FREE! Wheel Horse Garden Tractor sitting for YEARS! (WILL IT RUN??) 

I bought a 1961 used Wheelhorse lawn tractor when I was 15 years old. It came with the mower deck, a snow blower, , snow plow and those round disks used to turn soil. I loved working on it, years later I took my children for rides on it, cleared the sidewalks of snow for all my neighbors, and just made great memories. The tractor and I are both 62 years old and, it still runs.

I'm from the UK and this is a very nostalgic tractor for me! I grew up in a small cottage in the woods, and my dad used to coppice the woodland around the house. We used exactly the same tractor with a trailer to get the logs out and I used to drive it in and out. My Dad would set me off (I couldn't reach the clutch 😂) and my Mum would stop me at the other end and help get the logs out! I loved my childhood!

Matt cracks me up with his child like enthusiasm when he gets things going. I look forward to it every time.

Roscoe is such a good boy !!!!

The round sticker on the battery is your manufacture date. E is the 5th month. 6 is three last digit of the year. Yours is either May of 2016 or 2006. Probably '16

Hi matt I've been a subscriber from.near on day one and diesel creek has brought me so much joy over the years and helped me with my mental health alot just the other day my little girl who has ASD and adhd watched one of your videos and went calm and silent I asked her what was the matter she replied nothing daddy I like his voice and how he repairs things like you and that warmed my heart to no end she finds it so hard to calm down and relax due to her needs she goes quiet and very inquisitive when she helps me with my mechanical and electrical repair work thank you for all the hard work you put into your videos and the joy and comfort it brings us all keep em coming matt god bless you mate

When I was 12 years old (1968), I had the job of cutting our 3/4 acre yard with a 19” 3 hp Briggs and Stratton push mower. What a dreaded weekly summer chore! One Saturday Dad took me out to our local Wheel Horse dealer and bought one. I will never forget that day of liberation. Thanks for the memory!

Ahhhh, nothing better than mowing the gravel!

Just when I needed something to watch for breakfast, our man provides.

Hope you, Roscoe, meatball and the gang are doing well

CONGRATULATIONS, Matt! Once again, you've saved a piece of equipment from destruction!

your dad is going to love it. your a good son.

That is a great tractor! I am a wheelhorse guy and own 7 of them at this time. I was thrilled to see you working on this one. These tractors are timeless and I plow my driveway out each year and mow with mine. I live in the snowbelt of Western New York state and that tractor has no problem dealing with all the snow we get. I get replacement seats for mine at Northern Tool, if you are thinking about replacing that one.

Man I love when you just work on some small garden tractors!

This gift shows that great things happen to great guys, congratulations. You did forget to test something, the headlights, just in case your dad wants to do the grass after the sun goes down.

What a lovely wee tractor your a lucky man for getting it for nothing please keep the great videos coming friend from Scotland 😊

We need more Rosco! It was great to see him close up and your interaction with him.

What a machine! Very nice! Ag tires, 16hp, good seat, nice paint. Deck even look good. You've got good friends Matt.😊

Free is always good, it's even gooder when it runs.

Brought back some memories. As a kid I spent a lot of time riding a wheel horse mower back in the early 80’s…

21:40 Love it! That's what you get from properly draining the fuel system before storage! No varnish or gum to block things up, no crap left in the tank.. +1 to previous owner 👍

I remember the early videos with lawn mower tractors and small engines in an auto garage, I'm glad Matt hasn't forgotten them either, a hug ,brother!

Well... that "find" scrubbed up real pretty, AND sound like a new one too!

One of the fastest will it run/start videos. Congrats.

Matt for me there’s nothing more cathartic than mowing grass on a riding mower be it a zero turn Cub Cadet or your Wheel Horse it’s just a relaxing time. Your channel is number one in my book.

I enjoy when you work on the “simpler” items. This is something I may find myself working on someday.

Kohler engines never cease to amaze.

Howdyyawl from the land down under.Well Matt, youve got a real little gem there Your Dad will like it. Keep him busy. 😊

This brings back great memories for me. My grandparents had a farm in Ridgeview, South Dakota, going back as far as my German great-grandparents that immigrated through Ellis Island in the late 1800's. My grandparents had a 80's Wheel Horse mower that I drove the hell out of every 6-12 months when we visited from Denver throughout the 80's and early 90's. Glad to see this gem!

I LOVE your energy and excitement when an engine fires off!! It's part of why I like watching your channel.

Well done Matt. That tractor is just like new.😂.

That cleaned up nicely.

That's a nice machine, and it's in great condition for it's age. She's got some life left in her, and deserves a spit shine and a poor man's refresh.

I bought a used one very similar to this one 17 years ago. Excellent piece of equipment, always starts right up and I love the “thump” of the Kohler engine. I believe given the opportunity it would climb a tree !

I love your small engine videos, it’s something is normal guys can do!

That is sweet thanks for letting me watch 😊

Yeeeeeyyy !!!! Is time to sit down and just see what Matt is doing Good morning ☀️

Maybe a blade sharpening, a check of the belts and idler pulleys before dad gets it? A suicide knob for the steering wheel too 🙂 Enjoyed the video as always! I buy and sell commercial mowing equipment as a side hustle so I enjoyed this one extra 😎

You can't beat when things are free 🤣

When I hooked up with the lady who would become my future wife, her tractor was a 1976 Wheel Horse 316-8. It's remarkable how similar that model was to your new baby. The PTO, the deck lift, Kohler engine, seat - all the same. I remember the starter was intermittent like yours, too. That Kohler (K?) eventually got donated to a log splitter project (which, in turn was replaced by a Honda 20-hp V-twin). The engine-less tractor is attempting to become one with the dirt in one of the back fields as I write this.

Well done. Nice that you’re helping out your dad.

Way to be a good son Matt. Im sure your Dad is gonna love it!

SO COOL THE DONOR KNOWS YOU LIKE THE MACHINE TO GIVE IT TO YOUR DAD. 😊

Yes sir! Don’t cheap out on engines oil the most expensive part of your vehicle depends on it You made out good on this little tractor

They make a cone type tool that allows you to pop a valve stem in from the outside without breaking the bead. It has saved me a couple time.

Hey Matt, it’s been great watching the channel progress. Here’s a thing that you may have not considered re cleaning stuff before working on it, it’s clear that you like any good pro, can deal with it as you find it so no real gain in wasting time blasting it off. From a watchers perspective however, it sometimes makes it difficult to see what is what when things are covered in oil and mud and …. Know what I mean. Time is precious, do what you’ve got to do, I’m looking forward to you getting the overhead crane installed in the shop.

It’s amazing what some people throw away. I get stuff from people from work occasionally and get it running. It’s a good feeling.

you have one of the best channels on youtube . love the new shop.

Brings back a lot of memories my grandfather work for Wheelhorse plant in South Bend Indiana. I grew up with one at home. That mower was a real workhorse. We did everything with it from clearing the land to build a house to raise gardens, or hauling things around.

Hey Matt, another great video! For batteries one thing I learned in auto parts is how to read date codes. That battery you have there has an 'E6' label on the top. This would translate to May 2016 which would be just on par for how long you said it was sitting. They basically go with the alphabet being the month; A=1, B=2,etc and the 2nd character is the year using the last digit, making this one 2016. Hope this helps someone out there.

I haven't seen as happy man with lawnmover after Forrest Gump. You have great videos. Thank you for that.

These older mowers are brutes, great find. 😊😊😊😊😊

After years of sloppy oil changes on small engine equipment, I was watching a WWW video and Wes used a soft metal bendable oil "spout" on a messy car oil change and it clicked. The bendable spout is not the best for tight bends and folds for typical small engine equipment but a few square inches of heavy duty aluminum foil, you can fold, shape, and get it into the space underneath the oil filter. Form it to direct oil into a pan or bucket and even the oil that spills when the filter is loosened gets directed to the pan. Important tip is fold over the leading edge if you have problems with it tearing.

Great simple video of saving a nice old Garden tractor Matt👍🏻

Nothing beats a wheel horse.

Yes sir, they dont build em like that anymore. Excellent job making sure that one will live on many more years!

Growing up, Wheel Horse was the go-to garden tractor. I grew up about five blocks from Elmer Pond's place and knew both he and his wife, The house in which I grew up had been purchased from him by my grandparents in about 1930. For awhile his grandkids lived a block away. The first machines that I recall were the ones with a four horse Kohler. Rather overworked with the mower deck. There was a gentleman by the name of Yates that lived a couple of blocks away. He worked for Wheel Horse and seemed to always be upgrading to the newest and best.

It's too cute how excited you get when the engines actually start!! You're like a kid at Christmas!! God bless you and your family! ❤️🙏👍

The original tractor followers came out in full force for this one

Those wheel horse tractors was classy looking especially with big chrome hub caps

Apparently the previous owner ran all the fuel out before they stored it. I've gotten a few that sat for years started right up. And if you use good gas it helps also. Thanks for the video 👍🇺🇸

Matt great video , I been watching you for a long time now. You are the big reason I am doing small engine school. I'm in bad health and recently lost my leg but im able to do online school for now. I hope you see this. I have learned alot from you. Thank you and Mrs Diesel creek for everything. Much love and respect from here in Kentucky ❤

I had a 60s-era Wheel Horse garden tractor when I was a kid. Had the Chevron AG tires in the back just like this one. I had so much fun riding around with that thing.

Nice job, Matt. Now for the Gravely in the shipping container!

What a great tractor. And to think it was going to get scrapped! Love those old tractors. I have a 69 Cub Cadet 125 (my favorite. Looking for another one.) and four Sears Suburbans. two SS-12 68 and 71, and one SS-14. Just picked up a nice 65 Suburban. People ask me why I keep buying them, I say "Why not!"

