Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 Review: Is This Lawnmower Worth It. Wheel horse lawn mower
Wheel Horse Lawn Mower Parts
Wheel Horse lawn mowers are built to last, but even the best-made products will eventually need repairs or replacement parts. When it’s time to fix your Wheel Horse mower, you want to be sure you’re using genuine OEM parts to keep your machine running like new. That’s why it’s important to know where to find the right Wheel Horse lawn mower parts when needed.
Fortunately, finding the right parts is easy when you shop at an authorized Wheel Horse dealer. An authorized dealer will carry a wide selection of OEM Wheel Horse parts for all different models of lawn mowers, so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your machine.
So don’t wait any longer – order the Wheel Horse lawn mower parts you need today and get your lawn back in tip-top shape!
Who Makes Wheel Horse Mowers?
The Toro Company makes Wheel Horse mowers. Toro is a leading manufacturer of turf and lawn care equipment. The company was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Where is the Model Number on a Wheel Horse?
Most Wheel Horse lawn tractors have the model number on a plate or decal attached to the engine shroud. The model number will be preceded by “model” or “MOD.” It may also be located on a plate attached to the frame near the front of the tractor, just behind the front axle.
Consult your user manual if you are still looking for the model number.
What are the Parts of a Riding Lawn Mower Called?
A riding lawn mower typically consists of four main parts: the engine, the cutting deck, the drive system, and the operator’s station. The engine is the heart of the lawn mower and provides power to the cutting deck and drive system. The engine size will vary depending on the model of the lawnmower, but most ride-on lawnmowers have an engine that displaces between 20 and 30 cubic inches.
The cutting deck is where the blades are housed and are what cuts the grass. The cutting deck size will also vary depending on the lawn mower model, but most ride-on lawnmowers have a cutting deck between 42 and 54 inches wide. The drive system helps to propel the lawn mower forward and includes things like transmission, axles, wheels, and tires.
The transmission helps transfer power from the engine to the rear or mid-mounted wheels (depending on which type of drive system your particular model has). Some higher-end models even have hydrostatic transmissions, which offer an infinite range of speed options. Finally, there is the operator’s station which is a seat for you to sit on while operating the machine.
Most operator’s stations these days include some control panel with levers or buttons that allow you to operate different functions of the machine (like engaging/disengaging the cutter blades or raising/lowering the cutting deck).
Wheel Horse Junkyard
A few things to consider when looking for a Wheel Horse junkyard. The first is whether you want OEM parts or aftermarket parts. OEM parts are made by the same company that makes the Wheel Horse tractors, so they’ll fit perfectly and work correctly.
Aftermarket parts are made by other companies and may not fit as well or work as well. The second thing to consider is whether you want new, used, or salvaged parts. New parts haven’t been used before and will be in the best condition.
Used parts have been used before but should still be in good condition. Salvage parts have been damaged and may not work correctly. The third thing to consider is the price.
New parts will be more expensive than used or salvaged parts, but they’ll also be in the best condition. Salvage parts will be less expensive but may not work either. Finally, check the warranty on any part you’re considering buying.
Some companies offer warranties on their parts, so if something goes wrong, you can get it replaced or repaired for free (or for a reduced cost). This can save you a lot of money in the long run!
Wheel Horse Parts near Me

There are a few options if you’re looking for Wheel Horse parts near you. You can check with your local lawn and garden store or search online. A few online retailers specialize in selling Wheel Horse parts, and they usually have a good selection in stock.
You can also find used parts on sites like eBay, but research before buying anything used. When finding the right part for your machine, it’s important to know the model number and year of manufacture. This information can usually be found on the tag attached to the machine.
With this information, you can find the correct part easily.
Wheel Horse Parts Dealer
If you need Wheel Horse parts, there is no better place to turn than your local Wheel Horse dealer. Here, you will be able to find all the parts you need to keep your Wheel Horse running like new. No matter what model of Wheel Horse you own, your dealer will have the parts you need.
In addition to a wide selection of parts, your Wheel Horse dealer can provide expert advice on maintaining and repairing your tractor. They can even help you troubleshoot problems that may arise. When it comes to keeping your Wheel Horse in top condition, there is no better resource than your local dealer.
Used Wheel Horse Parts
If you’re looking for Used Wheel Horse Parts, there are a few places you can check. First, try your local classifieds or online auction sites. You can find a good deal on the parts you need.
Another option is to contact a Wheel Horse dealer or repair shop. They may have some parts they don’t need anymore and would be willing to sell them to you at a discounted price. Finally, you can always check with salvage yards or junk dealers.
They may have some used Wheel Horse parts that you can use for your repairs or projects.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for Wheel Horse lawn mower parts, this guide will greatly help you. We’re trying to provide you with each detail as possible. Whether you need a new blade, air filter, spark plug, or anything else, you can explore our blog, so you’ll get a lot of related articles.
Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 Review: Is This Lawnmower Worth It?
Whether homeowners or business owners, Toro lawnmowers are a top choice. Their safe and trustworthy machines can show reliable performance. Wheel Horse is another product line of Toro, which Toro bought in 1986. I have been using the Toro Wheel Horse 212-5.
This simple, robust machine has some classic features to stand out from competitors. If you are searching for an unbiased and authentic Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 review, keep reading this post.
Features of Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 Lawnmower
Though Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 is an old mower, it has some remarkable features. Here are a few critical aspects that you should know about this mowing machine.
The blades of this lawn mower are placed vertically.
You can effortlessly get rid of thatch buildup in lawns even if the thatch layer is more than 1 inch.
This type of mower is ideal to use in early spring to midsummer when the grass is actively growing.
This Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 comes with a Peerless transmission system. It is well known for its durability, power, and value.
Regular maintenance will ensure the engine has enough power to operate. It also prevents unwanted leaks of brake shaft seals or axle seals.
To ensure a noise-free and smooth operation, the mower comes with belt-driven gear. It is effective in dampening vibration and absorbing shocks.
Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 has a manual steering system. This gives a precise and solid feeling of the car part when it moves. It ensures increased gas mileage and a minimal labor-intensive fix.
This lawn mower comes with a single-cylinder engine, making the Maintenance task simple and easier. Plus, the cool system will be easygoing, unlike multiple cylinder engine.
Besides, they are compact and lightweight to save space inside the engine. You can easily do maintenance tasks to troubleshoot or fix them.
Watch this old video that explains this mower really well.
What Could’ve Been Better With Toro Wheel Horse 212-5?
This lawn mower has a 388 cc engine. You can’t expect it to perform like an advanced mowing machine. Handling tougher tasks like cutting too-thick grass or weeds will not be a simple job.
This old lawn mower does not have many advanced features, unlike advanced, latest lawn mowers. The transmission type, Transmission system, steering system, etc., are not user-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Toro stopped making Wheel Horse tractors after 2007. Before this, the company used to sell existing models at relatively low as low-end models.
Toro put a permanent break on the production of Wheel Horse models from their brand. They don’t sell any products under this brand name.
Toro purchased Wheel Horse in 1986 and manufactured different tractors and lawn mowers under Wheel Horse till 2007.
A Toro Wheel Horse usually needs Castrol Garden 4T 10W-30 oil for their tractor and lawn mower. But make sure to read the instruction manual to become 100% sure about it.
Bottom Lines
I can understand that introduction of new advanced models of lawn mowers makes it unrealistic to choose an old model like this Toro Wheel Horse. But it is simple to use and maintain.
importantly, it can easily last for several decades. After all, their construction quality is top-notch. Hopefully, this post gave you a clear Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 review.
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Wheel Horse Garden Tractor: The Horse of a Different Color
This impeccably restored 1958 RJ-58 Ride-Away Junior with sickle bar mower and moldboard plow is the pride and joy of young Christopher Frock.
The Ride-Away Senior is one of the most collectible of all Wheel Horses. This beautifully restored 1956 model belongs to Eric Mettle and is particularly rare because of the near-perfect condition of the fiberglass hood. These early and optional hoods were hand-formed using a wooden mold in the Ponds’ shop.
Don Kane’s original condition Ride-Away Senior was well taken care of. Don uses the tractor now to haul his grandchildren on wagon rides. The tractor?s fiberglass hood has aged more brightly than the steel, but it has never been re-painted.
Detail of Christopher Frock’s RJ-58-mounted sickle bar mower. Christopher meticulously prepped each of the mower’s guards, frame and pitman prior to painting and assembly.
Do you think these kids are having a good time? Bryan Byers (left), Daniel Willumsen and Brooklyn Byers all had a hand in helping Alan Byers get this 1961 Model 701 ready for the show. They all got to drive it around, too.
The Lauers’ beautifully restored Model 603 shows how the Wheel Horse engine eventually was mounted forward in the tractor, which greatly improved front ballast even though it necessitated a longer clutch belt.
Bill Pearson restored this Lawn Ranger with parts obtained from eight states. The Lawn Ranger had smaller tires than contemporary garden tractor models.
Detail of Bill Pearson’s cut-away model of Wheel Horse’s 3-speed transaxle with high and low ranges. With stout components and no ring and pinion gears to set up, this transaxle proved long lasting and efficient to manufacture.
Wheel Horse founder Cecil Pond spent hours signing autographs and talking to Wheel Horse Collectors Club members at the 2004 show. Rather than have a piece of paper autographed, Bill Pearson asked Pond to sign the top of the steering pedestal on his Lawn Ranger.
