Dream Horse

[Gregor 4,846]

I have enough projects around here to keep me going for a long time. I certainly don't need anything else right now, and my space is becoming very limited. That being said....... It doesn't mean I would not buy another one if the right opportunity presented itself. I bought my first   In October of last year, I don't recall seeing more than a handful of them before that. I don't know a lot about them. I don't know which is the rarest, the most desirable, or the most valuable, but I do know what I like.  If a 16HP Wheel Horse with a Kohler became available near, me at a decent price, I don't think I could pass it up. Same thing with a black hood, and I'm not even sure what that is, but I have seen pics, and read posts about them, and they just look nice. I don't know if there is such a thing as a 16HP Black Hood, but if there is, that would be the ultimate. I would make the space, or simply get out my saw and hammer and create some space. " Dam the credit cards full speed ahead."

Do you have a "Dream Horse?"

[ebinmaine 67,627]

Your Black hood 16 would be a C165. 

They're out there....

 

I have a C160. Cinnamon Horse. Rugged and bull strong. 

 

Dream Horse?

Well that's why I'm building Colossus....

 

 

[cschannuth 3,816]

It’s not a Kohler but it is a 16 hp black hood. In the late 70s Kohler was having quality issues so Wheel Horse sourced Briggs & Stratton to fill the bill until the issues were straightened out and that’s how you ended up with a Briggs under the hood. It’s not for sale because it was my dad‘s but it is a great tractor. He used it for mowing and pushing snow for years and has never had a thing done to it except for regular maintenance and a metal seat pan once the original cracked. I like it because it was my dad‘s but I also like the transformer like looked and it has. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,600]

Nice shout out for the Black Hoods! 

 

I love my C 105.

 

Dream ...?

 

Already have it... but, if I won the lottery and “needed” another ... I guess a NOS 420 LSE... just to put in the living room...

 

 

Here’s mine:

Edited March 20, 2021 by SylvanLakeWH

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

You've got the bug.No real cure for it.Just give in and keep shopping.It only gets worse as time goes on.You'll find lots of support here.

Edited March 20, 2021 by Pollack Pete

[Gregor 4,846]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Well that's why I'm building Colossus....

 

I can appreciate the work you guys put in these custom built tractors. From an upgraded engine, to extending the frame, to all sorts of different fabrication. When I get a tractor, Wheel Horse or some other red brand , and it's all original, and reasonably restorable back to original, I can't bring myself to doctor it up. I may add a few frills, like bar tires, chrome or nickle plated hardware, or maybe even front spindle conversion, complete with chrome rims. (which I would like to do on my 141) ,or a Jim Kemp stack, but I like things to be as they were originally. For me it would be like taking a '64 Chevy Impala Super Sport convertible, (my dream car) and putting a 351 Cleveland in it. That's just wrong. When I rebuild a Lawn Boy, if I need a D-450 motor, and all I can find is a D-400, the build is off. Just can't do it. Even though the differences are slight, it's not the right motor. The pieces will sit in a box, until a D-450 shows up.

[Herder 2,354]

The more the merrier.  I seldom pass up an opportunity, you will always find room for more.     

[ebinmaine 67,627]

9 minutes ago, Gregor said:

I can appreciate the work you guys put in these custom built tractors. From an upgraded engine, to extending the frame, to all sorts of different fabrication. When I get a tractor, Wheel Horse or some other red brand , and it's all original, and reasonably restorable back to original, I can't bring myself to doctor it up. I may add a few frills, like bar tires, chrome or nickle plated hardware, or maybe even front spindle conversion, complete with chrome rims. (which I would like to do on my 141) ,or a Jim Kemp stack, but I like things to be as they were originally. For me it would be like taking a '64 Chevy Impala Super Sport convertible, (my dream car) and putting a 351 Cleveland in it. That's just wrong. When I rebuild a Lawn Boy, if I need a D-450 motor, and all I can find is a D-400, the build is off. Just can't do it. Even though the differences are slight, it's not the right motor. The pieces will sit in a box, until a D-450 shows up.

Overall I certainly agree. 

 

My big boy tractor is literally being built from spare parts. 

Engine came out of a PO made generator that actually bought at auction because I wanted the trailer it was in. 

Got to messing around with it one day and discovered that it ran... Well. 

 

So no I've got a big flat twin engine that needs a home. 

 

I've had a lot of interest in the "big wheel" tractors in general. Wheelhorse of course in the Sr, 953/1054, GT14, C195.  But also other brands...

 

Figured I'd build one for my own use. 

 

 

[Gregor 4,846]

3 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Figured I'd build one for my own use. 

