Wheel Horse 500
Power
6 hp
Production
1968
Engine
Gasoline, 1-cylinder
Transmission
Wheel Horse Uni-Drive 5053
Drive
2WD
Introduction
Wheel Horse 500 Special Garden Tractor
The Wheel Horse 500 Special is a garden tractor produced in 1968 in South Bend, Indiana. This limited edition model was created to commemorate the Indianapolis 500, drawing inspiration from the pit tractors Wheel Horse provided for the race, though the 500 Special units themselves were designed for residential garden use.
Engine and Performance
The tractor is powered by an air-cooled, 1-cylinder Tecumseh H60 gasoline engine. It features a bore and stroke of 2.625 x 2.50 inches, providing a displacement of 221 cc (13.53 ci) and an output of 6 horsepower (4.5 kW). The engine utilizes a manual recoil starter system.
Transmission and Drive
The drivetrain consists of the Wheel Horse Uni-Drive 5053 transmission, a gear-based system offering 3 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. The unit operates as a two-wheel drive machine with manual steering, designed for standard garden maintenance tasks.
Operator Station and Equipment
The tractor features an open operator station design. It is equipped with turf-specific tires measuring 4.00-8 on the front and 6.00-12 on the rear. The machine was typically supplied with a 32-inch mower deck for grass maintenance.
Conclusion
The Wheel Horse 500 Special serves as a collectible piece of mid-century garden equipment. Its simple mechanical configuration and historical branding make it a notable example of 1960s American small-tractor design, suitable for light landscaping duties and hobbyist restoration.
Production Information of Wheel Horse, 500
- The Wheel Horse 500 Special was special edition tractor to commemorate the Indianapolis 500. Wheel Horse has provided tractors to the Indy 500 as pit tractors for a number of years. The 500 Special was built to celebrate this; they were not actually used at the race.
- Original price was $600 in 1968
- Garden tractor
- Built in South Bend, Indiana, USA
| Manufacturer | Wheel Horse |
|---|
Dimension and Tires Information of Wheel Horse, 500
| Lawn/turf front | 4.00-8 |
|---|---|
| Lawn/turf rear | 6.00-12 |
Engine Specifications of Wheel Horse, 500
- Tecumseh H60
- Existing documentation indicates that a recoil-start H60 was the only engine offered in the 500 Special by the factory. A number of 500s have been found with electric-start Kohlers, suggesting that it was a popular swap, either by the original dealer or early in the tractor's life.
- Air-cooled
- Gasoline
- 1-cylinder
| Bore/Stroke | 2.625x2.50 inches [67 x 64 mm] |
|---|---|
| Power | 6 hp [4.5 kW] |
| Displacement | 221 cc [13.53 ci] |
| Starter type | Manual recoil |
Transmission Information of Wheel Horse, 500
Transmission variants 1
| Transmission | Wheel Horse Uni-Drive 5053 |
|---|---|
| Type | Gear |
| Gears | 3 forward and 1 reverse |
Mechanical Specs of Wheel Horse, 500
- Two-wheel drive
- Open operator station.
| Steering | Manual |
|---|
Where it sits
With 6 HP, the Wheel Horse 500 sits between Lawn Ranger (5 HP) and 701 (7 HP) in Wheel Horse's range. Its power puts it in the 45th percentile of 1960s models in our database (550 machines).
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does the Wheel Horse 500 have?
The Wheel Horse 500 delivers 6 HP.
What years was the Wheel Horse 500 produced?
The Wheel Horse 500 was produced in 1968.
What engine does the Wheel Horse 500 have?
The Wheel Horse 500 is powered by a Gasoline, 1-cylinder engine.
What transmission does the Wheel Horse 500 use?
The Wheel Horse 500 uses a Wheel Horse Uni-Drive 5053 transmission.
Is the Wheel Horse 500 4WD?
The Wheel Horse 500 is available in 2WD.