Wheel Horse Charger 8

Double W Cross Ranch wrote:

Turf Tractions?

Guy I bought them from said they were Chick Magnet Tractions?

LOL.  When I got the Roper, it had one regular turf tire and one that said on the side, "Turf Traction".  Looks just like it.  I can get some pics later.

So it's a hydro right? Looks very nice , would love to get my paws on something similar.

biggasmowers wrote:

So it's a hydro right? Looks very nice , would love to get my paws on something similar.

The one is a hydro with a eaton trans & the other (go kart wheels) is a 1975 lawn ranger with a peerles 648 4sp

They could be had either way, at the time it was called "automatic" ! The transaxles are in beefy housings compared to anything made nowadays. No idea the internal strength comparison but they look stout.


I hooked up a tank to the little one tonight & it started on the first try..... I am still motor swapping the other one.

awww yeah engine is bolted in, super awesome paint job, just a few odds and ends needed to finish up & finally try to see if it moves.

it lives finally!!!  got some 22x7.5-12 rears and some fronts from a craftsman gt.  It drives ok, its kind of slow but I like it. I got the tires from a local guy, the rears are full of washer fluid, they weigh about double that it should...

Biggest problem is a regular tractor battery wont fit... I need a smaller battery, atv or motorcycle maybe?

What a great low buck tractor. How's the hydro drive?

Crazy_Carl wrote:

What a great low buck tractor.  How's the hydro drive?

its ok, again its pretty slow, but it works fine. Does not make much noise.  I have a gear one sitting in the garage so I will compare when I get it going.  I will see if that tecumseh engine gets running if not I got a 17 horse briggs i might use.  Gonna work on my simplicty oppy swap next, then when it gets warmer, go on to my stretched build off tractor.

Hey but i paid 40 bucks for the tractor, 40 for the tires, a carb rebuild kit & some spray paint....

Crazy_Carl wrote:

What a great low buck tractor.  How's the hydro drive?

oh yeah by the way i bought another one.... 50 bucks....

YOU MUST HAVE 3 MILLION HORSE SHOES AND A YARD FULL OF 4 LEAF CLOVERS!!!!

i agree with double w, i have never even seen a wheel horse down here least even find one for sale! send one my way cause i have been looking for a good o'le horse for awhile with zero luck.

biggasmowers wrote:

i agree with double w, i have never even seen a wheel horse down here least even find one for sale! send one my way cause i have been looking for a good o'le horse for awhile with zero luck.

Really I see the bigger ones and the toro ones allot, they are just so expensive that most the time are out of my league.

I have searched allot and have not found any charger or commando 8's like the ones I got. The lawn ranger I did see a few, but they are not popular because of the vertical engine & they are smallish.

I got two of them from the same guy & the one I just finished with, was going to scrap.



I am going to pep boys later I guess and looking to see if I can find a more narrow battery that will fit it.

You are still extraordinarily lucky.

Whats the drive system look like? is there a right angle gearbox or is it a vertical imput tranny?

biggasmowers wrote:

Whats the drive system look like? is there a right angle gearbox or is it a vertical imput tranny?

vertical input pulley same as most of my other stuff... just the axles & housings are beefy. Ill snap a pic later .

I had to make a battery tray before I could start re wiring this thing, because the battery was hitting the steering gear.... Worked out good but it is tight..

That is a super snug fit!

That is a very tight fit, but what do you need all that space around the motor for anyway? I like how you're reviving this old horse.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

That is a very tight fit, but what do you need all that space around the motor for anyway?  I like how you're reviving this old horse.

I wanted to buy a motorcycle or jetski battery (AGM), then they wanted 90 dollars for what looks like a tissue box, I said hell no give me a tractor battery ill make it work.

Rode it around again tonight in the snow, allot of traction with these tires.....

Nice! Looks like everyone got a turn. Lots of smiles!

Must be nice to get snow

Getting a tractor running and driving for the first time I think is one of the most fun parts.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

Getting a tractor running and driving for the first time I think is one of the most fun parts.

yeah man good times....

Be real soon I hope that this is driving, got the carb cleaned out & steering wheel is finally fixed up, just a few more odds and ends and hopefully will attempt to drive it...  Had to replace the entire dash, put real normal size wheels on it....

Man, I love me a Wheel Horse. I'm hella jealous. What's that steering wheel from?

I'm actually more excited to see you get this one running because it's geared. Just look at how cool that shifter looks. I do have a soft spot for hydros though. They're nice for bucket work, chore work, and moving trailers around.