HuntzNSam 80 #1 Posted March 4, 2017 There were a couple things that needed attention on our 856, and before we knew it, it had gotten prettied up. Thanks to Glen Pettit and Vinylguy for their great products. Out of respect for the previous owner, hardware bits came from Grainger. The paint is Ace Hardware rattle can Regal Red and Ivory White for the wheels. Built for mow, not show, it’s enough to get the neighbors jealous. Ready for the grass to start growing. Before= www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/67501-hello-from-illinois/ Thanks, Chuck & Sally 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
12 hp Kohler 1,014 #2 Posted March 4, 2017 That's a really good paint job, who did it? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,147 #3 Posted March 4, 2017 Beautiful job ... way to nice to get dirty Not thinking mowing yet 14 degrees 20 mph wind... down to near 0 tonite Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
12 hp Kohler 1,014 #4 Posted March 4, 2017 That's much different than what we're getting down in York pa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,011 #5 Posted March 5, 2017 You really did a nice job on that 856. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 991 #6 Posted March 5, 2017 real nice lookin worker,i like the rubber too,i have those on my one of my 414,s I bet the neighbours will be lookin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntzNSam 80 #7 Posted March 5, 2017 12 HP, we did it ourselves in the basement and the garage. Sally pointed out I could have done a much better job covering the floors and horizontal surfaces before painting. Even rattle cans have over spray - nice red patches on our gray floors and workbenches. It is a ten footer, good enough to mow but not so pretty that you'd be afraid to. From the neighbor's yard, it looks great. Our Jan and Feb were so warm, and March is continuing the warm trend so we expect to be mowing in a couple weeks. The tires are Kenda Super Turfs. We got a good deal from our local mower shop on tires and mounting. Over the summer, we'll need to fix up the plow blade and blower to match. Snowless winters are not the norm here. We have less into this one than buying a plastic Chinese cookie cutter mower from the big box store. We love the cool factor of a 60's tractor to go with our old vehicles. Thanks for the compliments, Chuck & Sally 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jay bee 817 #8 Posted March 5, 2017 Nice job!!! You've got that 856 standing tall. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,515 #9 Posted March 5, 2017 Great Horse you two have. Too bad once you start mowing the Stallion will require cleaning after each mowing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W9JAB 156 #10 Posted March 5, 2017 Nice job, I can still see a few of my old touches survived the restoration, but not what I would call "over restored" Look's like your ready for the endless battle of grass V.S. machine. Best of luck with the 856, I know you'll get years of enjoyment out of it. JOE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,929 #11 Posted March 6, 2017 Nice! Those mid 60s tractors are great workers. You should enjoy mowing with it as they have a nice sharp turning radius and the perfect size as long as you're not over 6 ft tall. What is this piece? An oil drain extension? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,803 #12 Posted March 6, 2017 Good eye 'fish....yes please elaborate....can you tell us where the seat came from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntzNSam 80 #13 Posted March 6, 2017 John, Jim, Yes, it is an oil drain extension that Joe added. Low pressure hydraulic hose, it seems handy so we left it be. The seat is a Michigan through Northern Tool/Ebay: Michigan Seat Universal Lawn Mower Midback Seat #35004455. Not original, but comfy enough and seems to duplicate what was on there.. Joe is tall and I'm 6'4" (Sal is 5'7"). The old seat had a stack of washers as risers and I did not feel cramped. We used 125lb Grainger vibration isolators instead, just because the stack of washers were a pain to install. I do the front, Sal does the back, and we both like fast mowing. The quick turning will be enjoyed. We just sold our old Dixon ZTR 36. It worked well, Made IN USA, but even with seat risers (iron pipe cut to fit) it was small for me. It was a quick cutter though, especially with all our trees. The Wheel Horse feels better and has a huge cool factor. Despite the steel frame, the robin's egg blue plastic tub of the Dixon was not 'manly'! We are both looking forward to the rear discharge deck - now we can go counter-clockwise along the fence line and trees too! The cone clutches on the Dixon were taking a clockwise set. Thanks for asking. We've learned a lot just searching and reading old posts. Chuck & Sally 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cschannuth 3,795 #14 Posted March 6, 2017 1 hour ago, HuntzNSam said: John, Jim, Yes, it is an oil drain extension that Joe added. Low pressure hydraulic hose, it seems handy so we left it be. The seat is a Michigan through Northern Tool/Ebay: Michigan Seat Universal Lawn Mower Midback Seat #35004455. Not original, but comfy enough and seems to duplicate what was on there.. Joe is tall and I'm 6'4" (Sal is 5'7"). The old seat had a stack of washers as risers and I did not feel cramped. We used 125lb Grainger vibration isolators instead, just because the stack of washers were a pain to install. I do the front, Sal does the back, and we both like fast mowing. The quick turning will be enjoyed. We just sold our old Dixon ZTR 36. It worked well, Made IN USA, but even with seat risers (iron pipe cut to fit) it was small for me. It was a quick cutter though, especially with all our trees. The Wheel Horse feels better and has a huge cool factor. Despite the steel frame, the robin's egg blue plastic tub of the Dixon was not 'manly'! We are both looking forward to the rear discharge deck - now we can go counter-clockwise along the fence line and trees too! The cone clutches on the Dixon were taking a clockwise set. Thanks for asking. We've learned a lot just searching and reading old posts. Chuck & Sally Nice tractor, Chuck. I have a similar 857. When you say you like to mow fast how fast can you mow with the 856? Is 2nd gear realistic? Mine seems to really struggle in 2nd. Just curious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #15 Posted March 6, 2017 Very nice job on that ride, outstanding. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,929 #16 Posted March 6, 2017 10 hours ago, HuntzNSam said: Despite the steel frame, the robin's egg blue plastic tub of the Dixon was not 'manly'! Like drinking out of a straw, it's just hard to look cool doing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W9JAB 156 #17 Posted March 6, 2017 Where did the battery go? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntzNSam 80 #18 Posted March 7, 2017 csshannuth, We don’t know. It is our first Horse and we picked it up late December. We’re not picky about grass appearance, so if we keep up with the mowing, I’m hoping for 3rd. A little off the top, you know. The back yard, over the septic field, always poses a challenge though, so we may be over-optimistic. It gets wet and long fast in the Spring. John – How’d you know I always set the straw aside? Better to dribble half the margarita through my beard…I’ll even ask for it in a beer mug. Joe – Murphy’s Law. Just before the Craigslist buyer for the Dixon was to show, its battery crapped out. The WH was the donor. We’ll install the new one when we need it. Thanks all for the questions and compliments. Chuck & Sally 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cschannuth 3,795 #19 Posted March 7, 2017 Chuck, Thanks. Keep us posted if you don't mind. Craig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 4,879 #20 Posted March 7, 2017 Chuck. Well done on the 856. I am sure you will like it all summer long. I just blow mine off every time I mow. keep it clean that way. Enjoy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #21 Posted March 7, 2017 Like night & day there... hard to believe it's the same . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,528 #22 Posted March 7, 2017 Looks great, thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntzNSam 80 #23 Posted April 1, 2017 04/01/17, Despite all the rain early this week, it dried out and got sunny enough to mow today. I was listening and I think we were first in the neighborhood. 3rd gear mowing was no problem with the 8HP, but we used 2nd or 1st as the situation demanded. Standing water, and the soggy slope of the drainage ditch were no problem in 1st gear with the 23" tires - just muscled through with nary a tire slip. The Turf Savers are well-named and nothing got chewed up. I always had to drag the old rider out of the ditch as the itty-bitty wet tire lost traction and churned grass to mud. I was tempted to get ag's for the cool look, but after seeing how little imprint we left in the wet grass, I'm glad we got the tires we did. The mower ran great and the deck cuts nicely! It always shows after we mow that the yard needed it. Both Sam and I were grinning from ear to ear. The grass clippings cleaned off the mower with a bit of light brooming . We're celebrating with a victory Gin & Tonic. It's going to be a fun summer! Thanks for listening, Chuck & Sally 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W9JAB 156 #24 Posted April 5, 2017 I was always impressed what this 8H.P. belt driven tractor could do, and snickered when I walked by 20+ H.P. units at Home Depot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites