1045: To Sell or Not To Sell

[DaveQueener 21]

Gentlemen,

I have a lot on my plate and limited storage space. I inherited my father's WH 1045 with mower deck and blade, and I am debating whether to sell it to someone who wants to spend the time lovingly restoring it or hang onto it with the vague intention of doing the same one day. I already have a 1999 model John Deere 445 to mow with and a much larger JD 3120 diesel tractor for real work, so the 1045 is a play toy by comparison. But there is sentimental value attached: I recall riding with my Dad on it as a small boy, and later as a lad, pushing dirt around with the blade, like a giant, self-propelled Tonka toy. It did run about 4 or 5 years ago but it is in need of steering work and new tires (the originals are dry rotted and split). At present, the transmission seems to be locked up, but I think this is a problem we've had before and may just be an issue with getting it back into neutral so that is will roll. And I have the casing and some of the interior parts for another transmission.

 

Any thoughts? Any idea what I should ask, should I decide to sell?

Cheers,

Dave Queener
Knoxville, Tennessee
(865) 209-5654 (c)

[ZXT 2,401]

I vote keep it - people join here all the time looking for a comparable tractor to one they or their family once owned but regrettably sold. Once it's gone, it's gone. They really don't take up that much space, and if you made it operational, it would move out of the way a lot easier when needed.

 

Looks like it would be a good restoration candidate. Tires are easy to get, and I'm sure someone on here has any steering parts you'd need.

[Ed Kennell 38,174]

                                                    Keep it.

[Stepney 2,325]

I have a very tired 1968 Electro that my Grandfather had for many years. I nearly never operate it, trans needs total overhaul, axles are trashed, front of frame is broke, welded, and broke again. I grew up on it as did my father.
I take it out every fall and run a Mighty Mac Chipper with it, occasionally a snow blower. It has not cut grass in decades. It's more of a show piece and portable engine than anything else. 

But despite thoughts of moving it along for some space, I know I will never replace it. Some day it'll be restored properly. They dont take up a lot of room. If its really that big a deal, drain the engine and trans of oil, and run her right up against a wall, nose to the sky, and secure it.. it won't take up more than 3x4' of your space. I have a little old Snapper that has sat nose up for 6 years. The short money a tired out old tractor will bring on open market only confirms the 'hassle' of storing it IMO.

[Gregor 4,846]

I have a tractor I inherited from my FIL. I spent too much money rebuilding it, but have never regretted it. If for some reason, I had to sell off my tractors, it would be the last to go.

[JoeM 7,874]

I have a 1950's DeWalt radial arm saw sitting in the corner of the shop. As a matter of fact, for you "Leave it to Beaver" fans, Ward had the identical saw in his garage on the show! But anyway, I was taking pictures of it one day and my wife asked what are you doing? I told her I was going to put it up for sale because I don't use it. Someone might like to have it. She said "that is all you go left from your Dad, no..... you are not selling it!" I pushed it back in the corner and it sits. I do know everytime I look at it I think of the old man. She was right but I ain't telling her. 

 

 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

  What would it hurt? 

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

I vote to keep it.Like others have said,once it's gone,it's gone forever and you'd probably never get it back.I have my late Father's Bolens 1250 tractor.Sits in my barn.I start it once in a while and run it around the yard.Still has the snowblower on it.Nice to take a trip down memory lane.Don't sell your memory maker......

[Pullstart 62,878]

Another vote to keep it, because it was family’s and also because if you hang around long enough, 1045’s are like Unicorns and Hen’s Teeth mixed up.  You just don’t find them on every street corner.  

[Shynon 7,459]

I would keep it, and keep the memories alive, you can't replace it once it's gone.

[953 nut 55,229]

8 hours ago, DaveQueener said:

But there is sentimental value attached: I recall riding with my Dad on it as a small boy, and later as a lad, pushing dirt around with the blade,

If this was something that someone left behind and was in the way you wouldn't have to ask. This is a member of the family and if shown a little love will become a fond memory for yet another generation or more. Lots of people are seeking the treasured memento of their past, you have yours, keep it.

[WHX?? 48,815]

Keep it Dave although there are many here that would do it justice. 

42 minutes ago, pullstart said:

1045’s are like Unicorns and Hen’s Teeth mixed up.

