zeedubbya 18 #1 Posted July 18, 2012 Today I was looking at my 520h next to my case 448 and wondered about something? Wheel Horse makes the best tractors ever as we all know so I was wondering why other manufacturers chose to use both sides of the motor and Wheel Horse didn't? It seems like maybe they're wasting some power by not using the flywheel side? Or maybe not? Also it's strange that my Case 448 uses the flywheel side for the pto and the shaft for the hydraulic pump, when an old JD 318 I had did it in reverse? Crank for pto and flywheel for hydro shaft? Just was curious about this and figured everyone would have a good opinion on it? Any physics gurus feel free to chime in! If this belongs in engines I apologize but it seemed a good general topic? Thanks for the input. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1054josh 25 #2 Posted July 18, 2012 Not sure what the exact reason for it but in my opinion I sure like watching the flywheel spin on the older starter generator engines.but like I said its just my opinion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,540 #3 Posted July 19, 2012 Someone told me one time to "keep it simple stupid". I think that was a basic design from the start and it worked. I had to pull the motor out of my Case 210 and it was the same as yours. PTO/clutch set up on the front crank side and pulley on the flywheel side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1054josh 25 #4 Posted July 19, 2012 Ya know sometimes the best thoughts come too you while in the bathroom lol ( mine tonight was while shaving ). If would have been like the other brands and turned their engines 90 degrees, then we wouldn't have all the different types we have today. I dont think that an old cub cadet would work very well with a pull start. Even though i like the kohlers the best it wouldn't be the same 's without the briggs techys and clintons and what ever engine type im missing . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #5 Posted July 19, 2012 the only thing I wish wheel horse would have worked into their desing is individual rear brakes. it really is nice when working in the garden, and even mowing. you can turn on a dime. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #6 Posted July 19, 2012 I think Stevebo is right. The best trait that Wheel Horse had was keeping it simple, strong, easy to work on, interchangeable parts. Now my opinion is when the the 520 came around the "Keep it simple stupid" went out the door with the wiring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 14,678 #7 Posted July 19, 2012 the only thing I wish wheel horse would have worked into their desing is individual rear brakes. They were available, but only on a D-series. And I agree with you 100%. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #8 Posted July 19, 2012 Wheel Horse kept the same basic design with garden tractor models from start to finish. Why? It worked well for them, and there was no need to completely re-engineer a design that worked. Cub always mounted their engines longitudinally and often utilized both ends of the crank, and that worked for them. Deere swapped engine mounting and drive systems every which way they could between various models, most likely because they had the most engineering resources to do so. It's easy to appreciate the Wheel Horse design when you've worked on other tractors where most every repair is a struggle. -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #9 Posted July 19, 2012 The D series uses both sides of the motor. The belt drive system on the horizontal and vertical shaft Wheel Horse tractors was simple and worked well. One thing I like about Wheel Horse is that once they had a simple solution that worked they stuck with it. That could explain why so many are still in service while many of the others are in the junk yards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 503 #10 Posted July 19, 2012 I grew up working on Allis b-110's and hated it every time I had to work on the motor. First the hood was a pain to remove, you couldn't get to the bolts on the drive coupling (on the flywheel end) the hydraulic pump for the deck lift was almost impossible to get to and if you had to change the belt you were screwed. The only good thing about the deck was it was heavy duty enough to drive over it to mount it. I love working on my wheel horses simple rugged design and you can get to all the bolts without making special tools. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckshot 1 15 #11 Posted July 19, 2012 :) I agree with Jack C. After working on IHC Cub Cadets for many years and getting my 656. I am amazed about how easy it is to work on . I could strip the whole tractor down in the time it takes just to pull the engine in one of the Cub's.. :flags-usa: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rooster 192 #12 Posted July 19, 2012 To answer your question... In the end everything mounts to the crankshaft. Wehter it is on one end or the other or both, will make no difference power wise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites