How did you get into Wheel Horse tractors? What's your story?

[RetroMower 349]

I've always had an interest in mechanical stuff and anything that had a motor. When I was 17ish i worked at a lumber yard/hardware store and i cant remember how i got to talking with one of the regular contractors but he had an old tractor that ran great but wouldn't move and hed give it to me free. I took it knowing nothing about it. It was a 69 Alice chalmers b112. I started taking it apart and ended up replacing a 90° "T" box and it moved once again. My pride was immeasurable. I had a lot if fun with it and even made a plow for it and fitted it with a pneumatic lift via an air tank mounted behind the seat. Sadly I got rid of it when an aunt gave me a beast of a troy bilt with a hydraulic lift deck and plow. FF a couple years after I had moved into an apartment and sold all my lawn equipment. I thought I'd like not having to mow but it actually drove me insane. After my last move in 2018 I got the itch for a project and after seeing a bunch of YouTube videos of wheelhorses I was fairly sold on my target. This forum sealed the deal for me though and alleviated any technical concerns that may arise. Bought a pair of them off marketplace and a third one later on. I thought I might sell one of them but I'd rather die. 

[76c12091520h 3,623]

14 hours ago, rmaynard said:

@76c12091520h   Nice 701 

This tractor is still alive, but unfortunately no longer ours. Current owner still buys parts from us though. Hopefully get it back someday. Originally had a front mount reel mower which wasn't exactly ideal for mowing an acre plus. I can link my 76 C120 directly to this tractor: this 701 was dad's first ( purchased in 1970 ) , he then sold it when he bought a super nice 78 C141. When he took his only new tractor in 1992 , my C120 was traded in on the sale of the C141.

[kpinnc 12,087]

10 hours ago, Snoopy11 said:

It is really something when you build a Horse through your pain and grief. Sometimes you break-down and have to stop for the day, sometimes you get so involved in the build that your pain actually let's up. 

 

I feel like God gave me this tractor for that time in my life, and even now, it puts a very big smile on my face every time I start it up, do work with it, or even just ride it to feel the breeze. 

 

I've said it before, I'll say it again- if the Ponds knew just how much these little tractors do for us, above and beyond the work- they would be proud. Don, your story is both sad and inspirational. Without being in your shoes, I can absolutely relate to a very small part of why your tractor now has so much sentimental value. Great story, and thank you!

[echris 1,425]

One of my earliest memories of my Grandpa's WH (C-120?) was mowing his "back 40".

They lived up on a mountain between Albany and NYC.
They had this 2-3 acre strip of grass in the backyard, with a pretty steep incline going down the mountain. Maybe 50-75 yards wide by the rest of the mountain long.

And Grandpa asked me to mow it. He knew I mowed at home with my Dad's '62 Alice Chalmers B-10.

So, I'm going down the hill and realize I can push in the clutch and now I'm FLYING! (We didn't have a mountain handy at home for me to try that out with the Alice!)
Grandpa's got his steel rake, attending to the clippings, watching me.
When I was done, I told him, so proudly about my discovery of the clutch.

Grandpa looked at me sternly and said, "You should never let the clutch out going down a hill. You might speed out of control and crash. Or worse, burn out the bearings on the wheels, the transaxle..."

Edit: I should maybe point out that Grandpa knew the whole time. He let me go and then later told me where I might have gone wrong. Helluva guy Grandpa was.

Edited October 30, 2021 by echris

[ebinmaine 67,596]

4 hours ago, echris said:

Helluva guy Grandpa was.

Mine too. Remind sometime about a .22 and crows....

[ebinmaine 67,596]

10 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

Found RED SQUARE !

I HAD BEEN BITTEN !

These things happen. 

Have you started building a bigger barn yet?

[ebinmaine 67,596]

9 hours ago, Maxwell-8 said:

fearlessfronts on YT

That's a fella named Todd from right here in Maine. Haven't spoken to him directly but to those who have. Seems like a good guy. 

He's also one of my own influences towards the rugged Wheelhorse. 

 

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

That's a fella named Todd from right here in Maine. Haven't spoken to him directly but to those who have. Seems like a good guy. 

He's also one of my own influences towards the rugged Wheelhorse. 

 

Yup, correct sir. He does a lot of trailriding. His buddy, moweroutlaw has a 312 for off-roading.  The stuff I was planning to do with my lawnmower and later my Wheel Horses. But in almost one year I have only went out once for a light trail ride. I love my horses to much to put them trough harsh off-roading.  I stay on the trail. 

 

Oh yep forgot to mention this, but probably have more money in my horses now then I would have if I bought an ATV

[Gregor 4,846]

I accidentally got into the hobby of fixing and rebuilding Lawn Boy mowers. I use to pick them up from my small engine guy for 20 bucks a pop. I was over there one day and there was a Wheel Horse tractor in the shop.  I loved the look of that tractor. He assured me it was not for sale. It belonged to a Dr. in an adjoining town. I started watching CL for Wheel Horses, but nothing ever showed up, until finally a C-141 came up for sale about 25 miles away.It ran, and the guy drove it onto my trailer, and I brought it home. That was in Oct. of 2020. This was the first time I ever put a wrench to a Wheel Horse. 

