Uncle Buck 246 #1 Posted June 13, 2017 A friend gave me a NOS high back WH seat 2-3 years ago. The seat has the WH insignia stitched into the back of the seat. The seat came to me in a plastic bag and clearly has never been mounted. I am tempted to use the seat but honestly I am not sure that I want to put the seat on one of my machines. I do not know that any of my machines rate such a nice seat. Plus of my five tractors only one is as new as maybe 1978 which would appear to be the most logical candidate. The seat looks to be from a 1980's-1990's vintage tractor. I have seen guys rave about these seats in threads here over the last year or so but I have never had a clue what an honest and FAIR value for both a seller and a buyer of a seat like this would be. I do not mean an insane value to try and stick it to a guy (I hate that) I mean a FAIR value for such a seat. I am not looking to put it to another enthusiast but by the same token I have no desire to have someone else put it to me either! Please share what you can. If this thread is wrongly placed please simply move it to where it belongs. Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #2 Posted June 13, 2017 Dang, most of fifty guys have looked at this and not even one guy has a clue? I must be as smart as everyone else here! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,512 #3 Posted June 13, 2017 This one just sold for $ 305 plus shipping on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #4 Posted June 13, 2017 Just now, 953 nut said: This one just sold for $ 305 plus shipping on Jeeze Louise! I don't have a fancy two piece job like that one though. Mine is a simple one piece high back seat, smooth fabric for the most part, not textured. Sorry I have no pictures to share. It has to be a later model seat though. BTW: Thank you for the reply! I was about to give up! LOL 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,128 #5 Posted June 13, 2017 To me the "Look and Feel" of a 90s WH seat isn't worth much more than I would pay for a replacement from any number of sources around 60-$75. Not many tractors that new are being restored to showroom condition...yet. Hold on to it a few years and there maybe more demand. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,328 #6 Posted June 13, 2017 Emblem stitched into the fabric? First off are you confusing fabric with vinyl, and do you mean a emblem pressed into the vinyl vs a emblem actually stiched into fabric? As far as I know Wheel Horse or Toro never offered a fabric seat. Now with all that said, your seat is only worth what someone is willing to pay. It's only valuable to someone that is looking to restore back to factory original. I don't think that there is very many willing to pay 300 plus just for a embossed vinyl seat that would have to be kept in a control climate just to keep it from cracking. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #8 Posted June 13, 2017 40 minutes ago, MalMac said: Emblem stitched into the fabric? First off are you confusing fabric with vinyl, and do you mean a emblem pressed into the vinyl vs a emblem actually stiched into fabric? As far as I know Wheel Horse or Toro never offered a fabric seat. Now with all that said, your seat is only worth what someone is willing to pay. It's only valuable to someone that is looking to restore back to factory original. I don't think that there is very many willing to pay 300 plus just for a embossed vinyl seat that would have to be kept in a control climate just to keep it from cracking. Not a fabric seat, sorry I did not intend to confuse with my description. This is a vinyl seat with the image pressed into the vinyl as you said. I know the seat is not worth $300 to me and it sounds like I would be better served to just put in on my 76 C-100 and enjoy it. Thank you for the help, it makes putting the seat to use easier knowing it is not some high value seat or something like that. 40 minutes ago, rmaynard said: LOL, I know what you mean! Sorry I am not set up to accommodate! 