Leaderboard

I think a lot of the issues are covered and there will be more to come. I also think that the engineering of the Wheelhorse Garden Tractor became suspect over a long time line of use and owners! I don't think the engineers in South Bend ever contemplated their designs, (tractors), would be run as everyday tools in peoples backyards 30, 40 or 50 years into the future. And everybody uses their equipment differently. I had a neighbor in a development years ago that washed and waxed his John Deere "big box lawn tractor" after he mowed religiously. That tractor will be around for a long time and someone will say that was the best tractor JD every made! An overwelming majority of people who also had the same model will be junking theirs in 5 to 7 years of use. A decent amount of WH Garden Tractors of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's are still in operation with many being used as everyday mowers and for seasonal ground engagment use. Many had more than 4 or 5 owners. The issues we point out are actually minor when you think of all the abuse and non-maintenance most of these machines incurred. But they are still useable. In a past thread I stated the garden tractors WH made then were a solid simple quality built, well engineered garden tractor that was a high water mark of American manufacturing. BUT......if you use something long and hard enough over a long period of time, no matter what it is, something somewhere will break! A design flaw? Maybe. A lot of issues on these machines can be traced to other companies that WH/Toro used. (Onan, Briggs, Sundstran, weak Eaton pumps, whoever supplied the cheap fiberglass fenders, belts, cheap gasoline with ethanol, maybe the paint and primer manufacturer, etc.). There are lots of "issues" with WH tractors. Same with the older Bolans, Cubs and JD's. But they showed up over time and for many, a long period of time. We can still talk about what we notice because something cracked or quit last night is something to be amazed by and something we most likely will never see manufactured new again in our lives.

Well maybe instead of cutting I can just knock the grass down with this lowrider. Heres the first winter project out of the shop. I had a kt-17 thats been setting around and I couldn't ever see a good use for it being a grenade motor- until this idea popped up........ The whole tractor is built out of all left over parts that I have had around for years- no nice tractors were harmed in this build! Sorry I listed the pics in Reverse build......Just added some pics of the airfilter cover to the top of the pic list right side.

Today we got a chance to have a little fun with Coles new RAT and my ROD. It was the RAT vs the ROD today, Click on the link n enjoy.

Hi everyone I just joined the forum because I just have purchased a used 414-8 from a local lawnmower shop for $800 and would love to show you! Does anyone have any more info about the 414-8? I was told that it is very durable with a heavy duty rear and a full cast iron engine/flywheel. I live on quite the steep hill so this tractor was very appealing as I have burned up some cheap tractors that used hydrostatics in the past. However, I do also own a 212-H that I use to mow my extremely steep front bank and the hydro on that is still going! Enjoy the pictures! I just waxed it

Well I'm another new guy, Joined last night... wanted to wait till i got my resto project(s).... So I was a few hours early, antisipation I guess. Any way I picked up two Wheel Horse's today for FREEEEEEEE!!!!! and they are bother runners and 90+% original. Acharger 10 and an Electro 12. the 10 still has the original lighter. I was suprized to see that. I am planning on a few resto on both over the winter. Time for tear down, zip-lock bags, a sharpie, and the blast cabinet. Took some pics when I got home. The 12 is good to go, the 10 needs a fuel pump rebuild, but does run well. All in all I'm thrilled to have-em First time owner but I got the bug.

You can even do it without draining the oil!

:text-yeahthat:

I realize that this is the Big Ten thread, and it has come down to the day of THE GAME in the Big Ten, but, it has occurred to me that there are fans of other conferences enjoying this thread too. And I realize too that we have been kinda rude in not giving them their due. So here's a little something special for our friends to the South in the S.E.C. ~~~~ :thumbs:

Another cool machine from Bobs shop. :bow-blue:

LOL… I went to look at an 8 speed tranny that I was contemplating upgrading into my B-80…The guy was asking 90 bucks for it with new bearings and seals…He also had this bare-bones, but complete C-100 for sale for 325 which I tried to ignore. After realizing I’d need to make a few modifications to make the tranny work in the B-80…I figured why not buy the 8 speed tranny that came attached to the C-100… After a quick spin(it runs great)… I made an offer which was quickly rejected..It seemed the someone already had first dibs on the tractor and the seller seemed positive it was a done deal…So I passed on the tranny and left a standing offer for the tractor. Late today the guy calls me and says the deal fell through and the tractor is mine for the taking. Gave 300 for it…which at the time didn’t seem like a lot considering I was gonna pay 90 for the tranny. Picking it up this weekend. As I said I don’t really need this tractor…I have too many other interests to start collecting a herd of these things…Not sure what I’m going to do with it, except spend more time and money setting it up for plowing or snow blowing.. I guess this holiday weekend is a good time to give my thanks to all of you here on the forum for putting me in this situation..

I posted an add in the classifieds looking for a smaller 'horse for my 9 yr old son for Christmas a few weeks ago and Fun Engineer answered the call with a 1967 Lawn Ranger. We set a time and agreed to meet at his place. So this morning I picked up my buddy Sam and headed north with my smoker trailer as the utility and my ramps are in the UP hunting.. Ten miles out we were in white out conditions on icey roads, only 50 miles to go. Engaged 4 wheel drive in Kalkaska and never topped 40mph the rest of the way. For those contemplating "borrowing" Dave's tractors while he's gone (a nice set by the way), good luck finding them. You were right Dave, gps is even screwy up there! The gps lost it's mind, but a phone call told us we were within a mile and he talked us in. What we found was a really nice guy with a 3 car man cave to die for! And this little guy with a deck and snow blade. We tried getting him started and bs'd for an hour, haggled for 30 seconds, then loaded him up. After strapping him down, we hit the road for home. The weather had warmed slightly and the roads were in better condition. About 4 miles north of Kalkaska, we found ourselves sideways. Completely sideways, both ways several times. My truck decided not to die an untimely death in the middle of nowhere and straightened itself out, although the trailer wanted to continue to play for a bit. Pulled over to check the trailer and contemplate hitting the dollar store for new undies and toilet paper! We made it back to South Boardman, put the Ranger in another buddies barn and beat feet back home with no other troubles. I sure hope my little guy loves this one as much as he loves mine! Will keep updating this as the seat cover needs to be installed, fender welded and the carb cleaned. I have a set of v-bar chains for his 4 wheeler that I might be able to modify to fit. All hopes are having it running so he can plow with daddy on Christmas. :greetings-clappingyellow:

welcome back. i also spent alot of time in venango co pa. welding school at venango vo teck, horses bought at fisher & father. triumph mc parts & service from john at monaco cycles. i sure do miss the snow! Jay formaly a western pa native IN NC.

You know your winning days are numbered Ken, once Cole discovers the swapping pulleys trick.

A thought occured to me tonight. We've all seen the awesome machines that actually roll out of Bobs garage. Just imagine all the crazy stuff he has going through his head that he hasnt built (yet).

Congratulations to OHIO St. Great season... Of course they did not play Illinois this year.

that thing is awsome.

Got her home today....Everything seems to look good...I'm going to switch over the quick attach and plow from my B-80 and maybe swap out a few other parts if they seem better than what's on the C-100. I'm still not sure if I'm going to keep both ...The money I've got into them isn't a big a deal. I just don't have a proper place to store 1 let alone 2...and the fact that even one will get so little usage, I don't want to leave the other sitting around being neglected... The only plus I can see for me having two would be having one has a backup....We'll see...Here's some more pictures.

The guy with the snow blower says he'll dig up a 12 horse engine for me because he thought it was way to much work for me to convert the snow blower engine. So he bought the Craftsman tractor and will have a working engine for me by sometime this winter!

if you fail to learn something new everyday life would be very dull brian

AWESOME! Any video of it in motion yet?

I can't help it, that's funny!

congrats on 4000 buddy Brian

Craig 3 out of 4 of my C-160's had cracked hood stands at the bottom. One was on the left side like yours. The other two were on the right under the belt guard. On the two that I fixed I found that the mountings bolts in the frame had come loose, I think to do with what TT said. The one when I got it was already fixed before I bought it.

