Value

[Eric_White 7]

Hey Guys...not sure if I should be posting here but I need some input.   Looking to sell
my Commando 8 Wheel Horse with plow and mower Deck...its in decent shape.
Can anyone tell me what hp it is and what should I charge for it?

Thanks.....Eric

Edited August 21, 2015 by Eric_White

[pfrederi 18,670]

8 horse power
Price... Pictures would be necessary. What condition is the deck in?

[Eric_White 7]

got one pic to post...deck is in very good shape!!!!!

[Save Old Iron 1,571]

good battery, tires, trans ?.... I see $400 plus

[Eric_White 7]

awesome...thx

[squonk 43,821]

Vertical engine. Not much demand

[WHX?? 51,748]

Why is it nobody seems to like the verticals?  .....Never did understand that

[slammer302 2,156]

i would like that seat

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

There are some people that like them, but in general I think they are less popular because the horizontal engine versions have many more attachments available over a much wider range of years, and are far more widely available.

Not to say that verticals are not good at what they were designed for, they just changed relatively often so attachments are specific to the era in which it was made and were considered to not be made as strong. Specifically people seem to burn up transmissions faster.

Edited August 23, 2015 by bmsgaffer
Syntax correction.

[Ken B 3,189]

good battery, tires, trans ?.... I see $400 plus

good battery, tires, trans ?.... I see $400 plus

I was thinking in the 3-400 range myself if it runs real nice to the right guy... Ask 400 and see what happens.

[953 nut 60,013]

Why is it nobody seems to like the verticals?  .....Never did understand that

   Just take a look at the cheap junk Big Box mowers, all vertical shafts which IMHO means verticals are also junk.

[JackC 617]

Why is it nobody seems to like the verticals?  .....Never did understand that

The verticals are lighter duty machines that are basically lawn tractors or lawn mowers.
I have had issues with the friction clutches on the older verticals.  The electric clutch on my vertical 252H works beautifully.

The horizontals are heavier duty, more rugged, and considered garden tractors that can handle heavier duty chores like plowing and tilling.
A vertical in nice shape like yours is good to have along with a horizontal machine.

For plowing, your machine would be too light for me where I live in the North East.  I use a D160 that weighs over 1500 pounds with the plow on the front and a large custom made cement block on the back.

Basically, if it is a Wheel Horse, they are all good.

[WHX?? 51,748]

"Basically, if it is a Wheel Horse, they are all good".....see thats what I'm thinkin. You ever have trouble with the bearings in your  e clutch Jack?

[JackC 617]

"Basically, if it is a Wheel Horse, they are all good".....see thats what I'm thinkin. You ever have trouble with the bearings in your  e clutch Jack?

No trouble with the bearings in my e clutches, so far anyway.  I also have a 216H with about 350 hours and no problems with that either so far.  My D-160s also have e clutches (power take offs) and no problems with them either.  The problems I have had with the vertical engine mechanical clutches has been sticking and not releasing.  They need to be adjusted just right.

[boovuc 1,090]

Everything stated is true about the differences between the verticals and horizontal Wheelhorses but the vertical shaft WH's were also over-engineered too. Very heavy compared to the machines made by MTD with brands on them like John Deere and Cub Cadet at Lowes or Tractor Supply. Far superior to the MTD made Wal-Marts. I was shocked at how heavy the mower deck was on a 200 series from the late 80's early 90's and the deck on my neighbor's 270H.
And I have to admit that his 270H mows faster, maneuvers quicker and has a better finished mowed result than any of my mowing garden tractors. (416-8 with a 42SD, 417-8 with a 48SD and my 310-8 with the 36SD).
When you think about how much we mow verses tilling, plowing, snow-throwing, front-end loader use, etc, I'm going to buy a newer, (90's), hydro-WH lawn tractor to just do mowing. Nothing wrong with them if you know what they were made for and don't abuse for what they weren't made for.
That is a nice Commando and a starting price of 350 to 400 bucks is good in my opinion. They just aren't as collectible as the garden tractors are. That seat is collectible though! 
 

Edited August 23, 2015 by boovuc

[muz123 1,192]

Why is it nobody seems to like the verticals?  .....Never did understand that

The verticals are lighter duty machines that are basically lawn tractors or lawn mowers.
I have had issues with the friction clutches on the older verticals.  The electric clutch on my vertical 252H works beautifully.

The horizontals are heavier duty, more rugged, and considered garden tractors that can handle heavier duty chores like plowing and tilling.
A vertical in nice shape like yours is good to have along with a horizontal machine.

For plowing, your machine would be too light for me where I live in the North East.  I use a D160 that weighs over 1500 pounds with the plow on the front and a large custom made cement block on the back.

Basically, if it is a Wheel Horse, they are all good.

I have a vertical 212-6 and i plow/blow with it every year and mow to. I love vertical shafts. I plowed about 5 inches of heavy deep snow with it too.

Edited August 23, 2015 by muz123

[WHX?? 51,748]

I think we stolen Eric's thread with our vertical banter.....sorry, part of our affliction. ...we will give it back and go start a verticals only thread! 

Seriously nice tractor.....keep us posted on your engine swap.....

[DennisThornton 4,771]

There are some people that like them, but in general I think they are less popular because the horizontal engine versions have many more attachments available over a much wider range of years, and are far more widely available.

Not to say that horizontals are not good at what they were designed for, they just changed relatively often so attachments are specific to the era in which it was made and were considered to not be made as strong. Specifically people seem to burn up transmissions faster.

"Not to say that horizontals are not good at what they were designed for,   Guessing you meant to type something different?  "verticals"?

[DennisThornton 4,771]

I think as one looks at a wide variety of brands/models of GTs and compares them to LTs  (Most of us know, but, garden tractors vs lawn tractors) that the GTs will have 12" rear wheels, a heavy dute rear end often with a 2 spd differential and usually a horizontal shaft engine.  That horizontal with a PTO on WHs, old Sears Suburbans and I'm sure others powers neat attachments that we all love, even if we don't have or use them.  For some reason it seems that vertical engines are/were cheaper than horizontals but in either event the more price conscious LTs not only had verticals but 8" rear wheels lighter duty transaxles and were not intended for "ground engaging" tasks and didn't come with all the attachments that make other WHs (and Suburbans!) so useful and desirable. 

I also think there are exceptions!  I think the bigger 200 series is an example of a pretty darned good GT, even if they are verticals!  I hope a really good buy on one passes near by!

Oh!  To try to answer the post.  I think it could be worth $500!  But the vertical will probably drop the actual sale price below that...

Edited August 23, 2015 by DennisThornton
Oh! To try to answer the post. I think it could be worth $500! But the vertical will probably drop the sale price below that...