WH newbie here, what did I buy?

[GSRICK 41]

First a little intro. I'm a M/C mechanic in central FL and found this forum trying to ID a Wheel Horse tractor.

 

Now for the good stuff. I picked up a Wheel Horse tractor today from one of our local flea markets. I think it's an early 70-72 model judging by the hood decals. I'm hoping someone here can fill me in with some more info on what I've got. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with it. From some of the gallery pics I looked at, it looks like the engine isn't original, but I'm saying that because I haven't seen another engine like it in the photos available. I could be wrong and hope I am, but either way, it isn't frozen, but is missing some parts. I may restore it, depending on how much is missing and what is available or i might build something custom Hot Rod Rider like I did with a free Craftsman rider about 7 years ago. Well that's all I can say for now, besides thanks in advance, for any information you can share I've got.

 

[953 nut 60,410]

As you have already determined the engine and seating have been altered by previous owners. That isn't a big problem, they can be replaced or you can go custom with your build. Here at Red Square we welcome all trains of thought . When it comes to your  it is yours and we want to see your vision for it.5

As for the year and model there was a metal tag fastened below the dash board, but it may be long gone. Some of our eagle eyed members will probably be able to figure out exactly what it was.

[Achto 29,433]

 I'm not much help on the ID of your tractor but would like to know what kind of engine is in it.

[Pullstart 67,100]

 to the best Wheel Horse site on the planet!

 

I am no pro, but I think that is a short frame tractor with a long frame hood.  The hood looks late 70’s ish to me, based on the grille shape.  Either way, I bet it’ll do about whatever you need so long you get it running and the transmission is free!  

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,327]

The one picture where I can see the rear end makes me thing you have an A90 Special. Early 1970’s I think. Would have had a Briggs Gen-Start 8hp under the hood. The A90 had an oddball Peerless rear axle that Wheel Horse wasn’t know for using except on that unit. Here’s a pic of the back end of an A90.

[LengerichKA88 1,883]

I can’t tell ya what it is now, but I can tell ya what it’s gunna be: Happy to be used. 

 

Welcome to Red Square! 

[Pullstart 67,100]

36 minutes ago, Sparky said:

The one picture where I can see the rear end makes me thing you have an A90 Special. Early 1970’s I think. Would have had a Briggs Gen-Start 8hp under the hood. The A90 had an oddball Peerless rear axle that Wheel Horse wasn’t know for using except on that unit. Here’s a pic of the back end of an A90.

 

Good eye, good eye!

[GSRICK 41]

Thanks for the replies. This does look to be a very active forum, I'm quite surprised. I'm on the GSR (the GS Resources) a forum for late 70's to mid 80's Suzuki GS model motorcycles and don't belong to many others. I try to find one whenever I get something new I've never tinkered with to get help from the guys that do this as their hobby. I like to pick the brains of the experts. With some forums, it seems you have to wait days for replies, I'm glad I struck gold on my first try.

 

I don't see any tags anywhere on this WH, either the tractor of the engine. The seller wasn't there and hasn't been much help. He said it was a 50's model, but I didn't think it was that old. I didn't care, as it just has that cool factor going for it and wanted it if i could get it cheap enough. My first thoughts were, "here is my shot at another custom build", so I'm glad to see there is at least one guy here that is accepting of them. On GSR, there are some guys that can be very opinionated whenever someone wants to build a GS into a custom bike. I can see that if it is a pristine example, but if it is being brought back from the dead and isn't an ultra rare model, I say, "do what makes you happy, it's yours". I have stock bikes and modified bikes, it's all good to me.

 

I can take more photos. What would you like to see that will help? I just entered the 21st century last week from my flip phone to a Galaxy 8, but I don't know how to use it to post pics directly. Last night I emailed them from my photo gallery, then saved them to my computer from the email, which I could then grab them and post here with the choose files link. There has to be an easier way? Any help with that would also be appreciated.

 

Here are a couple of pics of that Craftsman I mentioned. It was a discarded rider with a blown 10 horse engine that was sitting next to a dumpster. I wanted it to have a 50's hot rod flavor and I was very happy with how it turned out. Everything was re purposed scrap parts from something else or custom built from scrap, except for the Hiem joints I used to make the redesigned steering system and shifter system, the pulley's needed to change the ratio from a 5 mph rider to about 35 mph and the fuel tank. Everything else was found around the garage or picked up at flea markets or swap meets, like the skull shifter knob and the steering wheel. With the pulley change and an 18 hp engine from a rider I had that the deck was shot, it was required to shift through the gears to prevent stalling it out and yes the wheelie bars were needed if you squeezed the hand throttle to quickly. lol  In the pics, the relocated side shifter (from in between your legs) is in neutral, with reverse one forward and all the rest coming backwards. I think I had around $100 total in it and sold it for $777 after having some fun with it. I terrorized the neighborhood with it. It's hard to see, but I made the exhaust run down the side and out under the right foot pad. It was made from a bicycle handle bar and would shoot out a 4-6" blue flame when revved up. It looked awesome at night.

