them alive for another day... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,065 #6 Posted April 17, 2020 3 hours ago, Dan.gerous said: parts and accessories/implements get harder and harder to source. There are more than enough old to go around, some people just have a bit of difficulty with sharing them with others. Hoarders! 3 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #7 Posted April 18, 2020 3 hours ago, 953 nut said: There are more than enough old to go around, some people just have a bit of difficulty with sharing them with others. Hoarders! Hoarders? Whoa, hold on a minute Richard! Are you talking about @WHX24 and myself? We might resemble that remark!!! 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #8 Posted April 18, 2020 Aftermarket parts is probably a more viable option, things like hoods and difficult to fabricate cast parts - and the lawyers, insurers could carry on past! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #9 Posted April 18, 2020 Chris Sutton has made two pairs of very nice fibreglass fenders for his Bill and Ben builds on MoM. https://myoldmachine.com/topic/6069-winter-project/page/9/ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,784 #10 Posted April 18, 2020 12 hours ago, 953 nut said: There are more than enough old to go around, some people just have a bit of difficulty with sharing them with others. Hoarders! I’ll share Richard! C’mon up and I’ll let you pick one out for a field ride! I’ve got a feeling I know which you’d jump on... 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496 #11 Posted April 18, 2020 There were several reasons why Toro stopped making Wheel Horses - but the main one was probably return on investment - they were expensive to make and therefore, to make a profit on them, they were priced a bit high for the market, which was moving towards zero turns, SCUTs, and lower end, entry level lawn tractors. The market changed, but the Wheel Horse tractor did not, or at least enough to continue production. 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,065 #12 Posted April 18, 2020 9 hours ago, dells68 said: Are you talking about @WHX24 and myself? Much larger group of Wheel Horse hoarders than that. You, @pullstart and @WHX24 get yours running and enjoy them, but on occasion we see auction listings for "collections" that were never enjoyed, just stored away. Those little gold mines will keep this hobby viable for future Horse-A- Holics. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #13 Posted April 18, 2020 Thanks Richard. We do enjoy playing with ours, whether just a ride around the farm or light use. A couple of them get more than light use - they see weekly or daily chore duty! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,784 #14 Posted April 18, 2020 The girls were playing upstairs yesterday and I shared pictures of my little show with them... today we’ll do it in the front yard to put on a show for passers by 1 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,478 #15 Posted April 18, 2020 The market for things that last is lonnnng-gone ! People want things that they can just throw away when they wear out . My wiper-blade is ripped ... time for a new car ! 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #16 Posted April 18, 2020 4 minutes ago, Digger 66 said: The market for things that last is lonnnng-gone ! People want things that they can just throw away when they wear out . My wiper-blade is ripped ... time for a new car ! unfortunately this is true and a big reason and many don't want a big yard to cut in the first place - too much maintenance too much time new developments - most lots are small - and many have a lawn services the areas that do have larger lots - many have lawn services owning an operating a Wheel Horse is similar to a mid/late 60's muscle car 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob R 966 #17 Posted April 18, 2020 IMHO everything will be going electric, just a matter of time so weight is critical etc, etc in addition to what others have said regarding feasibility etc. etc. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #18 Posted April 18, 2020 24 minutes ago, Digger 66 said: The market for things that last is lonnnng-gone ! People want things that they can just throw away when they wear out . My wiper-blade is ripped ... time for a new car ! My generation in NZ are the last of the "fix it" brigade, where we would rather spend time keeping something running than buying a replacement. I am always re-using old things, taking down peoples old sheds and rebuilding them etc. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #19 Posted April 18, 2020 11 minutes ago, Rob R said: IMHO everything will be going electric, just a matter of time so weight is critical etc, etc in addition to what others have said regarding feasibility etc. etc. agreed, I no longer use gas weed whackers, the battery ones are so much better, no noise, no exhaust smell, I got over 5 acres too, with a lot trimming. I went to demo at the mower shop a year or two ago with the new battery chainsaws, very impressed, obviously it's not there yet to replace lumberjack saws, but for a weekend home owner it would be fine 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #20 Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) electric has definitely progressed better motors - including brushless motors better batteries - including LiPo etc IMG_3108.MOV Edited April 18, 2020 by tom2p 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,403 #21 Posted April 18, 2020 6 hours ago, Stormin said: Chris Sutton has made two pairs of very nice fibreglass fenders for his Bill and Ben builds on MoM. https://myoldmachine.com/topic/6069-winter-project/page/9/ Kudos to Chris for his work! Only I would notice this (), but you might want to mention to your friend Titch that he has a typo in one of his decals: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,267 #22 Posted April 18, 2020 22 minutes ago, jabelman said: battery chainsaws What's the "run time" for them nowadays? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #23 Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, tunahead72 said: Only I would notice this (), but you might want to mention to your friend Titch that he has a typo in one of his decals: That's no typo, Ed. I bet you'll remember it better than Made in Great Britain. Rather like the painter who wrote WET PAYNT. You take more notice of it if spelt WET PAINT. I've remembered that since I was about 13. Edited April 18, 2020 by Stormin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,478 #24 Posted April 18, 2020 4 hours ago, ebinmaine said: What's the "run time" for them nowadays? Like stated above , they won't "replace" a snarling gasser , but for the average Joe-homowner they can be very good . Actually thinking about getting one for trailwork as to not have to cart around a fuel can too . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,478 #25 Posted April 18, 2020 Gotta love the Makita tester with BARE FEET ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
