Wheelhorse mods

[Mith_J]

Thought I would make a thread for the ongoing mods to the wheelhorse. They wont be done for a while but hey.
First shows the tractor how it was when I bought it. Its a 1988 212-5 model.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/th_LHS2.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/LHS2.jpg)

Next are some of the bits I glued on with the welder about a month after getting it as a bit of a test out.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/th_Mud.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Mud.jpg)

So 3 months ago I decided I wanted a loader for it. I started by stripping all the bodywork down etc.
The subframe is a ladder made from 50x6mm (2x1/4'') flat steel. It fits over the chassis and will bolt on. This saves welding the loader to the chassis if I want to take it off, and also it prevents the tractor being ripped in half
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Subframetacked.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Subframetacked.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Subframelaidout5.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Subframelaidout5.jpg)

The uprights will bolt on the sides. They will also be braced down to the front.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_RHsubframeandtowerswithbodywork.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/RHsubframeandtowerswithbodywork.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_LHtowerbolts.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/LHtowerbolts.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Towersfromfront.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Towersfromfront.jpg)

[Mith_J]

It was at this point that I found out that I needed to have a certain amount length of arm in order to fit in the rams. The arms really want to stick out as little as possible from the front axle otherwise the tractor will just lift at the back. To get in the right amount of arm needed the uprights have to be about 200mm further back than I had put them. So it was back to the drawing board. I either had to move the front axle 200mm further forward or move the uprights 200mm further back. At first I decided to move the front axle forward. Also at this point I decided to make a stronger mount for the gearbox (having ripped it off ploughing during the summer) and to move the gearbox backwards and down. Thus giving me a longer wheelbase and raising the middle of the tractor further off the ground. By having a longer wheelbase I would have more room inbetween the axles for the operator area etc and by giving it more ground clearance in the middle I could mow higher (its used to mow paddocks) and aviod getting high centred on dirt piles and ditches.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Frontchassisextension.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Frontchassisextension.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_RHS.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/RHS.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Rearaxlemount2.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Rearaxlemount2.jpg)

[Mith_J]

As the picture shows, the new moved out front axle is not a happy chappy. I just didnt like the way it looked. The rear axle on the other hand looked the part. I removed the front axle to its normal place but moved it down 4'' to match the move on the rear axle, this would give me the added ground clearance. I decided to make a new mount while I was at it to account for the extra forces from the loader. As the picture shows, I also made the axle able to tilt quite alot to the sides, hopefully this should keep all 4 wheels on the ground when going through ditches and in ruts.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Axletiltfront.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Axletiltfront.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Frontaxlemount.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Frontaxlemount.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Frontaxlemount2.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Frontaxlemount2.jpg)

Once I had got to here I started it up for a drive for the first time in 3 months. The first time it started it didnt last long. With the addition of some oil in the crankcase it went better the second time. I took it for a few laps round the lawn (and mud pit), remember, it has no breaks, no seat and the cutch is a piece of string.
Safety first, but fun just before!

As I had moved the axle back to its origional position I needed to move the uprights 200mm backwards. I decided to make 'wings' around the footplates to put the uprights on so they could be moved backwards. The pic explains all
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_RHSwithuprights.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/RHSwithuprights.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_Loadermountwingright.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/Loadermountwingright.jpg)http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/th_RHSrear.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Wheelhorse%20mods%202/RHSrear.jpg)

Lookin good. Now I decided that i want to move the wings down, so that I can have the cab door opening flat onto the footplate. So I need to move the wings down.

That is the stage at which I am at now. Kinda stuck until I get the new rear wheels and tyres to see what kinda room I have to work with to put the wing mounts. Since taking the last pictures I have started on the hitch plate for the rear and the seat mounts. Again, I am kinda stalled until the wheels are ready.

So there yo go, 3 months work and I'm nearly back to the point where I started.

I had to post in 3 lots as there were too many pic for 1 post :fing20:

[Ingersoll444]

Cool. Looks like fun work. I like the ROPs!!!

[Mith_J]

It did the trick ;)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/th_Whoops.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/mith1/Whoops.jpg)

[Ingersoll444]

DoHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bobodu]

Boy....do I miss the day when a Wheelhorse didn't look so much like an MTD...
Of course,Grampa used to tell this funny story about John Deere making tractors...

[jodyand]

Mith i hope you wasn't on it when it fell over :fing20: I hope you just did that for the picture.

[Mith_J]

Bob,
mine is a relativly new one, with the weak rear axle (not the cast one). If the rest of it werent so well built a bit of paint and it would be a MTD. I hope to put an end to that ;)

Jody,
I was seeing how far it would tilt before it got unstable by driving it up onto a stack on pallets. I think I found that point :D I bailed when it rolled. Was a bit stupid, no harm done.

[bobodu]

For anyone interested....here is the short list of MTD products.
Please....don't kick yourself too hard for buying what you thought was a quality machine....let the wife have some fu too!! :banghead3

000-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
002-Aircap Industries
003-Duerr
005-GI Joe
009-Hardware Wholesalers (H.W.I)
010-Skaggs Alpha Beta
013-Ryobi Outdoor (2000-2004)
013-Price Costco
014-AAFES
014-Evans Products
014-Grossman's
014-Moores
015-Universal Co-Op
016-Southern States
018-U-Haul
020-Orchard Supply
021-Source Club
022-Cotter & Company
023-Andersons
024-Howard Brothers
026-Chase Pitkin
026-White Stores
027-United Hardware Distributing
031-Our Own Hardware
032-Pro Hardware
033-Ace Hardware
034-Ryobi Outdoor (2000-2004)
034-Goodyear
035-T.G. & Y. Stores
036-Otasco
039-Rickles
040-Handy Hardware
041-Timberland
042-Kroger
045-Pay-N-Pack
046-Central Hardware
047-Chase Pitkin
049-Gibson Co-Operatives
050-Army\Air Force Exchange
051-Winn's
054-Coast to Coast
054-Trimmer Plus
055-Coast to Coast
058-R.E. Jarvis
059-Gibson Products
059-Streich Distributing
062-Lowes
063-Distribution America
063-Sentry Hardware
064-Builderama
065-Bolens
065-I.D.B.A
069-Southern Hardware
071-Belknap Hardware
072-Service Merchandise
073-Builders Emporium
077-McCulloch
079-Gasoline Alley
081-Arrow Amity Stores
082-Liberty Distributors
083-Valley Wholesale
084-Fred Mey
086-Bronson & Townsend
086-Super Saver Wholesale Club
087-Payless Cashway
088-Montgomery Ward
089-Jefferson Ward
089-Lechmere
091-Hart's
092-Price Savers
094-Simplicity
094-Speer Hardware
095-Cenex
096-Gambles
097-Club Wholesale
097-Menard's
098-Western Auto
099-Sears
101-J.C. Penney
102-Pace Membership Wholesale
103-Shinn Electric
105-American Hardwar
105-Servistar Co-Op
107-Grandpa Pidgeons
109-Benney's Inc
110-Big Acres
111-Ernst Home Centers
112-General Hardware
115-Somerville Lumber
118-Sam's Club
119-Sam's Club
120-K-Mart
121-Central Hardware
121-Central Tractor
122-Caldor
123-Lindsey
127-Associated Distributors
129-Home Depot
130-Orgill Brothers
131-Tractor Supply
132-Allied Hardware
132-Central Tractor
132-Meijers
133-Fred's Inc
133-Power Products
134-Home Depot
135-W.W. Grainger Inc.
136-Home Club
136-Homebase Corporation
137-Intermountain Farmer
138-Home Depot
139-Big Bear
141-W.S. Badcock Corporation
143-Eagle
143-Gold Kist
144-B.J. Wholesale
145-Stambaugh Thompson
146-DIY Home Warehouse
147-Country General
148-ACO Inc
149-Mills Fleet Farm
151-DIY Home Warehouse
156-Somerville Lumber
157-The Fair
161-Northern Hydraulics
163-Bolens
167-Peavey Marts
169-Price Company
170-Price Club \ East
175-Jewelcor
182-Fisher Big Wheel
19-Agway
192-Wheatbelt
196-Heilig Meyers
196-Sterchi Brothers Stors
199-Sears
202-Storr Tractor
205-Mid States Distributor
206-Mid States Distributor
206-Quality Stores
207-Mid States Distributor
207-Quality Stores
208-Mid States Distributor
208-Quality Stores
209-Mid States Distributor
210-Meijers
210-Mid States Distributor
211-Mid States Distributor
300-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
301-Scotty's
302-Aircap Industries
302-Builder's Square
303-Aircap Industries
304-Target Stores
305-Ann & Hope
306-Venture Stores
314-Power Equipment Distributors
316-W.E. Aubuchon
320-General Power
321-Northstar Outdoor Equipment
327-Farewell, Ozmun & Kirk
331-Forest City
331-Handy Andy
335-Baird & Company
336-Home Headquarters
352-Wal-Mart
353-Bud's
362-Parkway Supply
372-Hechinger
382-Distribution America
382-Liberty Distributors
382-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
384-Henzler
401-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
402-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
452-Wal-Mart
500-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
513-Price Costco
515-Mastercraft
525-Reno Depot
700-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
701-Scotty's
701-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
702-Builder's Square
704-Target Stores
704-Venture Stores
705-Mid States Distributor
706-Blain Supply
706-Service Merchandise
707-National Hardgoods
708-Pamida Inc.
709-Hardware Wholesalers (H.W.I)
709-National Hardgoods
711-Mr Goodbuys
713-Price Costco
714-Brendles
715-Value Home Center
718-Sam's Club
720-K-Mart
720-Orchard Supply
722-Cotter & Company
722-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
723-Cotter & Company
725-Consumer Distributors
726-Bill's Dollar Stores
726-Chase Pitkin
727-Baddour
729-Home Depot
730-K-Mart
730-Lumbermans/Spenards
731-Tractor Supply
733-Ace Hardware
734-Ryobi Outdoor (2000-2004)
736-Home Headquarters
736-Homebase Corporation
740-Fingerhut
741-J.T. Everett
747-Country General
752-Wal-Mart
754-Coast to Coast
755-Wal-Mart
762-Lowes
763-Bolens
765-Bolens
777-McCulloch
788-Montgomery Ward
796-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
799-Sears
800-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
900-Yard Machines / Yardman / MTD Products
954-Trimmer Plus

[JoeJ]

:bannana: Bob,
My dad bought an Agway, it's over 20 years old and still being used. Only thing you have to remember is, it's a riding lawn mower, NOT a garden tractor. :hide:

[bobodu]

Joe...you said it was over twenty years ago...they made em different back then.These days anything newer than the underwear I have on,probably ain't worth squat!! ROF
Once upon a time...Gravely made tractors for work too....now even the mowers don't mow....for that,you can blame a company called Ariens. :eck16:

[Ingersoll444]

Yup sad Bobodu. And now that they are digging up the histury of the company as a sales tool kinda makes me sick. "Lets have a contest to find the biggest fan that we as a company hung out to dry"

Sorry "Issue" there. :D

[bobodu]

You mean GRAVELY.....right? :1336:

[Ingersoll444]

Ya, or what is left of them. I mean maybe the new Z-turns they make are good, mabe even great, but they cant start to match, or should I say EARN the Gravely name.