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So I was watching this little Toro Wheel Horse 8-25 on Craigslist for a couple of months. It looked to be in decent shape in the (tiny little) pictures in the listing, but the ad said it wasn't running, and the owner thought it "might need a new starter" and "might need carb work". You know, the typical scenario all CL hunters eventually face where you have to decide if the guy really doesn't know much about engines, or he does but wants to "play dumb" to avoid revealing known issues. When the price dropped to $100 in November I reached out to the guy figuring I might as well at least go look at it, but I got no reply. I didn't give it too much thought and shortly thereafter the ad went away. Jump ahead to last week and I see the ad has reappeared. Now the price is $60. So I reach out and this time he promptly replies. We aren't too far from one another, so we set up a time and off I go, figuring that if he hasn't sold it in all this time the photos must be misleading or someone else would have bought it long ago. Well, I get there and sitting in the driveway is a rock-solid little rider, a little dingy and dirty, but overall in great shape. I figured I could afford to roll the dice on a $60 crap-shoot so I loaded it up and brought it home. The carb did in fact need some work. The fuel inlet was cracked to I had to extract the old one and press in a new one, as well as tanking the carb and replacing the usual parts. Although it was a pain in the rear to get to, all the starter needed was a new pinion gear. I added an inline fuel shut-off and a new fuel filter, and presto....running tractor! So right now I'm all-in at $88 bucks and I figure if all else fails, I can get that out of the engine if I have to! (I did find one issue with the tractor, but I'll save it for a separate thread.) These photos show the little fella' in just the shape I found him. Aside from a tiny bit of surface rust along the edge of the deck, there are no significant blemishes to mention. Anything you see on it is just dirt that I haven't been able to wash off yet 'cause it's too dang cold! Most of the Serial # sticker is unreadable, but I believe this is a 1999 model and it's pretty clear it was stored indoors most of its life. (My phone's camera wasn't cooperating all that well, so I apologize for the cruddy photos. I'll post more when I get the little tyke all cleaned up!)

Hope I dont get stoned. I do about 3/4 mile of drives and usually split duty between the 310-8 and the B. I usually do mine and the neighbors with the 310 and the MIL's 2 with the B. But it was cold and windy so I just stayed on the B today and gave the WH a rest. Really didnt have much, bout 3 inches. The B doesnt do as nice a job because it has skids which are all the way up but thats OK. Wish we could get some heavy stuff here but not yet.

i just picked up this 551. gave it a bath and now to see if i can get it running (been sitting 5 yrs). hopefully it won't be to hard.

Hi there! I'm a new member, a 40-year old guy from Sweden and mybe i should post in Euro Horse only? Anyway, here comes some pics of my D-180 and what i have done with it. Got it in a pretty worn shape after it hasn't been used for 15 years. Started with welding a new gas tank (old was missing) and mounted a new, better seat. The 18hp twincylinder engine leaked gas through the pistons down to the oil pan and got a honing + valve job, together with new piston rings and all parts in the ignition. After a 3-point hitch build for the rear, some grinding, painting, decals and some new lights in stainless holders.

Just thought id say hi. Im in northern Indiana. I don't have a lot of wheel horse stuff. (I collect them all) I do have a couple. I have a rj 58 currently and also part owner of a custom suburban. (split three ways between my dad, brother and I) It was a father son type project. It was done almost 12 years ago. Im old enough now that im the care taker of the tractor. I go to some shows around here so you may recognize it. Not what everybody likes but its what we like. Sure does get a lot of attention.

Finally got Marvin up and running with a rewire. Found house wire, wire that is used to connect resistive heat strips, scotchlocks,and fuses used as wire splices all inside the harness. The Big-Block is singing once again. Glad my neighbor is lazy about shoveling so I had something to "roadtest" it on. Also posted a pic of the cleaned up wire and harness.

Most of the ones I've had wouldn't run in summer either!

Some new picture with the loader. What do you guys think about it? Have not used the loader much yet but the snowblade a lot more...

I've started the rebuild of my RJ58 and the CBR32 sickle bar that fits it. I've been collecting parts for it for a few years so I thought I'd get started on it. I didn't take many pics of the tear down, mostly just close ups for reference. I've got the engine tore down and cleaned up, ready to go to the machine shop. This one will get bored .010 and the crank will be turned .010. I got the parts for the engine today so I'll be able to take it to the shop this week. While it's at the machine shop I'm going to have them bore and tap the exhaust port to 3/4" N.P.T. Any opinions on which rim is correct for the RJ would be appreciated I picked up new blades for the sickle at the show in Le Sueur last year, I finally got those changed. Now I need to get it and a bunch of small parts sent to be plated.

