The mystery Wheel Horse arrives..

[Stigian 1,234]

Why is it a mystery?    Because I didn't know which model I had been offered!!

 

I'd better explain  

 

Word had reached me (Thank you Mathew and Pete for  that word) that an unloved and unwanted Wheel Horse needed rescuing not too many miles away..

The owner had inherited it when he bought the house about 15 years ago..  He had no interest in it and could tell me no more than "it has a wheel on each corner and an engine up front"!!!!

 

Pete went to look at it and reported back that it had grass tires on the back and a single cylinder engine with the air cleaner at the front but couldn't find and model numbers on it!!

 

HHmmm.. I like a bit of mystery and the price was quite nice as well...

 

 

Sooo... Without seeing it or know exactly what it was I agreed to come and collect it..

 

 

And today was the day...

 

 

A BIG thank you to Pete, Nigel and Garry for helping me extract the Wheel Horse from it's resting place down in the valley, and a big thank you to Nigel for providing the means to get it home..

 

 

So what have I dragged home....

 

 

 

Well, I was expecting it to be a Raider of some sort... But no..... 

 

 

It's a......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original cigarette lighter??

 

 

 

 

Not sure this key is the original..

 

 

 

 

Some numbers.. Anyone help me out with which year it was made?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original tire all round.. well, they all say Wheel Horse... Shame the right side front tire is trashed but the left one holds air..

 

 

 

 

A handy hitch on the back... It might take quite a bit of work to get it to move again!!

 

 

 

 

The first time it had been out in the daylight for at least 15 years!!   At least it had been stored kinda under cover for all that time..

 

 

 

 

And in it's new home..

 

 

 

 

My plans for it???    Er... good question!!

 

My brain had said to me before I saw it that it was most likely a Raider which I could sell on and get some £££'s in to add to the "Wheel Horse of my dreams (well one of them)" funds...

 

But I've never seen a 856 before and quite like it... Trouble is it needs a lot of work....

 

Are they rare in the UK?

 

 

Something to think on me thinks

[meadowfield 2,754]

wow that's fab Ian, what a find.

 

856 was 1966 I think - that's when model numbers were easy! (857 was 1967 - probably)

 

Pretty certain I've seen one in Neils collection - just can't find the picture...

 

edit... he does/did have one - I created a decal set from his pictures

 

cheers

 

mark

[Lars 526]

wow good find Ian..awesome.                                

ditto on what mark said. 1966 856 4-Speed Kohler K181S-30108D (8Hp)

i have seen one here in norway to. but that is a long time ago..

Hmm ill might have a few parts that wil fit on that.. not sure Ian

[Rock farmer 41]

Nice find!

I would agree 1966. I have a 1276. Yours would be a short wheelbase. Better turning for mowing!

Joe

[Tom. 70]

Hi Ian,

That's a great find! sounds like you were in luck, looks like a good base to start with. Good luck on whatever you decide to do with it!

Tom

[Anglo Traction 761]

Well Ian, You done good there boy!. '66' it is then. Only The Start/Gen Pulley/Belt Cover missing that I can see so far. All the other iffy bits are replaceable

For me, that would be a Resto if it was mostly or all there and no major rot. I think you need a Littley one to bite the Beasts Ankles now and again.

We'll need you to do another Thread here anyway!.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Anglo Traction

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,500]

Manual

 

 

Garry

[neil 2,410]

Congratulations Ian on finding an 856 , Like Mark said , i have one of these in my collection & 1966 is the correct year .

I would say that the 856 is really rare here in UK , although the parts from any of the short frame 8hp should fit yours .

looks like you got a nice  restoration projrct to do alongside the 6x6

Great find .

[SousaKerry 503]

Nice Find

 

I love my little 655 to death and that has a bigger Kohler to boot

[wheeledhorseman 579]

What a bit of luck eh? Worth a few bob as it is I'd guess but I'd want to see if it's a runner or not before deciding what to do.

 

Andy

[Don1977 605]

Well it's in good hands now. Look forward to the rebuild we know it will be done right.

[Stigian 1,234]

wow that's fab Ian, what a find.

 

856 was 1966 I think - that's when model numbers were easy! (857 was 1967 - probably)

 

Pretty certain I've seen one in Neils collection - just can't find the picture...

 

edit... he does/did have one - I created a decal set from his pictures

 

cheers

 

mark

 

Thanks Mark, 1966 it is

I'm guessing you kept the templates for Neil's decals. I may or may not need a set made depending if I decide to keep the 856 or not.

 

 

 

wow good find Ian..awesome.                                

ditto on what mark said. 1966 856 4-Speed Kohler K181S-30108D (8Hp)

i have seen one here in norway to. but that is a long time ago..

Hmm ill might have a few parts that wil fit on that.. not sure Ian

 

Hi Lars happy you like the little dark green machine..

Thanks for the offer of looking for parts in your collection, I'm not sure what's going on with the 856 yet but will let you know if I do need any parts..

 

 

 

Nice find!

I would agree 1966. I have a 1276. Yours would be a short wheelbase. Better turning for mowing!

Joe

 

Ta muchly Joe, yeah it is quite a short wheel base.. But then again I'm used to seeing the massive 6X6 and anything looks small compared to that

 

 

 

Hi Ian,

That's a great find! sounds like you were in luck, looks like a good base to start with. Good luck on whatever you decide to do with it!

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. Despite how it looks it is a good base... Lot's of surface rust but no major rot (well nothing frightening) so far.

 

 

 

Well Ian, You done good there boy!. '66' it is then. Only The Start/Gen Pulley/Belt Cover missing that I can see so far. All the other iffy bits are replaceable

For me, that would be a Resto if it was mostly or all there and no major rot. I think you need a Littley one to bite the Beasts Ankles now and again.

We'll need you to do another Thread here anyway!.

 

Howdo Richard, all that's missing is the start/Gen/Belt cover, something nice and soft on the seat and a few bits of rubber from the front right side tire.

There is a bit of steel under the fender pan that has rotted away totally and needs replacing but that's the only bit of nasty rot.. Quite what's hiding under the paint is another question, but other than some deep rust pits I'd expect nothing scary..

 

Me do another thread?? Are you saying I don't talk enough already? 

 

 

 

Manual

 

 

Garry

 

Thanks Garry, that's very handy

 

 

 

Congratulations Ian on finding an 856 , Like Mark said , i have one of these in my collection & 1966 is the correct year .

I would say that the 856 is really rare here in UK , although the parts from any of the short frame 8hp should fit yours .

looks like you got a nice  restoration projrct to do alongside the 6x6

Great find .

 

Thanks Neil, could you post some photos of your 856 please... It might help me to decide what to do with it..

Really rare in the UK eh,,, Hhmm Interesting.

 

 

 

Nice Find

 

I love my little 655 to death and that has a bigger Kohler to boot

 

Thanking you kindly Sir.

 

 

 

What a bit of luck eh? Worth a few bob as it is I'd guess but I'd want to see if it's a runner or not before deciding what to do.

 

Andy

 

Hi Andy, yeah it was a bit of luck, it was certainly the last thing I was expecting when we went to collect it having no idea on which model it would be... Much better than a Raider which I was expecting being quite common Wh's over here..

The thought of it's "worth a few bob as it is" has crossed my mind which hasn't helped me decide what to do with it..

 

 

 

Well it's in good hands now. Look forward to the rebuild we know it will be done right.

 

Is that your way of saying I should keep and restore it Don? 

 

 

 

I had a chance to girl the ol  girl a bit of a looking at yesterday.. A mixture of good and bad news..

 

 

The good news is that other than a bit of steel under the fender pan that need replacing, I've not found any serious rot yet..

 

I even found some good condition original paint under the belt guard..

 

 

 

 

The pedals and brakes have freed up quite easily....

 

 

And..... The brown paint on the steering wheel cleans off nicely 

 

 

 

 

The bad news....

 

The starter/Gen thingy turns freely but the bearings sound very dry and worn!!

 

The engine is locked up solid... I'm not surprised at this as it has been sitting for at least 15 years, I expect the exhaust has been off for all that time letting moisture and spiders into the engine...

 

The trans will only select 2nd and 3rd gear!!   I will start a thread in the trans section about this..

 

 

 

Now the two big problems above should of scared me off from doing a restoration, but my brain started thinking and a few text messages later I think I have found another correct and rebuilt engine.. Not sure on the price but knowing the chap I'm sure a deal can be done..

 

 

So... I'm still undecided on the way forward, but it looks like I maybe leaning towards a resto...

 

 

A couple more photos...

 

The 856 looks really small next to the 312-8..

 

 

 

 

A short frame hood next to a very long framed hood  

 

[wh1257 226]

it looks verry orginal

[Stigian 1,234]

it looks verry orginal

 

Apart from the dark green paint and a plastic fuel tap I think it is all original..

 

 

 

Well Chap's a bit of an update for you on the 856..

 

 

But first a big thank you to Mark (Meadowfield) for inspiring me to have another look at the poor green thing this afternoon..  Ta muchly Mark 

 

 

After a few hours of cleaning this, digging dirt out of that and giving plenty of oil to the other, the 856 now has......

 

An engine that turns freely by hand, but I think the exhaust valve might be stuck...

A trans that now selects all gears, not just 2nd and 3rd..

A starter/gen thingy that spins at the turn of the key, but makes some interesting sounds..

A light on the dash now comes on...

 

And maybe most importantly.... The spring in the cigarette lighter now does it's job again 

 

 

(Edited because I forgot to add this)

 

 

Enjoy a video of the 856, it's not up to date with today's fun and games but enjoy it anyway.

 

Edited May 20, 2013 by Stigian

[compo1970 0]

Hi Ian nice tractor. Don't  know if you have found out but the number is a code. 8- 8hp  5-electric start. 6- 1966. mines 857.

Cheers Mate catch up soon.

Paul

[mid60's 93]

Great tractor, I have 2 of them. I still do some mowing with one and odd jobs with the other. The lighter and the key are original. Luck to ya. Larry

[Charlie Smith 142]

Nice little machine, great video too,

Keep it up

[Stigian 1,234]

Hi Ian nice tractor. Don't  know if you have found out but the number is a code. 8- 8hp  5-electric start. 6- 1966. mines 857.

Cheers Mate catch up soon.

Paul

 

Hi Paul, how's it going?

Thanks for the number code info.

We need to have a chat about getting a certain (not giving the game away here) Wheel Horse from you neck of the woods to mine if your still up for that.

 

 

 

Great tractor, I have 2 of them. I still do some mowing with one and odd jobs with the other. The lighter and the key are original. Luck to ya. Larry

 

Hey Larry, I agree it is a great little tractor, just not quite right for me...    Ta for the lighter and key info, it's quite amazing that they are still with the 856 after 47 years!

 

 

 

 

Nice little machine, great video too,

Keep it up

 

Ta muchly Charlie..

 

 

 

 

Well, as some of you will of noticed by now the 856 is up for grabs on a certain auction site...

 

I know many of you would of liked me to of kept it and done a full restoration, but.......  There is a couple of reasons why I'm selling it..

 

As nice as it is, full of character it just doesn't "do it" for me in the way it's replacement does...

 

The other reason is I can't actually get on and off the thing with a lot of pain and a box to stand on!! 

Although it's the smallest Wh I have, it's the one I have to try and lift my leg the highest to get on..

 

So.... up for sale she is..

 

I wonder how many of you are watching it already?    

[meadowfield 2,754]

Wondering what the bird pulling properties are. :D

[pmackellow 12]

That has got to be one of the most amusing listings on ebay I have read,made me laugh out loud !!

 

Nice one mate, hope it sells for a tidy sum...

[compo1970 0]

Hi mate good listing hope you get what you want for it. about the other thing. yes that's still fine im gonna need some dimensions on it don't think it will fit in van but no worries I have a 8x4 trailer that it will fit in behind the car. just be good to know the size prefer to take van if possible. Cheers Ian spk soon.

Paul...

[Stigian 1,234]

Wondering what the bird pulling properties are.

 

Something about strapping the lady's to a trailer behind a Wheel Horse..

 Hhmm.. Maybe that's where I have been going wrong all these years  

 

 

 

 

That has got to be one of the most amusing listings on ebay I have read,made me laugh out loud !!

 

Nice one mate, hope it sells for a tidy sum...

 

Thanks Paul, good to hear the advert has made people laugh

Believe it or not the "being told I was too honest with my ad's" is true, which inspired me to do the "non honest" fun bit..

 

 

 

Hi mate good listing hope you get what you want for it. about the other thing. yes that's still fine im gonna need some dimensions on it don't think it will fit in van but no worries I have a 8x4 trailer that it will fit in behind the car. just be good to know the size prefer to take van if possible. Cheers Ian spk soon.

Paul...

 

Thanks Paul, you have a PM.

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,238]

hey Ian, that should make a nice rebuild/restore I looks alot like my 606.  Also, that key could be original....

[Stigian 1,234]

Thanks Terry, it should make a nice rebuild/restore for someone.. But not me..

 

Fingers crossed I get some bids before the listing finishes tonight!

[Stormin 9,985]

Just the one Ian. Pity. Tempted myself but it would have cost me that to collect it.