Daron1965 644 #1 Posted August 16, 2018 Being new to the wheel horse addiction, (LOL) I am wondering what would be a good older model to buy for keeping forever? I am like a 52 year old little kid when it comes to these tractors. I am always looking and checking for another. I am looking for an older one, to use as a parade tractor, maybe pull an occasional yard trailer. So, if you had, lets say $800 to $1000 to spend, what and why would you get it. I plan on keeping it and giving to my step son when he has some children. Thank you, I always appreciate the guidance from everyone. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,735 #2 Posted August 16, 2018 This is a very subjective decision. Obviously my choice would be a 953, but that may not be your cup of tea. A lawn Ranger would be a good choice when grandchildren come along. They are much safer than a RJ and just about as cute. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,155 #3 Posted August 16, 2018 For little ones I agree with @953 nut...A Lawn Ranger... But I am partial to the Black Hoods myself...My One and only C-105 is my favorite... Good luck! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,576 #4 Posted August 16, 2018 as far as little kids driving, I like a long stick hydro, which would be any of them up to about 1980 when they went to the eaton trans, but even then the stick is between your legs and with in easy reach of little arms. With the hydro's the little legs don't have to reach the petals to control the motion of the tractor, just pull back on the stick. All of my kids learned on a C120 AUTO as far as a keeper for life, that's a tough one not sure a could choose just one eric j 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daron1965 644 #5 Posted August 16, 2018 I agree, the just one is what I am finding to be impossible... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #6 Posted August 16, 2018 I don't know... everybody starts with just one. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,803 #7 Posted August 16, 2018 For little tykes and occasional tub duty a LR ....make mine a '67 like @dclarke's. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kick 59 #8 Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) As a little kid in the late 70’s i remember my grandparents cruising me around on their C120. By the time I was old enough to go solo in the 80’s they purchased a 312-8. I had fun cutting grass and maintaining that tractor for years. So any 300-400 series Kohler powered combinations would be my choice. Edited August 16, 2018 by kick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 10,744 #9 Posted August 16, 2018 I can't give any specific reason, but, I happen to be drawn to the styling of the round hoods and the square hoods. (60's models) Another big plus is their simplicity in design. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,939 #10 Posted August 16, 2018 Electric start round hood/square hood to look at & putter with. To use for work, C-160 Auto. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,166 #11 Posted August 16, 2018 12 minutes ago, squonk said: Electric start round hood/square hood to look at & putter with. To use for work, C-160 **** But I prefer the 8 speeds. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,734 #12 Posted August 16, 2018 9 hours ago, rjg854 said: I can't give any specific reason, but, I happen to be drawn to the styling of the round hoods and the square hoods. (60's models) Another big plus is their simplicity in design. 3 hours ago, squonk said: Electric start round hood/square hood to look at & putter with. To use for work, C-160 Auto. 2 hours ago, ebinmaine said: But I prefer the 8 speeds. I prefer round hoods(though I like the square hoods probably second, unless I found a square hood with round fenders) with a recoil and an 8 speed, so I put all them parts together and got Putt Putt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 2,652 #13 Posted August 16, 2018 As long as the ID tag says Wheel Horse, then it's worth keeping forever! In all seriousness, I love the lawn rangers as mentioned above and would like to have one someday, but I have an addiction to early short frame square hoods such as the 855, 856 & 857. You just can't beat them in my opinion. Now an 875 or a 876 would be good for small children being that it is hydrostatic. I see quite a few young kids at the big show riding around on tractors like that. Plus one of those tractors would be a great worker too! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #14 Posted August 16, 2018 15 hours ago, rjg854 said: I can't give any specific reason, but, I happen to be drawn to the styling of the round hoods and the square hoods. (60's models) Another big plus is their simplicity in design. Yup, those are the ones I like the very most round hoods, then the square hoods through the 1960's though I have a B-100 1976 that is later that I favor greatly for its 8 speed transmission. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #15 Posted August 16, 2018 3 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said: As long as the ID tag says Wheel Horse, then it's worth keeping forever! In all seriousness, I love the lawn rangers as mentioned above and would like to have one someday, but I have an addiction to early short frame square hoods such as the 855, 856 & 857. You just can't beat them in my opinion. Now an 875 or a 876 would be good for small children being that it is hydrostatic. I see quite a few young kids at the big show riding around on tractors like that. Plus one of those tractors would be a great worker too! Plus one for the 857. I have one for snow duty that I prize greatly! Has a lot of grunt when needed for such a small engine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,230 #16 Posted August 16, 2018 I'm going to look at it from a parts available angle. While the old RJ's starting from 1957 to 1959 are probably the most expensive and collectable, parts are becoming hard to find and can command top dollar. I would add the suburbans to this list to stay away from for what you are looking to do. They all have the mid engine mount which can be very dangerous. Finding parts for those old Clinten, Kohler and Briggs engines 2.5 to 3.5 and 4 hsp is hard already...can't imagine what will be there when your kid grows up. With all that said, if it was me, it would be the 702 round hood. They are still out there and in large numbers. In my opinion, it is the best Wheel Horse they came out with at the time. It has the 2 piece transmission (parts available)...engine mounted in the front of the frame (for stability)...round hood (like the RJ's above)...a 7 hsp Kohler that still has cheap engine parts on the net. If you ask me, the 1962 Wheel Horses are going to be the next, best investment. They are rugged, easy to work on, have the look of the older horses, and they have the guts to do ground engaging chores. The other 2 horses for this year used Tecumseh's...great engines, but hard to find parts for already. Stick with Kohler, and stick with "K" series...one piston engines. 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,803 #17 Posted August 16, 2018 1 hour ago, stevasaurus said: it would be the 702 round hood. Good choice Dino...you can also put bug eye headlights on them, groovy pin striping, cut the hood for oversized muffs,, trailer style hubs for a FEL, incorrect steering wheels, big a$$ reflectors so you don't get clobbered on Liberty St. AND a HY-2 for running the FEL! 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,476 #18 Posted August 16, 2018 21 hours ago, Daron1965 said: I am like a 52 year old little kid when it comes to these tractors. Didn't know I had a twin 21 hours ago, 953 nut said: This is a very subjective decision. X-2 ^^^ Check out some pics around here . Get a hold of whatever trips your trigger and the good folks of Red Square will surely help with the makeover . ^^^ It's just the nature of this place ^^^ 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daron1965 644 #19 Posted August 16, 2018 2 minutes ago, Digger 66 said: Didn't know I had a twin LOL.... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,981 #20 Posted August 17, 2018 I'll take a C160. My legs are too long for a short frame tractor... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,369 #21 Posted August 17, 2018 Does it count if I bought a brand new 520H 20 years ago and don't ever see myself getting rid of it in my lifetime running or not 🤔, Jeff. 3 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,166 #22 Posted August 17, 2018 On 8/15/2018 at 8:08 PM, Daron1965 said: plan on keeping it and giving to my step son when he has some children. 8 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said: Does it count if I bought a brand new 520H 20 years ago and don't ever see myself getting rid of it in my lifetime running or not 🤔, Jeff. Definitely counts but you need to keep it running unless your next of kin wants a lawn ornament... 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cruisnblue48 783 #23 Posted August 17, 2018 A keeper for life??? This one found me. I didn't have to buy it... Just restore it. My dad bought this 1962 Wheel Horse new when I was 6 years old. My dad sold it to a neighbor about 1980. I did not see it for 30 years after that until my Uncle found it in 2011. My Uncle got it free from the son of the guy who bought it from my dad and he gave it back to me for free. It was in really bad shape when I got it back. It took me nearly four years to completely restore to like new condition. The past three years now, I proudly display and ride it around at our local tractor shows. It is priceless to me. There is no insane amount of $ that I would sell it for. I guarantee, this tractor will be in my possession until the day I die. 7 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,735 #24 Posted August 17, 2018 23 minutes ago, cruisnblue48 said: My dad bought this 1962 Wheel Horse new when I was 6 years old. My dad sold it to a neighbor about 1980. I did not see it for 30 years after that until my Uncle found it in 2011. My Uncle got it free from the son of the guy who bought it from my dad and he gave it back to me for free In my opinion you are the winner of the best ownership story I have ever heard! 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,827 #25 Posted August 17, 2018 I feel like I have really lucked out in the tractors I have found. 1277 with a loader, c-120, 401 suburban and a GT-14. Of those, I think the 1277 is my favorite right now and I wanna pull the loader off and restore it. Man those long hood lines and woodgrain decals really do it for me. Randy 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites