WheelBig Horse - Jackass Special

[Randy_in_Ohio 99]

Just picked up my third and most likely, fastest, horse. Has a 4cyl 1.2L Toyota K series engine. Picked it up at auction so don't know much about. Guy there said old guy dropped it off said he used to mow with it! Sat covered in a barn for 15 years. The fluids have been drained. Haven't started it yet. Fogged the cylinders today and turned it by hand. Changed the oil... Marveled at the craftsmanship... Check out the throttle!

 

Anyone seen this before???

 

Any information about it would be much appreciated

 

 

 

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

What a cool horse, that deck looks tiny under that beast.

 

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

Thar is slightly insane, but the conversion is done so well it could be factory spec.

 

I like the radiator solution, very neat and tidy - although it makes using a trailer a bit of a risk.

[OutdoorEnvy 1,522]

That is very cool and looks really well thought out and executed.  I would like to hear how fast you can mow before the deck bogs down.  You could also make a video racing a zero turn 

 

Also the tread on the rear tires looks worn down....can't imagine how that happened...

 

[JoeM 7,874]

Fill the back tires with juice and "roll and mow" a 60" deck is in order. 

Or dual wheels would really make it look like a cartoon machine. 

[squonk 41,150]

I would guess the cut isn't very good mowing at 20 MPH +

[WHX?? 48,828]

Interesting fer sure.

[Lee1977 6,663]

There was a Wheel Horse around here about 25 years back. I heard about it but never saw it, The friend that saw it was not into Wheel Horses so I have no ideal; what it was.

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

Excellent find! The build seems to be thought out pretty good. Video would be cool to see!

Seeing something like this makes me want to build one of my own.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,653]

Does that say “Wheelbig Horse?”  Lololol.
That thing is incredible.  I don’t suppose you want to share with us what you paid for that magnificent beast?  Oh, and it seems to be missing a fire extinguisher.  You might just wanna replace that lol!

[8ntruck 7,016]

Neat tractor.  Brings to mind the flat head and small block conversions on 8n tractors.

 

Interesting PTO arrangement.  Has to be some sort of 90 degree gear box there somewhere.  What kind of transmission does it have?

 

You might want to consider replacing the seat with one with a higher back - a safety feature to help you stay on the tractor during sudden clutch engagements .

Edited May 22, 2022 by 8ntruck

[Randy_in_Ohio 99]

3 hours ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

Does that say “Wheelbig Horse?”  Lololol.
That thing is incredible.  I don’t suppose you want to share with us what you paid for that magnificent beast?  Oh, and it seems to be missing a fire extinguisher.  You might just wanna replace that lol!

It's big! The hood was elongated and whoever did it did a really nice job. Winning bid was $650. I was shocked I got it that cheap... Only 50 more than I paid for my C-121 a couple years ago. I would have probably gone higher just because I'm a Toyota fan. I had that engine in an old Corolla back in highschool! Yes, I will be replacing the fire extinguisher

[Pullstart 62,905]

That’s amazing!  What does it have for an exhaust, if anything?  

[EB-80/8inPA 1,653]

1 hour ago, Randy_in_Ohio said:

Only 50 more than I paid for my C-121 a couple years ago.

Another fine machine.  You know how to pick ‘em.

[ebinmaine 67,589]

What an excellently executed piece. 

 

Love to see pics and video of the movement mechanism.  

 

 

[Randy_in_Ohio 99]

I will get some video once I get it started. Need to pick up a battery Still going over everything, cleaning it up , checking it out and trying to figure out how it works. I was able to rig it up to an old battery and turn it over a couple times.

Yes, there's some sort of 90 degree gearbox that runs the PTO wheel. The handle on the right engages the clutch. Gearbox in the back appears to be original the wheel horse one.  Took some more pics that show exhaust, gearbox, etc.. thanks for the kind words. Stay tuned, I may need some help

 

[ebinmaine 67,589]

Sooooooo impressive. 

[Pullstart 62,905]

I still have that 3.152L Perkins Diesel in the rack… you’re giving me ideas @Randy_in_Ohio!

[peter lena 8,634]

@ RANDY - IN- OHIO  ,  agree with others  on what you have picked up , personally , would verify every functional stage , enhance it if needed . get the oil changed in those gear units , and flip that deck over, clean it out and get some lubricant into that metal , to stop rot and preserve what's there , indeed a special  unit  , good luck with it , pete 

[953 nut 55,297]

On 5/22/2022 at 3:28 AM, Randy_in_Ohio said:

Check out the throttle!

Not every day you see a gear reduction controlled throttle. The builder of this machine was probably a recently retired mechanical engineer with an abundance of time on his hands. Must say his skill level far surpasses that of most custom builders.       

Will you be able to bring this to the WHCC "Big Show" next month?  We would love to see it in person.

[peter lena 8,634]

@953 nut  usually mechanical engineers are so full of themselves , they would not have a clue , just giant ego , now if you said a retired machinist , or production machinist, thats the type guy that really does things . out of the box , had one in the glass refinishing area , that could make up anything , also a good guy  , no giant ego , pete  

[WHX?? 48,828]

22 hours ago, Randy_in_Ohio said:

, I will be replacing the fire extinguisher

Well the good news is it doesn't look like it was used on the tractor! 

[kpinnc 12,083]

8 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Not every day you see a gear reduction controlled throttle.

 

Beats the crap out of an old rusty cable! 

 

 

[8ntruck 7,016]

OK.  The pulley/PTO clutch on the 90 degree gearbox runs the whole shebang.  I'd say that the drive belts and transmission would be the fuse in this system.  Wonder what kind of horsepower that engine makes at 3600 rpm?

 

You will have to fire that up at night to see if you get flames out of the mufflers.

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

14 hours ago, Randy_in_Ohio said:

 

 

 

That's a funky looking exhaust! I Imagine running it like this must be deafening.

Still being a Horse newbie.. does a Wheel Horse gearbox hold up to these kinds of power levels?