What was the best wheel horse, in your opinion?

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

11 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

 

 

Interesting how we each weigh things differently.  To paraphrase the guys in Treasure of Sierra Madre (We don't need no stinking gauges) or any of the other electrical complexities of a 520. Don't really care about sound.. more concerned with reliability and repairabiltiy at a reasonable price...  Don't have one, doubt i ever will.  But hey we each like what we like.. Guess that is why there is vanilla and chocolate...

Point being you don’t own one and have no experience with one. I guess your opinion is based in? I only share my opinions about things I know. Merry Christmas.

[lynnmor 7,308]

1 hour ago, Lee1977 said:

You would love my C-120/180.

 

I know what you meant, but you left out reduction gear steering, so I slipped one in on you.

 

I just toss out some bait to see what is biting.

Those trailer hubs use the same bearing kit that is on a 520, did you up the spindle size to fit?

Don't see a grease fitting on those wimpy tie rod ends 

[Lee1977 6,666]

11 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

 

I just toss out some bait to see what is biting.

Those trailer hubs use the same bearing kit that is on a 520, did you up the spindle size to fit?

Don't see a grease fitting on those wimpy tie rod ends 

Those wimpy tie rods have been on there since 1989 no grease to attract dirt they are still tight. They are brass lined good for another 30 years.

Those spindles are rated at 3500 lbs. the back bearing is 1 3/8" ID don't remember the size of the front one.

Not a very good picture, the only one i have.

[kpinnc 12,087]

1 hour ago, pfrederi said:

Guess that is why there is vanilla and chocolate...

 

...and strawberry, and moose tracks, and salted caramel...

 

Good grief see what you did? 

 

Merry Christmas everybody!

[ebinmaine 67,596]

2 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

...and strawberry, and moose tracks, and salted caramel...

 

Good grief see what you did? 

 

 

Yeah thanks ...

🍦

🍨

 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

416-8 …. Done 

[Ifixoldjunk 778]

34 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

...and strawberry, and moose tracks, and salted caramel...

 

Good grief see what you did? 

 

Merry Christmas everybody!

Haha, yeah. Might as well try one of every flavor. Merry Christmas y’all.

[Horse Newbie 7,075]

7 hours ago, Ifixoldjunk said:

how well does the 520-H live up to hits hype? I’ve never really given them much consideration because I’ve never liked onans. 

Wish I could give you an opinion based on real life usage, but I have had my 520H mobile for only about 11 hours on the clock.

And that is only parading around the neighborhood… haven’t put it to work yet.

[JPWH 6,040]

I only know about the tractors I own. I never owned any  newer than a 69 Raider 6 speed. I modified that one to suite my needs.

That being said I would say what ever model suits your taste in looks and performance and will meet your needs. I like the idea of one tractor dedicated for each task. Maybe I'll get there one day.

Just my personal experience.

Jay

[ebinmaine 67,596]

7 minutes ago, JPWH said:

. I like the idea of one tractor dedicated for each task

@SylvanLakeWH

Here again we bring up the rule. Minimum 2 tractors per implement. That way when one is in for maintenance or repairs the other can be performing the work. 

Large herds are easily justifiable. 

 

Even my extremely practical minded minimalist BBT has obtained an understanding and appreciation of the rule.  

 

She has 3 Horses. 

She uses 2 implements. Mid mount grader blade and a snow/dirt dozer. 

She also tows the trailer full of whatever...

To a sheer minimalist BBT this justifies 1 tractor. 

I've been working on convincing her that each of the 3 herd members should have a designated task. 

Pigpen 867 has a low range which is handy for backing in tight areas. 

Millie and Pony are both 3 speeds. 

Each may soon have a designated implement task. 

Millie is nearly ready to plow snow...

 

 

It's a tough journey but she's slowly coming around.  😂

[SylvanLakeWH 25,600]

Well said @ebinmaine…

 

Rules are rules… 

 

A Christmas Haiku:

 

One Wheel Horse for all

No No No said Santa Claus

Two per implement 

[cschannuth 3,816]

I think they’re all great tractors and I’ve had quite a few different models. I will say though that my ‘78 C-161 with the twin Briggs and my 520 with the Onan were the only two tractors I’ve ever had that I didn’t have to do anything to the engine.  I would also say that if you’re going to use the tractor to mow grass, unless you’re very patient, big horsepower is the way to go. If you’re just going to push snow 8 hp is more than enough. My 606 with the baby predator will push snow in high gear all day long and it doesn’t use any fuel to speak of.

[Damien Walker 246]

Very easy question to answer: 'All of them'!

