Tired of Hearing: "Why Don't You Buy a New One"?

[hotajax 229]

I have an oldy from 1985.  Runs great.  Had some electrical probs for a week or so, same with the carb.  But it all worked out.  It is just a very reliable machine.  Wife, kid constantly on my back every time I grab a socket wrench  to buy a new one.   Why?  This is a good one, the new ones cost a lot of money and aren't half as good.  That's it.  I just wanted to rant.

[ri702bill 9,549]

There is a simple solution - pick up a second and maybe a third tractor of a similar model. That way, you should have at least one that runs at all times - that is what a few of us do.

Seriously, the idea of owning a pressed tin and plastic newer "tractor" (aka overpriced grass cutter) does nothing for me.

I see you are in Bucks County, near New Hope??

 

Bill

[bellevillerod 835]

I tried the new one route twice, one sits beside the shed broken. The deck rusted out and folded in on itself on my Toro zero turn while mowing with it year before last. New deck shell, just the shell is almost 700.00 dollars. So the bulk of my mowing is still being done with my late dads 1974 C-160 hydro with a 48" deck. Now I'm torn between spending the money for the new deck or buying a couple old horse's.

[SylvanLakeWH 28,612]

14 minutes ago, bellevillerod said:

 New deck shell, just the shell is almost 700.00 dollars.

 

Now I'm torn between spending the money for the new deck or buying a couple old horse's.

 

We may be out of toilet paper, but (no pun intended ) there are plenty of WH’s on CL and FB in our neck of the woods for way less than $700... 

[953 nut 60,372]

The last time I received "The Look" followed by "why don't you get a new one" I said because I like old stuff, that is why we are still married.   

Edited March 14, 2020 by 953 nut

[ebinmaine 73,015]

50 minutes ago, bellevillerod said:

Now I'm torn between spending the money for the new deck or buying a couple old horse's

Honestly Rod.

No brand bias and no kidding intended.

 

There's no decision to be made.

Ya tried. Twice.

 

@hotajax Trina and I use 2 predominant "go-to" tractors of the 4 we have.

Hers is a 1967. Mine is a 1974.

Each of us has another we could use as a second or backup but it would take changing some things around. (And we've done so in the past.)

 

Wheelhorse tractors are NOT a mower. They are a permanent piece of "equipment" that we have no plans of not owning.

We don't even have a mowing deck.

 

They have well over 20 available implements should the need or desire arise.

They are VERY repairable. Maintenance is easy.

She and I have not yet tackled an engine rebuild but have done a gear drive transmission rebuild. Easy.

 

As a society we've been told by the best Marketing corporations in the world for decades or more that the newest best brightest shiniest is ALWAYS the way to go.

That's just no longer correct.

Vehicles are inarguably safer now than in the past. Longer lasting in many cases as well.

But repairable?

NO.

 

Newer "Retail consumer level" power tools have lost the long lasting component they once had.

 

IMHO and to the best of my knowledge there is not one brand available as I write this that can sell us a NON COMMERCIAL machine and honestly expect it to last as a permanent piece.

 

Those who don't operate or repair a machine don't care if it lasts because they'll just do what the selling dealer says and go buy a new machine every 2 to 4 years.

Some can be educated/convinced/taught.

Some can't.

 

If you have the space buy a spare or 2.

 

Let the "others" buy their own throwaways and run em.

 

 

.    stepping down now.....

 

 

[hotajax 229]

6 hours ago, ri702bill said:

There is a simple solution - pick up a second and maybe a third tractor of a similar model. That way, you should have at least one that runs at all times - that is what a few of us do.

Seriously, the idea of owning a pressed tin and plastic newer "tractor" (aka overpriced grass cutter) does nothing for me.

I see you are in Bucks County, near New Hope??

 

Bill

Bill:  As a matter of fact, I do live in New Hope.  How do you know?  Have you seen a fat guy cutting the grass while having a cigar?

[hotajax 229]

PS:  Another reason why I don't want a new tractor:  most of the dealers and fixers around here stink.  Overpriced, unreliable, and poor mechanics. 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,612]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

.    stepping down now.....

 

 

Good... Need to use that soap to wash your hands... and keep the box to store extra TP...

 

I know -  - but I couldn’t resist...

 

By the way I agree with everything you said...!

[peter lena 9,316]

hotajax, think its worth the save, I SAVE TRACTORS , has the best carb i have ever installed , never had to touch or adjust it . the wiring issue , which is common to safety switches , corrosion , and frayed wires , can easily be solved with available diagrams and refresh wiring. as you know the new stuff out there is chinese junk . go section by section on the electrical , verify solid grounding points , enhance all electrical points with dielectric grease. that carb swap is easy , and so worth it . this is only my own experience , you can do what ever you like , good luck , pete

[AHS 1,550]

I have a 1973 WH 14hp/hydro; that I mowed my lawn for years. My neighbor is on his second one, a white riding tractor with a mower... broken deck now. I just keep putting along, smiling, that mine just a white brand b+s powered piece of junk...

[WHNJ701 4,165]

9 hours ago, hotajax said:

Bill:  As a matter of fact, I do live in New Hope.  How do you know?  Have you seen a fat guy cutting the grass while having a cigar?

bucks county pa ,  general aviation intrest, van sant airport is a nice little place

[Tractorhead 9,212]

@hotajax

 

maybe a few things, you can tell your Wife to stop thinking of Buying new.

 

The older GT are mostly simply made and can be reworked mostly with simple Standard tools.

Steel can be welded, engines can be repaired or even exchanged if damaged.

The newer plastic thingis are specially „designed“, with its required parts,

that means in case of a defect you must buy the Parts from your manufacturer.

The stability and the reliability is another issue on that Plastic Bombers.

