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Hey all. I signed up back in March 2018, when I bought my first Horse, a 2001 314-8, but haven't posted until now. My grandfather had Wheel Horses forever, and I mowed with his as a kid. Bought it for nostalgic reasons, turned out to be a great help. Good machine. Love the gears. I then immediately found a 1989 414-8 that I was going to use for parts, but it ran good and the tin is too nice to tear apart, so it sits idly by in the corner of my garage waiting for its future to unfold. Last weekend I bought a 1991 520H because, well, many of the members hold them in high regard and I wanted to try one out. I also want to get a 60" deck, which the others wont handle without steering/axle mods. All my Horses will be workers (mowing for sure), but I'd like to make them as nice as I can while they earn their keep. I appreciate the content of this site, and look forward to learning all the tips and tricks to keep these classics alive and well. -Scott

My luck has been pretty good lately with Wheel Horse finds. Picked up a 312-8/plow a couple months ago that I serviced and sent on its way. Next came my 418-C, which i am totally keeping for the foreseeable future. This past Saturday i awake and pick up my phone to find a new Craigslist alert email. Less than an hour after it was posted, I was reading the ad for a 1984 GT-1600. Cliffnotes of the ad body were "Parked 3 years ago when my son-in-law lost interest in it", "Runs if you pour gas down the carb" and "sorry its a bit dusty". The few pictures in the ad indicated that it was no longer grey, but now red. A bit of a bummer in my eyes as i used to own a Work Horse and loved the odd coloring. The best part is that it featured a plow and rear wheel horse wheel weights. For 300 bucks with those accessories, how could i go wrong?! I happened to be the first to call at around 8am. About an hour and a half later, it was on my trailer on its way home. The guy couldnt believe the interest he had in it. He said he fielded another 5 callers after me! Its in great shape and appears to have very low hours. The drive belt looks great and the 10yr old battery even holds a charge. The paint job actually looks quite good. Someone masked the stickers carefully prior to painting. Got her rolled into the garage and apart in no time. With something like this that hasnt run in years, my first stop is the carb, but this time started at the fuel pump. The insides of the fuel pump on the carb had seen better days, so we went and picked up a rebuild kit for it. Got that back together and cracked open the carb to find some ugliness at the bottom of the bowl. I removed the idle jet screw and cleaned it out with carb clean and compressed air. "Hey Matt, have you seen the idle screw? It should be next to the screw spring, which is right here!". As luck would have it, I misplaced the screw and had to order a new one. In the meantime, i found the petcock to be clogged and the grommet leaked, so i have one of those on order as well after spilling about a gallon of gas on the floor. Saw that the shift boot was cracked, so ponied up for a new one of those too. I expect those parts later this week. I am not sure what my plans are for this one. Its a perfect time to sell it as it is snow season, but i really like it! It should be a very capable machine with that big 16hp twin in it. It would be kind of neat to see how it does next to the hydro tractor at next years tractorpalooza event! And its always good to have a spare on hand should something go wrong with the main steed. Only have one picture of it so far, but will post more as the project moves along.

Hello Joe and 1st thing we would have you do is give it a little bath and see if you can spot where it is leaking. If you don't have a pressure washer perhaps a nearby self serve car wash that does? Check around the hydraulic filter located at the rear to the left of the fuel tank make sure it's tight and the proper one. Just in front of the filter are some hydraulic lines and fitting check those as well. Use a bright flashlight and look for signs of fresh oil. You may want to remove the seat pan/fenders to aid in cleaning and leak checking. A 9/16 wrench/socket and four bolts is all it takes for removal. Under the seat pan you will see some linkage and the finned hydro pump and fan. Make sure those fins are clean and things are not packed with grass clippings and dirt. Right on top of that pump is the motion control linkage. You will most likely have to clean that and readjust to solve your motion problem. The adjustment procedure will be in the manual or ask if any questions. Others will be along to welcome you and offer tips.

This morning’s breakfast is venison burger scrambled eggs! And bottomless coffee, of course!

I bought my first at the Florida Flywheeler Show a few decades ago while I lived in FL. Western NC is also somewhat of a " Desert" though I have been able to snag a couple here. Most of my herd had to be rustled from NY, PA and OH.

to , here's a pictorial of what you probably have going on...besides the nasty mess of rotting grass dust and chaffe, the rubber fuel line was hardened and rotting away from ethanol deterioration, Good luck, try searching "Good Friday 520" for more info, Jeff.

finally getting back on this project I'll see what I can do with this hood

The C120 will have the gas tank under the hood right behind your dash. The C121 will have the gas tank under the seat, rear fender pan. Also the 121 will have the battery now behind the dash. The 121 is the beginning of the final design of Wheel Horse. All that will change from there on out is hood, dash, rear fender pan. Some minor stuff to but the foundation will be the same until the tractor was discontinued by Toro.

Original 1045 I’m trying to resseruct . My plan is to keep it as original as possible . I have the proper tires and a non painted oem dash for it . However the rims I will send off to get coated as there betting bringing back .

Here's a pic of the 314-8 pulling a 63" Agri-Fab finish mower that I use in TN. The 520H will have a similar chore. No pics of that yet.

“HANDS UP AND STEP AWAY FROM THE WELDER” I am not the greatest welder but good grief people. I tried disassembly of the gt14 rototiller I got with “Rusty” the gt14. Someone had “welded” angle iron to the main frame and I couldn’t get it apart without cutting them off. Not to mention everything is rusted together and the gearbox is shot. The bearings wore out and the shaft ate into the housing. So scrap one gt14 rototiller! I did keep the three point mount and brackets for a rear blade I can make. Also the mid mount I bought must have been welded by Ray Charles fabricating. Half a C clamp welded to a pivoting bracket with a crank handle and u-joint hooked to the c-clamp. Some people. Good idea but poor excecution. Had to cut all that off and now have to cut off the plate they welded on to make it pivot(so you can grade a ditch at a angle I guess). Got a good deal but I’m having to work for it.👍

Yes especially with what you have, a RD (rear discharge) deck. Many of us like to do a full fluid & filter change on a new to us tractor. Then we know we have the proper filter/oil type as well. Gives you a baseline for future regular changes.

Just the wheel weights alone are a good score

That would be Lions Pride Mike. Loins Pride doesn't make much cents . Why did HP make these little keys so close together?

Hello all, I recently acquired a "new" B-115, and with the help of @ohiofarmer, I will be fixing her up, first with a engine he is trading me for my old Kohler engine off my '77 B-80 that I trashed when I was 13. I haven't been in the Wheel horse game long, as I am 16 now, I hopefully will be able to keep this project updated on here, especially in the spring when I will be completely repainting it! I am super excited for this project, and am ready for all the challenges that lay ahead with it. if you have any helpful information you are willing to share about my newly acquired project, please share! I haven't had tons of luck finding tons of information about it.

Wheel Horses aren't very common in FL for sure. The snow plowing and blowing needing a strong platform are just unnecessary here. Luckily a few have been smuggled in.

I don’t have as many as you, Mr 21 or 23 ........ my collection is maxed out.

Look out for this Ritchie character Hopper... he can be pretty sly so make sure yer horses are well guarded! He keeps telling us how rare are in FL but we know they are rare there because he has most of them! We have plenty up here so let us know we need to send a few your way ...sounds like you already got the fever! BTW keep an eye out for this 953nut guy too ...he treats me pretty good but the other fellas say he carries a thick Bible and will knock you over the noggin with it you tick him off with no !

Well I got a great deal on a predator 212 6.5 hp motor. I was not a fan of the briggs that was on my suburban it was to big to much stuff and didnt allow me to run the factory wheel horse fuel tank. So as I was unable to find the original motor I wanted something else. These motors have a huge aftermarket following too. I also am running a cintrfical gokart clutch and chain so all you need to do is incress rpm and it moves it will be better for my kid to run. It will still have a cover I'll need to make and they even make an electric start kit which my suburban had originally (I believe) either way it be cool

We used to have the little breakfast place in Algonquin, Illinois. It was named Lang's and it was hard to get a seat with all the phone and ComEd guys in there. Most were there for what Lang's called Garbage Potatoes....a stir fry with potatoes, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, cut up sausage links, pieces of ham, and chopped bacon. You could order eggs on the top and with wheat toast and a bottle of soy sauce...it was to die for...and a special bonus...you would taste it all day.

