First post 76-77 b80 question

[cshaw07 2]

Hey guys, first post!  Name is Curtis and I'm from Ohio.  I've been push mowing my lawn for way too long... and it's time to get a rider.  I've always liked older stuff, and this 76 or 77 (not sure yet) wheel horse b80 cought my eye. It's got an 8hp kohler engine and 8 speed trans.  The ad says it runs and drives great, has good tires, needs a battery, comes with 38" mower deck attached.  The pictures look pretty decent compaired to what i've been seeing from pictures online (this tractor is 12-13 years older than i am).  The seat doesn't look ripped, but it's possible it's got a crack in it.  Body work/decal looks to be in pretty good shape typical fading though i'm still waiting on a picture of the left side.  He is asking $400 or best offer.  I'm one hell of a back yard mechanic and I've worked on points/older systems before, so needing some work isnt an issue.  Is there anything specifically i should look at tomorrow when i go to look at this?  Are parts reasonably easy to get a hold of?  Is $400 a decent price?  Thanks in advance for the tips/advice! 

[puddlejumper 67]

Thats probably around top dollar if deck and everything is in good shape. Its a smaller machine which may or may not be what you need. You will have to make up your own mind if it fills the bill or not. They are good older machines that are cheap in my opinion compared to newer box store mowers.They dont have all the creature comforts and a little on the loud side for the neighbors.With that said it would have to be a nice machine for me to give that for it.They are priced all over the spectrum it boils down to what you want/ need. As far as parts they are fairly easy to get. Check the deck spindles and obvious high wear areas (steering ) and go from there.

[stevasaurus 23,291]

Welcome to Red Square.   I've got a B-100 1976, and I love it.  The only difference is the 8hps Kohler...mine has a 10hsp.  I like the 8hsp Kohlers also...better mileage.  If you can get it started...drive it around in all gears and especially check out the hi/low shifter...it is fixable if it is broke, but you have to split the trans.  All of the "B" and "C" series attachments will fit it.  Actually, if the horse is as nice as you state, I think the price is fair.  Maybe the guy will come down a little. The B-80 is a nice horse.

[cshaw07 2]

Here are two pictures:

 

He sent me a pic of the other side and with the hood open and it looks complete.  I'm thinking about offering $250-$300 and see what he says if it all checks out.  How's it look to you guys? 

[cshaw07 2]

Two more pictures he just sent me:

 

My lawn isnt very big, about .5 acres so i dont really need a huge tractor or anything.  I dont plan to plow with it as i actually find shoveling snow kinda fun.. (weird) about the only other thing i'd use it for other than mowing is pulling a small garden trailer.  My push mower is a 4hp tec. engine one that i converter to propane and made a stack for it with 3/4 in tubing, pretty neat.  I always like the wheel horse brand even though i've never had one, i'd like to use it and possibly restore it this winter.  Any more opinions now that i've updated with pictures? These are 12V right?

[leeave96 490]

As far as I can tell, it looks fairly complete. You will like the 36 inch deck. If you are a good back yard mechanic like you say, you will really enjoy this tractor and the simplicity if working on it.

Make an offer and work up from there.

Good luck,

Bill

[cshaw07 2]

Do you think it is work $400 though?  I'm going to throw the starter back in my truck as soon as i get home and try to make it out there tonight.  I haven't seen many b80's forsale around here but it seems like wheel horses go for about $500 and up in usable condition.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

    Probably worth $400 if the deck & spindels are OK.

[SousaKerry 503]

Make sure to check the transmission for leaks around the axle seals, easy to fix.  Also check the condition of the boot around the shifter if it is gone or in bad shape and it sat outside count on there being water in the transmission. 

 

I have the parts left over from stripping 2 of these tractors

[WH nut 553]

400 is a good price and the 8hp you will love, gas miser and the 36in deck is a sweetie. Id drop 400 on it easy

[sorekiwi 761]

My much neglected B80 has done more work for me than any other horse I have owned.  Mowed, plowed snow, run a snow blower, plug aerated, swept and dragged firewood around.  They are a solid, nice simple rtactor to work on.  I keep threatening to pull her apart, but for some reason I just keep her around.

[MarkPalmer 81]

I have an older sibling to the B80 in an 867, same 8 HP Kohler and 8 speed. For half an acre they are great. They use little gas and run the 36 inch deck fine. Super easy to service. Well worth $400 compared to box store throwaways.

[Racinbob 11,977]

I had a 76 B-80 that I bought new. I sold it when we moved here on 2000. At least in 76 the B-80 was no different than the 'bigger' guys except for the 22-750 rear tires, low back seat and no headlights. It had the same tranny and the 1 1/8" axles. All three were an easy fix. The noise, as was mentioned isn't there. Not with the stock muffler. I ended up putting a 16HP on it just to power the blower and a 48" deck. Buy it.

[Kevbo 81]

A lot of members here love the B-80, the 8HP Kohler is a favorite for its smooth running power with minimal gas consumption. I currently have a B-80 in parts awaiting a full restoration (will be my first tractor restore this summer!). I never knew that in 1976 the B-80 had the 1 1/8" axles! I'll have to check mine as that is a plus! I have heard a lot of people rave about the cutting quality of the 36" deck. The B-80 in that picture looks nicely intact! Things I would check like others have stated is the shifter boot, the PTO (check if there is any wobble or play as I bought a 312-8 once and the shaft was so worn it wobbled like crazy and had to replace the crank...), and make sure you get to hear the engine run with the mower deck to see how the spindles are. As far as the $400...I would try and throw him a much lower number without insulting him as many sellers anticipate the buyer to haggle lower. I would offer $300 and settle at $350.

[Racinbob 11,977]

Personally, if the mechanicals on that tractor are as nice as it looks I'd offer less but if the seller won't budge BUY IT! Living in Indiana at the time I bought my 76 in February of 78 right after the big blizzard. It was a NOS at Chandlers Wheel Horse and the price was right. Got it with a 36" rear discharge and the 42" snow blower. I never liked the side plates on the blower so I didn't use them which made it measure closer to 36". The plates seemed to pull the front to the side if you didn't take a full bite. The 8hp did a great job. Soon after I bought it we build a house on 26 acres and I put a 16hp (a couple simple parts for the pto were needed to adapt to the larger shaft) on it to better power the 48" deck I had. II had several Wheel Horses to take care of the acreage but that one was the real worker. Blowing or pushing the snow on an 800' drive, mowing, tilling, etc. I would even hook it up to a 30' travel trailer to pull it out of the pole barn. When we moved here in 2000 it, along with others, went in an auction and it was still in top condition. I only have one down here, a 2005. I love it but even my wife said I would have to snap up the 76 you're looking at without hesitation. It's a great deal.

[Racinbob 11,977]

I just noticed nobody answered your question on the voltage. Yes, it's 12 volt. I think I got my headlight kit when I bought mine. They tend to bring top dollar now but you do see them on Ebay.

[cshaw07 2]

thanks for all the info guys! I was planning to go look at it last night but am having truck issues... I have a military verson of the k5 blazer (M1009) that has a 6.2 detroit in it that I turbo'd.  I'm pretty sure it needs an injection pump :/  I'm trying to talk my one buddy into either taking me there tonight or letting me use his truck.  I'll keep you all posted!  The guy said I can cut some grass with it before i buy it if i want too.

[MarkPalmer 81]

Others who don't know any better who see these today laugh at the 8 HP rating.  Until they see one of these tractors pushing snow.  This past winter some of my neighbors were awe-struck. The thing is, it's an honest full 8 HP and for the size of the machine its plenty for regular household tasks.  You won't want to plow hundred acre fields with it, but for mowing the lawn and pushing snow it does a great job.  Like others stated, the cut quality on the 36 inch decks is tough to beat- the 36" on my 867 is superior in cut quality to the 44" on my Cub Cadet. 

 

12V system, battery/points/coil ignition, gear starter with alternator stator behind the flywheel on that K181.  This setup eliminated the DC starter/generator and belt, but was pre-magneto ignition.  It's even easier to fix than those GM diesels

 

-Mark-

[papaglide 542]

My 1975 B-80 pulled an 8" or 10" plow through my garden without any problem at all. The 8 horse engine is very strong.