Free cheesy wheel horse... any potential?

littleman456 · Apr 10, 2012

Well I got this wheel horse for free through the family, for some reason the oil has a tendency to sometimes leak oil into the piston. Well I think it's the rings but that's not why I made this post. The reason I originally wanted this thing was to move my jet ski trailer around the yard. I ride a JS550 and a Wavejammer, both weigh about 300 pounds fully loaded. The trailer is probably somewhere around 200 pounds, it's a 4x6 tilting flatbed garden trailer that I put 2x4 bunks on. My question is: would it be worth fabricating a 2" ball mount to the tractor (I can weld and make just about anything) to move the trailer around the yard? Another idea one of my freinds had was possibly lowering the drive gear ratio so that I could actually launch the skis using the mower as I live across the street from a landing. So basically, how much power/towing capability does one of these have, and is there any way to increase it?

Thanks,
Chase

(I'll try and post pics tomorrow)

littleman456 · Apr 12, 2012

Any help? I was just thinking of adding a 2-3" larger pulley on the one end, and a 2-3" pulley on the other end. My main concern is the hydro static drive as they are known for not being the toughest drives out there.

Thanks,
Chase

tmeadows · Apr 14, 2012

have you tried moving the trailer and jet skis with the wheel horse without changing the gear ratio, if it has enough traction it will probably pull them fine

littleman456 · Apr 15, 2012

I'm not worried about it pulling the skis and trailer as it is a very easy trailer to move (I can just lift the tounge and push it around the yard no problem) I'm just worried about it at the launch. Maybe I'm just over thinking it. I re-built the carb today, so maybe I should try it tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chase

CHDinCT · Apr 18, 2012

What model is the Wheel Horse, what's the hp? Gear or hydro? The older garden tractors pull great and are often used in tractor pull contests. Most had solid, cast iron rear ends. The cheaper lawn tractors, well not so much. So, it really depends on what model it is.

littleman456 · Apr 18, 2012

Yeah CHD, that's kind of my problem, I'm not too sure on the model but I know it's about four years old, 16HP briggs, hydro...I'm thinkin' this one is going on craigslist.

Thanks,
Chase