1973 8hp 4-speed wheel upgrades

[Rob J. 1,942]

4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

On the rears you could swap out for a set of wheels and tires from a later C series. Those would be 23 x 8.5 x 12. 

 

The fronts you actually have more options because you have more clearance. No fender in the way. 

8" wheels with tires as tall as 18" or more.  

 

Parts availability is excellent by mail order. 

For wheels and tires both front and rear you could call Lincoln at A to Z Tractor in Pennsylvania. 

His shipping rates would be competitive.  

 

Thanks for the info, I’ll check him out for sure.

[Rob J. 1,942]

7 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

I was looking those over at a local Mahindra dealer.  They’re pretty neat.  I was under the impression they originally built them under contract.

 

Best SXS made. Fiat forced them to change to the new style. I have the original style that essentially looks like a CJ7, sort of 😂

[EB-80/8inPA 1,844]

2 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

The seat was the next thing I was getting to. Not even sure it’s correct. It mounts directly to the rear fenders. Almost seems like it’s missing a mount in between the seat and fenders?

I have that same machine.  I Recently had the seat bracket welded back together, adding a piece of angle at the bends.  The seat on mine (as I found it) bolted to the fender through that bracket as you describe. So finding a bolted seat with the right pattern seems to be an issue.  Maybe using nutserts will increase your replacement options?

[Racinbob 11,916]

7 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

n. The seat was the next thing I was getting to. Not even sure it’s correct. It mounts directly to the rear fenders. Almost seems like it’s missing a mount in between the seat and fenders?

 

I believe that the seat did mount directly to the fender back them. If you look closely you can see to long U shaped springs fastened to the seat then to the flip up pan. The ride is improved. 

[Rob J. 1,942]

3 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

Best SXS made. Fiat forced them to change to the new style. I have the original style that essentially looks like a CJ7, sort of 😂

It has a 2.5 turbo diesel 4 cylinder. Solid Dana 44’s front and back. No plastic, almost entirely steel. 

[Pullstart 66,598]

 @Rob J.!  Lake, MI as in Lake City?  I’m about 110 miles south and have wheels. Lift arm, rock shaft, etc.  likely anything you need.  Unfortunately, those tires look nice and brand new!  I’d suggest you wear ‘em down for about 30 years before you need anything different.  For ground clearance, you won’t gain a ton… but weight on the rear (wheel weights, fluid filled tires, etc) and tire chains will make it quite capable the way it is.

[Rob J. 1,942]

1 hour ago, Racinbob said:

The 1972 version of that model was a Commando 800. Here's one I restored for my grandson a few tears ago.

 

 

I swapped the 10" rear wheels for a set of 22.750-12's from a 76 B-80. I left the 6" fronts as is. The height difference was insignificant and had no effect running a 36" RD deck. 

Very nice!

[Pullstart 66,598]

I did however utilize some of those rear 10” wheels on the front of a custom project.  It turned out pretty cool.

 

 

[Rob J. 1,942]

10 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

 @Rob J.!  Lake, MI as in Lake City?  I’m about 110 miles south and have wheels. Lift arm, rock shaft, etc.  likely anything you need.  Unfortunately, those tires look nice and brand new!  I’d suggest you wear ‘em down for about 30 years before you need anything different.  For ground clearance, you won’t gain a ton… but weight on the rear (wheel weights, fluid filled tires, etc) and tire chains will make it quite capable the way it is.

Actuallly live southeast of Lake City closer to Clare. 

[Rob J. 1,942]

3 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I did however utilize some of those rear 10” wheels on the front of a custom project.  It turned out pretty cool.

 

 

Nice! Tell me more please

[Pullstart 66,598]

7 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

Nice! Tell me more please

I pieced it together.  My uncle gave me the tires as payment for a job, then I shopped around in my storage barn for something to toss ‘em on!

 

Here’s the total build thread.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,844]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

On the wheels ... What exactly do want to change?

Width? Back spacing? Type?

Looking to swap to larger tires?

