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So nice to have this club/site. Still using my 1996 314-H. In the late 80’s I worked in the Wheelhorse offices/factory in South Bend. Didn’t work for them but for the finance company Borg Warner Acceptance Co. our office was in their facility and we financed / Floorplanned all there dealers. I had all dealers in the NE PA up through Maine. Remember walking the assembly line etc. John Munn was running the company at that time. Knew most everyone in the offices. Solid people! PA had some big dealers. Only after moving to TN in 1989 I purchased my tractor as I knew Toro was going to eliminate the old quality stuff. The last National Lawn and Garden show I attended in Louisville Toro had 4 or 5 of the “real” Wheelhorse units there but they were stuffed in the corner. You could tell they didn’t want them front and center. So, I went to the local TN dealer and ordered one before it was too late. Recall the dealer asking me why I wanted a 314-H just to cut grass. My answer was because I never wanted to buy another tractor. This to date is true! I’m in Ohio and gave the yard one last cut today and put the old girl away until spring. Have only posted once when I joined a number of years ago but wanted to share my story and love for my tractor. She’s a great machine! Thanks for allowing such a long message. Mike

Today would have been @BOB ELLISON's 77th birthday. Gone too soon!

I've mentioned it a few times before I did get to tour the Wheel Horse plant back when they were still building the square hoods. I only wish I had some pictures but, of course, that was before the cell phone thing. One of the things that stood out was their paint line. I don't have a clue as to how they even managed a decent paint job. Ironically, some years later after the Toro thing and them moving to Minnesota the plant was empty and for sale. A large South Bend contractor was considering it but backed down. There was a tremendous amount of red paint residue on the ground behind the building where apparently the air handlers discharged it. They weren't allowing any testing to be done prior to the sale and any ground contamination was to be the buyers responsibility. The potential of 10's of thousands in costs. Some years later I was walking through the Studebaker Museum when it was at the old Sears building downtown. I was there as a contractor and laying out a fire alarm system and that allowed me on the upper floors where the public couldn't go. Somewhere along the way I spotted some red things covered in plastic. Of course I inquired and we went over to look at them. Yup, the Wheel Horses intended to be on display. They came from the Wheel Horse plant when Toro moved them but never put on display. Again, no cell phone picture taker thingy. Fast forward to 2022. I took my Grandson to the new Studebaker Museum, now on Chapin Street. I had heard rumors that they had the Wheel Horses on display. I thought we had seen everything but then I saw a door leading to a basement. Open to the public of course I went down. Obviously from the other items down there it was for the things that they didn't think would attract the most attention. Sure enough. They were poorly tagged and there were errors. Also it wasn't all the tractors I saw in the old building. I was disappointed and contacted the Museum. I volunteered my assistance to basically bring the display up to the standards they deserve as part of South Bends history. Their curator at the time, Ken Slater, emailed me back and said they were in the middle of some higher priority projects but when they get to the tractors they might take me up on my offer. That was the last I heard from him. Something I hear quite often and wholeheartedly disagree with is when was the last of the 'good ones' built. The most common I hear is mid to late 90's. Not so. It was 2007. Period. I currently have five tractors from 1964 to 2005. The best way I can put it that if I strip down to the chassis my 1976 that I purchased new and my 2005 purchased in 2009 there is no difference in quality. Sure there are things that the 76 holds over the 05 but it comes to lesser items like sheet metal and some minor stuff.......kinda like everything else in this world. But not where it counts. Don't get me wrong now. I would still prefer the 76 but Toro actually did us collectors a major favor by keeping the same basic machine as long as they did. I'm running a 1970's 48" deck I purchased new to on the 05 and have been for several years. That interchangeability alone amazes some people. Four of the five tractors I currently have are Kohler K's and I love them. The 05 is a Kohler Command. I won't live long enough to verify longevity but in smoothness the Command beats the snot out of the K's. Now, let's not even discuss the electrical systems. But that's not Toros fault. From the very first day I looked at the 2005 schematic I knew the day would come when I had an electrical issue. I also knew that I would enjoy removing 100% of it and starting from scratch. So far that hasn't been needed. I've just ummmmm.......tweaked...... ummmmm no, improved a few of the things I didn't like.

I live a scant 9 miles north of Mecca....error I mean the Wheel Horse factory ..lol I own old man Chandler's personal Wheel Horse which I got from his daughter some years ago. For those who don't know. Chandler was the first wheel horse dealership. They built the horses out back and sold them up front. (corner of Auten Rd. & 933 S. before moving to their Ireland Rd. location in South Bend) I will never forget going there in early 60's with my dad. If he mentioned Chandler's? I was already sitting on the front seat of our 63 t-bird. Funny how I can remember dad, the T-bird, Chandler's, (building still there), but don't know what I had to eat for breakfast yesterday.

I recently got the bug to get an older lawn tractor so I started watching FB Marketplace. After dealing with a lot of scammers I finally came across a 1966 656 Wheel Horse that showed up Friday and was only 27 miles from me. This one turned out to not be a scam and after looking at it I decided to go ahead and buy it. I'm the third owner, the 2nd owner bought it from an estate sale of the original owner. He sat on it for about four years and then decided he didn't have time and now it's my turn. What I've discovered so far is the engine seems to be good, although there is a good chance I'll have to replace the carburetor. The rear axle seals are weeping a bit and the pull starter needs a new spring at a minimum. I'm not sure what my plans are just yet. I'm waffling on doing a quick rebuild so I can use it or do a full blown tear down and rebuild. It still has the original (although rotted) Wheel Horse tires on it and other than the mower deck the tractor is structurally sound. I would like to rebuild the mower deck and am currently thinking that the top section could be cut out and a new panel welded in place. I need to ponder that for a while. Brad

Hi all. Me and Mrs.W are at Manchester Airport hotel ready to fly out to Australia in the morning. Longest trip I've ever been on with plenty of seat time in a tin tube at 36,000 feet. We are off the Perth to watch the first Test match in this Ashes cricket series. Experience of a lifetime as when we have watched the game we fly to Brisbane to see Sandra's brother for a week on the sunshine coast. Im looking forward to seeing things for the first time, koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras etc. Bet it's a great place to play scrabble. Ill update you as we go, Qatar first stop for a refuel and leg stretch. Then on to Perth 14 hours later.

Dropped a big-un today (if 60+ feet is big?)… cut up, hauled outa the woods and already picked up and hauled away. Also cut up a tree that came down 6 weeks ago in a wind storm.

@WheelHorse_Kid and I have been working on getting stuff squared away for winter. Had these 5 out of the garage so decided to snap a photo.

Here's my leaf removal machine.

Great introduction. We can all imagine walking the line at the Wheel Horse factory, but you actually did it. If you have some stories or renaissances about the factory we would love to hear them, To the rest of the throw-away society a 1996 garden tractor would seem soooooooooooo old but to us it is the latest and greatest. The 300 series is about as good as it gets, built tough, no plastic hoods and fenders, Kohler for power and will outlive me in all likelihood.

How many hours on the machine? If it has high hours the cam and plate under the seat may be worn. This will cause erratic operation. Had it happen on my GT1800. Replacing the cam and plate fixed it. Also check the heim joints on the linkage for play and replace if needed.

Ran another tank and a half of gas through the leaf blower blowing the rest of the leaves off of the lake front property. Too windy to burn today. Tomorrow is supposed to be calmer. Got a pile of leaves about 4' tall and 40' long. My inner 8, 9, 10 year old says that would be great fun to jump into. The current almost 70 year old inner me replied 'DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT'!

Also, Toro is not a four letter word by any means. (not your words Bob) Their high end stuff and commercial machines are all over golf courses. Lots kick them down, but they shelled out the bucks for WH and put their name on them....figure if I spent that kind of $ I would too. I think back about the times I looked at new WH machines. My goodness, raising kids and living the dream left little money for cutting grass equipment. Hard to believe so many sold for the prices they ask. (worth every penny) I started out used and I am still running used. Go figure.

Good of you to remind us of the ones that have left us. Too often in the midst of the hassle of life they are soon forgotten.

My transmission on a 314H was jerking me badly when I went into reverse or forward. Come to find out it was a bolt underneath the unit that had come loose. After tightening it is as good as new. I may not be understanding your issue exactly but thought I’d toss that out.

Well we found out was causing the problem and got the tranny put back together for the third time and put it in the tractor again and now it works and is a lot slower in low gear. I've also got 100 pounds total weight per wheel plus my 135-140 pounds and limited slip and chains I shouldn't be spinning very much this winter.

I picked up an 8' pickup bed full of 16"-20" Oak rounds that were FREE from a local neighbor. I need to go back and get 3 or 4 more to clean up what they had. Sure made my 1995 F250 ride nice coming home!

I used the larger of these step bits to recess the hole from the back a little. Gave just enough for the threads to stick through. The next step up from the original size run through about 1/2 way should give what you need. https://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-96275.html

While Christmas shopping with my wife one year I snuck out a S.B.D. just as we were checking out. Told my wife that I was gonna go warm the car up and left her standing there with it. She said the checker was giving her dirty looks the whole time.

Today’s wood hauling rig. GT-1600/8 speed with a Kohler Mag 14 replacement under the hood.

Only ever spoke with Bob once, but It was a delightful 40 minutes! The knowledge that he had and was willing to share made my day.

1963 753

Called yard art.

@mae thanks for the post and your thoughts. I would say we all enjoy the history of these fine tractors. Would’ve been cool to have a walk-through with the assembly line and watching them being put together. At least we have a lot of information with manuals and other literature to look at every day. After all these years of being here, I still find something new to look at. If you can’t find it in the manual section it doesn’t exist. Enjoy your day.

She hates the cold. Before we met she was stationed at the Navy bases in Jacksonville, FL & San Diego CA so winters here in the snow belt are tough for her to endure.