Dash and steering wheel detail on Bruce and Anthony Lauer’s 1963 Model 603 tractor. Note the sector-shaped steering wheel.
Very rare 1976 Model D250 owned by Ralph Seylar. This Renault-powered tractor is particularly unusual because the four rubber hood latches are intact. The part has been “NLA” for years, so Ralph generally leaves them unlatched except for photos. Note the front PTO shaft on this liquid-cooled model.
Just as domestication of the four-legged horse revolutionized the development of ancient civilizations, Cecil and Elmer Pond’s Wheel Horse tractors revolutionized how post-World War II America cared for its suburban lawns and gardens.
From a small, neighborhood garage in South Bend, Ind., the father-and-son team developed an accessible, innovative, purpose-built, four-wheel tractor that really stood out, and whose descendants are still produced today.
This horse of a different color not only spurred generations of garden tractor designers of virtually all makes, but also captured the fancy of a group of loyalists who now meet once a year in Pennsylvania to celebrate the little red horses.
Members of the Wheel Horse Collectors Club (WHCC) met at the South Mountain Fairgrounds west of Arendtsville, Pa., in June for their seventh annual all-Wheel Horse show. “It was our largest turnout ever,” says founding president Don Kane. “We started with about 40 tractors in 1999 and had about 500 in attendance this year.” The club boasts more than 500 members from the United States, Canada and Great Britain, and the two-day show attracts hundreds of spectators and soon-to-be Wheel Horse enthusiasts.
Just horsing around
The WHCC was formed by a group of enthusiasts who made connections via the Internet. “My son Jeff put together a website devoted to Wheel Horse tractors as part of his senior project,” Don explains proudly. “Many of us (who visited the site) then became friends and decided to have a little show in 1999.” Shortly after, the friends incorporated as the WHCC.
Chris Sutton traveled to the ’05 show from Brighton, Sussex, in the U.K., and though he didn’t haul a tractor with him this year, doing so in the future isn’t out of the question. “I am a Wheel Horse fanatic, really,” Chris explains with a wink. “I even have some U.K.-unique stuff that was built at the plant in Belgium.”
Dan Messinger, East Berlin, Pa., discovered that restoring Wheel Horses was a great way to stay connected to his son Dustin when he hit his early teens. “The tractors gave us a way to communicate,” Dan says. “And the time we spent together was quality time.” Sixteen years later, Dustin is grown and on his own, but the father-and-son team still mess around with Wheel Horse tractors. A beautifully restored Model 401 with 32-inch front-mounted sickle bar mower really made their display shine at South Mountain.
Bruce Lauer, Canton, Ohio, and son Anthony have been collecting Wheel Horse equipment for 11 years. “We brought our 1963 Model 603 because it was a rare transitional model,” Bruce explains as he points out some of the tractor’s unique features. “This was an entry-level tractor pieced together with remaining parts from older models.” Among the machine’s unusual characteristics is the sector-shaped steering wheel, and older style hood.
Eric Mettle, Hartville, Ohio, has also been collecting Wheel Horse equipment for about a decade, although he was around the machines for many more years than that. “I grew up with Wheel Horse,” Eric explains. “My dad worked at the dealership when I was a kid, and I worked there part time too.” Eric is the proud owner of a beautiful Ride-Away Senior tractor. According to Don Kane, this model represents the pinnacle of Wheel Horse collecting as it is rare and relatively difficult to find intact – particularly the models with optional fiberglass hoods from 1955-56. “An intact hood is more difficult to find than the tractor,” Eric explains.
The Ride-Away Senior was largely component-built utilizing a Rockford automotive-type clutch, Ford 3-speed transmission and shortened Ford rear axle. The pinion and bull-gear final drives were produced by Wheel Horse but used Ford’s differential, rear axle, hubs and brakes (taken from the shortened axles). Steering through the front wheels was with a Ross steering gear and automotive linkages. An 8.3 HP single-cylinder air-cooled Wisconsin engine provided ample power.
Wheel Horse Collectors Club board member Bill Pearson, Richmond, Va., is a diesel mechanic by day. When it comes to machinery, he knows the meaning of heavy duty. “I have always been impressed by things that were built to last,” Bill says. “I saw Wheel Horses at antique engine shows and liked them because they are heavy duty.”
Bill’s first Wheel Horse, a 1967 L-157 Lawn Ranger, was one of the company’s lighter-duty models marketed as a lawn tractor. The L-157 was virtually identical to the Wheel Horse garden tractors of the time except it lacked a hitch for ground-engaging tools and had smaller wheels and tires. In fact, the tractor was quite possibly the toughest lawn tractor available from any maker in 1967.
