I can't decide which one of two to sell

[Inspectorjoe 471]

I've been clearing the snow from my driveway, as well as the driveways of two elderly neighbors for years. For the past half dozen years, I've been telling myself that I just can't do it any more. I was so sure that I sold a 312-8 with blower and Original cab because it would be overkill for just my driveway. Unfortunately, I then didn't have the heart to tell them I couldn't do it any more. I don't know why, because they aren't hurting financially and likely wouldn't have a problem hiring it out. So for this past winter, I decided to outfit my '73 no name Automatic and C-120 Automatic with snow blades. A 54" with a poly edge on the '74 (to save the driveway surfaces), and for heavy and/or wet snows, a 48" with steel wear edge, along with wheel weights, loaded tires and chains on the '73. This winter has been a bust with snow, and I only used the C-120 twice. 

The absence of snow has been a blessing, because I've been working long hours that aren't always predictable. I've decided that I definitely have to stop doing their driveways, because I couldn't handle it with a bad winter. So for several reasons, (one being that a large shed the one neighbor said I could have if I moved it to my property won't be mine for a least another year now), I decided to sell one of the two tractors. The problem is, I can't decide which to sell and which to keep. I like them both. They're in similar condition, with good engines and hydro units, in original paint with minimal rust. The C-120 has a torn seat and bent steering wheel. I installed a new headlight lens since the pictures were taken. It has a manual lift. The '73 14 HP has rusty wheels and a hydro lift. The hydro lift isn't all that beneficial, because the manual lift on the C-120 isn't hard to use, is a bit quicker, has down pressure available and has less that can go wrong with it. One thing I don't like about the 14 is the position of the motion lever, between my legs. It may be something that I'd get used to, but I'm not sure, because I haven't plowed snow with that tractor. In fact I haven't used it much at all since  bought it. I do think it has a bit more 'cool factor' than the C-120.

So who wants to help me decide? I don't want to just flip a con.

[daveoman1966 3,751]

Price for the 14 Atuo?   For the C-120?   

[Inspectorjoe 471]

18 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

Price for the 14 Atuo?   For the C-120?   

I haven't given that much thought, yet. Either would come with a decent 48" snow blade, choice of a good 48" SD deck or 42" RD deck that works well but has a hole that needs patching, 89 pound cast iron rear wheel weights and generic plastic front wheel weights. I suppose $850 for the 14 Auto and $750 for the C-120.

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

Nice looking pair of tractors!

if your serious about selling …it’s best to go here..😎

 

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/classifieds/for-sale/

[SylvanLakeWH 25,557]

I’d keep both. I have an exact same scenario plowing two neighbors. Two ‘s outfitted with plows. Several times this year have needed to park one and go to the other during a storm for some minor mechanical issue… tuck one in the corner as a spare until the new shed materializes…

 

Edited March 8, 2022 by SylvanLakeWH

[Achto 27,571]

19 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I’d keep both.

 

But, if you absolutely have to sell one of them. The older you get, the more you will appreciate hydraulic lift.

[WHX?? 48,815]

I would keep the auto for the hy lift. 

[johnnymag3 2,520]

Hydros are so nice for us older folks, or just making things easier at any age... 

[rjg854 11,361]

7 hours ago, Inspectorjoe said:

One thing I don't like about the 14 is the position of the motion lever, between my legs. It may be something that I'd get used to, but I'm not sure, because I haven't plowed snow with that tractor.

I've got a '73 16 Auto with a blower on it, that the motion lever is between my legs.  To me it's not that much different than having a floor shifter in a car. I like it the same as the C-160 A.  Once you get used to doing something a certain way, it becomes habit.

[Ed Kennell 38,171]

8 hours ago, Inspectorjoe said:

One thing I don't like about the 14 is the position of the motion lever,

I can see your point on the motion lever.  All my hydros have it on the right side like the C-120 which made it easy to add the foot control.

 

Having said that, I would still keep the 14 for the extra HP and the hydraulic lift.    

[Handy Don 12,222]

Tough choice you've given yourself. I'd stick with the hydro and get my exercise some other way.

Edited March 7, 2022 by Handy Don

[rmaynard 15,458]

I was young once, and the manual lift was fine. I plowed with a B-100 8-speed with manual lift and 48" blade. Then the older I got, the more I didn't like it. Since I got my 416-H with hydro-lift, I'll never go back to the manual.