My 520-H did that in reverse when I got it. As Bill said above worn cam and cam plate. The cam had a groove worn in it and would hang up, using enough force to move it put it way too far in the other direction. Mine would go wide open in reverse, the only way to stop it was hit the brake. new cam and cam plate, I also added new 1/4" stainless steel heims j

Got them washed up and parked in the barn for winter, still need to get the snow blower on one sometime.

...then give it a bath and lube job. That kind of dirt build up can wear away pivot points quickly not to mention plugging cooling fins. Remove the fender pan and clean thoroughly. Inspect & adjust per the manual. Cleanliness goes double for hydros.

Check the cam plate and linkage under the seat.

At least the ad didn't say "Ran when parked"

Wondering for those who used the Massey Ferguson ignition switch’s for a replacement for the 2 prong on off switch’s, did you have to modify dash housing for the stem to be long enough ?

Welcome. What she’s wearing now is the kind she came with so they might be “original." If you look at the many “tire” posts on this site, you’ll discover a wide variety of tire preferences. For example, I personally prefer the Firestone and Silvertown “All Purpose” 6-12’s on the rear and the now-Carlisle “Sawtooth” on the front--these were “factory” in the early 60’s. Bottom line: it’s your tractor so it oughta reflect your goals. I agree with @ri702bill that repairing a deck shell as damaged as that one will be a lot of work and may not even be successful. Transferring the usable parts likely will be easier (start now dosing fasteners with penetrant 😁). My 36” gear deck is built from the best parts from three decks. Also, assuming you decide to actually run it as a mower, you’ll be looking for blades with a little more life in them. Keep us posted--with pictures!

Not sure that the others would agree with this Great story, thank you for sharing.

This would be great, except our “machine” seems to be more of a depositor!

Remember please, gents, the OP is a member with very, very little mechanical experience.

A 1976 C-120 is a great tractor every thing you need and nothing you don't. Easy to work on also easy to change implements. We like pictures post some up when you get it.

Not plowable. But pretty...

I feel her pain. The older I get, the less tolerance for cold.

Relax! It’s National Fast Food Day. Know what that means for you? An easy peasy dinnertime. Whether you prefer burgers or chicken, salad or tacos, fries or biscuits, sodas or coffee, fast food options have come to encompass nearly any American food your belly can crave. Plus, studies have shown that fast food can be even healthier than other restaurants’: Fast food adds an average of 10 milligrams of cholesterol compared to 58 — and 297 milligrams of sodium compared to 412.

And that is exactly why my interest lies with early to mid 1960's Round Hoods, except for the C81's that "followed me home". Thanks for sharing the story. And

The lights are a bit low but I used the mounting for what was a previous light mount. Despite that its still a huge improvement. Overall for $24 it works. There's no reflection or none that I notice or that bothers me back with the blade up since the finish on the blade is dull & weathered. Since its just tractor lighting Im not spending more $$ than I paid for tractor trying to get the optimal lighting on the Kelvin Scale. Now...on the Beechcraft thats a different story. Upgraded all lighting to led Whelen products & it definitely cost me a lot!

Thanks for the story. We would love to hear more about anything in the factory I’m in central Texas. Best I can tell there were some WH dealer in East Texas and far NE Texas. Also seems like there were some Louisiana dealers. Maybe the used tractors to sein crawfish from the bayous. If you have any info about dealers this far South I would enjoy hearing it

Yep. I was having the same thought while I was working the leaves alone today. And when I was taking the dock out of the lake, alone a month ago. Then again, the bright side is that I can still do work like that.

I spent a year at UCLA. ...Ugliest Corner of Lower Alabama. Ft. Rucker during my time. All those holes remind me of the holes that armadillos would make EVERYWHERE. I never had to aerate my lawn!

Spent a few days at the farm this past week. We had the water ways restored (removed junk trees and brush) that had grown up since dad died nearly thirty years ago. We had a couple of perfectly calm days and decided to tackle burning some of the twenty brush piles. We burned nine of them. We had the disk behind the tractor in the event we needed to break open some ground if the fires spread--which they didn't. My brother had already chisel plowed and disk in anticipation of burning. About 80% of the piles was consumed. We will deal with the left over root balls later. Also finished cleaning the fence rows. Each year, the farmable land was getting smaller because the encroaching brush. Now we can mow within a couple of the fence. That's a time consuming and rough job-for a couple of 70 plus year old brothers.

Could that lurching also be caused by a worn hub key way? Take a marker or chalk and draw lines on the hubs and axle faces, go in reverse and stop before going forward again. Look at the lines. Go forward and stop, look at the lines. If the line doesn't stay true the entire time there is an issue with hub(s) That could explain the reverse hesitation and if it popped up in forward after being in reverse.

Yes, the seat and the fender pan in order to give the hydro unit cooling fins a proper cleaning. Compressed air works best. Adjusting the cam plate for the motion control should be in our manuals section. As soon I posted this so did @gwest_ca !

Hi @Keith Cochrane, the 1978-79 C-Series and the 1986-87 400 Series with the twin cylinder Kohler engines and some of my favorite.