Bill likes to use the machines in his collection for something, even if it isn’t for the work they were originally designed to do. His L-157 is no exception, as he mounts a long hitch of artificial reindeer out front of the tractor and drives it sleigh-style in the Richmond Christmas parade each year.
Father-son team John and Christopher Frock, Westminster, Md., also had a number of tractors on display, but one pair really stood out. Their nice, original condition 1963 Model 753 tractor with 30-inch, front-mounted PTO-driven LMR-3072 reel mower made an interesting and unusual combination. Christopher’s beautifully restored 1958 RJ-58 Ride-Away Junior was a real showstopper though, with an equally lovely sickle bar mower mounted up front and land plow on the rear hitch. Just before the show, Christopher completed the six-month-long restoration on his own, and was justifiably proud.
Kim Frock (Christopher’s mom) says they have been collecting for more than 15 years and have nearly 50 garden tractors. “Christopher is a fourth generation collector,” Kim explains as she points out her son driving his RJ-58 in the parade.
Spanning the generations
Organized Wheel Horse collecting might be a relatively new pastime for many folks, but not for the Byers family. “It was really our uncle Paul M. Byers who introduced us to Wheel Horse,” Marvin explains about how he and his brothers Alan, Gary, Marlin, Larry and Mark became so interested in Wheel Horse equipment. “He was an Oliver dealer and sold Wheel Horse.” However, it was the boys’ maternal uncle Ralph Seylar who really turned them on to collecting. “I bought my first Wheel Horse new in 1960. … It was a Suburban 400,” Ralph recalls. “And we have had them ever since.”
Ralph brought his 1976 Model D250 to the show, much to the delight of the crowds. Designed for heavy estate use, this tractor featured a 10-speed transmission and a 20 HP 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled gasoline engine built by Renault. “1976 was the first year for the D250,” Ralph explains. “It’s relatively new, but still quite rare.” Though the D250 remains one of Ralph’s favorite tractors, his collection corrals at least 11 other machines, including Models 954, RJ-59 and B-80.
The Byers men aren’t sure exactly how many Wheel Horses they have. However, their impact at the annual show is substantial in terms of numbers and diversity. For example, Marvin had his 1962 Lawn Ranger on hand, complete with polished aluminum fuel tank. Gary had his 1966 Model 606, and Mark proudly displayed his 1958 RJ-58 Ride-Away Junior. “That was the first year for the cast iron Unidrive transmission,” Mark says. “And it was powered by a 4 HP Kohler.” In addition, the Byers family showed a 1965 Model 1045, 1970 Raider 10 (complete with 6-speed transmission) and a 1976 Model B-60 with a 4-speed transmission.
Alan, the youngest of the Byers brothers, has been collecting for less than 10 years, but has already involved his children with the hobby. “My son Bryan and step-son Daniel helped restore the (Model) 701,” Alan says as he wipes a speck of dust from the beauty’s hood. “And my daughter Brooklyn likes to drive it.”
The horse’s mouth
On May 23, 1974, Cecil Pond sold Wheel Horse Products to the American Motors Corporation, who ran the business as a wholly owned subsidiary, Wheel Horse Products Inc., a Delaware corporation. The daily operations of the company were little changed initially, and even a deal negotiated before the sale (to AMC) to purchase and market General Electric’s outdoor power equipment division went through as planned.
On Jan. 14, 1982, Wheel Horse was sold to a private investment group, who continued to operate the business until 1986 when it was sold to Toro, a company that actually knew outdoor power products, and how to build and market them.
“Wheel Horse put Toro back into the riding mower business,” says Ed Cole, Toro’s representative at the WHCC show. “Today, some Toro Wheel Horse machines are based on earlier Wheel Horse designs, and some are all new.”
Ed, who still owns vintage Wheel Horse tractors, has never missed a WHCC show. “I have a 1974 B-80 5-Speed Special,” he says. “I still use it to push snow.” Ed notes Toro is proud of the Wheel Horse brand, and as such continues to be very supportive of the WHCC’s endeavors and donates prizes and money to support the show. “Toro has been good for us,” Bill Pearson adds. “And they still make quite a few parts for the older models.”
The lovely mountain valley at the South Mountain Fairgrounds in Arendtsville, Pa., will again play host to the iron horse of a different color on June 23-24, 2006. FC
For more information: – Wheel Horse Collectors Club, www.wheelhorsecollectorsclub.org. – William Pearson, (804) 261-4914. – Straight From The Horse’s Mouth, by Michael A. Martino Jr. Oscar “Hank” Will III is an old-iron collector and freelance writer and photographer. He splits his time between his home in Gettysburg, Pa., and his farm in East Andover, N.H.
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