Replace 416h as a mower?

[Cee245 818]

I have used WH for mowing most of my life (in my 40s) with a few other brands here and there. I enjoy fixing up some cheap one now and then and selling cheap to someone that needs it etc. 

 

I have been using my 97 416h for the last 15 years for mowing and heavy snowbelt winters here off Lake Erie in Pennsylvania.  

 

I love the 416h, especially as a snowblower unit (although I've been keeping my eye out for a local cab)  it's getting up there in hours (about 950) for an Onan, but I do keep up on the decarboning, keeping cooling fins clean after a couple mowings.

 

Regardless, i bought a Jd X530 a couple months ago. It's a nice unit with the air cooled Kawasaki, foot control (I have one on my 416h, jd is better) and power steering and power bagger unit. 500hrs.  

 

I am surprised that I found myself rather mow with the 416h despite its inferiority to the X530.  

I really like the JD and will keep it especially since I can't find a local good shape power bagger for the 416h with 48" deck. Parts would be scarce as well, I'd guess. 

 

Maybe it was being less comfortable on the JD or some weird wheelhorseitis disease I have. 🤔 

 

 

 

Cory

[kpinnc 12,111]

1 hour ago, Cee245 said:

 

Maybe it was being less comfortable on the JD or some weird wheelhorseitis disease I have.

 

I have found that continued use of superior Wheel Horse equipment causes allergic reactions for physical contact with anything green and yellow. Weepy eyes, runny nose, moderate back pain, hair loss, and chronic erectile dysfunction are reasonable expectations. 

 

Just kidding of course. I myself mow with a Scag zero turn, and it is a superior mower- but good for absolutely nothing else. 

Edited November 12, 2021 by kpinnc

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

Is 950 hours, high for an Onan? Have seen Kohler go 4000 hours

[lynnmor 7,309]

10 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said:

Is 950 hours, high for an Onan? Have seen Kohler go 4000 hours

 

Like anything else, it depends on maintenance.  950 hours is nothing for one that had reasonable care.

[ebinmaine 67,672]

6 hours ago, Cee245 said:

Maybe it was being less comfortable on the JD or some weird wheelhorseitis disease I have

The homosapien subconscious mind is incredibly adept at a core/base level of understanding thought processes which our conscious awareness may never be able to comprehend. 

 

Perhaps your ancient survival instincts are attempting a takeover while in proximity to the JD. 

Those same instincts would of course not be in heightened awareness on/near/thinking about a Wheelhorse. 

 

Perhaps ... Those of us intellectually warped enough to purposely drive a 30/40/50+ year young machine are in actuality of far superior subconscious survival mechanism to the masses that believe thoroughly and inarguably in the new 💩 is better way of being. 

 

[oldlineman 1,481]

I think 

[Stepney 2,325]

About the only thing I've ever run that I liked more than my WH's was a very oddball Bolens from the 1990's, had electric cruise, power everything, a tilt wheel, etc..
Pity it was so problematic. Even had the same faux leather seat of the old WH LSE. 

I run my WH GT-1848 before anything else. 

Funny enough.. gramps bought a X500 new, to replace the LT150, which replaced the venerable Electro 12 Horse that started it all. ..Which is still working for me almost every day. 

We both despise the thing, and it spent most of the first 2 years of service in the JD dealer for the most ridiculous things. 
Seems to have settled out these days though, has about 400 hours and slowly falling apart mowing a 2 acre yard.

Kinda a shame to admit that old LT150 was built just as well, if not better than, the X was. And after 52 years the old Horse is clattering along, no sweat. 

Even after 52 years of continued service, one motor swap, and various upkeep.. I'd wager the Horse still cost less to own overall too. 

[ebinmaine 67,672]

15 minutes ago, Stepney said:

.. I'd wager the Horse still cost less to own overall

Agreed. 

Wheelhorse was an expensive machine when sold new and you really did "Get what ya pay for".