Hi everyone, just came in from plowing 6" new snow out off my drive and my neighbors mail box.10 degrees out but who caries. That little 1979 c-101-8 loves the snow. Just thinking out loud why can't they make tractors like that any more? The only other thing I have that is worth more is my beautiful wife, but she is a little older model. Have a great winter all and be safe, we all have something or someone that needs us. Bob from western Pa.( Just to clarify the young lady in my member picture is my daughter! )

Thanks to Terry and Lola (Mr +Mrs Vinylguy) and Buddy, all RS Mods/Admin folks!

It's nice to know grandpa's Wheel Horse is still being used after he's gone.

Bob. Looking good. Following along and enjoying as I have been tearing down the 854. Glenn

My dad and I bought a blast box at an auction today and i tried it out on a few parts.

Heres my D-180 from 1975, that i have renovated and build some custom "things" on. For example new gastank, seat, lightning and stainless holders for them, 3-point hitch at front and back, hydraulics with 7 functions and its own pump, new bigger Ross steering box, side exhaust systems with mufflers etc. I have also built tools for it as a snowblade, a loader, counterweight and have also a forklift built going on.

The loader came with a chain driven pump, I plan on changing it to a belt drive.

I finally can add to this thread! While working on my restore of a C-165 auto (or 8 speed if the auto isn't salvageable) I am using a good running C125 8 speed for plow duties. Just had a few inches in the last few days first time i got to use the wheel horse at my house. (Used it for years at my parents) I sure wish they had locking diffs, but I could really use a more aggressive tread and to install rear wheel weights (plastic rear, cast iron front) and I am hoping that will solve it. It sure as heck beats shoveling by hand. Yes, I am rocking the rat-rod look at the moment until I can get primer on a replacement hood hinge.

It Rained all day yesterday here in the South West UK , I woke to find my dog barking outside in the garden , although my dog (skye) is blind she still knew something wasnt right . when i looked out of the window the field outside my house was flooded for as far as tou can see.

Awesome score.

Are those white wall tires on the front! or are they painted on?

Actually, I'm really diggin' the look of the lowered filler cap Denny.

Ahh. That Tecky manual takes me back to my first vehicle to get me from Point A, (Mill Hall, PA), to Point B, (Beech Creek, PA). I was able to purchase at age 13........an 8 HP Tecky Powered chain drive, no suspension mini-bike brand new from our Western Auto store! I drove the 14 miles round-trip a couple of times a week to run with some friends. The only "legal" way there was on an abandoned railroad bed with the rail road ties still embedded on the track. That Tecumseh always started on the first pull, lasted me up to my 16th birthday and beyond and endured many sabotage attempts from my practical joke buddies including the oiling of the centrifugal clutch and governor disconnects. The down side is my prostate is larger than Rhode Island now and I need to blink three times before my eyes focus on anything! I won't put down a Tecky except for the POS's on most modern snowblowers.

I used a similar tractor around my house pulling a cart and stuff. I worked the pants off it. It was so impressive it made me look up Wheel Horse and 9 tractors later I write this message.

How I got a stubborn pulley off a rust crank. I used a 1/4" piece of steel about 3" x 3" and drilled a 5/8" hole in the center. second I used another pulley to match up the 4 1/4"x20 holes.Third I then used some all thread rod and some nuts with a few washers and a bolt to mount it to the end of the crank. last I cleaned up the exposed end of the crank and bolted up my back yard puller. sprayed on some lube and Slowly I turned the nuts evenly and the pulley came off the crank.

My tractor is from HÃ¥kans son-in-law! HÃ¥kan lives just 3-4 mins away from me, very nice guy and they have ALOT of tractors and attatchments aswell!

I'm already tired of plowing snow, i'm ready for mowing season (and warm weather) !

The hood was cracked from the weight of the gas tank so I decided to mount the tank to the frame instead of hanging it from the hood. It still needs a little tweaking but looks like it'll work. I've left a small air gap between the tank frame and the hood so it won't rub. Next I need to extend the filler neck on the tank to get it back to the correct height.

below is a cut and past from the owners manual for automatic transmissions During cold weather, start the engine with the parking brake engaged; on C-Series models also lift up the transmission clutch lever. Run the engine at full throttle for two minutes to allow engine to warm-up and then engage the transmission clutch by pushing the lever down. For temperatures between 0 and 30F (- 18C and -2 C) allow the transmission to run in neutral for 5 minutes before attempting to set the unit into motion. For temperatures below (-18 °C) allow the transmission to run in neutral for 10 minutes before attempting to set the unit in motion . Failure to do so may result in extensive internal transmission damage.

