If you could build your ultimate Horse....

[Greentored 3,201]

Lets have some fun eh?

If you could build your ultimate Horse, what frame, engine, trans, hitch, lift, colors, etc.. would you use? what mods would you perform?

Im still a bit green to the red (no pun intended ha!) but am noticing certain models catching my eye more than others.

At this stage of the game, id build a long hood/long frame like my 1277 and keep the foot rests for sure, 520 gear reduction steering, stuff a 20hp Onan in it, stacked of course (love that big block Kohler but love the sound of those Onan twins more) 8 speed trans geared just slightly to run 8-9mph, tall, skinny tires up front, 8.5-12 ATVs out back all loaded, most likely an electric lift, Brinly hitch of course, 48" deck is enough. Maybe even a set of round rear fenders and traditional metal 'tractor' seat......   all in traditional red/almond wheels of course!

 Dont put it past me to get a wild hair and try this

Excited to hear what you all come up with....or maybe already have!

[Pullstart 62,740]

I kind of have built some of my ultimates... but the ones that bring the most smiles from my ladies are the best!
 

Putt Putt 502, with 8 hp, 8 gears, ‘64 chassis and lately a 10” plow.

 

 

Frank, Mrs. P’s “1073”

 

[ebinmaine 67,188]

Great thread idea!

 

 

Colossus.

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,740]

Screamin! Jimmy came from @12 hp Kohler Robbie at the 2018 Bog Show with an intake valve issue.  We got that fixed up, made him wider in the front, added a second pedal, swapped out the hood and built a pretty nifty exhaust system.

 

 

[Pullstart 62,740]

Barney Fife, the 857 mock 1045.  I might not be done, it would be cool to add a 10 horse Kohler still.

 

 

[oliver2-44 9,663]

@Achto built a huge favorite of mine. Since your asking what would be my ultimate Catallic of a WH be, I would add an Eaton 1100 Transmission and gear reduction steering.  I also though about building an identical frame out of 2" square tubing.  That would allow a loader subframe with a quick attach to be a minimal addition.  

[Sam Pasch 449]

If I could afford to build an ultimate wheel horse, I would start with a 1277. Then I would replace the 12 hp kohler with a later kohler v-twin, probably around 20 hp. Then I would add an ark FEL and find a way to adapt a side discharge 48" deck. I would convert it to hydraulic lift and make a custom cat-0 3 point for it. I would also add running boards off of a later model wheel horse. Wide rib tires up front, 25x12-12 ags in the back. Ultimate work tractor.

Edited May 6, 2020 by Sam Pasch

[squonk 41,011]

Short frame square hood. Big block Kohler. Round fenders and lowered 

[tom2p 2,394]

17 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

@Achto built a huge favorite of mine. Since your asking what would be my ultimate Catallic of a WH be, I would add an Eaton 1100 Transmission and gear reduction steering.  I also though about building an identical frame out of 2" square tubing.  That would allow a loader subframe with a quick attach to be a minimal addition.  

tractor pictured above (Achto's) is one of my all time favs 

 

and John Voss recently completed liquid cooled 3 cyl diesel (pic and link below)

 

two examples of ultimate for me 

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2020 by tom2p

[ebinmaine 67,188]

30 minutes ago, squonk said:

Short frame square hood. Big block Kohler. Round fenders... 

Trina and I had talked about doing that same thing.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Start with a short-frame, square-hood tractor like my Commando 8

- modify frame (if needed) to fit a 16 hp Kohler K381 under the hood

- add forward swept 520H axle w/ gear reduction steering

- 8-speed rear end w/ posi

- dual wheels on rear

- fabricate battery mount under seat pan (make room for Kohler)

[71_Bronco 1,072]

47 minutes ago, pullstart said:

 

I like the final look of those fenders on that one

[Sam Pasch 449]

48 minutes ago, Sam Pasch said:

If I could afford to build an ultimate wheel horse, I would start with a 1277. Then I would replace the 12 hp kohler with a later kohler v-twin, probably around 20 hp. Then I would add an ark FEL and find a way to adapt a side discharge 48" deck. I would convert it to hydraulic lift and make a custom cat-0 3 point for it. I would also add running boards off of a later model wheel horse. Wide rib tires up front, 25x12-12 ags in the back. Ultimate work tractor.

I would basically create a 2077.☺

[Lee1977 6,633]

I haven't built one, but I have modified a couple.  C-120/180  I bought it new it's been rebuilt slowly over the years .

Axle repair with new pin and additional support.

Both tractors have had the frame brace.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2020 by Lee1977

[bc.gold 3,403]

Onan twin coupled to a Sundstrand hydro driving a selective low, medium and high range three speed trans-axle, hydraulically operated three point cat 0, live rear pto shaft, front pto and a front end loader.

 

Must not forget limited slip differential.

 

Recirculating ball steering box, ribbed front tires with loaded Ag rears.

