motor12 367 #1 Posted April 25, 2022 While giving my 854 a cleaning and overall checkup I noticed two small cracks on the frame below the trans where it is bolted on. Not being able to see how far the cracks went I decided to remove the trans and take a look. There were two cracks going up about 3 inches. Ground out the cracks, welded and ground surface then repainted and added a 3/16 in plate per wheel horse service bulletin that was issued once they discovered it was a problem. Not to make light of this fix, it was not easy, I spent two days repairing the frame and putting the 854 back together. My 854 enjoys very light duty work, moving a small trailer or the odd Texas antique engine show. If you work your 854 harder than me, check the frame there's a good chance its cracked. 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,209 #2 Posted April 25, 2022 Unfortunately that crack is not unique to 854s. The same thin stamped tranny plate is used on nearly all Wheel Horse tractors. Using a snow/dozer blade is what usually causes the damage. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #3 Posted April 25, 2022 9 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: Unfortunately that crack is not unique to 854s. The same thin stamped tranny plate is used on nearly all Wheel Horse tractors. Using a snow/dozer blade is what usually causes the damage. That's why I never understood guys wanting to put oversize blades on these light tractors. The wider the blade the more power and traction needed. That means adding weight. The Horses were designed to do so much. Can't see the advantage of a 60" blade on a roundhood with the stress it can cause 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,752 #4 Posted April 25, 2022 Agreed... the Frame Plate is a weak point in design. Instead of cut-trim-weld, I've repaired several of these with 1/4-3/16" 2x2 angle iron drilled and fitted to the frame flate...which also reinforces the corners. No welding required...optional though. Here is the .pdf narrative..with pics.. of how to make the 'fix'...without welding. MODERATOR... At your leisure, post this file in the Wheelhorse Form manual...whereever you see fit. WHEELHORSE FRAME PLATE FIX.pdf 4 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #5 Posted April 25, 2022 (edited) Been there, fixed that!! Check the cast lower steering support - one or both ears are probably broken off too. No GOOD long term fix - if the ears are broken it needs to be replaced... This 854 frame is from a parts tractor I bought - it wiggled like an inch worm on hills - 3 of the 4 holes severely cracked out, and there was a 1/4" twist... destined to become "Yard Art"... the frame I kept had 2 cracked out holes - gouged & welded them up - drilled about 10 or so 3/8" holes to plug weld the 1/4" plate inside - been about 8 years of 4 season use - no issues. Bill Edited April 25, 2022 by ri702bill 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,664 #6 Posted April 26, 2022 There are some of us that add braces to the frame. I haven't broken one but I have added some plates and braces to all three of mine. 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #7 Posted April 26, 2022 8 hours ago, Lee1977 said: There are some of us that add braces to the frame... That would be me, too. I took a different approach on this C81 - all the parts are bolt-in and removable. Bill 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C160 251 #8 Posted June 3, 2022 On 4/25/2022 at 2:57 PM, daveoman1966 said: Agreed... the Frame Plate is a weak point in design. Instead of cut-trim-weld, I've repaired several of these with 1/4-3/16" 2x2 angle iron drilled and fitted to the frame flate...which also reinforces the corners. No welding required...optional though. Here is the .pdf narrative..with pics.. of how to make the 'fix'...without welding. MODERATOR... At your leisure, post this file in the Wheelhorse Form manual...whereever you see fit. WHEELHORSE FRAME PLATE FIX.pdf 565.38 kB · 4 downloads Hey, Good info Will this template you have provided here work on a C160?? Cheers! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,752 #9 Posted June 3, 2022 YES... the angle iron repair plate will work ont he C-160 frame...or most ANY other frame as well. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheelhorse#1 1,667 #10 Posted June 7, 2022 Ive read somewhere that WH started adding a thicker plate at some point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