I made this post to show you the final result of the front lights. I tried to respect it as was the original one. To finish definitely the restoration just missing tail light and decals. These would be the last step.

May as well use that Ironing Board Ian !. It will be no good for a 'Surf Board' and trying to 'Hang Five' . Let me know the part number of that iffy High Speed Needle, I may have a good clean, used Spare. Edit :- Forgot to ask what is the diameter of the Pulley?. I may be able to resize it for you.

This was in the auction at Newark Tractor show last year. Don't know what it went for.

dont forget Ian , Glen pettit does sone mighty fine replacement GT14 dash plates .& even does a steering wheel cover bezel Im glad you are not intending to drive that tractor without the belt guard , that machine would tear your leg off & beat you with the soggy end if you got caught , rember what happened to Chris Sutton & the damage a little RJ done to his leg by getting his jeans caught in the drive pulley .

A few months ago, I would have jumped on the tecky-hater band wagon with some of the rest of you, but after a few months of owning a C-160 with an OH160 Tecky in it, I've decided I really like this one. It starts as easy as my Kohlers do, and runs really strong! Matt

Found this on another site, but you can search for any patents here, was looking at some of the ones just for Wheel Horse Tractors, very interesting, over 800 just (supposley) for our tractors; https://www.google.c.../?tbm=pts&hl=en

From there begins the process of restoring and painting...

The dissassembly process...

The first piece that I replaced was the battery. I had to search through internet to find one battery who fits exactly on the original place.

The first thing that I repaired, was the seat. And I have to find a replacement for the Choke and Throttle cables.

you should be able to save the videos from potato bucket, if not let me know and I'll have a go

I guess I'm lucky. I've worked with harsh chemical all my life, never using gloves. I have been told many years later that the chemicals that I used are metabolized by your liver, and that I will suffer the results of my misuse later in life. So far, so good. I have a physical every year with blood work specific to liver function. Don't get me wrong, I am not condoning the mishandling of chemicals, I am just saying that I don't know if I have problems waiting for me later on, but as of now, I am okay. Having said that, I do wear latex or nitrile gloves now when working with most liquids that are known to be harmful. As I am on the slippery side of the slope of life, I don't want to speed up that slide.

I too chose not to view the video. Kids need to be taught at an early age safety. I taught mine about workshop safety for my basement shop. If I was using power tool do not come in and don't sneak up on me or startle me. WAIT til I am done. I always unplugged everything too. Jim

The decals vinylguy (terry) made me look absolutely amazing. Here's a few.

Didn't GT's use a longer frame plow, or did I just make that up You are making me feel like I'm neglecting mine, it's sat snug on the trailer out of the way for a while. No doubt sulking with me because I'm spending so much time in the workshop with my other woman

Work in progress! Have replaced the sloppy steering box to a much stronger (and bigger..) Ross gear from a bigger Volvo BM tractor. Much work was needed to be able to get it into place... Cut down the housing and it's attachments, steering shaft, gear shaft, pivot arm, shorten and bend the drag link etc. but it now seems to work ok! In this picture you also see the hydraulic pump, tank and motor i've mounted under the tractor. Hope this also will work out ok... Bought an old front end loader but it were in pretty bad shape and also needed to be rebuilt. Cut down the frame and bucket to suit the wheel horse width better.

When my dog doesn't dig them up they grow quite well here in Northern Ohio. My sister had one about the size of a football last year, it weighed 5 lbs. If I can find the picture of it at my moms I will post it. I'm with you Kennedy, I had to fence in my garden to keep the dogs out - digging, pooping and trampling had to be controlled. It doesn't help that while tecnically he is a dog, when most people first see him they think he is a horse.

Heres a shot of mine. GT14 with 16 hp. It has the independent three point so that means I can operate the loader, use the mid lift grader blade along with a rear back blade.

Since I have sold most of my Horses I still have what I have been using the last couple years. As you can see I don't really have a problem moving snow off my driveway and parking area.

Throw in the B's too... my Kwik Way came off the 520 and went onto a B80 with no changes to bolt positions or anything.... About twenty minutes and it was loosely on the tractor and only needed to be tightened up. Tony