Edited May 6, 2020 by bcgold

[Achto 27,502]

@oliver2-44 & @tom2p thank you both for the complement on Radpferd. He was a concept in my head for about 2yrs, I'm very honored to see it considered as a choice on this post.

 

With Radpferd I accomplished a look that I was going for and also ended up with a very capable worker. One other plus to diesel power - I logged 22hrs on the clock last year and only used 2.5 gallons of fuel.

 

One of my next dreams involves a long frame, 8 speed, hydraulic lift, and most definitely no spark plugs.    

Edited May 6, 2020 by Achto

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

This is tough—so many cool customs on this site:

 

I’m gonna give another shout out to my buddy @Achto for Radpferd.  

 

You think it looks good in the pictures, wait till you see it, hear it, and especially drive it—IN PERSON!  Well done Dan!

 

 

Kevin has done a lot of cool custom work but I have to give him props for Frank: 

I mean...a big wheel hydro round hood...nuff said!

 

 

My buddy @19richie66 has done some cool stuff for sure and has several neat ones in progress, however can I say that Skittles is an awesome concept:

Eaton 1100, custom wheels, custom hood latching/hinge mechanism,  custom dash and controls, and much, much more!

 

I also feel like @Shynon knocked it our of the park with his 1054 monster plow mule he built last year. 

He took an already capable machine and made it even better with a more powerful engine, heavier diff, etc.  He will have to list the details if he cares to.

 

Furrow plowing aside, if I was to build an ultimate all around—mowing, blowing, blading, scraping, tilling, kick butt machine, I would love to get my hands on a 520HC someday (solid mechanically but rough cosmetically) and swap the sheetmetal with and square hood long frame tin work.  I understand that would be a lot easier said than done, however I have the afformentioned “maestro of metal work” only about 15 miles from my house 😉. It would be kinda like an LS drivetrain with custom frame and a vintage muscle car body on top😎😎😎

 

Dan talking diesel power made me think of another one that has floated in the back of my brain for awhile as an awesome plow machine:

a D250 with Cat O hitch, full hydraulics, but upgraded with either a Perkins or Kubota 4 cylinder diesel!

Definitely not the “sexiest” looking tractor but something tells me that would make short work of the JD 430’s at big plow days😂

 

Keep the ideas comin’ boys, this is a fun thread

Edited May 6, 2020 by PeacemakerJack

[19richie66 17,497]

I think if I could build anything I wanted it would the same as skittles but the diesel engine/Eaton hydro or an 8speed conversion. I built my favorite already. Just need to finish it. The “2054” for my wife will be another favorite completed when I get it going. 1054 on a GT14 frame, Eaton 1100 hydro and 20 hp magnum twin.

 

Edited May 6, 2020 by 19richie66

[C-85 681]

I love this thread too!

 

I love my C-85, so what could be done to improve it?

 

1) A locking rear end

2) Front hubs with tapered roller bearings, like many have upgraded to.

3) I'm a big Black Hood fan, but a cast iron grill like some of the old GTs would be nice too!

 

I really like my little 8hp tractor, the little tractor that can!  I couldn't be much happier with it!

 

C-85

[Goofey 89]

I like the diesels a lot. The one in post 6 is soooooo nice. But for me it would be to try and do the same as Skipper did to his 195. I mean it could use some paint but mechanically that is just sweet and big and tough.

 

Edited May 6, 2020 by Goofey

[Herder 2,354]

The Raider 12 became a Raider 16.  Big Blocks Rule

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

1 hour ago, Goofey said:

I mean it could use some paint but mechanically that is just sweet and big and tough.

 

Those tires have so much floatation that Kevin @pullstart would glide over top of the water and mud!!!😎

[ebinmaine 67,188]

11 minutes ago, PeacemakerJack said:

Those tires have so much floatation that Kevin @pullstart would glide over top of the water and mud!!!😎

And he'd be laughing all the way across...

[WHX?? 48,743]

4 hours ago, Achto said:

One of my next dreams involves a long frame, 8 speed, hydraulic lift, and most definitely no spark plugs

Yup that right there..... round hood style fenders & tool box, square pan set, stirrup foot rests …. end result would be the ultimate plow rig. 

Wow I don't think I ever saw Skipper's 195... that is a beast I don't think you could slip a dollar bill between the tire & fender!

 

I'm  this pic Jack.... that tractor is one of the best plow rigs I ever used.... 

 

Betcha this young lady would agree.... 

Edited May 6, 2020 by WHX24

[Tractorhead 9,064]

6 hours ago, pullstart said:

I kind of have built some of my ultimates... but the ones that bring the most smiles from my ladies are the best!
 

Putt Putt 502, with 8 hp, 8 gears, ‘64 chassis and lately a 10” plow.

 

 

 

What an outstanding Pic, looks a coworker climbs onto you rear Tyre.. 😂😂😂😂