Before my uncle sold his house and moved, he had a 3 wheel horses laying around. Only one working, but he was parting out the other two. You'd be surprised at how much you can get off the parts alone. Really worth holding onto imo, they're great machines.

Love that Slime. I kept my lawn tractor going for over 15 years on original tires by just adding Slime.

when Matt gets enthusiastic and pleased with a fix, I get permasmile like back in the 70s

As a wheelhorse fanboy and collector I’m looking forward to watching this. The 4 is for the 400 series. They had a 200-500 series. The lawn tractor video you did was one of my favorites. It was my exact first mower when I was 8 years old. My dad had a 312-8 growing up, my grandfather had several different horses throughout the years. I currently have a 520 hydro and a newer 520 lxi which are both beast in the garden tractor world.

That unit looks really nice, and seems to be great at moving grass. That thing is worth those parts you bought!

Congrats on the score, this time free was worth it.

As usual, another home run. I like that little tractor too.

Hello from Australia. Love the vids Matt

Last summer, I'd about had enough of big box store riders. So, I bought a '76 C-120 off of FB Marketplace. The old K series Kohler runs great, and it mows incredibly well. It will likely outlive me. I've had it dealing with poorly built and engineered modern junk. Great find, wonderful video as always, Matt.

"Another 'WIN' ... good for you Buddy!"

can't believe the guy was gonna scrap it... best machine ever for FREE

I had a 416-8 with the Onan twin and a plow. What a great tractor that was. Towed trailers with the wheel weights and chains like a beast.

Wow, nice little unit you've got there, Matt! Once again, I admire your mechanical skill and know how. I'm sure your Dad will be so grateful to have the mower to keep things neat and well-kept. Thanks for showing us your new aquisition!

Great deal for sure! Check the blades or blade for sharpness or replacement. Thanks for taking us along! J.R.

I demand Roscoe video!

Matt: now that the solenoid is in it should start Tractor: hehe Matt: turns key Tractor: “makes no sound” Matt: uhh what da heck

Hey Matt, I noticed the mini-splits wrapped in the background ... one thing I've wanted to mention, heating the shop with the radiant floor alone is a slow process. Consider adding unitary heaters as well. The floor will do a great job if the bay doors are kept closed, but as soon as you open one all the warm air is going to blow out and the floor alone will take a long time to warm the space back up again. A unit heater or two by the doors will help break the chill and give the floor time to re-heat the space again. Also a big ass fan will help push the warm air back down to the floor.

Matt what I like about the older units is that you can still get the parts you need for them Jim Swanson Oregon Ohio

Awesome fix great lawnmower

You must be living right Matt with this find being as good as it is, although I think you’ve developed a pretty keen eye for “ stuff “ that has potential. I feel ya regarding just how good it feels to bring an old critter back to life, not much better to declare “ it’s alive “. Well done once again - pretty cool little machine 👍👍

Another great save Matt. When you started mowing I couldn’t help but see the new lights on the workshop, they look really cool mate.

Matt, you are a wizard.

Bought my 520H Toro WheelHorse in August 1990.. running it hard every since- grass in the summer- snow in the winter!❤

Hey Matt, Enjoy each of your shows. Love watching your trucks, tractors and you name it run over your cameras! Its always very entertaining, to say the least. Best wishes to you and your lovely and patient wife. Nice to see you bringing the family pets back into the pictures too! Great job...

Rotella T5 is the best. I use it in all my small engines (Honda, Briggs Vanguard, etc). Works fantastic and they don't burn oil at all. Great video, enjoyed watching you bring this good old mower back to life.

Love those Kohler engines. My grandpa's tractor that I learned to drive on had one. Beautiful sound.

Yes, the small machine has been waiting for the video ❤👍

Same here from Aus, a great influence to us views thx a lot for the vids Matt

I owned a 1987 418c hydro for many years, but had to sell it when I downsized. They are great tractors! I had the plow with wheel weights and chains…what a beast pushing snow!! Used it for grading dirt as well. Tough tractors to kill. Btw, the date code on that battery was that sticker ready got on top. E-6 was May of 16 or 06. Pretty clean, so probably 2016. New shop looks great!

Love old garden tractors, became a hobby of mine about 2-3 years ago now. Moved to a neighborhood but I still have my 69 John Deere 140 and my 420. 🤙 Don't want to ever get rid of them lol.

I'm really glad you saved that from getting scrapped. soo mint not worth throwing out for sure. didn't even need a starter

Hey man I just want to say I love your videos and keep up the great work

That looks to be an exceptionally good little tractor. With 16hp, I imagine it would make a useful yard shunter for trailers up to a certain size too. The tow bar on it looks sturdier than what I normally see on little tractors of this kind.

Glad to see you got it runnin. I’ll show my old man the video!

Thanks for sharing my friend! Praying sent for you and your family! 👌🏻👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