Who would buy one?

[thehorse 221]

Lets pretend that Toro/Wheel Horse had a special run of new Classic GT's...lets say in the 5-6k range. Lets also assume they would have 

the 8 speed and a 14-15 horse Kohler. Would you buy one....(probably not, you already have enough) but do you think "people" not on 

this forum would? 

[WH nut 553]

No, they buy the junk from the big box stores. They would be slow learners

[thehorse 221]

True....why would anyone want to buy something and it last a lifetime? 

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Why is it people will pay crazy money for junk,   

then baulk at paying a fair price for quality items? 

[thehorse 221]

I guess it's having the money up front.....thank goodness for CL and people selling their horses.

Patiently waiting for a nice hydro for myself!

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

8 speed with a 20+ horsepower kohler v-twin? Somehow I would justify that to myself. 14-15 horsepower? I'd probably just keep the ones I have and be happy. Good question though as it keeps the dreams here alive.

[Tankman 3,523]

Happy with the Stallions in the barn. Those Horses prove their worth whenever it's time to work!

 

The grandsons however, love to take the Stallions out to play. 

 

When I'm at Home "Cheapo" or Lowes, I laugh lookin' at folks lookin' at the "thingys" dressed like tractors. 

[stevasaurus 23,277]

I would buy 2 and part them out. 

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,147]

I wouldn't buy one. The Uni-drive would last forever I supposed but the new aluminum motors are not going to last like the cast iron "K" and Magnum series Kohlers.

Mike..........

[Racinbob 11,925]

I probably would if I needed one. I have a 2005 Classic GT and thrilled to have found it down here. I too, laugh at the big box stuff. I was talking to the 'hardware pro' at Lowes a couple days ago. I was getting some stuff for my Suburban resto. She knows me well because I do my part in keeping their profits up and just today told her they need to set up a cot in the backroom so I can just live there. Anyways, I was telling her about my 54 year old tractor. She didn't know  a thing about Wheel Horses but when I mentioned the throw away stuff they carry she agreed. Name withheld for obvious reasons I do agree with the Command motor comment Sparky. It's doing great but longevity has yet to be determined. Kohler rates them for more hours than a K or Magnum but I have my doubts. At least I know what I'm slapping on it if/when it takes a dump. 

[546cowboy 302]

I could never spend that kind of money for anything, not even a truck or car. There is no way I could justify that much when these old Wheel Horses are still around. ,of course I have to admit, I do not mow with a tractor anymore. Once you mow with a zero turn, tractors become a novelty and play thing.

 

Since Kohler quit the K series and they don't make Onans ( thank you EPA and government restrictions along with all those injury lawyers )  there are few reliable, long lasting engine choices. The real reason most people buy a new mower every three years or so is that when they buy it goes on the credit card, no immediate cash out of their pocket.

 

The other reason is most lack the time or the knowledge to repair anything let alone something like a mower. You can hardly blame them when even replacing a drive belt can take three hours on some of these newer mowers and that was a Toro.

If they did make a new model it would have a stamped frame, plastic hood and panels, one of those cheap aluminum tranny's, stamped sheet metal steering gears and all those safety switches to keep you from hurting your self and mowing in reverse. You know like you had enough power to run over anything in reverse.

 

Help me I've gone over the edge.

[stevasaurus 23,277]

For those that do not know me...I was kidding.    I would spend more money putting something together to make it whole, then I would to make a profit tearing it apart.  That is me. 

[thehorse 221]

I was just having horse thoughts when I posted this. I currently have a 314-8 with 520 hrs. And it only stops when you turn the key or run out of gas like tonight and the classic with 101 hrs. Those should get me through my mowing years since I only mow a 1/2 acre. I do love laughing when a neighbor goes by with their lowes deere on a trailer to get fixed....they always say..I can't believe it's broken already..I paid 2000 for this tractor. Tractor....funny. And they are amazed when their snow gets gobbled up and thrown like a fountain when I help them out after a snow storm. I always throw in....can yours do that? Super sad thin is my neighbor had a 312 that he sat in his drive the other weekend. $400. Deck was about shot but with 500 hrs...the tractor was nice. I had to get to my sons baseball game and when I returned....she was gone! Son of a ......tch.!

[Racinbob 11,925]

Shortly after moving down here, with my beloved herd all sold to folks up north, I needed a mower and, because red is so hard to find here, I bought a big box junk deere. Within a couple of years it was nothing but a fist full of repairs and could barely make it up the hill from the lake. I went on the search for a Wheel Horse again with my wife helping out. She saw the difference and wanted me back on red. When I found the Classic I gave the green snotty thing (no offense REAL JD owners but the big box things aren't real) to my son in law. We had to remove the mower deck shortly after that and in keeping tune with 546cowboy, what a nightmare. Throw away society really sums it up. When I tell folks down here that I'll never HAVE to buy another tractor they just look at me like I'm from outer space. They just don't have a clue.

[Ken B 3,189]

I'm with 546cowboy. Why spend 5-6k on new when I can spend less than a grand for a real nice used one that will last just as long as a new one..

 

On another note.. My father in law bought a new Craftsman for 1500 for yrs ago. He is meticulous with upkeep and oil changes and this tractor still looks better than new. He has less than a 1/4 acre of grass to cut. VERY LOW HRS. The 21 hp Briggs started blowing clouds of smoke the other day. Turns out it had a bunch of fuel that somehow wound up in the crankcase. Not sure how this happened, he changed the oil and the needle and seat. Still blows smoke. He ain't too happy right now, this was supposed to be his last new tractor...

[js5020 111]

Would the general public "buy in",,, I doubt it. Most I believe would feel they are "saving money" by buying a big box machine. Would I "buy in",,,, only if it had a foot controlled hydro option and hyd lift.

[IthacaJeff 151]

I would not buy one. For $5-6K I could get a really nice used Scag or Ferris or Deere or Exmark

zero turn and mow my lawn twice as fast. Or, a nice JD or Kubota SCUT with about 1500 hours.

For $5-6K I would need a 60" deck and a 3 pt hitch, loader compatible.

 

Jeff

[dodgemike 52]

I as well would buy a SCUT with

FEL. I have my Dads C121. Blade

stays on year round to maintain

big gravel drive and plow a lot of

snow. Dad has a 312-8. He just

bought a Toro ZTR. No power steering on the 312. He is 85. His

312 is now on standby snowplow

duty. I have first dibs on it! No

box store tractor would ever last

like our old Horses. My father in

law has been through two in less

than ten yrs. He mows an acre.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[papaglide 542]

My 416-8 was bought new (not by me) for $4400 back in 1996. That equals $6800 in 2014. Would I pay $6800 for a Wheel Horse right now? Knowing what I know about these tractors. I would shout out an emphatic F#€K YEAH! That son of a gun will last me 40 years and will be the last " lawn mower" that I will EVER buy. It won't be some hand me down fixer upper BUT a BRAND new freakin tractor. I have no need for a kubota with a 3 point or fel, I am not on the zero turn band wagon and have no need for a zero turn: I want one hand free to hold MY BEER, so my 6 grand would be spent on a tractor that I know will last the REST OF MY LIFE.