 

[stevasaurus 23,307]

The Craftsmen is just excellent !!  thanks for sharing that...and the story.  The way you posted pictures is about the easiest way and it works great that way.  Like Sparky said, a picture of the transmission would go a long way to narrowing down the ID of the horse.  Also, those rear tires look original...what size are they?  That can help eliminate some horses.  After seeing the Craftsmen, I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the Wheel Horse.  Glad you found us.

   BTW, no way that horse is from the 50's...with the foot rests you have, most likely early 70's.  

[edgro 680]

The tie rods seem unusial, have not seen them before

 

[WHX?? 51,920]

And the guy has got fab skills fer sure... always use a guy like that around here!

 

Ther goes having the market cornered on white walls on red rims Dan @Achto!

[GSRICK 41]

4 minutes ago, WHX22 said:

And the guy has got fab skills fer sure... always use a guy like that around here!

 

Ther goes having the market cornered on white walls on red rims Dan @Achto!

Great minds think alike.

 

[GSRICK 41]

Here are a couple of pics of the trans and tire size. Does anyone know offhand what wheel pattern that is? I've got a set of two Chevy bolt pattern, vintage American Racing Torque Thrust-D wheels I've been hanging onto for something. 

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

1 hour ago, GSRICK said:

 

I can take more photos. What would you like to see that will help? I just entered the 21st century last week from my flip phone to a Galaxy 8, but I don't know how to use it to post pics directly. Last night I emailed them from my photo gallery, then saved them to my computer from the email, which I could then grab them and post here with the choose files link. There has to be an easier way? Any help with that would also be appreciated.

 

Ok when you want to add/share pics from your phone just scroll down to the red "click to choose files" click on that then the next pop up is "choose action" whether straight from the camera or the files icon which is where your stored "images" should be just follow along with my pics 1-2-3...welcome aboard and hope this helps, Jeff.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

3 minutes ago, GSRICK said:

Here are a couple of pics of the trans and tire size. Does anyone know offhand what wheel pattern that is? I've got a set of two Chevy bolt pattern, vintage American Racing Torque Thrust-D wheels I've been hanging onto for something. 

 

Ford 4 1/2" on 5...

[GSRICK 41]

Some more pics of the engine. Tried looking for some serial numbers but couldn't find anything. Does that look like a string pull start? It seems it would work backwards to me if it is. I have an electric impact that I may try to spin the engine with. The guy said it had good compression, but i like to see for myself. Should I spin it counter clock wise from looking at it on the left like in the fourth pic? 

[Achto 29,433]

Looking at the engine from the fly wheel side it should turn clock wise. CCW looking at the PTO side. Yes that would be a rope start.

Edited March 25, 2019 by Achto

[GSRICK 41]

Thanks, didn't want to screw things up. I may not stick with this engine, but I sure didn't want to mess it up before hand. With a M/C engine I can tell by the CCT which way the engine rotates during operation.

[GSRICK 41]

16 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Ford 4 1/2" on 5...

Ford eh? Depending which direction I go with this, some adapters may be in order. The spring Daytona swap meet ended yesterday.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,327]

  If it is or was an A90 the model number tag would have been on the side of the dash tower. Here a pic of an A90 (with the wrong hood) but it shows you in the blue circle where the metal tag should be riveted on. 

 

  

[Achto 29,433]

The notch for the rope starter looks to be set up correctly. Most if not all of these small engines will turn CW while looking at the flywheel side. I'm kinda bummed that there is no info to ID that engine, I can't say that I have ever seen a fan shroud like that one. BTW Nice Vett in the back ground

Edited March 25, 2019 by Achto

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,532]

In some ways the engine looks like a Wisconsin-Robin.

 

Garry

[GSRICK 41]

17 minutes ago, Achto said:

The notch for the rope starter looks to be set up correctly. Most if not all of these small engines will turn CW while looking at the flywheel side. I'm kinda bummed that there is no info to ID that engine, I can't say that I have ever seen a fan shroud like that one. BTW Nice Vett in the back ground

Thanks, another recent project purchase. It's a '77. The PO was turning it into an autocross car and I'm making it street legal again. Had to mount some light in the grill since the the top of the front clip has an aftermarket piece grafted in place with molded in headlight doors. I have a very understanding wife.

 

[wallfish 18,253]

2 hours ago, GSRICK said:

I'm glad to see there is at least one guy here that is accepting of them. On GSR, there are some guys that can be very opinionated whenever someone wants to build a GS into a custom bike. I can see that if it is a pristine example, but if it is being brought back from the dead and isn't an ultra rare model, I say, "do what makes you happy, it's yours". I have stock bikes and modified bikes, it's all good to me.

There's more than one of us! Guys here have no problem with it and here's some I've done over the years. BUT, even I don't like it when it's a GOOD example of a rare tractor. There are many trashed tractors out there to work with so save the good one's is my opinion.

 

Little 2 seat cruiser

 

Dozer frame bike build

 

Fish tanked electric powered for a friend of mine daughter

 

There's a hot rod one around to but can't find the pics.

So Have Fun with it!

 

[WHX?? 51,920]

1 hour ago, stevasaurus said:

no way that horse is from the 50's...with the foot rests you have, most likely early 70's.  

Put the wine glass down Steve and slowly step away from the bottle... He said he wanted to BUILD a 50s vintage rod!

 

Crap you got sitting in the yard Rick you fit in real well here!