Tractor recommendation needed.

[JohnnyMac 43]

Hello all, I'm a rookie out here.This is my first post, so please go easy on me.

 

I am in search of a recommendation on what tractors I should be looking for.

 

I'm thinking of something small with a 36 or 42 inch deck just for mowing. A hydrostat transmission and I'd be ok with a manual lift deck. Nothing fancy needed.

 

I live in NH, mow about a 1/3  acre of mostly flat land.

To be truthful, probably mow about once every 10 days.

Lots of moss, not a great lawn.

When I was young I'd mow this with a push mower, but am retired now and rather not.

 

I should add I don't see a lot of tractors for sale in my area.

 

I'm currently mowing with an Ariens 936 15 hp since about 1995.

I've kept this mower running over the years, but it's starting to smoke, the muffler vibrates loose, and it's time for an upgrade.

 

I love the look of the Wheel Horse tractors.  I wish I was introduced to these back in the 90's.

 

Thank you in advance for any suggestions or information you might be able to provide.

 

I should add, I'm in no rush.

I'd really like to find one that was kept undercover, not a fan of rust.

Lastly, I don't own or have access to a trailer. Hoping to be able to purchase local in hopes that I could pay the seller to deliver. Worst case hire a transport company, being local shouldn't hurt as bad.

 

 

Edited May 8 by JohnnyMac
wanted to add content.

[rjg854 11,976]

A C120 would be a nice one if one was available. Not to big or to small.

[CCW 1,362]

Welcome.  Also retired and mowing my suburban lot with a my 1987 Wheelhorse 3-12-8.  It has a 36 in rear discharge deck that does the job just fine.

 

[stevasaurus 23,145]

Welcome to Red Square and you are in luck.  There happens to be a Wheel Horse Tractor Show in Ardentsville, Penn. the weekend after Father's Day.  Not too far from you and over 1000 tractors for show and many for sale.  We have lists of Horses through the years that you can check out to find an auto that fits your needs.  If you need one faster, take a look in the Classifieds on this site to see what is available.  Many others will come in to narrow down what you might be interested in.  I happen to have a 876 Wheel Horse Auto with a 36" deck (one of the 1st autos) that I use and is not for sale, but it is one of the 1st autos.  This is an 8 hp Kohler with a 36" deck.  You may be interested in a newer model then this.  This is a 1966 8hp auto.  The "Short Frame Square Hoods" are strong, everlasting, and excellent mowing tractors.  There is a good 30 years newer Wheel Horse autos that will serve your needs.  This one, with the deck, would go for around $400 to $700.

 

[JCM 10,069]

  to   @JohnnyMac

[Achto 29,091]

[Wayne0 1,052]

As a fellow NH resident, you are correct that there is not a lot of Wheel Horse tractors around here. Keep an eye on CL and FB market place.

There's Bronco 14 on CL in Durham, but it's pricey IMO.

They do turn up once in a while. If you find a "project" or just one that needs some tinkering, this is the place to ask questions.

There a lot of people that live and breath Wheel Horse here!

You can't go wrong with a Horse.

Edited May 6 by Wayne0

[ebinmaine 71,438]

. To 

 

 

 

 

Uncommon... yes.... but they're around.  

Patience is key.  

 

I don't have a running driving mowing machine I'd sell but do have several restoration projects.  

 

 

@Stepney in in Maine,  not too far from Dover.

 

@AHS and @MainelyWheelhorse are both 2, 2 1/2 hours north. Closer to Bangor. 

 

@JCM may hear of some occasionally?

 

 

 

@PWL216 or @wallfish are in MA.  

 

 

All sorta close ish.   

 

 

 

[953 nut 58,818]

Wheel Horses may be hard to find in your area but well worth the hunt. The 300 series has been around for years and has a good reputation for dependability. The 312-H has the stronger Eaton 1100 transmission and would be my choice based on what you plan to use it for.

Happy Hunting.

[SylvanLakeWH 27,914]

 

Check the classifieds here...

 

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/classifieds/
 

[MainelyWheelhorse 1,228]

@ebinmaine @JohnnyMac There’s not a ton in my area too. A lot seem to be in Mass. or lower The majority that are here are along the coast of Maine or up around Bangor. @SylvanLakeWH and@Wayne0 had a good idea when they suggested the classifieds here, CL or Facebook Marketplace. Those are good spots to search. Your local small engine shop or junkyard may have something you could at least start from. I found my 308-8 plow machine at a small engine shop. It didn’t need much to get going. 

[WHX?? 51,156]

11 minutes ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

308-8 plow machine

That what I was thinking with a 32  or 36. 

 

[Lee1977 7,088]

I think the 312-H with the Eaton 11 hydro would be the best choice if you can find one in good condition. Project tractors are not something I would recommend for a mowing tractor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 71,438]

5 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

Project tractors are not something I would recommend for a mowing tractor

 

 

Agreed.  Dependability is needed.  

[JohnnyMac 43]

12 hours ago, CCW said:

Welcome.  Also retired and mowing my suburban lot with a my 1987 Wheelhorse 3-12-8.  It has a 36 in rear discharge deck that does the job just fine.

 

I thought mowing with an auto be easier then with a manual?

[JohnnyMac 43]

11 hours ago, JCM said:

  to   @JohnnyMac

Thank you!

[JohnnyMac 43]

11 hours ago, Achto said:

Thank you!

[JohnnyMac 43]

11 hours ago, Wayne0 said:

As a fellow NH resident, you are correct that there is not a lot of Wheel Horse tractors around here. Keep an eye on CL and FB market place.

There's Bronco 14 on CL in Durham, but it's pricey IMO.

They do turn up once in a while. If you find a "project" or just one that needs some tinkering, this is the place to ask questions.

There a lot of people that live and breath Wheel Horse here!

You can't go wrong with a Horse.

Thank you Wayne. I have been searching daily where you have stated. Most are too far from here. I don't have a trailer to take a rode trip, so kind of dependent on as local as possible.

I saw that, I'm also not of fan of rust.

There's a 308-8 in Loudon, it's a bit pricey I thought. It's a standard , not really interested.

Appreciate the info.

[JohnnyMac 43]

11 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

. To 

 

 

 

 

Uncommon... yes.... but they're around.  

Patience is key.  

 

I don't have a running driving mowing machine I'd sell but do have several restoration projects.  

 

 

@Stepney in in Maine,  not too far from Dover.

 

@AHS and @MainelyWheelhorse are both 2, 2 1/2 hours north. Closer to Bangor. 

 

@JCM may hear of some occasionally?

 

 

 

@PWL216 or @wallfish are in MA.  

 

 

All sorta close ish.   

 

 

 

Thanks Eric. I appreciate the info.

I'm also dependent on buying local. I don't have a trailer. I'd have to buy from someone that would deliver, or have to hire a transportation co.

[JohnnyMac 43]

7 hours ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

@ebinmaine @JohnnyMac There’s not a ton in my area too. A lot seem to be in Mass. or lower The majority that are here are along the coast of Maine or up around Bangor. @SylvanLakeWH and@Wayne0 had a good idea when they suggested the classifieds here, CL or Facebook Marketplace. Those are good spots to search. Your local small engine shop or junkyard may have something you could at least start from. I found my 308-8 plow machine at a small engine shop. It didn’t need much to get going. 

Thanks Justin. I appreciate the info.

I'm also dependent on buying local. I don't have a trailer. I'd have to buy from someone that would deliver, or have to hire a transportation co.

[JohnnyMac 43]

7 hours ago, WHX?? said:

That what I was thinking with a 32  or 36. 

 

Thank you.

[JohnnyMac 43]

6 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

I think the 312-H with the Eaton 11 hydro would be the best choice if you can find one in good condition. Project tractors are not something I would recommend for a mowing tractor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the suggestion/info.

[Retired Wrencher 5,688]

  I think what stevasaurus said if you could make it to the big show this would make it easy for you and a lot cheaper in the end. There so many down that way it would fun trying which one to buy.

[JohnnyMac 43]

Thank you! I agree. I really don't have a way to get there.

I have my winter car off the road, put away.

I'm currently driving antiques and hot rods, currently.

I'd have to rent a car, and then pay to have delivered.

 

If I was in a rush, perhaps.

 

Do appreciate the suggestion.

 

[953 nut 58,818]

26 minutes ago, JohnnyMac said:

currently driving antiques and hot rods,