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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..

Helping the economy on Small Business Saturday and finally able to convince my wife with the cost of fuel these days, I bought a log splitter today. Partial to the Midwest (plus USA made) and having had good luck with my Ariens snow blower, I was looking at the Ariens version due to design. What I bought at my local M-F tractor dealer was a RED Gravely 27 Ton version. Believe me - it is red! Gravely has standard the cradle and table which are must-haves in my opinion. I worked it about three hours today and so far so good. It is a nice medium-priced unit with plenty of power. I do like the Subaru Robin engine as it is quieter than the B&S Intek and uses a chain for the OHC as opposed to a belt on the Honda GC. Two choices of tow vehicles that both display Wheel Horse. On my C-105 I'm using Scott Moreau's hitch that I got last year which works great! It's also Stormy Kromer weather again!

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.

That's a rat rod with attitude! Gotta love that front "bumper". :handgestures-thumbupright: You guys need your own "Rat Rod" section on the forum. So many great looking machines. BTW, I'm a big fan of your all wheel drives.

evil - wicked - mean - and nasty i love it

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).

:snooty:

that thing is awsome.

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!

AWESOME! Any video of it in motion yet?

Perfect! :bow-blue:

Very creative use for old WH parts. That thing looks great and I just love that "low as you can go" look of it.

A little more bathroom humor...

:woohoo: :wicked:

That is one awesome tractor bob! :bow-blue:

You are so right on this statement! :happy-jumpeveryone:

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.

Actually Bob, the series one sort of has pressure lube, it has a pump that sprays the oil. It's a step up from splash lube. Oh and by the way....Nice job, I like it!

Pretty neat! Looks like the new lawnmowers I've been seeing on the NY state Thruway.

Great job, looks real cool man

Now that's a rat rod.

Enthusiast. A euphemism for addiction, obsession, your choice. Welcome to Red Square.

:woohoo: The gift of GAB is running ramped. Way to go STEVE O :orcs-cheers:

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?

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

Gotta love Butch Buckeye!

Always a big help to those here and quite a staple member. Thanks Steve!! :bow-blue:

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

WSteve Congradulations on Joining the 4K Clubb Where Wind is not only Allowed, by EXPECTED! :eusa-whistle:

Nice job Steve!! Mike........

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:

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:

Break one off on the other side.... Clean it really well and inspect it closely and you keep it and use it.... I have a few flywheels I would sell if you want one that's not broken..... But please please please make sure thier is no cracks or fractures before you reinstall the one you have.....

just break off other fin directly opposite, will put back in balance and not have any effect on anything.. also, its a very easy brazing job with alittle pre-heating.