RedRanger 1,468 #1 Posted January 12, 2015 In the last 3 weeks I've managed to bring 2 Horses back to the barn. Our household has gone from 0 to 2 ponies in the blink of an eye. Never owned a Wheel Horse before, but have always liked the coolness factor of the early models. The ruggedness, the long hoods, the slight incline of the hood rear to nose, the foot stirrups, the way you straddle the tractor like a horse, the stance....need I go on? Although there are at least another half dozen models that I like, I hope this does not become an obsession, as does my wife. A few weeks ago, my 12 year old son and I were driving down the road and he said, "Whoa there. There's a couple cool tractors sitting next to that guys house over there." We had been talking about finding an old tractor to restore, and with a quick U turn we were soon headed back to take a look. There were green tractors and orange tractors, but the one that caught our eye was a little red pony sitting off by itself alongside the old man's garage. Cute little thing it was and had the most stylish little round nose I've ever seen. We introduced ourselves to the owner and inquired on the possibility of a purchase. The man politely denied our inquiry and said any of these are for sale, but not this one. He had plans to keep her for himself and make a parade tractor out of her. After a good 30 minutes of chatting it up with the old chap and listening to stories of his tractor conquests, we were headed home with a 1966 Lawn Ranger looking over our shoulders. The old man had unfortunately put a fresh coat of red paint on her with a brush, a new seat that looked out of place on this vintage machine, and had spent his time primping her instead of making the needed mechanical repairs that should have been done prior. We'll be doing a total frame off "renovation". Should be show quality when we're done with her, although she'll be getting a workout as a toy around the "estate". We've already purchased new shoes, performed a needed tune and carb rebuild, flushed the fuel system, repaired the original seat pan (although my son prefers the old fashion springer round seat pan for it's cool factor) and since he's the one that fits the tractor....he'll be making the seat decision. She starts on the second or third pull when cold and always on the first pull once warmed up. Any one know what model this wheel is from? Now, with a toy in the shop that at 6'4" I must admit I look a bit "off" operating it, I had to look for a playmate for it that suited my larger frame. I set out looking for a 1267 or the like, but could not find one within reasonable driving time and the comparable 10 and 12 horse models in my area where well used up or incomplete missing too many parts. I "settled" on the next best thing. A very cool looking 867. Less HP than I wanted, but with the cool 6 speed (8 speed) who was I to complain? I guess I can keep the search open for the 3rd machine with a 12 horse? Right? After all, reading around this site, looks like these tractors seem to multiply on their own all the time. Well, Friday I made the trek and brought home our 2nd Horse. At 48 years old, I'm pretty satisfied with her completeness. It looks as though her previous owners have treated her well. (mostly...We'll discuss this later. Not for the faint of heart.) Her skin is straight, joints are tight, original color has a nice patina reflecting her life experiences, purrs like a kitten, and runs out smooth in all gears. Her original shoes are not cracked either. She will need some mechanical repairs such as some rewiring, replace the hitch cable, replace some seals and fix some leaks, and a seat cover. I plan to restore the wheels and maybe the mower deck, but the tractor will maintain her patina with a degrease and buff. Like her little sister, she'll be just a toy for the family. Maybe get some time pulling the yard cart or time eating grass on the front lawn every now and then. Neither horse is a primary worker for us. As for her mental and physical abuse by one of her previous owners, please be careful with viewing the following picture. It is very graphic and I'm sure most if not all members of this forum will find the following repulsive and uncalled for. Our first step in cleaning the little girl up will be to remove this attrocity from her skin. You've been warned. I told you there was previous mental abuse in her past. Maybe it was a tramp stamp???? Now I'm not put off by green, Our primary worker is green as a matter of fact, but to slap this sticker on a Wheel Horse is just wrong. I don't know if this was some kind of sick joke played long ago or if a previous owner hated this little tractor, but we'll fix her up and give her the love she deserves. How rare are the 867 tractors? I don't see many on this site or on the web, and even looking at some of the download manuals, the 867 is not even listed as a model in some of the company brochures and model listings. What model/year is this seat from? It's obviously not original to the tractor? It has the Wheel Horse stamped on the back and in the vinyl. 