What Is Your Favorite Wheel Horse Model ???

[D_Mac 8,619]

Well as I am finishing up work on this C-161 I got to thinking.... This is all the tractor anyone could ever need. Simply but very well built, Super strong, easy to work on. What more could you ask for? What are some of your opinions on what you feel the best model or series is . If you could only have one Wheel Horse to do all your work what would it be and why? Hydro or stick ? Big or compact ? Remember your chosing one for all around.

[Pullstart 62,884]

My 502 Putt Putt... or the one under my backside at any point in time...

 

 

[Blackhood Bill 721]

The jury is still out on that? SStill learning and buying! I have to admit love the looks of the blackhoods, got two off them. SO FAR that is!

Edited June 15, 2020 by Blackhood Bill

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

That's a tough question. My go to worker is my C125, the old 12 HP Kohler gives me plenty of grunt for anything I need to do when paired with the 8 speed and loaded ags. 

 

That being said, the one Horse I want in my barn more than anything is a C160 8 speed. Good styling, simple easy to work on design, and as happy as I have been with my 12HP/8 speed combination, I can only imagine a 16HP/8 speed would be nearly unstoppable. 

 

But then I have a fondness of the little round hoods, not near the powerhouses that their later cousins were, but very capable machines, they have that classic look to them, and they are just all around a blast to drive and operate. I find myself jumping on my 753 just to take a cruise around the property, or even just to drive the 50 yards to the garbage cans. 

[D_Mac 8,619]

@HandyProfessor curious as to why you favor the 8 speed over the automatics?

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

2 minutes ago, D_Mac said:

@HandyProfessor curious as to why you favor the 8 speed over the automatics?

I don't know that I would say I favor them more than the autos, its more that they're what I am used to. Around here a Wheel Horse hydro is almost impossible to find. I will say that I do prefer the auto for mowing, but for any kind of heavy work in my opinion the 8 speed is just more suited to the task. 

 

Maybe that's my 30 year older than me mindset (my mother always tells me I was born 30 years too late), but I have always had the idea that a manual transmission in anything was better for working than an automatic. I'm the same way with my vehicles, I've gotten spoiled to the auto in my truck for in town driving, but anytime I haul home another old tractor I tell myself I need to find another old truck with a 4 or 5 speed in it. Up until about a year ago there wasn't a truck on this place that had an automatic.

[D_Mac 8,619]

I kind of felt the same way until I got this automatic. It grew on me real fast. No stopping and shifting, just flick the lever, continuous motion. Took a little bit to get used to but I am taking a shine to it now. Never used it for anything other then mowing though. I would think it would great if it had a blade and used for snow plowing. Thanks for your input.

[roadapples 6,983]

C160 Auto...

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,560]

8 hours ago, Blackhood Bill said:

...love the looks of the blackhoods, got two off them. SO FAR that is!

 

 

C-105 Black Hood. 

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

Just recently brought a C-175 Automatic back to life.Series 2 engine.I put on a spare 42 in. side discharge deck.Mowed with it a couple times.I'm REALLY liking this tractor.I like the hydro.I love the hydraulic lift.Very comfortable tractor.Very smooth running Kohler twin.

[Achto 27,577]

I own multiple tractors so this is a hard choice. I have favorites for different reasons. For out right getting the job done I have been leaning on my C-141 8speed. Only improvement that I would want on it would be hydraulic lift. 

[chip61 658]

C160 Auto

[16 Automatic 53]

My favorite has to be the one I have.  It was my Great Uncle Clarence that bought it in 1973 when I was 6 years old.  He loved the machine and I inherited it  20 years ago.  Its a 1973 "horse with no name" 16 Automatic.  I like the fact it is an oddball year, but not overly fond of the random groin punches when tilling because of the crotch area automatic control stick.  He had a mower deck, snow blower, plow blade, tiller, and grader blade with it.  Since then I have picked up a lawn vac and Sweepster attachment.  It has run flawless the entire time and just Putts away.  For a long time I thought I wanted a D series because of the 3 point hitch availability and finally found and bought a nice one.  It had such a bigger feeling than my other little mower, it just floated over the ruts and uneven ground.  But after mowing the lawn with it for a while, the much larger turning radius was too much of an inconvenience.  I had to back up 2 to 3 times more than with the other machine, plus I couldn't readily swap the attachments between the two.  So I ended up selling it here which is how I found this forum.  

