Morgan a '73 plow horse

[AlexR 3,007]

About the name, so the 73's are the no-name year for wheelhorse so I figured it needed a name.

Well these are wheelhorses, so I thought what horse name or breed? Morgan horses are a reddish color and also used as multi purpose plow horses back in the day. Which is what this tractor is gonna be, a multi purpose plow horse 8 speed with hydraulics. 

 

This is going to be a continuation of my 73 wheelhorse for reference here is the original thread.

It is not a C120 it is a 1973 14-8 and I am planning on returning it to a 14HP Kohler (12hp on it now is fairly worn) and add hydraulics this photo should give some idea of what is coming. 

 

This one will require some patience it's going to take some time. Also thanks to the Wisconsin boys @WHX??  @Achto for their help in making this possible.

[SylvanLakeWH 31,557]

[8ntruck 8,960]

Same name I've given my 14-8.  Same reasons, too.

 

I've heard that great minds think in the same gutter.

[ebinmaine 79,172]

 

 

I'm in. 

 

 

[AlexR 3,007]

1 hour ago, 8ntruck said:

Same name I've given my 14-8.  Same reasons, too.

 

I've heard that great minds think in the same gutter.

Well I guess the 14-8's have a name now haha

[kpinnc 18,477]

I kinda wanna name my tractors, but I have four kids and I can barely keep up with thier names... 

[ineedanother 2,498]

5 hours ago, AlexR said:

About the name, so the 73's are the no-name year for wheelhorse so I figured it needed a name.

Well these are wheelhorses, so I thought what horse name or breed? Morgan horses are a reddish color and also used as multi purpose plow horses back in the day. Which is what this tractor is gonna be, a multi purpose plow horse 8 speed with hydraulics. 

 

This is going to be a continuation of my 73 wheelhorse for reference here is the original thread.

It is not a C120 it is a 1973 14-8 and I am planning on returning it to a 14HP Kohler (12hp on it now is fairly worn) and add hydraulics this photo should give some idea of what is coming. 

 

This one will require some patience it's going to take some time. Also thanks to the Wisconsin boys @WHX??  @Achto for their help in making this possible.

Defendant #1 (first wife)  was, and has been all about horses and Morgans were her preferred breed. Beautiful animals.

[Retired Wrencher 6,732]

Alex that should serve you well. Take your time with it and get it rite the first time around.

[Achto 31,911]

Following along, looking forward to seeing the build.

[Pullstart 70,110]

Looking forward to seeing Morgan plow the field!

[ebinmaine 79,172]

10 hours ago, kpinnc said:

I kinda wanna name my tractors, but I have four kids and I can barely keep up with thier names... 

 

My Grammy, my mom, and Trina's mom... all do the same thing. 

Just reel off all the names from 2 or 3 generations back. 

Eventually you'll tag the one you're actually after.  

[sqrlgtr 3,040]

Will be following along. Been kicking around the idea of adding hydraulics to a c120 or c160 for a while. 

[AlexR 3,007]

Been thinking and I have these parts I got off Pullstart, the brake pedal is the narrower one to give room for the cylinder while I do have a proper bellcrank/rockshaft for the hydraulic cylinder as you can see I have everything for hydro hydraulics as well. So I have been thinking I don't really want to rob a cylinder from a complete system not to mention there are some gouges at the top of the cylinder rod probably from a pipe wrench. So I think instead of finding another hydraulic bellcrank I will cut off the lift arm and weld a arm on for the hydraulics. 

 

 

 

So I still need a cylinder, wheelhorse cylinders aren't exactly dropping from the sky and a lot of them need rebuilt. And maybe this will be helpful to other people as well but I came across this one, retracted length is very similar the pin hole is correct at 3/4" the stroke appears to be the same at 5" which would make the extended length the same. So all that would be needed is to fab a bracket for the threaded end to attach to the bellcrank. 

Anyone see any issues with this? I figure no possible rod damage to deal with with used units plus it doesn't need a possible rebuild right away on top of buying a used cylinder. 

Edited Monday at 11:22 PM by AlexR

[ebinmaine 79,172]

5 minutes ago, AlexR said:

Anyone see any issues with this?

 

Got pics of the cylinder? 

[AlexR 3,007]

8 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Got pics of the cylinder? 

There is a small photo in what I posted but here is a larger one 

[AlexR 3,007]

Also on the subject of the bellcrank the hydraulic one I have has been welded on in the past if anyone happens to have one out they could take a photo of to see if the angle is still correct.

[Handy Don 16,757]

My experience is limited, but I’ve not seen a WH cylinder with a throw longer than four inches.

[Jackbah 3]

"Morgan" is an absolute perfect fit for a '73 Wheel Horse.

[AlexR 3,007]

45 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

My experience is limited, but I’ve not seen a WH cylinder with a throw longer than four inches.

There are some much more knowledgeable people that will probably know for sure. 

But I believe from what I have seen the charger/bronco early c series cylinders are longer. 

[WHX?? 56,853]

15 hours ago, AlexR said:

Also on the subject of the bellcrank the hydraulic one I have has been welded on in the past if anyone happens to have one out they could take a photo of to see if the angle is still correct.

Was off a C-160. I think they were all welded on. 

[AlexR 3,007]

This one definitely looks like the angle is off. She's been rewelded for sure, I can grind it down and reweld just want to make sure I get the angle in relation to the rear lift bar right.

May end up having to use the length of the closed cylinder to set that distance and get the lift arm where I want it. 

[AlexR 3,007]

Got the first thing out of the way the starting solenoid. It's definitely a tight but there is very small amount of clearances to be had. 

 

Still got to figure out where to put the starting solenoid. Hate to drill holes in the frame but honestly that is probably one of the best places for it behind the steering block. 

[kpinnc 18,477]

6 hours ago, AlexR said:

Still got to figure out where to put the starting solenoid. Hate to drill holes in the frame but honestly that is probably one of the best places for it behind the steering block. 

 

I've seen them mounted where your coil is currently. You can make a simple bracket to relocate the coil to just under the carburetor. Not my pic but just for reference. 

 

My 867 has the coil mounted horizontally beneath the carb, but either way works the same. The length of the plug wire was the main factor with mine. 

 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by kpinnc

[WHX?? 56,853]

20 hours ago, AlexR said:

This one definitely looks like the angle is off. She's been rewelded for sure, I can grind it down and reweld just want to make sure I get the angle in relation to the rear lift bar right.

May end up having to use the length of the closed cylinder to set that distance and get the lift arm where I want it. 

 

Guessing this is going to be a plow mule? 

If that's the case it may be best to mock everything up including the lift cylinder in both extend and retract. . Use compressed air to move the cylinder. That  way you don't have to mess with hydraulics yet but still get a feel for what plumbing you will need. That would get you the max lift height for a plow yet still get enough down travel for a decent furrow. 

Also guessing you are going to want to use an off the shelf lift cable? The final length of that with define lift travel as well. 

 

I like a high lift height so I don't dig up Pullstart's yard ... ya right that's it. 

 

A high lift also makes it easier to get on and off trailers too. 

 

On 6/15/2026 at 6:21 PM, AlexR said:

wheelhorse cylinders aren't exactly dropping from the sky

We can keep our eyes peeled at the big show for a decent one for ya. 

[AlexR 3,007]

54 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Guessing this is going to be a plow mule? 

Yes that is the idea and I will end up doing what you suggested only way to make sure its right.

Right now I have it set to pull the clevis on the hitch all the way to the tunnel for max lift, I do have some adjustability on the cable length. 

 

56 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

We can keep our eyes peeled at the big show for a decent one for ya. 

Thank you! if not I will give that cylinder a shot its close enough I'm 99% sure I can make it work.