 

When I wanted something to actually use, (dare I say it), I bought something green. If it got tore up, no big loss

[haydendavid380 759]

A clean C-160 auto. 

 

I've been keeping an eye out for the last month or so.  By April 9th I'm supposed to get a halfway sizeable check from the insurance company, and I told my wife that's the only thing I want out of it 😆

 

Doesn't HAVE to be this nice,  but as long as we're dreaming...

 

 

 

Edited March 20, 2021 by haydendavid380

[ebinmaine 67,627]

3 minutes ago, Gregor said:

When I wanted something to actually use, (dare I say it), I bought something green. If it got tore up, no big loss

 

I can see the logic in the thought. I drive a disposable SUV to work everyday. 

 

We here in this household have never been fans of the "jd" brand. 

 

I'd rather be maintaining and repairing a herd of horses enjoying them than wearing out my next bad investment. 

 

There's plenty of parts availability and many things can be made of not immediately available for purchase. 

 

 

[haydendavid380 759]

24 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

We here in this household have never been fans of the "jd" brand. 

 

 

Same. I was always kind of curious to see what the hubbub was about 318s, but I'm trying the keep the heard powered by K series stuff.

 

Admittedly I don't know anything about Deeres, but last night I saw a 300 for sale.  Duel hydro levers and a Kohler cast iron badge on the fan shroud... for sale for sale for about 30% off what I've seen 318s for. That's as close as I've been to wanting a green tractor.

 

Edited March 20, 2021 by haydendavid380

[Gregor 4,846]

Almost bought a 318 last year. Went to look at it, and it seemed OK. He turned the blades on, I thought we were having an earthquake. Those green guys are VERY proud of their parts. I passed.

[953 nut 55,321]

For me the 953 has the greatest eye appeal. they are a miniature version of the tractors I grew up on. I have converted one of mine to a row crop tractor with a three point hitch.               Now I have to decide what implement to add.

[Gregor 4,846]

15 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Now I have to decide what implement to add.

A keg cooler

[953 nut 55,321]

Just now, Gregor said:

A keg cooler

No thanks, I know no harm was intended but thanks to AA and faith in God I have kept away from that for thirty six years.   

[bds1984 1,435]

3 hours ago, Gregor said:

I don't know if there is such a thing as a 16HP Black Hood, but if there is, that would be the ultimate.

There absolutely is a 16HP Kohler powered Black Hood!  I've had this one since I was eleven years old; twenty-six years later and still going strong.  The only addition I would make is hydraulics and power steering.

 

[Gregor 4,846]

You have had it 26 years. Don't you think it's time to pass the torch?

[Pullstart 62,912]

If you can see signatures, I keep a tally below my posts more for my own record keeping than anything.  I’m sure my dream tractor is about 100 yards from me somewhere in the barn.  I’m not as hungry for more as I have been the last couple two three years, but if another comes limping home for a reason or another, we’ll have a comfy stall for it!

 

If your signatures option is off, this is what I’m talking about.  Each blue underline is another story.

 

[Pullstart 62,912]

@953 nut, were we aware of your three point project?  How did you go about mounting it and operating?  Is it on a linkage from the lift arm like the GT14?  That’s amazing!

Edited March 20, 2021 by pullstart
Correcting auto correct’s grammar...

[Gregor 4,846]

I would have to get out 2 hammers and 2 saws, AND buy a chunk of ground, for all that.  But what the hey. I have never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.

[Pullstart 62,912]

5 minutes ago, Gregor said:

I would have to get out 2 hammers and 2 saws, AND buy a chunk of ground, for all that.  But what the hey. I have never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.

 

I think between my three ladies and I there are 23(?) Wheel Horses and a couple other brands.  It makes for good family fun and much cheaper than the alternative... race cars!

[Gregor 4,846]

2 minutes ago, pullstart said:

and much cheaper than the alternative... race cars!

They are not as cheap as Lawn Boys. A fact that my wife has a tendency to point out much too often.  But just wait 'til she sees the wheels and tires on this 141.  If I can ever find them.

[bds1984 1,435]

58 minutes ago, Gregor said:

You have had it 26 years. Don't you think it's time to pass the torch?

Nah, I'm in it for the long haul.  I have a nice C175 with a Series II I'd be willing to part with though...

[953 nut 55,321]

1 hour ago, pullstart said:

were we aware of your three point project?

I did a thread on the completion of the3 project a couple months back.  It is a rather light duty unit more for show than for work. I considered making a link from the rocker shaft to the three point but connecting the cylinder directly won out.