best off-branded donor tractors.

[plowmaster 0]

obviously one with a kohler, but i wonder what makes would make for the best donor tractor? wondering about other parts that can be changed as far as hydralulics, rearend/tranny, maybe even attachments.

my quest looking for a 12 or larger kohler for the charger shows me i can get one in any color, and most are fairly close. wondering what specifically i should keep my eyes open for so possibly i can get a little something extra besides the motor.

thanks for the help, i figgerd this might be of some help to others that are in the same position im in, lotsa other tractors in the area, just not many horses.

[DrabHorse 2]

On the kohler engines, I have seen that the ford garden tractors in the 70's seem to be really close to the wheel horse engine. They look like they have the same size crank shaft size on the pto end. I see them listed on engine replacement sites together.

There are those blue new holland decks, I don't remember now what the story is on them, maybe someone else can give some more info, they were maybe made by toro for them? I know you cut some extra brackets off, and they are basically the same stamping with some updates.