 

[Lane Ranger 10,968]

My favorite overall has to be my 1961 Wheel Horse 701!

 

But I can never forget the fun of the RJ’s!

[Lee1977 6,659]

 

 

I would have to say my 1977 C-120/180  8 speed with a 18 HP Briggs Vanguard. It was also a C-120/160 until 2010 when I changed to the 18. I bought the C-120 new and complete wore it out once. Most everything

has been repaired replaced or modified. I have replaced all the bearings added oillite bushings where there were on bushings. It's been repainted all the original decals have been retained. I rebuilt the transmission in the 90's with all new bearings.  I need to go back in the transmission again replace the small roller bearings as the input and brake shafts had to have new seals a couple of years back.The frame has been reinforced, and It has trailer wheels hubs and spindles on the front and the front axle pivot was rebuilt. It's probity getting close to the $10,000 C-120 with a 48" deck. But it's been my main tractor and mower for 43 years. $232.56 per year an't bad.

[RedPrideNation 23]

I will say that the C-series in general are all pretty dang hard to beat. As a newbie with two C160 Auto's I am partial to them but have found myself really wanting a C120 8 speed just because. Frankly all of these tractors are very well designed for the multiple tasks we put them through so I don't think there is a right answer to the question. It sure is fun to think about though.....

 

[rjg854 11,362]

I say, it depends on what I'm using it for.  The C-160, for snow blowing, mowing and using a grader blade and york rake. The 877 or 68 Commando 8 for snow plowing,  mowing and pulling the tub trailer. Mainly because they are better on gas and a little more manuverable in tight places.  To tell the truth I have 7 tractors and they are all great tractors.  

[D_Mac 8,619]

No depends. You are picking one. If you can only have one tractor, what what it be? You have one for everyday of the week !!!

[rjg854 11,362]

why of course  

[Greentored 3,214]

This is a tough call. My first was a 520H and was one HELL of a machine, but I have developed a serious fondness for the long frame/long hood/stirrup equipped horses of the mid-late 60s.

As much as I love the big Onan twins, gear reduction steering, and hydraulic lift on the 520s, if I could only have ONE to do it all, my 1277 would take the win. Classic look and style thats hard to beat, plenty of power on tap, and although its not as much fun as a 6 or 8 speed, hydro is the only way to go for lawn duty and mowing around obstacles.

PS- @D_Mac Rochester, eh? Greetings from a fellow western New Yorker not far from ya- born and raised in Sodus. Please send me a garbage plate and a 12 pack of Genny

Edited June 16, 2020 by Greentored

[Greentored 3,214]

On 6/14/2020 at 10:24 PM, HandyProfessor said:

........ I find myself jumping on my 753 just to take a cruise around the property, or even just to drive the 50 yards to the garbage cans. 

So I'm not the only one?  I feel better now

[16 Automatic 53]

14 minutes ago, Greentored said:

PS- @D_Mac Rochester, eh? Greetings from a fellow western New Yorker not far from ya- born and raised in Sodus. Please send me a garbage plate and a 12 pack of Genny

holy crap, that order would need to come with a box of depends.

[Greentored 3,214]

20 minutes ago, 16 Automatic said:

holy crap, that order would need to come with a box of depends.

It takes a seasoned professional and 'iron gut' champion to handle it hahaha.

[D_Mac 8,619]

@Greentored @16 Automatic These are on me !!

[oldiron613 583]

The earlier the better for me.