Wheel Horse 654 - Looking for advice

[WH654Ontario 7]

My folks are moving to a smaller home and my dad is unfortunately looking to sell his Wheel Horse. Just starting to do some investigation on his behalf and I found this forum and thought it might be the best place to start. 

 

Here's what I know - he picked this up a little over 25 years ago and did some work on it to get it cleaned up and running nice. Currently it only needs a battery as it's been in long term storage. The mowing deck works as far as I know. It's in pretty great shape and he took good care of it. Stored in his shed, covered up with a blanket. 

 

We're up in Ontario not far from Owen Sound. Curious as to what he's sitting on, and what would be a fair assessment of it's worth.

 

Thanks in advance!

Clint

[adsm08 3,444]

Nice looking machine there Clint.

 

If you want to sell it that probably won't be too hard. I would say it's probably worth getting a cheap battery and throwing it to make it a true "runner". That will increase the value by more than the price of the battery if you can show it actually runs properly. Plenty can go wrong in long-term storage, even when it's done right.

[ri702bill 9,633]

Nice looking 64 Round Hood. I fully agree - get it running to sell it at a better price. One area of concern is the carburetor. It may be just fine,,, or not at all.

You may wish to drop the deck - to look it over and makes loading the tractor easier.....

[953 nut 60,823]

Your father must be very proud of his Wheel Horse. Have you considered keeping it as a family member?

[Pullstart 67,332]

I like to tell folks that this will be worth more in your shed, than in your pocket.  Don’t sell… 

[WHGuy413 2,784]

Man that thing sure is in great shape. Any chance you could keep in the family?

[wallfish 18,365]

It has all the stuff that's usually missing. 

An original Teccy engine

That particular debris screen is hard to find and most go missing

The steering wheel center cap usually gets popped off from that circle in the wheel going egg shaped from the sun exposure

The exhaust support bracket typically goes missing from engine changes

It's got the original horse head shape ignition key and the linen beige front wheel caps

That seat back rest was a factory option

The only thing it seems to be missing is the plastic rectifier cover

 

[clueless 3,289]

While not necessarily a rare WH but in that good of a shape kind of rare. As said get it running and make sure the deck spins good and then decide if you still want to sell it. If you still want to sell it I wouldn't start out for less than $1000 and then go from there if it doesn't sell in a few months drop it down some, you've got all the time you want to sell it.

 

[Handy Don 14,244]

Agree that “running” adds a lot of value to a sale. 

If you (and/or a good friend) are small-engine savvy, you can address the most likely issues for a stored Tecumseh before putting in a battery and giving it a test: carburetor thoroughly cleaned (get a rebuild kit), fuel supply hoses clean and not leaking, wiring not critter-chewed and connections cleaned. 

Edited Monday at 01:26 AM by Handy Don

[Treepep 705]

 

 

Its a serviceable battery... just saying.  maybe try to level and charge.  Can't hurt much

[ML3 1,819]

Definitely worth more $$ if its running. I have a 654 & its my go to mower & snow plowing machine.  Looks like yours is nicer than mine! I agree that maybe keeping it in family if that's an option?? 

[kpinnc 14,874]

On 9/7/2025 at 9:21 PM, clueless said:

you've got all the time you want to sell it.

 

Which has constantly been on every collector's mind... 

 

I have several that I wouldn't mind letting go. Or at least I tell myself so.