56 minutes ago, pfrederi said: To me the "Look and Feel" of a 90s WH seat isn't worth much more than I would pay for a replacement from any number of sources around 60-$75. Not many tractors that new are being restored to showroom condition...yet. Hold on to it a few years and there maybe more demand. I could not agree more. I just wanted to make sure I was not going to use a seat that was high dollar and rare or something these days. It is smart to ask questions before doing something and find out it was a stupid thing to do later you know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #9 Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) 53 minutes ago, MalMac said: I don't think that there is very many willing to pay 300 plus just for a embossed vinyl seat that would have to be kept in a control climate just to keep it from cracking. You obviously haven't seen the mentioned Ebay sale last week! http://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/112428189719?item=112428189719&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2565 Bidder Bid Amount Bid Time b***b(76) $305.00 11 Jun 2017 at 8:50:59AM PDT 2***w(152) $300.01 11 Jun 2017 at 7:01:05AM PDT b***b(76) $275.00 11 Jun 2017 at 8:50:56AM PDT b***b(76) $256.00 7 Jun 2017 at 9:22:07AM PDT 1***1(641) $250.09 6 Jun 2017 at 6:42:29PM PDT b***b(76) $250.00 7 Jun 2017 at 9:22:02AM PDT b***b(76) $210.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:11AM PDT f***f(79) $208.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:43:15PM PDT r***p(629) $200.00 3 Jun 2017 at 7:55:57AM PDT b***b(76) $195.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:08AM PDT b***b(76) $180.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:05AM PDT b***b(76) $165.00 1 Jun 2017 at 8:48:26PM PDT 2***w(152) $155.96 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:47PM PDT b***b(76) $150.00 1 Jun 2017 at 8:48:23PM PDT -***b(2121) $120.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:29:45PM PDT 2***w(152) $113.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:25PM PDT -***b(2121) $100.08 1 Jun 2017 at 6:22:39PM PDT 2***w(152) $100.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:18PM PDT p***b(3834) $68.00 1 Jun 2017 at 6:28:33PM PDT p***b(3834) $65.66 1 Jun 2017 at 6:28:24PM PDT -***b(2121) $65.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:49:05PM PDT d***i(353) $55.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:57:34PM PDT l***5(347) $49.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:34:45PM PDT Starting Price $0.99 1 Jun 2017 at 5:25:48PM PDT What I want to know is which one of you guys won that auction???? Would you admit it if you did? Edited June 13, 2017 by RedRanger 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,128 #10 Posted June 13, 2017 46 minutes ago, RedRanger said: You obviously haven't seen the mentioned Ebay sale last week! http://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/112428189719?item=112428189719&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2565 Bidder Bid Amount Bid Time b***b(76) $305.00 11 Jun 2017 at 8:50:59AM PDT 2***w(152) $300.01 11 Jun 2017 at 7:01:05AM PDT b***b(76) $275.00 11 Jun 2017 at 8:50:56AM PDT b***b(76) $256.00 7 Jun 2017 at 9:22:07AM PDT 1***1(641) $250.09 6 Jun 2017 at 6:42:29PM PDT b***b(76) $250.00 7 Jun 2017 at 9:22:02AM PDT b***b(76) $210.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:11AM PDT f***f(79) $208.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:43:15PM PDT r***p(629) $200.00 3 Jun 2017 at 7:55:57AM PDT b***b(76) $195.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:08AM PDT b***b(76) $180.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:05AM PDT b***b(76) $165.00 1 Jun 2017 at 8:48:26PM PDT 2***w(152) $155.96 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:47PM PDT b***b(76) $150.00 1 Jun 2017 at 8:48:23PM PDT -***b(2121) $120.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:29:45PM PDT 2***w(152) $113.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:25PM PDT -***b(2121) $100.08 1 Jun 2017 at 6:22:39PM PDT 2***w(152) $100.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:18PM PDT p***b(3834) $68.00 1 Jun 2017 at 6:28:33PM PDT p***b(3834) $65.66 1 Jun 2017 at 6:28:24PM PDT -***b(2121) $65.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:49:05PM PDT d***i(353) $55.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:57:34PM PDT l***5(347) $49.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:34:45PM PDT Starting Price $0.99 1 Jun 2017 at 5:25:48PM PDT What I want to know is which one of you guys won that auction???? Would you admit it if you did? I have 4 Charger/Electros and they are my second favorite Horse. It will be a chilly day in Haides befoer I pay that much for a seat. Mine all have very comfy seats none more than $65 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #11 Posted June 13, 2017 The ebay seat is special and a much fancier seat than what I have. Mine is single piece, vinyl, logo pressed into vinyl. To me not really any different than a cheap seat that would due just fine, the only difference being that logo pressed into the vinyl. I do agree the seat is not that special. I just wanted to make sure I was not using a seat that was honestly worth $150 or something like that to most WH guys on one of my old plow horses. With the comments I feel more secure just using the seat. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,941 #12 Posted June 13, 2017 PM me if you want to sell it... I'd want a pict though. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #13 Posted June 13, 2017 1 hour ago, AMC RULES said: PM me if you want to sell it... I'd want a pict though. I appreciate the offer but I think I will just use it. I have a C-100 that it should look good on. Just needed to know that I was not going to be using some high dollar seat was all. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
857 horse 2,581 #14 Posted June 13, 2017 Not changing the subject,,,,,,but I have a 1961 401 Suburban,,,,about 5 years ago,,,,,,i bought a NOS replacent hood,,,,,the box came in pieces,,,in a small box... ,,,feel apart,,,,The hood is on Red,,,this Hood is it !!!!!!! I actually have a small can of touch up paint,,,,,,and it is also has the GM paint code,,,,,perfect match,,,,, Only issue is,,,,I am not taking the tractor to the BIG SHOW,,,,,,I am taking 2 machines for sale,,,,a pair of 857's 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buzz 502 #15 Posted June 13, 2017 5 hours ago, RedRanger said: You obviously haven't seen the mentioned Ebay sale last week! http://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/112428189719?item=112428189719&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2565 Bidder Bid Amount Bid Time b***b(76) $305.00 11 Jun 2017 at 8:50:59AM PDT 2***w(152) $300.01 11 Jun 2017 at 7:01:05AM PDT b***b(76) $275.00 11 Jun 2017 at 8:50:56AM PDT b***b(76) $256.00 7 Jun 2017 at 9:22:07AM PDT 1***1(641) $250.09 6 Jun 2017 at 6:42:29PM PDT b***b(76) $250.00 7 Jun 2017 at 9:22:02AM PDT b***b(76) $210.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:11AM PDT f***f(79) $208.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:43:15PM PDT r***p(629) $200.00 3 Jun 2017 at 7:55:57AM PDT b***b(76) $195.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:08AM PDT b***b(76) $180.00 3 Jun 2017 at 9:32:05AM PDT b***b(76) $165.00 1 Jun 2017 at 8:48:26PM PDT 2***w(152) $155.96 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:47PM PDT b***b(76) $150.00 1 Jun 2017 at 8:48:23PM PDT -***b(2121) $120.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:29:45PM PDT 2***w(152) $113.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:25PM PDT -***b(2121) $100.08 1 Jun 2017 at 6:22:39PM PDT 2***w(152) $100.00 1 Jun 2017 at 7:22:18PM PDT p***b(3834) $68.00 1 Jun 2017 at 6:28:33PM PDT p***b(3834) $65.66 1 Jun 2017 at 6:28:24PM PDT -***b(2121) $65.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:49:05PM PDT d***i(353) $55.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:57:34PM PDT l***5(347) $49.00 1 Jun 2017 at 5:34:45PM PDT Starting Price $0.99 1 Jun 2017 at 5:25:48PM PDT What I want to know is which one of you guys won that auction???? Would you admit it if you did? I'd be curious to see if it comes back on the market shortly. Did b**b actually buy it or just bid it up for a friend and got stuck with it. Happened a few years ago with a Bantam in NE PA. Three times. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034 #16 Posted June 14, 2017 I was one of the bidders on that seat but then it got too high for me. I guess if you did a complete restore and want to complete it then the market says it is worth north of $300. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smoreau 658 #17 Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) I had one of these seats and sold it on ebay. It was nice and had no cracks but was stiff from not being sat on for years. High back with the WH logo stamped in the back. Thaught would get good $ for it so no reserve. Only brought $43.00 and I had to pay extra because my shipping estimate was off by $12.00. Hard to tell what there worth. Edited June 14, 2017 by smoreau 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 7,772 #18 Posted June 14, 2017 I recently purchased high back logo seat from eBay for 175. I really thought it would sell for more. 30 bucks for shipping and I had it. Only 3 bids? For a nice no cracks or tears high back seat ! I also paid 300 for one at the big show last year for one that was in mint condition. That one is going on my work horse gt-1800 frame up restoration. As they say they are not making them anymore so...... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #19 Posted June 14, 2017 I've bought seats with no tears which fell apart within a year. NOS should be different, never used of course and never exposed to the sun and perhaps the air. "953"'s picture with the pads still in plastic impressed me showing that seat truly was New Old Stock, but I'd still be suspect that the vinyl has aged from just exposure and time. While I would never pay much for a used seat if I, (or more likely someone else!) had an otherwise perfect WH that needed a period sensitive seat to make it PERFECT then who knows what the $$$ limit would be? Pricing gets really weird for "One of a Kinds" and sometimes very few of a kind when then meet the right person! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #20 Posted June 14, 2017 I see them sell for 200 all the way up to 300 at the Big Show quite easily. Maybe guys are willing to spend more there? You don't have to deal with shipping and you get to tell everyone you didn't go home empty handed.... If I had a real nice original machine or a mint restored machine that is the seat I would be looking for. I myself would be hesitant to use it on a worker, once it starts to crack its just another seat.. Always nice to preserve what isn't being made anymore but that is just me... The damage to seats seems to be mostly done in the winter when the vinyl is stiff. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,941 #21 Posted June 14, 2017 ...and keeping them out of the sun. (UV damage) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #22 Posted June 14, 2017 I too think that cold causes most of the cracking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #23 Posted June 14, 2017 4 hours ago, DennisThornton said: I too think that cold causes most of the cracking. I am not so sure about that. I think if you keep the machine in an enclosed garage even if unheated the vinyl will not necessarily crack simply because it gets cold. Now if you go and sit on the cold seat I think you will crack it for sure. I say that because my dad kept his old WH in a small shed with no climate control year round and only used the machine to mow in the summer. So he never used it at all in the cold months. His seat never cracked and it sat there for most of 20 years. Exposed to elements all bets are off that is very punishing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TDF5G 2,051 #24 Posted June 14, 2017 Here's my observation; It seems the seats with the embossed logo in excellent used condition or NOS are highly desirable and bring big $ when they are available. I'd say they are most likely sought after for restorations. I've seen them sell on ebay between $150-$250. A while back there was one with one small split in it on the corner with a buy-it-now for about $250 that never did sell. The two piece seat pictured above that sold on ebay for $305 (cushions only, no seat frame) is for the older C series and being NOS I can see why it would bring high $. I've been through a few seats on my B-80 in the past 23 years. I always went to the local dealer and bought a replacement (original seat with the embossed logo), I'd wear it out and get another one. Being the local dealer was my neighbor he charged me $50 for them,(I have no idea what the retail price was). Of course they are no longer available. When I realized the value of these seats in the last few years, I removed the last one I had been using on the B-80, to preserve it (still in perfect condition) and I replaced it with same style Michigan seat from Northern tool, which is the exact same seat sans the logo (but has more mounting holes). If I had only known the future value of them! Someone could provide a great service for the community if they reproduced them or was able to get the Michigan seat company (or others) to manufacture them again with the logo. 5 hours ago, DennisThornton said: I too think that cold causes most of the cracking. I've wondered this also. The last seat that I replaced on my B-80 has seemed to last longer, and we've not had much snow the past few years = less winter seat time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #25 Posted June 14, 2017 I'm sure winter temperatures cause damage to the vinyl seats, but age in general has to be their enemy. The plastics just plain dry out and crack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
