What Models are worth restoring?

[Ducttape1000 6]

Hi everyone.

New member here. I often buy restore and trade mowers, recently I was offered a wheelhorse for trade and was unsure about the models.  I have since found this forum and want to restore one of these tractors.  The two models offered were a c125 and a a800 ranger. The ranger came with two engines but didn’t run.

 

how easy is it to find parts and what are the models to look for?

 

any help would be appreciated. 

thanks 

[953 nut 55,321]

7 minutes ago, Ducttape1000 said:

The two models offered were a c125 and a a800 ranger. The ranger came with two engines but didn’t run.

 

how easy is it to find parts and what are the models to look for?

Both of those models are worthy of restoration. The A-800 ranger is more of a lawn tractor but great for cruising at the tractor shows. Look through the posts on here and you will find that any model  will strike someone's fancy.

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/45-restorations-modifications-customizations/

[ebinmaine 67,627]

 

Love yer screen name. 

 

What to restore is really all about personal preference. 

I like the 70s larger square hoods. My Honey prefers the mid to late 60s with the smaller square hoods. Many of the Wheelhorse models are fantastic workers.  We use ours on a very regular basis all year round. 

Each of us has a favorite "go-to" tractor. 

Mine is a '74 C160. Hers is a '67 model 867. 

 

 

 

[8ntruck 7,016]

 

To answer your question, pretty much any Wheel Horse is worth restoring and putting back to work.  Ecominically feasible  Well, that is up to you.

[Pullstart 62,912]

They are all worth restoring in my book, but I prefer to stick with the horizontal shaft engines if at all possible!  
 

  Take the deal!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,600]

 

In answer to your question- Yes...

[SPINJIM 1,981]

Definitely the C-125.  It's a true garden tractor, while the A800 Ranger is a lawn mower.   The Ranger probably has a Tecumseh vertical engine on it, which is not nearly as strong as the Kohler K301 12hp.  Also, there are more attachments available for the C-125.   Plus, I love the 'black hoods'.

    Jim

[Achto 27,605]

 

I prefer any with a horizontal shaft Kohler engine, these are true garden tractors. But then again every deserves a second chance at life.

[Tractorhead 9,064]

  to   

 

 

nearly all is said.

It depends only on your taste and what you plan to do with it and what model you choose to restore.

Some parts are easy to get or find, some parts are hard to find, but the overall source here is good.

 

 

 

[pfrederi 17,741]

Just remember you will never recover your total investment...Like just about restoration of anything

[rjg854 11,387]

10 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Just remember you will never recover your total investment...Like just about restoration of anything

so true

 

  @Ducttape1000

[Mickwhitt 4,642]

I renovated a C-125 and its a real beauty. 

Whenever I take her out on the road people love to look round at how well it has been done.

Most have never seen a mini sized tractor as we don't have a lot of huge properties over here.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

I believe that ANY older machinery of any type is worthy.

 

It's almost never 'economically feasible', it's a labor of love.

[Ducttape1000 6]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I’m going to jump in and trade for the c125. I’ll probably mess around with it, the. Restore it with my son in a couple years 

[tom2p 2,394]

19 hours ago, pullstart said:

They are all worth restoring in my book, but I prefer to stick with the horizontal shaft engines if at all possible!  
 

  Take the deal!

agree 

 

the vertical shaft lawn tractors are a good step down

 

but with shorter tires and low center of gravity - they are ideal for young kids ... to begin cutting grass - or with mower deck removed nice to ride around 

[EricF 589]

The horizontal engine Horses of all ages are a sure bet. Plenty of parts availability and know-how around here.

The vertical engine lawn mowers are still remarkably robust for what they are, at least up until the Toro era with the plastic sloped hoods. The older all-metal ones can still be fun projects and rides.

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Round hoods rule!

[David414 289]

On 4/4/2021 at 9:36 AM, Mickwhitt said:

I renovated a C-125 and its a real beauty. 

Whenever I take her out on the road people love to look round at how well it has been done.

Most have never seen a mini sized tractor as we don't have a lot of huge properties over here.

Great looking tractor! Excellent work and fabrication skills. Can you forward  pictures of the underside of the tractor on how you constructed and mounted that add on frame?

[Gregor 4,846]

You say you have restored tractors in the past. Speaking from personal experience, I think you will find the Wheel Horse the easiest to do. Regardless of the model you end up with.

[Mickwhitt 4,642]

6 hours ago, David414 said:

Can you forward  pictures of the underside of the tractor on how you constructed and mounted that add on frame?

 

I posted images in another thread.

There are images of the self built mounting and of the actual frame, which is a bit beefier than the usual. This is the title of the thread, I don't know how to link to a thread yet.

Dozer blade mounts.... opinions welcomed!!

[ebinmaine 67,627]

1 hour ago, Mickwhitt said:

how to link to a thread

Mick on my phone I do it as a copy/paste. 

 

Go to the page you want to share. 

(Usually) near the top is the share symbol or just copy the actual webpage address right from the address bar. 

 

Click back where you want to share it. 

Paste. 

 

Voila!!

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,627]

 

[Gregor 4,846]

2 hours ago, Mickwhitt said:

I don't know how to link to a thread yet.

I simply open another browser window, open Red Square, go to the thread I want, copy, then paste it in the original browser.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

@Mickwhitt

 

@ebinmaine

 

I believe this is what Eric is speaking of... very easy!

 

 

Just right click the highlighted link and COPY, then in your message right click and PASTE, as so, below:

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

None of them if you are looking to make money, all of them if you love the look of that tractor!!

 

 

 

Randy