what do you consider a wheel horse

QUOTE (kpinnc @ November 19, 2008 01:07 pm)

Oh boy, I'm gonna take this into a whole different level... whtractor/hide.gif

I think a Wheel Horse is- simply put, a garden tractor. How would I describe a Wheel Horse garden tractor? Like this:

1. ANY Wheel Horse or Work Horse model, with a horizontal shaft engine, regardless of engine manufacturer.

2. WITH a 3 (4), or 6 (8) speed Unidrive transmission or cast iron encased, hardened steel gear transaxle, including Sundstrand and Eaton equipped hydros- With the only exemption to this rule being for the older Pond RS and RJ models.

3. WITHOUT any type of a "stamped" tub-like/MTD/WHITE/lawnmower frame.

4. Rule number 3 is the basis for rule number 4- All Wheel Horses, regardless of configuration, have a WELDED steel frame.

5. As a final requirement, again excluding older Pond RS/RJ machines- All Wheel Horses have cast iron axles in the front.

Now I know some folks like vertical shaft tractors made or sold by Wheel Horse. I further understand that MOST of these were in fact built more sturdily than your garden-variety MTD, BUT- they are not garden tractors. They are lawn mowers.

Let the SARs (smart-a$$-remarks) begin... I'm a big boy, so bring it.

Kevin

sears and roebucky

With a Kohler Horizontal Shaft belted to a cast Iron Uni-drive Transaxel, I'd still consider this a wheel Horse. http://www.toro.com/home/tractors/classic300/3158.html Are they still making these?

QUOTE (Drydock @ November 19, 2008 01:35 pm)

With a Kohler Horizontal Shaft belted to a cast Iron Uni-drive Transaxel, I'd still consider this a wheel Horse. http://www.toro.com/home/tractors/classic300/3158.html Are they still making these?

In a word, no. They're out of production. Some dealers may still have one in stock, but that's becoming more and more unlikely as the stock is dwindling up.

See this thread as the final unit(s) come off the assembly line:

http://whtractor.15.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=569&hl=

QUOTE (nylyon @ November 19, 2008 11:01 am)

If it's made by Wheel Horse (owned by Pond, AMC or Toro) it's a Wheel Horse.

To think Wheel Horse was owned by the people that gave us the
Gremlin and the Pacer! whtractor/scratchhead.gif

QUOTE

Gremlin and the Pacer!

QUOTE (Butch @ November 19, 2008 03:15 pm)

QUOTE (nylyon @ November 19, 2008 11:01 am)

If it's made by Wheel Horse (owned by Pond, AMC or Toro) it's a Wheel Horse.

To think Wheel Horse was owned by the people that gave us the
Gremlin and the Pacer! whtractor/scratchhead.gif

Don't forget AMC Jeep with it's Peogeot trans. whtractor/banghead.gif

Boy , aren't we proud to be an american, i love this spirited debate, i don.t know what to call mine, i bought a work horse, frame and eaton auto, has a honds LP engine, with parts from every model you can think of, all painted the wheel horse red, (haven't figured out the finishing touches yet) it is a congomarate of all the horses plus new parts, I call it the GT-LP work horse?????????

T-Mo i am sorry i typed to quickly and made a false statment what you sid is acctualy what i ment

QUOTE (saguaro @ November 19, 2008 04:17 pm)

Don't forget AMC Jeep with it's Peogeot trans. whtractor/banghead.gif

During that time frame they also designed and made a few prototype Wheel Horse Jeep Lawn Mowers....... whtractor/wicked.gif

.... Yep, I saw one at the Wheel Horse Show. I have a picture of it but can't access photo bucket here at work to post it. Nick might have the same photo.

Buzz , i just bought one of those jeep looking mowers, mine is a ROOF, i wish i could find the hood for it, got everthing else, putting a 20 hp onan on it. has hydro but wish i had a gear shift, whtractor/banghead.gif

Now a Wheel Horse Jeep ,,,,, I could go for that....

QUOTE (rustbucket @ November 19, 2008 04:32 pm)

T-Mo i am sorry i typed to quickly and made a false statment what you sid is acctualy what i ment

Jason,
No problem. I was thinking you just mistyped or misrepresented yourself. But, for those who may not know, I wanted to make the clarification. There are some who actually may think that MTD has the rights to Toro lawn tractors. Though with Toro's poor decision to contract MTD, it's bad enough.

a true wheel horse is..... red,....and has a wheelhorse decal on it. other than that, it is for each of you....whatever mows your grass....plows the garden.... plows or blows the snow.....and gives each owner that sense of pride and satisfaction that he has the best danged garden tractor/mower ever built. any questions?

jim with four, and lookin for more!

Guys I have several questions that I need answered such as What year did Toro purchase Wheelhorse? Was there big changes made by Toro to Wheelhorse after purchase such as design and structure? Do anyone on here have knowledge of what the older Toro mowers looked like or designed? And 1 more question I have not been on here much and seem to be missing TT--What goes with him? curly

I have a 1989 according to the model number (but I swear we got it in 1987 or 1988) and it was the last year that only said wheel horse on the sticker, but Toro bought wheel horse in 1986.

As far as I can tell the design of the 300, 400, and 500's never changed after the purchase - until they were discontinued in 2007 with the last classic GT.

There were some engine changes as the early 400's and 500's - and correct me if I am wrong - did not have the Onans.

Which leads me to another question - is a Toro Power Plus engine an Onan?