Real nice ! This is my 855 and I'm trying to keep it original!

The "SAMPLER" at the Lions Pride Restaurant in Red Lion, Pa. Two brown eggs over easy Well done home fries Two sausage links Two strips o bacon A small ham steak One home made biscuit Smothered in sausage gravy Endless coffee I order this once every three months. Always the Sunday following my quarterly check up with my cardiologist. How's the family Dave?

My son wanted a Dodge (any Dodge) when he got his license. Found him a 1997 Stratus and he was pleased as punch. Said "someday I want a Charger". Well he's 18 1/2 works his ass off at Georgina's banquet hall and goes to colllege full time--and earns good grades. So.... with Mikes ( @sparky ) help we picked up my sons new to him 2009 Charger SXT. Congrats to him he deserves it and thanks Mike!

Hi everyone I’m joe from Massachusetts and I’m a new proud owner of a 93 wheelhorse 520-h that i love but I knew when I bought it it leaked little oil from the back the guy said and he drove it around ran good I couldn’t drive it because it was me my 2 and 1 yr old seen it on the side of road. So long story short got a good deal but now I have it home runs awesome but it leaks oil from under the seat and goes in reverse slow real slow sometimes it will go fast then most of the time barely crawl in reverse so I’m not no mechanic I’d appreciate any help on what the problem could be please and thank u.

All this talk, got me thinking of Birds Nest Breakfast. I was a Scout Leader of various titles for many years and taught boys to make this large Dutch Oven style breakfast for cookig competitions. Start by browning 2 lbs if pork sausage in a Dutch Oven. Then add 1 or 2 lbs if potato strings and brown. Next add 12 to 18 eggs and scramble. For the final judges “presentation” touch cook 3 eggs over easy on top and there your birds nest. Feeds about 6-8 hungry boys

Here's a couple shots of the engine sitting in its degreaser tray in the cellar. We are spraying Zep Industrial Purple on it.

Well, the horse does stay in the garage, however the outside temp has been dropping into the 20’s. I’m guessing when I am running during the day we are usually above 32. So I guess my choice is going to run straight 30 for the motor, and from what I’ve been reading, the 80-90 for the trans. As for the question of snow here... 4500 feet elevation in the Sierra’s Last snow was about 2 feet, a little over a week ago. Next snow is coming in within 48 hours, up to 6 feet on the top of the peaks, not near so much here, but we still get it. Pic of the last storm here:

Thanks Kyle. Saved me the bother of explaining. WHX21 (Dan?) You must have been stationed at the posh end of the country.

The description sounds better than the actual name 😂 I love blood sausage.

hello Joe, I agree with whx21,on that fluid look around , that fluid leak is probably causing your reverse issue, with low fluid. you might even try some spray engine cleaner and a soft brush, then rinse it down. that oil leak could be pressure hose , from the way your unit is covered. you will have to clean it dry to find the source. the seat / fender removal is the best way to find your problem. mower deck looks a little grungy , probably just a good clean up, most important area is the underside. usually neglected and packed with rotting grass. hope you can scrape it down and remove all the dried grass build up, after that, I would penetrating oil spray it down and leave it upside down over winter to soak on the oil and kill off the grunge. if the deck is solid with no rot, consider yourself lucky, but your baseline, initial look see is vital to stop and preserve what you have . there will be more tips , good luck , pete

Good thread Mows... now I'm hungry too! Bfast is my favorite meal althought I seldom eat it. Mostly on weekends when things are a bit more relaxed. That said CB hash under a couple over easy, Americans or hash browns on the side. Biscuits/gravy and French toast with a lb of thick sliced pepper bacon for desert! OH and chicken fried steak! Black pudding doesn't sound good Norm...what's in it? When I was stationed on your side of the pond it was scones and the ever present tea!

I would go with 5 or 10w-30 for snow work and 80/90 in the tranny. An eight speed I am guessing? Hey wait... snow work in CA??