 

 

I would love to find replacement 22X7.5-12’s to match the ones on mine, but I can’t find anyone making/selling them.  Unless @Rob J.has better luck than me, wider & taller tires are almost a foregone conclusion.  If anyone knows a source, by all means chime in!  TIA.

Edited January 30, 2022 by EB-80/8inPA

[Rob J. 1,942]

12 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

I would love to find replacement 22X7.5-12’s to match the ones on mine, but I can’t find anyone making/selling them.  Unless @Rob J.has better luck than me, wider & taller tires are almost a foregone conclusion.  If anyone knows a source, by all means chime in!  TIA.

Well I know I’m limited in the rear but with no suspension I’d like to squeeze the few inches that’s there. Thought about even going skinnier and taller tires more like a traditional tractor. Weighing out my options right now. So new to WH.

[JCM 10,170]

to    Looks like a Maduro wrapped cigar, I can smell it from here. WheelHorses and cigars go good together.   

[roadapples 6,983]

Take your time. Do what needs to be done now. Look around on here and see what others have done. You have so many options on wheel and tires.  And 

[Rob J. 1,942]

1 hour ago, JCM said:

to    Looks like a Maduro wrapped cigar, I can smell it from here. WheelHorses and cigars go good together.   

You’re exactly right. a Padron to be exact. Smooth drawls and long ashes my friend. 😉

[Rob J. 1,942]

1 hour ago, roadapples said:

Take your time. Do what needs to be done now. Look around on here and see what others have done. You have so many options on wheel and tires.  And 

I believe you’re right. I’m soaking in a lot and I’ve only been here for a day. 

[ebinmaine 72,382]

19 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

I believe you’re right. I’m soaking in a lot and I’ve only been here for a day. 

Imagine being here for 2 days. Or even 3. 

 

 

All the cool stuff you'd learn.   

[Rob J. 1,942]

11 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Imagine being here for 2 days. Or even 3. 

 

 

All the cool stuff you'd learn.   

Oh I’ll be around for awhile. First real source of info I come across how could I not? 

[ebinmaine 72,382]

12 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

Oh I’ll be around for awhile. First real source of info I come across how could I not? 

Yeah be careful with a couple things though. 

 

First. Remember that hair covered horses are a herd animal. For some reason paint covered Horses seem to be the same. 

Trina and I got out first near to 5 years ago. Now she has 3, and me 2. We also have 3 others in project stage and 2 we'll be restoring for a friend.  

 

We do use them. A LOT. 

Plowing snow, grading the dooryard, moving wood, pulling Heavy stuff, chipping brush, generator, soon to be some gardening,  and on and on....

 

Second, if you ain't real careful you'll trip over making a few friends around here.  

 

[Rob J. 1,942]

10 hours ago, Rob J. said:

Nice! Tell me more please

Is the lug pattern a 5x4.5? 

[ebinmaine 72,382]

1 hour ago, Rob J. said:

Is the lug pattern a 5x4.5? 

Yes. 

It's the backspacing you have to watch on a Horse. 

[kpinnc 14,571]

7 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Yes. 

It's the backspacing you have to watch on a Horse. 

 

True, but less so on the long axles on a 8 4 speed. The distance between hub and tranny is close to 3 inches. I guess WH was determined to use a batch of 10 inch wheels with neutral backspacing.

[Pullstart 66,598]

12 hours ago, Rob J. said:

Well I know I’m limited in the rear but with no suspension I’d like to squeeze the few inches that’s there. Thought about even going skinnier and taller tires more like a traditional tractor. Weighing out my options right now. So new to WH.

With a skinny 12” wheel, you could do 6-12 ags.  That would be fitting and traditional.  If you ever feel like a drive, I have about every combo of tires and wheels that would fit, shy of Carlisle 23-10.50-12 ags, but enough that you could figure out what you like.

[Rob J. 1,942]

23 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

True, but less so on the long axles on a 8 4 speed. The distance between hub and tranny is close to 3 inches. I guess WH was determined to use a batch of 10 inch wheels with neutral backspacing.

So I’m thinking one could use a set of day 2” wheel spacers if needed?