Ed Kennell 42,225 #1 Posted May 5, 2019 I recently bought a tractor with a K241 and a strange to me hydro. With the help of @SPINJIM, we determined it is a 1971 WH 800 M/N 0450 with an 8HP B & S and an Eaton 6 hydro. The K241 must have been transplanted and that is why I had trouble with the ID. Does anyone know or have ideas why WH went to this Eaton 6 hydro and such a radical change to the frame to mount this hydro. Is this a rare model with limited production? Thanks for any production info. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,841 #2 Posted May 5, 2019 In 1971 & 72 Wheelhorse made an 800 series tractor with 8hp engine and the Eaton 6 automatic. Models # 1-0450 and 1-0451. That's all I can tell you about them. Look up the model #s for more info. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,325 #3 Posted May 5, 2019 8 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Does anyone know or have ideas why WH went to this Eaton 6 hydro I’m sure it was a business decision by the WH Company. The Eaton 6 was less expensive and so was the Briggs, that means they could put out on the dealers showroom floors brand new machines with a lower price tag to appeal to those with a few less bucks to spend. Plus it would have helped WH compete against the other big names out there like a Sears which was probably always the less expensive option when buying a new machine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,035 #4 Posted May 5, 2019 4 minutes ago, Sparky said: I’m sure it was a business decision by the WH Company. The Eaton 6 was less expensive and so was the Briggs, that means they could put out on the dealers showroom floors brand new machines with a lower price tag to appeal to those with a few less bucks to spend. Plus it would have helped WH compete against the other big names out there like a Sears which was probably always the less expensive option when buying a new machine. Mike nailed it. Keep cost down on a model they could sell to those folks not looking for a real garden tractor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,225 #5 Posted May 5, 2019 45 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Keep cost down on a model they could sell to those folks not looking for a real garden tractor. I have to wonder, how much money WH actually lost in redesigning and manufacturing the frames for this short lived " cost savings " adventure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,035 #6 Posted May 5, 2019 16 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: I have to wonder, how much money WH actually lost in redesigning and manufacturing the frames for this short lived " cost savings " adventure. given the fact that those models don't seem to be particularly populous I would say that it was not a great investment Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,362 #7 Posted May 5, 2019 I wonder if it was limited to certain attachments ? My father purchased a 1972 Commando 800 and I know if he could had gotten a cheaper model that is what he would have purchased. He purchased the Commando 800 for garden work and grass duty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,225 #8 Posted May 5, 2019 3 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: I wonder if it was limited to certain attachments ? My father purchased a 1972 Commando 800 and I know if he could had gotten a cheaper model that is what he would have purchased. He purchased the Commando 800 for garden work and grass duty. I'm not sure Jim, but the draw bar hitch appears much stronger than the typical hitch that is attached to the transmission lug although there is no way to attach a sleeve or clevis hitch. If you look at the first picture, the tractor frame is made wider in front of the tranny and continues back over the axle housings to the rear where the drawbar hitch is part of the frame. The tranny is attached to the frame with U bolts around the round axle housings. If a dozer blade were used, it would have to have a frame that would attach to the tractor frame and not the axle housing. There is a double pulley on the tranny input that would make an easy drive for a tiller. It is a totally different frame that is one weldment from the front axle to the rear drawbar thus eliminating the weak links where the frame is bolted to the front of the tranny and the hitch is attached to the rear of the tranny. I have no clue what the capacity or durability of the Eaton 6 would be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,362 #9 Posted May 5, 2019 Never seen anything like it, you should bring to the B.S. for show and tell time. See if Wild Bill knows anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,225 #10 Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) Too late Jim, I sold it at the Steam-o-Rama/Little Guys Show yesterday. But, I may have another one by June. Edited May 5, 2019 by Ed Kennell 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,277 #11 Posted May 7, 2019 On 5/5/2019 at 2:22 PM, Ed Kennell said: .... If a dozer blade were used, it would have to have a frame that would attach to the tractor frame and not the axle housing.... I think the dozer blade for these had a shortened A-frame and only went as far rearward as the mid tach-a-matic. These tractors weren’t uncommon. I’ve never owned one but have seen dozens of them over the years. Maybe they weren’t widespread out your way, but there were a lot of them. Anytime WH stepped out of their box they seldom found success. V7/V8’s, D250, C195, E-series, etc. steve 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
