Tractor Identification

[Jakem 18]

Trying to identify this Wheel Horse that my Dad use to have when I was a kid...this is the only photo I have of it....it was a 72 or 73 (believe it was a 72) it was hydro automatic....and had a manual lift deck.  Any help would be appreciated....thanks

[953 nut 60,403]

  In '72 there were three possibilities that would have a Hydro. Trans and Kohler engine; the Charger 10, Charger 12 and the Bronco 14. Can't make out the decal on the side of the hood stand so that is as close as I can come, perhaps some others will see something I missed.

That is a great family photo and thanks for sharing it with us.   

[stevasaurus 23,307]

Sure looks like a 1972...maybe a Charger 10 or Charger 12.    That is a great picture.  Thanks for sharing.

[slammer302 2,156]

Looks like my dad's charger10

[Jakem 18]

The photo was stamped Aug 1973...I think my Dad bought it that Summer..so it's most likely a 73... he bought it brand new from the local Wheel Horse dealer....it had a mower deck (don't know why it isn't on in the pic)..it also had a snow blower and tiller attachment....He had it less than one year.... Back then my Mom was a "fanatic" with the lawn....and mowed our 2 acres by hand with a 21 inch Lawn Boy....  She didn't like the way the tractor cut the grass....and thought it was too heavy for the lawn. I did find this one other photo....but that's all I have...and you can't make out the model decal in either photo.... Since he just recently pasded away I'm geeling a bit sentamental and I want to purchase one to match the one he had back then.

 

I'm new to this forum and to vintage wheel horses....but I'm a little confused because I thought all 72 and 73 models had that small chrome trim piece on the the front top of the hood.

Excuse the type "O"s in the previous post....that's my phone inserting letters for me without paying attention...it doesn't look like my Dad's tractor had the chrome trim on the hood....or maybe you just can't see it in the pic.....thanks for all the (quick) replies to my post....looks like a great forum/site.

[Aldon 4,828]

I have seen Broncos with Electronic Clutch. My vote is for Charger.

[953 nut 60,403]

Don't know how I missed the hood stripe in the first photo, not absolutely sure but think they were on the '72 Charger 8 Speed and Bronco 14 Automatic. Since this is an automatic I am guessing it must be a Bronco 14. Don't know if the stripe was carried over to '73 (although Wheel Horse was known to use up the previous year's parts inventory on the new line), but most '73s were known as "No Name " because they discontinued the use of names. Attempting to pinpoint a model and year from a photo is a slippery slope because of all the exceptions to the rule. Aldon's observation of the manual PTO clutch may or may not help, Electric clutches were probably an option though it too could be one of those pesky exceptions to the rule.   

[Racinbob 11,991]

Based on the pretty safe assumption that the seat was original I would say A Charger 10. The Bronco and Charger 12 had the adjustable high back seat. I don't think the hood stand decals are the 73 no name type. Per the brochure the Charger 10 did have the electric clutch though................a quick dealer change if that's what he wanted.

 

Forget that last comment. The electric clutch was an option. 

 

I think I'll stick with a 72 Charger 10

Edited February 26, 2016 by Racinbob

[Jakem 18]

The tractor definitely is all original in the photo....don't think my Dad would of had them change the clutch...he was the type of guy to buy something just the way it was off the showroom floor...he was also a bit "conservative" and would have gone with more of a basic model than a more expensive one....thanks for all the input!!!!

[Racinbob 11,991]

My comment about the Charger 10 was wrong. The electric clutch was in the option list. It was a more basic model in the hydro lineup.

[Jakem 18]

Why a Charger 10 vs a 12.....I'm guessing we are sure its a Tecumseh motor?

[Racinbob 11,991]

The Charger 12 had the adjustable high back seat. It would be easier to tell with a picture of the other side but you should have a Kohler on it. Also, the electric clutch was standard on the 12 and optional on the 10. The same for the headlights.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Racinbob

[AMC RULES 37,211]

[953 nut 60,403]

1 hour ago, Jakem said:

I'm guessing we are sure its a Tecumseh motor

The only Tecumseh motored  in the '72 - '73 time period was the smaller lawn tractors and this is definitely a Garden Tractor.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

@Jakem  

[Retired Sparky 526]

  If anything you have sparked a vigorous conversation.  For sure somebody has the right answer.  Too bad you don't any more pics.  There is a ton of info and a mountain helpful hands.  You're gonna' like it here. 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,645]

[stevasaurus 23,307]

Click on this link and go through the pictures that are there.  It is not all inclusive but it will show you what we are talking about.  Just so you know...the Kohler 10 and 12 and 14 are the same block...we will probably never know what you have for that engine from that picture.  If it is a 1972 or 1973...I think it is a 1972...it is most likely a Kohler.  That is what they were using for the automatics.  Maybe try putting that photo into a program...even "paint" to try to see what the sticker below the stripes says.  Without that, or a model number...it is almost impossible to narrow it down from a grainy picture.  If can read anything from that tower sticker it will help. 

     BTW...Welcome to Red Square.  and thanks for the picture.

 

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/17-wheel-horse-picture-gallery/

[Jakem 18]

THANKS Everyone.,...Some really great info here!

[slammer302 2,156]

Most the charger 10s I've seen were tecky powered even my dad's had came with a tecky originally. The only horse I've had with a stripe down the hood like that was a electro 12 but I don't think that's what's pictured so I'm changing my guess to charger 12

[953 nut 60,403]

Take a look at this attachment and you will see what models came with what engine each year.

wheelhorseallyears (1).pdf

 

2 hours ago, slammer302 said:

Most the charger 10s I've seen were tecky powered even my dad's had came with a tecky originally.

This is true for some years, but not '72 and '73.

 

[Jakem 18]

THANKS Everyone.,...Some really great info here! I think I'm leaning toward the Charger 10 with a Kohler motor....this picture looks like the closest I've seen... I remember the exhaust was a short pipe exiting on the left front.....Did all the manual PTO's look the same?

 

 

And does anyone know where I can find a 72 Charger 10 hydrostatic...don't care what condition it's in???

[stevasaurus 23,307]

If you scroll down to the "Classified Section" you can post in the "Want Ads"....or maybe come to the Big Show in June.  You might find one for sale there. 

[Racinbob 11,991]

 

No there is this style of the manual pto's. It's pictured in the forward engaged position.

[TDF5G 2,073]

Great vintage photos, thanks for posting them here.   My condolences on the loss of your father.

 

I'm late to the party here and I'm certainly no expert on IDing Wheel Horses, I'm merely an enthusiast.   But I would say it's a '72 as the decals and the PTO control lever is different as shown in Racinbobs' pic.

I think I see the hood ornament in your pic also.  Those went away in '77 or so.  It's hard tell to for sure, but it looks like a Kohler, so with an auto trans according to the master model list for 1972, that would make it a Charger.  And I'd guess a 10 HP, due the low back seat, no lights, absence of foot rest pads and (guessing again) smaller rear tires it looks like, probably 22-.750s.  

 

That's my and 

 

Edited February 29, 2016 by TDF5G