Buying first Wheel Horse

[Awd79 2]

Hi gang, 

 

first post. I will read through forum and I’m certain this has been asked. 
 

I like old things. I like fixing old things. I especially like small engines and old things. 
 

lots of wheel horses in my area. They are new to me. I have a small property 1 acre. I have an old roto hoe tiller. A chipper and a walk behind ex mark metro amongst other toys I have bought second hand and fixed up. 
 

I have a snow blower but would love a plow. Would love a tractor to pull and move material around the lot. What models and what are my watch outs when looking. 
 

I see values from $300-800 in my area for used wheel horses. Often I see really clean ones in the 300-500 range. Any advise is welcomed. 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,585]

[oliver2-44 10,779]

There are many excellent WH workers from the mid 60 to 2010. Everybody has an opinion, here’s mine. 
Gear drive better at ground engaging task and hydros are better at mowing and task with lots of direction changes. Of course there are always exceptions. A snow plow is ground engaging, but a hydro sure helps with all the back and forth plowing a driveway. 
It’s all about traction, filled tires, wheel weight and tire chains

 

They can tow a low more than they have the brakes to stop. 
 

I like them all, but am a little partial to the big wheel tractors, 1963-953, 1965-65 1054, 1969 GT14 

[wallfish 18,241]

For towing stuff and plowing snow all you would really need is an 8hp tractor. Anything more is just added power.

But if you plan to ever try a snow blower it would need more power. I'd recommend 12hp or more at minimum. Most attachments are interchangeable between tractors.

The only thing I would "watch out" for is if the tractor you end up looking at has a hydro trans. They can become worn and will loose power once warm. Warm it up good and try it going up a hill or against a sturdy wall. Loss of power would be noticeable if it's been neglected and worn.

 

[Ed Kennell 42,163]

 to the   Any Wheel Horse is good, but If I could only have one, It would be a 312H.   

 

The 12 horse magnum with the Eaton 100 hydro is a strong fuel sipper that can handle a 42 or 48" mowing deck with very little heat on the operator.

It is also my choice for snow removal with a 48" snow blade or a single stage blower. 

[kpinnc 14,711]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

But if you plan to ever try a snow blower it would need more power. I'd recommend 12hp or more at minimum. Most attachments are interchangeable between tractors.

 

The "classic" series 312-x models were very popular and are commonplace. They are good solid machines. Just stay away from the 312-A, as it has the weaker Eaton 700 transmission. 

 

312-8 (gear drive) - excellent.

312-H (hydro 1100)- excellent. 

 

Good luck, and welcome to the sickness! 

Edited Tuesday at 10:00 PM by kpinnc

[Awd79 2]

Thank you all for the welcome.
 

Is it acceptable to post listings of two I am looking at? 
 

one has plow and I assume wheel ballast and chains. $300

 

the other has mow deck at 450. 
 

the models mean nothing to me as I’m new to wheel horse. 

[Awd79 2]

I have a snow blower for the occasional needs. We don’t get a lot of snow anymore in southern CT.

 

I probably have more use at this time for something to pull my chipper around the property and a garden cart. Mowing would also be nice but my ex mark does a speedy job and if the wheel horse took twice as long I probably would just not use it. 
 

jeez maybe I’m just buying something old bc I like it. 🤣 

[Awd79 2]

1983 C105 

black hood 

looks super clean 

 

Selling my C-105. $425

 

Tractor powered by a 10 hp Kohler engine. Engine runs well. Smooth and strong.

 

I believe everything is original.   Tires which are in real nice shape, seat, and Im pretty sure the deck and machine were sold together when new. Hub

 

No dings or dents.  Perfectly straight body.

 

Surface rust here and there and original seat needs replacement.

 

Everything works.

 

Headlights work, charging system works, amp meter works,  and seat safety switch works properly.

 

8- speed manual transmission with hi-lo range and heavy duty 1-1/8" axles.

 

Engine mounts (rubber isolation mounts)are all  brand new. Part number 108309 over a $200 value.

See picture.

 

Steering is nice and tight.

 

Included in the sale is a 42" mower deck.  It has been patched, overall very solid deck. New idler bar bushings. Works perfectly. Mule drive and belts included.

 

Tractor only $350.

 

Cash and carry.

 

First come first serve.

 

Feel free to message me with any questions.

 

Thank you.

 

Chris.

[Awd79 2]

The second tractor is in fact a simplicity not a a wheel horse and that’s the one with ballast, chains, and plow. $300

[Ed Kennell 42,163]

That C-105 sounds like a bargain.    I would certainly pay the $75 for a working deck.

[Awd79 2]

It’s all very clean as well. Deck looks like it was repainted at some time before rust really set in. None of it deck or body shows chips, dents, rust 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,585]

I have a C-105 that is rock solid. Good choice and good price.

 

Make sure it runs smooth. No smoke. And run it through all 8 gears - hi / lo 1-2-3 reverse.

[AlexR 2,022]

Yeah based off description I would say go for that C105 as well.

Wheelhorse plows aren't hard to come by. You will need the rear axle brackets if that tractor doesn't have them though. 

[C-85 768]

Welcome to R/S and Wheel Horse!  I know of a person in W. Lebanon NH that has a snow plow for sale if that is of interest, just let me know and I'll let her know.

 

C-85

[oliver2-44 10,779]

On an 8 speed gear transmission check that the Hi/Lo shifts semi easily.   

I say semi easy as they all sometimes require a little jiggle or rock just a little  (with clutch in not trying to grind gears) 

If tractor was stored outside or in an open shed for years, rust can form on the hi/lo shaft where it enters the transmission or down that shaft and it get stuck.

Also drive it in all 4 gears on the other shifter.  If the former owner shifted a lot without completely stopping it would have been grinding on the cluster gear.

If it pops out of gear, especially 3rd (hi or lo) there is wear on the cluster gear. 

This is not a deal breaker, but a negotiation point. 

These transmission are not hard to work on, but you will spend $200 by the time you open it up and replace the cluster gear, gaskets and seals.

I always replace the axle needle bearings, gasket and all seals if I open one up.

$300 if you replace all the bearings while your in there, but usually not needed.

[Retired Wrencher 5,836]

Awe  you have come to the right place to learn and share knowledge of these fine tractors.Just take you time and think it through. Also, how much you want to spend. I tried to buy a as cheap as possible and go through the front to the back look at everything. That way there you know you have a fine running in good mechanical shape. That’s my two cents.       for today. I hope you find something and enjoy it for years.

Edited 14 hours ago by Retired Wrencher