the old man's wood gear

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John S

John S

Member
Sep 16, 2014
20
Southern Maine
Thought some of you might get a kick out of my gear. Three years ago when I turned 70 I finally broke down and replaced the old wheelbarrow with the way too expensive but undoubtedly the world's best - a Smart Cart made in Maine. 2 wheels, perfect balance. Makes moving a couple of hundred pounds of wood 50' from the shed to the house a breeze. (In the first photo it's kind of hidden beside the little splitter.)

Two years ago I bought the 5 ton electric splitter. I'm a little guy to start with and was finding it harder and harder to get through a cord of wood. Accuracy is still fine but weight and strength really aren't there anymore. Should have got it 10 years ago.

While the Smart Cart is great going shed to house it's not (and neither am I) really up to the 300' slightly uphill run from where I cut. So this year I looked for a little tractor and found a 1966 Wheel Horse. 8 hp Kohler engine runs great, transmission also. Had an ok paint job a few years ago. Yes, half the reason I bought it was because I'm a sucker for good old stuff and looks.

[Hearth.com] the old man's wood gear
[Hearth.com] the old man's wood gear
[Hearth.com] the old man's wood gear
 
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Love the wheel horse! Even at 8 HP it has enough guts to haul loads??? I have a 26 HP Craftsman and it is a wimp. If I tried to pull the trailer you show loaded with hard wood up any kind of incline that Craftsman would moan and groan (and I'd probably be re-building the transmission again sooner than later). I know a lot of pulling is weight and transmission but wouldn't think 8 HP would provide enough power. Cool.
 
No problem at all hauling the trailer - it's all in the real transmissions these old tractors came with. Real problem is the cheap HD trailer itself is pretty wimpy - the sides start to bend out if I load it much above level.
[Hearth.com] the old man's wood gear
 
KenLockett said:
I know a lot of pulling is weight and transmission but wouldn't think 8 HP would provide enough power. Cool.
Click to expand...

Different critters. The WH is an actual tractor (traction engine). Built, designed and geared (actual geared transmission) for ground application. I hate to say it, but that 8HP could probably pull the 26hp backwards. The other big difference is in the mower itself. The craftsman spins the heck out of the deck and that takes hp. You are realistically only using about 3 or 4 hp (on average) to move the machine.

Edit: John S - that thing is too shiny. Go get it dirty or something...;);lol

hey Ken - what would your craftsman think of this load (that is a 12hp machine)?:cool:
[Hearth.com] the old man's wood gear
 
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Hey, Jags. You're completely right about real tractors. But I don't think I'll be replacing the little trailer with one that big. :) As far as too shiny - I do give it a wash after it's done it's work. You should have seen it about an hour before those photos, though - not so pretty.
 
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Jags said:
Different critters. The WH is an actual tractor (traction engine). Built, designed and geared (actual geared transmission) for ground application. I hate to say it, but that 8HP could probably pull the 26hp backwards. The other big difference is in the mower itself. The craftsman spins the heck out of the deck and that takes hp. You are realistically only using about 3 or 4 hp (on average) to move the machine.

Edit: John S - that thing is too shiny. Go get it dirty or something...;);lol

hey Ken - what would your craftsman think of this load (that is a 12hp machine)?:cool:
View attachment 160173
Click to expand...

It would run scared! Have seen plenty of older wheel horse units on Craig's List but the low HP have scared me off. I need to start looking a little closer at these smaller horse power units and focus more on the transmission and 'tractor' qualities. May run a few possibilities by you guys to see what you think at some point. Thanks.
 
(broken link removed to http://nwct.craigslist.org/grd/5116374925.html)

what do you think about this deal? Would this unit have the strong tractor tranny? What year do you think the Wheel Horse brand was no longer the tractors of old?
 
That wheel horse looks like the one my grandpa had when I was a child . Wish I could find one in that condition . I have a 12 hp Murray that I haul wood with when it feels like running;hm. Nice gear
 
That's a fine lookin' Wheel Horse! What did you give for that if you don't mind me asking?
 
Ken - You would have to look it over and run it around a bit but it sure looks like a good one and a fair price. Any of the WH garden (not lawn) tractors up into the 90s would be built for real work.

D8 - $650. Probably a little high as it needed some work but it was so good looking...
 
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Ken - that is a hydrostatic tranny not a geared tranny. That doesn't make it bad, mine in the pic is a hydro. But if I was looking strictly at a work horse puller I would consider sticking with a geared tranny. If you are gonna use it for other duties (such as mowing or pushing snow) I really like hydro units.

Two tell tale signs of a "tractor"...Bolt on wheels and axle bearings (not bushings). Oh - and the ability to hook up other stuff, like a snow plow/blower or rototiller, etc.
 
What a good looking tractor, don't know many who would say it wasn't worth the price. What do you use for a saw John S?

My wife has an old Case 446 that does pretty ok. I'd hate to hook it to one of those new 26hp jobs like Jags mentioned though, it'd be a shame to ruin a man's lawn mower that way. Thing's got six lug wheels, it's a brute...
 
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Jags said:
Ken - that is a hydrostatic tranny not a geared tranny. That doesn't make it bad, mine in the pic is a hydro. But if I was looking strictly at a work horse puller I would consider sticking with a geared tranny. If you are gonna use it for other duties (such as mowing or pushing snow) I really like hydro units.

Two tell tale signs of a "tractor"...Bolt on wheels and axle bearings (not bushings). Oh - and the ability to hook up other stuff, like a snow plow/blower or rototiller, etc.
Click to expand...

Jags,

Assuming this thing runs good do you know of any resources to 'establish' what a fair price might be such as a blue book value? Do you think a Toro dealer might have this info? I honestly do not know if $725 is a fair price. I called the guy (an old timer) and he sounds very honest and indicated that it runs great (is a '73 by the way).
 
'Bout the only thing you would be able to do is a little google search for "like" tractors and their asking prices. Personally, I find $725 to be fair if the tractor is in good shape.
 
Jags said:
'Bout the only thing you would be able to do is a little google search for "like" tractors and their asking prices. Personally, I find $725 to be fair if the tractor is in good shape.
Click to expand...

(broken link removed to http://nwct.craigslist.org/grd/5160827213.html)

Ok one more. This one looks really good for a GT-14. I'm very interested. What do ya think Jags?
 
The GT-14 was darn near legendary. The Sundstrand hydro unit in that thing was built about 3 miles from where I am sitting. Known to be tough. And the K series Kohler cast iron engines - well...they are as reliable as dirt. My opinion is that it would make one heck of a mule for chores.

And my apologies to the OP. It was not my intent to hijack this thread. This should have been its own separate post.
 
Same here OP. Sorry about that. $950 seems like a bargain don't you think Jags?
 
I'm out of town for a day and... :) Don't worry Jags and Ken - not really a thread hijack and I'm happy to help encourage another WH enthusiast. BTW, that GT-14 looks terrific.
 
Nice looking unit. Looks like a great restore from the pictures. Love those old tractors and that one is 18 years older than my '87 jd 332 diesel. I hope to make it look like new again like this WH. Too much stuff today is throw away junk.
 
I bought and picked it up today and just got back from Conneticut. Was two and half hours away. Quite nice tractor. Heavy as all get out. I will take some photos when I get a chance. Am going to have to get chains for sure. took it up and down some steep hills and it slipped of course but like you guys said very strong. Not everything original but Toro parts put on and black vertical muffler not original but new. Restoration included all original stickers, lights, accessories, etc. and the seat is like brand new. Absolutely no leaks on engine or tranny, good rubber, solid frame and metal, and runs very smooth. Dash mount idle adjustment and middle throttle adjustments may take a little getting used to. Also front PTO not operational and removed although wiring intact. Gave me old parts but as their is no deck nor do I intend to use one should be no big deal. I have to remember I bought this thing for work purposes primarily for pulling.
 
No official garden tractor thread on hearth.com? Allow me...
 
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