14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben06351 19 #2 Posted January 12, 2015 Well, they both look great to me. I'm sure that they will clean right up. You have the makings of a fine herd there. As far as HP you may be surprised with what you can do with what you settled for. I know that my B-80 keeps me amazed at how much work it can do with just 8 hp. I guess it's all in the gearing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #3 Posted January 12, 2015 Well, they both look great to me. I'm sure that they will clean right up. You have the makings of a fine herd there. As far as HP you may be surprised with what you can do with what you settled for. I know that my B-80 keeps me amazed at how much work it can do with just 8 hp. I guess it's all in the gearing. Thanks for the compliments Ben. The lawn ranger is truly a 10 footer. The pictures make it look better than it is. The hood and fenders are going to need a lot of bodywork, the deck has a rot hole in it, belts are shot, etc. We knew that though. The plan is a father son project this year. Spend some quality time in the garage. The 867 is the more solid of the two. As for the 867, I agree the gearing has a lot to do with it. The old Kohlers are tough as nails too. I don't plan to work it really, just hope it's fun to mow with once in a while. I grew up on an Economy and a MF, both had Kohlers. 14 and 12 HP. I remember them mowing well, problem is I've gotten accustomed to 24 HP and a 60 inch deck. These older mowers should be a good time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #4 Posted January 12, 2015 my favourite tractor those rangers!! currently restoring one now james 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,053 #5 Posted January 13, 2015 In my estimation, the 867 is definitely one of the more scarce models. While most pre-1968 tractors were one model year only tractors, there really isn't much difference among them. The 867 isn't especially unique, but it was from the first year that wh made available the dual range transaxle. And it's a short frame which is a bit unusual for the 6-spd. The relative scarcity and "first year" status for what became the default transmission option makes the 867 a pretty significant collectible. Nice little tractors! Welcome to the hobby! Steve 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #6 Posted January 13, 2015 You and your son will have a great time together, I know I have a lot of fun with my 13 yr old son and my 20 yr. old son before him.. Two very nice tractors you picked up, I haven't seen too many 867's myself! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,547 #7 Posted January 13, 2015 Very nice finds! Looks like the addiction is kicking in! The 867's are out there, but I've only seen about a dozen or so, I have one myself and really like it,I use it for mowing around our house. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackhammer 544 #8 Posted January 13, 2015 Looks like you might have two to fight over down the road. Good for you and welcome here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #9 Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) In my estimation, the 867 is definitely one of the more scarce models. While most pre-1968 tractors were one model year only tractors, there really isn't much difference among them. The 867 isn't especially unique, but it was from the first year that wh made available the dual range transaxle. And it's a short frame which is a bit unusual for the 6-spd. The relative scarcity and "first year" status for what became the default transmission option makes the 867 a pretty significant collectible. Nice little tractors! Welcome to the hobby! Steve I may be wrong as I'm new to WH, but from what I'm seeing, the 867 is the first of the 6-spd as you stated (along with the 10 and 12 Hp that year, but they were long frames) After 1967, all of the 6 speeds were in long frames. So the 867 is the first and only short frame with the 6 speed and a small block. I think that makes it pretty unique. As in rarity, I was just wondering if anyone knew the production numbers of the 867 vs the 855 or 877 for that year. Seems I see a lot more of the other two models around. Both on this site as well as for sale on the interweb. Edited January 13, 2015 by RedRanger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #10 Posted January 13, 2015 Very nice finds! Looks like the addiction is kicking in! The 867's are out there, but I've only seen about a dozen or so, I have one myself and really like it,I use it for mowing around our house. Thanks Jake. When you're mowing, what gears are you generally using? Hi or low? and which gear? Can the 8Hp handle thick grass? Looks like you might have two to fight over down the road. Good for you and welcome here Thanks JH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,528 #11 Posted January 13, 2015 Great lookin tractors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #12 Posted January 13, 2015 So can anyone tell me if this seat was factory for a 1967 WH? I assumed all 67 models came with the metal seat pans, but I've since seen this same plastic/fiberglass pan on two other 1967 models on this site. Is it from a later model or could it have been stock that year? Thanks. Great lookin tractors. Thanks Jerry! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kegler 68 #13 Posted January 13, 2015 Looks like the original from my 1077 and my charger 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #14 Posted January 13, 2015 Looks like the original from my 1077 and my charger 10 Thanks Kegler. Looking at it closer this morning it looks to be a heavy duty fiberglass shell. It's in good shape. I'll either recover it or buy another aftermarket cover. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #15 Posted January 13, 2015 Also- Can anyone tell me what this L bracket is for? It's located on the right hand front corner of the frame above the axle. (Bottom left corner of the picture) Also notice the labels added by a previous owner. All four corners were labeled for tire pressure as well as a label on the belt guard for oil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,928 #16 Posted January 13, 2015 Hey Red and if I haven't done it already Whoever put the labels on it must have took care of it awfully well, looks like you got some good ones! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #17 Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) Hey Red and if I haven't done it already Whoever put the labels on it must have took care of it awfully well, looks like you got some good ones! I popped one of the labels off and the paint behind it is like brand new. Them are some old labels. lol Yea, I'm guessing the owner was either very maintenance oriented or very forgetful...or both. Edited January 13, 2015 by RedRanger 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,547 #18 Posted January 13, 2015 Thanks Jake. When you're mowing, what gears are you generally using? Hi or low? and which gear? Can the 8Hp handle thick grass? Thanks JH! I don't have very thick grass, or usually let it get that tall, but normally in 2nd or 3rd high, these aren't very fast tractors and they have plenty of power to run my little 32" deck. It cuts pretty good, and is a lot funner than push mowing up by the house. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #19 Posted January 13, 2015 , and thanks for the photos. I am glad you and your son will be working on these together, and YES, they are addictive, so you wife is correct. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jm46322 32 #20 Posted January 14, 2015 join the club i ended up going from zero to 2 round hoods in about 30 days also. you ended up with 2 nice ones congrats ! i am sure that time spent with your son will make those menories that last for ever. my son and i are in process of redoing one of them and making it a hybred and one is staying barn fresh after some mechinical repairs i see that your from nw indiana the power show is july 10-12 this year at the crown point fair grounds sounds like we both need to get busy if we are going to make it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheel-mule 45 #21 Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) When You get ready to add to your herd get with me.You never know what I might have.Great looking tractors Edited January 14, 2015 by wheel-mule Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #22 Posted January 14, 2015 join the club i ended up going from zero to 2 round hoods in about 30 days also. you ended up with 2 nice ones congrats ! i am sure that time spent with your son will make those menories that last for ever. my son and i are in process of redoing one of them and making it a hybred and one is staying barn fresh after some mechinical repairs i see that your from nw indiana the power show is july 10-12 this year at the crown point fair grounds sounds like we both need to get busy if we are going to make it. I'm in Schererville. Right next door. Keep in touch. When You get ready to add to your herd get with me.You never know what I might have.Great looking tractors Thank you and I will! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #23 Posted February 17, 2015 In my estimation, the 867 is definitely one of the more scarce models. While most pre-1968 tractors were one model year only tractors, there really isn't much difference among them. The 867 isn't especially unique, but it was from the first year that wh made available the dual range transaxle. And it's a short frame which is a bit unusual for the 6-spd. The relative scarcity and "first year" status for what became the default transmission option makes the 867 a pretty significant collectible. Nice little tractors! Welcome to the hobby! Steve Found this info while searching for one of the 16 WH models made in 1967...seeing that I have about 6 of the 16 models in the barn I started to look for more in hopes of collecting all 16...well, I found a T-867 nearby....(not listed in the WH file...wonder why?)...looks like I "gotta have it"...will look good next to my 857 and my 1057 and my 1067.. Didn't know much about the T-867 ...but I'm learning (remember, never too old to learn something new!!)..plus short frames get my attention~! Thanks for the pics Racinfool and info Steve and TT...now if I can only get the herd down to SIXTEEN....all 1967 models! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #24 Posted February 17, 2015 the 867 also has a limited slip differential. and ,as mentioned, the only 8spd short frame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #25 Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) Well, she's cleaned up and put her to work hauling brush to the street today. Amazing how these things clean up. Power washed and degreased, powder coated rims, new tubes, new seat cover, buffed original paint, new ignition switch, re-wired entire tractor, new belts, cleaned and set points, new plug and air filter, rebuilt carb, new engine gasket kit, de-carboned the head, lapped and gapped the valves, new tail lights and headlight bulbs, added an amp gauge, new lift cable, added a fixed pulling tongue, new tie rods. Fun little bugger. Before After Edited March 22, 2015 by RedRanger 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
