First Wheel Horse, what to look for?

[Antiquated 3]

I just bought a house with a little over and acre and a half so I have been looking for something to mow with instead of borrowing my uncle's boring zero turn. Growing up my dad had two Wheel Horse tractors, an early 90s Toro and a late 60s or early 70s Wheel Horse (don't remember the models). He has since passed on and I would love to get one for myself just because of the nostalgia and I love old tractors. Plus they are built like tanks.

My wife was at a garage sale the other day, found a collector and told me about him. I went to check it out and he has a 1980 C-145 Blackhood with the 16hp Kohler and 8 speed. He would sell it to me for $350. It seems to run well and has a worn out seat and a plastic seat pan that is a little cracked but not too bad yet. I figure I can replace that cosmetic stuff easily so it doesn't bother me.

My question is what else should I look for to ensure I'm getting a good tractor? I'd like to give him a call and see if we can meet up this weekend to make the deal.

Thanks!

[AMC RULES 37,235]

Run! Don't walk, and don't forget to take your camera.

:WRS:

[Tankman 3,523]

Gotta mow the lawn? Check the mower deck and, if possible hear it run.

The engine and the mower deck clean? How was the Stallion maintained? Clean, belts lookin' good, engine oil and air cleaner? Grease at the zerk fittings?

$350 isn't a bad price, sounds like a very good price for his Wheel Horse provided it is running.

Myself, I would go for it probably sight unseen taking the owners word.

Got a question. How come if I land at the Kansas City Airport I'm not in Kansas? Dumb isn't it? :laughing-rofl:

[Rock farmer 43]

I believe a C-145 should be a 14 horse? Maybe he changed it?

The first thing you have to ask your self is what am I going to do with it?

Just mowing a big flat lawn a standard trans should be fine.

For other chores I prefer a hydro trans.

That zero turn does a quick job on the lawn. You'll spend a lot more time

Mowing with a ride on. Get the biggest deck you can find if you want to save time.

Long frame tractors like the C-145 don't turn on a dime.

Wheel horse also made a short wheel base tractor for that.

Newer tractors can use baggers or vacuum sweepers.

Older tractors you could use a tow behind sweeper.

Just some thoughts for you to consider

Good luck!

Joe

[varosd 1,185]

like stated, C-145 should be 14 hp, 16hp even better! good price, based on obvious condition during inspection. seat pan can be switched out to metal one. chexk oil, pull plug , check belts...check shifter boot and gear oil to ensure not water logged! check for rotted out deck. deck size on those yrs can be 36, 42 RD or SD or 48 SD

Go for it!

[IthacaJeff 151]

For 1.5 ac you are going to want at least a 48" deck, which is largest that will fit on the C145 (even if

it has a replacement 16 hp. Bigger deck will be better, zero turn will mow faster. But, get the WH

anyway, and I prefer the 8 speed even if the hydro can make things a bit simpler.

Deck condition is key. Rust, deck shell warping, condition of wheels. Crawl under the tractor and look

back at the mounting area where the tranny bolts onto the frame. Sometimes there are cracks at the

bolt holes. Not a critical problem as it can be fixed (search RedSquare for fixes), but certainly plays

into the price.

Check condition of the PTO clutch plate. Replaceable, but money. Check belts. Again, replaceable,

but money.

Jeff

[Jake Kuhn 1,581]

:WRS:

[1maidenfan 202]

:text-welcomeconfetti: :text-welcomeconfetti:

:wwp:

:USA:

[Antiquated 3]

Well I went and picked it up this afternoon. I was wrong, it is a 14hp. The guy who sold it to me is a member here. Thanks bowtieguy!

I would love to completely do a restoration but I don't have the money now. I will slowly fix things here and there starting with the seat and pan. I need to get a snow blade before winter.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

:WRS:

This is the best place to learn all about Wheel Horse GT's.