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Stevebo gave me a call that his cousin Toddbo was looking to sell his Commando 8. I really didn't know where this tractor would fit in with my collection but after thinking about it over night I decided to grab it. Besides it was only a two mile trip to Toddbo's place to pick it up! I decided to part ways with my 657 wood hauler. The Commando 8 has factory lights and a charging system with a battery, something the 657 lacked. Though the factory lights aren't the brightest they'll do when I need to clear snow at night with it. No need to light up the neighbor hood, just a few feet in front of me will do the trick. I'm only going to throw a new seat at it and call it done.

After a few months of tinkering I was finally able to hitch up my rebuilt tiller to my trusty 310-8 today, worked great! Special thanks to Kelly for the dial-a-height and Dennist for the hitch, pulley, and input shaft. Tillers seem to be a bit rare in Missouri so I had to convert a RT-366 to work with the newer style tractor (hence the hitch, and input shaft). Can't believe how well these tillers work! Now that everything is in working order it will get tore down once more for a fresh coat of paint!

Yikes!! That's not what I was thinking you were doing at all!

Pull off the air filter so you can see Carb Throat. Have a can of carb cleaner or (gas in squirt can ready). Then start up engine run it till it starts to die then squirt carb cleaner or gas in the carb throat, If it try's to run then it is most likely lack of fuel ie: (Fuel System Problem). If it dies right out then it is most likely (Electrical Problem). Doing it this way is your cheapest systematic start, as your not just replacing parts. You will also know which direction to go, then follow every ones trouble shooting suggestions that are mentioned. ~Duke

I just bought this tractor earlier this week. It was said to have a bad motor , major leaking, and needed a rebuild. The deck was just rebuilt 2 years ago with all new spindles , paint, blades , and reinforced. I have since fixed the leaking and have her runnin really well for the most part. Just a little miss when revving up to different RPMS. I got the engine back in today and presher washed the tractor. All gauges work and the hydro seams strong as well. Im looking forward to using this beast. It was garage kept all its life except for this winter because the PO bought a zero turn and had no room in the garage. I am glad he sold it , instead of leaving it rust away. Its safe to say I got an awsome deal considering the shape shes in and the engine now runs. What do you guys think... Sent from my Event using Tapatalk

well as we all know the winter has been long and cold, so buying stuff has been limited for me, but now with the weather warming a little (it was 23 deg today) and snow melting, I'm getting calls from people wanting to sell stuff, this is a deal I picked up today, nothing great but still a good deal. Tractor needs a head gasket that is why the PO stopped using it, it has been spray bombed but don't look to bad from 5 feet, deck has been patched, but works. I havent ran the numbers yet but I know it's a 76 or 77 B-80 8 speed with 36" deck. This was the bonus part getting a box of goodies, blades, chains, PTO parts, deck parts, and more, a very nice homemade set of weights about 75lbs each, extra set of ag tires, weathered but good tread, the orig. rear tires and wheels and a mid grader, that we found digging stuff out of the barn. All in all a good deal, even though it was COLD and windy out.

C-125 brought some logs from my wood store today.

I'm not sure I would touch any of the things you mentioned unless you are having a problem. I'd have a good look at everything while it is apart, and do a thorough cleaning of the cooling fins, but that's about it. I would fit new valve stem seals on the inlets while putting it back together. Not sure what you mean by the gasket on the oil cooler? Do you mean the filter? If its not leaking now, and the bolts are tight, I would leave it alone. The 2 piece intake manifolds can leak, but if your engine is running well then I probably wouldn't screw with it. Martin has described how he did his in one of his threads. I've never had to buy a carb kit for an Onan. I have always managed to remove the top, clean out the bowl and blow through the jets without destroying any of the gaskets. Mind you I have never had a major carb problem either, if your motor is running OK now, I wouldn't get too carried away.

Nice plows, both of 'em! I used a plow with my slot / sleeve hitch years ago. Worked like a charm!

Heck, I'd be happy with" What are you using to clean the yard" thread

So I got home tonight and fired up the 520 to run it some..... and maybe just to play a little I only ran it for a few minutes yesterday because of my nieces Birthday party. Today it ran much better. No more miss at all. It was missing and would puff a little ploom of smoke when it would hiccup. It must of been the old gas. I drained the fuel and put non ethanol gas in it yesterday. It must have worked its way through. Now shes purrs. The planets must have lined up in a row today. My girlfriend said can I drive..... "me" ofcoarse you can.... "her" I dont like this leaver to make it go, I want a gas pedal. Do they make a tractor like that? ..... "me" Well its funny you say that .... There is a kit you can buy just for that, its only $200. lol Its really hard not to get some seat time on it but I must be patient I guess and pull the heads and adjust the valves. Thanks again guys. Great group here. I am a member of other forums and it can get pretty high school. Kyle

Yikes !! is right. Here is how I hooked up a slot hitch on my 12 /8 spd. I bought 2 5/16" yoke ends from TSC. Then I went to Lowes and bought some cable, crimp ends and cut loose and bought the crimp tool. I crimped on an end ran it through the rear yoke and then through the tube. Slid on the front yoke figured out how long it had to be and crimped that one. Secured the yokes to the hitch and lift with clevis pins and clips.

Here are a few more pics of assembly. Since I was going for that Big Tractor look, I had to put an exhaust stack on it as well. Just for a size comparison, I took a couple pics of the 444 next to my C-160. Matt

Im still watering my garden

Live by the 3...die by the 3.

One more for Regal Red. I found that it took a little while to harden up for me. Wish I had been a little more patient. Don't look too close.

the 875 is a great little tractor. i picked one up a couple years ago. it now belongs to my son, Kent. we spent some time doing a full rebuild on it just recently..... heres how it looks now..... heres the thread on it and a little about when i first picked it up...... got any pics for us?

If there is a guy out there that will put a front blade on his Senior when it snows for a little fun, its the Duke.....

Sorry, too far from the show to make it. Here is a picture of just one shelf of "stuff" the other side of the shed has a larger shelf that is also filled up. I also have shelves full of parts and engines in my shop.

been trying to get a tractor of mine ready for its first plow days but having trouble trying to figure out how to get the cable hooked up reliably. I used eyelets to run the cable through then put clamps on the cables but first the clamps kept slipping then the eyelets bent. not sure of a way to sturdy it up. if someone could help me out with some ideas and/or pictures of how others do it it would be greatly appreciated. thanks

I used to really like Van Sickle brand myself, very good paint I thought. They offered paint by the gallon or quart and hardener. Add that hardener, mix and run through a gun and you were golden.

I almost forgot. Here is a more recent video of it. Thanks Matt

Thanks for the encouragement Mike. I would love to have an FEL for this tractor! With their true hydraulic drive, it would be perfect for it. A guy can dream, and maybe someday. Thanks Jake, its been a fun refurb. While I would love to have a 226, 446, or 448 with their twin cylinder Onan engines, I've always been really partial to the old Kohler Thumpers. Matt

I'm currently working on a weight bracket for the front of this beast, as its to light with the tiller on the back. Can you say Wheeeelie?! So I picked up 5 suite case weights that weigh 22lbs each, and using the old mule drive bracket for the mower deck, I built a bracket to hold them. I used alot of 1/2 steel plate that I have laying around to build this bracket, and the bracket weighs 45lbs all by itself. So, I'll have over 150lbs on the front. I've had to do some grinding on the weights as they were cut out of 2" plate, and they weren't real precise, but all thats left to do now is paint them. I'm also working on the Brinly which is very rusty, so I have it soaking in my e-tank. Its going to have alot of rust pits, but thats ok, as I intend to use it. It will look presentable when done. Here are a few more pics, and this brings us up to date. Thanks Matt

That is a sweet case Matt, you did a great job on the resto! I am going to have to find me another one this year. Almost bought a really nice 226 this weekend, but it was gone by the time I called.

Great job Matt! My grandad had a lot of Case construction equipment. Over the years I have operated and repaired a lot of their construction machinery. To this day I have not operated a dozer I liked better than the hydro- static 1450. Somewhere size wise to an old D7 I love my Horses but sure got a soft spot for Case. That tractor will be a great worker. Love to have one with a FEL. Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

Well Andy, compared to my last WH acquisition/project , that one is in good nick!. the 6 x12"s are from the Workhorse 700 Model (called a Commando 7 by Belgium). Edit - P.S. that Drive Belt should last at least 5 mins .....and how small is that Muffler outlet?.

Update again.....Since it was a little too cold outside to bag all the deprie that my wife had raked up..Cold is not a factor for me, wife said it was too cold for her..So, I decided to dive into de-winterizing the "XI", and make it even more spring ready...So, chains are off and hung up..BTW, no need for oiling them or sparying them down, they were brand new last year.....<LOL that is just a litte jab regarding the thread about preparing chains for storage...Those of you who were on it will understand... Continuing on, dropped the snow blower, then placed it on the dolly. Now it is ready for a good cleaning when I see a nice sunny day in the forecast. Did a once over on the xi, gave all the zerts some grease, and called it a day...I know, I have to post photos..Coming...

2 Carlisle 23x8.5-12 tru power ag tires with new valve stems. Cost $199.00

I am having trouble posting pics but here is the story of how I got the 875. In 1970 my parents moved out to a semi-rural area and our new neighbor had a Wheel Horse tractor that he used too mow and plow snow and I thought it was the coolest thing. He passed away and the family that moved in got the tractor with the house. The daughter got married and took the tractor with her when she left. Last week I was talking to the son, who still lives there, and he was telling me his sister was moving out of state and she was leaving everything behind and he had to get it out before the new owner took over and he mentioned she still had the Wheel Horse and he was going to scrap it with all the other stuff she left. I told him I would help load stuff up if I could have the tractor and that was fine by him, so for a sore back and a tank of gas I have the tractor I first saw when I was 12 years old.