Bob, the rig looks FABulous!!! Boy, if I had something like that when I was growing up...heck, I'd like one right now!!!

Holy jebus that thing looks quick you sure you need a smv sighn and not a license plate??!?

Funny how our Stadium isnt shaped Like a Toilet, But I Know One who's is!

Sell off the B-80 that in turn make this one cost less, and you have your 8 speed with out the work, and more ponies under the hood to boot.

Heaving too hard on the lift lever and/or using the steering wheel as a grab handle when mounting/dismounting.

You know, it's a proven fact that Michigan fans will do anything to help get a win against The Ohio State Buckeyes. They've been known to seek out Shamans, Witch Doctors, Horsefixers, you name it. Well this one fella got caught up in trying to get some Genie to help him get a victory for the Wolverines. The Genie told him he would have to do a Genie dance if he wanted a Michigan victory this year. It just so happens this little event was "caught on tape" as they say. Ya gotta check this one out for yourselves folks. It' just unbelievable how gullible some Michigan fans are. .....~`~~`~ http://www.jibjab.com/view/8oDBr-Z5ReyuF0hOvGkYMw

Discovered this crack in the lower hood stand on thanksgiving day... any ideas what would posssibly cause this to happen?

guys, I just got back to the 'puter from Thanksgiving and realized I missed the Iowa-Nebraska game. On Friday, REALLY.???? Can I still pick the other ones?? IF so they are... MICHIGAN AT OHIO ST......................MICHIGAN MICHIGAN ST. AT MINNESOTA..........MINNESOTA ILLINOIS AT NORTHWESTERN..........NORTHWESTERN INDIANA AT PURDUE..........................PURDUE WISCONSIN AT PENN ST...................PENN STATE -BK

GOOOAAAL!! Congrats on the 4000! NOW! GET CUTLER HEALTHY AND BACK ON THE FIELD!! THE PACKERS NEED HIM!!! :) :)

4000 posts. That is a lot of hot air. :teasing-blah: :teasing-blah: :teasing-blah:

congrats steve........ always a good laugh and the trans building vids have been a great help.

It's good to hear you're posting more Steveosaur... and climbing tall ladders far less.

Amen. This is the way it should be. There is a place for most everything, and I also like to keep it clean here. Way to go Karl. And thanks for everything you do. Glen

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program..... :ROTF:

I have not even heard of a 953! Lets see more pics!!!

I just do it for fun, that would add stess to my hobby. Besides, I'd hate having to do something over and over the same way. I like to just look around my shop and try to make things work with whatever I have, things always come out diiferent that way! Lol!

And to think I have a buddy who works at a foundry and offerered to make copies of mine for $50 per set.... :eusa-think:

Here's are some pics! Let me know what you think...

Ok, so I was able to split the cases today, it looked fairly decent once i took it apart. The left side needle bearing was totally gone, no needles left... What happened was the needles must have come apart and somehow and went thru the axle and unfortunately took out most of the 1 1/2 bearing that gets pressed into the side of the case. Pfrederi, you must definitely have lots of experience with these because what you said may have happened did... Found all of the bearing pieces in the case, cleaned it all out, cleaned off all the old gasket materials and replaced the two wheel bearing needle bearings I purchased previously. Most everything came out with little pain. So now I need to find that 1 1/2 bearing... The parts book shows it as part number 1533. I am hoping that I can take the old one into motion industries and they can match it up. Anyone have a good number for this? I am thinking about going with double oil seals when I finish it up, good idea? Thanks all!

Thanks for the replies! Attached is a photo, have gone thru the deck, engine, painted and the trans is next, will take my time with the trans since the snow is about to fall. Also have posted on you tube how it looked when I just about started, Was in the process of refinishing the rear tires when I ran into this issue. With what you all have posted, I feel better going into it. I will probably take you up on your offer to ask more questions once I get into it, might not be for a couple of weeks due to upcoming weekend commitments. Thanks again.

!960 Suburban 1988 520 original condition.