Custom Wheel Horse Built To Fit Its Owner
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Stan Krolikowski saw custom garden tractors at fairs and shows for years and often wondered why they were always built on an undersized frame rather than one more comfortable for an adult man. He wanted one slightly longer and higher off the ground, so he built one to his specifications.
Krolikowski’s custom Wheel Horse is 9 ft. long and made from the frames of two Wheel Horse 18s. He raised the frame 4 in. to accommodate larger tires and provide more clearance. He transferred the rear fenders from one of the original tractors to fit over the front wheels and fabricated new ones for the rear. Power steering is handled by the assembly from a Deere 318, the only non-Wheel Horse part on his whole creation.
Power is supplied by a 23-hp Kohler engine and delivered to the drive train through a variable-speed hydraulic drive. Live hydraulics from a Sunstrand variable pitch hydraulic pump raise and lower rear attachments and control his custom-made 3 pt.
Krolikowski built an articulated steering system to shorten the turning radius of the extra-long tractor. The tractor oscillates side-to-side and is stable over uneven terrain. Stan says he built the tractor in six months doing all the design, fabricating and welding himself. He painted the tractor in authentic Wheel Horse colors and had custom decals made to give the tractor a factory-made look.
Krolikowski says the tractor runs great and works exactly as he planned, pulling various attachments around his property. Many people see the tractor and think it was built by the Wheel Horse factory, which gives him a real sense of satisfaction for a job well done.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Stan Krolikowski, Amsterdam, New York.
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Custom Wheel Horse Built To Fit Its Owner TRACTORS Collectors Stan Krolikowski saw custom garden tractors at fairs and shows for years and often wondered why they were always built on an undersized frame rather than one more comfortable for an adult man He wanted one slightly longer and higher off the ground so he built one to his specifications Krolikowski’s custom Wheel Horse is 9 ft long and made from the frames of two Wheel Horse 18s He raised the frame 4 in to accommodate larger tires and provide more clearance He transferred the rear fenders from one of the original tractors to fit over the front wheels and fabricated new ones for the rear Power steering is handled by the assembly from a Deere 318 the only non-Wheel Horse part on his whole creation Power is supplied by a 23-hp Kohler engine and delivered to the drive train through a variable-speed hydraulic drive Live hydraulics from a Sunstrand variable pitch hydraulic pump raise and lower rear attachments and control his custom-made 3 pt Krolikowski built an articulated steering system to shorten the turning radius of the extra-long tractor The tractor oscillates side-to-side and is stable over uneven terrain Stan says he built the tractor in six months doing all the design fabricating and welding himself He painted the tractor in authentic Wheel Horse colors and had custom decals made to give the tractor a factory-made look Krolikowski says the tractor runs great and works exactly as he planned pulling various attachments around his property Many people see the tractor and think it was built by the Wheel Horse factory which gives him a real sense of satisfaction for a job well done Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Stan Krolikowski Amsterdam New York
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