has anyone ever heard such nonsense?

[Oh Lordy HepMe HepME]

Yup like the old Wheel Horses do? Mine had no problem doing it before buying the tiller setup for it yrs back. Mines manual, hi/low 8 spd trans. Actually its a 6 spd but WH counted reverse too.
But the Hydro in a Wheel Horse (my Allis too) has no problem pulling a plow either.
They are little brutes!

 

[Oh Lordy HepMe HepME]

Best way I can explain how bad things are today and why old Garden tractors still pull 40+ yrs later?

Inside the Tuff Torq (see thin gears?)...

Inside Wheel Horse Garden Tractor trans.

 

[Jstpssng]

I wonder what those old garden tractors would cost today. Also what would that cost comparison b,e and how they would weigh up against a "BX" sized Kubota or comparable tractor from another manufacturer.

 

[Oh Lordy HepMe HepME]

Wheel Horse is not a subcompact. Although some Horses had a small backhoe & fel option (see link) they are still just a small garden tractor.
Cost new was 3k+ by mid/late 70's for a WH. Many still going 40-50yrs later so deal or no deal?..lol
The implements were sold seperate even the mowing decks.
Sorry Idk how much a bigger D series Wheel Horse was new, I cant find those numbers? I looked a few times over the yrs? The bigger D250 is a bit closer to a Kubota subcompact but still smaller. Their D250 had a 4cyl Renault engine & had good power I read. Never had or seen one yet. Even though its bigger the D250 only weighs about 1100 lbs bare.

The Wheel Horse was originally designed to go where big tractors cant go. They where considered a suburban/city tractor. They made them small enough to fit though a chain link gate and mow/till in smaller yards.
My Horse only weighs about 700lbs so it wont sink and tear soil up like larger tractors can.
Idk what a Kubota weighs but its considerably larger thats for sure.

D160/D180-
16/18hp Twin Kohler.

D250...Rare 4cyl.
Imported, not built in Indiana like other Wheel Horses.

 

[Jstpssng]

Wheel Horse is not a subcompact. Although some Horses had a small backhoe & fel option (see link) they are still just a small garden tractor.
Cost new was 3k+ by mid/late 70's for a WH. Many still going 40-50yrs later so deal or no deal?..lol
The implements were sold seperate even the mowing decks.
Sorry Idk how much a bigger D series Wheel Horse was new, I cant find those numbers? I looked a few times over the yrs? The bigger D250 is a bit closer to a Kubota subcompact but still smaller. Their D250 had a 4cyl Renault engine & had good power I read. Never had or seen one yet. Even though its bigger the D250 only weighs about 1100 lbs bare.

The Wheel Horse was originally designed to go where big tractors cant go. They where considered a suburban/city tractor. They made them small enough to fit though a chain link gate and mow/till in smaller yards.
My Horse only weighs about 700lbs so it wont sink and tear soil up like larger tractors can.
Idk what a Kubota weighs but its considerably larger thats for sure.

D160/D180-
16/18hp Twin Kohler.

D250...Rare 4cyl.
Imported, not built in Indiana like other Wheel Horses.

I was merely comparing something which hasn't been made in years to the nearest thing I know of. The smallest BX weighs a bit over 1300 lbs. I merely thought that was a more accurate comparison than to a lawn mower.

 

[IndyJay]

Agreed^
a few small rock loads
((Looks like weightlifting is the ideal counterweight just like the WH, lol) I didn’t have plates so check out the 85lb dumbbell))

Are the wheel weights for traction or to keep the trailer from picking up the tractor?

 

[plastikosmd]

The big dumbbell strapped off the front=
Picking up the tractor!
I moved a lot of rock with that combo, well out into woods on some rough trails. Amazing what the older machines could do (and what we settle for nowadays)



Here the 8x8’ 400lb drag caught a bit too much rock going uphill while attempting to also use grader blade,it wasn’t lack of power…


Swapped out for the weed cutter to add a bit more weight (sold the dumbbell for scrap)

 

[plastikosmd]

The big dumbbell strapped off the front=
Picking up the tractor!
I moved a lot of rock with that combo, well out into woods on some rough trails. Amazing what the older machines could do (and what we settle for nowadays)



Here the 8x8’ 400lb drag caught a bit too much rock going uphill while attempting to also use grader blade,it wasn’t lack of power…


Swapped out for the weed cutter to add a bit more weight (sold the dumbbell for scrap)

Here is the other one sporting a 48”sickle and weed cutter (4 blade spinning exposed mini brush hog)

You don’t want to walk in front or have pets or kids around!

Fantastic attachment

 

[IndyJay]

The big dumbbell strapped off the front=
Picking up the tractor!
I moved a lot of rock with that combo, well out into woods on some rough trails. Amazing what the older machines could do (and what we settle for nowadays)



Here the 8x8’ 400lb drag caught a bit too much rock going uphill while attempting to also use grader blade,it wasn’t lack of power…


Swapped out for the weed cutter to add a bit more weight (sold the dumbbell for scrap)

Looking at the second picture, a modern lawn tractor would have burned up the transaxle or snapped something before digging the tires half that deep. Amazing piece of equipment you have there.

 

[plastikosmd]

Yea, hooked pretty quick. I probably picked a bit too high of a gear at the time. ( so somewhat my fault)
The old allis/ simplicity/wh/gravely/cubs are pretty fantastic

Today, you buy a machine for every task. Back then, one machine/implements and some “ can do” got it done

 

[DK35vince]

Yea, hooked pretty quick. I probably picked a bit too high of a gear at the time. ( so somewhat my fault)
The old allis/ simplicity/wh/gravely/cubs are pretty fantastic

Today, you buy a machine for every task. Back then, one machine/implements and some “ can do” got it done

Yea, I still have a 1978 Wheel Horse C-101 I bought used in 1986.
Tough little machine and still running and working good.
It got all new belts, paint job and stickers last year

 

[Tony H]

i have owned and used lawnmowertype garden tractors from 18 hp years ago to 24 hp. i have towed trailers full of wood etc for decades too. the larger HP i have used bigger trailers and hauled more weight without any issues to transmission, etc.

the current dealer i have - a husqvarna guy said that you can only tow under warranty around 350 lbs and that includes the weight of the driver. WTF???? most companies have ads etc showing them towing carts and soil etc behind their machines to show they are of value to help out around the home, etc. that means a heavy person can't ride them or you cannot pull anything with them of substance. the trailer has wheels and the weight is towed horizontally as opposed to vertical weight (wife is a physicist) - and it seems like a crock of manure.

any thoughts???

Are you asking the dealer about a Riding Mower or a Garden Tractor? There is a difference. A Riding Mower is light weight. Meant for travelling with a mower deck. Garden tractors should be Rated differently as they are designed to possibly drag implements thru dirt. There's no specific 'pull' number for that.
My '80s Cub Cadet is S Garden Tractor, not that I have done it often but... when the rear wheels spin and dig a whole in the ground, I know i hit it's limit. I haven't broken anything on it. Ever

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yea, I still have a 1978 Wheel Horse C-101 I bought used in 1986.
Tough little machine and still running and working good.
It got all new belts, paint job and stickers last year

I regret giving away my '74 Wheelhorse 14 Automatic. That tractor just kept going and going. It was one of my worst decisions.....

 

[Sawyer Rob]

THIS is another reason the old garden tractors last,

They have cast iron and steel transmission that will take abuse year after year,

and continue to keep the tractor reliable,

I've seen waaaay too many of today's lawn tractors junked because the hydro gave up the ghost!

SR

 

[plastikosmd]

To be clear in my last post
“The big dumbbell strapped to the front..” was not me!