Spring clean up

[Racinbob 11,925]

I've been dinking with my 2005 Classic GT the past couple of days. I pulled the seat and fender off and degreased everything. It wasn't bad, just the usual that tends to build up if you don't stay with it. Gave it a good coat of wax and did the usual maintenance stuff. I bought it in 2009 after finding it stored in the back yard under a tarp on the gulf coast. Every belt was shot, the hood had been hit (pushed in about an inch) between the headlights, the bezels were gone and it was very dirty. It only had 108 hours. I went through it and fixed the function issues and then attacked the cosmetic. I didn't repaint (other than the black on the hood) but rather just buffed and polished after fixing the hood dent. I didn't care for the 15" steering wheel and found what I wanted on Ebay. That's a much better logo than the original! Stainless socket head button screws replaced some of the hex head. I'm on the fence about the decals. I'm leaning towards a set of Terry's that doesn't have the model number on it AND, no Toro. Maybe the patriotic on the upper dash to get rid of the safety essay. I just can't make up my mind. They are scratched and scuffed a bit but there's pros and cons about the Toro logo. Oh well, ponder, ponder. Here's a few pics. A few years ago that would have been under several feet of water. That's how low the lakes are around here.

[leeave96 490]

That is a fine looking tractor! Nice job on the find of it and putting it back in new looking order.

Do you notice the steering is easier with the larger steering wheel?

I use to be very much anti-Toro, but conceed that they did a pretty good job with the tractors - keeping them real Wheelhorse design up to the end. I give them credit for extending the life of these tractors and when they were done - not slapping the Wheelhorse logo on an MTD.

Now days - I think the Toro logo kind of helps tell the story of these tracctors - so I'm not so offended. However, IMHO, the best Toro/Wheelhorse logos were on the '95 thru '97 (as best I can recall) year makes. The Toro logo was smaller than earlier models and the Wheelhorse lettering got larger again.

Back when I first bought my 314-8, it was new. It is a '97 model Wheelhorse and has the what I consider "equal" sized Toro/Wheelhorse logo and back when I didn't know squat about these tractors, it was a no brainer that the tractor was a Wheelhorse - just by looking at the hood logo.

I remember one time I was mowing another yard away from my house with my mighty 520H, vintage 1992. Without a doubt, this is one of the best tractor, not just Wheelhorse, I've ever owned - and still own it! It has the larger Toro logo and much smaller Wheelhorse lettering on it. When you snap a picture, the Toro jumps out at you everytime! While I was mowing that yard, a friend of mine pulled up and we started chatting and he said, Those old TORO tractors were real machines. I thought I'd throw-up on the spot! One of these days I might change out the hood logos on that tractor and another one I've got. It's just with the 1992 with the large TORO logo, it is otherwise perfect. I'm afraid if I pull the Toro logo - it will turn into a lemon - maybe..... it would be my luck... ;)

[Racinbob 11,925]

Thank you leeave96. The find was on Craigslist so I talked to the guy and then my wife and I made the trip to the coast with trailer in tow. He wanted $1200 for it and we took the cash with us. After all, it was only 4 years old at the time. I have to admit that my heart sank a bit when he took me to the back yard and I saw the tarp. I looked it over and would say it was neglected more than abused. Knowing Wheel horses I knew I could get it back in fine shape. The engine could have been a crap shoot but it did run great and is serving me well. I told my wife to give him the $1200 and he said he'd give it to me for $1000 because we made the long drive and it needed new belts. I think I did good, especially for Florida.

 

I don't feel any difference in the steering even though there has to be some. But I don't use any heavy attachments on the front and the motor is a Command which is lighter than a K or Magnum. The 15" wheel just seemed too big and the 13" I found was one of my all time favorites in looks and feel.

 

Very, very well put about Toro. I think I'm still a bit perturbed about the buy out. We lived just outside of South bend when it happened in the 80's and it was front page stuff in the South Bend Tribune. Toro PROMISED not to change the name and said they wouldn't close that plant. Well, they kept the name but did the camo trick on the Wheel Horse name on the decals just like you said but did do better a few years later. Then they shut down the plant. I was fortunate to have toured it before they closed. Not all that long ago I would have changed the decals immediately but I've mellowed quite a bit about it and now share your feelings about them.  

[Retired Wrencher 5,773]

   R/bob nice find take care of it and it take care of you and the next generation of user. That is how wheel Horse did it even Toro. Enjoy the ride. Gary   B......

[boovuc 1,090]

Why would anyone discard for trash a tractor with that few hours on it and that new? Just amazing and a great job transforming it. I understand there aren't many Wheelhorses in Florida so you really do have a great find. And don't be too hard on "Toro". Remember that they could have killed the whole Wheelhorse garden tractor line anytime after they purchased WH in late 1985. In stead, they kept making them and the attachments and replacement parts for 20 plus years. Toro actually saved Wheelhorse.

[Digger 66 3,488]

I'm in love with that steering wheel . 

Wonder if it could be adapted to fit my '72 Raider 

[Racinbob 11,925]

Sure Digger, it would be a direct replacement. If I wouldn't have found that one first I would have tried to find a 13" from a B/C Series. They had both the 13" and 15" those years.