What would be a good model Wheelhorse

[cutter-man 11]

Morning Everyone,

New to the site, and have a question for the membership.  What model of wheelhorse would be good for my place.  I have about 2.5 acres of grass to mow.  I am used to older John deere models and dont know a lot about the wheelhorse models and years.  What is responsible price your recommending.  Know of anyone in the illinois area with the model your recommending for sale or a good place to find one.

 

Thank you have a great day

 

All help is greatly appreicated

 

 

[Pullstart 64,724]

  Most any Horse is up to the job of mowing, but it depends how fast you want it done, what kind of terrain or obstacles you have.  Most guys swear by hydros when mowing… especially around trees, tight areas, etc.  I prefer gear jammers for most applications, but I like less mess of the gear driven transmission.

 

Late 60’s and up, to B and C series, 300/400/500 series machines too, are likely what would suit you best, as they have bigger PTO drives and seem to get you more blade tip speed.  There are many options, Onan, Kohler and sometimes Briggs power, hydro, manual, electric lift, manual lift, hydraulic lift, etc.  deck sizes from 32-60” as well, with rear discharge or side discharge.

 

 

[Ed Kennell 40,616]

 to the    Cutterman.         Kinda depends on what you plan to do with the tractor.      For mowing 2.5a., you probably want at least a 42"  or 48" deck.

 

I prefer my 312Hydro with the 12HP Kohler Magnum turning a 42" side discharge deck for mowing.    It is quiet, runs cool, and sips fuel.   It turns the 42" deck easily and probably would be OK with a 48" deck if you keep the grass under control.     There are usually plenty of used  3,4, and 500 series tractors for  sale on the web sites.   All the attachments made after 1970  will fit any of these tractors with a few exceptions.... the 60" deck  only fits a 1990 or newer 520 and the XI series implements will not fit.

I have larger tractors with twin engines, but they like fuel and generate a lot of heat that can be uncomfortable on hot days.  The twins also tend to suck grass into the cooling fan clogging the screen.

If you plan  to run a blower or a tiller, I would  look for a 14 or more HP.       Fact is you will never stop with one Wheelhorse, so plan ahead.

  I am one of the lazy hydro fans that only owns tractors that have hydraulic lifts.   If you do buy a hydro, my experience has been, the 3,4,and 500 series tractors with hydraulic lift have the better Eaton 1100 hydro.    The tractors without hydraulic lift have the weaker Eaton 700 hydro that I would not recommend.

   

Edited March 28, 2022 by Ed Kennell

[8ntruck 7,416]

to the forum.  Lots of good helpful folks here.  Somebody here has probably already broken and fixed whatever you might run into on your machine andwill chime in with advice here.

 

Kevin and Ed have pretty much covered your question.  I have a 1973 14 horse with the 8 speed transmission.  I run a 42" deck for mowing.  Good, trouble free setup.

 

You will find other jobs for a Wheel Horse once you have one.  Of course you probably know this from the use of your previous tractors.  Mine hauls stuff in its utility trailer, drags logs, moves trailers, and grades gravel.  

 

Good luck shopping and have fun.

[cutter-man 11]

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

  Most any Horse is up to the job of mowing, but it depends how fast you want it done, what kind of terrain or obstacles you have.  Most guys swear by hydros when mowing… especially around trees, tight areas, etc.  I prefer gear jammers for most applications, but I like less mess of the gear driven transmission.

 

Late 60’s and up, to B and C series, 300/400/500 series machines too, are likely what would suit you best, as they have bigger PTO drives and seem to get you more blade tip speed.  There are many options, Onan, Kohler and sometimes Briggs power, hydro, manual, electric lift, manual lift, hydraulic lift, etc.  deck sizes from 32-60” as well, with rear discharge or side discharge.

 

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

 

I have number of trees relative flat land.  I have used JD 300 series in the past. (314,317,318) get it mowed in about a hour and 1/2

 

[cutter-man 11]

I have number of trees relative flat land.  I have used JD 300 series in the past. (314,317,318) get it mowed in about a hour and 1/2

[SylvanLakeWH 27,634]

 

I’m a gear guy… @Pullstart covered them nicely. Have never had a hydro but @Ed Kennell covered them nicely…

 

Key thing - check the spindles on any deck you buy. They should be quiet when spinning them…

[roadapples 6,983]

[JoeM 7,950]

I like the xi series, 522xi..... power steering, lazy man hydro, (foot controlled), cruise control, tilt wheel, comfortable! And if you want, a 60 incher for spinning that 1 1/2 down to 1. 

Wheel horse best kept secret. they sometimes come cheap cause the purist don't like the toro badge. 

 

 

 

[JCM 10,026]

Tough decision. This lineup doesn't even come close to what's available in the WH selection. If you are used to a JD 317 and 318 you may want to go Kohler twin or Onan twin in the 400 and 500 series lineup. 

[cutter-man 11]

Thank you

Just need to find the right one close to me.......

Thanks to everyone

[cutter-man 11]

Nice collection you have

[Sailman 1,299]

My $.02 worth is a C series (120 - 160) or the 400 series. Love the hydro transmission for mowing. Single cylinder Kohlers are reliable and easy to work on. Like others have said make sure the spindles on the mower are smooth running.

[WHX?? 50,800]

 sounds like the guys have you covered so I'll just add if you find a possible candidate and go kick tires take lots of pics particularly ID plates of both tractor and engine. Bring the pics here for the pros of that model to evaluate and advise. Be patient in your search and don't marry the first one that comes along. You should find them in your area with prices ranging for that's nuts to smoking deals. Price vary greatly between areas but with pics we can establish a baseline. 

[953 nut 58,121]

I would go along with the 300 or 400 series  with a single cylinder Kohler. I mow about 1 1/2 acres with a 310-8 speed (10 HP with a geared transmission) and a 42" deck. Lots of trees and berry bushes to cut around but I don't have to shift gears too much so the transmission choice is no big deal. I have also used the same deck on my 418-C, 18 HP twin cylinder hydro. It took the same amount of time but used a bit more gas. The 418-C could easily handle a bigger deck but the 42" is the right size for many parts of our lawns.

You could start your search by placing a wanted ad here, https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/classifieds/wanted/?do=form&d=2

[WHX?? 50,800]

20 hours ago, cutter-man said:

Nice collection you have

Really Plunge that C-120 has got a patina to die for and the seat! Just don't fit in with yer herd tho I best come get it  ....dibs at least.... 

 

If you are located with where I think you are you should have no problem finding a decent horse. My morning CL searches often find nice ones south of the border & looks like your not terrible far from the @stevasaurus. Ton of nice horses in his area.

Edited March 29, 2022 by WHX??

[stevasaurus 23,090]

@cutter-man  Welcome to Red Square.  I'm thinking you might want to talk with a good friend of mine...Joe Harris (Smokin'Joe).  He lives in Polo, just west of White Pine's State Park.  He buys and sells Wheel Horses and he may have what you are looking for.  I will send you a PM with his phone number. 

[biged77 113]

Welcome to Red Square.  I recommend the 400 series with Kohler single cylinder magnum engine.  I've spent more money on deck reconditioning than anything else so check these carefully (spindles, rust out, cracking around the spindles, etc.).

[Bill D 2,103]

Decks can be the weak point on a Wheel Horse, but if you're handy a deck from a walk behind mower can be modified to fit under one.  I did it and so did @kpinnc.

[Tuneup 1,433]

You want one so I'll assume you're handy with a wrench and can troubleshoot and repair. You're going to be doing something to make it run or run better as these aren't new machines. That out of the way, you're in an area that is Wheel Horse plentiful so you have your pick. If it were me, I'd go for the 300-500 series with a Kohler 14+ and a 48" deck. Those Onans are beasts but need a little more TLC than the one lungers.

 

Don't forget to feed back and tell us what you found. Hearty group here that can solve almost anything.

[kpinnc 13,839]

12 hours ago, Bill D said:

Decks can be the weak point on a Wheel Horse, but if you're handy a deck from a walk behind mower can be modified to fit under one.  I did it and so did @kpinnc.

 

I'm such a slacker! Your's looks great Bill! 

[Bill D 2,103]

7 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

I'm such a slacker! Your's looks great Bill! 

I think yours cuts better though.  Still need to add baffles.  Getting a lot of clippings discharged out the front.  I think your Exmark deck was a better starting point than the Bobcat deck.

[kpinnc 13,839]

3 hours ago, Bill D said:

Still need to add baffles.

 

I think baffles are the only difference between them. 

[Bill D 2,103]

1 hour ago, kpinnc said:

 

I think baffles are the only difference between them. 

If the deck from your Metro is the same as the one on my Viking, then they are drastically different.  I like the Exmark deck better, but the Bobcat deck may have been easier to modify.  I tried putting 8" tires on my 416 and they rub the deck.  A forward swept front end would be preferred with these decks.  I'll have to find the link to your deck build.

[kpinnc 13,839]

It was a tight fit! And yes, I'm using it on a swept axle- equipped tractor.