Kelly! That B-80 and grader blade sure would look spiffy sitting in the back of my F-150, dontcha think??

OK....Michigan is not overrated... Anyway...the Big Ten has 3 teams in the SWEET SIXTEEN...

You may be able to find someone with a lathe or mill to cut it out cheaper than buying the cutters.

This whole end of town on Main St. is a very historical place. These buildings are from the early to mid 1800's. In the picture below, the store front on the left with the bench in front and the flames coming through the front was Miller Lawn and Garden, the dealer that sold Wheel Horse tractors from it's beginning till shortly before Wheel Horse folded. They had some old Wheel Horse memorabilia in the store as well. I remember one of those red folding "director" style chairs and they once showed me what I believe was probably a one of a kind Wheel Horse pocket knife display in a lock box showcase that had only one knife missing that had been sold long ago. I tried to buy it from them but she wanted to get an appraisal first and I never followed up to see if she had a price. Sadly I'm sure it was destroyed unless she sold it to someone prior to this fire. I wish I had asked to take a picture of them. I had often wanted to write a story about their dealership for Redsquare but never got around to asking them about it. I hope they reopen their store somewhere in town to keep their history in the village alive.

Picture of mine and its different then yours. Then there is the other one, just post here that was for sale out east and its different than either of these. Cant hardly believe there were that many different one for the walkers

Added a few vent holes to help cool the rear cylinder. May also be my heater when I get the cab built.

glad you can till as we are still blowing snow

Will this help? Garry

I have the same tractor in excellent shape with only 280 hours on the clock. She runs really strong. I recently took off all the "extra" sliding hardware under the seat and installed a new lower seat on just the "c" springs and the ride is much better with a lower center of gravity. Now you just need to change your avitar....

Slammer- pull the battery & lower dash panel to gain access to the wiring. Look at the harness closely around the steering shaft ... that's where my 314-8 was rubbing at You may want to get a new ign switch plug harness as well...

Rustoleum Regal Red on mine too. Its not a bad paint but it does not compare to Automotive. I have not had a drying problem, but I find it will chip easy enough if not careful. I use spray cans and quarts shot on with a gun for the bigger pieces.

Regal Red. Easy to work with, I use the rattle cans. Sometimes I coat with clear crystal after the Rustoleum Regal Red has dried for a few days..or longer. Foot rests get skateboard heavy duty grip tape. Great stuff!

REGAL RED

Just bought my 1st wheel horse. I seem to like all tractors so it could be any of these this winter!!

Here's my list with Pics... SHOW

All dressed up in her winter clothes.

Had planned on using the C-120 earlier this winter, but just now got it set up the way I wanted it. Tonight was it's first workout in the snow and It did pretty well. Google decided my picture needed some animation, and I have to say I agree...

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

Not quite "got duels", more like "had duels" since changed for larger single tires. Handy for extra traction when taking off

Wow, some great stories there guys. Thank you for sharing No family related story here though, my folks have never had a garden big enough to get a ride on mower of any kind My Wheel Horse story starts around about 7 years ago when i moved into a rented place with my girlfriend at the time. Our landlord lived next door on a very small farm, but there stuck in the orchard was this poor little WH Raider (unknown engine size) looking sorry for it's self with 4 flat tires that had well and truly sunken into the mud. Try as i might the landlord would not sell it to me, truth be known i didnt have a garden big enough at the time anyway. Fast forward quite a few years and i had moved to a much bigger rented place with a big garden and space for a workshop and no girlfriend to moan at me Strange as it seems it was my new girlfriend (now my wife ) that encouraged me to buy my first WH that i spotted on ebay an old commando 8 with a non original and non installed 8hp Briggs lump. At the time i had spent a few years running Westwoods for grass cutting dutys and it struck me have bad a build quality the Westwood was compared to the WH. Step in WH number 2 the 1974 Raider 10 i bought from a local (very very local ) agricultral auction for grass cutting dutys Instead of putting it to use as intended, i pulled it apart for a rebuild that lasted a lot longer than i ever though it would do During that time my old westwood's cutting deck decided that it had had enough of cutting grass and spat its spindle bearings out Having no grass cutting machine prompted a look on ebay to find a suitable machine that would handle my abuse, and thus WH number 3 (the 312-8) found its way home It was somewhere at this point in time that WH number 1 was sold due to lack of space in my workshack as i have started calling it To cut a long story slightly shorter a 1971 Raider 10 followed me home after rescuing it from a life of rusting in some woods and a 314-8 has also been bought after what felt like an epic journey to collect it Hhhmm, I seam to of lost track of what this thread was about Oh yes, that was it.. Why do we collect these tractors? For me its the build quality, strength, and the wonderful sound a Kohler engine makes when working hard :D