Now I’m hungry... Breakfast is the favorite meal of the day in this house, but I don’t eat in the mornings (health issues keep my stomach upset for the first few hours of being awake), so we usually have it for dinner. My all time favorite is as big as I can get Country Fried steak with gravy, Home fries or hash browns, crispy with gravy. 3-5 eggs, fried hard, with black coffee. “Gravy” (as it varies from region to region 😂) is white Country Gravy. My favorite in the terms of fondest would be Longs Donuts. Long’s is a local bakery here in Indianapolis. They have several locations, but the West side (16th and Lafayette Rd.) is the best, and the one we went to as a kid. We didn’t have much disposable income growing up, so it was few and far between and a big deal when we got Longs. Another mom and pop shop opened up(since closed) and we started going there because it was a bit closer. Dad would get a box of donut holes and a dozen assorted. We didn’t usually eat till dinner time when he did that.

I'm old school, this is what American Racing Wheels look like to me!

Mrs. K takes her Mother (94) shopping and for groceries and an early dinner every Thursday. So I am in charge of my own dinner which is usually my special refrigerator omelet. Anything in the fridge that is not covered with mold goes in the omelet.

That model is one of my favorites for sure. Can't wait to get one for myself. Will be waiting to see it in all its glory.

Ive always been a fan of steak and eggs with hash browns fried up fresh!

Note the hood hinge bracket used to clear the tall engine.

Well, I can keto some other time, I’m about to go eat a loaf of white bread on my way to the bakery to get cinnamon donuts. That’ll hold me over till I get to Ollie’s fire and eat some sticks to the ribs country breakfast!

She make good meatloaf??? Sounds good!

Hey Kyle, We have a place in Beaver Falls, PA named Orams Bakery. They make the best cinnamon doughnuts in the Pittsburgh area, and HUGE ones at that. Over 6" in diameter. We go there about once once a year and treat (gorge) ourselves on the pastries. It's a very popular place. In the summer time there is a line 100' down the block waiting for doughnuts. My wife and I were there once and we got the last four cinnamon doughnuts. We got stares from the people behind us that would have cut down a mere mortal man. We got into the old sedan and hightailed it out of town as fast as the four-cylinder turbo would haul us! Here is a photo of these puppies. They can only put six in a box and can't put a lid on them. They really are amazing. Cheers! Dave

From the sound of it you are well on your way to having a herd of . We do expect new members to show us their horses. Put it on your calendar, good times for any garden tractor collector. Their website is down right now or I would give you a link. https://www.facebook.com/thefloridaflywheelers/

No, never been. I met a guy in an airport that talked all about it though once upon a time. Sounded interesting, but haven't made it out there.

I have not yet spoken to this young man except for PM messages.. I have a 12.5 IC Briggs that needs some parts that we are already chasing down. By the size of the engine bay, it certainly looks possible. Logistics are my daughter living in Ann Arbor which is 40 minutes away from Carelton. She is three hours from me in beautiful "Deploraville" Ohio. I will get some pictures of the engine on here. She is coming home this weekend to return to Michigan on Monday. I hope all that goes well as they are predicting a possible big snow event down here Anyway, this young person is in High School and I am enthusiastic hoping we can help out. I have already had some replies about starters and an air cleaner housing for the engine. The engine ran strong till the starter failed about 2 years ago, so maybe some carb work and a new starter will sort it out. Anyway, that tractor looks nice and straight...Just look at that seat!

All the Work Horses in the 80's were gray. The red Work Horses were way earlier like the 700 and 800. I walked into Countywide Wheel Horse back in 85 and bought a new GT-1100 they had on display because the price was so right. Great tractor. It didn't come with any attachments but I had a spare 48" deck to put on it and it handled it like a dream.

Speak for yourself.

A nice chunk of sirloin, some eggs, hash browns, OJ, and coffee...... maybe a side of biscuits and gravy!

Well, being from Indiana, it would have to be sausage gravy and biscuits with hash browns and 2 eggs over easy..coffee please..

Or ones who know their wife will shoot them if they come home with another. It worked out in my favor in the end.😂😂😂😂

Biscuits and Gravy!!!