Work or Show?

[Dominator 68]

       Hello all, I have a question for you.   How do you decide about just showing your horse or working it?  Finally got the Wheelhorse I've wanted, the doggone thing looks too nice to use!  Problems,problems. Oh yeah, it's a 416-8 with a 16 Kohler magnum, looks brand new, previous owner was very meticulous. Thank you all in advance. Dominator

[slim67 2,735]

I like using mine but I do have a RJ59 that I want to keep nice. I figure there's enough show quality RJs and other models that I can be on the other end of the spectrum. I didn't pay a lot for any of my workers but they were all tractors I got into running condition to use on my property. Cant take them with you when you die.

[ebinmaine 67,711]

For Trina and I it's an easy decision. 

 

ALL our horses work. Including the 2 that have been fully restored. 

We have them for reasons of practicality. 

 

We have great respect for the hours it takes to make one look and fantastic and we bought or received them to do a job here on our acreage. 

 

Wheelhorse tractors are reliable, easy to maintain and repair. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,609]

Mine is a worker... and I still think she’s purdy...! 

 

How about a pic or two of your new 416??? 

 

 

 

[ZXT 2,401]

I say use it - just don't abuse it. You can work a tractor but still take care of it and keep it in good shape.

[JAinVA 4,619]

I bought this 416h cheap. The original owner kept in a garage and took care of it. When i got it I thought it was to nice to really work hard so I bought more to keep it company and work the crap out of.

Edited November 29, 2020 by JAinVA

[c-series don 8,730]

For me it’s pretty easy. I have some I’ve restored and retired just to show, maybe occasionally some light clean work. The rest are for work. Most have a dedicated job to do like snowblower or mid-mount grader blade,FEL, rotary broom, mower,etc. 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326]

Work the horse. That is the reason they were manufactured .

[WHNJ701 4,165]

Mine are all 100% useless and pretty

Edited November 29, 2020 by jabelman

[Darb1964 1,044]

I work mine, the ones that are currently running any way. I use each one for a different job just because I have six workers. The 1989 520-h I bought new was my only tractor until about ten years ago, I was looking for attachments and ended up buying the tractor ad and attachments with them. I have visions of restoration for my original 520-h and just run it for showing off, for now it has to be satisfied with less work. I like the used look and the tractor showing its age and use. I guess as I age I like my surroundings aged also. But I would still like to bring old faithful back to it's formal youthfulness, maybe that would make me feel twenty-five again. Wishful thinking!

[slim67 2,735]

45 minutes ago, jabelman said:

Mine are all 100% useless and pretty

It takes all kinds. I do appreciate the workmanship the show quality tractors have in them. I could eat my breakfast off the hood of most Ive seen.

[Crmaverick 91]

753 works year round in the dirt and snow full time, the lawn ranger for mowing and 704 for hauling my trailer and all other rear attachments  

[8ntruck 7,023]

Mine earns its living.  Mowing, towing the lawn sweeper, moving trailers, and the occasional hook a chain to it and drag it around job.

 

When it is not working, is is snoozing in the shed or having preventative maintenance.

[Chris G 3,296]

I think working them is the best part of owning them, regardless of a ratty old patina or a show stopper.

[ebinmaine 67,711]

1 hour ago, Chris G said:

I think working them is the best part of owning them, regardless of a ratty old patina or a show stopper.

Well said Sir

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

I work most of mine.Mostly lawn mowing dutyCan't see letting them sit around too much.None of my Horse's are show quality any way..I have other brand X equipment for snow duty.Use them......Don't abuse them.

[Tractorhead 9,064]

I think it’s a simple decision, they built for Work.

 

So simply work with them and working on them.

Give them a little Care and they last and if you doubt it will do that Job, get another one for that Job. 😎

 

They tend by it’s naturally to Herd, so you step by step collecting each for a dedicated Job.

Just to have them ain‘t it‘s natural, but can be done.

 

Wheelhorses like it to be used but not raped.

It‘s up to you, what you plan to do with your Horse

 

to have one Wheelhorse is an requirement, to have more for different Jobs is an solution.

 

 

[rjg854 11,389]

I just try to make sure they are mechanically, the best they can be.  The last couple of tractors, pretty much have the same appearance, that they came with, altho now they are sheltered, and some what pampered.  They are all workers, but some don't get to work as often as they used to, because I seem to have a couple more than I really need.  I haven't been able to let them go tho.

[ebinmaine 67,711]

28 minutes ago, Tractorhead said:

They tend by it’s naturally to Herd, so you step by step collecting each for a dedicated Job

Just like a hair covered horse, a paint covered horse seems to be attracted to its own kind. 

The size and color variations of the herd is natural. 

Around here the Other Half likes her 60s smaller models with one pedal and stirrups. I prefer the 70s rides with brake and clutch pedals separate and flat floor boards. 

We currently have 2 of each with more in the works...

 

 

 

30 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

haven't been able to let them go tho

Now that's just silly talk. 

Let them go.....

No no no no no no no. 

[johnnymag3 2,520]

WORK !!!!!!!

All of them.............

[JCM 9,207]

Excellent, and a Chevy man too. I would be proud to own any of those.

Edited November 29, 2020 by JCM

[JoeM 7,874]

Had a coworker tell me one day about his Monte Carlo SS that he just loved to drive. All decked out, 500 cid crate motor, nice. I had never seen it. I listened and then ask him why he did not run it to work sometimes.....said he is saving it! I ask for who? He had a puzzled look, no comment. The next day the Monte was in his parking spot. I ask about it. He said, you know you are right about that car, I am driving it to work everyday that it doesn't snow. I love driving that car!

I love tinkering and driving those tractors too!

 

[slim67 2,735]

10 hours ago, Crmaverick said:

753 works year round in the dirt and snow full time, the lawn ranger for mowing and 704 for hauling my trailer and all other rear attachments  

That 704 reminded me of my 654. They are all workers for sure.

[slim67 2,735]

18 minutes ago, JoeM said:

Had a coworker tell me one day about his Monte Carlo SS that he just loved to drive. All decked out, 500 cid crate motor, nice. I had never seen it. I listened and then ask him why he did not run it to work sometimes.....said he is saving it! I ask for who? He had a puzzled look, no comment. The next day the Monte was in his parking spot. I ask about it. He said, you know you are right about that car, I am driving it to work everyday that it doesn't snow. I love driving that car!

I love tinkering and driving those tractors too!

 

A couple years ago my family vacationed in Gatlinburg,Tennessee . We stopped in Kentucky at the exit where the life size Noahs Ark is. We stopped for gas and I notice a Dodge W250 with the Cummins diesel sitting by the building. This was the square body that preceded the big change that Dodge trucks underwent. So while looking at it, the owner comes back and I tell him that its a unique truck these days and why doesn't he restore it? He tells me if I restore it then Ill never use it. That was a true statement.

[clueless 3,005]

Any of them built after 1964 work it like a rented mule. You can work the 64 and earlier ones also but like my wife says their just to cute .