jim4065 0 #1 Posted June 19, 2014 Hi. I'm still a couple of weeks from closing on my "Hobby Farm" but really excited about having a country place. Been looking for a small tractor to handle the 1/4 acre garden, mow about 1 acre of grass, and drag cut logs out of the 2 acre wood lot. Never thought a Wheel Horse size tractor could plow until I saw a YouTube video of it. My questions are 1) What is the smallest tractor in Hp or weight that I can use? 2) What do you recommend? Snow is not a factor here, but clearing brush is important - as is putting up fencing. Thanks for all your help - and why do all the wheel horse tractors seem to be North and East of here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #2 Posted June 19, 2014 (edited) New or old, all of our 's will perform well for you... but for your working needs, and reliability, I'd recommend looking for something 12hp or better... preferably one of the newer model 3,4,500 series tractor featuring a Kohler magnum engine. Edited June 19, 2014 by AMC RULES Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 503 #3 Posted June 19, 2014 Wheel Horse was more of a regional manufacturer, although quie a few were exported or built abroad. Never sure why they wer not very popular west of the Mississippi or down south. They are out there just not as many. And as said above 12HP and up would do great for you, make sure it is a horizontal shaft engine as well. There were several models that were vertical shaft that were never meant to so the heavy work, they were more or less built for cutting grass. Your best bet is to try to find a package deal that has most of the attachments you want, often times you will save quite a bit over buying piece by piece. Remember they are like potoato chips nobody can have just one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #4 Posted June 19, 2014 Slip across your northern border and I'll bet you can find a Wheel Horse in Missouri that will fit your "hobby farm"...maybe a C-145 or C-175 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ol550 830 #5 Posted June 19, 2014 I'll bet if bowtieguy doesn't have what you need your neighbor new2horses can hook you up. He's within an hour or so from you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #6 Posted June 20, 2014 You would love a Horse to death! I like all of 'em but considering your needs I would suggest at least a 400 series Stallion. 12 hp minimum, a 14 hp or 16 hp even better (my 416-8 pic below). Be sure to follow up and let the forum see what you wind up with. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #7 Posted June 20, 2014 You would love a Horse to death! I like all of 'em but considering your needs I would suggest at least a 400 series Stallion. 12 hp minimum, a 14 hp or 16 hp even better (my 416-8 pic below). Be sure to follow up and let the forum see what you wind up with. Good luck! 416-Christian.jpg +1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #8 Posted June 20, 2014 12hp & up with an 8 speed you can't go wrong. I have my horses at our vacation home. I've stuck with single cylinder Kohlers as opposed to the Onans or even twin Kohlers. The old kohler singles just keep on trucking! 12hp is good up to a 42" deck. 14 & 16 hp easily handle a 48". Hydro trans are wonderful yet somewhat problematic, I have one. But the 8 speeds are basically bulletproof. Any tractor that came with a 14 or 16 hp kohler will have a 1-1/8" rear axle with an 8 pinion diff. Some 12 hp tractors came with that combo too. 10hp and smaller had 1" axle and 4 pinion diff. Good units just not as durable. And already 20+ years old. I've used my tractors to push and pull logs. You will need snow chains for traction. I also use a gravely snow plow mounted on a WH plow frame to push logs and rocks. The Gravely is 1/4" thick rolled steel. I had to cut 8-10" off the top of the plow. Dollar for dollar you can beat a WH. Best of luck to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim4065 0 #9 Posted June 22, 2014 Thank you all for the help. I'm a little concerned about the mid-mount mowers. They sure seem to cut the under clearence way down. Doesn't that interfere with plowing, tilling, dragging logs uphill, etc? Unless the mmm detaches and re-attaches quickly, it could be a pita right quick. Would I be better off to find a small bush hog and forget the mmm? Despite having to cut the grass occasionally, the garden work and log or rock handling are a higher priority. Speaking of rocks, should I use a snow plow blade or a rear blade to push around dirt, gravel or whatever? It seems that the more I learn, the more I'm thankful that I haven't bought the wrong equipment! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #10 Posted June 22, 2014 Thank you all for the help. I'm a little concerned about the mid-mount mowers. They sure seem to cut the under clearence way down. Doesn't that interfere with plowing, tilling, dragging logs uphill, etc? Unless the mmm detaches and re-attaches quickly, it could be a pita right quick. Would I be better off to find a small bush hog and forget the mmm? Despite having to cut the grass occasionally, the garden work and log or rock handling are a higher priority. Speaking of rocks, should I use a snow plow blade or a rear blade to push around dirt, gravel or whatever? It seems that the more I learn, the more I'm thankful that I haven't bought the wrong equipment! The mid mount mower is a breeze to attach and remove - one of the best arrangements I've seen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #11 Posted June 22, 2014 Of course the mower decks cost you ground clearance. But they are a snap to remove and put on. That's one of the many benefits of a Wheel Horse. As far as horsepower goes, even 8hp will lose traction before running out of power when you're talking pushing and pulling. A 12hp will easily handle a 48" deck. I had a GT1100 I bought new and slapped a 48" deck I had on it. The 11hp B&S did nearly as well as the C-160 with the 48" on the several acres we mowed in Indiana. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #12 Posted June 22, 2014 For gardening and lawn care you won't beat a WH. Pulling logs and pushing rocks well..... It all depends on just how much you're trying to accomplish. They're 600-700 lb machines that fit in the rear of a pickup truck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim4065 0 #13 Posted June 25, 2014 Well, I bought a Sears Twin SS/16 for $200. It has the Onan twin cylinder and a deck. Figured I had to buy super cheap so I wanted a rough but working machine to rebuild. The Wheel Horse tractors are great, but I would have to pay beaucoup dollars to get a running WH with a twin cylinder engine. Hope I made a good choice. Thanks again for all the help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #14 Posted June 25, 2014 Run it until you can get your Horse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #15 Posted June 26, 2014 I'll second that! Don't get hung up on a twin cylinder horse. You only need those for the 2 stage snowblower and the 60" deck. 12-16 hp Kohlers handle everything with ease. Be patient! Used horses always seem to come up when you least expect. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
