Wheelhorse thoughts

[mae 59]

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

[oliver2-44 11,007]

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 

[ri702bill 10,166]

7 hours ago, mae said:

as I knew Toro was going to eliminate the old quality stuff

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 

[Retired Wrencher 6,090]

@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.

Edited Sunday at 11:00 AM by Retired Wrencher

[953 nut 62,432]

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.

[Teddy da Bear62 145]

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.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 12:30 PM by Teddy da Bear62

[ebinmaine 74,770]

10 hours ago, mae said:

Thanks for allowing such a long message. 
Mike

 

Thank you for posting this! 

 

Love reading the memories of people that have been around WH long term and especially those connected to the original production. 

 

59 minutes ago, Teddy da Bear62 said:

I live a scant 9 miles north of Mecca

 

 

 

Very cool.  

 

 

59 minutes ago, Teddy da Bear62 said:

I own old man Chandler's personal Wheel Horse which I got from his daughter some years ago.

 

More cool.  

 

 

59 minutes ago, Teddy da Bear62 said:

 

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.

 

Hehehe. 

 

Me too.  

[Racinbob 12,275]

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.  

[nylyon-(Admin) 8,411]

14 hours ago, mae said:

My answer was because I never wanted to buy another tractor.

 

Not sure that the others would agree with this

Great story, thank you for sharing. 

[JoeM 8,993]

7 hours ago, Racinbob said:

Toro actually did us collectors a major favor by keeping the same basic machine as long as they did.

 

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.

 

[Teddy da Bear62 145]

I saw price of 1974 D-200 on Tractor Data com.  I think tractor alone was $3,400+.

 

That could have bought you a decent middle of the road new car in 1974.

[C-85 778]

I love your story and about the financial info, you most likely helped our small dealership in Vermont!  Getting easy financing for our W/H customers was difficult at our local banks, and when W/H started offering it through Borg Warner, that really helped our business.   Before this we were at a disadvantage because places like Sears offered very quick and easy financing, with this, we no longer had that issue.

 

C-85

[kpinnc 15,843]

15 hours ago, Racinbob said:

Not so. It was 2007.

 

I once had a PowerPoint of the final run of the classic tractors. Pallets of heavy 8 speed transmissions, pallets of engines, large assembly jigs and rows of tractors making thier way down the line. 

 

Sadly that computer gave up the ghost many years ago. I no longer have the file. 

 

But I will agree with you. Even the last run of classics were still the same rugged machines that we all enjoy. It's a shame they are no longer made. 

[Racinbob 12,275]

When Toro acquired Wheel Horse in December of 1986 Ken Melrose was the Toro CEO. He wrote a book "Making the Grass Greener on Your Side" about his style of leading and guiding Toro through the times. In it he wrote about their thought process during the acquisition. He said they could have "Toroized" the product line but saw the value that Wheel Horse brought to the table and instead chose to let them stand alone in 87 and 88 so they could observe, understand and learn its uniqueness and value. Though not specifically mentioned, what they learned almost certainly contributed for them keep the line intact for another 20 years. With zero turns and throw away machines dominating the market it's easy to see why the party had to end financially. 

[Treepep 871]

12 hours ago, JoeM said:

Their high end stuff and commercial machines are all over golf courses.

 

 

In college I worked four years at a golf course.  Toro was the only player.  Jacobson and Kubota had decent equipment.  Old Ford tractors and backhoes for pulling old school heavy duty

 

gang reels.  easy to work on and tough.  SAME no pictures sadly.  Toro did the heavy lifting with precision greens, tees, and collar mowers.  A real bear to sharpen reels and bed knives. 

 

Super fun time in my life.  The royal we did all of the maintenance.  Have  a great dad so we did a pretty alright job.  Attempted to hire mechanics over the years.  Not diverse enough to

 

do all the things.  great story.  Thank you for sharing.

[JoeM 8,993]

2 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

throw away machines

I watched a guy on YouTube digging into today's modern appliances compared to ones years ago. He was pretty thorough. Interviewed a appliance engineer during the process. 

The just was modern appliances last 10 years and some only 5-6 years.....Why?

One contributing item was complexity. Ie. refrigerators have more doors, ice grinders and water dispensers now. even touch screens in the doors. 

Plus what is the truth?

Americans want it quick, cheap, convenient and fancy.

 There is a long version on this video, it was interesting.

 

 

Mowers are just modern day appliances now not really equipment per say. 

I had a couple zero turns here for repair. The last one was a bad boy and it was well built. I was testing it out in the flats and man will it cut the grass. Only thing, I did not enjoy the ride, it was far from the relaxed mowing of the xi. Not to mention, you have to stop to get a swig of a cold drink. The cup holder was just that a holder. 

[Retired Wrencher 6,090]

23 hours ago, Teddy da Bear62 said:

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.

 

 

@Teddy da Bear I lived in St Albans Vt never knew there was a plant in Montreal Canada? Do you have any pictures of the old days and the plant?

[Racinbob 12,275]

With this being brought up again I decided to reach out to the museum. Ken is still the curator and he replied that the Wheel Horse project is on the boards for 2026 and he will reach out to me when it happens. Is that exciting or what? 

In the meantime, for you folks coming through South Bend of course a drive by the old factory will be in order and I would highly recommend a visit to the Studebaker Museum. The history goes beyond what I even imagined and it's a day well spent. I'd love to tag along as well if the timing was right. 

[mae 59]

Regarding the items at the Stude museum.  It jogged my memory that there was a roped off section in the area between my office and the wheelhorse offices displaying a number of items just like those. Cannot say they are the exact pieces but logic would assume that they were. A number of the Wheelhorse crew transferred to MN when they shut down South Bend. This included some co workers I had at Borg Warner the finance co. (By this time it was called Transamerica Commercial Finance). A number of their credit and upper level sales people went to work for Noma Outdoor Products in Jackson, TN.

Assume many here know that American Motors owned Wheelhorse prior to several AMC executives took it over as a private company. I also recall the dealer base being very upset that they sold a gray (not red) version of their tractors through Lowe’s. I’m a bit fuzzy on this subject but not a good move. Dealers were the heart and soul of the operation and they were not happy. Rightly so. Don’t think that effort lasted very long. Again others may know more about the Lowe’s think than I. Thanks
 

[953 nut 62,432]

On 11/16/2025 at 11:09 PM, kpinnc said:

I once had a PowerPoint of the final run of the classic tractors. Pallets of heavy 8 speed transmissions, pallets of engines, large assembly jigs and rows of tractors making thier way down the line. 

Here it is, from our files section.

 

 

[Racinbob 12,275]

20 hours ago, mae said:

Regarding the items at the Stude museum.  It jogged my memory that there was a roped off section in the area between my office and the wheelhorse offices displaying a number of items just like those. Cannot say they are the exact pieces but logic would assume that they were. A number of the Wheelhorse crew transferred to MN when they shut down South Bend. This included some co workers I had at Borg Warner the finance co. (By this time it was called Transamerica Commercial Finance). A number of their credit and upper level sales people went to work for Noma Outdoor Products in Jackson, TN.

Assume many here know that American Motors owned Wheelhorse prior to several AMC executives took it over as a private company. I also recall the dealer base being very upset that they sold a gray (not red) version of their tractors through Lowe’s. I’m a bit fuzzy on this subject but not a good move. Dealers were the heart and soul of the operation and they were not happy. Rightly so. Don’t think that effort lasted very long. Again others may know more about the Lowe’s think than I. Thanks
 

 They did have a display at the factory and those were the machines that were supposedly donated to the city to remain in South Bend. Were there more? Don't know but there were quite a few more in the batch I saw on the upper floor of the old museum. Do they have more stored at the new museum? Don't know that either. 

As most of you know, the gray tractors were the Work Horse series made in the mid 80's. Basically cheaper versions with fewer bells and whistles but the bones were still Wheel Horse throughout. I purchased a 1984 GT-1100 brand new at what was then Highway 19 Wheel Horse sales. My thoughts went to replacing the Briggs engine with a Kohler when it expires. I ran a 48# deck on it for years, pushed piles of snow and tons of dirt with it, fully submerged it in a pond one winter and it just kept on going. 

Many times I've heard stories of Lowes selling them. Many times I've tried to confirm but never found concrete evidence. I can't say for sure it didn't happen though but I kinda doubt it.

[ebinmaine 74,770]

Here's a thread from a few years back with some of our current member's comments.