Operator 7 #1 Posted January 23, 2009 AFTER READING TROUGH VARIOUS TOPICS AND THINKING THIS MORNING , I HAVE A QUESTION, BEAR WITH ME HERE, I'M NEW. DRILLING HOLES IN OUR TRACTORS IS HARD BUT IF IT IS TO MOUNT SOMETHING LIKE THE SNOW CAB' A WHEEL HORSE PRODUCT WHY WOULDN'T IT BE OK? DOING A GOOD JOB OF IT MAYBE PUTTING RUBBER GROMMETS IN THE HOLE. BUT TO ADD SOMETHING LIKE MIRRORS OR SIGNAL LITES SOMETHING THAT IS "HORSE" I CAN SEE WOULD BE FROWNED UPON. THIS THINKING IS FROM SOMEONE THAT BOUGHT A SUN VISOR FOR MY SUPERDUTY AND CAN'T WORK UP THE NERVE TO DRILL AND MOUNT IT! BY THE WAY WHEN I MOUNTED ONE OF MY CABS ON THE 520H I USED THE HOLES BY THE SEAT SPRINGS NO EXTRA ONES. JUST A THOUGHT AND SORRY FOR GETTING LONG WINDED. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 655 #2 Posted January 23, 2009 I think it has to do with seeing the much older WH's that have been turned into swiss cheese by previous owners. A hole is a hole to me. If Ive got something thats been restored, or rare say...a 420lse ... No way I'm drilling holes... and If you ever decide to restore said holy tractor..well those are going to require welding, and bodywork to make them disappear... I think with some creative thinking, a snow cab can be mounted w/o drilling some holes, as you did using some OE holes, or even making your own brackets to go from OE holes, or something thats already bolted down.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #3 Posted January 23, 2009 Randy, I'm not deep enough into the hobby yet to speak with authority, but it would seem to me if you were adding a Wheel Horse-branded part or attachment, or one that was documented as being approved by Wheel Horse for attachment to your tractor and the factory instructions called for drilling holes, then you would not be "violating" the machine. JMHO. On the other hand, especially among the older and/or rarer tractors, drilling holes to add non-factory stuff would seem to be a decision the owner would have to make for himself, recognizing that it would probably have a negative impact on the value of the machine. Once a hole is drilled, it's there for good even if it is later filled and patched. Somebody somewhere will know it's not truly original.... Collectors of these fine machines can't control what a PO may have done to one, but my sense from reading these posts for over a year now is the true collectors believe in "doing no harm". Again, just my humble rookie perspective! Duff EDIT: Scott's point is well taken........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,277 #4 Posted January 24, 2009 I'm going to ramble here, but you are asking if these tractors are 57 Chevy's or 56' T-birds. I think the answer is some of them are. It seems to me, after reaing these threads for some time now, this site reguards all wheelhorse tractors as collectors items...and they are right...they don't make these anymore! That being said...some are more rare then others. I think this site is trying to figure out the models, serials, etc... sounds like the production numbers didn't always leave things black & white. I am in the same boat...I have some that are original paint and have not been left outside. My question would be...is it better to take a 1962 tractor that is original and do a nuts up rebuild and repaint, or is it better to just clean it up and wax it...keeping it original? I tend to want to not mess with it and clean it up...if you save a rusty one...by all means...save it...pics before and after would would keep you in the fold The nice thing about these tractors is, the metal is heavy enough to be able to fill and fix, even if it is frowned upon. Can't do that with your 2000+ vechicles :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teddy da Bear 11 #5 Posted January 24, 2009 and not to forget! :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Operator 7 #6 Posted January 24, 2009 Thanks guys for your thoughts I myself don't drill "new" holes I make do with what is available The headlights for example they shine on back of the chutes , so what we do is put two lights on an angle iron and {for the winter}mount them just ahead of the battery tray using the holes on the side cowls then use another wire and switch nothing gets cut or drilled. My oldest one is the Charger 12 and he doesn't even get snow on his tires nice and covered up as we speak same for the C-160 The 520's do winter duty but they are all my babies and get treated like the great little tractors they are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 14,630 #8 Posted January 24, 2009 is it better to take a 1962 tractor that is original and do a nuts up rebuild and repaint, or is it better to just clean it up and wax it...keeping it original? Personal preference, IMHO. Another great thing about these machines- the ones you have belong to you, and you do what YOU want. No one will (or certainly shouldn't) get on to you about what you decide to do. I have a couple tractors I plan to restore to original, or as close as possible. But I also have a few that have been modified. Some because I needed to, some just for the heck of it. Point being, there are some machines that I shudder to think about modifying. But that feeling is because of what I want, not what someone else will think. Some people want to strip a tractor down and restore it, which is completely fine. Others like the idea of 100% originality. As long as you are happy with it, then nothing else matters. Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Docwheelhorse 2,740 #9 Posted January 24, 2009 Hello All, I can tell you that my 1968 Commando 8 is ALL ORIGINAL--->EXCEPT that some 13 year old dumb kid (me 25 years ago... ) drilled two 1/2 inch holes into the hood to mount cool tractor lights on either side. Yes they look cool and put out a huge amount of light BUT.... I guess I wish I hadn't done it. The tractor won't be "restored" because I like the clean worn around the edges look of it. If I want to mount lights, cabs or anything else these days I find a spare piece of sheet metal---easy enough for C series and 300's etc... and take off the original and store it away. Then go to town drilling the spare one. Just my thoughts Tony Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Operator 7 #10 Posted January 24, 2009 OK , If we would all think ahead , but we all screw up . If we would remember there is no right or wrong, just the consequences of your actions. My Horse of a different colar the GT-1848 "might" get a hole or two for the cab. Plow on and stay warm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buzz 502 #11 Posted January 24, 2009 I bought my 1968 Lawn Ranger in 1972. When I bought it, it had an extra hole drilled in the hood that is the same size as the hole where the gas cap sticks through. It is directly over the oil dip stick and makes checking and adding oil easier. I alway thought it was supposed to be there until I took it to my first show. When I repainted it I left the hole and didn't fill it in. I figure it's been there for at least the 36 years that I've owned it, why change it? After i'm done playing with tractors the next owner can do what he wants....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Operator 7 #12 Posted January 25, 2009 Yup Buzz twenty some years ago I had a "real" Cub Cadet that PO didn't want to unzip snow cab flap to fuel up so they cut a six inch hole and made a hatch with a barn door hinge. Bad, Bad, Bad. Real Cub I mean before MTD. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #13 Posted January 25, 2009 I once bought a 1057 that was owned by a small town...would hire a boy to mow city lots in the summer time...but I wondered why the hood had about 5 holes in it...later at a home town gathering I got to talkin' to a guy who said he used to mow lots for the city with that mower...when I asked him about the holes in the hood he replied, "well, the gas tank when bad so we just mounted a big ole round gas tank on top of the hood" ...drilled 4 mounting holes and ONE for the gas line! Would have like to seen a pic of that set up (no tank on top when I bought it)..wonder if it was an alum beer keg?????.... :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
