petefaeperth 19 #1 Posted March 28, 2019 Hi Thanks for admitting me to the forum. I've just bought the beastie in the pictures attached. It's complete, all the linkages, brake etc seem to work. Will try and fire it up at the weekend. It seems to be 3 speed plus reverse, the gear shift feels like it's selecting, maybe a bit loose. I was told it's a 1972 commando 800. One question, there's no clutch control, how does the transmission work? I think I read that you only select gears when stationary, is that right? Hope to hear from you soon. Pete (Perth, Scotland) 8 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #2 Posted March 28, 2019 Looks like the pedal is connected properly on the left side . When you depress the pedal can you shift gears ? Check the drive belt on the opposite side under the sheild. BTW. to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,991 #3 Posted March 28, 2019 The 'clutch' and brake are controlled by the one pedal. Make sure you are completely stopped when you shift and always have the belt guard in place. It's required to stop the belt. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,433 #4 Posted March 28, 2019 Nice looking tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,409 #5 Posted March 28, 2019 1 hour ago, petefaeperth said: I was told it's a 1972 commando 800. That is correct! It appears to be in very good condition. Any questions you may have are welcome here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,532 #6 Posted March 28, 2019 Welcome to the forum. Click on the pictures This link will bring up everything we have for this model on two pages in no particular order so look through them all. https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?&q=1-0110&type=downloads_file&search_and_or=or The earliest serial number recorded so far for this model made in Belgium. Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petefaeperth 19 #7 Posted March 28, 2019 Thanks everyone Everything seems to be in place, I'll see if it fires up at the weekend then see what needs replacing. I like the patina! Pete 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,355 #9 Posted March 28, 2019 to RED SQUARE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,272 #10 Posted March 28, 2019 That one should clean up nicely!! If you press the pedal and it won't let you grind gears trying to shift, you probably have a belt problem. That's a good machine so have fun with it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,320 #11 Posted March 28, 2019 PETE, welcome to the site, these tractors have a " vari drive system " ,not actually a clutch , the engine driven belt drive is , engaged and disengaged with the clutch pedal. you must be stopped to engage and / or change a gear or change HI TO LO RANGE. A spring driven idler pulley is the actual engagement point . as you get to know your new to you tractor, i would suggest a BASELINE SERVICE , getting you in touch with all the operating points. main drive belt, transmission gear oil, greasing , oil change etc. any detail to this can be found here . i would also add a fuel treatment to it , to start cleaning out the fuel system, fuel filter . good solid tractor , just take your time and verify its operation and service , another, pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,784 #12 Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, petefaeperth said: the gear shift feels like it's selecting, maybe a bit loose. Nice Horse. Where the gear shift enters the transmission it has a round ball on it with a shallow hole in it in one spot. On the transmission case there is an allen head do point set screw with a jam nut. Loosen the jam nut and tighten the set screw a little to get snug up the hear shift. Then re-tighten the jam nut. You may need to pull the gear shift, clean the ball and make sure that little hole is aligned with the set screw. I like to put the transmission in Netural before you pull the gear shift to make it easier to get the shifter in the right place in the shift forks. Edited March 28, 2019 by oliver2-44 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #13 Posted March 28, 2019 New fuel line too.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #14 Posted March 28, 2019 @petefaeperth to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,100 #15 Posted March 29, 2019 @petefaeperth to ! My daughter has a similar Commando 800, it’s biggest job is building smiles, skills and confidence! I’m sure yours is capable of much much more as well! Our parts Commando is more for decoration! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,194 #16 Posted March 29, 2019 Welcome!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petefaeperth 19 #17 Posted March 29, 2019 I'm sure my grandchildren will have fun with it in time - not just yet though. Pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petefaeperth 19 #18 Posted April 4, 2019 Hi everyone Got a new battery today and the horse started up fine after a bit of cranking - runs sweet as a nut, gears select, brakes work. Bought as a barn find, I never thought it would just go! Pete MOV_0583.mp4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,920 #19 Posted April 4, 2019 Pete ...sounds good! Check out that groovy battery terminal extender fellas! Anybody else notice the petcock on the side of the hood stand? Yours like that Kev? I had a tractor come through like that but it looked like a PO thing? BTW your still making me nervous along the highway like that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,100 #20 Posted April 6, 2019 On 4/4/2019 at 10:08 AM, WHX22 said: Pete ...sounds good! Check out that groovy battery terminal extender fellas! Anybody else notice the petcock on the side of the hood stand? Yours like that Kev? I had a tractor come through like that but it looked like a PO thing? BTW your still making me nervous along the highway like that! On 4/4/2019 at 9:54 AM, petefaeperth said: Hi everyone Got a new battery today and the horse started up fine after a bit of cranking - runs sweet as a nut, gears select, brakes work. Bought as a barn find, I never thought it would just go! Pete MOV_0583.mp4 I see what you mean on that battery cable extension, Jim! @petefaeperth I don’t see the need for that strap, but if you must have it, it would be a good idea to turn that bolt around and get it away from the starter post. As for the petcock, there was one on the Charger 12 dash tower and looks factory to me 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,212 #21 Posted April 6, 2019 (edited) As for the "Batteryextender" i 100%Agree to Pullstart. If needed, find a Carservice near you, that makes you quick 2 longer Wires. That didn't cost that much, but extend your Safety a lot. Think you twist the new Battery while wrong connector placing. It looks to me, that it is on Ground side, but it was real close to the Powerline from the Starter. That was not a good solution in case of Vibrations and your Safety. See one Time a Battery blast, and i'm 100% sure, you didn't wanna see that Live. please change that Sir, we wanna hear more positive Stories about you and you Horse ! Regards Stefan 👍 Edited April 6, 2019 by Tractorhead 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petefaeperth 19 #22 Posted April 11, 2019 Hi yes, the terminal extender was a temp to get it started - but thanks for your concern, it is bolted up hard at both ends so doesn't move, just got two new cables which I'll put on when I get a minute. had it driving round the garden now, starter can be sticky, but I guess that's a common thing, my plan is to strip the whole thing down and give everything a good clean, so the starter bendix might benefit from that. Looking for knobs for the choke, gear shift and throttle. Pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,985 #23 Posted April 11, 2019 Pete. I'm a bit south of you. Just over the Border, west of Carlisle. I've a Commando 800. Bit later than yours. 1979 8 speed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
