WHY?

[W9JAB 156]

It seems to me that 1966/67 was the pinnacle of the Wheel Horse straight mechanical design. Pulleys, belts, and nuts and bolts.

Technology that can be had at the local hardware store.

Which brings me to why did Wheel Horse go to stuff like hydraulics and electric PTO's, was it market force's that drove the change?

It would appear to me that all the pumps and electronic stuff just complicates something that worked just fine.

And of course I welcome any feedback.

[brybrychrismer 17]

It was probably to keep up with the market. As other manufactures progressed with up grades such as electric clutches and hydro's they followed the trend. People always want whats new regardless of the problems the products might have in the future. It is that whole lead, follow, or get out of the way. So they followed as to not get left behind. This is just my thought on it. :thumbs:

[sscotsman 194]

Im into walk-behind snowblowers..

same thing happens there..

the technology was completely perfected by 1965, and most "improvements" since then have been a step backward IMO..but they all have to make the changes, because most consumsers are stupid, and if your competition says "new and improved"! then people will believe it! whether its actuallty true or not..

Same with automobiles..my Uncle once had a 1930 Ford Model A.

he says he has never owned a more reliable car..everything since has been much worse.

I work with photography..no one "needs" 10 megapixel digital cameras!

all those extra pixels are totally redundant..3 megapixels was perfectly fine for 99.9% of photographers, and for 99.9% of any photos you will ever take..but because "everybody does it" all the camera makers have to keep coming out with more and more pixels..

because again, people are stupid, (maybe "uneducated" is a better term) and they think a 10 megapixel camera must be "better" than a 3 megapixel camera..when in reality, all the extra pixels really give you is larger and larger images that take up more storage space..

you cant even see the difference between a 3 megapixel image and a 10 megapixel image..unless you make a gigantic larger than poster-size print..which no one does..

In cases like that, the only reason the technology is "improved" is "just because we can"..or "just because everyone else does it, so we have to do it too"..

its not *really* an improvement..but you have to keep up with your competition.

and yes, some improvements really are improvements..like airbags in cars.

but overall, many "improvements" IMO are really not needed..

especially when it comes to simple mechanical devices..

Scot

[rockbuilt 7]

this seems to be an unpopular opinion but I like hydraulics and hydrostatic trans

I understand and agree that the more simple the design the less problems you have but I would not like to lift a 60" deck with a manual lift and my auto trans cuts grass much faster than my C-100 8 speed (that I love) I am thankful that WH had the wisdom to embrace new technologies and keep the proven technologies of the past :thumbs:

[rickv1957 76]

I always thought the tractors remained pretty simple built to the end except for the electrical,Rick

[Lane Ranger 11,617]

Here is one reason in this 1968 Milwaukee nespaper ad where Wheel Horse wanted to higher Designers and Engineers!

They had to do something different....

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XD0aA...eel+horse&hl=en

Engineers .And .Designers Expand Your Horizons With Wheel Horse .

Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive - Feb 3, 1968

DESIGNERS EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS WITH WHEEL HORSE . Wheel Horse Products, nation's leading producer of out door power equipment and garden tractors, ...

[KC9KAS 4,744]

IMO, marketing also plays a really big part in what the manufactures "think" the buying public wants.

Just take a look at the really stupid commercials on TV!

[MikesRJ 558]

I've had a long standing belief, one derived from being involved with the manufacturing industry for a long time, the marketing forces involved are systemic of the buying public's desire for bells and whistles. They always want something "new and different" to buy; the bean counters want to do it cheaper; and the buying public are financial morons and oblivious to quality.

Point 1: Salesmen can't sell last years technology when every other manufacturer adds a new bell or whistle, and the dumb-ass buying it will eat it up. Corollary: If it lasts 40 years their not going to buy another one for a long time, not good for my pocket! I don't sell parts, that what the dealership does.

Point 2: Regardless of what it does to the products quality, we have to save the 3 cents on that bolt; even if we're going to get 1000 warranty cases out of it from the dealers.

Point 3: Why pay $5000.00 for something that will last 40 years when I can spend $2000.00 every five to seven years, and I can impress the neighbors?

[420lse 18]

It seems that simpler times were forced to become more complicated. Such is the price of progress. However, those RJ's u guys restore are truley works of art Keep up the great work.

Moe in CT

[can whlvr 994]

i have hydro wheelhorses and 8 speed machines,i have personally torn both types of trannies apart and the hydro isnt really all that complicated with the manual,and they are desireable to a lot of people so i think they had to offer something different,both trannies have their ups and downs,the hydro is really controlable for snowblowing,tilling,cutting grass,etc,and dont forget that these trannies are very capable and long lasting when maintained properly,my 1975 c 160 had to be rebuilt this year for the first time,not bad considering the abuse this tractor has seen and will see for 25 more years,i hope

[Torino 15]

Pixels and hp. That is a good comparison. No one needs 26hp to run a 42 inch deck. It's a snowball effect. If John Deere and Cub where doing it. Wheel Horse had to follow. "You don't want to buy a Wheel Horse, that's 1968 technology this is 1970 man!" You guys are right most consumers are stupid when it comes to knowing anything about what they buy. Most people don't do the research on a product before they buy it.

[WheelHorse_of_course 100]

I also have to ask "What".

Here are a few changes made since the mid 60's that I appreciate. I will not include Hydro but I personally would include it

1) Choke and Throttle controls. While it would seem the levers are a superficial change as compared to the push-pull cable, the push-pull throttle lose their locking ability and became a pain in the butt.

2) Alternator vs Starter/Generator. The alternator needs no maintenance and the bendix style starters work better.

3) Newer-style attachamatic mid mount is considerably better than the older version.

4) Larger rear mount gas tank

5) Disc type PTO clutch

By the way, I do agree with the assertion that "marketing" is responsible for exaggerating certain "features" of products. Vacuum cleaners are not required to put Horsepower on their name plates. But they are required to list amps. SO there is a nonsensical "amps war" that has lead to stupid things like reduced efficiency and powerful spot lights on these machines.

:WRS: