WH 855 advice

[Tdfleischer 12]

Good evening,

My name is Tim. It's my first time on this forum, and hope to learn a lot from you experts.

I have been handed down a 50 year old WH 855 by family, which appears to be in very good shape. It hasn't been run in a few years, but properly winterized and taken care of exceptionally well. I have a friend who can help me get her in working order, but im not sure where to start, where to find parts and how to find a local expert (central Ohio).

These items have been recommended so far: points (I don't know what that means), plug, condensor, air filter, oil, grease zerks, clean the carburetor, sea foam fuel system cleaning and a fuel additive since our new fuels are tough on old systems...are these items all accurate? What else must I do/check/replace?

All advice regarding the above topics, plus estimated total cost would be greatly appreciated. I am just a horticulturist, far from a mechanic, and want to truly understand my new machine.

Thank you kindly,

Tim

[Tdfleischer 12]

Here is a better quality pic. I also received the original snowplow attachment.

[Ed Kennell 41,939]

That is a great looking Wheel Horse.    You may want to also check the belts and replace if they  are worn or cracked. 

 

                                  Welcome to                                                                                                                                       

[BESTDOGEVER 218]

All the items you listed are standard tune up items most should be available at your local toro dealer or online from places like parts tree. Points and condenser can be cleaned and set to specs if they aren't worn out .The fuel you use should never have more than 10% ethenol more than that will ruin the seals in the carb or fuel pump. Change the oil and transmission oil regularly and you should have a great machine for years to come. Welcome to the wheel horse family.

[Retired Wrencher 5,773]

           WOW Tim that is very nice. It looks like they took care of it. I would buff up the paint and clean any grease or oil areas and call it a day. Lot of parts on E-Bay if needed. we can help with part #`s. I would have the seat repadded. enjoy the ride.  Gary   B.

Edited April 22, 2015 by T1257

[953 nut 59,917]

  Always glad to hear of a   being passed down within the family, especially a real nice one like yours. I would go one step further than BESTDOGEVER when it comes to fuel, use ethanol free gas only! Go on line to buyrealgas.com and put in your zip code, it will tell you where you can get ethanol free gas.

 

Before you do a lot of work I would charge up the battery, pull the spark plug, crank it over and see if you have spark; if you do then put it back in (or replace it with a new one) add gas and it will probably run fine.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

 

[BESTDOGEVER 218]

That's a good point 953 Nut if you live anywhere that has marinas you might find it there reasonable. Also you do have a great looking horse there and hopefully you can pass it along to your kids.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

  Thanks for the photos.

Glad you found us.

[jackhammer 550]

That is a nice looking tractor, welcome to RedSquare

 

Give yourself this summer to adjust and you'll be quite happy with yours

[Tdfleischer 12]

I am looking for a battery. I know the tractor takes a 12 volt, but the store has 4 or 5 price points for 12v batteries. Which one do I get?

[stevasaurus 23,277]

You want to take the old one with you and match it up.  TORO, Autozone,  NAPA can do this.  It's been a few years since I have bought one, it was around $45. 

 

BTW...Welcome to Red Square. and that is a very nice, well kept horse.

[Racinbob 11,925]

It's really up to you. As Steve said just make sure it fits physically. I used a 275 cca in my 15hp for several years but I'm in Florida and frigid weather starts don't happen here. I recently replaced it with a 425 cca but it was on sale for just a couple bucks more.

[Racinbob 11,925]

Also, make sure the +/- posts are oriented correctly. It makes a difference in some cases.

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

Also, make sure the +/- posts are oriented correctly. It makes a difference in some cases.

 

Don't ask me or the 8AWG welding wire how I learned that they make them both ways...

[Tdfleischer 12]

There's not an old one to take. But I do plan on plowing snow all winter, so should I go with the highest cold cranking amps?

[Racinbob 11,925]

 

Don't ask me or the 8AWG welding wire how I learned that they make them both ways...

 

Come on Brandon, fess up. You've been watching those videos that the self proclaimed genius made, haven't you?

 

Td, it couldn't hurt but you probably wouldn't need it with an 8hp. I don't remember what I used when we lived in Indiana but I probably went big.

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

I have never used my drill as a hammer! That I will admit to.

 

I dont think you will need more than 250CCA. The 8hp is small with compression release and the starter gens dont draw a TON of current.

 

 I would get a middle of the road battery. Since you don't have your old one maybe measure your battery compartment and get one that fits nicely in there.

Edited May 6, 2015 by bmsgaffer

[Tim Fleischer 7]

Here she is. My neighbor got it all fixed up and it run beautifully. Now, what kind of gas/additive do you all suggest that's not too hard on the motor?

[stevasaurus 23,277]

I put a few oz of Sea Foam in a 2 gallon can of gas that I use to fill the horses.  Works in the winter also.  Sea Foam is the way to go. 
BTW...nice horse. 
 

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

I've taken some pretty sick engines and run it with a TON of seafoam in the gas and after a bit of smoke they have come back to life!

I mix a normal amount of it in to all of my gas cans and havent had much trouble since.

[953 nut 59,917]

    I agree on the Seafoam, also you should try to run ethanol free gas. Go to buyrealgas.com put in your zip code and it will tell you where to get it. The slight additional cost will be offset by added reliability and reduced repair cost.

​Enjoy your horse and make room for the next one, did anyone mention that they can be addictive?