I was bit ! The rest, as they say, is history.

 

I am one of those guys who prefers bright and shiny over patina. It's just my way. After the 141 I found the 656.

Then the 876

Then the C-125

And finally the C-175

That's it, that's all I got. I don't have room to store even one more tractor until I sell off about 15 more Lawn Boys. The market seems to be a bit slow on them. If I were to find the RIGHT Wheel Horse, at the right price, The Lawn Boys would go, one way or the other. Until that happens, I am resigned to rebuilding motors for Horses I don't have yet.

[Stormin 9,981]

 Just over 9yrs ago I was walking the dogs in my avatar, down the lane past a field a man kept a microlight in a poly tunnel. I'd seen him mowing a runway on a ride on. I was using a Lawn Flight to mow the green and lane verges by our property.

 I'd not seen the man for some time and it turned out he'd had an accident and it was found he'd a heart condition. That put paid to his flying.

 I noticed the double doors to the tunnel were open and a car and trailer were there. So walked in just incase it was some one up to no good. Turned out it was him and he was clearing everything out. 

 His ride on was standing to one side, a Wheel Horse C-125 with a 42" deck. I'd no knowledge of WH's  and he said it wouldn't start and he couldn't sell it till it did. I had a look and managed to get it running. A deal was struck and the following night after parting with £70, I drove it the 1/4 mile home.

  Since then I've acquired two more horses. '78 C-121 12hp the Black horse. '79 8hp C-81 and a '79 Sears GT16 with a B&S twin.

C-125 rebuilt last year.

 

C-121 modified for ploughing.

 

C-81 with sickle bar.

 

Sears GT16. Bought of a friend who rebuilt it from a complete wreck. 

 

 

[Horse Newbie 7,075]

5 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

These things happen. 

Have you started building a bigger barn yet?

Don't have room to expand...probably will just start getting rid of some other color stuff !

[lynnmor 7,308]

In 1991, my lawn had expanded to the point that the 8HP AMF Dynamark was no longer practical, so I went tractor shopping.  I knew little about garden tractors, so I looked at green, yellow, orange and red ones, compared specifications and made my choice.  Using the weight, twin cylinder and hydraulics as the most important criteria, I thought that the 416H was the right one but the dealer talked me into a 520H.  The rest is history.

[Charbs152 254]

AS a kid my grandpa owned a C160 Auto with mower deck and snowblower. I was always fascinated with the thing.  He still owns the machine and it still runs.  now as an adult, i bought my own wheel horse

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

On 7/27/2020 at 8:05 AM, ArturHawk said:

"I'm never going to get this thing running again, but I think you could. Do you want it?" 

 

16 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

was probably worth more than I could give her, but I would give $120 or $140(can't remember), and we had a deal.

@Stormin : A deal was struck and the following night after parting with £70, I drove it the 1/4 mile home.

 

Everybody having killer deals on their first horses. HAHAHA, that wasn't the case with mine. €600 non running, not the original engine, busted axle bearings, but with a 42" side discharge. Stuck in a mudhole.

hahah, Oh well, I love My  raider 10.. M12.  I think the C175 is my cheapest horse.

[Snoopy11 5,714]

@Gregor... Casper is one of the most beautiful horses I have seen yet. 

 

Don

[Gary Ch 15]

Casper is one I have never heard of yet, it is a VERY hot looking tractor !!!!!!!!!

[Snoopy11 5,714]

1 minute ago, Gary Ch said:

Casper is one I have never heard of yet, it is a VERY hot looking tractor !!!!!!!!!

Yeah, first I have seen of it as well... I absolutely love it! 

 

Don

[Gary Ch 15]

My Father "slightly" sold the Wheel Horse in the '60s. I say it that way because, although he had a license, or whatever it took to have the sellers opportunity, he had it. I don't ever remember him selling one though, although he may have. He had 3 during the course of my upbringing on his 2 1/2 acres in Southern Ohio. His last Wheel Horse is STILL at the house where I grew up, and is still used, along side a Cub Cadet. I am looking to re~buy that home, will be my last.......... if the Lords willing......& the current owner finds kindness.

A friend down my street called just September 7th, last month, & said a man had 3 riding mowers on a trailer for sale, & he knew I favored the Wheel Horse, said, "GARY, HE HAS A WHEEL HORSE", I said. I'll be right there!!  Minutes, & $140 later, it was mine!

Its a 1974 B-80, which hasn't run yet, partly taken apart, mostly all there, but its fun because, I'm sure, it is my Fathers wish, for me to have one again. It'll be running one of these days.

Grandpa, again, used in my life's story as well, was my mentor. He spent time with me, had patience teaching me, taught me how to plow his 50 acres using rows/squares with an Allis Chalmers, & using that method to mow acres of grass as well. I learned an awful lot from him, and I cherish that I have the aptitude to learn new mechanicals. He had 2 Wheel Horses, which were electric starters, as we pulled our guts out starting Dads.

I am looking forward to 2022, HOPEFULLY living in my 2 1/2 acre childhood home, with a RUNNING B~80, & enjoying the Biglerville show in June, looking there, to find another deck to replace this rusted out version..

I was member/supporter of this forum HOURS after buying my Wheel Horse!

[Horse Newbie 7,075]

5 hours ago, Gary Ch said:

I was member/supporter of this forum HOURS after buying my Wheel Horse!

Me too !... great story !

[echris 1,425]

On 7/24/2020 at 10:51 PM, 12Horse Paladin said:

Friend....i wish i had that '72 K/5 Blazer in the background!😛😍👍🏼👍🏼!!

Story on THAT!😁😄

You reminded me of a WH/K5 story from the WH dealership. This had to be in around 1985-86. The boss had an almost new K5 with the upscale cloth interior, 4 speaker stereo with cassette, the full magilla.

And a brand new snow plow.
When the snow hit, it was my job to clear the parking lots, and the driveways of the boss' family. So I got to spend all day in the swanky K5.

The grumpy old man would always yell at me to make sure I put clean rags on the seats before I got in it. 
One time, the head mechanic said to boss-man, "Why do you have covers on the seats if you're afraid they're going to get dirty?" 

[troutbum70 857]

3 hours ago, echris said:

You reminded me of a WH/K5 story from the WH dealership. This had to be in around 1985-86. The boss had an almost new K5 with the upscale cloth interior, 4 speaker stereo with cassette, the full magilla.

And a brand new snow plow.
When the snow hit, it was my job to clear the parking lots, and the driveways of the boss' family. So I got to spend all day in the swanky K5.

The grumpy old man would always yell at me to make sure I put clean rags on the seats before I got in it. 
One time, the head mechanic said to boss-man, "Why do you have covers on the seats if you're afraid they're going to get dirty?" 

If memory serves me correctly the blazer is a 68 and as far as I know his oldest son still has it.

[Tuneup 1,433]

For me, it's the excitement of messing with something mechanical or electronic and making it functional or just better. That, and my Dad's only talent in this area was adding STP to the Ford or spraying wire drier on the Rambler after a rain storm in northern NJ. How could his own son have a talent? Anyway, fix your ten speed and don't tell Dad. He did become a believer when I rebuilt the old 2HP Briggs in shop at 14, though.

So, in fixing most of our church members' mechanical things, Homer asked if I could look at a weed trimmer and we became friends. An old WWII vet from the Pacific, he was on the 2nd Lex and patrolled Japan after the war. Took a long time to get to those stories. Like many Southerners, his possessions were here and there in the backyard and an '80 C-125 was just rotting in plain sight with its 42RD sinking in the sand. A come-along got it on the trailer and that started my love affair with the Wheel Horse. Easily assembled and repaired, bullet-proof power. I got into the engine, trans and everything else on that machine.

Homer's back in his native Missouri now (their old WH dealership didn't survive that old tornado of some years ago) and I miss him. The C continues to run strong but it's 'no more balance gears' this winter - looking forward to it.

 

 

 

[Rob R 966]

I have done Tractor repair on the big boys (my two brothers farm 56 acres and have at least 30 Tractors) and Lawn Tractors for at least 45 yrs and to be honest initially resisted getting one as I was a Sears Suburban guy, like Cub Cadets and even the dreaded John Deere and I still work on all brands almost daily. Then one day I saw a C-81 shed find for $50 on Craigslist and I went and bought it..... Once I saw how well they were constructed basic and common sense wise.... I was hooked what sealed the deal was reading Cecil Pond's book....  by the way I still own the C-81 and drove it at Stevebo's annual meet and greet on the 5 mile trek..... without a hiccup..... go WHEEL HORSE......

[WHX?? 48,828]

Love the fender pan Tuneup! 

[cleat 6,042]

Well, at work they bought a 520H and two stage blower in 1988 to clear snow.

Where I worked was a chemical plant with a large outside tank farm with walkways between them to get to the pumps and valves.

There are also many obstacles such as cement containments, manhole covers etc to hit.

The first blower got absolutely destroyed so they bought another new one (of course I brought the old one home even though I did not have a wheel horse YET).

 

Well around 2010 or so they bought a new cub and blower to replace the wheel horse and I brought it home.

 

I restored that one and it's two stage blower (including straightening the frame on the blower that was badly bent).

 

Now, one thing led to another and I now have 4 fully restored 520H's, 1 520HC, 1 312H almost done, and one 17-44 along with many implements.

 

This is old number one in the foreground with my second 520H behind it.

 

This is the herd as of 3 years ago. I will need to get better pictures next summer.