Good one Kev and nailed it! 

 

I think @prondzy was awful stupid for letting this one go ..... My go to now..... It's just such an easy tractor for getting on and off of so ideal for yard work. Goes to about every show with me. 

Edited August 20, 2021 by WHX??

[Lane Ranger 10,968]

Ten years from now you will be very sorry if you sell it!   Keep it! Save it!  Love ❤️ it like a child! 

[WheelHorse520H 708]

I say keep it.

[Handy Don 12,227]

Wow, I've been following this forum for only two years, but I cannot recall seeing a unanimous verdict before this one. 

I agree with keep, and if you have children or nieces/nephews you might involve them in helping you return it to operating condition and let them bond with it. Full resto isn't necessarily needed.

[WHX?? 48,815]

12 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

children or nieces/nephews you might involve them in helping you return it to operating condition

It's up to us to teach kids mechanical stuff these days. 

 

12 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

unanimous verdict before this one. 

Funny someone hasn't chimed in yep sell it to me .... right Mr. '65?!?!? @Bailey855 Oh that's right you recently scored one 

 

10715839-1362-47A1-81D6-BEAFAA6530CA.jpeg - 1965 - 1972 - RedSquare Wheel Horse Forum

Edited August 20, 2021 by WHX??

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

You would have to pry that from my cold dead hands!!! 

 

Most of us that don't have a 1045 would like one and you have memories of you and your Dad with it. 

 

My Dad has been gone a dozen years, I promise you, you will be sad some day if you sold it!!

 

Take it apart and put it in the attic for storage if you must, but you will love watching your grandkids and kids play on it someday!!

 

 

 

 

 

Randy

[gt14rider 760]

Keep it, it's the only one.

[ohiofarmer 3,274]

 If room is a problem, first give it the once over with a patina finish. Build a nice shelf for it from plywood and 2x4 and slowly lift the tractor one end at a time as a living testament to your Dad. That's exactly what I would like to do with my dad's no number 7 horsepower Cub Cadet that I got in [I think} 1963

  My first lift is an easy lift with the Harbor Freight high position motorcycle lift, then set it on two work tables and crib the lift up 30 inches, Not that hard to do. Then some pictures of Dad and an accent light

[Pullstart 62,878]

3 hours ago, WHX?? said:

It's up to us to teach kids mechanical stuff these days. 

 

Funny someone hasn't chimed in yep sell it to me .... right Mr. '65?!?!? @Bailey855 Oh that's right you recently scored one 

 

10715839-1362-47A1-81D6-BEAFAA6530CA.jpeg - 1965 - 1972 - RedSquare Wheel Horse Forum

 

Hey Uncle Jim.  I think I’m next in line for a 1045 dibs tractor!  

[hcminis 1,557]

To bad you aren't closer to Indianapolis, I have the correct front tires/wheels.  Better keep that one.

[DaveQueener 21]

Well, the votes are in. Looks like I will keep it

What would be my best source for another set of tires to replace the 50 year old ones on it? And that would look like original equipment?

--Dave Q

[Pullstart 62,878]

As mentioned, the front tires for the 1045 are unique.  They are a diamond tread tire and we’re only used on that model.  @hcminis mentioned he has the correct fronts.  A little more history if you will, 1965 was the first year of the square hood.  Wheel Horse had extra 1964 rear tins laying around and they decided that the 1045 would be produced to use up the old round fender parts on a square hood.  It wasn’t meant to be this desirable, it was just a way to use up stock.  A few of us have built look alike tractors, but they won’t ever be the ones.

 

Here is my daughter’s 857 that we did some major surgery on in the spring of ‘20.

 

 

[Tractorhead 9,064]

Another Vote to keep it, even if it‘s decided.

Maybe a Fella here can Help you while restoring, but it‘s definitely woth to beeing kept.

 

 

i love my 55Year old 656, even i swaped the Engine.

It is a fantastic Worker and Thankfully for each small Service.

 

A Wheelhorse allway’s answered with trust and reliability.

Btw. I still kept my Original Engine and Some Day i will rework it.

 

you can sale whatever you want, but not a Wheelhorse, especially if it‘s  such a rare Machine

with Family History.

 

- just my 2 Cents...