echris 1,425 #1 Posted June 10, 2020 I haven't spent much time around Wheel Horse tractors since I was a kid working at the dealership from 1983-1987. I finally got my own, and after spending two days going through it, the simple mechanics of the machine all comes back to you. It feels like the machine was designed from top to bottom with maintenance as the top priority. They're kind of a mechanical work of art. Especially when you look at the bloodline. It's all there, from the beginning. 6 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,068 #2 Posted June 10, 2020 The thing that drew me in? The style. What kept me coming back for more? The strength. What’s so special about them? The Community! One more reason? The smiles the create! Putt Putt was my first and will never leave my possession.. until my will sets in! 2 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skrusins 128 #3 Posted June 10, 2020 After not being made for 25yrs. they are still being used and sought after. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echris 1,425 #4 Posted June 10, 2020 12 minutes ago, pullstart said: The thing that drew me in? The style. What kept me coming back for more? The strength. The red paint and the Kohler blop-diddy-blop. Yeah, that. Nice. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R Scheer 505 #5 Posted June 10, 2020 The fact that they largely used standard parts, especially for bearings, seals, etc. Like they wanted to have the tractors maintainable. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,010 #6 Posted June 10, 2020 Ease of maintenance. Reliability. Heavy duty build. Trina and I are practical minded people. We use all of ours here on the property. We both love doing mechanical work but we need machines that are here to WORK when we turn the key. We got the first at a recommendation from a friend in the tech business. We got the rest because the first was so great. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,611 #7 Posted June 10, 2020 all of the above... Plus, they are fun to ride around!!! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #8 Posted June 10, 2020 I believe it was the strength and the integrity of the design. Oh and red is my favorite color!! 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charging10 252 #9 Posted June 10, 2020 Ive worked on a lot of lawn and garden tractors over the years, Wheel Horse were ahead of their time, when I rebuilt my 1054 tranny a while back it was by no mistake that heavy duty, and simplicity of working parts were their goal. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,367 #10 Posted June 10, 2020 tractors are tough as nails and will outwork anything in the big-box stores. The standardization of parts and attachments is a standard the rest of the industry can't come close to. You can find conventional hardware, bearings and seals without having to pay through the nose for propitiatory dealer only parts.. Most of my herd is old enough to qualify for their own AARP card, but they are dependable and if well maintained will continue to get the job done for a long time. 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
71_Bronco 1,072 #11 Posted June 10, 2020 I personally like that they aren't super main-stream. Everybody knows JD green, most know Cub, International, Farmall etc. Obviously like that they are so well built and easy to work on, especially the older ones with no switches, or complicated electronics. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #12 Posted June 10, 2020 Made in USA by an American company.... 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,194 #13 Posted June 10, 2020 Made in the U.S.A!! And made in Indiana my home and state i was born in. The simplicity of working on them! And the styling. My favorite 3 I own! 7 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #14 Posted June 10, 2020 2 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said: all of the above... Plus, they are fun to ride around!!! I'll second that Sylvia Paid 350 for a beat up '67 back in '86 and bet I could get that for it today..... 7 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,194 #15 Posted June 10, 2020 Another big thing for me also i cant believe i forgot to mention is the rich history!! I think The pond family would be and are probably proud of us all for keeping this rich history alive. It is what built this country!! Hard work and pride!! No matter where you come from or where you may live take pride in what you do have! 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,985 #16 Posted June 10, 2020 Robust, simple, versatile, easy to maintain. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dalez 139 #17 Posted June 10, 2020 Parts interchangeability, simplicity. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,068 #18 Posted June 10, 2020 1 hour ago, WHX24 said: I'll second that Sylvia Paid 350 for a beat up '67 back in '86 and bet I could get that for it today..... SOLD! I’ll give $350 for that! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Mac 9,317 #19 Posted June 10, 2020 I used to flip a lot of mowers. On occasion I would have to bring one to a friend of mine who is a retired small engine mechanic for some repairs. No matter what I brought him he would always say " when are you going to bring me something good ? " I finally asked him whats a good one ? I have brought you cub cadet ... john deeres... snappers ... zero turns ....ect . He said " Bring me a Wheel Horse". I never came across one that made me want to go look at one until one day I ran across that 308-8. Soon as I saw one in person I knew it was a quality machine and I wanted it for myself. So I got it and brought it over to my friend to have him go through everything. I backed my truck up to his garage and I seen his face light up..... " Finally !!" he says. Well it spent about a week at his garage and we worked on it together and he explained a lot of things about them to me that I didnt know. That how my love affair started. Just seeing the quality and comparing them to other tractors. Ever since then if I came across a good one I kept them. Thats how I acquired the other two I had. Its sad to see them go when you have to sell one but makes me look forward to the next one. Unlike some of you guys... I have room for like one or two..... not 15 !!! 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,315 #20 Posted June 10, 2020 love the build quality , and the integration of mechanical advantage , combine that with the era that they were built and the common sense view of using it like a small tractor , for post war america . as we know with regular maintiance , they can live a very long time. its a great hobby that i like using , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 5,138 #21 Posted June 10, 2020 My favour thing? Hard to pin down just one thing to be honest. I just love the feeling when I'm driving Fred, feels like a real tractor in miniature. And of course being part of this community , counts for a lot these days. Mick 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseyheaven 113 #22 Posted June 10, 2020 I started messing around with Wheel Horse mowers when I was about eight years old. I found an old frame and sheet metal with no engine and bought a blade for the front for 10 bucks. Within a few days I had it running and ready to plow driveways in the winter time. I put chains and weights on it and my the snow that that thing would push. From then on I was sold on Wheel Horse. I liked how easy they were to work on and how tough they held up. So I guess that’s how it all got started. My dad was always very mechanical and he just kind of step back and let me work on the machine when I was a kid. He was very impressed with what I did and I guess I never stopped. I only use Wheel Horse and Allis-Chalmers or Simplicity garden tractor. Those have always been my favorite and it seems like I always have one that I am bringing back to life from a neglected previous owner. My collection is getting to be too many. However I enjoy having an attachment on each tractor so I do not have to change attachments. I currently have a 500 special, a 100, C120 auto, C161 Eight speed, 414-8, 416-8, 417 automatic, 520 H, and a 520 HC. I would not trade them for anything that was new. I keep them well-maintained and they will probably outlast anything that is made today. That is why I like Wheel Horse. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,010 #23 Posted June 10, 2020 We view our horses as Equipment. A permanent purchase. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,989 #24 Posted June 10, 2020 Pretty much all of the above. The fact that the basic design hasn't changed since their inception makes a bold statement. Perhaps what raises more eyebrows than anything is when I tell folks that I'm running the 48" mower deck from the 76 I bought new on my 2005. The 42" deck from it is on the 76. I add to that by saying I could basically swap the sheet metal between the two of them and you wouldn't know it. And the interchangeability certainly doesn't stop with the mower decks. We won't discuss the wiring though...….. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #25 Posted June 10, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Stormin said: Robust, simple, versatile, easy to maintain. ditto robust and simple contributes to outstanding durability - key attribute for me Wheel Horse owner for 46+ years - only brand / tractor I've used during that time by far the best machines I've owned and used best of the best Edited June 10, 2020 by tom2p 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites