rjg854 11,953 #1 Posted December 28, 2014 I was just wondering what you collectors and knowledgeable people who own Wheel Horses, think about a '70 WH commando 8. It has a snow blower, mower deck and a dozer plow offered with it. It has a Tecumseh 8hp engine on it. The person selling it is asking a real reasonable price for it, considering it looks brand new. It's pretty much original except for the front tires and a couple of the belts. This thing is a one owner tractor since new and doesn't look to have been abused at all. Matter of fact it barely looks used. How reliable is it? Is the engine a good engine. Anything that helps me decide if I want to drive 7 hours to buy this tractor. From the pictures it truly looks pristine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,035 #2 Posted December 28, 2014 Post a picture of that Commando 8 and get the ID number from the tag. The Commando 8 (1-4831) was only made in 1968 and had an 8HP Kohler engine. Could it be a 1970 Commando V8 with a vertical engine? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fun Engineer 859 #3 Posted December 28, 2014 (edited) [quote name="rmaynard" post="494174" timestamp="1419735641" Could it be a 1970 Commando V8 with a vertical engine? Edited December 28, 2014 by Fun Engineer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,953 #4 Posted December 28, 2014 model # 1-4851 serial # 713789 Engine Tecumseh model # VH80-148001 serial # 0051-08345 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,953 #5 Posted December 28, 2014 it's an ebay ad, item # 261713911365 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,035 #6 Posted December 28, 2014 (edited) That is a Commando V8. Vertical Tecumseh engine. Though it has some accessories, it is considered to be a lawn tractor, not a garden tractor. It looks very nice from the pictures and description, but I would be hard pressed to pay more than $200.00 dollars for a 45 year old lawn mower. Whatever you pay, you have to add the transportation cost of a seven hour drive. It's nice to look at in the pictures, but I personally would not buy it. Just my 2 cents worth. Edited December 28, 2014 by rmaynard 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 22,391 #7 Posted December 28, 2014 I agree with Bob. With fuel costs you would be in the $1000 plus range. There has to be something closer to home for that kind of money. Mike........ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,959 #8 Posted December 28, 2014 Looks nice but is a vertical shaft light duty lawn tractor. From a collector point of view, you don't see V7 Tecky powered Horse in that shape very often but they aren't really sought after either. Myself I'd prefer a nice Kohler powered roundhood which can be found more easily but that's me. I also think the vert. shaft tractor attachments are specific so they won't work on anything else but I may be mistaken on that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,161 #9 Posted December 28, 2014 Pass on that Commando lite. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,809 #10 Posted December 28, 2014 That sure is a beauty but I have to agree that it's too much $$ for that model. It also looks like there's been some repainting done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,953 #11 Posted December 28, 2014 This is why I asked you folks, you have a lot more experience and knowledge about these matters than I do. I'm just getting into the Wheel Horse world. Although even as a kid I always liked the looks of the tractor. Thanks for the advice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 22,391 #12 Posted December 28, 2014 I quick scan of Craigslist shows plenty of machines for that money but close to home for you. Are you looking for something older/newer/mint/rusty/worker/show queen? There are 300 and 400 series machines that I think are a much better choice than the vertical Commando. Mike.......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,161 #13 Posted December 28, 2014 (edited) You could always place a generic " wanted" ad in our classified section here... maybe someone local to you has something more desirable to offer. http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/10-wanted/ You've got a few Horse collectors up there...good luck. Edited December 28, 2014 by AMC RULES Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,168 #14 Posted December 28, 2014 (edited) It does look to be VERY nice but 800 bucks is a pretty big stretch. If someone had to have a machine like that in their collection due to its EXCELLENT condition I could see someone paying on the high side of 400 for it. That seat in that condition is an easy 150-200. I don't place much value on the attachments because they are pretty specific to that machine. To me if it would have been a much better machine if it at least had a Briggs on it instead of a Techy... Edited December 28, 2014 by Ken B Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,953 #15 Posted December 28, 2014 right now I'm working on a '68 Commando 8, had to rebuild the motor, and the front end, now I'm working on cosmetics, that's the machine as I got it under my name, as soon as I finish up all the little details I'll post some more pics. But that other machine looked so nice I thought it might be worth something, now I know better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,959 #16 Posted December 28, 2014 Stop by the house sometime Randy. I got a little bit of everything and can show you what to look for. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,953 #17 Posted December 28, 2014 sent me a pm and remind me where you are Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