 

It also depends on your viewpoint:

 

My Commando 7 is the lightest and easiest to work on but it is not so easy to climb on to (short frame). As the later C Series and the 300, 400, 500s are all the same tractor with only minor cosmetic differences, theres there's really very little to choose between them.... though I have to say that despite being a Kohler fan for years, the Onan in my newly rebuilt 518H is much more sophisticated, so the prize has to go to that model. May be I need to improve the C121 and C175 Kohler silencers....

 

Merry Christmas to everyone!

[Ed Kennell 38,213]

Well, you all know what they say about opinions...

Here are a few I gleaned from the tractors I have owned.

The seven slot square hoods are my favorite hood design.

The Delco start/gens are the mose reliable easy starting.  And could be the origonal hybrid tractor.

   If you ran out of fuel, remove the plug and  drive it home on the battery powered Delco.

The Raider style PTO engagement lever was the best and should still be used.    I never liked the electric clutch and the safety switches.

Wheel Horse should have replaced the woodruff axle keys  with full length square keys 50 years ago.

I never felt a belt drive tractor should have a rubber mounted engine and in my observation, it did nothing to lower vibration.

A little anti-seize on the hubs and steering wheels during factory assembly would help.

Under the seat fuel tank tractors should have a factory installed primer bulb.

For the Tecky haters, My C-120  HH120  Hydro  was the most reliable truoble free tractor I owned.   Maybe I got the only good one as I had others that were a challange to tune.

 

My current workers;

The '88  520 I saved from the scrap yard about  15 years ago.      After three carb cleanings it has been running perfect.     It is now a dedicated snow plow tractor with a 54" blade, a heated cab, filled tires, wheel weights, rear weight, 2 link Vee bar chains on the rear and steering chains on the fronts.  It is an unstoppable beast in the snow.

The 417 Hydro is a dedicated mower turning a 48" deck like a boss.    Love the grunt of the Kohler twin.

The 312 hydro Runs a 42" SD mower, the front tiller, the front leaf blower in the summer and with rubber chains and a lot of weight, it easily pushes a 48" blade in the winter.   If I could only have one, the 312H would be the one.

All my Eaton 1100s have my OSHA banned single pedal foot control....down for forward and up for reverse.

 

Quoting  Paul Harvey, "And that's the rest of the story."

 

 

 

[Ifixoldjunk 778]

@ebinmaine

Yeah I agree that no belt driven tractor needs the vibration mounts. Just another thing to break. I almost bought a mystery black hood a year back but all 4 vibration mounts were dry rotten beyond belief. I would rather not deal with it.

[johnnymag3 2,520]

C 160 Auto.....just my .02 cents. !!!

 

love mine

[Lee1977 6,666]

My choice is B and C-Series  1976 and 1977 models. I only have one C-120 modified to a C-180. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[johnnymag3 2,520]

My 16 K engine is so tough and powerful....I think they underrated the actual HP.....The C 160 is able to tug and pull anything I throw at it...and its a hydro.....Sundstrands are good as long as the owner maintains them... Mine is strong like a Bull....at 768 Hours. I use best quality oils and fluids though. I service mine every 2 years...whether its 20 hours or 100.... Never had a failure

[johnnymag3 2,520]

[Handy Don 12,235]

On 12/23/2021 at 8:14 PM, WheelhorseBob said:

520H post 92’. They are built better than all other classic horses. Swept axle, one inch spindles, gear reduction steering etc

I'm partial to the round hoods (have a '68 Lawn Ranger and just recently got an 854 as a project) but I agree heartily that being able to share a common set of infrequently-used implements is a big deal.

Plus, IMHO, a 25-year-newer machine that is mechanically closer to the 310 is likely to be in better shape to start with and hence easier to (jointly) keep up.

[RJR49 129]

Anyone that recommends something other than a C-160 has never owned one!

 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Meh, they're OK. I've had 4 of 'em to date and the W-H evolution definitely improved from this mark.

Definitely not the W-H holy grail tractor.  

[ebinmaine 67,596]

6 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

Meh, they're OK. I've had 4 of 'em to date and the W-H evolution definitely improved from this mark.

Definitely not the W-H holy grail tractor.  

I like em kinda rough n tumble anyway...

 

@AMC RULES

What's your ultimate Horse?

 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Definitely them hydro tractors Eric, all pretty much the same.

Once in the seat, it's the hydro rear that makes them perform seamlessly.  

 

[ebinmaine 67,596]

11 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

Definitely them hydro tractors Eric, all pretty much the same.

Once in the seat, it's the hydro rear that makes them perform seamlessly.  

 

@JCM kinda like a 417A huh???

 

@AMC RULES

You bunch o' hydro folks are slowly makin' a believer outta me.  

Plowing snow again tomorrow... 👍