 

If I couldn't find a way to keep both, I think that I would opt to keep the 14 Automatic. Unless there is something that prevents the addition of a foot pedal, I would add one. It makes all the difference in the world when plowing.

[WHX?? 48,815]

How bout I just come get both . That will settle the decision making problem right there! 

[stevasaurus 22,738]

Keep the Red one!!!   

[daveoman1966 3,751]

Me thinks you'll rue the day if you sell either one.  A good running Wheelhorse of that vintage is becoming more and more scarce these days.    

[roadapples 6,983]

I like hydraulic lift, but with bad legs I have trouble getting on with the shifter in the middle. Also if you can get that steering wheel off there not that hard to straighten....

[SPINJIM 1,981]

I think you should sell the No-name 14, and contact me when you're ready to get rid of it.   I'll take it off your hands.   

 

Seriously, I'd keep them both, one for winter and one for summer.  Keep the plow on the 14 with the hydro lift, and use the C-120 for other chores around the yard.  This has been a mild winter, but we're going to have snow sometime up your way, and the hydro lift is a big help plowing.    I have a C-120 8-speed, and I love it far pulling equipment around my property, but I wouldn't want to have to plow with it.  

 

You also need a third Wheel Horse as a spare, just in case.

 

   Jim

 

Edited March 8, 2022 by SPINJIM

[Pullstart 62,867]

I like @SPINJIM’s idea.  Sell a plow and keep a spare tractor or three.  

[Ed Kennell 38,171]

4 hours ago, rmaynard said:

I was young once, and the manual lift was fine. I plowed with a B-100 8-speed with manual lift and 48" blade. Then the older I got, the more I didn't like it. Since I got my 416-H with hydro-lift, I'll never go back to the manual.

 

If I couldn't find a way to keep both, I think that I would opt to keep the 14 Automatic. Unless there is something that prevents the addition of a foot pedal, I would add one. It makes all the difference in the world when plowing.

My exact  thoughts Bob.      Everyone needs a hydro with foot control and hydo lift.     It just takes some owners longer to give up the gears and manual lifts.      

[EB-80/8inPA 1,641]

Although unresponsive to your question, I’m with the keep them both faction.  One back-up machine to rely on when you must have an operational unit is conducive to peace of mind.  Besides, the keeper would get lonely, or so I’ve heard.

[kpinnc 12,028]

If you don't like the MCL between you legs, you can always swap it for an older version and have it off to the right side. 

 

A little work, but something to think about. Both types work on the same pivot point.

 

 

[Inspectorjoe 471]

I want to thank everyone for the replies. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back sooner. 

Here's a little background on why I want to sell one. I'm a home inspector. My wife recently retired. I was covered by her medical insurance from work, so that stopped. I needed insurance, and having had cancer three years ago, I wanted to keep the same doctors, so I took a full time job at the hospital she worked at - on top of still doing home inspections. Right now it doable because the shortage of houses on the market has kept the number of people seeking inspections low, but that won't last forever. So between some time in the near future and when I become eligible for Medicare in three and a half years, I'm going to have almost no free time. Doing only my driveway, I'll have no need for the two tractors, so the second one would just be sitting unused. I'd really like to give my wife back her garage spot after 'temporarily' taking it over more than five years ago, but not being able to take possession of my neighbor's shed for another year, available space in my sheds is really tight.

After reading the posts, I decided to keep the 14 HP with the hydro lift. When I get some time, I'll get the C-120 ready for sale (and maybe secretly hope it doesn't sell). 

I kind of hesitate to bring it up, but I bought another tractor last week - a little  black frame Case 110 XC. I wanted a small, light tractor that's easy to get on and off of for pulling a trailer around, that wouldn't tear up the yard during wet springtime conditions. It was only a hundred bucks. It will be pretty easy to store, because I can lift up the rear end and manhandle it  around.  I have it in the garage until I get a chance to go through it. A Lawn Ranger would be perfect for this job. Right now, I sure wish I hadn't sold mine last year!

[Inspectorjoe 471]

I want to thank everyone again for the help in making a hard decision.

The C-120 is now en route to its new home. A very nice gentleman named Keith is its new caretaker. He's really enthused about it. It's his first Wheel Horse. I'm sure he'll be joining the forum.