It's now confirmed...y'all are a bunch of enablers! Meet my B100 8-Speed

[BradKahler 309]

This tractor showed up on the forum back in 2022, Unadvertised Special? (B100)

 

Being an enabler, Dave reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in taking ownership of it   

 

We worked out a deal and last Wednesday I drove up to Indiana to pick it up.  Thanks Dave!

 

The deal included a snow blower attachment in pretty decent shape.  

 

I'm not sure yet whether it's going to be a parts machine, or whether I will try and rebuild it.  I suppose a lot depends on the condition of the hydro drive in my other B100.  If the hydro drive is ok and both B100 engines run then I will likely rebuild this one.  If the hydro drive is bad then I would probably rebuild around the 8-speed and make one good machine.  Time will tell.

 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 78,993]

Niiiiice 

[kpinnc 18,296]

Big block Kohler without balance gears, 8 speed transmission, B/C series chassis, and an attachment to start with...

 

That's a great start with no negatives! 

 

Congratulations! 

[ri702bill 12,167]

I've started off a project with less..... Good score.

[953 nut 66,258]

You were forewarned.

 

 

I Think This Group Might Be Bad For Me

Don't blame us, you were  forewarned that these Wheel Horses are a bit addictive.

 

[sqrlgtr 2,955]

Oh great someone else within 3/4 hr drive time buying Wheel Horse's. Just what I need another one infringing on my WH turf. 

[Handy Don 16,667]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

Oh great someone else within 3/4 hr drive time buying Wheel Horse's. Just what I need another one infringing on my WH turf. 

Too bad you aren’t closer, I’ve “agented” a couple of nice acquisitions. 

[ebinmaine 78,993]

7 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Too bad you aren’t closer, I’ve “agented” a couple of nice acquisitions. 

 

I've been the vict...  eehhh.... benefactor there.  

[BradKahler 309]

12 hours ago, 953 nut said:

You were forewarned.

 

 

I Think This Group Might Be Bad For Me

Don't blame us, you were  forewarned that these Wheel Horses are a bit addictive.

 

 

I hate it when I don't have a leg to stand on... 

[BradKahler 309]

12 hours ago, sqrlgtr said:

Oh great someone else within 3/4 hr drive time buying Wheel Horse's. Just what I need another one infringing on my WH turf. 

 

Maybe we can agree to setting some boundaries....nah, probably not 

[BradKahler 309]

11 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Too bad you aren’t closer, I’ve “agented” a couple of nice acquisitions. 

 

It's probably a good thing that I'm not 

[ebinmaine 78,993]

13 hours ago, sqrlgtr said:

Oh great someone else within 3/4 hr drive time buying Wheel Horse's. Just what I need another one infringing on my WH turf. 

 

You run over to see me. I'll send ya back home with lotsa stuff. 

[sqrlgtr 2,955]

20 minutes ago, BradKahler said:

 

Maybe we can agree to setting some boundaries....nah, probably not 

2025 turf wars to be continued in 2026. . Have to keep eye on @cafoose also. .

[Retired Wrencher 6,688]

Braid that is one fine looking B 100. In my book that was the pinnacle of wheel horse engineering I know I will get a hairy eyebrow on that one, but I just feel these were the best engineered wheel horses, simple in design very rugged. As they say just my two sets. . Hope every buddy had a good Christmas.

Edited December 26, 2025 by Retired Wrencher

[Handy Don 16,667]

8 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said:

In my book that was the pinnacle of wheel horse engineering

I agree that the B/C series was at least a plateau for the engineering team, but there were significant leaps before and some darned neat innovations later. Part of what makes this such a neat and practical “applied” hobby. 

[BradKahler 309]

During the past few weeks I finally found some time to dive into the B100.  Without a good engine it's not going anywhere so I started with the engine first.  I tidied up the wiring a little, installed a replacement tank, fuel lines and installed a battery.   It cranked over just fine and had spark.  I disconnected the fuel hose at the carburetor and cranked it over until fuel started coming out.  Reconnected the hose and cranked it for about 5 seconds and it started!  There was no smoke and it sounded great...for about 15 seconds....and then it started sputtering. 

 

After looking things over, I found fuel pouring out of the carburetor throat.  Dave had installed one of the Chinese clones and my guess is the float was sticking.  I decided to borrow the carburetor from the B100 Automatic and once it was installed the engine fired right up and runs like a top!!! 

 

My biggest worry about this tractor was the engine, that worry is now over so I've started prepping the tractor for use.  So far, I've finished getting decent tires on the front, found a replacement for one of the rear tires, installed a new battery, rebuilt the PTO system, replaced the hood pivot rod with one that I made, replaced the v-belt, the idler pulley, and pulled the wheel hubs to replace the axle seals.  

 

When I pulled the rear hubs I found that the key way in each hub was totally destroyed.  The key way had worn to more than twice the size from original.  I took the hubs to a local machinist where he cut new key ways and I added new threaded holes over the new key ways.  The axles themselves appear to be in reasonable condition.  They have a little wear but I think will be ok.  

 

In the attached picture, the red lines show the width of the key slot with all of the wear.  Both hubs are the same.  

 

I ran into a problem today trying to install the replacement seals, SKF 11050.  In order to install them I bored out a piece of pipe on my lathe to slip fit over the axle shaft.  I used that to tap the seal into the housing.  The problem I ran into was, apparently the entire rim of the seal didn't quite slip inside the bore so as I hammered it into the bore it tore the rim of the seal.  There is no chamfer in the casting, just a nice sharp edge.  So bottom line is I destroyed the first seal.  I then tried to be much more cautious with the other seal and was more successful but still caught part of the seal lip and it is destroyed as well.  $20 down the drain 

 

Is there some sort of trick to getting these seals installed without damage? Looking for suggestions so I'm all ears.... 

 

[Handy Don 16,667]

Since you have machinist skill, consider making a collar to act as a funnel for the seal as you push it into the case to keep the seal’s edges away from the case’s sharp edges?

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,598]

On 12/24/2025 at 8:09 AM, ebinmaine said:

 

You run over to see me. I'll send ya back home with lotsa stuff. 

I’ve seen it and experienced it…..I built an entire working tractor from parts I got from @ebinmaine and still have some left over… That reminds me, @ebinmaine.I didn’t forget about the 520 hydraulic lift setup that you’ve been storing for me either😁 I’ll be in touch.

 

On 12/23/2025 at 7:07 PM, sqrlgtr said:

Oh great someone else within 3/4 hr drive time buying Wheel Horse's. Just what I need another one infringing on my WH turf. 

I’d say that’s like me and @ebinmaine, but I’m pretty sure he has more of both parts and tractors so it may be the reverse😄

 

@BradKahler could a little grease lube it up to slip into place? Tap it in with something softer like a rubber hammer etc…It might slip enough greased so nothing catches like what happened before.

[ebinmaine 78,993]

35 minutes ago, BradKahler said:

  The axles themselves appear to be in reasonable condition.  They have a little wear but I think will be ok. 

 

I'm hoping you used new set screws. 

 

You'll definitely want to reset the torque on the set screws after a short amount of driving time.  

 

36 minutes ago, BradKahler said:

chamfer

 

4 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Since you have machinist skill, consider making a collar to act as a funnel for the seal as you push it into the case to keep the seal’s edges away from the case’s sharp edges?

 

I've done quite a few sets of those seals. Some fought me hard. Others flew right in. 

I have had to hand chamfer the outer edges just a hair.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 78,993]

2 minutes ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

I’d say that’s like me and @ebinmaine, but I’m pretty sure he has more of both parts and tractors so it may be the reverse😄

 

Not counting anything to do with Trina's tractors... I have .... a few...

[AlexR 2,952]

18 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I've done quite a few sets of those seals. Some fought me hard. Others flew right in. 

I have had to hand chamfer the outer edges just a hair.  

This! I destroyed 2 seals on one axle, until I chamfered it some more with a small file. 

[sqrlgtr 2,955]

1 hour ago, BradKahler said:

Is there some sort of trick to getting these seals installed without damage? Looking for suggestions so I'm all ears.... 

I have used saran wrap and a little oil over the ends of the axle to get seal started, but always deburrrrr everything good first.