 

The new mowers have also a lot of electronics in, if you not experienced with, you need a good professional,

that knows you specific tractor. I see last week a „brandnew“ Lawnmower, i had no fear to compare this thing with my Wheelhorse.

when i see the material they built from

i would have fear, to do with this thing jobs what my Wheelhorse is able to do.

 

Even if mine was a allready „cheap one„ Vertical Engine, its now more than 22Years old ( don‘t know exactly) 

And it still works better than i ever expected.

The only big issue was my Engine blasts, but to set this issue in right direction,

don‘t forget to remember my Horse was in a burned Barn that was burned half and completely covered by Firedistinguisher vor over one year before the insurance company releases it.

The Steering wheel was completely melted and several other things must be reworked.

 

When i see that new Plasticmower with can metal frame i asked the Dealer for how long this Thing should last, he told me

They be calculated for a max. of 8 Years.😎

Additionally i was feared, because there is no Oil dipstic or Oilchange Screw in, it has a so called „Lifetime“ filling of oil.

Think about that.

muaaahahahaaa, sorry, but i doubt that thing would be lasting 8 Years in normal working condition.

 

there was a lot of Plastic crap on it, but as we all know, plastic wasn‘t a good material for highly loaded parts.

on everyday work it spreads about UV- radiation and then it breaks.

 

Steel or metal doesn‘t, it just rusting, but that could be once a nice Patina or even be reworked to a clean Surface again.

 

 

Before i would buy such a plastic crap, i would import another horse from the US,

that is more reliable and easier to maintain even after several years of work.

[hotajax 229]

13 hours ago, jabelman said:

bucks county pa ,  general aviation intrest, van sant airport is a nice little place

 

Van Sant sure is.  There is a prob with Van Sant:  the grass strip.  When I fly, I rent from Doylestown Airport, and they don't like their aircraft landing on grass strips.  I'm sure that over the years all the lumps have been pounded down, but if I came back with muddy gear, I'm sure I'd hear about it.  Plus, that Egyptian guy who manages Van Sant would probably rat me out for landing there.  He knows who owns every single engine plane in the area. 

[sergeant 325]

On 3/14/2020 at 12:11 AM, hotajax said:

I have an oldy from 1985.  Runs great.  Had some electrical probs for a week or so, same with the carb.  But it all worked out.  It is just a very reliable machine.  Wife, kid constantly on my back every time I grab a socket wrench  to buy a new one.   Why?  This is a good one, the new ones cost a lot of money and aren't half as good.  That's it.  I just wanted to rant.

Well as Long as I don't Buy any Old Garden tractors In that lovely Green color I never hear the wife complain Bought Her a Cub Cadet 2206 In 2002(when I retired from the Army) we Traded it for a Cub Cadet XT3 GSX In 2018. Before I met My wife she was a Tractor Mechanic for Her Grandfathers Massey-Ferguson dealership In Ontario Canada(now she is a Nurse) I am still surprised she didn't want a Simplicity/Massey Back In 2002. I collect and Use old Iron all the time But I do have some Modern Machines To Handle the Mowing so I am Not always wrenching On Machines So You Can always go that route Have a Modern Machine as well  to keep The Family & Gremlins at Bay and still use the Old Iron for everything else.

 

Bought the 1992 416H for It Narrow width for use In the Garden with Cultivation always Like the Wheel Horse for it's Narrow width But Have always Preferred the Green Brand for it's Versatility Ie Hydraulic angle of front Mounted Implements and Power steering 

[Sam Pasch 450]

Simplicity is about the only companie I can think of that produces quality residential equipment these days.

Edited March 28, 2020 by Sam Pasch

[Stepney 2,354]

Grandpa bought a '68 Electro new. Ran for many years, retired in 2002 and bought a new top-of-the-line Scotts.

Which broke down constantly.

That was replaced a few years ago with a JD X300.

Which breaks down constantly.

See a trend here?
The 'ol '68 is still wheezing along just fine, despite years of neglect and one motor swap when it came time.

Has never had a single part in the hydraulics repaired..

 

We had a Huskvarna with the 20hp B&S single, which blew to pieces one day. Then a new Sears YTS of some sort that actually launched one of the cylinders off the block. Replaced by a B100 for a while, then an 80's JD since Dad isn't much of a WH guy..

I may not be a green fan, but the old JD is a good grass cutter and very well made.

 

I'll keep my WH's..

Maybe not THE most versatile GT, (nearly, though) but certainly the most available, easiest to repair, and best fanbase!

 

Doing small engine work on the side.. the stories I could relay are endless.

 

No different then my old 2 stroke Toro and LawnBoy power mowers.

Go on forever with almost zero upkeep. An LB may need crank seals after 40 years. The toro may need a new plastic float .. otherwise, still kicking, and doing a better job than any box store mower.

Much lighter weight, too. Could still rival any new commercial model.

I swear, the new commercial is the old residential.. look at a WH Lawn Ranger, it's intended purpose, and a modern equivalent..

 

Edited March 28, 2020 by Stepney

[Sam Pasch 450]

I have my grandpa's 67 wheel horse 867 and its still running strong. It was used as a pull tractor by the owner before my grand father. My grandfather bought it in the early 1990s and used it all the way up to this year around the house. He is now moving and doesn't have room for it, so I inherited it. It still starts right up and sounds great.

[Pullstart 67,080]

On 3/27/2020 at 10:27 PM, Sam Pasch said:

I have my grandpa's 67 wheel horse 867 and its still running strong. It was used as a pull tractor by the owner before my grand father. My grandfather bought it in the early 1990s and used it all the way up to this year around the house. He is now moving and doesn't have room for it, so I inherited it. It still starts right up and sounds great.

 

I didn’t notice the grey engine before... factory Kohler replacement?