New Guy w/ Work Horse 700

[Horse Play 393]

Hello all,

I just joined and am so glad that there are others who love Wheel Horses. I just picked up a "barn find" Work Horse 700 last night from a friend of mine, I finally talked him into selling it. I'm planning to clean her up and getting her into mowing condition for my 1/3 acre yard. Then when fall comes, a complete tear down and repaint during the winter. This tractor is almost twenty years older than me, but I grew up around Wheel Horses from the 70's and then had a early 90's 520-8 later on.

[rydogg 186]

:WRS: Looks like a nice tractor with good straight sheetmetal excellent for restoration

[Horse Play 393]

Thanks! The sheet metal is straight all for a little area on the fender, but nothing major. Now I'm crossing my fingers for getting the mid 90's Tech running. I just hope $200 wasn't too much to pay.

[AMC RULES 37,210]

Nice, straight looking tractor, looks like the engine has been replaced at some point though.

:WRS:

[Ken B 3,189]

I think you did okay at 200.00. The seat looks to be mint and that is a major bonus. Most of the original engines on 700's are long gone so that is no surprise. Cleaned up she'll look real good.

[Horse Play 393]

I'm bummed the original H70 is gone and it seems it would be hard to find another. When my friend acquired it in 1995, he said the H70 was worn out and replaced with the current 8HP Tech. Unfortunately the H70 was scrapped. He had a few problems with the current engine last time it ran two years ago, so I might be looking new engine.

The seat is in pretty good condition, just two tears on some top back seams. I'm thinking about installing and using a new seat so the original doesn't rip in more places.

[MarkPalmer 81]

I wouldn't be too bummed about the engine as one would be hard pressed to find one of these tractors from the late 60's/early 70's that had a normal amount of use with the original aluminum Tecumseh in running or even rebuildable order. Even many of the models with cast iron Kohlers have had their engines rebuilt once or twice. The tractor looks to be in decent, repairable shape and you got the mower also making the $200.00 a good price. I've been working the past couple of weeks on a 867 which is a similar tractor and also my first Wheel Horse, and I have to say these tractors are fun and easy to work on, and you end up with something very useful once the work is through.

-Mark-

[COMMANDO6 20]

I'm thinking about installing and using a new seat so the original doesn't rip in more places.

Do This!! I wish I did years ago. I just bought a replacement from TSC.

Congrats on the purchase.

That first picture was like playing I Spy!

[Ken B 3,189]

Before you purchase a new motor you might want to try to find a nice 8hp Kohler for it. It will look period correct and if you find a good one it'll be much better than anything you can buy new.

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

:WRS: Very nice tractor! Jake

[Don1977 605]

Clean the carburetor 90% of trouble with Tecumsehs is with the carburetor. It's best to let it soak in a good carburetor cleaner over night. Check the fire Tecumsehs don't have as much fire as a Briggs or Kohler so you will have to look close to see it. I have a Tecumseh on a tiller cleaned the carburetor had it running good. took it to the garden made 6 passes of less 50 ft. stopped it off and it wouldn't start back. Look it over and the breather hose from the block had broken off. Had to clean the carburetor before I got it going again.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

I would have given $200 for that in a heartbeat! That looks like an awesome project, and !!! Glad to have you here.

Matt :flags-texas:

[Horse Play 393]

I'm thinking about installing and using a new seat so the original doesn't rip in more places.

Do This!! I wish I did years ago. I just bought a replacement from TSC.

Congrats on the purchase.

That first picture was like playing I Spy!

Thanks for the congrats. I'd figured I would use a new seat instead of ruining an original.

Very nice tractor! Jake

Thank you, Jake.

[Horse Play 393]

Clean the carburetor 90% of trouble with Tecumsehs is with the carburetor. It's best to let it soak in a good carburetor cleaner over night. Check the fire Tecumsehs don't have as much fire as a Briggs or Kohler so you will have to look close to see it. I have a Tecumseh on a tiller cleaned the carburetor had it running good. took it to the garden made 6 passes of less 50 ft. stopped it off and it wouldn't start back. Look it over and the breather hose from the block had broken off. Had to clean the carburetor before I got it going again.

Thanks a lot for the Tec advice because I know I am going to need it. I have a friend who works on small engine and has commercial-grade carb cleaner, so I'll give it to him for a soak.

[Horse Play 393]

I would have given $200 for that in a heartbeat! That looks like an awesome project, and !!! Glad to have you here.

Matt

Thanks for the welcome. I was hoping $200 was a fair price. I bugged my friend for months to sell it to me; it has sentamental value to him and he made me sign a document I would sell it back to him if I ever wanted to get rid of it, LOL.

[Horse Play 393]

So I wanted to get some opinions on my tires. When I saw there was a little dry rot, I thought I'd ditch them and get new ones. But then I noticed the sidewalls say "Wheel Horse" so the must be originals. I was curious if there is hope to save them, but I probably won't be able to break the bead to sandblast/paint the wheels.

Meanwhile I called my local Toro dealer and was told there are still a ton a parts still available, which really surprised me. So for kicks I ordered a escutcheon plate and will be in Tuesday.

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

I would have given $200 for that in a heartbeat! That looks like an awesome project, and !!! Glad to have you here.

Matt

I would have given $201 for that Horse! Welcome to the addiction :rs:

[Horse Play 393]

I would have given $200 for that in a heartbeat! That looks like an awesome project, and !!! Glad to have you here.

Matt

I would have given $201 for that Horse! Welcome to the addiction

Thanks! Another addiction with something with wheels and a motor, thats all I need, LOL.

[Horse Play 393]

I did a lot of degreasing and power washing this weekend. Picked up the discounted IH red Valspar paint and hardener from TSC along with new deck wheels. Now I'm thinking about picking up some tri-ribs and repainting the from wheels.